To the editor:

Recently, I sent a letter to this newspaper setting forth an imaginary dialogue among our congressional delegation in which I likened them to a voluntary fire brigade. I was surprised (and disappointed) when the letter was published with the title “Chinese fire drill?” I wish to go on record as objecting to this headline on two grounds. First, I consider that phrase to be denigrating to the point of being an ethnic slur, and it is not part of my vernacular. Second, if required to choose between a fire brigade composed of the Chinese-Americans I know and our congressional delegation, I would without hesitation choose the former.

Thank you for this opportunity to set the record straight.

Jeff Southard,
Lawrence