Re: Suman Lali's letter, Sept. 9, 2010.

I'm happy to read the introduction of how involved she is with the Smart Step Youth Association and their involvement with youth cleaning up graffiti and the streets of Merritt.

I was not stereotyping or being prejudiced when I made the comment, "I just find this is sad that the teens of today feel the need to ruin and wreck other people's property." I was stating fact, as I saw it. I do have the right to freedom of speech and it's just too bad you were greatly offended.

I was offended and violated to have our property destroyed and I have the right to express my disgust with the lack of respect by the teens we witnessed destroying our property.

You write that you feel the need to defend your generation, challenging to demean and minimize our loss. You write with intent of trying to fault me. This shows me you have absolutely no respect for anyone else other than your "generation," as you put it.

I am very supportive of anyone who deserves it. I refuse to give 'at-a-boy' pats to the teens we witnessed destroying our property. And shame on you for minimizing the destruction of our property and your apparent belief that those who are not in your generation and, if violated, should not speak up.

Beth Goulet