Letter of the Day: Spell this ...

Editor, Daily News:

Where were Tom Hanson's handlers when he wrote his article on the Scripps National Spelling Bee that appeared in Wednesday's Daily News?

I usually read the entire paper, and must admit that Hanson's name was not familiar to me. As such, I can't say whether his prior columns have been impressive or not, although "not" seems the most likely since his name wasn't familiar.

However, his Wednesday column will ensure that his name will be familiar in the future. In an age where television has hundreds of hours a week devoted to poker, "reality" shows, music videos, celebrity "infomercials" and other mindless drivel, Mr. Hanson seems to think that two hours of live coverage on network television of the spelling bee is excessive.

Further, he implies that "losers will be psychologically damaged for life." "Losers?" Every one you'll see on television has already won at several levels of competition. And I dare say they are probably more inured to "losing" than they are to someone of Hanson's ilk belittling their efforts.

Since there is a relatively young age limit for participants in the spelling bee, perhaps Hanson felt safe in picking on someone half his age.

Just in case his excuse for this demeaning column was that it was done tongue-in-cheek, then he is as poor a writer as he is a judge of honest effort by these young men and women.

Barry J. McCall , Bonita Springs