Letter of the WeeQ

Clark Sheets (Dec. 22 letter) criticized the Register’s Young Adult Board of Contributors for “simplistic moralizing.” I will not defend the viewpoints of the writers, but I think he's missing the point.

Morality is a concept rooted in thinking outside of your own ego. Perhaps, young people are less “tempered by life experience.” Maybe they are slightly idealistic, but this world wouldn't be the same without their contributions.

Jesus Christ, the most revolutionary “moralizer” in history, barely lived past 30. He was also criticized for bold, moral proclamations, but he didn't sign up for the job for self-gratification. He did so because he was passionate about his convictions.

Do young Iowa writers get everything right? Obviously not, but at least they are testing beliefs instead of treading through their days without ever engaging a formidable question. Why are their contributions so simplistic? They have only 100 words to express a thought.

These ideas aren't intended to win a debate. Rather they're intended to make the wheels turn for the prepubescent and elderly alike.

—Tony Coppola, Des Moines.

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