The New York Times, 23 Dec. 1993, p. A16

"Return to Sender"

To the Editor:

	I was disappointed that the Brandeis University student 
newspaper accepted an ad from a Holocaust denier (news article, 
Dec. 12).  Last month my high school newspaper, The Cardinal 
Times, received the same ad in a priority mail package.

	"Please run the enclosed ad," the cover letter read.  It 
was accompanied by a check for $100, made out to The Cardinal 
Times.  A very tempting offer, especially for a school paper 
functioning under budget cuts.

	The Holocaust denier, Bradley R. Smith, wanted to make it 
easy to publish his hate-filled words with as little thought as 
possible.  Listing himself as the director of the Committee for 
Open Debate on the Holocaust, he gives an image of credibility.  
But he is the only member of his committee.

	As students we are supposed to be open-minded to new 
information.  His concealed bigotry can easily be accepted at its 
face value.  Mr. Smith wants us to believe his opinion, not to 
debate history.

	This is not an issue of free speech or press.  Neither 
The Cardinal Times nor The Brandeis Justice -- or any other 
newspaper -- has a constitutional obligation to publish the ad.  
His check did not entitle him to use our newspaper for untruths 
and hate.

	We at Lincoln High School did exactly what Bradley Smith 
didn't want us to do:  We used our minds.  By publishing the ad -- 
even to expose the matter to our readers -- we would have done the 
denier's work for him.

	And we didn't stop with Lincoln.  We brought the matter 
to the attention of the school district administration and 
ultimately to all high schools in Oregon.  Removing our link, we 
broke his chain of hatred.  By return mail Bradley Smith received 
a package.  "We cannot print your ad," read the cover letter.  It 
was accompanied by a $100 check, made out to The Cardinal Times.

Karen Abravanel
Co-editor in Chief
Lincoln High School Cardinal Times
Portland, Ore., Dec. 16, 1993

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