A recent Province editorial, reprinted in The Daily News, opined that a 54-year-old man lacked wisdom when he physically intervened when seeing a robber attempting to forcibly yank a woman from her car. After tackling the gunman another bystander helped detain the outlaw until the arrival of the police.

The editorial staff also negatively judged all others who would have agreed with the action taken by this man.

Sadly, the editor and staff reveal far more than absurdity; they put on display their values, their moral fibre.

You see, the clear and present danger existed that someone quite readily would be shot — either the woman in the car should she not move quickly enough, or bystanders should the robber become rattled or frightened. The quick action of an ordinary man — well, more than ordinary — prevented what could have been a tragic event. And by all indications he had more real-life experience than the combined editorial staff, and the ability to take the successful action he did.

If the attitudes and values reflected in this silly editorial prevailed throughout our society, criminals would saunter around with impunity, not being in a hurry to flee. They would be free and we would be the prisoners.

I laud (this man) and others like him. For those who make that personal decision, good on you. And editors, judge not.

DICK BARNES

Chase