The Kids Are Alright

Our brightest students pass a note to The Decider.

The students had been invited to the East Room
to hear the president speak about his effort to
win congressional reauthorization of his
education law known as No Child Left Behind.

The handwritten letter said the students "believe
we have a responsibility to voice our convictions."

"We do not want America to represent torture.
We urge you to do all in your power to stop
violations of the human rights of detainees, to
cease illegal renditions, and to apply the Geneva
Convention to all detainees, including those
designated enemy combatants," the letter said.

The designation as a Presidential Scholar is one
of the nation's highest honors for graduating high
school students. Each year the program selects
one male and one female student from each
state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
Americans living abroad, 15 at-large students,
and up to 20 students in the arts on the basis of
outstanding scholarship, service, leadership and
creativity.