In "McCain's move shows his true colors" (Sept. 30), Leslie Small mocked Sen. McCain's return to Washington because of our current financial crisis. While I might have had her attitudes as a student, I have learned that leadership often means doing "symbolic acts."

For the past 25 years, I have been president and CEO of a small company. A fellow PSU graduate and I started the company with $200 and a dream. That company has fed a lot of families over the years. What I have learned is that leaders often have to communicate points through their actions, not just their words. It would have been so easy for Sen. McCain to say that the financial crisis was important to resolve and stay on the stump, but to physically leave the campaign and go to Washington was a clear demonstration of leadership and the urgency of the crisis.

If you ever have to lead people in an important role, perhaps someday you will understand the importance of physical actions over just words. Perhaps Sen. McCain did show his true colors, those of a leader!

John Myers

Class of 1976