Dear Editor:
Thank you for the article on Ken MacDonald (Bar Bulletin, April 2007). When I was in high school (1959–1961), Ken engaged in a series of debates with an outspoken advocate for the John Birch Society. I was in awe of his conviction, his passion and his courage, and wondered how he could stand, in the face of vocal animosity, and state his opinions and arguments with such clarity.
One of the debates was at Mercer Island High School, and the audience was allowed to question the speakers. With trepidation, I rose and challenged the John Birch advocate. This 17-year-old high school student was greeted with a crescendo of boos. It was exhilarating! I knew then what my life’s work would be.
I doubt that I would have become a lawyer without the example set by Ken MacDonald. I know I would not have been successful without his example, and I have tried to emulate him for almost a half a century.
I hope we can all learn from this story what a powerful impact we can have. It is one that I will always cherish and is about a man from whom I have been privileged to learn.
–Doug Cowan
Cowan Smith Kirk Gaston
Kirkland
