Good for you. I hope you enjoy the day and all the best to you.

Monica, you're the one who should apologize! The Days of '47 committee didn't do anything wrong. The local float committee didn't do anything wrong. Your misrepresentation (lying) about the whole situation is what caused the problem. Just think about what you're teaching your daughter. YOU know the REAL story!

PT Barnum said it right and unfortunately, some caring, well-meaning people will fall for it every time. Shame on this mother.

I think I'm missing something here. I read the Sunday letter and now this, but I don't get what happened. What's the real story?

Ugh! D-news, is there anyone there that knows how to do some actual reporting? Can someone please tell us both sides of this story so that we know what in the "heck" Monica is talking about?

Totally confused here. What's the story? Can somebody fill me in?

I just read the last two comments in the thread attached to Monica's Sunday letter. It appears that the charge of "racism" was entirely fabricated.

If what they say is true then it's really a shame that the Deseret News chose to publish Monica's whining letter in the first place without verifying some of the facts.

I would still like to see an actual NEWS story on this (now that it's out there) so that we're not just relying on hearsay in letters and comments.

What proof is there the story was fabricated? The family didn't go in to hiding out of embarrassment for publicly lying.

To 1:24 p.m.

It isn't the story itself that appears to be fabricated but rather the charge of "racism".

But your objection is why I keep calling for the D-news to actually do its job rather than allowing the hearsay to promulgate unchecked. Let's hear both sides of the story, with all the details. Then we can decide whether there was anything untoward about the way the float committee handled things or whether Ms. Carpentier over-reacted just a bit.

to jackhp,

You do not understand the proper role of a letters to the editor section. The editor does not try and verify the letters but publishes them to let them influence people.

I have tried twice to publish a letter with more of the facts, this would be published with my name on it. How did she get two letters published in three days and let readers decide for themselves. I know first hand that she called foul when there was none. She threw a temper tantrum and got what she wanted and I hope she can have a happy day in light of the fact that she has forever marred this holiday for many others by acting like a spoiled little brat. SHAME ON THIS MOTHER! Her child didn't get picked for a part, others were turned away because there was no room. The float was trying to represent as many races as possible, four white children will be on the float. She and her child have no idea what it is to be a victim of racism, many others suffer from this on a regular basis.

So, let's see a letter with more than her point of view.

I see there are still some people that read this are open-minded and realize there is more to the story. Yes, racism is alive and well in Utah and every other state in our country. Most caucasians will never feel the real sting of narrow-minded people on this subject. Monica's letters were both very inappropriate as well as deceitful. She put up a for sale sign in her yard for three days, until she got what she wanted, she wrote an inflammatory letter and had many kind people trying to make this situation better for her by apologizing even when they had done nothing wrong. She continued to fan the flame. I hope she will be able to sleep at night, however, I am sure she will never look at herself as the real problem. She has done a great deal of damage to others, but what about the things she has done to her own children.

John Lambert,

The proper role of a public forum is not to publish unsubstantiated hearsay, especially when charges as serious as racism are thrown about.

Should I be able to send a letter saying "The LDS Church burned my house down because I actively denounce their public policy positions" and expect that it be printed without the slightest attempt to verify my claim? Of course not, that would be ridiculous.

Judging from the "facts" of this case, vague as they are, Ms. Carpentier's first letter should never have been published.

It is very unfortunate the Ms. Carpentiers first whining letter was ever published. The second gloating letter was no better. Shame on the Deseret News.

You're wrong. We were told our daughter had the wrong skin color. That's what they told us. Yes, it turned out to be a huge misunderstanding, but they didn't explain that for days. Our home being for sale has NOTHING to do with this and we'll be getting a new sign. The sign is down because my autistic son ripped it all up. I want to teach my kids to forgive and everything, but I also want to teach them to stand up for what is right and speak up about injustice. I will not be returning to read any more of this stuff so you can all flame away to your hearts content, but you are all very wrong about what happened. We were told our daughter had the wrong skin color. You are all completely wrong about this.

FANTASTIC! That is the best news. Ignore all these negative comments. There are always those who can't wait to cruicify other people. It's wonderful that it all worked out well.

Monica’s depiction of discrimination is dead wrong and self-serving. This will irritate many readers, but being a white American does give license to claim race discrimination. It applies to ethnic minorities only. Sorry. Monica made the real mistake, but is not getting it OR admitting it. The attention she sought and received was based on deliberate misrepresentation of ethnicity. Using the race card, Monica grasped special treatment from those who reacted to a seemingly blatant (though false) example of discrimination. It was an abuse perpetrated on everyone – particularly those actually subjected to racial discrimination. Similar to the little boy who cried wolf, she damaged others who may rightfully need redress for discriminatory wrongs. Unless you are going to do the next float, Monica, I suggest you cease dictating to those who are putting in their time, work and personal resources to make you and your community look good. Float building is a gargantuan task. I applaud the good folks who dedicated so much but were repaid with a such raw deal by their own neighbor.

Thank you "More to the story" for a little reason. I think you meant to say that being a white American does NOT give license to racial discrimination claims. I know how very easy it is to make those kind of typos. Thank you for all of your remarks. In case you missed it there was a front page article in The Salt Lake Tribune today by Paul Rolly, once again only telling her point of view with the same gross misrepresentations. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU for perpetuating this hateful diatribe. Thank you again for your remarks in the previous comment "More to the story"

So, Monica, let me get this straight, everyone is wrong about this except you? Sorry you won't be returning to see the fruits of your actions.

Isn't it ironic that in the heading to the comments it is stated that anything abusive, offensive or a misrepresentation will not be posted. How did Monica's letter pass this litmus test?