Editor, Times-Union: Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with a Warsaw High School teacher who is "on the fence" with regards to their job. Not due to deviant behavior or criminal misconduct, but due to the upcoming change in scheduling next year. I'm sure there are pros and cons with the current block schedule as well as with the 6-7 period schedule the school is returning to. But my understanding is that this change is motivated by budget constraints, not by an improvement to the education system. School administrators cannot be held responsible for this as there is only so much money provided to the schools. Contrary to the promises of our "Education President" in Washington, less money is filtering down to the schools now than there was only a few years ago. Our standards nationwide have been lowered to make the whole picture look better from a distance. The literacy rate in this country is embarrassing when compared to many of the other "industrial" nations of the world.Where do we begin?
Money is the big issue, it seems, with every problem. It is the root of the problem when it is scarce and it is the savior when it is plentiful. And right now, at the school level, it is scarce. With the current "war mode" thriving in Washington, our dollars are flying overseas in large denominations. The current buildup in the Middle East has cost the taxpayers in this country over $10 billion over the last three months, according to Newsweek magazine. That's $10 billion out of your pockets and out of programs including education. How many books, how many school programs and how many teachers could we provide with that money? And to keep our forces over there will cost us all another $1 billion per month for who knows how many months.
Saddam Hussein is a madman. He has performed deplorable acts against his own people. He hates America and what it stands for. But I still have not seen proof that convinces me that he is behind the attacks on our country and its citizens. It should be up to the Iraqi people to deal with him, to "take him out," not us. If any outside force is to assume responsibility here, it should be the United Nations, and any direct action should be with the U.N.'s support and blessing. Stop the buildup, bring our soldiers home and start putting the billions of dollars to good use here. Help our deteriorating economy, help feed our starving citizens and work on our schools. Rebuild our educational system into a national education system where all children can receive the same education, whether you live in the ghettos of New York or in Beverly Hills. Fix up the schools, buy more books and supplies and start paying teachers what they should be paid for the jobs they are doing. Give all children the same opportunities. Give them all the same tools so they can have all the same chances to build their futures.
Bill Harris Winona Lake via e-mail
War On Iraq
Editor, Times-Union: I was pleased to see Gary Gerard opening up a local debate on the Iraq war question. And I was pleased that he did it in an open-minded way without a dogmatic point of view. I would like to offer an additional viewpoint.
I believe that we need to differentiate between war on Saddam and war on Iraq. Saddam is a despot who gained control over the government of Iraq through intimidation and elimination of opposition. But Iraq, for the most part, is made up of ordinary people like you and me and the family next door. We, and they, are simply people who are trying to survive and prosper in a system in which we find ourselves.
To declare that we want to find a way to remove Saddam from power is one thing. I don't object to that. But it is quite another thing to declare war on Iraq. It is a declaration of war on a community of ordinary people not unlike ourselves. I understand that tens of thousands of these people were killed during the Gulf War. And I don't doubt that tens of thousands will be killed during another war.
I don't want to be annihilated for the views and aspirations of George Bush. The concept of annihilating innocent citizens of Iraq for the views and aspirations of Saddam gives me a lot of heartache.
Howard Woodward Jr. Warsaw via e-mail
Price Of Freedom
Editor, Times-Union: I am writing in response to Jeffrey Garrett's "Military Spending" article.
The line that offended me the most was when you called spending money on the Pentagon "unwise." You see, sir, that is the best investment the government can make, especially when there is so much at risk ... such as your freedom.
However, you are entitled to your opinion as that is your constitutionally protected right. Although I respect your opinion, I don't agree with it. While reading your article from Misawa Air Base in Japan, I noticed how you were quick to point out what the government wasn't doing for you, but you neglected to point out what you were doing for yourself and your community.
I think JFK said it best in one of his speeches. "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Freedom comes at a price. It is paid for with sacrifices by people who risk their lives every day to provide the comforts most Americans take for granted every day. I am not seeking to change your opinion, rather to expand it and perhaps broaden it a little. I think it is unwise not to spend money protecting our freedoms. Not spending the money puts lives at risk. My life and your life and the lives of every American. It is a privilege and an honor to serve as an Airman in the United States Air Force. I missed my best friend's wedding while I was in basic training and I didn't get to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with my family because I am helping protect their freedoms halfway around the world. I make those sacrifices proudly and gladly and so do other airmen, sailors, marines and soldiers serving their country. If the only sacrifice you have to make to your country comes from your wallet and not your life, you should be happy to give it. I am willing to give both for my country. What are you willing to give, besides your opinion?
A1C Evan P Fish, USAF Misawa Air Base, Japan Former Warsaw resident via e-mail
Coaching
Editor, Times-Union: In response to Ms. Spitler's letter about Coach Teel, I would like to say you need to get your facts straight. First of all, I attended the ball game and with the score 38 to 8 at halftime, I personally felt there was no need to even put the starting line-up in after halftime. Which he did. There is no need in rubbing another team's nose in it and it is uncalled for. As far as the subs go, one of them didn't even get in until three minutes left to go in the game. How would you feel if it was your kid sitting on the bench and the team was ahead by 40 points? I have also talked to several people who were at the game, and they felt the same way I did about running up the score on a team that obviously wasn't very good. If Coach Teel wants to coach that way it's fine, but someday he might not have a very good team and I'm sure he won't like it when someone pounds his team in the ground.
Jeni Adams Akron via e-mail
Out Of State Athletes
Editor, Times-Union: Except for Indiana high school athletes who don't get offers from Indiana colleges, I for one, and I think many more, am sick and tired of local athletes going out of state for their athletic careers.
Indiana, Purdue and Notre Dame, along with our smaller colleges, probably have much better rankings than the athletic "factories" which have no concern whether or not their athletes graduate.
So, to the South Whitley reader (Times-Union, Feb. 4) who complains because there was no story about an excellent area athlete, the last time I was in the area of the athlete's school there was not even a newspaper to which one could subscribe and get such info.
As far as I'm concerned, the Times-Union's stories should be about loyal athletes who stay in Indiana for their higher education, and I'm also hoping our area's employers give preferred consideration to the graduates from Indiana colleges, not to the students who leave Indiana and then come back here looking for jobs.
John. W. Harman Plymouth P.S. To the guy from North Webster, I love "The Outdoor Scene" with the local restaurant and political comments being a welcome relief. After all, some of us are not all that concerned about hunting and fishing, with the restaurant, forecasts, etc., being great humor, rather rare in many papers.
