Choice seems obvious
On one side, it appears you have a socialist, a liar, and a weakling (one who apologizes to a fringe group for proposing the obvious).
On the other side, we have 15 successful people. One is a brain surgeon who is, incidentally, black. One is a corporate leader who, incidentally, is a woman. What a contrast!
JOE EFFERSON
Hot Springs Village
Credentials have place
I am going to have to call you on the editorial “What makes a good teacher?” First, credentials/licenses do indeed have a place in our society. The license does not guarantee that all who possess one have achieved a high level of expertise in their profession, but, at least, that they have the basic knowledge needed to perform at a safe and adequate level.
Second, in order to maintain credentials as a teacher, one must update skills annually through professional development. If one does not continually upgrade skills as required by law or in order to maintain a customer base, then one loses one’s job (or is transferred to a more appropriate position) or does not stay in business.
Third, education does not so much need “good” teachers as it needs effective teachers who know and apply daily and appropriately developmental theory and research-based instructional methods.
Fourth, the expert quoted, Eric Hanushek from Stanford, has a lengthy curriculum vitae filled with research culled from the intersection of economics and education, not teacher-quality research. If you are going to address teacher quality, I suggest you turn to those who have done research in the field of effective teaching.
This is not to say that all we currently know about effective teachers is all there is to know. I would also like to acknowledge that there is a certain je ne sais quoi that effective teachers have that seems to be the perfect intersection of instructional expertise, behavioral psychology, personality type, communication, mental health, sense of humor, and ability to provide a sense of security, well-being, warmth, and caring to children while holding students to a high standard coupled with a sense of responsibility.
The editorial did get one thing right: “Teaching, too, is still at least as much an art … as it is a science.”
SUSANNE C. ASHBY
Cabot
Research their work
I am a certified constable from Franklin County. I am appalled at your recent editorial condemning constables. I am an experienced law enforcement officer who does this with no pay and benefits in order to make my community a better place and safer place to live and raise our families. I think you need to research your facts before judging us all because of one constable’s actions.
We are a rural area that seldom sees a marked law enforcement vehicle as our sheriff’s department is undermanned, underfunded and stretched very thin in its ability to cover the entire county. I, sir, am a professional and work in unison with my sheriff’s department and state police.
Come ride along with me some late night on these county back roads and see that it is much different than sitting behind a desk and judging.
TIM O’NEAL
Branch
Respectful discourse
I want to thank letter-writer David Cockcroft for his recent Voices letter. He expresses well my own reaction to the compulsive demonization of President Barack Obama.
I certainly do not agree with many of the president’s policies. Criticism of policy, advocacy toward changing laws, even civil disobedience as a last resort—these are the ways a democracy works. Mindless attacks, name-calling, automatic rejection of all initiatives coming from President Obama—those prevent the workings of democracy. Civil society depends on a respectful discourse, where opposing viewpoints can be heard, weighed, and put to a vote. Shouting down an opposing view, slandering an opponent, refusing any compromise—these are the tactics of fascism.
I am a hunter, and strongly support gun rights. I also want common-sense restrictions.
I want our borders to be secure, and immigration laws to be enforced. I also want laws changed so that legal immigration is actually possible. I want the assurance that only legal voters vote. I also want all eligible voters to be able to vote. I believe in free enterprise.
I also believe that the environment must be protected and the poor assisted. I believe in the sanctity of life. I also believe in compassion, forgiveness, and practical assistance to those facing difficult choices.
These are not contradictory positions. Holding a conservative viewpoint on these issues does not make me a redneck, Bible-thumping, heartless reactionary. A liberal stance on these same issues does not make me a godless, bleeding heart, America-hating devil.
MARK STENGEL
Subiaco
In our best interests?
Now I’m wondering why the Keystone pipeline is not in the best interests of the United States. As an excuse for not signing off on the Keystone bill, this sounds like code for insufficient bribery or political advantage. This begs the question, “What is in the best interests of the U.S.?” Sounds to me like a minority of people are all about making life more difficult for Americans by imposing difficulties on progress. Perhaps there is some more bribery money to be had here.
I find it interesting that President Barack Obama’s ideas of the U.S.’ best interests are not at all that popular. Perhaps the negative aspects of the Keystone pipeline have yet to be revealed to the American people. Perhaps all this environmental rhetoric has been overstated and the positive aspects of the pipeline have been undervalued. It all looks like the driver is about to take the wrong exit.
One way or the other, the American people are left holding the bag. The pipeline is only one ingredient in our economy and industry. This pie includes everything that the GDP uses to tally up growth or recession nationwide. When something is taken out of the pie, the results are not all that appetizing.
All the chatter indicates that people have their own opinions about what is best for the U.S. Some people’s opinions are deemed irrelevant.
LUCIAN SIMMONS
Oil Trough