Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 26, 1994 TAG: 9403010168
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The one consistent, meaningful and telling correlation existing in the quality of education's steady decline in the United States is the parallel rise in the influence of education departments.
Had he closed the school entirely (as did Duke University years ago), he would have saved more than just money. He would have taken the first step in correcting the myriad problems such education departments have caused.
The average elementary-school teacher is required to take virtually nothing above the freshman level in any real academic discipline. They have to take class after class of hot air and jargon in educationese, or they won't be given a certificate by the Department of Education, which is peopled with educationese ignoramuses, products of schools of education with vested interest in expanding their turf.
Johnny can't tell us in what century the Civil War took place because his teachers can't, and the fault doesn't lie with teachers. Such is the case because those running these sham education departments don't allow real courses into their so-called field.
Cries of lost jobs should be met with the fact that jobs for real professors in math, science, history and English will open up as the public demands that prospective teachers get a real education, not the hog-wash they're required to take now.
Carlisle needs all the public backing he can get because the educationese have him outnumbered, outflanked and out-gunned. But he happens to be correct.
GEORGE ``TEX'' WOOD
STUART
Robb is bad; North is worse
IN RESPONSE to Richard K. Culbertson's Feb. 4 letter to the editor, ``Nix both Robb and North'':
I am a 34-year-old clinical social worker who's married with two young sons. I consider myself to be a moderate-to-liberal Democrat. Thus, I probably have political views very different from Culbertson, the ``10th generation Virginian who was weaned on and still adheres to the mountain-valley Republican philosophy of his ancestors.'' However, not only do I agree with every word that he wrote, I wish I'd written the letter myself.
While I'm in agreement with many of Chuck Robb's positions, I wouldn't actively support his campaign. In fact, I've stated that I'd vote for ``just about any Republican'' if Robb is again nominated by the Democratic Party. Thankfully, I've said ``just about any Republican.'' Never, under any circumstances, would I vote for Ollie North.
To have Robb as our senator is embarrassing. However, to nominate North would be horrifying.
We desperately need candidates for the United States Senate who reflect the pride and honor that most Virginians feel for our state.
ALISON ALLSBROOK AYLOR
ROANOKE
Edwards has the experience
I'VE KNOWN John Edwards since I was the Student Government Association faculty adviser at Patrick Henry High School. He was elected by the student body as the first student government president of the school. He was recognized then as a leader and has continued to be heavily involved in church and civic affairs.
Edwards has wide experience in many areas. As chairman of Virginia Lutheran Homes, which runs Brandon Oaks retirement community, he understands our senior citizens' needs. As a former U.S. attorney, he's well equipped to deal with the valley's crime-prevention problems. As a parent with three children in public schools, he's vitally concerned with educational matters.
I cannot imagine anyone better-qualified or better-suited to be on Roanoke City Council. With him, you always know he has the city's best interests at heart. City Council knew this when its members unanimously appointed him to fill Bev Fitzpatrick's seat. City residents will greatly benefit by voting in the March 1 primary at their regular precinct and by casting their vote for Edwards.
VELVA W. WREDEN
ROANOKE
A curious 'synchronicity'
ON THE VERY day cartoonist Bill Day used Edward Munch's ``The Scream'' (Opinion page cartoon, Feb. 12) to make a statement about the horror of Bosnia, the original of Munch's painting was stolen from a museum in Oslo, Norway.
Jung called such coincidences ``synchronicities.'' I call them God's way of remaining anonymous. Alas, the appellation isn't original.
BOB SHIELDS
ROANOKE
Keep children off the streets
RECENTLY I was approached by an 8-year-old asking me to buy a candy bar. His 6-year-old sister also was selling them, but she wasn't with him at the time. They were selling the candy for the school.
With the ever-present danger to children, I was shocked that the school administration would send out two youngsters of that age to sell candy on the street. If the school doesn't know any better, where are the children's parents? Do they never read the papers with the accounts of children assaulted and murdered? If they don't, they had better wake up.
ELEANOR B. GOODALE
ROANOKE
by CNB