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MAIL BAG  LETTERS FROM READERS

February 9, 2009

MAIL BAG  LETTERS FROM READERS

Keep funding for Governor’s School

Recently, Gov. Ed Rendell talked about cutting funding to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools of Excellence.

This should be seen as another attack on the education of talented, young adults in the state. The Governor’s School program offers an opportunity for a few hundred students to dive into their possible career fields and get hands-on looks at both the schooling and professional obligations that lie ahead of them.

I was an Excellence in Health Care student, and am now giving back to the community as an emergency medical technician. Also, because of the Governor’s School, I am studying to become a health care administrator at the University of Scranton.

I feel I owe a lot to the Governor’s School program. So many young men and women could achieve what I have if given the same opportunity.

I am respectfully asking Gov. Rendell, Sen. Bob Mellow and Rep. Jim Wansacz to keep funding in place for the program.

District is failing GNA students

For the umpteenth year, the student test scores of the Greater Nanticoke Area School District came in last, as recently acknowledged by school director/teacher Tony Prushinski.

Prushinski also stated that the GNA teachers were the best. School Director Patty Bieski stated, “at least we are moving in the right direction.”

Apparently she thinks downward is the right direction.

It appears obvious to all but Prushinski and Bieski that students cannot do any better than the teachers who teach them, the school board that hires the teachers and the superintendent and principals who supervise the teachers.

This problem will not be corrected – and our youth will continue to be denied an education necessary to succeed – until we place the blame where it belongs and clean house.

We need school vouchers so that our youth can avoid poor school districts such as GNA, and we need vouchers immediately – before more of our youth suffer the loss of an education for which we are paying dearly.

Writer supports pro-life legislation

Staff writer Andrew M. Seder’s online article titled “Casey introduces bill that aims to reduce abortions,” (posted Jan. 21) was welcome news for pro-life Catholics. The Pregnant Women Support Act is just what we need to move beyond rhetoric and support policies that help vulnerable women carry their pregnancies to term.

For this reason, I was surprised to see that Susan Cirba, of the Scranton chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, objects to this proposed legislation.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities supports the Pregnant Women Support Act as “a common-ground initiative to reduce the number of abortions in the United States.” I can’t think of a more ringing endorsement for this critical legislation.

Ms. Cirba might want to re-examine her position and urge Congress to support this bill, which provides health care for vulnerable pregnant women, encourages adoption and offers quality medical care for new mothers and their infants.

Free LCCC credits only benefit a few

I had to express my opinion after reading Betty Roccograndi’s column concerning Luzerne County Community College aiding the unemployed in our area (“LCCC’s ‘generosity’ with taxpayer dollars deserves closer scrutiny,” Jan. 25).

I agree with everything that the columnist wrote. I have two children who attend LCCC. They both pay tuition and they both hold full-time jobs to pay for tuition, cars, gas and insurance to attend the school. They, too, would like to enjoy the benefit of 12 free credits or $1,200 towards their tuition loans.

In today’s economy it is a misfortune for so many of our family, friends and neighbors to be displaced from their jobs. But it is not up to the county to provide training; it is up to the state unemployment office. That is why we pay into the fund when we are employed.

This practice should be stopped immediately, since it is a benefit paid by the county taxpayers and it is not a benefit that can be utilized by all of the county taxpayers.

Reader questions emphasis on color

I hope your readers do not take this the wrong way.

I read your paper every day and I enjoy most of what I read. What I do not enjoy is hearing Barack Obama is the first African-American president. Remember, his mother is white; so is the grandmother who raised him.

He should be known as the first biracial president.

It really irks me when people forget that they are half white. Halle Berry doesn’t acknowledge she is half white, yet her white mother is always by her side. Same with Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey, and the list of biracial celebrities goes on.

I don’t understand why color has to be a part of everything. Every time history is made, it has to be drowned out by color.

During the entire election all we heard was the first African-American this, the first African-American that. How is this country supposed to get over racism when everything has to do with color?

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play in major league baseball and we made, and still make, a big deal about him. Why aren’t we making a big deal about the two pitchers, Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel, from India who were recently signed by the Pirates? They are the first Indians in baseball; shouldn’t we stop the world for them too?

Racism will never end because there always has to be a big deal made over “African-Americans” doing something for the first time.

New presidency brings sweet relief

Renita Fennick, I know your pain (as expressed in the post-presidential inauguration column titled “The party over, it’s a week of disappointment”).

I don’t feel it anymore but I know what you’re going through. I was in agonizing pain for eight long years. I felt punched, kicked, pushed …well, you know what I mean. It wasn’t until Nov. 4 that my pain started to ebb and by Inauguration Day, with the end of the Bush regime, it was over.

Ah, the relief.

I feel sorry for you though, because after only five days you already are suffering so much. It will be a long, painful eight years for you. Take care of yourself, and keep active to save your sanity as I did.

March for Life inspires supporter

I attended the 36th March for Life in Washington, D.C., and saw hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country standing shoulder to shoulder and protesting the loss of 50 million children who have been aborted since Roe v. Wade became a law.

They also wanted to tell their legislators that they expect them to vote for life. Of course, the mainstream news media literally ignored the march, which drew more people than any other year.

Although I was exhausted at the end of the day, I have to say that I am now filled with more dedication and commitment to fight to make this country a “culture of life.” What really touched my heart and gave me great hope was the number of young people who attended. They were filled with enthusiasm and they energized everyone.

Our country does have a chance to become great again.

In the Bible’s book of Chronicles it says, “If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

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