Letters to the Editor

Editor,

I am a 10th grade student at JEB Stuart High School. I was not one of the 75 students chosen to hear President Bush's speech, however, my pre IB Government class was selected to speak with the president in person and ask a few questions. ,p>My question for the president was based on his plans for the “No Child Left Behind.” I asked the President: “Is it realistic for students coming from poor, underprivileged, or non-English speaking backgrounds to meet the same standards, and be expected to pass the same tests as someone taking advanced courses?” President Bush’s answered with a very enthusiastic “Of course!” He then went into a long, drawn out explanation of how everyone has the opportunity to apply themselves no matter what the situation.

What I don’t think the President understands is that, in the same way that not every athlete can go pro, not every student can pass high expectations that are created by this new program. Achievement should be measured by improvement, not by one set standard for all students. There was a short pause, and then President Bush began to speak about equal opportunities for students and how it directly related to the war in Iraq. Everyone in the class glanced at the person next to them to be sure that the President was in fact, relating education, schooling, and higher test scores to the war in Iraq. He then started talking about the freedoms we have given to the Iraqi and Afghani people as if to justify his reasons for going to war.

As a pre IB student, I was disappointed in the President's lack of understanding of the disadvantages some students face in meeting the same educational standards I am expected to meet.

Emma Sheehy Falls Church

Editor,

Elliott Rickenbaker's letter to the editor in the January 13 issue deserves a couple of comments.

First, whatever happened to the law suit the City brought against Frank's Towing Company for “Unlawful Charge/Towing?” I was one of the witnesses subpoenaed to appear in the Court on July 7 of last year. After waiting in the courtroom for nearly two hours, the witnesses were told to go home since the trail was postponed. I received a subpoena again for September 29. What happened then was a repeat performance of the first experience. The witnesses were told to go home since the trail was postponed again, this time to December 21.

Well, I have not received another subpoena and December 21 is now a past history. In the meantime, I have no idea what has happened to the law suit. I believe the City should do a better job of informing its citizens. Second, Mr. Rickenbaker is comparatively lucky for having to pay $85 to retrieve his car. I was among a number of people who was forced to pay $125. The City officials told me that this overcharging is in violation of the City ordinances. I believe the City should do a better of enforcing its ordinances.

If a towing company can get away with “Unlawful Charge/Towing,” what would be the basis on which the citizens would be held responsible not to park unlawfully?

Sung Lee Falls Church

Editor,

I was surprised and disappointed to “see” the front page of your Jan. 6 edition. Entitled "Bagel Bash," two photographs that take up half of the opening page portray an accident involving a woman (credible, more respectful classification than elderly woman driver) driving into a bagel store. As the first shot clearly depicts what's described in the caption, there follows yet another snapshot of the actual driver sitting there in front of the scene. Two shots of the same scene.

Hoping there's at least an article that tells more of the story, I page through finding nothing but poor consideration. Unless it was only for the sake of humor, I'd love to know why the second picture showing the woman (who is unidentified in the caption) is needed? I'm sure the story...or snapshot...generates enough embarrassment for her already. Now we have an opportunity for the entire community to get a laugh.

I am a strong advocate for small town newspapers, but I'm somewhat disappointed in what was published. It's great to be informed from our newspapers, not entertained by them.

Matt Johns Falls Church

(Editor's Note- This clearly falls in the category of “human interest,” one picture to show the location, the other to show the poignant moment between driver and officer. This was not done for the sake of humor, but for the sake of our human condition and our shared sympathy for the lady. The pictures tell the whole story)

Editor,

Regarding Bob Hebert's column “Shopping for War” in the December 30 News-Press and Annette Mills' letter in the January 6th edition, I endorse their concerns and rationale. Donald Rumsfeld and his neo-con colleagues are searching for the next “enemy.” Robert Fiske, Middle East correspondent for The Independent of London (and voted best reporter by British reporters and editors for many years) recently said about the occupation of Iraq: The project is finished, it cannot succeed; the insurgency is so great the American military cannot control it. He went on to say that the colonels and majors and generals in Iraq know this, but apparently it had not yet become clear to the Pentagon and the Administration. He added that the election is doomed; the only safe area in Iraq is Kurdistan. He concluded that "the project" has succeeded in alienating the Iraqi people from the West.

Do we need any more forceful reason to bring the troops home? If this is a democracy, the people have a voice, and we must let our representatives in Congress know that we do not want another dollar of tax money spent on the war in Iraq, and certainly not "shopping" for more wars.

Carol LeClair Falls Church

Editor Ellen McRae Falls Church

Editor

In the past year that we have been living in Falls Church, I have read your paper many times hoping to find at least one article or editorial written by someone who is anything but a left-leaning liberal.

I have come to the point where I don't even open the paper now, I simply throw it away. However, today I decided to give it one more chance, hoping that somehow the views of some of your readers would be acknowledged. To my dismay, I found no such luck.

Trina Erhard Falls Church

(Editor's Note- Please note the weekly column of William Safire & his soon to be named successor. Responsible letters representing diverse issues are always welcome in the News-Press)