Re: Teaching politics limits free speech, Aug. 12 letter
Editor: Allow me to fill in the blanks in the writer's thinking. "College students have told me they are afraid to express their point of view because the teacher wouldn't like it" (and because they are incapable of rationally defending their point of view, which is most likely parroted from someone else and something they know little about.) "They learned this fear in grade school" (where standardized testing teaches them that the only thing that matters is responding with the answer the teacher tells them is right.)
It's amazing how some people have no problem whatsoever with indoctrination of students into particular points of view through such things as flagpoles, pep rallies and daily recitations of pledges, but are suddenly up in arms over teachers expressing - gasp! - a proeducation viewpoint!
The reality is that it is impossible to teach anything without someone claiming the teacher is promoting a particular viewpoint. I personally have been accused of promoting diametrically opposed viewpoints in the same class, because when I was teaching, it was part of my job to raise questions about student positions, even if I agreed with their position.
Ironically, as an atheist, I was even accused of promoting a belief in a deity. (The goal, of course, was to force the student to examine the reasons for his lack of belief and strengthen his defense of them.) Such accusations arise more often in English and social studies classes, but I've known math teachers to be accused of pushing capitalism while teaching the basics of profit and loss.
The letter writer has a typically conservative viewpoint of academic freedom as freedom only within the limits she decides are appropriate. In reality, she merely argues for censorship of the views she disagrees with, the traditional position of the authoritarian conservative who believes in using force of arms rather than strength of argument. This is not an academic position, but a political position, and one which has shown its lack of merit countless times before today. If those students are so afraid to voice their opinion to a mere teacher, imagine how they will quiver in fear when faced with real opposition.
-- Brent Yaciw, Wesley Chapel
Volunteers needed for Guardian ad Litem Program
Editor: Each year thousands of Pasco County's children go to court. They haven't violated the law or committed a crime. Most of them are victims of abuse, abandonment or neglect. When they are involved in a court case, there's a good chance these children, already bruised in spirit, may also become victims of the very system that exists to protect them.
Readers can help. The Guardian ad Litem Program gives good people an opportunity to make the painful journey through the court system easier for these children. Each Guardian ad Litem volunteer will work with a special child involved in the judicial system, building a close relationship while getting to know the child's needs, fears and dreams. Guardian ad Litem volunteers provide emotional support during court proceedings and assure that the best interests of the child are served by speaking for that child before the court and social service agencies.
Sadly, there are not enough Guardian ad Litem volunteers for every child whose voice needs to be heard. The West Pasco Guardian ad Litem Program currently has 85 trained and certified volunteers. Double that number is needed to begin to fully represent the more than 500 children for whom the program is court appointed. Readers are urged to become involved.
The Guardian ad Litem Program offers a free 30-hour training course to interested and qualified residents. The next class will start on Tuesday evening, Sept. 2, at the West Pasco Judicial Center, 7530 Little Road in New Port Richey. The training continues each Tuesday and Thursday evening through the first week in October. For applications and further information on how to be a powerful voice for a child, contact the Guardian ad Litem Program office at (727) 847-8170.
-- Marcia G. Flannery, Area Coordinator, Guardian Ad Litem
Success of recycling depends on participants
Re: Recycling is simple, right thing to do, July 24 letter
Editor: County-maintained dropoff sites where newspaper and blue bag items are collected are: 14230 Hays Road, off State Road 52, Shady Hills; 9626 Handcart Road, off CR 579A; 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, behind St. Petersburg Times offices; 2305 Baillie's Bluff Road at Anclote Gulf Park, Holiday; Animal Control Center, Lake Patience Road, Land O'Lakes; New Port Richey Public Works Complex, Pine Hill Road, and New Port Richey Recycling, Trouble Creek and Thys roads.
The list can be found on the Web site at www.pascocountyfl.net Click on departments, then recycling and education, then click on the link for dropoff sites.
There are a couple of private companies that are very active in the community. Their collection containers can be found throughout the county at churches, civic associations and clubhouses.
Even though the collection of newspapers is in dropoff sites only, Pasco County collected and recycled 430 tons in 2002. The private sector recycled 4,160 tons. That is equivalent to saving more than 78,030 trees, for every ton of recycled paper is equivalent to saving 17 trees.
Alas, recycling is a voluntary program here in Pasco County. It is a personal choice if an individual wants to participate in recycling or not. It is another choice to contact a waste hauler for curbside service or to use the dropoff sites or private buy-back centers located through the community.
I want to thank all of the residents in Pasco County who chose to recycle and participate in the Blue Bag Recycling curbside program. The success of the program depends on those who participate. I hope the residents will continue to be passionate toward recycling and encourage fellow neighbors and friends to join.
-- Rachel Cheever, Recycling Coordinator, Pasco County
[Last modified August 15, 2003, 01:32:28]
