News

There's no harm in showing appreciation for teachers

Letters to the Editor
Published December 24, 2004

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Re: Maybe they really shouldn't have, Dec. 17.

I was distressed with your article regarding teacher holiday gifts. As a 30-year teacher I have received gifts from students and have never used gifts as a measure either for or against a student or a family. I am appalled that anyone would imply such a thing. The suggestion that gifts to teachers should be limited is about as ridiculous as proposing that we shouldn't give gifts to our mailman,newspaper carrier or hairdresser for fear that they would not give good service the rest of the year.

Perhaps it would be a good suggestion that teachers no longer give holiday gifts to their students or no longer spend hundreds of their own dollars to purchase pencils, paper, classroom materials, and even ink for their classroom printers. No other professional I know has to provide their own office supplies and needed materials for their clients out of their own pockets. So a small token from a student, a card, a hug, a homemade gift, even a gift certificate to an office supply store or restaurant is a surprise and welcome addition to our holiday season.Eileen Richman, Seminole

-- The best gift a teacher can get

Re: Maybe they really shouldn't have.

First of all, I would like to thank all of the students and parents who give me gifts. It is very much appreciated. I would like to share the best gift a student or parent can give a teacher: It would be a letter telling the teacher why you appreciate them. There is no better gift. If you really feel the teacher is doing a terrific job, you can give a copy of your letter to the principal. Thank you to all of my students for being such great kids. To the parents: Thank you for being such conscientious and caring parents.

-- Barbara Rambow, Safety Harbor Middle School, Clearwater

Changing attitudes on chiropractic

I feel compelled to respond to some of the misguided and outdated attitudes uncovered in your Dec. 12 story on the Florida State University chiropractic school (FSU chiropractic school not a done deal just yet). It is truly sad that some FSU faculty members, doctors and alumni are allowing politics to take precedence over the health and well-being of patients.

The opinion espoused by some in your article that chiropractic care is somehow at odds with science ignores not only the research supporting chiropractic, but also our nation's increasing trend toward an integrative model of health care. Neither medical doctors nor doctors of chiropractic have all the answers, and either discipline would be foolish to claim that they do. But as science moves forward, chiropractic care is achieving more and more integration into today's health care system. In just the past five years, the federal government has recognized the effectiveness and cost-saving potential of chiropractic care by providing new benefits for veterans, military personnel and Medicare patients.

Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any health care profession. This extensive education prepares doctors of chiropractic to diagnose health care problems, treat the problems when they are within their scope of practice and refer patients to other health care practitioners when appropriate.

Doctors of chiropractic in the state of Florida treat millions of patients - and all of us pay taxes to support higher education. It only seems fair that the physician schools we and our patients help to fund should represent chiropractic as well. Some FSU faculty members and doctors are claiming that their concerns are science-based. But the science supporting chiropractic is clear. Could it be possible their concerns are more about securing money for the medico-political machine in Florida than looking out for the best interests of patients? If so, shame on them.

As members of the various health care disciplines continue to abandon their antiquated and selfish biases, the best interests of patients everywhere will win out.

-- Donald J. Krippendorf, D.C., president, American Chiropractic Association, St. Petersburg

Say "Merry Christmas' to customers

Re: Merry Christmas . . . or else, Dec. 19.

I also have wished a "Merry Christmas" to every cashier at the stores I have shopped in during the past several weeks, from Atlanta to Miami. If they don't respond with "Merry Christmas" or something similar, I simply leave my merchandise at the checkout counter and leave, telling the cashier that I did not receive the proper response, and that I do not accept the "politically correct nonsense" as being in the true spirit and that I did not need the items enough to accept their business practice, and will not shop where they do not recognize Christmas as being important to many of us.

-- Richard Deininger, Largo

Minding our holiday manners

Re: Merry Christmas . . . or else.

How petty it would be of me were I not to wish you a "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays." How very petty and "un-Christian" it is of you to insist that I say one rather than the other.

I wish my Jewish friends a Happy Hanukkah. I wish my Christian friends a Merry Christmas. I wish those that I know celebrate Kwaanza a Happy Kwaanza. When I am uncertain of their affiliation, a "Happy Holidays" seems appropriate. This is not a matter of political correctness but rather one of good manners. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" - especially in this holiday (excuse me, Christmas) season.

-- Manuel Steven Farber, Tampa

Remember the reason for the season

We have almost succeeded in completely expunging Christ from Christmas! After spending over an hour and traveling several miles touring the Christmas displays throughout the Pinellas Park area, I didn't come across a single nativity scene, or any other recognizable representation of the central figure for whom Christmas is celebrated and named. We observed beautiful lighted and animated displays featuring every conceivable animal and numerous darling cartoon characters and, of course, Santa Claus, but not one representation of Christ, Mary, Joseph or any of the other individuals associated with the Nativity. The same was observed in all the stores and malls I visited while shopping for "Christ"-mas gifts, and, naturally, none of of our government buildings contained any remote reference to "the reason for the season."

-- Gerald A. Schubert, St. Petersburg

Help the Humane Society this holiday

Re: Deputies cite pair for animal neglect, Dec. 22.

Need a last minute gift idea? How about donating to the Humane Society of Pinellas County in the name of the recipient. They could especially use it right now, especially after Tuesday's rescue of 18 dogs and three cats. The poor babies were living in deplorable conditions. The couple could have spayed and neutered them.

-- Belinda Blease, Largo

[Last modified December 24, 2004, 00:23:15]

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