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Today's Letters: Jeb Bush deserved to be snubbed by UF faculty

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published March 29, 2007

Jeb snub by profs: summa cum petty March 27, Howard Troxler column  

Howard Troxler's calling the University of Florida "petty" for not granting Jeb Bush an honorary degree missed an important point. The entire time Jeb Bush was governor, he did everything he could to undermine public education in favor of private schools. Doesn't Troxler remember vouchers? How about another of Bush's pet projects, the FCAT test, which grades schools and teachers based on abilities of all students without taking into consideration the inability of some students to learn or excel.

The University of Florida, a public school, did the right thing.

Jimmy Nicholson, Tampa

Academia leans left

I completely agree with Howard Troxler's depiction of the petty action of the professors at the University of Florida in denying Gov. Jeb Bush an honorary degree. Unfortunately, it is only an indication of a much deeper problem. These same people are influencing young minds.

The American Association of University Professors is one of the most left-wing organizations in this country. I can make a good case in point. The most widely used textbooks on economic theory in American universities today were written by Paul Krugman, now at Princeton, and Campbell McConnell from the University of Nebraska. Both of those gentlemen are far left of just liberal.

Their economic and political views are taught to young, inexperienced students across the country. It might be more accurate to say these views are being imposed on those students, for there is very little exposition of opposing ideas.

F. Darrell Thomas, Trinity

A view out of step

I'm sorry, but Howard Troxler is not in synch with the common people in Florida.

Jeb Bush did more than any other governor of this state to undermine its public school system. This alone could have been reason enough to snub, as Troxler says, this governor by those who teach in one of Florida's public schools of advanced learning for these common people.

Russell Lee Johnson, St. Petersburg

UF faculty to Bush: You can't be a Gator March 24, story

Jeb deserved better

Former Gov. Jeb Bush sure received a raw deal from those 38 professors. Who is running the University of Florida - the professors or UF president Bernie Machen and the UF trustees?

I have two grandchildren who graduated from Florida universities and they feel let down, especially since Jeb Bush has done so much for all the universities in this great state of Florida. I guess it's all politics.

Robert M. Dossin, St. Pete Beach

UF faculty to Bush: You can't be a Gator March 24, story

Bush gets bitten

As a University of Florida alumnus and a very big fan of Gator sports teams, I was never more proud of my school than when the Faculty Senate voted to not award Jeb Bush an honorary degree. Go, Gators.

Charles Huska, Clearwater

UF faculty to Bush: You can't be a Gator March 24, story

Making a statement

Finally, a group has the courage to speak their conscience. A hearty congratulations to the University of Florida Faculty Senate. I hope that more groups and individuals will come forward and illustrate the sad state that Florida is in due to that man.

The lives of many Floridians have been devastated. Many state employees who were dependent upon their benefits are being made to suffer. Privatization is not working.

Speak up, Florida. It's time.

Roger Smith, Port Richey

Governor: Get rid of touch screens March 24, story

Protect our votes

All Florida voters should demonstrate their support for Gov. Charlie Crist on the issue of optical scan paper ballots by writing or calling their representatives in Tallahassee now. If there ever was an issue that overrides all others, this is it.

Gov. Crist has said, "They (the voters) need to have confidence in their vote and they need to be assured that when they cast their vote it's going to count, it's going to make a difference and they can have all the confidence in the world in that process."

Now and in the future, no matter what party you support, the voters must always retain the power to decide who will be in charge. The certainty of our vote is the most fundamental safeguard of our democracy.

There are those who are objecting to Crist's plan to extend the system of optical scan paper ballots, now used in 52 Florida counties, to all 67. Their latest ploy is to object to the $28-million price tag for this move. What they do not acknowledge is that, by replacing the touch screen machines in these counties with one optical scanner in each precinct, the taxpayers will actually save money. In just two years we will save enough money (now used to maintain all of the touch screen machines) to cover costs of the optical scan system. You can find references to the studies on this at www.safevote.org.

We can't afford not to make this move. Even more important, we can't afford not to support our governor in protecting the sanctity of our vote.

James Frazier, Bradenton

A scandal cooked up out of air March 23, Charles Krauthammer column

For proof, investigate

For once, Charles Krauthammer made a good point in the last paragraph of his column regarding Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Krauthammer states that it would be obstruction of justice if President Bush tried to sabotage an active investigation, and the Democrats haven't come up with any real evidence of that.

And how do you come up with such evidence? You investigate! And that includes calling people to testify under oath.

Steve Harden, Holiday

Democracy degraded

I taught history and government for many years, praising and questioning the nature and practices of our democracy, one of the noblest experiments in human history. So how can we explain what is in effect a $300,000 entry fee for the privilege to become a candidate to represent the good people of Congressional District 10 (Democrats target Young's seat, March 16)?

Shame on us all. It's little wonder that many youths are absorbed in cynicism!

Thomas Kavunedus, Belleair Bluffs

[Last modified March 28, 2007, 23:11:24]