The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Things Are Looking Up

9.16.05 @ 12:01AM

VIVA SPECTATOR
I just wanted to comment on the articles I have read. You guys are awesome! I just recently heard of you and look on the Internet for your website. I'm so tired of receiving information in Spanish from the Democrats of how bad the Republicans are making this country. They obviously never want me to learn English. Keep up the good work! Viva Republicans!
-- unsigned

CHILDREN LEFT AHEAD
Re: John R. Dunlap's Home Sweet Homeschool:

Hurrah for John Dunlap. My wife and I started homeschooling about 1986 and continue to this day with our last two kids (of six). It's been a great experience; good results -- one Marine lieutenant, one horticulturalist, one organist, one Coast Guardsman, a 15 year old already a church organist, and a 13 year old raring to go. Most of the credit goes to my wife. Didn't take much persuasion though -- I went through public school in the late '60s and early '70s when all the trendies were in full court press with their lies. Vowed they'd never get hold of any child of mine. Yes there are trials in homeschooling, but I can guarantee one thing -- no child is left behind in a home school.
-- W. G. Wheatley
Worton, Maryland

Hi, John -- very much enjoyed your homeschooling article. My son-in-law and daughter have asked me to homeschool their kid(s). What recommendations do you have re: curriculum; any lessons-learned; any book(s) you recommend on the topic?
-- George O'Neal

Wow, did I enjoy the Dunlap homeschooling article! I have no children, but as a former high school Latin/Spanish teacher with good all-around educational background, I have worked with and tutored homeschoolers for years. Their parents want them to learn languages but don't know languages themselves: that's where I come in. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with all of those students.
-- unsigned

Grizzly? What a grizzly error to make in an article purporting to tout the benefits of educating your children.

Sign me a graduate of a public high school and state university...
-- Lorrie Callison Watson
Orangeburg, South Carolina

ENVIRONMENTALISM'S CATCH-22
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s Accountable Al:

Looking beyond the obvious how about a cabal at work here? Army Corps of Engineers identifies a need for new levees, bigger and better. A proposal is floated to Congress. The ruling Democrats wring their hands, "Oh woe, clearly we need this but no space for pork to fund the constituents back home." They need cover. Riding to the scene is rumblings from EnviroWhacko LLC.

A conference is held by the politicians: "Hey we float the bill for the levees through Appropriations. Frank, be sure to add an environmental study rider. I'll make sure EnviroWhacko knows about it." The appropriations are slated and placed in the budget. EnviroWhacko gets its grant, and summarily proceeds to pound ACE with statutory mumbo-jumbo. Eventually the project dies under the weight of sheer legal inertia.

So in the end, the levees aren't built, EnviroWhacko spends the balance of the grant on a junket to an environmentally sensitive resort traveling by private fuel guzzling jet, and the politicos have their cake and eat it too. To paraphrase -- "I funded the levees, right before my enviro stooges unfunded it. But my hands are clean, see!"

And so it goes. How much longer before "We the People..." stop this madness?
-- John McGinnis
Arlington, Texas

TRUMPED-UP SCIENCE
Re: Michael Fumento's Hot Air:

Masterful destruction of the pseudo-scientific claptrap being generated by our "grant" driven academic community. Isn't it true that they claim global warming causes the Glaciers to melt and cool the water? Hurricanes require warm water to generate their power. Hence, "global warming" would equal fewer hurricanes. Another benefit of "global warming." Stoke up the coal stove mother!
-- Ron La Canne
Burlington, Wisconsin

MIND FIELD
Re: Patrick O'Hannigan's Reading the Mind of John Roberts:

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Education, Joe Biden, Abortion, Environment, Global Warming, Constitution, Law, Founding Fathers, Military, NATO, Oil