The American Spectator

I went through the same thing with my beloved schnauzer of 16 years and it made the last months of her life much, much more bearable.
 — Don Daughtry
Johns Creek, GA

Dear Mr. Editor (please forgive me if you’re a “she” rather than a “he”):

Please pay Ben Stein more. :o)

Smiling in Fairport, NY
 — Jim Scott

UP FROM UNIONS
Re: RiShawn Biddle’s Return of the One-Room Schoolhouse:

RiShawn Biddle is correct in calling for a 21st century approach to education. The problem is that many teachers continue to cling to their unions which support a yesteryear, industrial-style model of negotiations and do little to actually advance the profession.

Leaders in the reform effort often highlight innovations in policy that affect student achievement. What they need to know is that there is a new and innovative approach to teacher representation that supports educators without the stigmas and stifling contracts associated with labor unions known as the Association of American Educators, a national nonunion organization for professional educators.

Established in 1994, AAE is a modern day professional educators’ association where educators can obtain important benefits they need like legal and liability insurance but at a fraction of the cost of unions. Further, AAE does not get involved in political campaigns or issues outside of education.

AAE calls on reformers to not only be part of the push for education innovation but advances in association representation that seeks to guide teachers into a new age in the classroom. We invite education leaders and teachers alike to join the hundreds of thousands of educators already in the nonunion educators’ movement.
 — Gary Beckner
Executive Director, Association of American Educators

THE REAL CRIME
Re Christopher Orlet’s Local Hero:

Regarding the “Westboro bunch,” Mr. Orlet, I don’t think ignorance is their crime. Would that were so. I think they know the facts, and know full well what they do. Spewing hatred of the worst sort, and vomiting their bile all over our best, our fallen young men and women, and their bereaved families — that is their crime. Overstepping the boundaries of decency not by inches but by light-years, and laughing and bragging all the while — that is their crime. And doing all of that for publicity, and in the name of God — those are crimes, too. Crimes against humanity, and all that is good in this world. So the real question, especially regarding the recent Supreme Court decision, is whether this level of vileness should be outlawed, and the answer probably is that it should not be. They should be made to keep a respectful distance from the fallen and their families, and leave the rest up to a greater power. If God is watching, there is no way He can be happy with these people.
 — D. Reich
Auburn, NY

LET’S PLAY TWO!
Re: Aaron Goldstein’s My 2011 MLB Predictions:

I hope Aaron is right!. As a long time Cub fan who’s been waiting since Ernie Banks came on the scene… I hope he’s right. If he’s wrong it won’t be too long of a wait… they seem like they have some very strong talent on the farm. So the future looks bright(er).
 — Frank J. Baron
Glen Ellyn, IL