Disabilities
Do the articles on Social Security disability payments (Jan. 22-Jan. 25) mean that, since I am addicted to nicotine, and many workplaces in Maryland including mine ban smoking, I can apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits because I can't work without a cigarette?
Could I also get SSI benefits because my boss stresses me out every day, and I am starting to lose my mind, can't remember anything and as a result have increased my smoking?
What about my kid? I've been told that he has an attention deficit disorder.
If he got $468 a month, I could afford to send him to Sylvan Learning Centers, since Baltimore County schools seemingly aren't doing him any good.
Kathy Oswinkle
Baltimore
Party line
So Ellen Sauerbrey will be joining Tom Marr, Les Kinsolving, Ron Smith and all the other local Baby Rushes who, along with Big Rush, spew forth the party line.
Nor is this lack of diversity of opinion unique to Baltimore. Wherever one goes in the country nowadays, one can turn the AM dial and find the Baby Rushes of the locality, along with Big Rush, spewing forth the identical party line.
These modern purveyors of agit-prop adhere to this extent to the teachings of Lenin and Trotsky, who early in this century laid down the following rules for agitational propaganda:
Convince your audience that their problems are all the fault of the party's enemies, real and imagined. Whip them up into a frenzy against these "enemies." Always adhere to the party line. Allow no deviation from the party line. And, when so ordered by the party apparatus, create "spontaneous demonstrations."
An example of the latter occurred last October, when House Speaker Newt Gingrich decided to renege on his previous promise to support a lobbying reform bill.
Before announcing his opposition, he telephoned Rush Limbaugh and a number of strategically placed Baby Rushes.
The word soon passed, and within hours virtually every, if not every, right-wing radio talk show host in the country was spewing forth on the evils of the lobbying reform bill.
Naturally, the ditto-heads started calling in, announcing their outrage about proposed legislation they knew nothing about a few hours earlier.
That afternoon, Newt Gingrich acknowledged to the House of Representatives that although he had promised to support the lobbying reform bill, he would now oppose it in response to the "voice of the people."
Such "spontaneous demonstrations" were common in Communist dictatorships before 1989, but are completely un-American.
Or, at least, they were completely un-American until the 104th Congress began to redefine "Americanism."
Randallstown
Half-time show
Like most Americans I watched the Super Bowl. I wish it had been a closer game, but it was a great time with friends.
Of course, we all tuned in closely to the game and the new commercials, some of which were great and some not so good.
Then came half time. Everyone I talked to unanimously agreed that it was horrible if not stupid.
It seems that every year someone tries to come up with this spectacular half-time event and does little more than produce something that looks like someone tried to produce something spectacular and fell short.
I would like to make a suggestion. Next year, during half time, let's see the most popular episode of the Andy Griffith Show.
Everyone would love it, there would be no violence or breasts, and the field wouldn't be smoky for the third quarter. It would be wholesome and real entertainment.
Jeff Zenger
Baltimore
Maritime appointee
I would like to respond to Lars B. Boem's letter regarding Helen Bentley's appointment to a state post (Forum, Jan. 24). I have never been a supporter of former Gov. William Donald Schaefer, but I cannot agree that his naming Mrs. Bentley to the post was "bizarre."
An individual picked to perform a function for the state should be the best qualified for the position regardless of what political party he or she may be affiliated with.
The fact that Mrs. Bentley ran for the Republican nomination for governor has nothing to do with the fact that her background makes her the most qualified person to assist the state in its maritime development programs.
Mr. Schaefer's arrangement with Mrs. Bentley makes it very difficult for Mr. Glendening to undo one of the best moves Mr. Schaefer could have made for the state of Maryland as he left office.
In essence, what Mr. Schaefer did was assure Maryland of the best individual to fill the job without regard to "politics as usual."
I consider this to be one of his finest acts and one for which he should be praised.
John C. Hofmeister
Baltimore
It's our money, Guv
In your article about Gov. Parris Glendening's budget plans, House Speaker Casper R. Taylor described Mr. Glendening as "putting his money where his mouth is" ("Glendening offers cautious budget, braking spending," Jan. 21).
His money?
Lest we forget his money is our money -- it is the taxpayers' money. We should hold his feet to the fire to make sure he spends it wisely.
Frances C. Miller
Baltimore
Ho hum, O. J.
Is California vs. O. J. Simpson the "trial of the century"? Compared to what? Brown vs. Board of Education? Roe vs. Wade?
O. J. an American icon? Compared to who? Arthur Ashe? Wilma Rudolph?
The way in which this trial is being presented, we would be better served to see it on Ricki Lake.
McNair Taylor
Baltimore
Teacher training fails students and teachers
This is in response to Mike Bowler's comments about teacher training ("Baltimore students lag on taking placement tests," Jan. 31).
The teacher education establishment, he writes, advocates a "thorough grounding in child psychology, learning theories and instructional methods" through many semester hours of course work in those topics.
As a former teacher of mathematics and physics, I found that it was infinitely more important to have a thorough grounding in subject matter, particularly when teaching elementary school children.
Broad knowledge made it possible to help a floundering student by approaching the material from different angles. Practical, everyday applications of the subject matter also could be illustrated.
I am a teacher certified by the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania in mathematics, physics and general science, so I have been exposed to the learning theories, etc.
Yet it was a thorough grounding in subject matter, not "educationese," which made my teaching successful . . .
On the college level I taught the course in physical science required for elementary teacher certification.
There was no time to cover mechanics, heat, optics and electricity in any but superficial fashion. Some fields were not even touched -- electricity among them . . .
Judging by test scores and the many reports of high school students' difficulties with the subject, the teaching of mathematics in elementary schools is also poor. This is not surprising.
For example, the college catalog course description of "Concepts of Mathematics for Elementary Teachers, I & II" requires only one year of high school algebra as a prerequisite.
Yet a person who takes only one year of high school algebra either hated mathematics, was terrified by it or did very poorly in it. Is this the sort of person one wants to teach mathematics?
What is needed is a change in certification requirements for elementary school teachers.
In order to have a deeper knowledge of the subject matter I suggest at least six semester hours each of biology, chemistry, earth science and physics as well as six hours of college algebra, which has a prerequisite of two years of high school algebra and one year of geometry.
I agree with the suggestion by State Education Secretary Nancy Grasmick that elementary school teachers be required to have a liberal arts degree and to take all education requirements during a fifth undergraduate year.
Knowledge of subject matter is paramount. You can't teach what you don't know.
It is revealing that prestigious private schools do not emphasize "education courses" for elementary school teachers but do require thorough knowledge of subject matter.
Perhaps the public school system would be wise to follow suit.
Margaret J. White
Baltimore