Constellation's role as tool for learning adds to its longevity
I read with interest the article concerning the future of the Constellation ("Famed Constellation to get new life as teaching tool," Sept. 19).
The article made it clear that some people felt that a fun and education venue was inappropriate as the ship's primary function, and only a strict historic interpretation was acceptable.
Constellation's long survival has been only because of her montage of occupations, the very least of which was naval warship. She served as a delivery vessel, providing safe passage for naval personnel. She took food to a starving Ireland. She was a command ship, tied to the pier, during World War II. The list of varied duties, tailored to the time and needs at hand, is what has allowed her to survive to this day.
Another famous ship, the cast iron Elissa of Texas, of which Louis F. Linden is very familiar, was allowed to survive only because she could smuggle contraband to the Dalmatian Coast as a power vessel, denuded of masts and sails. So much for a strict interpretation of acceptable uses of an historic ship.
These, and dozens ore historic ships afloat today because they were able to find new roles that reflected the need and realities of their times.
The Living Classrooms Foundation is truly the most talented and capable resource that we have to care for her. When managing director Scott Raymond referred to the Constellation's abilities to teach the laws of physics, however, it was not Newtonian physics, but Einsteinian physics. That is because wooden ships, like the rest of us, must face the factor of time. In modern times, wooden ships must work or die.
Michael D. Storey
Woodstock
Celebrate teaching success prominently in newspaper
I read with pleasure, the article "Longtime city teacher is surprised with $25,000 award" (Sept. 19). I do not know Stephanie Terry, the first-grade teacher at Ashburton Elementary School in Baltimore City, but I am proud of her.
It is significant to note that her National Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation recognizes her professional competency and effectiveness in teaching her students to read.
I would think that The Sun would have devoted a more prominent space in its publication to such a worthy accomplishment, particularly in light of the emphasis placed on reading in the Reading by 9 series. The valid and valuable successes of Ms. Terry and other teachers need to be celebrated.
Maxine J. Wood
Baltimore
American has no right to intervene in Kosovo
It is hypocritical for the United States to criticize Serbia for suppressing an armed revolt by the Kosovo Liberation Army. When the Confederate States of America tried to secede from the Union, the United States fought its bloodiest war to preserve that union.
How fortunate the United States was that no superpower intervened in what was a purely internal matter. How doubly fortunate that no multinational force existed to launch air strikes and deploy ground troops to assist the secession.
If the ethnic Albanians who live in Kosovo wish Albanian rule, let them simply cross the border into Albania. Kosovo is a province in Serbia. Serbia has a right to preserve its union and to suppress by force any attempted secession.
The United States has no of national interest in Kosovo, and there is no reason to risk American lives or expend resources there.
Harris James George
Towson
Surgery cost outside state an eye-opening experience
Jo Bremer's revealing experience with the remarkable Lasik eye surgery ("Seeing is believing," Sept. 20) is shared by my wife, perhaps even more dramatically. Before surgery, she could not see the big "E" on the eye chart. After the surgery, she has 20/20 vision, something she previously was never able to have with the best correction through glasses and contact lenses. It was truly remarkable.
However, there the similarity ends. Ms. Bremer paid more than $5,000 for her surgery, whereas my wife paid little more than $2,000 for the same surgery. After my wife decided to have this procedure performed, I discovered that everyone I contacted in this area charged the same: $5,000 for both eyes.
We traveled to another state, where my wife's Lasik surgery was performed by a well-known and very experienced ophthalmologist in a 10-minute procedure that cost less than half the local fee. The results could not have been more perfect.
Frederick Everhart
Columbia
Perspective section not what it used to be
After reading the Perspective section of The Sun over the years, it would seem best to drop the section altogether. Space has become more and more limited. Now we have large print and unnecessary photos. Ads, puzzles and bridge notes add to the further constriction of information.
Most important, The Sun has not bred a stable of columnists who raise the paper's reputation and its quality. It relies on outside names such as George Will, Carl Rowan and Ellen Goodman.
Peter Jay and Sara Engram are gone. Harold Jackson has been && farmed out to Howard County. Only Barry Rascovar remains as somewhat of a fixture. It takes two (Jack W. Germond and Jules Witcover) to write almost a letter-length piece.
The rest is a hodgepodge of unknowns for whom readers feel no true attachment. Of course, there are Gregory Kane, Dan Rodricks and Michael Olesker, but they don't appear on the Op-Ed page.
Where is the Perspective of the past?
R. D. Bush
Columbia
Phonics isn't the answer for all young readers
Ellen Sauerbrey wants Maryland schools to "teach phonics so that every child can read by the end of the first grade."
But most English words contain one, two or three letters that cannot be sounded out correctly by applying phonics.
Millions of people have learned to read well without ever having studied phonics. And millions of other people who have studied phonics have learned to read well not because of phonics, but in spite of it.
Try this: Though coughing, McDonough sought to plough snow through the rough night.
Henry Harlan
Churchville
KAL's Sauerbrey cartoons striking sensitive nerve
I was amused to see that KAL's cartoons of Ellen Sauerbrey are still drawing the wrath of Maryland's Republican Party ("KAL's Sauerbrey cartoons are demeaning, misleading," Sept. 12).
Obviously, KAL's cartoons are striking a nerve because they reveal Ms. Sauerbrey's true position on the Chesapeake Bay, the environment and her transparent pandering for votes by "changing her spots" as the situation warrants.
Many of KAL's cartoons of Ms. Sauerbrey are worthy of Daumier, the famous 19th century French political satirist, who on occasion was imprisoned for his scathing cartoons that revealed the hypocrisies of the Ellen Sauerbreys of his day and offended the delicate sensibilities of their political followers.
John M. Wilson
Baltimore
Special education problem is the lack of caring
The series on special education ("Lost Learning," Sept. 20 to Sept. 22) was timely and accurate. However, the most harrowing aspect of this predicament is that no one cares.
I was a counselor at an alternative high school in Baltimore for five years and witnessed administrative practices that bordered on felonies. Consider the following:
Students were allowed to transfer credits earned in a vocational education to algebra, chemistry, and physical science.
Students were allowed to graduate with high school diplomas without meeting state requirements.
Student were allowed to take independent studies and receive credits in English, social studies, science and math by completing a two-page book report.
When I complained to the principal of the school about these practices, he responded, "So what?"
I wrote to the regional superintendent, the chief executive officer and the state superintendent. Result? I was transferred.
Business as usual will always be business as usual.
Arthur Laupus
Columbia
Pub Date: 9/26/98