Campbell’s Chicken Little claims
East Meadow, L.I.: Campbell Brown’s attack on teacher tenure is short on facts and long on the unfounded assertions typical of the anti-teacher groups run by Brown, her husband Dan Senor and Michelle Rhee (“Why we’re fighting N.Y.’s teacher laws,” June 24). Let’s get things straight: tenure simply means due process. Period. Brown pulls a Chicken Little by claiming that tenure is protecting bad teachers and sexual deviants.
The truth is that tenure protects good teachers. It prevents principals from firing teachers for such spurious reasons as race, religion, gender, political affiliation and age. It prevents firing a teacher because of his or her salary, or because the principal’s niece needs a job. It protects teachers who advocate for their students and speak out against policies that harm children. It protects me for writing this letter. These are the same reasons for seniority protections in layoffs.
As far as alleged sexual misconduct, not one single teacher or union wants such people in our schools and they should be fired. However, Brown wants to fire teachers who are merely accused of sexual misconduct. That would lead to a witch hunt by administrators and would encourage students to falsely accuse teachers they don’t like of “touching” them. That is why tenure exists: to provide due process of law.
Richard Skibins Tedium pays, fun doesn’t Manhattan: Voicer Karen I. Kennedy asks me if I was motivated in my job. I was a teacher for 35 years (1968-2002) and yes, I was motivated every day to make sure that my pupils were educated in a quiet environment where learning was often tedious. They were high-performing students, and many are now successful in life. When I bump into some former students, they tell me they wish their grandchildren would have excellent teachers who understand that classrooms should not be places for “fun.”
Marjorie J. Levine
Speed kills Brooklyn: Voicer Ray Davis is right that we need to do more about the speeding problem, on Ocean Parkway in particular. I live down the street from there and it sounds like a speedway, especially at night. There are never police stopping violators. We need speed cameras — and not just near a few schools and operating during school hours. They need to be all over the city and on at all times. They would pay for themselves in no time!
Judy Einstoss
Watch your step Manhattan: I am an FDNY lieutenant. On a recent return to quarters, driving down Broadway attempting to turn right onto Reade Street, we yielded the right of way to a pedestrian — who suddenly stopped in the crosswalk to light a cigarette. I instinctively tapped the air horn to warn him of the big red fire truck bearing down on him, and after he jumped out of his shoes and dropped his cigarette, he proceeded to curse out my chauffeur — who is the only reason we were not shoveling this person off of the pavement. This is only one example of what I face each tour of duty from pedestrians who don’t have a clue as to what they’re doing or the potential accidents they’re causing — which may very well involve themselves.
Lt. Michael J. Vindigni, Engine 7
Deadly vanity Manhattan: Commissioner Bratton and Mayor de Blasio are in effect murdering their own citizens as their political move to ban stop-and-frisk backfires. Surprisingly, shootings are up but murders are down. Maybe the serious, lunatic killers were restrained by stop-and-frisk but the adolescent shoot-em-up kids were not. Our leaders’ desire to seem like good human beings is making us dead human beings. Liberal pride is deadly.
David Lawrence
Jews, Christians and the truth Springfield Gardens: The Presbyterian church’s views do not represent or reflect those of all Christians (“Presbyterian shame,” Editorial, June 26). As a Christian, I believe that Jews are a peaceable people seeking nothing more than peace and harmony with others. The Presbyterian board members need to see the truth, which is right before their eyes. Lynne Savage
No more buck-passing Orange, Conn.: Rent Guidelines Board Member Steven Flax showed common sense and guts when he voted to help override the rent-freeze proposal. Mayor de Blasio plays politics and panders to the masses — who have no idea of what it costs to maintain rental property. Tell me: When did insurance, water rates, labor, snow removal, roof replacement and other costs last go down? You can’t defer maintenance. Property owners who can’t cover costs will shut down — and what will the city do then with empty bankrupt apartment buildings that throw off no tax revenue? The modest increases were the proper decision. Get real, people. Suck it up and stop passing the buck. Fred Port off Color blind Scarsdale, N.Y.: I am deeply disturbed by “Men’s white-ly news” (June 26). What Don Kaplan is saying basically is that the networks should have an anchor who is black, experienced or not. Why does the race card always have to be used in every aspect of our lives nowadays? David Muir’s credentials and experience more than qualify him to take over the anchor job when Diane Sawyer leaves. Get over it and move on. Helen Centorrino
Spreading concern Brooklyn: Many diseases could spread here because of the people coming across our borders every day. If for no other reason, doesn’t the President have the responsibility to protect us from that? Viral infections, staph, chicken pox, scabies and other diseases can spread and cause a disaster here as undocumented arrivals spread out across the country. I, for one, am concerned. Joey Apancia Meta humor Bayonne: IRS Commissioner John Koskinen told the Congressional committee that an email notifying them that Lois Lerner’s emails had been lost was itself lost. Was that a bad joke?
Elizabeth D’Angelo
South of the border singers Brooklyn: What a wonderful idea Voicer Kelly Larson has for all of America to sing “America the Beautiful” together on the Fourth of July, but why have Celine Dion lead us? She is a great vocalist, but don’t we have American-born singers who could take that role?
James D’Alessandro
Joining all genres New City, N.Y.: Isn’t Celine Dion Canadian? I say we get a performer from each of the major music genres, and just do it! Scott Jones
Clearing the air Bayside: Voicer Cecilia Rivera misread my original letter, which was about legal guns and who can buy them, not illegal ones in the hands of mentally troubled people such as Adam Lanza. I, too, have a mentally handicapped relative and would never offend!
Carolyn J. Minerly
Wallach remembered Sunnyside: Thank you for your fine obituary of Eli Wallach. I was particularly glad you mentioned he was originally from Red Hook — which back then was known as South Brooklyn. Wallach proves once again that the best and most talented people come from there.
John Francis Fox
Wallach forgotten Woodcliff Lake, N.J.: We have to suffer through all the Daily News articles about Kim Kardashian and the other half-naked women, but when a true actor dies and you barely mention it. Disgraceful! Eli Wallach was a true talent, not a flash in the pan like half the people you report about.
Kathie Renken
Perspective Lindenhurst, L.I.: Bill Maher may be a smug jerk and I may be an ignoramus, but I did actually read the remarks attributed to him — unlike Voicer Jack Cohen. Nowhere did Maher say the 9/11 terrorists were brave or deserved a ticker-tape parade. He said they weren’t “cowards.” There’s a difference. And though it was a horrible event, more people will be shot and killed today than died in the Boston Marathon bombing. A little perspective, please.
Scott Daly
Bringing it all together Farmingdale, N.Y.: To all the Voicers pressing for gun control: Consider what's happening in the Middle East today. Reports are that there are dozens if not hundreds of American citizens fighting as ISIS members, and who can fly back into this country and try to kill Americans. Wake up, gun control freaks — the end is closer than you think.
Frank Pennino