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Letters from readers

By: Barbara Hollingsworth
Local Opinion Editor
November 8, 2009

McKinley Tech critic didn't speak up last year

Re: "School reform supporters organize to back Rhee," Nov. 1

As a professional school counselor, I'm very concerned about Ms. Phillips' quote and feel compelled to write a rebuttal. Ms. Phillips' son transferred as a senior from another specialty DCPS high school to McKinley Tech in September 2008. I had a wonderful relationship with him and personally assisted him with numerous recommendations and applications to more that 14 colleges and universities. To my knowledge, he was able to attend his number one choice. Instead of defending fired teachers, Phillips was quoted defending some of the firings, including "a counselor she said did little to support her son as he applied for college last year, and a teacher with 'a reputation for being nasty to students and parents.'" I find it very suspicious that Ms. Phillips is now striking out against the RIFed staff members at McKinley since she never cited any complaints last school year and appeared to be very pleased, especially at her son's June 6 graduation.

Sheila H. Gill

Counselor, MTHS Class of 2009

Washington

Same-sex marriage loses for 31st time

Re: "Va., N.J. and N,Y. weren't the only states with elections yesterday," Nov. 4

Hooray for pro-life and traditional family values! I wish to congratulate the voters of Maine - one of the most liberal states in the Union - for rejecting the counterfeit and oxymoronic notion of "same-sex marriage." The Maine vote is significant because we are dealing with forced affirmation of homosexuality - under penalty of law. This is an historic battle for the minds and souls of our children. Gay marriage has now lost in all 31 states in which the question has been put to a popular vote. The time has come for a federal amendment banning it.

Gerry Jones

Norfolk, Va.

Columnist's account missing key detail

Re: "Jack saves the Rooster," Nov. 1

Columnist Harry Jaffe's article could have been a well-reported story about a politician helping to save the Black Rooster Pub, a treasured local institution. But Jaffe unnecessarily strayed from the facts in what appears to be a self-aggrandizing effort to claim more credit than he is due. Jaffe would like Examiner readers to believe that his Oct. 11 column inspired D.C. Councilman Jack Evans to advocate on behalf of the Black Rooster. That's not the case and Jaffe knew it. Several days before his column was published, Evans had already been asked to get involved. How do I know this? Because on Sept. 30, I asked Evans to help. Jaffe had all the facts at his fingertips, including my e-mails to Evans that detail the timeline of events. Why Jaffe chose to ignore the facts is a mystery to me, but it's clear that by doing so he was able to paint a picture whereby his column triggered an elected official to action. That might make Jaffe appear to be influential, but it's certainly not good journalism.

Chuck Thies

Washington

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