Tea Partiers see American values slipping away
Re: “Tea Party in Virginia posts mixed results,” Sept. 20
The more I consider the Tea Party movement, the more I realize these folks represent average Americans who pay their bills and taxes and have never been involved in a “movement.” They — and I — see a way of life based on freedom, individual responsibility, and what some call “traditional values” slipping away, to the detriment of our nation.
We should be thankful there are enough people who are so concerned so that the great issues of our day can be clearly determined in our upcoming election.
Larry Packett
Arlington
Civil rights groups oppose ‘Race to the Top’ reforms
Re: “Changes to Rhee’s reforms would jeopardize funds,” Sept. 17
The federal government’s threat to withhold “Race to the Top” funding to the District if presumptive mayor Vincent Gray significantly changes Michelle Rhee’s reforms is grotesque. By concentrating almost exclusively on firing teachers, Rhee is failing to meet the needs of D.C. children.
Voters rejected Rhee’s efforts to “whiten” the school system by firing black teachers when they voted against Mayor Fenty. Now the Department of Education is threatening to erase that victory for democracy.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan is encouraging states to enact similar programs, but is meeting stiff opposition from the African-American community, which was not consulted. Renowned education authority Diane Ravitch and all of the major civil rights groups, such as the NAACP and the National Urban League, oppose Duncan’s initiatives.
Charles Bagenstose
Upper Marlboro
Historic church, not mosque, should grace Ground Zero
Re: “Rebuild the Ground Zero Orthodox church,” Sept. 9
Kudos to Diana Furchgott-Roth for her op-ed on rebuilding St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. This historic landmark, a holy place of prayer for mariners and working people, was destroyed by fanatic Islamists seeking revenge for their failures individually and as an organized society.
Americans fail to understand Islam’s course of destruction and conquest. The Christian world is their enemy. “Death to the infidels” is their path to “martyrdom.” Let us not forget that Mohammed spread his new religion by slaughtering his own people in Medina and throughout Arabia and North Africa. The slaughter at the World Trade Center is the “New Medina.”
Rebuilding St. Nicholas would be a monument to 9/11 victims’ memory. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey should assume a leadership role in rebuilding this bastion of freedom.
Basil Skenderis-Kastriotis II
Washington
