University presidents have real overseas obligations
Re: “GW pays for president, six others to attend Olympics,” Aug. 9
This article failed to fully explain why university presidents travel overseas and the benefits of that travel. They host and attend events at their homes, around the country and internationally to build academic, government and corporate partnerships, meet with students and alumni, and pursue opportunities to enhance their institutions.
More than any other region, Washington D.C.-area colleges and universities have deep international ties which are nurtured through student and faculty partnerships. Several have campuses overseas or links with universities around the world to enhance faculty and student experiences.
Beyond enhancing the university’s academic mission, connections with companies, governments and alumni can lead to job opportunities for students and donations for campuses. These are vital to private universities, which depend on fundraising in part to fund scholarships and to assist with the overall costs of running a university.
The days are long gone when a university president can sit in his or her office and decree policy. Universities, like the rest of the world, have become global.
John Childers
Washington
Vouchers force taxpayers to support sectarian schools
Re: “Vouchers provide parents with educational options,” From Readers, Aug. 8
What Walter Graf does not understand about school vouchers is that they are paid for by taxes extracted from Americans of all faiths and then paid out to private K-12 schools that are pervasively religious. Quite simply, they amount to government forcing all taxpayers to support religious institutions in violation of their religious freedom.And acceptance of vouchers could in the long run destroy the independence of private schools.
Widespread adoption of vouchers would fragment our school population along religious, ideological, class, ethnic and other lines while undermining our 14,000 community controlled and religiously neutral public schools. The resulting social disorganization would be disastrous.
Edd Doerr
President, Americans for Religious Liberty
Silver Spring
Obama lawsuit targets Ohio’s military voters
Re: “Military groups oppose Obama campaign Ohio lawsuit,” Aug. 3
In a bold move that could have an impact on the final result of the presidential election, President Obama’s campaign has sued the state of Ohio to block a measure extending early voting for members of the military. The tradition allowing special circumstances for military personnel dates back to the Civil War.
Republicans traditionally have had the lock on the military vote, and GOP challenger Mitt Romney trails in this key battleground state by just 6 points. A victory for either candidate could end up being the difference between taking — or losing — the White House.
Ohio is among 32 states that allow voters to cast an early ballot by mail or in person without an excuse. In addition, state law allows families of armed forces members and civilians overseas to vote through the Monday before an election, while early voting for all other Ohioans ends the preceding Friday.
The Obama lawsuit is a disgrace and a disservice to the military and their families. It seems that Obama will stop at nothing to get a second term he has not earned and does not deserve.
Al Eisner
Silver Spring
