Readers Write for Tuesday, June 9

STATE MATH TEST

New rules shelved, but results are still with us

The results of the 11th-grade math test ("Minnesota juniors dodge math-test bullet," June 6) are troubling. Spin the results as you wish, they still reflect an epic failure of our education system. By "epic," I mean that, if our schools were a business that produced fire extinguishers, the product would have sparked a fire that burned down the factory, spread to neighboring buildings and put most of the town out of work.

This article appeared on the 65th anniversary of the Normandy invasion. While we fret about today's students dodging the "bullets" of a math test, 65 years ago young men their age were trying to dodge real bullets in a struggle for freedom. I think today's 11th-graders can stand up to the stress.

JAMES CHENVERT, CHAMPLIN

AFS EXCHANGE

A high-quality program with thoughtful policies

I read Gail Rosenblum's June 4 column on North High School's AFS exchange student with great concern. AFS has a long, admirable history of exchanging students from countless cultures and religious backgrounds, including Muslims. To suggest that AFS has an anti-Muslim bias is unwarranted, unfair and sensationalistic.

If the student were Norwegian, would one say the organization is anti-Scandinavian? Let us remember, we are talking about teenagers and sometimes teenagers act inappropriately. AFS has a strong support system to help the student, family and school work through problems.

The policy of requiring AFS' approval for a visit from a natural parent is the result of years of experience. A natural family visit can be anything from wonderful to very disruptive, depending upon, among other things, the student's stage of adjustment and the physical and financial status of the host family. This decision is reached after consultation with AFS staff, volunteers, host family, student and natural family. The students are aware of and agree to these policies.

MARGARET PAINE, BLOOMINGTON;

FORMER MEMBER, AFS/USA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ANTIBULLYING LEGISLATION

Its protections are needed, so bring it back

A June 5 letter writer blames parents for the bullying problem. In doing so, he shows a lack of understanding of the dynamics of bullying. Bullies take out their frustrations at being neglected by their parents on other kids. Kids who are well-adjusted and well-parented are often the unsuspecting victims of these bullies.

Parents need the protection that this bill would provide to ensure that their kids will be safe from the sons and daughters of neglectful parents. Saying we wouldn't need a bullying bill if parents did their jobs is like saying we wouldn't need police if criminals didn't exist. I hope the bill will be reintroduced when we have a responsible governor in office.

JAMES MATHEWSON, FARIBAULT, MINN.

STATE OF THE ECONOMY

How well are advisers serving Obama, U.S.?

In January 2009, Christina Romer, chair of President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers, predicted that with the passing of the $787 billion Economic Recovery Act, the national unemployment rate would max out at 7 percent. Without the plan the unemployment rate could rise as high as 8.8 percent!

The current unemployment rate was reported last week at 9.4 percent. Can we please get some real economists working in the government?

JONATHAN STIEGLER, EDEN PRAIRIE

•••

May's unemployment numbers are sobering: 4.5 million Americans are without work. And without employer-paid health insurance, which is the way most of us who are still employed (but who could join the ranks of the unemployed/uninsured tomorrow) get our health insurance.

Is there any better case for a single-payer health plan -- a health plan that would offer all Americans basic health coverage whether employed or not? A health plan endorsed by thousands of physicians and nurses across the country -- those intimately involved in the system?

PHYLLIS RODEN, MINNEAPOLIS

KERSTEN ON ATHEISM

Latest column may be showing her true colors

When did Katherine Kersten become a liberal? Her June 7 column asks, with considerable sarcasm, why society should lavish care and resources on autistic children or Alzheimer's sufferers. She asks (rhetorically), "why should we act with charity toward the poorest and weakest among us?"

Good for her! Why indeed. Ayn Rand would, in fact, advise in all seriousness that we not devote resources to the poorest and weakest, and it seems that Gov. Tim Pawlenty intends to cut funding for their care. I'm gratified to learn that Kersten does not agree with them.

DAVID PERLMAN, NEW HOPE