Reader questions Bush’s record of success

President Bush has been touting his wonderful record from the past four years and I thought I would just share some of his momentous accomplishments with the student body of UTM:

1. Under the president’s guidance, America has successfully outsourced over 1.6 million well-paying jobs from the private sector.

2. With President Bush at the helm, the government didn’t have to worry about pesky things like surpluses. Instead, he’s created the largest deficits in the history of our nation ($422 billion this year, not including Iraq).

3. Luckily, our gasoline prices have seen the effects of the president’s leadership and his multitude of friendships with oil industry leaders. They’re currently the highest on record as well (nearly $2 a gallon here in Martin).

4. He’s held true to his conservative values of small government/big business by creating the largest federal government in U.S. history.

5. President Bush declared “Mission Accomplished” in May 2003 about Iraq. I’m sure he’s got a good explanation for why over 1,000 Americans have lost their lives since this declaration.

6. He’s lightened the workload of insurance companies during his term. Since he’s taken office, 5 million Americans have lost their health insurance.

You know, the more I think about it, these successes are really disasters in the making. Just think what he could do if we re-elect him for a second term?

Better yet, on Nov. 2, we can make this election a referendum on Bush’s record. Stand up for our future and vote John Kerry for a Stronger America.

Chris Bell Freshman Martin

Freshman Council president says Bush has lost focus

I feel it is my duty as UTM’s Freshman Council president to inform this university of the propaganda machine that has been rolling over our nation for the past three and a half years. President Bush has used the media like a dictator uses his army to compel our consent for his reckless policies.

Unfortunately, some of us have blindly bought into it. We have become like a “bewildered herd,” being led about by the simplest of ploys. The president uses the media to cause fear and confusion in order to create an “us vs. them” mentality.

Over a thousand lives have been given for this unnecessary war in Iraq and the mastermind for Sept. 11, Osama Bin Laden, is still running free. President Bush has lost his focus on the War on Terror and made it the War on Hussein.

President Bush says that America is a safer place. Well, I will believe that when our boys are home, kidnappings and beheadings cease, Bin Laden is found and America stops creating havens for breeding terrorists (occupied Iraq).

Darryl Worley sang “Have You Forgotten?” about whether we had stopped looking for Bin Laden. Apparently President Bush did, so let’s remind him Nov. 2 by voting for real leadership, John Kerry and send Bush back to Crawford, Texas.

Jay Baker Freshman Middleton

Internet exclusive letters

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Where are the NCLB results?

In a previous article by a member of UTM’s College Republicans, Mr. Jason Adkins alluded to “results” from President Bush’s No Child Left Behind education initiative. Throughout the article much was given in the way of figures- how much money was allocated (or not allocated, as accused by Mr. Kerry) to the program, how the program passed with bi-partisan support, and even what the program promises for the future.

“NCLB promises math and reading proficiency for every American student by 2014, and Bush is willing to stay the course and reap the reward in the future,” stated Mr. Adkins in his article.

One thing was a glaring error to me, however: where were the results?

As a recent UTM graduate and a current 6-8th grade Reading teacher in a small K-12 setting, I live and work with the “results” of NCLB every day. In Benton County, we have to reach a benchmark of 83% passing rate in Tennessee’s assessments this year, which include the TCAP and Gateway exams (the same used for graduation) in K-12 schools.

I’m here to tell you that in the real world, there are real problems. Some children will be left behind, either because they want to be (some students drop out as soon as they are able), because the money isn’t in the program to fund support teachers to actively teach students (because ink cartridges, paper, pencils, dry-erase markers, folders, chalk and all that other “teacher-y” stuff costs money!), or because in sad cases, parents do not care enough to interact with their own children to make a difference.

So, I ask President Bush, where are our No Child Left Behind Results? Why is it that schools could not achieve the 79% benchmark and are expected to reach 83% the very next year? Why have standards on “highly qualified” teachers been relaxed in rural areas with teacher shortages if standards are making a positive difference?

Could it be because bi-partisan Senators and Representatives that passed NCLB law never stepped foot within a public education institution?

Where are our results?

Chris West Graduate and Educator Big Sandy

The choice is clear

In the current Presidential campaign, I have become more than cognizant of my beliefs and perspectives on domestic as well as, foreign issues in our time.

I cannot express enough the significance of coming to terms with issues such as the environment, tax reform and the economy.

By closely analyzing both parties' platforms, I've come to the decision that the current Administration has not had the public's best interest at, considering the sorry state of the economy and health care, as well as the future dismal picture of social security.

It was upon this realization that reinforced my support for Democratic candidates Senator John Kerry and Senator John Edwards for President of the United States.

Andrea Cash Freshman Memphis

Graduate thankful for Quad City

Many thanks to the students, faculty, and staff for their efforts to launch a new event at UTM—Quad City.

As an alumna of the university, I enjoyed the opportunity to attend Homecoming and congregate in a central location with other friends of the University. Homecoming Week has always been a time of tradition and fun at UTM.

For those of us who live too far away to enjoy all the events, Quad City was a great way to encapsulate opportunities for fellowship into one spot.

Families had something for their children to enjoy between the parade and the game, food was plentiful, and all organizations were located in one place.

I appreciate the fraternities, who have typically had cornerstone homecoming events, for their willingness to move their events to the Quad, and I hope they will consider doing so in the future.

It was great to see many and varied organizations participate. Hopefully, the event can be replicated next year and more alumnae, parents, and friends of the University will be enticed to participate. Kudos to Charley Deal, the folks in the Alumni Relations Office, and all those who assisted!

Sandra Gray Class of 1982