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00ournal of Opinion:
Basic education
How disappointing to see the Shelton School District delving
into military recruiting when its mission should be educating
children. Last week's school board approval of sending Shelton
High School Athletic Director Bill Hicks on a junket to San
Diego to Marine basic training so he can spread the word here
about the leathernecks' educational opportunities is a sad
commentary on society's attitude toward what it calls its most
precious resource.
In a time of war - a misguided and botched effort that
has turned from popular to unpopular in a conflict long-
er than World War II - when the military services are
running out of volunteer bodies, a sergeant in Marine
Corps marketing writes to frostbitten educators inviting
them to go to San Diego this winter to learn about "the
myriad of educational opportunities available to today's
Marine." The Marines, he says, feel that they are
educators' "partners in education."
The Shelton School District is under no obligation to become
the Marines' partner in war, even though federal law practical-
ly ibrces the district to. To willingly carry the Marines' water
isn't part of its educational mission.
The federal No Child Left Behind law requires the
district to provide contact information for students to
military recruiters. Those recruiters will call and call
and call children, even when children tell them they
aren't interested, even when children tell them they
have been accepted to a four-year college. Military
recruiters already are allowed on campus at the high
school. SHS has a Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training
Corps program more than a quarter century old.
Those feet in the door aren't enough. The Marines want
something like the Army's top general was talking about dur-
ing a Puget Sound visit when he told audiences the military
needs to reach "influencers," those who young people look to for
advice when making important decisions. He knew that young
people are being discouraged from enlisting by WOITied parents,
teachers and others.
Hicks filled out a form requesting to leave the state
for training. It asks the question, "Why is the training
important to school improvement?" He answered, "It is
valuable experience in dealing with student questions
concerning future planning when military recruitment
is involved. Also very informative training techniques to
possibly incorporate into our athletic programs."
In an age when high-school coaches go to specialized clinics
in their individual sports often taught by college coaches nd
pros, he's going to pick up some training tips tbr our athletes.
And he plans to advise students at recruiting time and train
other "influencers" to advise kids. "How will this training be
shared and implemented at the building/district?" the fbrm
asks. "Through staff meetings with teachers and counselors
and future planning seminars for students, parents and other
interested parties," he answered.
We have an educational crisis. We have too many days
in testing and' not enough in classoo m learning. We
have teachers who need to be trained in new curricu-
lum, new teaching techniques. So we're going to use
training time to tell teachers all about the Marines.
Hicks' trip is "fl"ee," paid tbr by the Marines. That's like say-
ing when the City of Shelton receives a state or tbderal grant it
doesn't cost the local taxpayers anything.
The argument is that the Marines offer educational
opportunities for kids who couldn't get an education
otherwise. Perhaps if we spent our money on our chil-
dren instead of attacking others, our poor could further
their education. The $400 billion spent in Iraq would
provide eight million kids $50,000 for their education.
Children who want to join the military are one thing. Chil-
dren who are pushed to join are quite another. They are expect-
ed to make a life-arid-death decision at age 18, but will our edu-
cators give them all the information? Will they teach them
about involuntary call-ups and stop-loss orders, 35 percent of"
soldiers returning from Iraq seeking mental-health services,
the mentally unfit being sent into combat, the sometimes
worthless Iraqi army at their sides, the Marine squad with one
member left alive after house-to-house searches 12 hours a day
in 120-degree temperatures, the bawling "grown men" in the
field devastated after an attack, the tens of thousands of sol-
diers maimed, the impossibility of fighting an enemy without
personally killing civilians, the ibur years of untold horror
stories? And that's if they live.
This country, and this town, should think about what
we are doing to our children. The educational system,
under pressure to turn out technicians for corporate
America, is trying to force every child to love math and
turning out graduates shorted in the liberal arts that
will help them enjoy life and understand the world
around them. Now the government wants educators to
churn out children for its war machine.
Educators should be preparing children for lif.
-CG
uuu
Shelton- I
jMason ourna
eounty usPs 492-800
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason
County Journal, P.O. Box 430, Shetton. WA 98584.
Published weekly by Shelton Publishing Inc. at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Washington
Mailing address: P.O. Box 430, Shelten, WA 98584
Telephone (360) 426-4412 • www.masoncounty.com
Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington
Member of Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $31.00 per year in-county address,
$45.00 per year in state of Washington $55.00 per year out of state
Charles Gay, editor and publisher. Newsroom: Sean Hanlon, managing editor, Port of Shelton;
Steve Patch, sports editor; Jeff Green, general assignment, city government, schools; Rebecca
Wells, society editor, county government; Mary Duncan, police, courts. Advertising: Stephen
Gay, advertising manager; Dave Pierik and Harvey Morris, ad sales. Front office: Julie Orme,
business manager; Kathy Lester, circulation; Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper; Cricket Carter, mailroom
superwsor. Composing room; Diane Riordan, supervisor; Margot Brand, Jan Kallinen, pagination;
Monica CarvajaI-Beben, pagination, darkroom; Koleen Wood, typesetter, computer system manager;
Colleen Scott, ad builder, computer system manager; William Adams, ad builder; Clinton Kendall,
proofreader. Pressroom: Kelly Riordan, pressman; Nick Cam pressman's assistant.
lu
Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, February 1, 2007
Y00eaders" 00ournal:
If all is well, let's leave Iraq
Editor, The Journal:
Since it appears that the Iraqi
government is doing well, as per
Andrea Shepherd's recent letter
(January 25, "Media won't report
positive,") why not bring our
troops home immediately?
1 checked the Department of
Defbnse Web site as she suggest-
ed, and apart from a few state-
ments concerning the possibility
of civil war, I see no reason to be-
lieve that Iraq is not able to stand
up and fight tbr its own interests
now. American and coalition
forces have been successful in
helping to rebuild hospitals and
schools and other necessary facili-
ties Iraqi security forces grow
ever stronger each day According
to the Defense Web site, mission
accomplished! Let's get our brave
young men and women out of
harm's way before they are
caught in the middle of a horrific
civil war.
A recent Newsweek poll
(January 22) shows that a whop-
ping 68 percent of Americans do
not support Bush's plan tbr troop
escalation. The national mood is
decidedly anti-war. Bush should
honor the will of the majority and
get the troops out of the death
trap in Baghdad now. Our troops
should not have to die to preserve
Bush's precious legacy. Impeach-
ment is the only legacy he de-
serves. Too many innocent people
have died or will die on his watch.
Let's stand up and fight fbr
peace. If' not now, then when?
Let's also get our priorities in or-
der. This country of' ours has
many troubles that are being
overlooked. Remember Hurricane
Katrina? Sorry, Andrea, but it's
still bad news in New Orleans.
Imagine what would happen if'
Bush decided to send more than
20,000 civilian workers to help re-
build New Orleans instead of
sending more than'20,000 more
troops into Baghdad?
Although BtSh made no men-
tion of New Orleans in his recent
State of the Union speech, Louisi-
ana Senator Mary Landrieu said,
"We still have a quarter
people not back in
housing ... and a school
rebuild." Senator Jim
has a son in Iraq, said,
putting all of this money
Iraq and ignoring New
we are doing something
Our government is
$8.4 billion per month on
(www.cost of war.corn).
Shepherd would like the
report some good news
change instead of" all the
negative news we read.
bring it on then!
Just imagine what $8.4
per month could do for our
country and fbr saving the
city of New Orleans. Ima
great press Bush would
he brought our troops home
now! Imagine the legacy
sure fbr himself if" he
wage peace instead of war.
'he just might go from a
to a hero and save the world,
Trace5
Some treated as subhuman
Editor, The Journal:
This is in reply to Diane Ea-
ton's January 25 letter, "Same-
sex marriage on agenda." First of'
all, it is just plain wrong tbr
someone else to decide whether or
not two consenting adults can get
married regardless of their sex.
The Bible to which Diane so heav-
ily retbrs is supposed to teach tol-
erance and love to all living
things. Are homosexuals not in
thct people?
Individuals like Diane act as if'
homosexuals are somehow
"subhuman." Why is" it that so
many "Christians" have so much
hatred towards another human
being, just because of who they
want to share their life with? It is
true that much of' America com-
prises Christians, but the practice
of" legislating morality has gone
too far.
That is one of the reasons we
are Americans. Long ago we sepa-
rated ourselves from a country
that did this exact thing. Ameri-
cans cannot let this happen. We
are supposed to have freedom of"
and from religion. If' we start
making laws based on Christiani-
ty we will be no diffbrent from the
people we separated ourselves
from in the first place.
Referring back to Diane's let-
ter, "be not deceived, neither fbr-
nicators, nor idolaters, nor
ei'feminate.., shall inherit the
kingdom of" God," I honestly don't
care what Paul wrote to the Cor-
inthians in the Bible. I've written
a lot of things too. Does that
mean that people need to start
believing it, just because it is
written down in a book'?
Not all of us are interested in"
"inheriting the kingdom of' God,"
Diane. Listen to the message your
Bible is trying to send you, una-
dulterated by your individual in-
terpretation of the words. Be kind
to all.
Diane also says that our lead-
ers set up the stage fbr living our
everyday lives. True, but homo-
sexuals are people too, and they
have lives to live as well. As far
as "legalizing/legitimizing lying,
cheating, murder," Diane is right
that those are things that are
wrong. Not because of' what so-
and-so said in the Bible, or be-
cause they are immoral things,
but because they harm other peo-
ple.
There is nothing about homo-
sexuality that hurts anyone. It
doesn't hurt children. I would
much rather be a child with par-
ents that love me, regard
their sex, than one who
have parents or a child with
ents who are abusive.
Why is it that so many
like Diane spend so much
and energy trying to keep
tain group of" people from
happy lives? It's not just
living happy lives, either.
about protection. When a
is legally married, the
fly is protected by their
company, Social
Why deny someone the
having a stable, secure lif
because of" who they are
they want to be with?
Not very long ago and
some areas of' the country,
racial marriage is/was taboO:
fbre that, black people
sidered three-fifths human.
have been so many peopR
past who were
cized, ridiculed,
slain in the name of religk
fbr being who they are.
people would stop thinking
only themselves and start
ing about others too, and
ber that it is okay to be
Angela
Tricky new 'open space'
Editor, The Journal:
With little fanfare something
called the Mason County Plan-
ning Advisory Commission may
be slipping one over on some inat-
tentive property-tax payers.
Those who happened to own a
piece of" ground currently declared
and assessed as "open space"
were sent a confusing little letter
last September advising that un-
der a new movement their land,
with its recognized lower value
and consequent lower tax, will
soon be thrown into a pot and be
reclassed as saleable property
subject to a new value and new
tax base.
The originating reasons for
their low value, such as being un-
buildable, unmarketable or forev-
er tied up with applied restric-
tions, will be tossed out while a
new point system searches tbr
new and novel reasons to upgrade
its value.
When the plan gets going, the
owner will be given just a 30-day
window in which he must either
(1) indicate his intention to de-
fend his low-value status (while
his land is being reverted to fully
taxable) or (2) opt out of the
whole program and deliberately
put his land back on a saleable
basis under full taxation. The lat-
ter choice could appeal to
someone who has had hopes of
selling the land or building on it.
This program, which apparent-
ly still needs final approval
county commissioners,
be simple tax-raising man
ing by our county, whi]
half of' the other
counties have chosen to aV0
adoption. Open-space owner
need to keep an eye o
squeeze play as it quietlY
ops here
Their letter indicates th
is under the aegis of the
County Current Use 0
Program and the Mason
Planning Advisory Com
and the Public Benefit
and the Department
ty Development. Take
00ournal of Opinion:
Basic education
How disappointing to see the Shelton School District delving
into military recruiting when its mission should be educating
children. Last week's school board approval of sending Shelton
High School Athletic Director Bill Hicks on a junket to San
Diego to Marine basic training so he can spread the word here
about the leathernecks' educational opportunities is a sad
commentary on society's attitude toward what it calls its most
precious resource.
In a time of war - a misguided and botched effort that
has turned from popular to unpopular in a conflict long-
er than World War II - when the military services are
running out of volunteer bodies, a sergeant in Marine
Corps marketing writes to frostbitten educators inviting
them to go to San Diego this winter to learn about "the
myriad of educational opportunities available to today's
Marine." The Marines, he says, feel that they are
educators' "partners in education."
The Shelton School District is under no obligation to become
the Marines' partner in war, even though federal law practical-
ly ibrces the district to. To willingly carry the Marines' water
isn't part of its educational mission.
The federal No Child Left Behind law requires the
district to provide contact information for students to
military recruiters. Those recruiters will call and call
and call children, even when children tell them they
aren't interested, even when children tell them they
have been accepted to a four-year college. Military
recruiters already are allowed on campus at the high
school. SHS has a Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training
Corps program more than a quarter century old.
Those feet in the door aren't enough. The Marines want
something like the Army's top general was talking about dur-
ing a Puget Sound visit when he told audiences the military
needs to reach "influencers," those who young people look to for
advice when making important decisions. He knew that young
people are being discouraged from enlisting by WOITied parents,
teachers and others.
Hicks filled out a form requesting to leave the state
for training. It asks the question, "Why is the training
important to school improvement?" He answered, "It is
valuable experience in dealing with student questions
concerning future planning when military recruitment
is involved. Also very informative training techniques to
possibly incorporate into our athletic programs."
In an age when high-school coaches go to specialized clinics
in their individual sports often taught by college coaches nd
pros, he's going to pick up some training tips tbr our athletes.
And he plans to advise students at recruiting time and train
other "influencers" to advise kids. "How will this training be
shared and implemented at the building/district?" the fbrm
asks. "Through staff meetings with teachers and counselors
and future planning seminars for students, parents and other
interested parties," he answered.
We have an educational crisis. We have too many days
in testing and' not enough in classoo m learning. We
have teachers who need to be trained in new curricu-
lum, new teaching techniques. So we're going to use
training time to tell teachers all about the Marines.
Hicks' trip is "fl"ee," paid tbr by the Marines. That's like say-
ing when the City of Shelton receives a state or tbderal grant it
doesn't cost the local taxpayers anything.
The argument is that the Marines offer educational
opportunities for kids who couldn't get an education
otherwise. Perhaps if we spent our money on our chil-
dren instead of attacking others, our poor could further
their education. The $400 billion spent in Iraq would
provide eight million kids $50,000 for their education.
Children who want to join the military are one thing. Chil-
dren who are pushed to join are quite another. They are expect-
ed to make a life-arid-death decision at age 18, but will our edu-
cators give them all the information? Will they teach them
about involuntary call-ups and stop-loss orders, 35 percent of"
soldiers returning from Iraq seeking mental-health services,
the mentally unfit being sent into combat, the sometimes
worthless Iraqi army at their sides, the Marine squad with one
member left alive after house-to-house searches 12 hours a day
in 120-degree temperatures, the bawling "grown men" in the
field devastated after an attack, the tens of thousands of sol-
diers maimed, the impossibility of fighting an enemy without
personally killing civilians, the ibur years of untold horror
stories? And that's if they live.
This country, and this town, should think about what
we are doing to our children. The educational system,
under pressure to turn out technicians for corporate
America, is trying to force every child to love math and
turning out graduates shorted in the liberal arts that
will help them enjoy life and understand the world
around them. Now the government wants educators to
churn out children for its war machine.
Educators should be preparing children for lif.
-CG
uuu
Shelton- I
jMason ourna
eounty usPs 492-800
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason
County Journal, P.O. Box 430, Shetton. WA 98584.
Published weekly by Shelton Publishing Inc. at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Washington
Mailing address: P.O. Box 430, Shelten, WA 98584
Telephone (360) 426-4412 • www.masoncounty.com
Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington
Member of Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $31.00 per year in-county address,
$45.00 per year in state of Washington $55.00 per year out of state
Charles Gay, editor and publisher. Newsroom: Sean Hanlon, managing editor, Port of Shelton;
Steve Patch, sports editor; Jeff Green, general assignment, city government, schools; Rebecca
Wells, society editor, county government; Mary Duncan, police, courts. Advertising: Stephen
Gay, advertising manager; Dave Pierik and Harvey Morris, ad sales. Front office: Julie Orme,
business manager; Kathy Lester, circulation; Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper; Cricket Carter, mailroom
superwsor. Composing room; Diane Riordan, supervisor; Margot Brand, Jan Kallinen, pagination;
Monica CarvajaI-Beben, pagination, darkroom; Koleen Wood, typesetter, computer system manager;
Colleen Scott, ad builder, computer system manager; William Adams, ad builder; Clinton Kendall,
proofreader. Pressroom: Kelly Riordan, pressman; Nick Cam pressman's assistant.
lu
Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, February 1, 2007
Y00eaders" 00ournal:
If all is well, let's leave Iraq
Editor, The Journal:
Since it appears that the Iraqi
government is doing well, as per
Andrea Shepherd's recent letter
(January 25, "Media won't report
positive,") why not bring our
troops home immediately?
1 checked the Department of
Defbnse Web site as she suggest-
ed, and apart from a few state-
ments concerning the possibility
of civil war, I see no reason to be-
lieve that Iraq is not able to stand
up and fight tbr its own interests
now. American and coalition
forces have been successful in
helping to rebuild hospitals and
schools and other necessary facili-
ties Iraqi security forces grow
ever stronger each day According
to the Defense Web site, mission
accomplished! Let's get our brave
young men and women out of
harm's way before they are
caught in the middle of a horrific
civil war.
A recent Newsweek poll
(January 22) shows that a whop-
ping 68 percent of Americans do
not support Bush's plan tbr troop
escalation. The national mood is
decidedly anti-war. Bush should
honor the will of the majority and
get the troops out of the death
trap in Baghdad now. Our troops
should not have to die to preserve
Bush's precious legacy. Impeach-
ment is the only legacy he de-
serves. Too many innocent people
have died or will die on his watch.
Let's stand up and fight fbr
peace. If' not now, then when?
Let's also get our priorities in or-
der. This country of' ours has
many troubles that are being
overlooked. Remember Hurricane
Katrina? Sorry, Andrea, but it's
still bad news in New Orleans.
Imagine what would happen if'
Bush decided to send more than
20,000 civilian workers to help re-
build New Orleans instead of
sending more than'20,000 more
troops into Baghdad?
Although BtSh made no men-
tion of New Orleans in his recent
State of the Union speech, Louisi-
ana Senator Mary Landrieu said,
"We still have a quarter
people not back in
housing ... and a school
rebuild." Senator Jim
has a son in Iraq, said,
putting all of this money
Iraq and ignoring New
we are doing something
Our government is
$8.4 billion per month on
(www.cost of war.corn).
Shepherd would like the
report some good news
change instead of" all the
negative news we read.
bring it on then!
Just imagine what $8.4
per month could do for our
country and fbr saving the
city of New Orleans. Ima
great press Bush would
he brought our troops home
now! Imagine the legacy
sure fbr himself if" he
wage peace instead of war.
'he just might go from a
to a hero and save the world,
Trace5
Some treated as subhuman
Editor, The Journal:
This is in reply to Diane Ea-
ton's January 25 letter, "Same-
sex marriage on agenda." First of'
all, it is just plain wrong tbr
someone else to decide whether or
not two consenting adults can get
married regardless of their sex.
The Bible to which Diane so heav-
ily retbrs is supposed to teach tol-
erance and love to all living
things. Are homosexuals not in
thct people?
Individuals like Diane act as if'
homosexuals are somehow
"subhuman." Why is" it that so
many "Christians" have so much
hatred towards another human
being, just because of who they
want to share their life with? It is
true that much of' America com-
prises Christians, but the practice
of" legislating morality has gone
too far.
That is one of the reasons we
are Americans. Long ago we sepa-
rated ourselves from a country
that did this exact thing. Ameri-
cans cannot let this happen. We
are supposed to have freedom of"
and from religion. If' we start
making laws based on Christiani-
ty we will be no diffbrent from the
people we separated ourselves
from in the first place.
Referring back to Diane's let-
ter, "be not deceived, neither fbr-
nicators, nor idolaters, nor
ei'feminate.., shall inherit the
kingdom of" God," I honestly don't
care what Paul wrote to the Cor-
inthians in the Bible. I've written
a lot of things too. Does that
mean that people need to start
believing it, just because it is
written down in a book'?
Not all of us are interested in"
"inheriting the kingdom of' God,"
Diane. Listen to the message your
Bible is trying to send you, una-
dulterated by your individual in-
terpretation of the words. Be kind
to all.
Diane also says that our lead-
ers set up the stage fbr living our
everyday lives. True, but homo-
sexuals are people too, and they
have lives to live as well. As far
as "legalizing/legitimizing lying,
cheating, murder," Diane is right
that those are things that are
wrong. Not because of' what so-
and-so said in the Bible, or be-
cause they are immoral things,
but because they harm other peo-
ple.
There is nothing about homo-
sexuality that hurts anyone. It
doesn't hurt children. I would
much rather be a child with par-
ents that love me, regard
their sex, than one who
have parents or a child with
ents who are abusive.
Why is it that so many
like Diane spend so much
and energy trying to keep
tain group of" people from
happy lives? It's not just
living happy lives, either.
about protection. When a
is legally married, the
fly is protected by their
company, Social
Why deny someone the
having a stable, secure lif
because of" who they are
they want to be with?
Not very long ago and
some areas of' the country,
racial marriage is/was taboO:
fbre that, black people
sidered three-fifths human.
have been so many peopR
past who were
cized, ridiculed,
slain in the name of religk
fbr being who they are.
people would stop thinking
only themselves and start
ing about others too, and
ber that it is okay to be
Angela
Tricky new 'open space'
Editor, The Journal:
With little fanfare something
called the Mason County Plan-
ning Advisory Commission may
be slipping one over on some inat-
tentive property-tax payers.
Those who happened to own a
piece of" ground currently declared
and assessed as "open space"
were sent a confusing little letter
last September advising that un-
der a new movement their land,
with its recognized lower value
and consequent lower tax, will
soon be thrown into a pot and be
reclassed as saleable property
subject to a new value and new
tax base.
The originating reasons for
their low value, such as being un-
buildable, unmarketable or forev-
er tied up with applied restric-
tions, will be tossed out while a
new point system searches tbr
new and novel reasons to upgrade
its value.
When the plan gets going, the
owner will be given just a 30-day
window in which he must either
(1) indicate his intention to de-
fend his low-value status (while
his land is being reverted to fully
taxable) or (2) opt out of the
whole program and deliberately
put his land back on a saleable
basis under full taxation. The lat-
ter choice could appeal to
someone who has had hopes of
selling the land or building on it.
This program, which apparent-
ly still needs final approval
county commissioners,
be simple tax-raising man
ing by our county, whi]
half of' the other
counties have chosen to aV0
adoption. Open-space owner
need to keep an eye o
squeeze play as it quietlY
ops here
Their letter indicates th
is under the aegis of the
County Current Use 0
Program and the Mason
Planning Advisory Com
and the Public Benefit
and the Department
ty Development. Take