It’s a no-brainer
It’s a no-brainer
I have a solution to the Department of Education’s $1 billion air-conditioning challenge.
Bring back summer.
Remember when there was no school between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and kids could run around, get to hang with relatives, sleep and grow?
Teachers had time to recharge and restore the energy it takes to nurture and instruct countless children in a selfless profession that is undervalued and underpaid.
The break belongs to the rhythm of the seasons, when the days are too long and too warm to be inside trying to learn algebra.
The powers that be value year-round curriculum packages, testing and their prestige more than common sense.
Take the money proposed for cooling devices and electricity, and spend it on teachers and students directly.
I promise you, scores will improve!
Olivia Cockcroft
Pahoa
‘Not to worry’
Kudos to Bob Smith (Aug. 19, Your Views) for inveighing against the Monsanto machine.
I’m a disabled veteran who was baptized with Monsanto’s Agent Orange in Vietnam. Corporations and governments always will attempt to minimize the dangers associated with their malfeasance.
In World War II, Uncle Mick was told “not to worry” about possible adverse effects of spraying asbestos in Navy ships without breathing protection. It was harmless, they said, and in fact benign enough to be sprinkled on his corn flakes in the morning.
Forty years after the war, he died of malignant mesothelioma.
The Marine Corps told us “not to worry, it’s only jungle rot” when we developed full-body chloracne lesions after being sprayed with Agent Orange.
Forty-five years after, I have three forms of cancer.
Do we really need to wait 40-plus years to appreciate what we should already know about the consequences of introducing these toxic agents into our environment?
Did Uncle Mick die in vain?
Will I?
Rex A. Weigel
Sgt. USMC (retired)
Hilo
Arrest and build
I read in the Tribune-Herald that the protesters once again are camping on Mauna Kea. This is in violation of the state’s new “emergency” rules prohibiting such activity.
Our state’s leaders (politicians, all), should be ashamed of themselves for letting this happen. You have turned our beloved state into a laughingstock.
Arrest the protesters, and build the Thirty Meter Telescope.
A. Yamamoto
Hilo