Letters, 6/2: The more the merrier
Another Wal-Mart store? Wonderful. Our city is growing fast and having another Wal-Mart between the two we have now would be convenient for those living in the area.
Virginia M. Woodrum, Lincoln
Others are involved
I was pleased to pick up the Lincoln Journal Star and see the article titled "Double dipping" on Southeast Community College's dual enrollment program for high school students.
The author, however, omitted mentioning other programs that serve our community. Both Nebraska Wesleyan University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are active in this area. This year Wesleyan Honors Academy served 685 high school students statewide in 42 schools from Falls City to Sidney and Omaha to North Platte. There currently are 74 teachers in the program offering courses in math, physics, English, German, religion, chemistry, psychology and history at high schools that include Lincoln High, Lincoln East, Lincoln Southeast, Lincoln Southwest and the Lincoln Zoo School.
These programs give high school students the opportunity to take specially designated courses to make progress toward a college degree while completing the requirements for their high school diploma. The acquisition of college credits prior to matriculation at a college benefits students academically, financially and socially.
The movement for a more seamless transition for high school students into college students is a nationwide trend. Nebraska Wesleyan University has been engaged in dual enrollment programs for years, and it appears that dual enrollment is here to stay. The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships describes the task of these programs as "both innovative and important" and reminds educators that our primary mission is service to students. We at Nebraska Wesleyan University are proud to be a part of such a mission.
Jeanie Watson, Lincoln, president
Religion not threatened
I, too, am baffled by community columnist Walt Hamilton's assertion that religion is publicly threatened. "It must be a catchy headline," I thought, "to get our attention like successful advertisements." Then I read on and began to think that he actually believes religion is threatened. Unless it was a humor column. Irony, maybe. Now, I'm not so sure.
A threat or trend may be developing, but if anything, it is that religion — in this case the conservative Christian right — continues to make inroads into government and public life. The religious right makes no secret of its continuing strategy to elect to every level office holders that support its narrow agenda.
The very well written rebuttal letter by Jan Chism Wright helps to remind us of how simple constitutional instructions can become so complicated and misunderstood. Her closing sentence (here clumsily paraphrased by me) "… unless they are really wanting state-sponsored religion …" is aptly put, and I think the answer is in the question.
State-sponsored religion or persecution helped drive our founders to these shores. One need only view history for motivation against, say, repeating Europe's sad history on this continent. And very recent history in Afghanistan shows us the price a nation pays when religious extremists rule. We must be ever vigilant to prevent that happening here.
We can do so by supporting and electing those politicians who look after the rights of all; who know that all freedoms must be valued and defended against extremist paranoia, or no freedom is safe; who understand the Constitution as written; and who know that government and religion must never coexist as one entity.
Mike Powers, Palmyra
Bike run ignored
MDA run a great success! ... and where are the article and pictures of it in our paper? Nonexistent. It just amazes me that thousands of Nebraskans come out on motorcycles to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the media turns its nose up at reporting the event.
Oh … could it be because we are "Scary Bikers"? Yes … we are scary on our big machines … oh, that's right … we are doctors, lawyers, executives, secretaries, electricians, contractors, cooks, veterans, moms, dads, sons and daughters of every race, creed and tax bracket.
The media may not want to brag about what a wonderful job all of the scary bikers did to raise money for such a great cause, but I would love to say — awesome job to all of us. Like I think every year … "maybe next year the media will notice" a few thousand bikes roaring through the capital city.
Sally K. Davis, Valparaiso
Virginia M. Woodrum, Lincoln
Others are involved
I was pleased to pick up the Lincoln Journal Star and see the article titled "Double dipping" on Southeast Community College's dual enrollment program for high school students.
The author, however, omitted mentioning other programs that serve our community. Both Nebraska Wesleyan University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are active in this area. This year Wesleyan Honors Academy served 685 high school students statewide in 42 schools from Falls City to Sidney and Omaha to North Platte. There currently are 74 teachers in the program offering courses in math, physics, English, German, religion, chemistry, psychology and history at high schools that include Lincoln High, Lincoln East, Lincoln Southeast, Lincoln Southwest and the Lincoln Zoo School.
These programs give high school students the opportunity to take specially designated courses to make progress toward a college degree while completing the requirements for their high school diploma. The acquisition of college credits prior to matriculation at a college benefits students academically, financially and socially.
The movement for a more seamless transition for high school students into college students is a nationwide trend. Nebraska Wesleyan University has been engaged in dual enrollment programs for years, and it appears that dual enrollment is here to stay. The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships describes the task of these programs as "both innovative and important" and reminds educators that our primary mission is service to students. We at Nebraska Wesleyan University are proud to be a part of such a mission.
Jeanie Watson, Lincoln, president
Religion not threatened
I, too, am baffled by community columnist Walt Hamilton's assertion that religion is publicly threatened. "It must be a catchy headline," I thought, "to get our attention like successful advertisements." Then I read on and began to think that he actually believes religion is threatened. Unless it was a humor column. Irony, maybe. Now, I'm not so sure.
A threat or trend may be developing, but if anything, it is that religion — in this case the conservative Christian right — continues to make inroads into government and public life. The religious right makes no secret of its continuing strategy to elect to every level office holders that support its narrow agenda.
The very well written rebuttal letter by Jan Chism Wright helps to remind us of how simple constitutional instructions can become so complicated and misunderstood. Her closing sentence (here clumsily paraphrased by me) "… unless they are really wanting state-sponsored religion …" is aptly put, and I think the answer is in the question.
State-sponsored religion or persecution helped drive our founders to these shores. One need only view history for motivation against, say, repeating Europe's sad history on this continent. And very recent history in Afghanistan shows us the price a nation pays when religious extremists rule. We must be ever vigilant to prevent that happening here.
We can do so by supporting and electing those politicians who look after the rights of all; who know that all freedoms must be valued and defended against extremist paranoia, or no freedom is safe; who understand the Constitution as written; and who know that government and religion must never coexist as one entity.
Mike Powers, Palmyra
Bike run ignored
MDA run a great success! ... and where are the article and pictures of it in our paper? Nonexistent. It just amazes me that thousands of Nebraskans come out on motorcycles to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the media turns its nose up at reporting the event.
Oh … could it be because we are "Scary Bikers"? Yes … we are scary on our big machines … oh, that's right … we are doctors, lawyers, executives, secretaries, electricians, contractors, cooks, veterans, moms, dads, sons and daughters of every race, creed and tax bracket.
The media may not want to brag about what a wonderful job all of the scary bikers did to raise money for such a great cause, but I would love to say — awesome job to all of us. Like I think every year … "maybe next year the media will notice" a few thousand bikes roaring through the capital city.
Sally K. Davis, Valparaiso
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