Letters to the Editor

Reader responds to commentary

I'm writing in response to J. Bryant Roberts' article “U.S. government retains traces of roots,” wherein the said author states “rarely in human history has the totalitarian rule of a monarch produced anything but misery for the people governed.”
In that one sentence the author waves away centuries of examples to the contrary. Either the author is placing on display the shocking deficit in his education, or he is simply too busy to be bothered with facts.
History is replete with examples of rulers who brought safety, stability and modernity to the people they governed and through their foresight literacy, medicine and governmental structure has been given to places such as India, Africa and the Americas. These benefits far outweigh the evils relentlessly harped upon by historical revisionists. By refusing to view monarchism in the light of historical facts and extant examples, Roberts is simply proving once again that liberalism is blind to common sense and fairness.
His argument would be better served by paying due homage to those kings and queens whose guidance has so greatly contributed to modern society, though it appears he has chosen not to allow factuality to impede his argument. Hopefully, the editor of this publication will in the future require contributors to base their articles on a more universally agreed-on version of reality than what was presented in this editorial.
— Caleb Sutton
Baker, Fla.


Teachers are not the problem

In reply to your commentary on April 14, the author is obviously very uninformed as to the conditions that lend themselves to the problems that she addressed.
There are several severe problems present in the school system that she ignores.
One of the main problems is a total lack of parental involvement in some cases.
It's very difficult to teach a child whose only nourishment comes from the school cafeteria, hasn't had a bath in several days, has either one parent/no parent/or grandparent at home, whose parent/guardian refuses to answer the school plea's for assistance in controlling an unruly child, refuses to even sign a report card, moves the child from dictrict to district during any given semester and is the first one to show up at the school board meeting demanding more accountability from teachers.
Despite poor benefits, over-crowding and almost nonexistent support, teachers and staff soldier on anyway. Teachers and staff in THIS county, and especially in the inner-city and mostly black and overpopulated school system, are grossly underpaid, over-worked and under-appreciated by almost everyone.
— J.E. McMillan
Pensacola


SGA president-elect thanks student body for turn-out

To UWF's Student Body,
Thank you all for getting involved with the election! Aaron and I cannot wait to get behind the wheel! We are determined to bring the community feel back to the students of our great University.
We also vow to keep the University of West Florida student body on the mind and in the ears of our Legislators in both Tallahassee and in Washington.
We thank everyone who came out to the polls to perform their civic duties and congratulate all new members who were elected into office.
This election showed that the student body really cares about issues affecting them on campus.
It was one of the largest voter turnouts ever reported in a student election.
We hope everyone carries on this new-found passion for University issues over the next year! Thank you again, and please do not be a stranger in our SGA office.
— President-Elect Steven Russell
University of West Florida SGA


SGA election process flawed

First of all, I would thank everyone for the large voter turnout we had in the recent SGA election. This was a big step in the right direction for UWF. Unfortunately, this election has been marred with many problems that I feel need to be public.
The largest of these problems was with the voting system in place.
There was a flaw in the ballot box that would allow users to vote multiple times, sometimes by accident and other times on purpose.
During the election, I had brought up the possibility of this occurring but my concerns were dismissed. Another flaw in the ballot box gave students who had already graduated the ability to vote even though they were not fee-paying students. There was also a problem with one of the computers in the polling place that made some names on the ballot impossible to read.
I also feel as if the election had a severe bias. An example of this was the Presidential Debate. The format of this debate was changed twice, and one of these changes was made only minutes before the debate in order to accommodate one of the candidates.
I had inquired as to the format one week before the debate and one hour before, and both times I was told that there would not be an introductory speech and that it would be strictly question and answer.
Then right before the debate started, I saw one of the candidates discussing the fact that he had prepared a speech. I was then told that there would be 5 minute-introductory speeches. I feel as if this was a reflection of the entire election.
I have also come across other information that will be presented in an appeal of this election. Until now, I have refrained from saying anything to keep from being called a sore loser.
The information that I know have requires me for the good of UWF to say something. This is not an attempt to change the Presidential election because I have no idea if it would.
This is an attempt to make sure everyone’s vote counts and to give confidence to those voting that they are making a difference.
Currently, many people feel as if they are wasting their time by voting or by running for office. This has to change, and I will put every ounce of effort I have into making sure it does change.
If anyone has any information regarding the election, please e-mail me at rmk3@students.uwf.edu or call me at 324-1614.
— Robert Kelley
SGA presidential-candidate