Opinion
Reece Terry, publisher
www.dailycorinthian.com
Mark Boehler, editor
4A • Saturday, December 17, 2011
Corinth, Miss.
Other Views
Tough love needed for failing schools Mississippi State Superintendent Tom Burnham had a tough message about failing schools and offered a tough remedy for dealing with them. The current system of the state intervening with failing schools isn’t working, he said. As The Clarion-Ledger reported, he said that he will propose a law to allow the state to either forcibly merge or require new elections in failing school districts because the current reform system doesn’t work. “We will bring forward legislation this year to end conservatorship,” Burnham said. In conservatorship, the state pushes aside local authorities and sends interim leaders to reform a district and its schools. The state can take over because of poor student performance, financial problems or safety issues. Districts now in conservatorship include Drew, Hazlehurst, Indianola, North Panola, Okolona, Sunflower County and Tate County. Burnham said that forcible mergers are desirable in cases where districts are too small or too poor to raise enough money for adequate schools. Burnham said he would also seek to ban former school board members and elected superintendents from running again. The problem, he noted, is that even if districts are salvaged, they soon revert to doing poorly. ... One thing is certain: Mississippi has to do a better job of ensuring equity in schools, that any student anywhere in the state has an equal chance at a good education. It may take some “tough love” to accomplish that. The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson
Other Views Customer hopes restaurant overcomes recent problems To the editor: We sincerely lament all the problems Don Julio’s restaurant is experiencing. Don Julio’s has been a pleasant gathering spot for our family every since it opened the doors. My husband and I have enjoyed the food there at least once each week. We have taken out of town guests there as recently as the day after Thanksgiving. We have hosted family birthday parties and had other occasions to dine there. To my knowledge, not one of us has been made sick from enjoying the food eaten there. Once during a presentation to toddlers at church, the instructor asked the name of their favorite restaurant. Most quickly quipped, “McDonald’s.” One little guy, not more than three years old piped up, “We like Don Julio’s.” We still like Don Julio’s. We were always impressed salsa was served in individual bowls, the facility and restrooms appeared to be clean, and the staff was always courteous. Of course, the food was good too. On the Internet sites it has been reported there were other restaurants in Corinth which remained unnamed in the newspaper articles who have experienced problems. While we all know hyperbole is the bane of most Internet sites, these rumors can hurt good people working hard to serve our area. Let’s hope -- and pray -- the owners of Don Julio’s can overcome these setbacks and be better for it. Brenda Burcham Highway 365, Burnsville
Worth Quoting Age considers; youth ventures. — Rabindranath Tagore
Prayer for today Dear Father, thank you for the opportunity to worship you with the gifts you have given us. May we offer all we do out of passion for you. Amen.
A verse to share Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. — Luke 1:26-27
Reece Terry publisher rterry@dailycorinthian.com
Mitt Romney on why ‘anybody but Mitt?’ not risen above 25 For weeks the mepercent, he says he dia has complained is pleased that he has that Republican pres“...always remained idential candidate among the leading Mitt Romney has contenders.” been shielded from Romney predicts probing interviews. Cal he will get the deleThe criticism is valid. Thomas gates he needs to win With the exception of the nomination. a recent Bret Baier inColumnist To assuage doubts, terview on Fox News he promised to seChannel, Romney’s staffers have tried to pre- lect people (and judges) serve what they believe to with the same philosophibe his inevitable nomina- cal qualities as conservative tion by allowing other GOP Justices Samuel Alito, John candidates to stand in the Roberts, Clarence Thomas spotlight, garnering the and Antonin Scalia. “I want men and women who are most scrutiny. The criticism and Rom- extraordinarily bright, who ney’s failure to break away have a track record that can from the crowded Republi- be thoroughly examined can field has prompted him and who share my values.” Of those values, self-relito do more interviews. In a telephone conversa- ance is one. In his speech to tion following a speech to the RJC, Romney criticized the Republican Jewish Co- the entitlement mentality of alition (RJC) in Washing- the Democrats and of those ton, I asked Romney why his who look to government, candidacy has not resonated rather than themselves for with Republican voters, sustenance. So how would spawning according to Jer- he break the addiction to emy Peters of the New York government assistance, esTimes, “...a recurrent “any- pecially when, according to body but Mitt” drumbeat a recent Department of Agfrom right-leaning pundits riculture report, 15 percent of Americans receive food and media outlets...” Romney, acknowledging stamps? How would he he was “the conservative al- tackle high unemployment? ternative in 2008,” said, “I Tax cuts and tax increases? “With difficulty,” he acthink people want to have a chance to have a look at knowledges, but he’ll apthe other people who are peal to patriotism: “When running this time and get people understand what is to know them better.” And at stake -- the very nature of while his poll numbers have our country and our capac-
ity to protect our freedom and provide prosperity for the next generation, then they will rally to the cause.” I’m not so sure. “Just say no” worked for some during the Reagan administration when Nancy Reagan appealed to the young not to take drugs, but once people are addicted to a government check they can’t just check into rehab to get “clean.” Romney needs a supplemental strategy. As he campaigns around the country, he should seek out those who have overcome difficult circumstances with right personal choices and without government and present them to voters. Let Americans see that standing on your own two feet beats riding on Uncle Sam’s back. Last week, Rachel Rose Hartman, a journalist for Yahoo.com, reported on a conference call with members of the Republican National Committee in which they were warned “to refrain from personal attacks against President Barack Obama, because such a strategy is too hazardous for the GOP.” Though the president’s job approval rating is low, “voters still give ‘high approval’ to Obama personally,” Hartman writes. Does Romney feel he can attack Obama and not suffer for it? “The president has been in office three years and his record is entirely fair game.
I think the American people know his record is the worst we’ve seen since (Herbert) Hoover. I will be relentless in reminding Americans that (Obama) promised to hold unemployment below 8 percent, if we let him borrow $1 trillion. He did the borrowing, but unemployment has not been below 8 percent.” If elected, Romney promises to reduce the size of the federal workforce by 10 percent, largely through attrition. He would cut off foreign assistance to countries like China, which he says gets $27 million from the U.S. annually, and to nations that “oppose American interests.” But back to the reason so many conservatives are reluctant to trust him. I ask Romney to finish this sentence: “Conservatives will not be disappointed with me as president because...” “Because I share your values,” he says, “because I am a leader who knows how to get things done; because I love America and American principles with an unwavering and committed heart.” We’ll see if that is enough for conservatives still hoping for an anti-Romney. The voting starts in Iowa in three weeks. Readers may e-mail Cal Thomas at tmseditors@tribune.com.
Ideology TV survey highlights political differences Talk about an exwithout Tim Allen. “Swamp Loggers” cruciating experitakes the viewer into ence. The media the woods of North research company Carolina where trees Experian Simmons spent an entire year are cut down and hauled away on camsurveying diehard Bill era. Please stop readRepublicans and O’Reilly ing if the excitement Democrats regarding what they watch on The O’Reilly is getting to be too TV, and the results Factor much. “The 700 Club” feaare now in. The top tures spiritual guidnon-auction Republican shows are: “This Old ance, “Top Shot” is about House” on PBS, “The 700 shooting guns and stuff, Club” on CBN, “Swamp and “The Bachelor” is lookLoggers” on the Discovery ing for love in all the wrong Channel, “Top Shot” on the places (network TV). If we History Channel and “The were to bring in an FBI profiler, the person who watchBachelor” on ABC. Democrats favored these: es all these shows would Comedy Central’s “The Dai- likely pray before going on ly Show” and “The Colbert a date with an armed lumReport,” “Masterpiece” on berjack. On the liberal side, the PBS, “30 Rock” and “Parks and Recreation” on NBC, analysis is easier. Jon Stewart and Stevie Colbert are and “The View” on ABC. So let’s break it down. Ap- experts in bear-baiting conparently, conservatives en- servatives and have develjoy fixing stuff and building oped faux news programs to things. “This Old House” is mock people like Mitt Rombasically a repair program ney. Stoned college kids are
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a big part of their audience. “Masterpiece” is very highbrow, as the people in Cambridge, Mass., apparently can’t get enough of the angst among the British aristocracy. “30 Rock” stars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, and just thinking about them makes liberals warm all over. Same with “The View.” When Whoopi and Joy let loose, there is true joy in San Francisco. It is obvious that liberal Americans enjoy personalities that see the world the way they do. Conservatives, on the other hand, want action. Shooting, tree cutting, praying: all action verbs. In fact, the only two personalities on the extended Republican show list are Larry the Cable Guy and Jay Leno, who is most likely mortified. The No. 12 show for right-wingers is “Swamp People” on the History Channel. Here we go again with the damp woods. What is it about backwa-
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ters that Republicans like? I simply don’t know. “Swamp People” are citizens who ride around in airboats fishing and dodging water moccasins. Talk about must-see TV. On the extended liberal list we find “Cougar Town” on ABC. This is a Courteney Cox vehicle whereby aging ladies socialize with younger guys. If those men would only live in the swamps, perhaps we could finally have détente between the right and the left in this country. In the end, the television choices that both liberals and conservatives are making really tell us just one relevant thing: They all have too much time on their hands. Veteran TV news anchor Bill O’Reilly is host of the Fox News show “The O’Reilly Factor” and author of the book “Pinheads and Patriots: Where You Stand in the Age of Obama.”
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