Letters to the editor: Welcome diversity

Letter to the Editor

Welcome diversity

Regarding "Board chided about Islam" (Metro, Jan. 25):

I oftentimes do not agree with the decisions of the Hillsborough County School Board, but in this case board Chairwoman Candy Olson is correct. There is no logical reason to assume that the speaker who went to Steinbrenner High School to talk about Muslims and their beliefs is a threat to anyone.

There are thousands of American citizens who practice the Muslim religion who raise families, pay taxes and are seeking the American dream for themselves and their children. The more all of us know about what others believe in and why, the more powerful, enlightened and intelligent we as a nation become.

When these same parents send their children off to college, they will undoubtedly be surrounded by a multitude of persons from different countries and faiths, and therein is the main reason that college graduates generally make better-informed citizens and voters in our wonderful country.

These small-minded parents need to rethink their irrational "fears" and welcome diversity in our schools and classrooms.

Mary Shofi Volpe

Tampa

Teach Christianity

After reading "Board chided about Islam," I agree that if we are going to "start" teaching children in the public school about religion, we should definitely begin with Christianity.

Noah Webster, "the father of American scholarship and education," said, "In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government, ought to be instructed." Since his day, we have certainly veered far away from that precedent.

What we hear today is "the separation of church and state." People who can read understand that our Constitution does not say that — nor is it implied. In fact, Harvard University was founded in 1636 by the Puritans and adopted "rules and precepts" of the university that were quoted from the Bible. Even Harvard's original seal, which can be seen etched on the walls on the campus today, reads: "Truth for Christ and the Church."

Yet, Christianity and Jesus Christ have become words to avoid in our public schools across this great nation. However, I do not understand why we would teach about Islam instead. After all, that is the religion of those who flew the planes into our World Trade Center buildings on Sept. 11, killing thousands of Americans.

Also, in every Islamic nation in the world today Christians are being killed for practicing their religion and are not allowed to build a church in those countries. I wonder why we allow them to build their mosques here; don't you? When Pearl Harbor was bombed, it was called an act of war.

Karen Brackin

Hudson

Have faith

Kudos to Hillsborough County School Board Chairwoman Candy Olson for standing up to the close-minded at the meeting last week. Protecting our children by locking them in a closet is not a long-term solution, and brainwashing them into believing that other races and religions are inherently evil — well, that's what the bad guys are doing.

My kids (and hopefully most kids) are able to discern that strapping on a fanny pack full of nails and C4 and then igniting yourself at noon in a crowded food court is bad.

If a 30-minute talk on the history and basic tenets of Islam makes them forget that, I'm not a very good parent.

Have a little faith, people.

Mike Reilly

Lutz

Listening to others

Candy Olson spoke out at the school board meeting about three fundamental pieces of American culture: the right to free speech, the right to practice the religion of your choice, and the principle of diversity.

In my opinion, she also spoke up for the underlying principle that learning, community and peace are built on us listening to points of view with which we don't agree. And us granting that, as I have a right to my opinion, the other person does as well.

Hassan Shibly said, "I just want my kids to be able to grow up and practice their faith without being bullied."

I applaud Olson for saying what she did. Should she choose to run again for a seat on the school board, it would be my honor to give her my vote.

Debbie Baker

Tampa

More pain for victim

A few months ago my house was broken into and ransacked. I never thought I would see anything that was taken again. A few weeks ago a detective told me some of my items were at a local pawn shop. I was thrilled, to say the least. Today, I was informed in order to obtain my items I must buy them back. I was flabbergasted.

The victim has to pay? How is this fair? I understand the pawn shop owner is out the money he gave to the bad guy. However, because the bad guy is now in jail facing 12 felony charges, shouldn't he be responsible for repaying the money he was given once his sentence is up (assuming he will be found guilty)? Why should I pay? And if it is illegal to sell stolen property, why do I have to buy my things back? I feel like I am being robbed again.

This rule/law is unfair and a slap in the face to someone who lost everything, including peace of mind and security in their own home. I don't have renter's insurance. I am a single mom barely making it paycheck to paycheck. I have been victimized twice — once by the robber and now by the system — a system that needs to be changed.

Theresa Hill

Wimauma

Turning the tax tables

At the State of the Union the president had Warren Buffett's secretary in the audience in order to compare her tax rate to Buffett's and point out the rich should pay more in taxes. No one has stressed how much his secretary is making, only that she has to pay such a high tax rate. Rather, they make it seem she is making what the average secretary makes.

If you look at the 2011 tax tables, a single person whose taxable income was $379,150 would have an income tax of $110,016 — or an effective rate of 29 percent. A married couple filing jointly would pay $102,574, for an effective rate of 27 percent.

This secretary must make a lot more than that to have an effective tax rate of 35.8 percent. Someone should look into this, as the media make it appear she has an average income while paying a massive tax rate — which is not possible based on federal tax tables only.

Gregory R. Mason

Plant City

The writer is a CPA.