Friday, November 20, 1998

The wrong issue

Cal Thomas's call for "school choice" (Abilene Reporter-News, Nov. 16) is as perverted as the droning call for "pro-choice." What he and the baby killers are asking for is government sponsorship of what should be an issue of personal responsibility.

Sure, the Wisconsin program has passed review by the Supreme Court, but that program contains an "opt-out" clause for the student who uses it. This means the school must provide instruction without religious content if the student requests it.

Those religious schools that just tip their hat to God won't have a problem with this, but any church school that interweaves the study and worship of God into their daily lessons will have to change dramatically. New texts and new teachers (the Bible and Sister Edith are stifled) will make these schools indistinguishable from the ones the poor youth are trying to flee.

And what about the 6 million children who do not attend public school? Twelve percent of the families in America have chosen the personal responsibility of providing for their children's education. Does Mr. Thomas believe that putting these families back into government dependence would make a positive step?

Sorry, Cal, but if the GOP is looking for a real revolution, how about promoting less government!

GEORGE SCHWAPPACH

Abilene

Via e-mail

And a father, too

We would just like to congratulate our father for his recent award. J.W. Simpson just received the Distinguished Abilenian award from the Abilene Board of Realtors.

Our dad received this award for all his hard work with the American Heart Association. He raised more than $100,000 in the last 23 years for the Heart Association.

He has done much more than that. J.W. will do anything for anyone in need. We can't even count the number of times he was there for someone in need. From mowing someone's lawn, to fixing things around their house, to providing rides or just being there. He continually is helping out widows in church in need. Last summer he helped in building the Hospitality House near the prison.

Our Dad has always been there for us, through school activities, sports activities and church activities. Even in our adult lives, our father has proven to be a master mechanic, a plumber, a carpenter or whatever our needs entail.

He is always going to one grandchild's activity or another. (Even all the way to Maryland.) We could not ask for a better father or grandfather. And as we all know, "behind a good man stands a great woman."

We just wanted to congratulate him on his award and let him know we love him as a father as well.

DARLA, E .C., BRITTANY & ETHAN WALLACE

Aberdeen, Md.

STEVE, RAMONA, MARC & BRYAN SIMPSON

Stephenville

Via e-mail

Bill to Baghdad

Our brilliant U.S. President Bill Clinton should be defending our country by himself instead of sending our troops to Baghdad. He needs to be impeached for his wicked conduct.

ELECTRA PEARSON

Ranger