Even cops not always perfect

10/8/2009

Although it is tragic that Danielle Dressel lost her policeman husband to criminal violence, I think she is out of line in her letter to The Blade regarding the three youths who were charged with assaulting two police officers and later acquitted of the most serious charges.

Reading her letter, one would get the impression that she was there and saw with her own eyes everything that happened. This is not the case. She is just rubber stamping the version the police provided. How does she know the police were just “doing their jobs”? How does she know these policemen were “called names” by the defendants? How does she know that “the detectives identified themselves as police officers”? How does she know that the defendants provoked this entire unfortunate event?

The fact is she doesn't know. Clearly the jury, after hearing testimony from both sides, including the undercover policemen themselves, determined that there was more to the story than just the official police version. I can understand Mrs. Dressel wanting to side with the undercover police, but after all the facts have been heard and a verdict has been rendered I don't understand how Mrs. Dressel can maintain that a “huge injustice” has been committed.

Although the vast majority of police are honest and hard working, I don't think anyone would agree that all policemen are perfect and every arrest is completely justified. Maybe Mrs. Dressel would prefer it if defendants had no legal recourse when violence toward police was at issue? Just lock them up and throw away the key because the police can never be wrong. Thankfully, that's just not the way things are done in this country and I wonder if Mrs. Dressel would really want it that way?

Michael Kolinski

Washington Street

My comments are directed toward the writer of “Wrong to reward teachers to teach” (Readers' Forum, Sept. 26) and to all those uninformed individuals who espouse the sport of teacher-bashing as a means to improve the education of our youth.

First, a singular test should not serve as the “end-all, be all” indicator of whether a student is learning. Secondly, as an educator for 20 years, I have learned that there are no easy answers or quick fixes to deliver instruction effectively to all children, all of the time, in terms of producing a “magic” test score that someone determines shows students to be proficient!

Students enter schools at varying degrees of preparedness. Some come from privileged environments, while others may be homeless. Some children are nurtured, while others may not be so blessed. Some youngsters may be healthy and stress-free, while others may carry the weight of the world upon their shoulders.

Whatever the circumstance, we realize that students must show progress. However, physical, economic, and emotional factors must be noted as to why some may not be showing proficiency as quickly as we'd like.

Teachers teach. Students learn. Parents support. In a perfect world, these factors should work in tandem. But this is not a perfect world, and teachers have six hours per day, nine months per year, to accomplish a lot, against all odds.

Those outside the walls of the educational arena, politicians included, are quick to blame teachers for what ails student performance. We'd all love to see cancer disappear, but putting a Band-Aid on it won't cure it. So please, no Band-Aid on what is wrong in education, either.

Children must come to school ready to learn, supported by parents who buy into the process. And then teachers will greet their students at the start of each day able to deliver curriculum. All components, including those that are societal, must work in harmony to effect the result we are striving to achieve.

Now, where is your quick fix again, lady from Sylvania? And, congratulations to the teachers who received a bonus. They deserved it!

Sharon Sitek-Dendinger

Woodley Road

Recently a company moved from downtown Toledo to a new location in North Toledo. What started as a one-man show in the late 1940s, Al Peake & Sons Produce has transformed into a full service food company.

While Toledo has been one of the hardest-hit cities in this economic downturn, the Peake family has reinvested dramatically in a city at a time when companies are more commonly closing their doors for good. This investment should be recognized as an example of how cities like Toledo can pick up the pieces and reinvent themselves.

We need to be a city that has every industry, not just one. With the work force Toledo has, one should be able to get a job across the street from their old one. I hope other small businesses located in Toledo will reinvest in this great city. This economic downturn should remind Toledoans how important it is to buy local and buy American.

Brian Malkowski

Gilbert Road

As a former smoker who was priced out of the habit, I am watching with interest the irritation and anger of people who think taxing soft drinks is a poor tool to reduce obesity. Are these the same people, including The Blade, that thought it was fair to charge a higher tax on smokers for the public good? Why is this any different?

Obesity-related illness is well documented and raises the cost of health care, insurance, the quality of life for entire families, the cost of transportation, including airline transport, and the amount of gas a car uses to move an obese owner.

We received a great deal of money from the tobacco funds. Will we get an equal amount from the big soft drink manufacturers?

As an aside, did you really think “they” were going to stop with my addiction? Now that it's yours, how does it feel?

Whims Ivey

Airline Avenue

Making such a big deal on students in a school singing a song about President Obama is certainly an over-reaction.

The next thing I can see happening will be doing away with President's Day and the celebration of Martin Luther King's birthday as many schools and businesses close their facilities to honor these distinguished people.

Yes, even some teachers sing songs, read stories, and recite poems about King and Presidents Lincoln and Washington on the respective days set aside to honor them.

Are people afraid that teaching and singing these songs, etc. will influence the children's future political party? I really doubt this to be true.

As a former teacher, I think many children were deprived of hearing Mr. Obama's speech on the importance of staying in school and getting a good education. Some parents, principals, teachers, and schools refused to let their children hear the President and some even kept their children home.

We must stop these negative attitudes and begin to think positively for the good of our country by working together.

Nancy Setzler

Fremont

It is ironic that apparently a majority of Medicare recipients disapprove of President Obama's effort to reform our country's health-care situation.

This geriatric generation will receive benefits far more costly than any amount they paid into the system. They are saying, “We have ours, to hell with the rest.”

Shameful!

John A. Galbraith

Maumee