"Dear KARE (NBC-11) , KSTP (ABC-5), KMSP (FOX 9), KSTP 1500 AM, KFAI 90.3 FM/106.7 FM,
As the hours passed and the news media repeatedly said "The worst campus shooting in history" I knew in my gut that it would be only a matter of days before someone else would try to stake THEIR claim as the "worst campus shooter." And just as I expected, in the coming days bomb threats, shooting threats, gun smugglings, etc. happened on campuses across country from Seattle WA to the suburban metro-area schools near Minneapolis. And of course, a few days later we had the shooting at NASA in Texas.
We must demand that our media limit themselves when it comes to news coverage of these horrible events. These disturbed people are seeking attention ... even if it must be posthumous notariety, such as Cho gave to the Columbine murderers. Once the basic news is reported, stop! NO ONE needs to know how frightened the students were, or how horrified their families were when they saw the news media on the VA Tech campus. Glorifying violence, even under the guise of providing the people with the facts, causes further violence. Enough is enough!"
Friday, April 27, 2007
Rosalie's Message about the Virginia Tech Shootings
Monday, April 23, 2007
Margaret's Message about the Virginia Tech Shootings
"Dear [recipient name was inserted here],
It was a very sad day for our society - not only for the victims and their families, but for the shooter who was a victim of bullying, neglect by family members, and society. Had the bullying been stopped in grade school and he had been treated as a useful, important member of society like others were this problem most likely would not have escalated to the point of revenge. This young man had to feel extremely dejected and alone. His pain turned to revenge. How very sad that those around him could not love him enough to help him when this began. Had he been put
in a program like Victory Ranch for Children the outcome would most likely have been a much happier one. They don't use drugs - they use love to help overcome the hurt that destroys self confidence and esteem. I would hope the media and our local, state, and federal governments officials would focus on how to aid young people in receiving help before it is too late."
Donna's Message about the Virginia Tech Shootings
"I feel saddened for the victims and their families. I also feel sad for Cho. I can only wonder how alienated this young man might have felt coming to the US at the age of 8. Was he teased by schoolmates through elementary through high school? or simply alienated? I feel this case makes it clear that troubled children need to get counseling and psycological help in elementary, high school and from college counseling centers. I believe this case also makes it clear why gun registration, background checks and at least a short waiting period for gun purchases might be a prudent measure."
Brandi's Message about the Drug War on Education
“Dear Senators Martinez and Nelson,
My name is Brandi Stanley, and I'm currently a student at the Osceola County School for the Arts. I am a vocal major that takes pride in my hard work and dedication to my education. I am looking forward to attending college next year, but, I'm not so sure if I'm going to be able to afford it financially. There is a penalty that strips financial aid from college students with drug convictions, and unless it is repealed through the Higher Education Act reauthorization. I will admit I did make a mistake, and I was arrested with a less than five grams of pot, which will stay on my record for the rest of my life. One mistake, only one, can have the ability to take the rest of my future away. I am not a bad person, and I am an A student, just like 200,000 other aspiring students who were blocked access to aid, most often for relatively minor offenses such as possession of a small amount of marijuana, like myself, since the aid elimination penalty was added as an amendment to HEA in 1998.
While this penalty is supposed to keep young people away from drugs, it actually does the opposite by kicking at-risk students out of school.
But blocking access to education doesn't just hurt students such as myself, but it has harmful implications for society as a whole. College graduates are much more likely to become successful taxpaying citizens, while those who are kicked out of school are more likely to abuse drugs, become costly drains on the criminal justice system, and rely on expensive government assistance programs.
There are already minimum GPA requirements to recieve financial aid, so in essence, the penalty is only affecting hardworking students who are doing well in their classes.
As for students who are causing problems and disrupting the learning process for others, college administrators already have the authority to expel them, and judges have long had the ability to revoke student aid from people with drug convictions on a case-by-case basis. The one-size-fits-all penalty strips discretion from decision-makers who know students best.
Numerous addiction recovery, criminal justice, religious, and other leaders have insisted that education is one of the best means to reduce crime and drug abuse, and Congress's own Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance recommended removing the drug conviction question from the aid application, calling it "irrelevant" to eligibility. Even the Bush administration doesn't like the penalty; the Undersecretary of Education recently testified to a House subcommittee that the drug question is "not anything that we need at the department."
Fortunately, this year's HEA reauthorization process presents a great opportunity to get rid of the harmful and unfair penalty once and for all. Please help tens of thousands of hardworking and determined individuals like myself stay in school andon the path to success by making sure that the HEA bill includes language repealing the aid elimination penalty.
Thank you so much for you attention on this detrimental issue. You are the only ones that can help me save my education that I hold so dear. I look forward to hearing your thoughts as soon as you have a chance to share them.”
Carrie's Message about the Drug War on Education
"Dear Senator Brownback,
As your constituent, I'm writing to urge you to make sure that the penalty that strips financial aid from college students with drug convictions is repealed through the Higher Education Act reauthorization. Since the aid elimination penalty was added as an amendment to HEA in 1998, nearly 200,000 aspiring students have been blocked access to aid, often for relatively minor offenses such as possession of small amounts of marijuana.
While the penalty is supposed to keep young people away from drugs, it actually does the opposite by kicking at-risk students out of school.
But blocking access to education doesn't just hurt the students directly impacted; it has harmful implications for society as a whole. College graduates are much more likely to become successful taxpaying citizens, while those who are kicked out of school are more likely to abuse drugs, become costly drains on the criminal justice system, and rely on expensive government assistance programs.
Furthermore, since there are already minimum GPA requirements to receive financial aid, the penalty only affects hardworking students who are doing well in their classes.
As for students who are causing problems and disrupting the learning process for others, college administrators already have the authority to expel them, and judges have long had the ability to revoke student aid from people with drug convictions on a case-by-case basis. The one-size-fits-all penalty strips discretion from decision-makers who know students best.
Numerous addiction recovery, criminal justice, religious, and other leaders have insisted that education is one of the best means to reduce crime and drug abuse, and Congress's own Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance recommended removing the drug conviction question from the aid application, calling it "irrelevant" to eligibility. Even the Bush administration doesn’t like the penalty; the Undersecretary of Education recently testified to a House subcommittee that the drug question is “not anything that we need at the department.”
Fortunately, this year’s HEA reauthorization process presents a great opportunity to get rid of the harmful and unfair penalty once and for all. Please help tens of thousands of hardworking and determined individuals get back into school and on the path to success by making sure that the HEA bill includes language repealing the aid elimination penalty.
Thanks for your attention to this important issue. I look forward to hearing your thoughts as soon as you have a chance to share them."
Michael's Message about the Drug War on Education
"As your constituent, I'm writing to ask you to take action on an important issue that will be in front of the HELP Committee very soon.
Since 1998, nearly 200,000 aspiring college students have been stripped of their financial aid because they have drug convictions, usually for relatively minor offenses such as possession of small amounts of marijuana. I respectfully urge you to make sure that this aid elimination penalty, which was added to the Higher Education Act in 1998, is repealed through this year's HEA reauthorization.
While the penalty is supposed to keep young people away from drugs, it actually does the opposite by kicking at-risk students out of school.
But blocking access to education doesn't just hurt the students directly impacted; it has harmful implications for society as a whole. College graduates are much more likely to become successful taxpaying citizens, while those who are kicked out of school are more likely to abuse drugs, become costly drains on the criminal justice system, and rely on expensive government assistance programs.
Furthermore, since there are already minimum GPA requirements to receive financial aid, the penalty only affects hardworking students who are doing well in their classes.
As for students who are causing problems and disrupting the learning process for others, college administrators already have the authority to expel them, and judges have long had the ability to revoke student aid from people with drug convictions on a case-by-case basis. The one-size-fits-all penalty strips discretion from decision-makers who know students best.
Numerous addiction recovery, criminal justice, religious, and other leaders have insisted that education is one of the best means to reduce crime and drug abuse, and Congress's own Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance recommended removing the drug conviction question from the aid application, calling it "irrelevant" to eligibility. Even the Bush administration doesn’t like the penalty; the Undersecretary of Education recently testified to a House subcommittee that the drug question is “not anything that we need at the department.”
Fortunately, this year’s HEA reauthorization process presents a great opportunity to get rid of the harmful and unfair penalty once and for all. As a member of the HELP Committee, please help tens of thousands of hardworking and determined individuals get back into school and on the path to success by making sure that the HEA bill includes language repealing the aid elimination penalty.
Thanks for your attention to this important issue. I look forward to hearing your thoughts as soon as you have a chance to share them."
Friday, April 20, 2007
Daniel's Message about the Drug War on Education
"As your constituent, I'm writing to urge you to make sure that the penalty that strips financial aid from college students with drug convictions is repealed through the Higher Education Act reauthorization. Since the aid elimination penalty was added as an amendment to HEA in 1998, nearly 200,000 aspiring students have been blocked access to aid, often for relatively minor offenses such as possession of small amounts of marijuana.
On a personal note, I am one of those students who have prior marijuana possession charges. Sorry I am not perfect. My charges occrred in 2003 prior to my enrollment in college and the court sentenced me to a rehab/drug education program. My drug charge did not affect my eligibility because I had completed the drug education program. I can not imagine where I would be now if I did not have the opportunity to go to college. I have completed internships in former congressman Rob Simmons district office, Gov. Rell's constituent services ofice, and an internship in the General Assembly in 2005 under Rep. Adinolfi. I believe that I am a perfect example of what a person is able to accompish once given a second chance.
But blocking access to education doesn't just hurt the students directly impacted - it has harmful implications for society as a whole. College graduates are much more likely to become successful taxpaying citizens, while those who are kicked out of school are more likely to abuse drugs, become costly drains on the criminal justice system, and rely on expensive government assistance programs.
As for students who are causing problems and disrupting the learning process for others, college administrators already have the authority to expel them, and judges have long had the ability to revoke student aid from people with drug convictions on a case-by-case basis. The one-size-fits-all penalty strips discretion from decision-makers who know students best.
Numerous addiction recovery, criminal justice, religious, and other leaders have insisted that education is one of the best means to reduce crime and drug abuse, and Congress's own Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance recommended removing the drug conviction question from the aid application, calling it "irrelevant" to eligibility. Even the Bush administration doesn't like the penalty; the Undersecretary of Education recently testified to a House subcommittee that the drug question is "not anything that we need at the department."
Fortunately, this year's HEA reauthorization process presents a great opportunity to get rid of the harmful and unfair penalty once and for all. Please help tens of thousands of hardworking and determined individuals get back into school and on the path to success by making sure that the HEA bill includes language repealing the aid elimination penalty.
Thanks for your attention to this important issue. I look forward to hearing your thoughts as soon as you have a chance to share them."
David's Message about the Drug War on Education
"Dear Senator Barbara Boxer,
As your constituent, as a pagan, as a cannabis patient, as a college student receiveing financial aid, I'm writing to urge you to make sure that the penalty that strips financial aid from college students with drug convictions is repealed through the Higher Education Act reauthorization. Since the aid elimination penalty was added as an amendment to HEA in 1998, nearly 200,000 aspiring students have been blocked access to aid, often for relatively minor offenses such as possession of small amounts of healing Cannabis.
Remember, I am one of those people who believe that drug criminalization harms society. I come bearing facts and figures in my community, so I won't bore you with them. I will, however, tell you that cannabis itself is such a waste to smoke it, or even use it as a medicine.
When it is a alternative fuel, textile and chemical product that is the non-toxic alternative to Petroleum. Why even Henry Ford knew that, the first cars that ran off the first assembly line ran off "HEMP-O-LINE." In fact at least I beleive that cancer could go back to the lows before the 1980's if this free electron giving compound were expelled instead of the cancer causing petroleum.
While the penalty is supposed to keep young people away from drugs, it actually does the opposite by kicking at-risk students out of school. As the statistics have proven time and time again that people are more likely to be successful, commit less crimes and increase the tax base and be free of more criminalizing and deadly drugs.
Again College graduates are much more likely to become successful taxpaying citizens, while those who are kicked out of school are more likely to abuse drugs, become costly drains on the criminal justice system, and rely on expensive government assistance programs.
Furthermore, since there are already minimum GPA requirements to receive financial aid, the penalty only affects hardworking students who are doing well in their classes.
"Only affects hardworking students doing well in their classes."
That would be me, if I am caught. As I have a B average. I am a homeless student trying to pull myself out of the gutter, I think I deserve better. Don't you?
As for students who are causing problems and disrupting the learning process for others, college administrators already have the authority to expel them, and judges have long had the ability to revoke student aid from people with drug convictions on a case-by-case basis. The
one-size-fits-all penalty strips discretion from decision-makers who know students best.
Numerous addiction recovery, criminal justice, religious, and other leaders have insisted that education is one of the best means to reduce crime and drug abuse, and Congress's own Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance recommended removing the drug conviction question from the aid application, calling it "irrelevant" to eligibility. Even the Bush administration doesn't like the penalty; the Undersecretary of Education recently testified to a House subcommittee that the drug question is "not anything that we need at the department."
Fortunately, this year's HEA reauthorization process presents a great opportunity to get rid of the harmful and unfair penalty once and for all. Please help tens of thousands of hardworking and determined individuals get back into school and on the path to success by making sure that the HEA bill includes language repealing the aid elimination penalty.
So when you think of this bill, think of me. Your friend, constituent, and longtime freelance lobbier and envisioner of the California Student Supportive Housing Cooperative."
Tell Congress to help people like David: http://capwiz.com/mobilize/issues/alert/?alertid=9628286
Valerie's Message to Congress about The War on Education
"Dear Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein,
As your constituent, I'm writing to urge you to make sure that the penalty
that strips financial aid from college students with drug convictions
repealed through the Higher Education Act reauthorization. Since the aid
elimination penalty was added as an amendment to HEA in 1998, nearly
200,000 aspiring students have been blocked access to aid, often for
relatively minor offenses such as possession of small amounts of marijuana.
While the penalty is supposed to keep young people away from drugs, it
actually does the opposite by kicking at-risk students out of school.
But blocking access to education doesn't just hurt the students directly
impacted - it has harmful implications for society as a whole. college
graduates are much more likely to become successful taxpaying citizens,
while those who are kicked out of school are more likely to abuse drugs,
become costly drains on the criminal justice system, and rely on expensive
government assistance programs.
Furthermore, since there are already minimum GPA requirements to receive
financial aid, the penalty only affects hardworking students who are doing
well in their classes.
As for students who are causing problems and disrupting the learning
process for others, college administrators already have the authority to
expel them, and judges have long had the ability to revoke student aid
from people with drug convictions on a case-by-case basis. The
one-size-fits-all penalty strips discretion from decision-makers who know
students best.
Numerous addiction recovery, criminal justice, religious, and other
leaders have insisted that education is one of the best means to reduce
crime and drug abuse, and Congress's own Advisory Committee on student
Financial Assistance recommended removing the drug conviction question
from the aid application, calling it "irrelevant" to eligibility. Even
the Bush administration doesn't like the penalty; the Undersecretary of
Education recently testified to a House subcommittee that the drug
question is "not anything that we need at the department."
Fortunately, this year's HEA reauthorization process presents a great
opportunity to get rid of the harmful and unfair penalty once and for all.
Please help tens of thousands of hardworking and determined individuals
get back into school and on the path to success by making sure that the
HEA bill includes language repealing the aid elimination penalty.
Thanks for your attention to this important issue. I look forward to
hearing your thoughts as soon as you have a chance to share them."
Monday, April 16, 2007
Diane's Message to Congress
"My name is Diane Latiker, and I am writing on behalf of Kids Off The
Block to invite you to participate in our event "Clean & Green Day" for
National & Global Youth Service Day, Saturday, April 21, 2007.
Kids Off The Block (KOB) is an afterschool program located in the
Roseland Community of Chicago. I founded this organization in July of
2003, to give youth positive alternatives to gangs, drugs, truancy,
violence, and the juvenile justice system.
We started out with 10 youth from the neighborhood and now serve over 100, with a waiting list. KOB youth are doing great things in Roseland, and need our support to continue to support the communities in which they live.
On April 21, 2007 from 9:00am to 2:30pm approximately 60 youth and adult volunteers will participate in Clean & Green Day projects in Roseland. These projects will include picking up litter, painting light poles, planting flowers/grass. We would be honored if you would participate in our activities by attending our event and delivering remarks pertaining to how important it is that youth take pride in their communities through beautification projects such as this one.
To date, we have invited Ald. Anthony Beale (9th Ward), State Rep. Robert Rita. We would be honored to include you as another participant in our National & Global Youth Service Day event.
If your schedule permits you to attend or you have further questions about the event, please contact me at 773-995-9077."
Anna's Message to Congress
"Would you please fund the future of our public education? I went to Ruskin with your niece, it was in despair then. I still hear and see that Ruskin is not improving in quality. There are no words to describe how poorly funded that school, in addition to many other schools here in the state of Missouri are. Our schools are getting worse and you can't just sit back and watch them get worse. So please do something about it.
The crime rate in this district, in addition to several other districts, is deplorable. SO many businesses are going under, and now, so many of us college students are having trouble finding local work, in addition to high school students here are trouble finding work and after school programs, which helps them stay out of trouble. Part of the problem facing children and our schools is that the poorest and least advantaged students go to school in districts and states without sufficient resources to sustain excellent educational opportunities. And until the federal government steps up and treats education like the true national priority it ought to be, these children will continue to suffer from the cruel lottery of where they happen to be born.
For instance, when I went to Ruskin and graduated in the class of 2002, we were using virus-ridden compaqs running windows 95 then, even for just the technology factor, for beginners. Yet even worse, when I was in 9th grade, most of my class did not know their times tables.
My sister, Dawn Palmer, taught at Ruskin for a few years. Every year, the incoming freshmen students' English has gotten worse. Also confirming my sister's suspicions, are college instructors here at MCC-Longview, such as the instructor of Music of the Worlds Cultures, Denise Flahive. Many times I hear her speak in the music office at Longview about how students writing abilities have gotten much worse over the years, yet she can't drop the bar lower, considering her class is writing intensive. These students are not prepared to face the world as it is, and need more attention to their learning. We need your help!!"
Ann's Message to Congress
"Dear Congresswoman Woolsey,
I am writing to urge you to support the $30 million allocation for Gulf Coast
education in H.R. 1591.
I am a student at Yale University and am currently on spring break. I spent all of last week in New Orleans, mainly gutting houses and a firehouse union hall.
During my time there, I attended a Neighborhood Planning Network meeting in which a panel of speakers discussed New Orleans' education situation. The people there all spoke with hope as they illuminated the problems education is facing in the city. There are not enough teachers, space nor supplies for every child to attend school. A psychiatrist also spoke about the emotional and mental help children need now. Often, the effect of the hurricane on children's emotional stability is overlooked. Thus, schools not only need more teachers, but also more counselors who can provide comforting mental help.
I became emotionally attached to the city, even though I was only there for one week. The people were warm and the colorful houses revealed their bright spirit. The jazz music and Creole food were all uniquely pleasant. The lively downtown area, however, was juxtaposed to the neighborhoods around the city that still were completely abandoned with sagging houses still carrying water marks 8 feet above the ground. In the neighborhood I worked in, many people were beginning to return and after interacting with them, I saw how much hope and determination they had to keep New Orleans alive. New Orleans is their home.
I firmly believe that schools are vital to New Orleans' recovery. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita displaced 12,000 teachers from the Gulf Coast, including 4,500 teachers from New Orleans alone. Today, Gulf Coast school districts, especially the state-run Recovery School District, are facing acute teacher shortages as more and more families return to the area.
Already, 28,000 students have returned to New Orleans, and 56 schools have opened. Next year, the city expects to enroll 40,000 students, and to have 80 schools open. These schools need to be staffed with high quality educators.
H.R. 1591 will help the New Orleans area attract and retain high-quality educators by providing performance bonuses for those who come to or stay in the area, student loan relief, and relocation and housing assistance to help them find affordable housing.
Good schools will encourage families to return to the city, and a well-educated workforce will help spur economic revitalization. Most importantly, good schools will provide the thousands of young people who still suffer from the aftermath of the hurricanes with a chance for a brighter future. To make this possible, the Gulf Coast needs high quality teachers.
Please support the allocations for Gulf Coast K-12 teacher recruitment in H.R. 1591. Thank you!"
Kara's Message to Congress
"Dear Representative Marshall,
My name is Kara Thomas and I'm a high school student. I am writing to you to ask you to support a constitutional right to quality education for all children (HJ 29).
As a child, I, like most children, did not like going to school. I dreaded getting up in the morning and spending my time stuck in a classroom where a boring teacher talked all day about things I did not care about or understand. I went to a public elementary school, and in the first grade I tested for and was accepted into the gifted program.
One day a week, a few other first graders and I would get out of class and spend the day learning about things that other first graders did not know about. I loved it because I was being challenged.
In second grade I had a teacher that did not teach. We watched unrelated movies all day. When she did try to teach, she would teach us things a second grader should not be learning, like long division. She would yell at us if we did not do our homework. My class mates and I cried on a regular basis. Half way through the school year she did not come to school. We had a substitute, but after two weeks people started asking questions. My mother called the school to ask where my lack luster teacher had gone. "To jail," was the response we got. She was arrested for possession with intent to sell crack cocaine.
We had the substitute for the rest of the year.
The next year I was in third grade. That was the year the school finally realized that I could not read. Most students had started learning to read in kindergarten. Not me. So, on Tuesdays and Thursdays I would spend a few hours with a group of my peers who were likewise troubled. And Wednesdays I would spend the day in my gifted class. Ironic, isn't it? I finally learned to read in fourth grade.
Also in fourth grade I had a teacher that was new to the school. Supposedly she was quite good. I do not really remember. What I do remember is that I was being physically abused by a classmate. The teacher noticed and both of us were called to the principal's office separately. I told her everything. She did nothing. She continued to do nothing even when I told her that this student had threatened to shoot some of my friends and me. Nothing ever happened to this principal, besides being given the job of being principal at a new school in Macon that was recently built. That school has a horrible reputation.
After graduating from elementary school in sixth grade I started at Mount de Sales. For the most part Mount de Sales proved to be a decent environment for me. In seventh grade I took the SAT through the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) and scored a 1000. That qualified me for state recognition and to be able to participate in the summer programs. I went to the University of Kansas the summer of 2006 to take a writing workshop through Duke TIP. We wrote for almost forty hours a week and I loved every second of it.
In tenth grade I confronted the Mount de Sales administration on the use of the Accelerated Reader program. My argument was that it was weighted too heavily and that the books I read were not on the list. I am an avid reader and have been since I learned to read in fourth grade. I
was being penalized because I read new releases or relatively unknown books. At the beginning of the second semester of the principal announced that high school students would no longer be required to do the Accelerated Reader program.
In my junior and senior years of high school I hope to do joint enrollment with Wesleyan College. After I graduate I want to get my bachelor's degree in psychology and literature from Guilford College and my master's in psychology from Boston College. I want to be an addiction therapist in a nonprofit rehab clinic.
Through all of my problems with the schools and teachers, one would think that my dislike of education would just grow. It has been quite the opposite, though. I continue to look for more things to learn and new ways I can challenge myself. But I would have never gotten to this point had I not had a few great teachers along the way, and parents that simply would't take any
grades below a B.
Some children, though, are't lucky enough to have that outside support from their families or teachers. Those students usually end up dropping out and turning to minimum wage jobs or a life on the streets. The next great mind could have been in that group of students that dropped out, but now we'll never know. Education should be one of, if not the top priority to the State and Country leaders. Children are our future, and without adequate education, that future grows bleaker everyday.
Please, Representative Marshall, support HJ 29 and make it possible for all children to get a good education. Just think, without education, where would you be today? Thank-you for your time. "
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Ariela's Message to Congress
