MAILBAG - Nov. 19, 2006

Refreshing, but not trust-buildingI’m not sure that Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustee Tom Egan’s commentary of Nov. 9 did much for building greater trust in our elected and appointed school officials, but it is refreshing indeed to have someone on the board make known some of his important thoughts about education in general and the problems associated with local schools.

I’m also unsure as to why he avoided direct comment on Steve Smith’s contention that schools need innovators, not gatekeepers. At the risk of offending Egan and other educational officials in Orange County, I have found very little being pursued that is innovative — or creative for that matter — in tackling those most immediate problems affecting all students being served.

LEFTERIS LAVRAKAS

Costa Mesa

One OCC student isn’t giving up on pledgeLast week, a motion was passed to remove the Pledge of Allegiance from the agenda of the Orange Coast College student government meetings. As a student at OCC, my question is this: How is it possible for three students to decide what is best for me and my fellow 27,000 other OCC classmates without any inquiry?

When did the switch occur when student representatives could pass such a high-impact motion, which not even the U.S. Supreme Court has been able to pass? The Senate opens its meetings pledging loyalty to America, the country in which they are dwelling, so what makes these few students feel that they can get away with such an action?

Also, where were the faculty advisors during this all? Or the dean of students for that matter? She is the one person who is “responsible for the Student Leadership Development and Associated Students of Orange Coast College and student conduct,” according to OCC’s website. I assume that she is supposed to take care of the rest of us students as well. However, the Associated Students still was allowed to pass this action that is going to cost me my college education. Judging by the already overwhelming negative response, OCC is going to feel the brunt of this quite forcefully. Funds and monetary support are already being threatened to be pulled, directly affecting my pocket, along with the pockets of 27,000 other students.

It’s already ridiculous that I have to pay $20 a unit to continue my education, but it’s even more absurd that because of the administration’s ignorance, I now run the risk of having to pay more to attend this institution.

When this issue was addressed in my History 180 class, there were no supporters for those who are “representing” us as nearly 50 of us stood tall, placed our right hands over our American hearts and proudly pledged our allegiance to the American flag. For the last time I checked, I am an American; this is my country, which provides me all the resources to succeed. And for that, it is the least I can do but to pledge my loyalty. And last I checked, the solid majority of students, teachers and administrators on this campus in Costa Mesa, in the 31st state in the United States of America, are as well American.

What happened to the pride and unity we all felt after the tragic disaster of Sept. 11, 2001? Have we so quickly forgotten all of the American flags flown, all of the stickers which were stuck, and not to mention all of those who died during that horrible time, much less the millions upon millions of men and women who have died throughout the years protecting the freedom of this country. That freedom is the freedom of choice — to do, or not to do — what we please. So it is your right to not take pride in the country to which you fled, to avoid persecution or forceful allegiance, but for the rest of us, we take pride in the 50 white stars, the 13 red stripes and the 13 blue stripes which make up our flag.

So when the Associated Students of OCC board of trustees decides that it is probably in its best interest to put the American flag back into their meeting room, I fear what will be happening on my campus. All I know is that I will not stand idle as three students decide my fate on this campus. So now when I see that clipboard for impeachment being passed around campus, I will proudly sign my name.

MEGHAN ONSRUD

Huntington Beach

Pledge wasn’t always taken ‘under God’It appears several authors of the letters published Tuesday ought to brush up on their history. To be asked to pledge one’s allegiance to the United States “under God” at a public institution most likely would have terrified and enraged the founding fathers of this nation.

“Under God” is a relatively new addition to the Pledge of Allegiance, added in 1954 at the height of McCarthyism. The pledge itself was only written in 1894 — by a socialist nonetheless. Madison, the author of our Bill or Rights, emphasized that freedom of religion and the separation of church and state is the primary civil liberty upon which all others necessarily depended. In fact, the European settlers on this land long before Madison fled here to avoid the religious intolerance and persecution of the British crown.

Is it so hard to understand that not everybody in a room of people feels comfortable publicly pledging his allegiance “under God?” Is it really that detrimental to society (or detrimental at all) to spare them this alienation and prohibit the recitation of the pledge in public schools?

What makes America great is its protection of the individual from the majority via civil liberties. The continued maintenance of these liberties requires us to accept the right of an individual to worship any and all gods if he so chooses, and to not alienate him if he does not publicly recognize the God the majority worships.

RYAN LEAN

Newport Beach

Not taking pledge is disgustingMy response to the Orange Coast College students’ not wanting to say the Pledge of Allegiance is that I think it’s disgusting, and if they don’t want to take the Pledge of Allegiance to their country, they should move someplace else. They don’t realize how lucky they are.

JOAN NEVILLE

Newport Beach

Student leaders are absolutely disgracefulI think that what the OCC student leaders said about not liking “under God” in their Pledge of Allegiance is absolutely disgraceful.

JOSEPHINE MACLAINE

Newport Beach

Loyalty to country is vital in these timesI feel that it is extremely important in these times for our citizens to feel comfortable and positive about saying the pledge and acknowledging their love of this country. We will not go very far without that feeling in the hearts of our citizens.

The other thought — or question — I would like to know is this: I understand that on the trustee board, a certain number of students are sitting, and I don’t understand this. What in the world do students have to add to such a body? Shouldn’t that be for persons who have proven their skill at learning, and not someone who is in the process of learning?

YVONNE BROWN

Costa Mesa

Federal agent at Costa Mesa jail is good ideaWithout a detailed knowledge of the so-called training element apparently required to determine whether a person’s immigration status is legal or not, I do think a federal immigration agent stationed at the Costa Mesa Police Department is a good idea (“Federal offer may offset mayor’s plan,” Friday).

I also would carry this concept one step further and suggest that it may also prove useful for every city in the county to have an immigration agent.

If the federal government ever has the sincere interest in getting some relevant control over illegal immigration, the only way I see this happening is to initiate a well-coordinated cooperation with all the police agencies in the cities, states and country.

Perhaps this offering from the federal immigration officials to station an immigration agent in Costa Mesa is a first step in this direction.

TOM NETH

Costa Mesa