Dear George,

I am a retired public educator who no longer goes to the classroom every day but continues to be invested in the needs and interests of the children and educators in public school. I object to the current trend among state and national legislators to exercise their majority status to use our children to further a political agenda which does nothing to improve the learning and learning conditions of the children. While mouthing political platitudes about patriotism and 'the national motto' and the return to the good ole days, they force through mandates which do nothing for improving education.

Placing a sign on the wall (next to the calendar so generously and civic-mindedly provided by the local soft drink bottler and under the 'free' TV set provided by Channel One) stating "In God We Trust", mandating a moment of silence for meditation and prayer during which the teacher (agent of the state) must insure that no student talks or fails to sit, these persons would have the public believe they care about the children. I believe all they care about is giving the impression of 'doing something about the godless public school' instead of addressing the real needs of our schools. This politicization of our children is WRONG! (Yes, I meant to shout).

This whole movement to take token action is ignoring the religious liberty of those who have different beliefs and practices or no religious ideology at all. Those who believe in religious liberty and freedom must guard against these behaviors and become energized to fight against using the children in our public schools as pawns to further a political agenda. It is at our own peril that we fail in this endeavor. Ask the women of Afghanistan what life is like in a theocracy.

Martha Wood (electronic mail, February 17, 2001).