EXXON-MOBIL'S MONEY

From: Billie Dickard, Hallsville

I would like to correct a statement in Ronnie Foster's article "A Morning Prayer" in Our Readers Write column about the net profit made by Exxon Mobil last year.

He gives much too much credit to Exxon Mobil's ability to make money. I'm sure the company would live to have made 140 billion dollar in 2007 as stated by Mr. Foster. Mr. Foster overstated their earnings by about 70% as they actually made 40.6 billion dollars in 2007.

Granted that is a lot of money but when the total money invested to discover, process and bring petroleum products to market is considered the earnings are not excessive.

The company management is not free to give money to anyone as Mr. Foster wishes. This is a public company owned by millions of stockholders and they may not look too kindly upon giving their money away, certainly without some evidence of appropriate use.

NON-PARTISAN, BUT PARTISAN

From: Sam Jones, Marshall

I am writing to inform the League of Women Voters what it means to be non-partisan. Non-partisan means you are not for any particular group or person. It was very plain to see at the school board candidate forum held April 24 that this was not the case. Let me explain.

When Vice-President Gail Beil read the bios of the candidates, it was obvious she spoke with enthusiasm when introducing some. You made it plain the LWV was non-partisan, but if you can't refrain from letting your feelings show, perhaps you should not sponsor a forum.

We had to have our questions screened by the LWV and were screened again by Gail Beil when they were given to her. Mrs. Beil kept stating that we were running out of time, but if she hadn't spoken so much, some of our questions may have gotten read. In addition, she asked the superintendent to explain a program, which was not her place. The question was asked of the candidates and they should have been given the opportunity to tell the audience what they thought.

The moderator also allowed candidates to attack each other on the pettiness of meeting the treasury reporting time line, which could not have stopped the candidate from running. This question had nothing to do with the issues. A question from the audience that pertained to the issues could have been asked at that time.

The LWV will lose their credibility with citizens who feel they are a reputable group, if these practices continue.

SLEEPLESS WITH CANCER

From: Joe Martino, cancer survivor, master of ceremonies, 2008 Relay for Life

The original plan for the 2008 Relay For Life, last Friday night, was not to keep people from getting their eight hours of sleep. The plan was to CELEBRATE the lives of survivors, REMEMBER the friends and loved ones lost to cancer, and to FIGHT BACK by raising money for cancer research. I think in all three cases we were successful.

I can remember, seven months ago, when I was undergoing my treatments and all the sleepless nights my wife and I suffered through. I am extremely thankful that I am a survivor and that I was able to participate in the Relay For Life. As I walked the Survivor Lap with my wife, my friend Dr. Doug Duncan and his wife, my thoughts kept turning to my old buddy Bushe Morgan and the fact that he could not be there with us because he lost his battle with cancer this year. Bushe and his fine family would have been more than happy to give up a night's sleep to be part of this event. The hundreds of people that worked on, and participated in this event are all angels and I for one appreciated their dedication and hard work.

For the residents of Marshall that faced a little restlessness Friday night, just think, you have 364 nights to catch up before the next Relay. I hope you consider joining us for a night of celebrating, remembering and fighting Back.

IMPROVING THE BAND

From: Carol Deptula, Marshall

Thank you to Ryan Nolan for the article last Sunday. His dismay at the present status of the Marshall "Big Red Pride" band is well-founded. I quote his final comment: "It is with great urgency I hope that MISD administration, the MHS staff and the band students that have pride in the program take the steps needed to restore this once-great and proud program to its rightful pedestal."

Let's explore what those steps might be:

The fine arts are essential in a high-level society. In fine arts we find expression of our highest thoughts, ideals, and values. Beauty is created and truth and goodness are expressed through fine art. When fine arts programs become a vehicle for anger, revenge, self-aggrandizement, and petulance, then beauty, truth, and goodness disappears. In fine arts programs where participants understand the need for teamwork, cooperation, performance perfection and mutual support, the output grows in excellence.

Students who do not have the mentality of giving, patient hard work and willingness to practice at home become burdens on the program. Students who are disruptive in class hijack the minds of all those who want to accomplish something. Students who bad-mouth the teacher, refuse to cooperate and who literally destroy school property hold the entire class hostage. We are fighting a war in the classroom. It is not difficult to identify the students who are pulling this program down; and a lot of good students are siding with the bad ones just to be on a winning team.

So why are they still in the classroom? Good question! Here is where the administration helps or hinders. Remove the students from the classroom? Not that easy. First, there has to be teacher discussion with the student at least three times. But when? There are only five minutes between classes. Parents have to be called; parents often cannot be contacted. Office visits to the principal? They are gone 10 minutes and the student is in back in class. Do we have a problem here?

The problem is much deeper than race, poverty, media influence, historical social imbalance or discontent. There has to be a mental, social, and spiritual healing. But in the meantime, administration, put those disrupters in ISS for first period permanently. If parents ask questions, give them the straight answer.

Step 2: It takes time to build a program. The orchestra started last year with two new teachers. The band had two new teachers last year who left and three new teachers this year who are leaving. I think the administration needs to understand something. The fine arts program, specifically the band and orchestra, are cross-district programs. Each teacher goes from campus to campus and works with other teachers to build a cohesive program from sixth grade through 12th. The orchestras are under the supervision of the high school band director who controls budget and scheduling. Individual principals may have certain opinions regarding fine arts teachers, but they should not be the final work in hiring or firing.

Here are some things administrators can do:

1. Provide permission for sectionals in unoccupied rooms.

2. Allow students who want to change their schedules to include band or orchestra to do so.

3. Allow directors to remove students from the program if they cause disruptions.

4. Allow school budget money for piano tuning and repair.

5. Five principals need to remember the directors are not trying to take over the principal's job. They are simply trying to run a program.

6. Principals need to allow the directors a key to the building so instruments can be delivered before or after school and to allow for teaching of lessons and sectional after school.

7. Hire a secretary for the high school band directors.

Running a good program is not mysterious. It takes cooperation. And let's rethink some of the recent terminations.

We have a wonderful school system. Teachers are to be commended for the rise in student performance. It is time for every student to appreciate the opportunities they are given and work to their utmost, leaving games behind.