A good teacher

THE SELF-CONGRATULATORY teacher who slapped himself on the back for grading papers may deserve some kudos, but that tells us nothing about whether or not he is a good teacher. For the answer to that, I would refer you to Malcolm Gladwell's "Most Likely to Succeed" in the Dec. 15 New Yorker magazine. It's difficult to identify the qualities that make for a good teacher, but it is being done. Something Gladwell calls "with¿itness" is one way. Though he doesn't address this issue, exchanging papers for grading purposes can be a positive learning experience and, contrary to what the above-mentioned teacher said, has been recognized as such by the U.S. Supreme Court.

No cameras

TRAFFIC CAMERAS? It is the burden of the police force to catch those who are recklessly driving, not a camera.

Dynastic tradition

WHY ALL the complaining? I like dynasties in politics. And so did many of the Founding Fathers who wanted George Washington to become a king.

Something positive

THE WALL Street Journal reprint expressing the opinion that the paper is looking forward to divisiveness and infighting in 2009 reflects a view rejected by the voters at the polls who want to get something positive done as opposed to arguing and bickering all the time. If this comes at the expense of the sales of pot-stirring rags like the Journal, so be it.

Better street lights

IF CAPE Girardeau motorists can't see the lane markings on the pavement, maybe it's not the lines. Maybe it's the lighting. Has anyone else noticed how dim the street lights are? It seems better lighting would allow you to see the lines better.

Go-cart track

THE MISSOURI Department of Transportation should fix the problems with the widening of Highway 34 west of Jackson. There are curves where it should be a straight shot. Curbs are sticking out into the road. I think the engineer who designed this mess must have flunked out of engineering school. If I had designed the road, I can guarantee you my highway would not look like a go-cart track.

Littering fines

IN SOME states the police can give a ticket for littering when someone throws a cigarette butt out of the car, and the fine is more than $200. This might get people to stop throwing them out of cars in Missouri.

Support for deputies

I FIND it sad when the public will not support local law enforcement. I live in Perry County, and the sheriff's department is being told it will have to lay off deputies due to the county not having the funds to pay these deputies. I cannot believe the citizens do not support a sales tax for law enforcement. When you have a problem, who is the first person you call? The police. The past two sales-tax propositions were defeated. The worst part is that the tax would not been noticed with it being such a small amount.

GOP opposition

THE REPUBLICAN Bush administration has spent more money and run up more debt than any government in world history. Now Republican members of Congress are balking when it comes to Barack Obama's soon-to-be-proposed stimulus package designed to put Americans back to work and to begin to address this awful recession. Apparently, the GOP has an irreversible death wish. Don't Republicans realize their credibility on this issue is beyond retrieval?