Thanks so much for your crusades. Keep after the lobbyists. To me, lobbying with money is bribery. Lobbying by lobbyists is fine, because they did it in Lincoln's time — but not with money and dinners. — Lou C.
Congratulations on getting it right on FCAT. You nailed it. I have been in education a very long time. And standardized testing should be only a small part of the overall process. Unfortunately, legislators from Congress to Tallahassee prefer it because it is measurable (supposedly) — but mainly because it covers their rears politically. — Erik W.
That's part of the problem, Erik. If a Florida legislator's choice is between caring for a public-school student or his own rear end, the kid usually loses.
Scott, I'm a teacher in Orange County, and I think you have a lot of common sense and logic. Mike has some good points, but he's way off base. And the difference is, when he's off-base, he's just obnoxious about it. — Mrs. W.
I take great exception to that, Mrs. W. I can be every bit as obnoxious as Mike — especially when I'm off-base.
Maxwell, today's column was extra-annoying. — Jasper
See.
Scott, I read your column regularly, and this one — for educators and parents alike -— is by far your best. Nothing much else matters when young people are in the throes of a system based on punitive measures and faulty assumptions. Thanks for writing such a smart and thoughtful piece — a real plea for social justice. — Jeffrey S. Kaplan, associate professor, UCF College of Education
Professor Kaplan, you have room for any legislators in your class?
Maxwell, who says you know anything about education anyway? — Randy
Professor Kaplan.
Scott, are you aware of any laws against flat out lying by candidates? —Bill
No. The jails are already overcrowded.
Scott, are Pulitzer Prizes given on the basis of a single column? If so, you certainly deserve one for today's gem [on oil drilling and the special session]. — Mrs. S.
Thanks, S, but there's actually a little-known provision prohibiting any columnist from winning an award for ranting about the Florida Legislature. They decided it was too easy.
Before you start this environmentalist crap, remember that environmentalists are whacked out! They are not stable people. Maybe [the BP well] was sabotaged. And why don't you write about China? Because they'll tell you to blow it out your [expletive]! That's why! — Scott A.
Right. It's the environmentalists who are unstable.
Scott, your friendly conservative reader here. I'm surprised how many times I'm reading your articles lately and saying: "Amen." — Robert
Hallelujah, Robert. It's a miracle.
We do not need you and your wise-[expletive] column that proves you are lacking in integrity and inteligence … Your mother would be ashamed of you. — Asa P.
I checked with her, Asa. My mom was primarily ashamed that I reprinted a letter from someone who called other people dumb — but couldn't properly spell "intelligence."
I really enjoy reading your columns. They give me some sense of being politically informed. The only problem I have reading your stuff is feeling [in campaigns] like we are forced to keep picking the lesser evil. — Tory
They're not all bad, Tory. Remember it's just 95 percent of politicians that make the other 5 percent look bad.
Scott, when are you going to run for office? — Helen
I dunno, Helen. From what I've seen, politicians have to deal with a lot of obnoxious and annoying people in the media.
Scott Maxwell welcomes your thoughts, questions and expletives at smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com.
