Wisconsin State Journal from Madison, Wisconsin • 11

Wisconsin State Journal Editorial writers: Chuck Martin, Sunny Schubert, 252-6107 'Some of our "guests" think it's OK to throw trash on the ground to pick flowers from gardens or to park on Zoe A. Miron A VULCi 11A Saturday, Seplemfaer20, 1997 ay lliail: Teacher talks, more VJELL STo? Associate Editor: Thomas W. Still, 252-6110 tv it- I i I A I I lm Lj Li lJJI LJ LJ Tod claiming: "Unionization has a hard time coexisting with standards of DoRKS, excellence that are awarded on an individual basis." Tell the absent- minded professor that, in the real world, workers must deal with constant bias and favoritism. In Downs' fantasy world, supervisors are godlike creatures dispensing impartial justice. Finally, contrary to Downs ju venile social Darwinism, our Madi son teachers are among the smartest and most honest people in the country.

That's why the Madison School Board is too cowardly and dishonest to submit to School reserve belongs to taxpayers Two guest columns in the Sept 15 State Journal should clarify the issue between the Madison Teachers Inc. union and the Madison School Board. If the Madison taxpayers would read both columns, they would see the true color of MTI and its outrageous demands. Donald Downs' column explains the situation with eloquence and truth, making a sometimes confusing issue easy to comprehend. This is countered by MTI executive director John Matthews with his usual drivel.

Matthews continues to put claims on any operating reserve maintained by the district Someone should remind him that this money belongs to the taxpayers. Matthews does make a good point in that the board needs not to maintain the large reserve. The district should spend this money on building maintenance immediately. Norman C. Sannes, Madison binding arbitration.

Sylvia A. Sherman, president, Professor's hypocrisy shows class bias As the Wisconsin State Employees Union local that represents classified administrative support staff at UW-Madison, we must register our disgust with the bigoted, class-biased column by UW-Madison professor Donald A. Downs attacking Madison Teachers Inc. and unions in general in the Sept 15 State Journal. Downs sneers at teachers who see themselves as oppressed workers and show class solidarity with each other because they "receive among the best pay, working conditions and health benefits in the country (and all paid for by you and me) Is Downs so ignorant that he doesn't realize that unionization and collective bargaining brought teachers improved pay and working conditions? Downs' hypocrisy is especially grating to classified employees at UW-Madison who see the numerous economic perks faculty members like himself take for granted not to mention working conditions, health benefits and pay that are far greater than anything a Madison school teacher gets or, indeed, anything the average worker can hope to expect all paid for by us working-class taxpayers! Downs strikes at all unions by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2412, Madison Teachers union is tainted by its director Madison teachers should be ashamed of the despicable union person representing them at the Admirers defend Mother Teresa bargaining table.

His rude, dis rupting behavior destroys the image our teachers are trying to portray to the children they teach. It should be clear that his be havior sends the wrong message, Wisconsin 4 State Journal Phil Blake, publisher Frank Denton, editor Thomas W. Still, associate editor Sunny Schubert, editorial writer Chuck Martin, editorial writer He should be replaced to restore sanity to the Madison teachers union. Robert H. Miller, Madison throughout our world, and I'm not Catholic.

Shirley J. Perlick, Madison Turn right at Utah and keep driving Regarding Peter Joyce's recent letter to the editor criticizing Mother Teresa: Mother Teresa's efforts to deal with the poor of Calcutta may well have resembled a person throwing a thimble of water on a forest fire, but she did not falter, she did not despair and she did not abandon them. Did you expect her to pull out a magic wand and transform Calcutta into Disneyland? Sure she took Charles Keating's We need more Mother Teresas My husband and I give generously to charities of many kinds, but I do not feel worthy to stand in the same room as Mother Teresa, who gave her life to others. Peter Joyce, in a recent letter to the editor, charged that Mother Teresa baptized some without their knowledge. I have to ask if he was there to actually see this happening? I further ask him the one big question: "What have you done for the poor, downtrodden and helpless children?" As for me, I truly hope and pray that God will send more Mother Teresas to help the helpless contributions and requested leni- ency for him.

Let me give you a' flashback: Jesus, Mary Barabbas. I don't know of one compassion- ate Christian person who wouldn't; administer a last blessing to thel dead or dying without a moment's; concern regarding their race, color! or creed. Do you think Hindu! Heaven is in Indiana and Catholic Heaven is in Montana? Mother Teresa selflessly and! lovingly treated people with no," limbs, people with no eyes, people, with leprosy and countless other; horrible diseases. I wonder if she" ever treated a man with no heart! If you ever get to Montana, you can; ask her. I hope she's really crabby.

Geri Royko, Madison Abstinence from sex is not outmoded advice Births to unmarried teens Number of Wisconsin births for selected years: i By Neat J. Kedzie "All of you," President Clinton said in his weekly radio address earlier this year, "need to help us send the strongest possible message: It's wrong to be pregnant or father a child unless you are married and ready to take on the responsibilities of parenthood." President Clinton's commitment to eliminating out-of-wedlock pregnancy is clear. And his message is one that is becoming more popular not Moil mail! Downtown, more id 0 itaka MM We welcome letters of 200 or fewer words on matters of public interest. Letters are subject to edit, ing; not all can be run. Please sign and include your address and phone number.

Names and home-l towns will be published. Send let- ters to: I Letters to the Editor, VViscon-' sin State Journal, P.O. Box Madison, 53708. i At Downtown events, respect the residents I am amazed that people who are normally civil, responsible citizens show no respect for peoples' homes when they are visiting Downtown neighborhoods for events such as the Taste of Madison. Some of our "guests" think it's OK to throw trash on the ground, to cut through yards, to pick flowers from gardens or to park on lawns.

One fine example was a drunk 35-year-old urinating on the entrv to mv neighbor's aoartment only at the grassroots level, but in public policy as well, How to go about solving this problem, however, is a matter of fierce contention. Wiscon A LLri ill' building. His three friends waited nancy Prevention and Services Board, questioned the merit of abstinence-only messages in preventing teen-age pregnancy. Alder stated that since 1960, when abstinence was the only message out there, teen-age girls accounted for 64 per thousand births in Wisconsin. That rate has decreased to 38 births per thousand in 1995, supposedly demonstrating the success of sex education programs that discuss birth control.

Unless one looks closely, however, two key facts may be missed that render Alder's statistics questionable. First, most of the teenage mothers in 1960 were married teen-age mothers. In 1960, only 15 percent of teen-agers ages 15 to 19 who gave birth were unmarried, compared with 76 percent in 1994, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. In Wisconsin, the numbers are higher than the national average, with 84 percent of teen-age births to unmarried girls. In fact, from 1972 to 1988 the pregnancy rate among unmarried teen-agers increased 88 percent, according to a 1993 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Wisconsin, the birth rate for girls 17 and younger hardly changed from 1960 to 1995. Second, abortion was illegal in 1960, which means that more pregnancies resulted in live births. In 1995, abortion was available to teen-age mothers who were looking to end their pregnancy and avoid a live birth. Contrary to popular assertions, there is little conclusive evidence that comprehensive sex education is effective in reducing teen-age sexual activity. In 1980, New Jersey mandated comprehensive sex education in primary schools; the state's efforts to implement such tor nim.

Apparently tney think it "normal" to urinate on someone's porch. In the future. I horje Tastp nf life of any so-called big game state. Instead, they give the impression Alaska is teeming with big game wildlife. Nor do they state that the majority of tourists viewing Mount McKinley will not see it in the full and glorious way it appears in the brochures.

Nor do they inform tourists that the "midnight sun" festivities on the longest day of the year are held around 10 p.m. "sun time" and not at true midnight "Buyer beware" is still the rule, while truth in advertising is ignored. Kenneth Quade, Lake Mills Overzealous wardens spoil a good thing Regarding the state Department of Natural Resources raid on the free fish fry at the Bridge Tavern this summer: I've taken my family to this Beaver Dam Lake celebration since moving here in 1994 and I've never known of any sinister goings-on, save for the obligatory lies about the ones that got away. Just good fish, good music and good fun. This year we arrived just as the raid was ending.

I've read and heard a good deal of what happened that day, but two key points haven't been addressed. I understand that a warden's job is to assure compliance with the law. But promoting the law is at least as important as enforcing it This whole fiasco could have been avoided with some common SOURCE: Wis. Center for Health Statistics WSJ graphic programs were lauded by the Sex Information and Education Council of the United States. In spite of this, according to an October 1994 Atlantic Monthly cover story by Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, advocates of the sex education programs in New Jersey have no studies available that evaluated the experiment The only measure of success or failure are the statistics on unwed teen-age childbearing in the state.

In 1980, 67.6 percent of teen-age births were to unmarried mothers. Eleven years of comprehensive sex education saw that figure rise to 84 percent On the other hand, the Washington Times reported in September of 1995 that states that forgo sex education or stress abstinence in such programs appear to have fewer teen-age pregnancies than states that promote condom use. While teen-agers today face different pressures than teen-agers of a generation ago, we are not at a loss for what works in combating the problem of out-of-wedlock teen pregnancy. Promoting abstinence is not a retreat to the "good ol' days" or wishful thinking on the part of adults. It is a message that works, and our teen-agers deserve nothing less.

Madison sponsors take some responsibility for the alcohol they are serving and stop serving to people who are already drunk. zoe a. Miron, Madison courtesy and a single phone "Hello, Bridge Tavern? This is blankety-blank with the DNR. I see; by the banner across from my? home that you are having a fish' fry. Are you aware that a permit may be necessary?" How much of our tax money, was eaten up by this raid and how; much would one phone call have, cost? The sponsors didn't intend to, break the law, they simply didn't know about it But more important is public safety.

As a protective father and husband, I don't care that someone neglected to get a permit I don't care that a few donated fish mayt or may not have been caught or! kept illegally. I care that fellow human beings came to a crowded public event with flak jackets and loaded guns putting my family at; risk And over what? Some stupid fish, mostly bullheads. No explanation from the DNR can justify this, and shame on the sheriffs department for participat- ing in this outlandish display. Paul LeSchum, Beaver Dam Alaskan highlights: sin is gearing Kedzie up to distribute $795,859 of federal money next year to promote abstinence. Groups across the state involved in promoting abstinence are now in the process of requesting a chunk of the money.

The federal money a total of $250 million is being made available to all 50 states upon application as a result of the Welfare Reform Act of 1996. Each state is allocated a specific amount for five consecutive years to implement abstinence-based programs. At the end of the five years, an added $20 million will be given to the five states that are most successful in reducing out-of-wedlock births without a corresponding increase in abortions. In a recent State Journal guest column, Dana Alder, administrator of the state Adolescent Preg- Kedzie is a Republican state representative from Elkkorn. Let the tourist beware There was a time when the Alaskan tourist industry would cringe whenever Hollywood would depict Alaska as a land of ice, snow and igloos.

Now that tourism is booming, that same industry is not immune to resorting to misrepresentation and false information. Rarely, if ever, do the Alaskan tourist brochures and literature mention that Alaska has one of the lowest densities of big game wild St. Vince and his angel explain their mission mm iA well. To date, we have collected more than $1,000 donated by generous Packer fans. Fiore suggests that we go find "honest work." Dressing as St Vince and the Guardian Angel is what we do in our spare time.

But just what is honest work to Fiore? I suppose that my being a state employee for 25 years is less than honorable to him. My wife has been an occupational therapist for 22 years and is a guest lecturer at UW-Madison and Madison Area Technical College. Her topic: "The importances of respect and acceptance of individual differences." Is that honest work? We are perplexed as to why Fiore described himself as a "theologian with a sense of humor" while in the same sentence suggesting that Bob Harlan and Pat Richter ban us from attending football games while so garbed. A dress code? Every Sunday Fiore can sit at the entrance to Lambeau Field and make sure everyone is dressed "appropriately." He could also have nuns going up and down the aisles making sure that everyone is paying attention, not disturbing their neighbors, while being ready to whack knuckles if they should spot a gum chewer. Yes, it brings back fond memories of eight years of Catholic grade school.

real saint or to any religious group. Likewise, for me to dress in green and gold garb similar to that of a bishop is no more disrespectful than the thousands of men worldwide who annually dress in red and white and pretend to be St Nick If our appearances at Lambeau Field and at Camp Randall on Aug. 22 have been so offensive to Catholics and other religious groups, as Fiore suggests, we wonder who he thinks attends these games. If he attended one, he would see that St Vince and the Guardian Angel are warmly received by thousands of ardent Packer fans, most of whom, undoubtedly, have strong religious beliefs. If these people thought for a moment that we were showing disrespect for Lombardi or for any religious group, we would be about as welcome among Green Bay tailgaters as Barry Switzer! The tailgaters quickly understand that by asking for a donation to the American Cancer Society, we are trying to tap into the respect they all have for Lombardi.

We explain that with their help, we can fight the disease that took the coach away from his family and fans before his time. The green and gold garb that we wear are nothing more than props to help us with our appeal to the fans, and it workirquite By John O'Neill My wife and I would like to respond to the barrage of silly accusations levied at us by the Rev. Charles Fiore of Lodi in a recent letter to the editor. For attending Packer games dressed as St Vince (Lom-bardi) while my wife is dressed as his Guardian Angel, the good reverend has all but condemned us to an eternity in hell. In his latest public sermon, Fiore attempted to cast a dark shadow over us by focusing on the fact that we are the former owners of the Naughty Bakery in Madison, whose cakes, to quote Fiore, went only to "marginally mature Madisonians." I don't see how this is relevant to his complaint of our new venture.

But since he wants to cast stones, Fiore has managed to immediately bean himself since he has actually been a recipient of what he labels, "smarmy confections!" However, he is in the dark about this too. Those who purchased the cake for the thin-skinned preacher asked that all labels showing O'Neill and his wife, Mary Beth Johnson, Madison, created St. Vince and the Guardian Angel for fun before the 1997 SuihrBowl. that it had been made by the Naughty Bakers be removed so as not to cause a ruckus in the rectory. We complied with their requests.

This aside, as former bakers, we can professionally say that his thoughts on St Vince and the Guardian Angel are "half-baked." Why is it in all of his haranguing that he fails to mention what our purpose is for going to games dressed this way? He calls our efforts "self-promoting" when, in fact, what we are doing is mingling with tailgat-ers and collecting donations for the American Cancer Society as well as the National Football League Alumni Caring for Kids Foundation. The idea of the late Vince Lombardi being the "patron saint of Green Bay-Packer football" has been around ever since his untimely death from cancer in 1970. When football fans in Wisconsin speak of Lombardi, they speak with such respect that it approaches reverence. Thus comes the idea of St Vince. I simply took the idea to the next level.

To understand and appreciate the idea of Vince shows no disrespect to ajv Not all clergymen disdain St. Vince. A sense of humor is not just the ability to laugh. It requires that whatever posi-j tion you hold in life, you don't take yourself too seriously. Lighten up, reverend.