Class War
Less Soviet, more Swedish: I want to commend Ashley Harrell on her article on principal Gil Cho ["The Principal Matter," July 9]. Her research painted a picture of a man who has spent two decades getting away with messing up children's lives.
I would like to warn against committing all resources against individuals like Cho. He is simply another case study of a plague that has been caused by the bureaucratization and unionization of American public schools.
The public schools operate almost like something out of the Soviet Union, with all orders coming from the top by unelected bureaucrats who are unanswerable to their constituents (in this case, the parents and students, who are rarely considered). People like Cho will be easier to deal with if we revolutionize the public school system for a new century.
In Sweden, a system of school choice allows for parents to send their children to private school on the government's dime.
Parents in Sweden have reported overwhelmingly that they are pleased with the system, something that cannot be said for our decaying and embarrassing public school system. A similar system in the United States has been staunchly opposed by the same teachers' unions that make it difficult to hold men like Cho accountable. This system would allow students in schools that are plagued with terrible faculty to choose a different route, allowing the parents to choose their child's own path with the government only playing a minor, financial role.
Michael O. Powell
Berkeley
Making an (exclamation) point: I was appalled at the article "The Principal Matter." The author, Ashley Harrell, did a hatchet job on principal Gil Cho! I do not know him, but — as a professional writer — I know balanced and fair reporting! I am wondering why SF Weekly would even print such a personal attack! Shame on Harrell! Such maliciousness will come back to her!
Dr. Shirley Hiles
Berkeley
Most Likely to Use "Dude" in a Sentence
There is an Iraq War reference in your future: "Ms. Most Likely to Suck Ten Cocks" [Bouncer, 7/16]. Nice. Edgy.
So why the hell does [Katy] St. Clair keep going to the Marina to review bars? I think we all get the "you-think-the-Marina-is-lame-yet-admonish-the-rest-of-us-not-to-be-so-judgmental-about-the-Marina holier than thou" spiel.
At this point, her observations of Marina bars are exactly the same as Dubya's observations that the Iraq War may have been handled less than optimally. They both seem to be intent on repeating the same mistake over and over and over.
Dude, at this point I think I'd rather see positive reviews about the many cool places that aren't in the Marina rather than all the lame ones that are in it.
Is St. Clair a masochist?
I would be if I read through another mini "rant-this-is-not-a-rant" about Marina bars. There is a weird mix of sanctimoniousness and open envy — toward the same people, no less — in that last review that left a bad taste in my mouth.
Maybe you should have a drink at the Orbit Room and call it a day.
Name Withheld Upon Request
San Francisco
Cart Blech
The ham hock experience: I have long enjoyed Meredith Brody's columns, and her discussion of San Francisco street food was as great as ever ["State of the Cart," 7/16].
Just FYI, though, a dear friend and I both bought the ham hocks last Saturday from the Roli Roti truck at the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market, and even though we both have always enjoyed the chickens and the potatoes, neither of us liked the ham hock. Perhaps they sometimes do a pig's knuckle, but last Saturday it sure did taste like a ham hock, and not a particularly good one at that.
Please don't take my mentioning my experience wrongly, as Brody has, over the years, led me to many wonderful establishments and delicious dishes. So I really feel like I might be giving a little back by telling about my experience with the ham hock.
Louis Bryan
San Francisco
foam order.com
