How’s this for a math lesson (“New York’s New Math,” Editorial, Feb. 24)?
If there are 100 teachers as incompetent as the one who ran the class that created the race-baiting question about slaves being whipped, and each costs the city $100,000 in salary and benefits, how much is the city losing in education costs every year?
Answer: $10 million. Now that’s a math lesson and an education at the same time.
C. Michaels, Morganville, NJ
A serial threat
Maureen Callahan shouldn’t make light of Gilberto Valle’s disturbing behavior (“Sorry, But ‘Sizzling’ Saga Can’t Cut It With Real NYers,” Feb. 27).
The progression of a serial killer begins with fantasy for real-life Hannibal Lecters, like Jeffrey Dahmer. We do not want guys like these back on the street because we didn’t take them seriously.
Deirdre Harvey, Valley Stream
USA’s Latin heat
Andrea Peyser’s shot at former Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy and his heating-oil program for low-income Americans was wrong-headed (“Slick and Tired of Chavez,” Feb. 25).
Kennedy should be commended for his efforts, not chastised. Who cares if the oil comes from Hugo Chavez? I’d take it from the devil himself to keep poor Americans warm.
Peyser’s pompous claim that “we take care of our own” is ridiculous. If so, folks wouldn’t need Kennedy’s help.
Ask the people of the Jersey Shore how we’re taking care of them.
My only problem with the commercial is that Kennedy doesn’t name the big oil companies that refused to help out.
John Kohut, Washington, DC
Hagel hypocrisy
For the Democrats to state that Republicans showed extreme partisanship in their vote against Chuck Hagel is equivalent to the pot calling the kettle black (“The Hagel Standard,” Editorial, Feb. 27).
Four Republican senators voted for the confirmation of an individual who is unqualified to be secretary of defense, while Democrats voted solidly for Hagel.
Who, then, is partisan? Obviously the Democrats, who chose party affiliation over national security.
N. Marans, Silver Spring, Md.
Passing the buck
Another great article by Michael Goodwin (“‘Mad’ Vision of Doomsayer O,” Feb. 24).
Doom and gloom, fire and brimstone, but it’s not President Obama’s fault, it’s those awful Republicans’.
The president comes to the conclusion that the “rich” still aren’t taxed enough.
Empty speeches are made, he goes into campaign mode and the blame game continues. There seems to be a pattern.
Maybe if the president had stayed in Washington from the beginning and actually met with both parties, the country would be in a better situation.
I guess it’s easier to disappear, campaign and always blame the other person or party.
Sam King, Manhattan
Eerie snapshot
The picture of our carriers all lined up in port Norfolk, Va., reminded me of Pearl Harbor (“‘Madness’ of King Bam,” Feb. 28).
It is almost as if they are purposely putting our fleet in harm’s way for one-stop bombing.
Paul Alexander, Staten Island