In a recent letter from some lady from "patriotic Lodi" she refers to our new president and his middle name, Hussein.

What's up with that?

The only reason people ever do that is to try and infer negative connotations on the man based on a collective hatred of all things Muslim, and often on all things black. Isn't that racism? And when did that become patriotic? Is racism patriotic everywhere, or just in Lodi?

I know she probably had a point in her letter, but once people start trying to use subtle racist (comments) in their message, I just stop listening. I'm sure a lot of people do. I can't wait until Jan. 20.

Just because she used McCain's middle name too, doesn't change the intent of using Hussein as she did, nor does it make it OK. I bet Suzy the Duck is none too happy about this.

Ken Cobb,

Baraboo

There are better ways than 4K for our children

For being part of the 4K Committee, I was very disappointed that the data that pertained to the 4-year olds in our school district was not gathered.

It had become apparent early on that the administrators of this school district's main mission was to push 4K through.

Even though I had asked for the data twice, where are our children coming from (county certified, family or state licensed daycares, stay at home parent, neighbor or family member watching the child, Head Start, St. John's daycare-unregulated by state licensing, or our own Early Childhood Progam) when they enter kindergarten and compare it to the kindergarten evaluations.

I had even asked the Head Start representatives where was their data that showed that the children of Baraboo who they cared for and nurtured had become successful students. Their comment was "I am sure it is out there somewhere."

Our school district has 621 licensed daycare spaces available to cover birth to 7. Our Group Licensed daycare accounts for 339 spaces. As Ed had asked Brook Hill at Monday's meeting if $800 per child would cover her cost, she stated no, but she had hoped that the children would stay the rest of the day. So parents may now choose a daycare for all of the family members because 4K is in that group center. This will hurt our county certified and family licensed daycares. I feel many in the future, if 4K is implemented, will go out of business, leaving a shortage of daycares for the people who qualify for the State Child Care Subsidy Reimbursement. A program that helps reimburse some of the daycare costs for the low-wage earners. So Doug Mering, this is not a win-win situation for everyone.

I personally felt that the short video that they showed Monday night was a slap in the face to our daycare centers. It made it sound like there is not any structure or teaching at our centers. Our licensed centers are to be using the Early Learning Curriculum, the same curriculum this district planned on using. I feel that less than one-half percent of our children are coming into the school district unprepared. Yes, some centers are better than others, just like we have some school district personnel who are better than others.

This poem was given to me a few years back:

Children are given to us — on loan — for a very short time. They come to us like packets of flower seeds, with no picture on the cover and no guarantee. We do not know what they will look like, act like or have the potential to become. Our job, like the gardener's is to meet their needs as best we can, to give proper nourishment, attention, love and care, and hope for the best.

Every child learns a different way and at different speeds. What does this school district define as a successful student? There are better cost-efficient ways to improve our students than entering into a 4K program.Phyllis Power,

Baraboo School Board candidate

Airport experiences are not all bad

I must answer Joyce Bates' letter about the poor treatment her husband received at the Madison and D.C. airports. We traveled to Boise, Idaho for a Christmas visit with family which meant a security check in Madison, Minn. and Boise on the return trip. Both my husband and I required wheelchairs in the airport. I have hip replacements, knee replacement, a metal rod along my left leg from hip to knee, a back implant in mid-section of my back. The knee was chrome, the hips were titanium, and I'm not sure of the other implants.

The security personnel were courteous, and took me through the procedure fast and were pleasant to my husband who was traveling with me. So there are other sides to airport travels.

Betty Smith,

Baraboo

Send e-mail if you support universal broadband

As state senator for your community, I want to hear from readers who are stuck with dial-up Internet access because quality affordable broadband isn't available where they live or work.

All rural residents may benefit from broadband, including students, workers, farmers and other businesses need it. Broadband can even deliver health-care service to elderly, letting them keep living at home. Rural taxpayers deserve equal access to the Web-based government services they are paying for.

If you support the goal of universal broadband, please e-mail your name and address to Sen. Dale Schultz at sen.schultz@legis.wi.gov.

For more information about Universal Broadband for a Rural Region, go to www.senatordaleschultz.com.

With kindest regards,

Sen. Dale Schultz,

Richland Center