We occasionally try to remedy this situation by calling your attention to specific items which we believe deserve wider readership than they receive on their initial publication.  We think people should buy and read newspapers, and that the internet should be used as a supplement and not as a substitute for the printed word.


 
A column by Michael Goodwin which appeared in Sunday's News deserves wider attention.  Headlined "Mayor Muscleman: Building boom to cement strong legacy", the column is an enthusiastic account of the start of the mayor's second term.  The lede: "The first 100 days of Bloomberg II are in the books and now we know what shock and awe really looks like.  Mayor Mike isn't flexing his muscles -- he's using them."
 
The column is illustrated by a line depicting the mayor with a weightlifter's body and a somewhat simian face, wearing a Speedo, flexing his right bicep and showing some major pecs.  We could not find a credit line for the artist, perhaps it is the same Bramhall who did the editorial cartoon on the facing page.  That drawing depicts an Exxon official interviewing a pirate, who is wearing a skull and bones (the insignia, not the organization) hat, an eyepatch and carrying a large sword in his left hand.  In the bubble, the Exxon man says: "Impressive resume.  When can you start?"


 
A devastating article by Michael Winerip on the academic standards of John F. Kennedy High School in the Bronx appears on the education page (B10) of today's Times.  Under Principal Anthony Rotunno, scores on Regents exams are changed from fail to pass, and students are given credit for courses they have failed.  This inflates the high school's graduation rate, but along with other strange practices at Kennedy, it is as dishonest as forging a check, embezzling money, or fixing an athletic event.
 
You should read Winerip's column yourself.  The article is fully documented, because the teachers at Kennedy are so disgusted with the principal's unusual practices that they have put themselves at risk by speaking out.
 
The blame here, however, goes above the principal's pay grade.  Rotunno was defended by Kathleen Pollina, the local superintendent who oversees Kennedy High School.  Read her explanation in paragraph eight of Winerip's article.  It makes one wonder about her qualifications to be a superintendent.  Ms. Pollina was recently appointed to succeed Irma Zadoya, who retired.   Ms. Zadoya was not, to put it mildly, a supporter of education for the gifted.  She was viewed as an ally of the departing Deputy Superintendent of Schools, Carmen Farina, whose pedagogical views are similar to Ms. Zadoya's and Ms. Pollina's.
 
Ms. Pollina told the Times: "Kennedy is making great strides toward changing what has long been a culture of failure.  These changes are to benefit students."  We ask:  Do you think it benefits students to pass those who have failed to meet the existing low standards?  Does she think that if every student passes, whether they know anything or not, whether they come to class or not, that that will change the "culture of failure?"  Does she believe that students with doctored grades will, after they "graduate", qualify for any job that requires a test?  What is happening in this district deserves the attention of the State Commissioner of Education, but only if Chancellor Joel Klein fails to take steps to remedy the situation.  It would be more appropriate to handle the matter locally, and we hope that the chancellor will act.
 
Again, we ask you to READ Michael Weinrip's column on B10.  The title is "Cheapening the Cap and Gown”.  If, after you read it, you believe the Department of Education is on the right track at Kennedy, please let us know.  We will print your views on our blog.  If you feel the principal is on the wrong track, we also encourage you to write, with any additional comments or information that you may have.  We will publish those views as well, using only initials unless you request anonymity or use of your full name.
 

 
Two items not relating specifically to New York City but dealing with human sexuality appeared in the last few days.  The News led Sunday with an exclusive story about former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey's upcoming trip to Australia with his boyfriend, Mark O'Donnell, so he can meet the O'Donnell family.  Actually, the story, with the headline: MEET THE PARENTS, in block type on page one , was sensitively written, although the page one subhead: "McGreevey goes Down Under to Meet Mark's Mom and Dad" can be taken both ways.
 
On a related subject, today's Post and News carry an item on inside pages dealing with her parents' reaction when Mary Cheney, at the time a high school junior, came out to them as a lesbian.  If the story be true, Dick and Lynne Cheney were loving and understanding, which is to their credit as people.  The two stories are quite different, with the Post's Deborah Orin 's account: "Cheney's family 'Outing'" much more sympathetic than the News' "Veep Dodges on Daughter."  You may not be interested in these personal matters, learning about high officials and their family members who are gay or lesbian could be helpful to many ordinary people who may be afraid of their own sexuality.


#293 5.3.06 1016wds