Diplomats who duck duty in Iraq merit ‘white feather’

Re: “Rice answers anger over Iraq service,” Nov. 1

When Winston Churchill was a young officer, his unit was not deployed to the Sudan to fight the Mahdi Army of Muslim extremists. But he wrangled his way there anyway, and thus took part in the last great cavalry charge of the 19th century at Omdurman.

This is how military service has always worked. To advance, you have to go where the action is and prove yourself, and none worth their mettle shirk their duty. Or if they do, they receive a “white feather” — a sign of contempt.

This is apparently not the case at the State Department, where Foreign Service officers are ducking assignments to Iraq. They seem to think they can advance by avoiding tough assignments. They should be told otherwise in no uncertain terms.

A bunch of inexperienced country-club diplomats cannot manage America’s destiny. We need people dedicated to the task of protecting the nation’s interests where they are most threatened. Those who won’t step up have joined the wrong department and should resign.

No wonder we are turning more and more to military commanders to conduct diplomacy as well as combat. Soldiers know how to get the job done.

William Hawkins
Burke

Four standardized tests do not fit all students

Re: “Time for Grasmick to go,” Editorial, Nov. 5

High school graduation should not be dependent on passing standardized tests. Many students, my son included, do poorly on standardized tests even when they understand the material. The proposed substitution would not be open to all students, only those who possess good attendance records and have good classroom grades.

Instead of State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick, your editorial should have gone after the Montgomery County Board of Education. In phasing out the Secondary Learning Center program throughout the county, it will eventually be keeping hundreds of children from getting adequate educational support.

I believe that all students — from families in all income ranges and all races — need access to good teaching. Four standardized tests do not fit all learning styles.

Beth Forbes
Bethesda

Amnesty unfair to those waiting to come to U.S.

Re: “Giving amnesty to illegal youths makes sense,” From Readers, Nov. 1

I must agree with both Ms. Hernandez and Mr. Rasmussen. It is incomprehensible that people who follow the law have to see others unscrupulously break it — and then be rewarded.

Plus, illegal immigration costs us taxpayers tons of money, no matter where the immigrants come from.

I myself am in the middle of trying to bring my fiancée from South America here to the United States, and frankly, it would not be fair to her — or me — if she has to wait 13 years to be with me because 20 million illegals cut in front of her. That would be despicable.

Carlos M. Aguayo
Wheaton

Proposal to reopen library in Tenleytown welcomed

Re: “Tenley-Friendship development plan criticized,” Oct. 22

I am no stranger to Tenleytown. I frequent the shops and eateries, and am always disappointed to see the boarded-up Tenley-Friendship Library. As a D.C. resident, I would love to be able to patronize this library.

I’ve heard of the city’s plans to solicit proposals for a public-private partnership to rebuild the library in addition to condos or apartments above. What a welcoming addition that would be to the vibrant heart of Tenleytown!

Michael Hechter
Washington