Cover photo draws attention to real victims

Re: “Executed,” May 28

The front page on Wednesday’s issue of The Examiner is the best and the most appropriate one I have ever seen. Normally the press will show a picture of the person who was executed and merely mention that he murdered someone 10 years ago. The victim remains invisible. Unfortunately, the picture of the murderer might possibly evoke sympathy from some readers.

But it is a different story to see a picture of the victims. The old cliche of “one picture is worth a thousand words” really came through in this instance. Thank you, and I hope other newspapers will see your front page and follow your example.

Wendel Allen

Alexandria

More options, not funding, will fix DCPS shortcomings

Re: “Fix what is already broken in District schools,” from readers, May 27

I was appalled, but not shocked, to see Edd Doerr claiming that all the failing D.C. school system needs to improve is more money rather than vouchers or other forms of competition. Hasn’t it been shown time and again that throwing more taxpayer money at a problem does not fix it?

D.C. Public Schools spend much more per student than private schools. They have smaller class sizes than public schools found in Japan, South Korea or Belgium. And yet students at private schools and public schools in other countries have higher test scores. Homeschooling — which spends even less per student — has test scores even higher.

More money and more government will not help. Offering alternatives — in the form of tax credits for education or vouchers — will. People generally agree that in any other area, a monopoly is bad. Why should schools be any different?

Benjamin Garber

Leesburg

First-time voter values performance over rhetoric

I am 18 years old, and this is the first major election in which I will be voting. I tend to be slightly conservative minded, but I am independent, with no loyalty to any particular political party.

For example, I disagree with many of President Bush’s policies, while on the other hand, I question what so many people my age see in Barack Obama. Yes, he is an eloquent speaker, but what does he stand for? It disappoints me that many people jumped on his bandwagon without taking the time to investigate where he stands on the issues.

I live in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District and have decided to support Steve Hudson, a moderate Republican with crossover appeal on issues important to both Democrats and Republicans. I looked at our current congressman, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, but concluded that he has not been the best advocate for our district. From what I have read, he is too caught up in party politics, like most politicians.

Unlike the incumbent, Hudson served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, went to law school and is an eye surgeon, but what really impressed me was his volunteering for medical missions in New Orleans, Africa and Israel. How many Republicans do that?

Thomas Fields

Chevy Chase

McClellan’s tell-all to trigger long-overdue discussion

Re: “Agree? Disagree? Former aides to public officials should not be allowed to profit on tell-all books,” May 29

This is a bad idea because it constitutes an unnecessary and unreasonable restraint on the former employee’s right to freedom of speech.

Obviously this statement is prompted by former Bush press secretary Scott McClellan’s soon-to-be published memoir, in which the Bush administration is subjected to severe criticism for its decision to invade Iraq, its handling of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the outing of a CIA operative.

If the Bush administration were free to suppress McClellan’s book, the nation would be deprived of a long-overdue discussion about the inner workings of an administration distinguished by its ineptitude in handling both critical domestic and foreign policy issues.

Craig Taylor

Alexandria