11/27/99

Want senator to focus on other state issues State Sen. Albert Lipscomb, R-Magnolia Springs, opposes all forms of gambling. Are we not of such good fortune?

How did he vote on the new tax plan? Will he support a tax-reform plan? Will Sen. Lipscomb actively add his proposals to tax reform? Will he come forth with a strong school-funding program?

Our state park in Gulf Shores could use good fiscal and structural management, and funding too. Does the senator have a plan to take to our other state legislators that will bring this about?

Once again, Sen. Lipscomb appeared before a group and the only thing he could be noted for was his opposition to gambling. We are assaulted by all forms of gambling - this will always be the good fight, to keep it out of our state.

When our Legislature is in regular session, I know Sen. Lipscomb will stand tall before all and oppose gambling, drinking (alcoholic beverages) and abortion, but Senator, please don't sit out the rest of the regular session.

You have time now to get ready to be active next regular session. Can we anticipate you'll do it? Shall we all now bow our heads?

WILLIAM BOVIE

Foley

Editor's note: Lipscomb supported the four-part plan to replace the state's franchise tax, which was declared unconstitutional in March by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Supervisor of English lauded as the best I am writing this as a tribute to Nancy Danley, a woman of great courage whom I believe deserves recognition as an excellent supervisor of English. I feel qualified to speak about Nancy because I have known her for nearly 20 years, having been the English teacher of her two sons and now being one of "her" English teachers.

As pointed out by her husband, Howard, in a Register letter to the editor on Nov. 21, Nancy is battling breast cancer. Her courage is seen in the way she continues to do her job well and the sincerity with which she apologizes for any inconveniences that her radiation therapy may cause. All of this is done with a smile as she makes small talk about having switched from wigs to loose-fitting hats. There is never a whimper, sigh or complaint.

Since her diagnosis in May, she has somehow managed to coordinate the new Alabama Course of Study with objectives of the Stanford-9 and the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. She published and assembled these results, giving them to the department heads of all middle and high schools to disseminate to their respective English teachers. This formidable task, if properly used, will do much to improve the English curriculum.

Since the opening of school, I have received two newsletters from Nancy. In these was information on the best education sites on the Internet; for instance, I learned about a special, first-ever conference that the National Council of Teachers of English was having on the Internet. Every newsletter includes effective teaching methods used by teachers throughout the county and praise for these teachers.

These are just two major things she has done for her teachers since her diagnosis and battle began. There were major writing workshops all summer. Additionally, she and a fellow supervisor, Brenda Pierce, are in the process of completing graphs that they compile annually. These illustrate student achievement on the Alabama Writing Assessment Test.

This compilation involves comparing test results from fifth through seventh grades for every seventh-grade class in the county and then graphing that information with the help of Microsoft. An awesome amount of time is involved.

This is too lengthy to include all of her accomplishments, so I will close with my opening thought: She is a woman of great courage and an excellent supervisor who loves her work and her teachers. We love you, too, Nancy.

GAYLE McMILLAN

Bay Minette

Abortion side-by-side with actions we condemn Americans:

Regularly recall the atrocities of Hitler's Germany.

Applaud when criminals are prosecuted, even 50 years later.

Chide other nations for human rights violations.

Agonize over school and workplace violence.

Jail people for child abuse and abandonment.

Support animal rights activists who object to the slaughter of animals for medical purposes.

Mona Charen, in a recent column published in the Mobile Register, shows us our hypocrisy. In America, a girl or woman can end an unwanted pregnancy with an abortion. These are not "masses," "lumps," "embryos," or "fetuses," but real, live, heart-beating, kicking babies.

She adds that not only are these babies killed, but they are butchered and their body parts are sold for medical research or transplants. Hare dare we condemn other nations?

By our silence, each of us is guilty of condoning these murders. Will we continue to be partners in crime? RUTH THIES

Elberta

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