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To read additional letters and tips on how to comment, visit us online at: www.dailystar.com/opinion

Re: the Sept. 13 article "2nd woman: Airline made me cover up."

Not long ago this country was horrified at accounts coming from Afghanistan about the Taliban's treatment of women. If they deemed a woman's attire immodest, by their standards, they publicly humiliated her.

Other than the question of degree, I fail to see how Southwest Airlines' actions in censoring the dress of its female passengers is any different. This is the same airline that not too many years ago required its female flight attendants to wear "hot pants."

Then to add insult to injury, the Star, in a smug editorial comment, supports Southwest's outrageous actions ("Thorns & Flowers," Sept. 15). What's next, hunting for witches?

Re: the Sept. 15 article "Classes are let out early in chaotic TUSD sickout."

As Rincon High School's student body president, it is important to let it be known that I understand that every one of my teachers spends hours of personal time making my school day exactly what it should be. It saddens me that because of their overworked and underpaid status they were forced to commit this act of civil disobedience. I have considered entering the field of teaching, but have found myself discouraged by what I have seen my teachers suffer through.

Things should have never gone this far. These teachers go through their days enduring constant disrespect, while sponsoring, coaching and focusing wholeheartedly on how to make their students' education the best it can be. TUSD has some of the most qualified, compassionate and truly amazing teachers, and it is my belief they should be paid accordingly.

Re: the Sept. 15 article "Classes are let out early in chaotic TUSD sickout."

There are so many problems with education in Arizona, and underpaying teachers is just one of them. Another problem is inadequate teachers.

The article states that on average one in seven teachers takes a sick day on Friday. Vacations can be scheduled to coincide with those of the students. There may be the rare emergency. So, what are the rest of these "sick" days that conveniently fall on Friday?

TUSD is allowing our children's intellectual mentors to exhibit that a three-day weekend is more important than their education. They're telling our kids that it's reasonable to skip school one day a week. Isn't it hard enough to instill a sense of responsibility in our youth? I bet these teachers with poor work ethics have poor teaching ethics as well.

Get rid of the slackers, save money with fewer substitute teachers, and pay more for the good teachers who care about our children.

Re: the Sept. 15 article "Classes are let out early in chaotic TUSD sickout."

If you are starving, you will fight over a grain of rice. If you are on the verge of a rebellion, a salary increase will placate your frustration. By allowing you to win a paltry salary increase, your anger is safely defused, the deeply flawed educational system is legitimized, and those in power rest a bit easier.

Highly qualified candidates choose the private sector over education because of salary and advancement opportunities. Without a performance-based salary system and little fear of termination, many teachers fall into perpetual mediocrity.

We must initiate and maintain an authentic dialogue to restructure our failing educational system. This takes patience, commitment and money.

If you help somebody make money, they handsomely reward you, but if you choose to educate their children, they pay you next to nothing.

Re: the Sept. 10 guest opinion "Young people who answer the call to protect U.S. need full support."

During World War II, Germany was full of women like La Verne Olsen, and their grandchildren's grandchildren are still apologizing to the world for the behavior they gave birth to.

Bonnie Henry's Sept. 17 column is another typical piece of pro-war propaganda ("Be safe, I love you"). Gigi Plowman, the "proud, supportive mom," claims to support the troops but not the war, and at the same time wants us "to know what our young people are doing for us, their sacrifices." She needs a psychologist, not a writing class.

In the name of all those who have suffered and died in war, knock these proud little mothers off their pedestals.

Congressional leaders showed their true character when they vilified a wonderful American who has dedicated himself to serving our nation. A healthy debate on Iraq is needed, but accusing Gen. David Petraeus of violating his oath by accusing him of lying crosses a dangerous line for the republic.

Gen. Petraeus, like all of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, serves all Americans. The Democratic Party leadership and its supporters clearly said Gen. Petraeus is not to be trusted, and that he is willing to betray his honor, his fellow citizens and his country.

The goal of MoveOn.org is not to seriously address the issues but to win at all costs, including the destruction of the reputation of those serving in uniform. Statements made by many Democrats that they "support the troops" now ring hollow. They only support the party; the interests of the nation come second.

Re: the Sept. 15 letter to the editor "Cries for the draft are disingenuous."

A draft would serve many necessary purposes. First and foremost, it would involve our young generation, which is currently detached from world affairs and is for the most part unaffected by the Iraq war, save security checks on airlines.

Second, politicians on both sides of the aisle would finally be forced to act responsibly when campuses erupted as they did during the Vietnam War. Third and possibly most important, our country needs a larger and more intellectually diverse military to protect and defend us against external enemies, as well as our own reckless leaders.

I find the recent discussion of reviving the draft interesting. Has everyone forgotten the last draft when the rich kids went to college, got married and had children in an effort to secure a deferment, while the poor who couldn't afford college took their places in the jungles of Vietnam?

The idea that the draft is somehow a great social equalizer is laughable. Unless deferments are redefined, a new draft will provide no more social equity than the last did.