Related articles:

Letters to the editor Letters to the editorLetters to the editorLetters to the editorLetters to the editor Letters to the editor Letters to the editorLetters to the editorLetters to the editor Letters to the editor

Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor Finance and Accounting
Charles E. Gillman Company
Accounting Specialist Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps

Re: the July 28 article "Obama criticizes McCain's approval of an Ariz. affirmative- action ban."

During my high school and college days, I was involved in the Civil Rights Movement and, with every position I held after that, I constantly worked to breach ethnic barriers.

I initially supported affirmative action but, to my knowledge, it was never intended to become an institutionalized entitlement.

Support of affirmative action has always been a liberal litmus test, but for the past 15 to 20 years, I would have failed the test because I felt that affirmative action has outlived its usefulness and is keeping racial/ethnic progress at a standstill.

Affirmative action perpetuates negative stereotypes by implying that people of color are inferior and need "help" to compete with whites.

We have come a long way since the '60s, but we could have gone a lot further sooner without affirmative-action policies and mind-set holding our society back. Attitudes, perceptions and the national consciousness regarding race and ethnic relations can only be jump-started by saying goodbye to affirmative action.

Because cruelty is associated with greyhound racing, the public should find it appalling that the University of Arizona offers a specialized curriculum, the Race Track Industry Program, which leads to a bachelor of science degree. The race track program involves both greyhounds and horses.

The UA is promoting this shameful course of study in advertisements appearing in greyhound simulcast gambling programs sold at Tucson Greyhound Park.

Editor's note: The UA curriculum touches on greyhound racing from a business aspect, but does not specialize in it.

Re: the July 27 article "Grades in Amphi, state tests don't jibe."

I was disappointed with the Star's approach to the "problem" of incongruities between AIMS and the grades of Amphi students. The Star is assuming that AIMS is an objective and accurate measure of student progress, and if the students' grades don't match it, the problem is in the classroom.

I would challenge the Star to use its investigative prowess instead to unearth the problems inherent in AIMS and other standardized tests that resulted from No Child Left Behind: Discrimination against low-income and minority students; an enormous burden placed on overworked teachers and staff; and the narrowing of the curriculum to eliminate art, social studies and science.

That any school's grades don't measure up to AIMS might be problem of grade inflation, but it also might be a "problem" of dedicated teachers who individualize their teaching to students' needs rather than a discriminatory and ineffective across-the-board standard.

If Joe Q. Public wants to drive at a speed of 55 mph in order to conserve gasoline, that is fine. It is his decision. The government does not need to impose a reduced speed limit in order to force a change in drivers' habits. We are responsible for ourselves and our actions.