MAILBAG - March 4, 2007

Rupert the swan’s story should be an inspirationJoe Bell, your curve is distorted this time (“Ticket will pay admission to inspiration,” the Bell Curve, Jan. 11).

Why wouldn’t Rupert, the Black Swan, a graceful work of nature’s world, be the second biggest story of 2006? He was an inspiration! How would you like to be taken from your parents, plopped in a nonnative living space (a cage) without your family or any friends? He had no idea where to find food, fresh water, how to dodge giant yachts and people who didn’t respect nature.

He’s smart! He retreats to the farthest part of the harbor, behind Newport Island for protection. For some reason he is attracted to red. He swims toward Harbor Patrol fire boats and they are kind, offering him fresh water that he requires. Plus, he now has some great friends. Close to their headquarters, Rupert finds eel grass and finally can eat natural food instead of stale bread and popcorn.

Of course, there are some who don’t care about the bay and dump diesel fuel, oil and gasoline in it. Curious Rupert swims through it and survives more than one time with the help of humans. Now that is a fighter.

He comes to warm the hearts of young and old with all he is going through. Others love his grand stature so much they find a female friend, Pearl, for him so there will be more swans to grace the harbor. After much hardship, Pearl dies.

Rupert endures another tragedy. People were always calling the Harbor Patrol checking on Rupert’s whereabouts if he was missing for a few days.

One day, he anxiously goes to meet the friends he loves and by accident he is killed. From far and near the news reaches everyone. Rupert’s memorial at sea attracted more than 250 people who loved this uncomplicated graceful black swan.

Mr. Bell, figure it out why Rupert’s story touched so many. He endured, gave beauty to our harbor and asked for nothing in return. Many will never go through this much distress in a lifetime. There is no loser in this story. Rupert was worth every accolade and more.

GAY WASSALL-KELLY

Balboa Peninsula

Harsh, unfriendly tone is set in Costa MesaI want to compliment Steve Smith on his column (“The government that we deserve?” Feb. 3). He pointed out that Costa Mesa leaders stated they would not target Latinos for minor crimes in order to reduce the illegal immigrant problem in our city. He cited Marcelino Tzir Tzul’s arrest for riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the street as just such a minor crime. I agree. I live in the southeast portion of Costa Mesa near Santa Ana and Santa Isabel avenues. While driving on Orange and Santa Ana avenues, I have seen numerous cyclists and persons on push scooters riding in the opposite direction of traffic. The distinction? These people live in a more affluent neighborhood and happen to be white. In fact, a few times I have watched police cars drive past these “offenders” without stopping them.

I believe this arrest sets a bad precedent for relations between the Police Department and the Latino community. Our mayor’s indifference toward the situation does not help matters.

PAUL KING

Costa Mesa

Schools, students need problem-solving skillsSteve Smith’s column (“Board ignores schools’ failings,” Feb. 10) struck a raw nerve with me. As an educator for 40 years, I have seen the vast changes that have occurred as we try to educate our youth. There is one thing I have learned for sure: When we try to do a one-size-fits-all mode of educating, we fail the majority of the students.

As we have been consumed by the No Child Left Behind system, we have deleted most avenues of meeting each child where they are. The No Child Left Behind Act advocates, from my view, have geared all learning to a test and have not provided the classes needed for the average student to succeed as productive members of society.

I am particularly familiar with the science standards. When students are required to master detailed information for a test, most of the time previously spent on thinking and problem solving is lost. The fifth-grade standards test continues to frustrate because, even for strong, native, English-speakers, the wording of some questions is unclear. Because of the standards tests, way too much time is required to teach to the test and too little time is allowed for developing good problemsolving skills, which are the basis of scientific research.

From another perspective, I believe that with these standards in place, we are creating second-class citizens. Because of the overall belief that all students should be preparing for a four-year college education, we have not met the needs of the hands-on student in preparing him or her for the many acceptable vocations that do not involve a four-year degree. The practical career training at our high schools has all but been eliminated and those students are forced into math and science classes that merely frustrate them and tell them they are dumb and useless. No wonder there are discipline problems!

Smith, you and I see many issues with education in Newport-Mesa differently, but isn’t that what makes problem-solving possible?

SUSAN SHAW

Costa Mesa