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-- Is it OK to use sex appeal to get ahead in the business world?

SOUND OFF: ENGLISH LESSONS


Barry Tatum, a judge in Wilson County, Tenn., has been criticized for ordering some immigrant women who have faced him in court to learn English and use birth control. According to news media reports, he most recently gave such directives to an 18-year-old mother who had failed to immunize her child or to show up for appointments with the Department of Children's Services.


Civil rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union have charged that Tatum's directives are unconstitutional. But some members of the community applaud the idea of encouraging immigrant mothers to assimilate into their new lives more fully.


What do you think? Is ordering mothers to learn English and practice birth control an appropriate directive for a judge to issue to parents who come before him?


Send your thoughts to: rightthing(at)nytimes.com. Please include your name, hometown and the name of the newspaper in which you read this column. Readers' comments may appear in an upcoming column.


HERE'S WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:

 


While I believe persons living in the US can benefit from learning English I do not think it is proper
for a Judge to order them to do so. Encourage them, provide information on access to programs
that would help them, definitely, but forcing them, no.

As for birth control, this is a completely different thing. Birth control is a highly personal thing and often
prohibited by a person's religious philosophy. No one should be able to order someone to use birth
control without a overwhelming reason such as mental retardation or , possibly, records of severe child abuse.
I do feel that referring someone to birth control information or planned parenthood is all right if the person is open to the idea.

Mary
Fountain Valley, CA
Salt Lake Tribune

 

 

While I don't have all the facts, what little I do
have, I have to go on the assumption the mother has
other kids, thus having had a previous visit before
this or another judge, or she has been before this
judge and has failed to do as ordrered, in part
because of the language barrier. So forcing her to
take birth control so the kids she has a result of not
taking them, prevents illness to said kids, as well as
the possibility of using government resources, I'm all
for that.


As far as language, if she is going to reside, and
work in this country, and use government funds for
herself and/or her kids, YES, oredering her to leatn
the languge is within reason.


Here in Utah, the govenor just signed into law, a
measure allowing undocumented (Illegal) immigrants to
obtain a driving priveledge card. This cannot be used
as a form of I.D. It does allow them the "Legal"
priveledge of driving and obatin auto insuarance.
There is an uproar about this,it is being called
discrimination and will "label" a person. NOT if they
are doing nothing illegal, except of course living in
this country as an undocumented "Illegal" person. Here
in Utah, it primarily the Hispanic Community, crying
discrimination. One guy actually said in a comment for
a local news story, that if he showed his card, that
would label him as an illegal immigrant. NO KIDDING?!


I am white, raised with a black step-dad, various
Aunts and Uncles etc.,I have a son who is half
hispanic and a niece who is half white, half white.
Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a racist person.
A comment and 2 questions. Comment; If you are in the
U.S. and have not documented yourself as a person who
has moved here from a different country, than you are
in fact an illegal immigrant. 2 Questions; First, how
will someone know you're an illegal immigrant just by
looking at you? Also, you are pulled over, have shown
you're card, that shows the officer you are an illegal
immigrant. This is discrimination how? You'll receive
a ticket and let go on your merrry little way (unless
you have an outstanding warrant). Again I ask, this is
discrimination how?!!!


Lynda M. Benning
Kearns, Utah
Read in the Salt Lake Tribune

 

 

I applaud Judge Tatum. Good for him. The English lessons should be required. If the mother doesn't know English, how can she care for her child in the USA. I believe this is a must. I don't see how the ACLU can find anything wrong with that.  The English lessons are for the benefit of her child.  A few years ago while traveling with a group of students, one of the students had to go to the emergency room. We had a language problem and luckily one of the other students knew enough French to get help for us.

I am for the birth control idea and wish that it could be enforced. However, I believe that a Judge should not have the power to tell a person to practice birth control. Perhaps, requiring the person to learn about birth control might be a better alternative and let them make their own choice. If this young woman is an immigrant, perhaps she hasn't learned anything about birth control.

Elaine

Richmond, VA

I saw the article in the Richmond Times Dispatch. I grew up in Williamson County, TN not too far from Wilson County and that is one reason the article caught my eye.

 

 

I am glad to hear that others are outraged at Judge Barry Tatum's ordering
of some immigrant women to learn English (within a certain timeframe
nonetheless) and to use birth control. While I do agree that immigrants who
want to live in this country should make an effort to learn English, I do
believe the judge's orders smell of bigotry and ignorance. Acquiring any
degree of proficiency in a second language is challenging for most learners,
but particularly for adults who are long past the critical age for fluent
language acquistion. America is a land of immigrants, and following the
judge's thinking, perhaps we should all have been ordered to learn to speak
Cherokee or Navajo? And, to order the use of birth control! Judge Tatum has
demonstrated stereotypical thinking and God-like behavior. He needs to take
a more humane approach and start first by educating himself.


Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia
Carol

While I can understand the judges frustration with immigrants that can't speak english, he is in no position to order her to learn. This should be a requirement of becoming an immigrant to the U.S. administered by the INS.


Steve
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake Tribune

  

 

Yes, Judge Tatum is right to order mothers to
learn English and practice birth control. Our
courts need to foster responsible behavior.


The ACLU is wrong. When are we Americans
going to take back our country from the ACLU?


Louise


Midlothian, VA
Richmond Times Dispatch

 




NOT ONLY DO I AGREE WITH JUDGE BARRY TATUM ON HIS ORDERING IMMIGRANT WOMEN TO LEARN ENGLISH AND TAKE BIRTH CONTROL PILLS I WISH EVERY JUDGE WOULD  DO THE SAME.YOU DIDN'T MENTION THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE WOMAN. IF THEY ARE NOT HERE LEGALLY THEY SHOULD BE SENT HOME SO WE DON'T HAVE AN OTHER LEGAL CHILD ALLOWING THE PARENT TO STAY. IF THEY ARE HERE LEGALLY AND WANT TO BECOME CITIZENS THEY , BY LAW,(THAT IS NOT ENFORCED) NEED TO LEARN ENGLISH TO BECOME A CITIZEN. OUR COUNTRY(I LIVE IN ORANGE COUNTY ,CA. )IS BEING OVERCOME BY THIS INVASION. WE CAN NO LONGER TAKE IN ALL THE PEOPLE AND THEIR CHILDREN.

ELAINE PROKO
ANAHEIM,CA.

 

I believe the judge was well within his rights to hand down the sentence, especially  of mandating birth control for the woman. If she cannot or will not think of her children, then someone needs to do it for her, including those unborn.

 

Nancy

 

 

I absolutely agree with judge, Barry Tatum and his decision to order
immigrant woman to learn English. If you are in America and you cannot
speak Our language, then it is not Our responsibility to accommodate you,
and your language barrier. I believe that if you are here in America, then
it should be required that you speak Our language. Furthermore, if you
cannot take care of Your children that You decided to have, then You should
not be allowed to have them

Sincerely,
Karen
Richmond, VA.

 

Any responsible party who is failing to abide by the laws and risking the health and safety of a minor should be court ordered the appropriate directives.  What are the appropriate directives is the question? According to this specific article, SOUND OFF: ENGLISH LESSON; an immigrant woman failed to immunize her child or to show up for an appt. with Department of Children’s Services and the concern is whyle="b">. The latest poll was topped by jobs, at 25 percent, and housing, at 19 percent, as the reasons why respondents live where they live.

Respondents also said the most pressing issue facing Woodbury is growth. More than half of those polled picked that over other concerns like traffic, chosen by 12 percent; crowded schools, which were selected by 5 percent; and high taxes, which were singled out by 10 percent of respondents.

Crime dropped off the charts completely, after reaching a high of 3 percent in 1999.

While the number of people who approve of raising property taxes to maintain city services held steady at 50 percent, another 44 percent voted no &#151; the highest level of opposition since in 1997.

In previous years an average of 36 percent opposed higher property taxes.

"The gap has been narrowing," said Bill Morris, Decision Resources president.

The list of things residents said could be improved included more affordable housing &#151; 46 percent believe there isn't enough &#151; and senior housing.

In that vein, nearly three out of four respondents said they would support a senior center in Woodbury &#151; outnumbering support for an outdoor water park (64 percent) and a community arts center (57 percent).

Meanwhile, respondents were split on support for an open-space and fields bond referendum, which would raise money to acquire and develop open space in the city and expand the athletic fields at the Bielenberg Sports Center.

About 52 percent said they were in favor of that proposal; 49 percent said no.

City officials will use the results as they formulate goals and incorporate some of them into the next two-year strategic goals.

Nancy Yang can be reached at nyang@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5480.

Redfield student elected state FCCLA president Organization has 2,000 members REDFIELD

From staff reports

Alysha Brace, a student at Redfield High School, was selected president of the South Dakota Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) for 2005-06.

Brace is the daughter of Lynn and Cindy Brace.

To become a state officer, members must first become the chairperson of their district. To become a chairperson, the student must take a test, go through an interview, send in an application and present a speech on stage in front of voting delegates. The state junior high representative is the only state officer who does not have to be a district chairperson.

The officers will plan the 2005 Leadership Training for FCCLA members, which will be held at South Dakota State University at the end of July. The officers will also attend the National FCCLA Leadership Meeting in San Diego in July.

The South Dakota FCCLA has 2,000 members.

FCCLA was established in 1945 and in South Dakota in 1946. Family has served as the focus of this career-technical student organization since its establishment. According to publicity material, the organization prepares youths to "assume their adult roles in society as wage earners, community leaders and caring family members by giving them the 'life skills' they need to thrive in their families, careers and communities."

 Eggplant Sauté with Eye-of-Round Steak Eggplant Sauté with Eye-of-Round Steak Knight Ridder

What's for Supper Tonight?

Serves 4. Adapted from a Chicago Tribune recipe. 3 tablespoons olive oil

8-10 small eggplants, chopped into 1/2-inch cubes

4 ripe tomatoes, cut in large chunks

1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 tablespoons minced, each: fresh basil, thyme, oregano

4 eye-of-round steaks

1/4 cup red wine

HEAT 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggplant; cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 15 minutes. Add tomatoes; cook stirring frequently, until they begin to give up their juice, about 5 minutes.

ADD pepper; cook 2 minutes. Stir in herbs, salt and pepper to taste, cook 2-3 minutes.

HEAT remaining tablespoon of oil in large cast-iron skillet; cook steaks 2 at a time, just until brown; 1-2 minutes per side. Keep warm; repeat with remaining steaks.

POUR wine into pan; cook 1 minute, scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan. Brush sauce over steaks; serve remaining sauce over steaks. Top steaks with eggplant mixture.

Soccer

Sport has long-term benefits

Thousands of kids play soccer for fun, but years-long involvement with the game can have more health benefits than routine physical activity.

A study published this month in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that, among boys ages 10 to 13, participating in soccer for three hours a week over three years resulted in a 7 percent increase in anaerobic capacity, 6 percent more total lean body mass and 33 percent more total bone mineral density.

This is compared with a control group that did 45 minutes of various activities, such as running, twice a week in physical education classes, and which actually increased the participants' body fat by the end of the study.

"Prepubescence is a critical time to build up bone mass, and you need to do physical activity to accomplish that," says lead researcher Dr. Jose Calbet, professor of exercise physiology at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain. He studied 17 male soccer players from 1996 to 1999. -- LOS ANGELES TIMES

Health on the Web

www.SparkPeople.com

Diets don't work. Eighty-eight percent of dieters regained the weight they had lost, and 39 percent of all dieters gained back even more, according to a recent survey conducted by SparkPeople.com. The weight-loss Web site aims at teaching frustrated dieters how to stop dieting for good and live a healthy lifestyle. The site features motivational strategies and personalized online tools. -- PRNEWSWIRE

New Research

STROKE RISK IN BREAST CANCER TREATMENTS

THE STUDY AND RESULTS

This study compared the use of tamoxifen and exposure to chemotherapy by 179 women who had a stroke after they were diagnosed with breast cancer to that of 353 breast cancer survivors of similar age who did not have a stroke. The researchers found no relationship between use of tamoxifen and stroke. They did find that undergoing chemotherapy more than doubled the chances of a stroke.

CAVEATS

The results do not necessarily apply to women who take tamoxifen as a preventive. Another recent study found that tamoxifen use correlated with a slight increase in the risk of stroke.

BOTTOM LINE

Women diagnosed with breast cancer may want to discuss with their doctors the benefits and risks of tamoxifen and chemotherapy based on their individual situations.

FIND THIS STUDY

Oct. 20 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute; abstract available online at www.jncicancerspectrum.oupjournals.org.

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