Former UTLA chief A.J. Duffy’s new career; Rick Perry meets with religious leaders; Obama’s support is still strong in California

Duffy’s latest vision

Re “A.J. Duffy, reformer?,” Editorial, Sept. 4

Your comment on United Teachers Los Angeles — “it’s not their job to put the interests of children first” — is not the way that teachers unions explain their behavior. They often embellish their stances with the claim that they are supporting the interests of their students.

It now appears that former UTLA President A.J. Duffy has always had the interests of students at heart. Were those views in plain view when attempts were made to dismiss teachers, to argue for excellence over seniority or to expand charter schools?

Duffy’s newly publicized views underscore how difficult it is for a profession to act “professionally” when dealing with industrial issues. Has the leopard changed his spots, or should we wait longer before rushing to judgment on this?

Brian Richardson

Pacific Palisades

As a community college adjunct professor, I was utterly disgusted when I read that Duffy had joined the charter school movement.

I have marched with this man many times denouncing charter schools. It was a sad day in the public education community to see one of its own join forces with conservatives who are pushing for a very destructive agenda.

Duffy’s actions should be considered a betrayal of biblical proportions for all educators who are defending public education and who want equal access for all to a high-quality education.

Salvador Sanchez

Los Angeles

A full profession is one in which the practitioners make most of the decisions affecting governance and practice. Physicians and lawyers, for example, are empowered to make informed decisions regarding their patients and clients.

Until now, only college teachers, mainly men, enjoyed full professional status and maintained control over their members. In sharp contrast, schoolteachers, mainly women, were asked to be “accountable” as professionals but were not given the authority to make most of the decisions regarding their practice. This is changing with the advent of teacher-run charter schools.

Duffy, an intelligent and experienced teacher-leader, understands that teacher-run charter schools will afford teachers the opportunity to make all decisions regarding curriculum, instruction and personnel. They will become full professionals at last.

This is indeed the beginning of true reform for education, but perhaps not the kind that The Times envisioned.

Linda Mele Johnson

Long Beach

Church and state and Rick Perry

Re “Pastors quiz Perry at private retreat,” Sept. 2

I’ve lived a long time and through many a presidential election, but this is the first time I’ve seen religion play such a major role in the choice of a candidate.

Yes, there have been questions raised when a Roman Catholic or Mormon was running, but in the past each firmly asserted that he would observe the separation of church and state. The recent intense vetting of Texas Gov. Rick Perry by evangelical Christians makes no such promise. This is a cabal whose chief intent is quite the opposite: give religion a major role in government.

If we allow a man like Perry to get a foothold in Washington, all government decisions will be made in this light. Think of the areas in our lives that this can affect: science, education, health, the environment, social issues and foreign affairs.

Jean Sapin

Sherman Oaks

One wonders if these “pastors” quizzed Perry about how he would deal with “the least of these”: the poor, whom Jesus placed into the care of Christians throughout Scripture. There isn’t much explicit in Scripture concerning gay marriage, abortion or school vouchers. But inescapable is the requirement that people of faith care for the widows, the orphans, the prisoners and others in need.

“Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me,” Jesus said. It’s about time Christians and Jews who truly want to adhere to the values that are most stressed in Scripture begin to focus on the things that are clearly stressed from Genesis to Revelation.

I have to wonder whether the agenda of the pastors was religious or merely political.

The Rev. Howard Anderson

Pacific Palisades

Can we imagine how the voting public would have responded 50 years ago had we read the headline, “Bishops quiz Kennedy at private retreat”?

Our constitutional separation of church and state is in greater danger than at any time that I can remember in my 77 years.

Patricia L. Moore

Los Angeles

Obama’s state, with exceptions

Re “California still strong for Obama,” USC Dornsife/Times poll, Sept. 5

I wonder how strong President Obama’s approval rating in California will be when his announcement that he is asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to delay implementing rules to reduce smog becomes widely known.

The rules requiring upgrades of equipment would actually create jobs, but apparently the corporations would rather pay outlandish bonuses than take responsible steps to protect the environment and the health of citizens. The true bottom line in this is that efforts to reduce pollution have major benefits by reducing health problems and preventing deaths, which save money.

Responsible corporate citizens are put at a disadvantage when there is no level playing field. Effective rules place all corporations in the same position.

When will we have an administration that has the courage and vision to protect the environment?

Lorraine Priceman

Woodland Hills

I was not surprised by a poll showing that support in California for Obama remains strong. For many in this state, having an out-of-control budget, a political leadership beholding to unions and a tax-and-spend attitude in the capital is just par for the course in running a government.

It is safe to say that Obama will not be spending much time on the campaign trail in California, with this state in the bag. However, he will be jetting in on Air Force One for those one-day mega-buck fundraisers. Which reminds me of the old adage: “A fool and his money are soon parted.”

Tony Padilla

Los Angeles

Military affairs

Re “Romance dooms sailor’s Navy career,” Sept. 3

I served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and ran up against the Uniform Code of Military Justice over some poems I wrote about our involvement in the war. Nothing came of it for me, but I can believe that a petty officer who was serving with distinction could be tossed out over a romance with an ensign. It illustrates that in the 21st century, when the military is looking for people to serve our country, its justice system is still back in the 19th century.

Both parties involved were young; had they been in another service branch, their romance would have gone unnoticed. The disparity between being enlisted and an officer is shown by the fact that Joshua Hendershot lost everything, while the ensign was transferred and got a letter in her file, which may not even stop her advancement.

Lloyd A. Fradkin

Newhall

Dodger suitor

Re “Dodger red?,” Opinion, Sept. 2

Harold Meyerson writes in his Op-Ed article about a Chinese government bid for the Dodgers: “Over the last 30 years, the financial whizzes who dominate this country have sold off our industry to China in return for some quick and huge returns, never mind that they were wiping out the American middle class in the process.”

Unless I’m mistaken, we are still a relatively free country, and no one forced any American to buy a product that wasn’t made in the U.S.A. My dad was a World War II veteran, and he never bought a German or Japanese car. How many Americans can say the same thing about Chinese products today?

If the Chinese buy the Dodgers, no one will be forced to attend the games or watch them on TV. Pogo summed it up perfectly: “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

P.J. Gendell

Beverly Hills