J 1,1 IJortlanù ffîbseruer Page A4 April 20. 2005 Opinion articles do not necessarily reflect or represent the views o f The Portland Observer O pinion Price of Two Terms Two terms of Republican rule are bringing us a continual war with no end in sight, the highest gas prices in history, the highest federal deficit in history, elimination of Social Security and lifetime appointments of judges who oppose abortion, minimum wage, pollution restrictions and a citizen’s right to privacy. There’s more, but isn’t that enough? Just say no to extremist judges and down with George Bush II! Jason DeSanto Southeast Portland Stand Up for Rights For more than 30 years, Oregonians who care about fairness and equality for all Oregon citizens have asked the state to pass legislation making it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation. There comes a time when it is no longer acceptable to be politically cautious or cavalier about doing the right thing-and that time is now. It is now time for lawmakers to show the leadership and courage we expect of our representatives in the legislature by protecting all Oregon’s families including same-sex couples and our families with civil union legislation and banning dis crimination based on sexual orientation throughout the state. Oregon’s promise of fairness and equality for all of its citizens stand strong, even today with a nationally hostile political arena. It is time for Oregon to stand strong for all Oregon families. WMHMNNI Change Schools from the Inside Finance teaching over testing J udge G reg M athis At a recent gathering spon sored by the National Gover nors Association, the world’s richest man took state leaders to task on failing high schools throughout the country. B ill G ates sta te d that A m erica’s high schools are leaving students unprepared for both college and today’s jobs market. Gates didn’t just talk the talk: He pledged $15 million to states that take significant by After a painful and divisive campaign season, we now have an enormous opportunity to find common ground. MostOrego- nians-even those who voted yes on Measure 36-believe that discrimination is wrong. Those very same voters believe that same-sex couples have the right to legal recognition of their families and their children. To squander this opportunity would be shameful and at odds with O regon's fundamental values. It’s time for Oregon lawmakers and all Oregonians to do the right and civil thing. Right now. Karen Wells Northeast Portland diversity Print Participate in Democracy Z&tc AMtznJMMT S it** ¿>x wttul.» Jmp {teffat an? dtstgiatutti 'aH tr t>ul a ti-catm; iaar **" • © bsm w r Election Ballots On Way onWeb w w w .p o r tla n d o b s e r v e r .c o m Hie Portlanb (Ohsrriirr Celebrating 35 years o f service to the diverse citizens o f Portland, The Portland Observer continues to expand and improve our coverage o f our vibrant metropolitan area and its surrounding communities. » » «items Hiflfc Awaits Wrschin« Ba« * «è Sen.-./Cufici hmtr<xl«sr*»d!ri« rsWK.« tSs te rttf SM tornar H<jn «??OCN£ W M C*cowwewftswoukjioo ■*« '<xw ww) <**«>’* ’» iMI N.nç rmw 'ion<niç wth it— scinsthflw tfwr .warh» « r iwflhtMnaws-wwiw We need more resources given to assist schools with teacher training and smaller classes. -J u d g e Greg Mathis majored nor minored in the sub ject in college. Colorado Gov. Roy Rom er proposed replacing large high schools with sm aller ones that can provide students with more individualized attention. The idea o f sm aller high schools has proven to increase stu dent perform ance. In the last five years, the Gates Founda tion has invested $7.33 million dollars towards the construc tion o f new , sm a lle r high schools and im provem ents in existing ones. C learly, Bill Gates knows som ething about increasing education perfor mance and is w illing to put his money where his mouth is. If the Governors would fol low his lead, we can perhaps stem the tide of failing high schools. One governor at the meeting must have been listen ing to Bill Gates. Michigan Gov ernor Jennifer Granholm an nounced last week a program to provide zero-interest loans to school districts that will build new high schools with no more than 500 students. The schools would focus on students who are perform ing poorly in the larger school set tings. Granholm is also seek ing help from foundations for assistance with operating e x penses. Hopefully, the other governors will join in this ef fort to prepare high school stu dents for success by taking a more innovative approach to instruction. All the testing and increased standards that our students are being subjected to w on’t do any good if we fail to give them the resources necessary to improve their test scores. Judge Greg Mathis is chair man o f the Rainbow PUSH- Excel Board and a national board member o f the South ern Christian Leadership Con ference. (T h e P o r t k n t h O H w n w r raacr mors paopte As it quickly becomes more and more an electronic world, The Portland Observer endeavors to meet the needs of our readers and advertisers by going online. With the capability o f the Internet, the Portland Observer now reaches a broader audience. steps to im prove their high schools. The G overnors Association responded by pledging to in crease stan d ard s and high stakes testing at high schools - the same solution offered by the Bush A dm inistration. U n fo rtu n a te ly , th ere w as no pledge to m ake significant changes inside the classroom , w h e re c la s s e s are o v e r crow ded and students are un der taught. Somehow testing and standards seem s to be more im portant than instruc tion and classroom changes. Numerous studies have in dicted that smaller class sizes and teacher retraining are the most necessary changes for improved student progress. We know the kids are failing, we don’t need more testing to show that our schools are falling be hind. We need more resources given to assist schools with teacher training and smaller classes. In a recent report by the U.S. Department of Education, un qualified teachers was the pri mary reason given after 50 per cent of the nation’s high school seniors were unable to pass the basic skills test on the subject of history. The report also indi cated that over half ofj unior and senior high school students have history teachers that neither banna* ads csR so.i 0033 Kssamo • Class e»s On corns >« >s ««t« m 4*s tS'syms MsSst Arsorsti m M sisuiss Sift* Subscribe Î 503-288-0033 Fill Out, Clip Out & Send To: JJortlanb (Obserorr Attn: Subscriptions PO Box 3137, Portland OR 97208 su b sc rip tio n s are ju s t $60 pt i Injustice to Loving Couples M ayor T om P otter T he O re g o n S u p re m e C ourt’s decision invalidating Multnomah County’s same sex m arriages is sad not ju st for Oregonians, but for anyone who values individual dignity and the absolute right of two people to share their love with their families, their friends and theircom m unity. To deny two people the basic legal rights that every Ameri can in a loving, committed rela tionship enjoys simply because of their gender is a slap at the by core moral values that shaped our country, and a denial of our collective humanity. On a personal note, I am especially saddened for my daughter, Katie. As a Portland police officer, she has put her life on the line to protect our community. Katie and her part ner, Pam, married last March, with their two little girls watch ing. Now, I wonder, who will protect Katie and her family? I know that the governor is pushing for legislation that will allow same sex couples to form civil unions that would give them many of the same rights available to heterosexual m arried couples. This is a good-if-im perfect first step. And I know that in time, our laws will catch up with the goodness that is in the hearts o f so many. It was only 38 years ago that people o f dif ferent races were allow ed to marry. Time will heal this in justice as well. Tom Potter is the mayor of Portland and a former Port land police chief. (please include check with this subscription form) N ame :__ _______________________ T elephone : ____ A ddress : or email subscriptions© portlandobserver.com Advertise with diversity in IJorfhnth (©bseruev ( all 503-288-0033 ads @ port! andob set vei.com