Attacking NCLB, defending Ray Lutz and promoting last week's cover artist

Last week’s cover artist

Shamefully, in last week’s issue, we neglected to credit the tattoo artist who created the design we used on our cover (pictured here). That artist is Rob Benavides (robbenavides.com) of Flying Panther Tattoo & Gallery (flyingpanthertattoo.com). We couldn’t be sorrier for the oversight.

‘No rich child left behind’

My sister-in-law gave me a copy of your wonderful publication. I’m visiting from New York and enjoyed your great writing and articles. I was so uplifted by Ms. Belfer’s article on opting out of testing for her daughter [“Backwards & in High Heels,” Jan. 4]. It’s a bold and courageous move. Kudos to her and her husband.

I also laud her for pointing out the “conspiracy” to privatize education to the benefit of the wealthier school districts while leaving the less-benefited behind even more. My daughter teaches at an innercity school in Brooklyn, and she pays out of pocket for even basic supplies and to copy mandated lesson plans. The school has run out of money for copies and other supplies! The kids drag their desks from room to room since there aren’t enough desks. She operates as best she can as though we are in a third-world country. My daughter’s motto is “No rich child left behind.”

We are strong supporters of an entire overhaul of an education system stuck in the 19th century. Teachers need to be uncuffed to allow for freedom to teach creatively and reach students who, in the 21st century, learn differently than their forebears.

Thank you for a very refreshing article, which I plan to share with many.

Jo Galante Cicale Saugerties, N.Y.

Leave Lutz alone

I can’t let your article criticizing Ray Lutz [“The Watch List,” Jan. 4] go by without defending him. I am puzzled why you’re picking on him. Ray’s been the leader against Blackwater mercenaries invading our county and against the Diebold Registrar of Voters election cheating, which I’ve been begging you to cover. He’s been a candidate for Congress, and he certainly has a right to be part of the Occupy movement. I do part ways with him on his attacks on unions and government pensions, but politics makes strange bedfellows, and Ray is mostly one of us, and I am happy to come to his defense.

Val Sanfilippo, Linda Vista

Editor’s note: “The Watch List” was intended to be taken with a dose of good humor.