Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Letters

Philosophy fails to teach practical working skills

A couple of weeks ago, an impartial but objective observer of the Santa Clara County public schools offered some sound and realistic advice to educators, parents, and students. Her thrust was that the school system must place greater emphasis on "hard" subjects like mathematics, science, and reading comprehension, even if that means downplaying the importance of the myriad social science courses offered to students.

Her reasoning was simple and persuasive: A solid foundation in basic educational tools, especially in this area of the state, is the surest way to good-paying jobs with a long-term future.

As might have been expected, some people took her recommendations as an appeal to deify high technology at the expense of the more "humanizing" elements of education. Critics maintained that we need more philosophers and ethicists, not fewer, and that love, not greed, should govern our lives.

The outcry was discouraging. It clearly demonstrated that a significant portion of our citizenry are still hoping against hope that someone, sometime, somehow, is going to tell us all what the real meaning of life is. Someone full of love for everybody and everything.

What a vain and futile dream. Since the dawn of history we've been up to our gazoos in philosophers and ethicists, and not one of them ever made a pronouncement that couldn't be challenged, disproved or ignored with total impunity.

School kids don't need more of this kind of tripe. They should be taught what they can depend on.

Things they can parlay into a good paycheck so they can commune with nature on an expansive sun deck or while floating in the swimming pool. If they so desire.

That's all the observer was saying.

Frank J. Stagnaro
Los Gatos

Thanks to Ranger Dave

On behalf of the residents of Fairview Plaza, we want to thank Ranger Dave and his crew for cleaning up our little park on a recent Saturday. They cleared out the scotch broom and huge overgrowths of ivy that have threatened to take over. They also took on the unpleasant task of picking up the deposits left by many of the thoughtless dog owners who frequent the park.

Thanks, Dave and the crew.

Bobbi Fries, Rich Lang
Los Gatos

Bring back the newsboy from the logo

Here's a solution to your newsrack dilemma: Hire a go-getter youngster, who won't mind wearing knickers and a cap like those in your logo, to hawk your papers at busy street corners.

Our grandfathers did it and went on to become great entrepreneurs.

It would be a charming revival of our Los Gatos Victorian heritage. I'd certainly rather give a young girl or boy my 50 cents than some machine.

Sue Gorman
Los Gatos

CORRECTION

A July 3 article inaccurately described the West Valley Cities' decisions regarding contracts with Browning Ferris Industries. The cities approved the drafting of a proposed contract for sending trash to BFI's Newby Island Landfill. Each city has yet to decide whether it will send part or all of its trash to Newby Island or continue to send trash to Guadalupe Landfill.