I disagree with the message that sperm bank recipients should have the ability to learn their donor's identity when the donor was originally anonymous. The real problem will come later if a child attempts to sue a donor for support or custody. Your story makes the point that children interested in knowing their biological fathers aren't out for the donor's money because the children's "mothers signed away their rights to it." Most mothers also signed away their rights to learn the identity of the donor. If recipients want to know who their donors are, then they shouldn't support institutions with anonymity policies.
WHITNEY MCNULTY
Woodbridge, Conn.
Misty Memories
"The Misty Pilots" [March 6] brought back great memories of the heroic young men I had the honor of serving with when I supported the F-100D Misty jet fighters as an Air Force "Red Ball" flight line communications technician in the 37th A&E Maintenance Squadron stationed at Phu Cat, South Vietnam, from May 1967 to May 1968. I look forward to reading
Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail. I will never forget the thrill and excitement of troubleshooting and repairing unexpected technical problems of the electronic communications systems relied on by the Misty pilots as they readied for launch, as well as the bravery of the young fliers.?
ANGELO MILIOTO
Hamilton, N.J.
1 Plus 1 = ???
"Did Bush Do The Math?" [February 13] was a sad commentary on the state of education in this country. To place 19th in math proficiency out of 21 countries is indeed appalling. My daughter, age 28, has to run for a calculator to do simple equations, and her son, my grandson, may follow in her footsteps. The simple fix is this: In elementary school, stop teaching "math" and go back to teaching "arithmetic." Teach multiplication tables by memorization. Innovative and modern methods of teaching are not necessarily better.
CATHY J. ANDERER
New Providence, Pa.
So how do we improve math and science education without just throwing money at a system? The pipeline for our economy is the K-12 science education system. Quality teachers make the biggest difference in a child's enthusiasm and achievement. To motivate children, and to train and retain good science teachers, we need a challenging curriculum that includes the process of science experiments, fieldwork, lab work, discussion of current issues, and project work. Our children need it, and business needs those children to choose careers in science and engineering. State standards must be changed.
SUE BOUDREAU
Seventh-grade science teacher
Orinda, Calif.
Dubai Ports Debacle
"Trust Me? Yeah, Right" [March 13] infuriated me. Rather than support President Bush in the Dubai ports deal, congressional Republicans chose to worry about their own hides in the coming election. The absolute hysteria that followed this port controversy was appalling. The American people ended up as spectators to this sideshow. As a result, no one seemed to bother to study and judge this plan, its merits and benefits to our economy, and terrorism concerns. Could Bush have been right? Obviously, it's too late now.
S. MARIE BARRECA
St. Louis
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