Burr's 'No' vote is a loss for energy, jobs

Richard Burr's recent "No" vote to tax subsidies for wind and solar energy is a loss for renewable energy and may cost thousands of American jobs. By a narrow six vote margin, Senate Republicans blocked voting on the subsidies, which run out for good in December, for the eighth time.

While huge oil companies continue to receive government subsidies for pumping foreign oil, startup solar and wind power companies are about to be devastated if the Senate allows their subsidies to expire. Solar and wind power companies will be forced to look for more forward thinking countries in which to operate, and thousands of Americans working in these sectors will lose their jobs.

The movement to break our energy dependence on dirty fossil fuels and dictatorial governments will receive a crippling blow if senators such as Mr. Burr and Mr. McCain do not vote to extend these subsidies. According to Thomas Friedman in his New York Times article "Eight Strikes and You're Out," John McCain never voted on any of the eight attempts to pass this legislation, even while he shows wind power turbines on his TV ads.

If we are to end our dependence on dirty, foreign oil, we must have an infrastructure of clean and renewable energy in place. Only six more votes are needed. Please call Senator Burr and ask him to Vote "Yes" when the Cloture Motion for S. 3335 is voted on again. -- Jon Rea, Durham

Teachers trying to take students abroad

My teaching colleagues and I care about many things. Those of you who follow our activities at Smith Middle School may remember our global connections program.

I write today to ask your help for a similar program we hope to fund again this year. It involves learning about the European Union through exchange programs, cultural events, professional development and community awareness activities. It was paid for in 2007 by an external funding source along with matching funds from our community, and we are once again seeking financial support for the 2009 program.

Along with my colleagues, I am applying for another grant that speaks directly to "21st Century Education": Global learning, 2nd language acquisition and intercultural competencies. In addition to the money provided by the grant, it requires that I find organizations willing to provide total matching funds of $45,000. If you are an interested donor, we are happy to explain the grant in depth to you.

The curriculum focus for this grant is "Enduring Alliances in Europe and America." Middle school students, along with their Belgian pen pals in Liege, will learn about the Belgian/French Resistance and American Liberation during World War II. With your help, students will tour the American cemeteries in France and Belgium, as well as visit the American memorial to the soldiers in the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne. If you fought in WWII in Belgium or France, if you have a loved one who lies in Normandy, Henri Chapelle or Ardennes Memorial Cemeteries or if you are interested in what we are learning, please e-mail me at rmcmahon@chccs.k12.nc.us.

With your support, students in our classes who may not be able to attend because of financial hardships will walk these fields and begin to understand how enduring alliances build peaceful futures. -- Robin McMahon, Smith Middle School