Letters to the Editor

Uneasy over the lotus position

Yoga is more than a system of physical exercises. There is a spiritual component that may or may not be emphasized ("Going to the mat," June 23). Most yoga teachers are probably nice people, and yoga participants may seek to participate in a benign exercise program. Indeed, people testify to physical benefits such as greater flexibility or easing and healing of certain maladies. But I don't believe that yoga is benign. It has been practiced for thousands of years and is tied directly to Eastern religions, mainly Hindu gods.

People who open themselves to those gods or spirits, even in a church, synagogue, or YMCA setting, are inviting in and engaging with other gods. Jews, Christians, and Muslims agree that there is one God, with differences. In each of those faiths, God is divine. To practice yoga is to integrate parts of Eastern religion and mysticism into people's lives, perhaps unknowingly, or in the belief that it won't matter. But people can become confused, and their priorities may become rearranged. There may be outright distancing from God. So I'm sorry to hear that Philadelphia has the distinction of ranking third in the country for yoga.

Margie Nathanson, Narberth

Testing teachers is the agenda

How ironic that, in a time of unprecedented budget cuts, school closings, layoffs, and elimination of art and extracurricular activities, districts can find the money for expensive but unproven teacher-evaluation models. Reforms driven by businessmen and politicians have been around in cities to no avail for years. So what do we do? Bring in more so-called reform, and spend money on tests, prep materials, graders, and training. And we even force this on high-achieving districts like Haddonfield. Then we tie teacher evaluations and eventually teacher pay to often arbitrary and unreliable student test scores.

Schools and teachers must stop being scapegoats for society's ills, namely poverty. The public must realize that the ultimate goal of this school reform movement is to decimate public schools. Teacher evaluation models and, in particular, tying student achievement to scores are key to this agenda.

Susan A. Jolley, Delran

Not waving Tony Soprano's flag

As James Gandolfini was eulogized Thursday, New Jersey flags were flying at half-staff in his honor. But seriously? That should be reserved for heroes like firefighters, police, Marines, and soldiers - not actors. Gov. Christie's decision cheapened the meaning of flying flags at half-staff.

Dale J. Porter, Philadelphia

Whose money is it, anyway?

With felon Vince Fumo due to be released soon, I'd like to propose an appropriate welcome: Whenever Fumo buys something, he should be asked whether he's spending other people's money (OPM) - or his own.

Andy Horvath, Towson, andyh2247@yahoo.com