DEAR EDITOR:

I recall many years ago hearing my brother-in-law, late U.S. Republican Sen. Paul Coverdell of Georgia, share some insight on integrity with a high school senior running for class president. Paul was then a state senator speaking at a town hall meeting in Buckhead. He spoke to her about making false promises just to achieve her goal. I deduced that getting caught in a lie would destroy your credibility with your public, with some never forgetting that you lied. Paul went on to be appointed Peace Corp Director and was elected U.S. Senator based primarily on his integrity.

My point is that regardless of being elected or appointed to a position of public responsibility, you should be held accountable when your actions contradict your promises. Whether a high school class president, Cobb school board chairman or president of the United States of America, violating the rights of your supporters will destroy your integrity and credibility. This will definitely reflect the outcome of your desire to further enhance your political career.

Having four people assume total control of the school scheduling in Cobb is ludicrous. Why not have the teachers maintain or rearrange their schedules rather than disrupt the households of thousands of Cobb students and parents?

What infuriates me is violating the rights of speaker Vivian Jackson because Chairman Dr. John Abraham did not want to be embarrassed by the truth. It does not affect me as to what Vivian Jackson had to say to the board. What does affect me and all Americans is that she was not allowed to say it.

Thank you, Ms. Jackson, for standing your ground and speaking out as much as you were allowed. You made a much greater point than you realize.

Ralph Laughter
Marietta