Signal student is hurt the most
Whether or not Signal Mountain wins their appeal, I believe an honest mistake was made concerning zoning. I also believe TSSAA is in error. They could have made a decision sooner. They had to know every game counted toward whether or not Signal Mountain made the playoffs! Nowhere else in the state were the stakes higher!
The person most damaged is the student. He is at Signal Mountain because of hardships. He had no control over the affairs, but he is the one who will carry scars for a lifetime.
In the military, hardships count! If a change of assignment is warranted (outside of war), it's granted. It is called a "compassionate reassignment" with no restrictions.
This student is at the school which is giving him the greatest chance of succeeding in life. That is the bottom line! This scenario should be approved in every case.
When Tom McCullough said other schools may not be in compliance in similar situations he was simply stating a fact. He is not one who would use an excuse to avoid retribution. I have known him for 40 years. His integrity would not allow him to knowingly condone cheating.
WILBOURNE C. MARKHAM SR
Perry beliefs differ from Constitution
Asserting his most grievous exception to the Constitution, Gov. Rick Perry contends that senators should be chosen by state legislators and not by the people.
Further, he does not believe that our nation is indivisible. This was made clear when he declared that Texas could withdraw from the Union. Perry has said that Social Security is a "Ponzi Scheme" and also with Medicare is unconstitutional. For decades these programs paid for by the people have operated without legal challenge (Ponzi Schemes are illegal).
It appears axiomatic that those who support the Constitution of the United States, and have faith in our undivided nation's system of government, should favor someone other than Perry for president.
Neither Perry nor any other candidate in the Republican debates responded in disapproval as audiences applauded extensive state executions; also over a man who died unable to afford medical insurance, and booed an armed soldier in Iraq who is gay.
All candidates approve of "Don't ask, don't tell," a policy rejected by General Petraeus and Secretary Gates, and a law Admiral Mullen had said must be scrapped. On this issue, they not only are at odds with our military leadership but a majority of the American people.
JOHN BRATTON
Sewanee, Tenn.
related articles »
For the second time this season, Signal Mountain High School's football team has seen its hopes dashed.
Live coverage: TSSAA verdict on Signal Mountain High School extended until Friday
School appealing ruling that player ineligible and six wins vacated
Follow constant updates from the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association's decision on Signal Mountain High School today.
About the only thing Signal Mountain High School's administration has ruled out, at least for the moment, is asking for ...
San Francisco 49ers placekicker David Akers testified to a federal jury on Aug. 16 that he was swindled out of ...
Mr. Markham SR., I agree the student is harmed here but it is not the responsibility of the TSSAA to make sure an athlete is eligible before he/she takes the field/court etc. It is the responsibility of the school. In being approved for hardship by the School Board, the young man was not guaranteed eligibility in athletics. That is THE POINT here. Who assumed hardship granting with the school board meant athletic ability? Whomever that party or parties maybe, they did not do all the required checks and they, not the TSSAA are responsible for this mess. The school making appeals and emotional media presentations keep the thing going and it does not look any better on the ones who did not do their jobs. I do wonder if this young man would have even hardshipped to Signal Mountain HS if there was not such an athletic opportunity.
For once I agree with Wilbourne Markham. If Tom McCullough made a mistake it was an honest one. He is a person of impeccable character and integrity.
It is awful that we have a school system that feels compelled to bus kids away from their local school because that school is a state and federal failure. It shouldn't be the kids who are shipped off or punished. It should be the rotten teachers and rotten principals at these local schools who are bad at their jobs and can't inspire the young. Get rid of the teacher's unions and get some talented individuals in our tax funded schools. Isn't it time to hold these schools accountable when they take our money and fail our kids? Isn't that the real issue here? Furthermore, I don't agree with TSSAA at all. Sports in school are for the kids, not the men living vicariously through these boys. Stealing Signal Mt.'s wins from a bunch of youth is a rotten thing to do. Get rid of the failing teachers, failing schools, and over-the-top sports leaders who can't keep a compassionate perspective concerning our kids. The entire system is a shame on our state. Who exactly won when the TSSAA went on their witch hunt? The kids? Apparently in Tennessee, it isn't the kids that matter.
Or login with:
New Account