Name: Sue
Subject: Atrocity
Date: 12/15/2011

You seem to believe that Art is an Atrocity, however, I highly doubt that you have never listened to the radio, sung a Christmas or other holiday song, seen a play or any other of a million ways that the arts have enriched the lives of everyone on this planet. I began playing percussion at age 5 and fell in love with music. I would not be the person I am today without the guidance of my wonderful music teachers throughout my grade school and college career. As a mother of 3 school age children now, I require that they either take an musical instrument or be involved in art as it develops their minds not only in creative ways, but music alone assists my 6th grader in math and memorization and relaxation. I have seen her struggle with stress from studying for a Science exam, take 10 minutes to switch to practicing drums and go back refreshed and rejuvenated. ANYONE who believes that the Arts should be removed from our schools should take a closer look at the school systems in "Eastern Culture" and see the great emphasis they put on the arts at their schools. Perhaps its not so much time to get rid of the arts, but to place more emphasis on school itself and not computers, video games, cell phones, and over programming kids lives after school so they don't have the time to work on their grades. Kids are kids and NOT small adults. If children do not have the opportunity to develop their imaginations and creativity when they are children, what will happen to our society when they reach adulthood and there are no longer the great thinkers and inventors because we have crushed their imaginations?

You may decide to disagree with me, but I guarantee there are millions of parents that will not. I believe more funding should go back to the arts and perhaps some of the ATROCITY should be focused on the enormous salaries of the administration.
Thank you.

After the Reveal

Date: 12/16/2011

Oh thank GOD! You have a LARGE number of Musical Professionals and Music Teachers up in arms at your site... might I suggest that you mention this somewhere (quietly) on your site? I received this from a friend of mine who is a music teacher in Whitney Point and it has gone as far as CA and CO to our colleagues there...

You are certainly calling attention to this issue that's for sure! Thank you, however for writing and letting me know!

Sue