February 10, 2006
Dear XXXX;
On Monday, January 30, 2006 I attended a forum at Miami University to discuss their failure to follow the law with regard to same-sex domestic partner benefits.
There were 450 members of the audience, 3 television cameras, and over a dozen members of the media present. Most of the media chose to cover the event accurately and completely. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter chose to report that I had implied that college athletes were “dummies”, his word NOT mine.
Not one media outlet in Cincinnati, which extensively covered this story, reported anything similar.
You need to know that 36 percent of incoming college freshman receive remedial college classes. Under Governor Bob Taft’s proposal, no remedial classes will be offered at Ohio’s 13 four year colleges. Those students will have to look elsewhere to begin college in Ohio. Chances are that 36 percent of all athletes also require remedial college classes. If Governor Taft’s proposal becomes law, they too will have to look elsewhere to begin college. Elite athletes will not bother with going to a two year college in Ohio and then transfer to a four year college, like Ohio State, after their remedial class work is over. They will go out of state to pursue their degree.
That is why I said to the teacher who asked if I supported Governor Taft’s proposal, “be careful what you ask for” because implementation of such a program will have a devastating effect on students across the board and our premier athletic teams.
Needless to say, I am against Governor Taft’s one size fits all academic proposals and I think you should be so also. Please relay your displeasure to your elected state officials, but do not shoot the messenger. I was simply trying to point out the absurdity of the proposal and drive the point home by stating “there goes the Ohio State football team and the University of Cincinnati basketball team.” I was never implying that anyone was a dummy.
Sincerely Yours,
Tom Brinkman, Jr.
State Representative
