Meeks' ill-advised in his school boycott

The Rev. James Meeks organized a concerted protest to extort more money for Chicago Public Schools from the Illinois State Legislature.

Many children skipped school to be pawns of Rev. Meeks.

Unfortunately, the losers in this fiasco were the children of Chicago and their public school system.

Funding for schools is determined by attendance. Fewer students equals less funding.

Evidently Rev. Meeks must have failed math when he was a student.

This action raises several questions.

Where did Meeks get the money to charter 130 buses to take these children from the South Side of Chicago to the northern suburb of Winnetka? Buses and gas for such a long commute must have cost quite a bundle of money.

This money could have been utilized more effectively by being donated to the public schools.

Also, if Meeks is sincere, why doesn't he tap into his own bulging bank account and make a donation to the public schools?

Perhaps he is saving to buy a multimillion dollar mansion similar to the one the radical Rev. Jeremiah Wright bought?

This country has a long-standing policy of separation of church and state. If these pseudo reverends want to get involved in politics, the government needs to take away their tax exempt status and numerous other perks.

Perhaps then the legislature would have sufficient funds to energize the Chicago Public School system.

Tony Novak

Arlington Heights