I would be interested in knowing how many other Pennsylvania voters received a postcard from Gov. Ridge's office announcing the "death" of OBE - Outcome Based Education.

As you remember, getting rid of OBE was one of the promises Gov. Ridge made when he was running in 1994. So, of course, he's trying to make points by convincing us that he has kept his promise.

Folks, I've got news for you. OBE is alive and well under a new name: "Standards." Yes, that's right. All that has happened is that OBE was given a new name!

How do I know this? I attended a meeting in the spring in Monroeville at which five members of the state Board of Education sat on a panel and listened to 30-plus concerned citizens - teachers, parents and others - speak against OBE.

We cited OBE's similarities to the new "standards" - same wording, same old stuff! Coming away from that meeting, I became aware that the members of the state Board of Education, with few exceptions, had never even read the OBE contents and were not prepared to speak for or against it. One member was close to having a good nap.

I'm so weary of the same old lies.

There is a breath of fresh air coming through. Peg Luksik from Johnstown is running for governor. If she is elected, we will see many changes - for the good - in our schools, plus some other advantages. She's one you can trust. If she says it, you can believe it.