I recently had the honor of serving as Principal for a Day at Tropical Elementary School as part of a program established by Miami-Dade County Public Schools to connect community leaders with the school system.

Tropical Elementary is different from most public schools in that it has a significant population of physically and mentally disabled students enrolled with able-bodied and gifted students.

On the day that I attended, I saw a special program by the students using song and dance to tell wonderful stories with a wildlife theme. There are no words to describe what I felt as I watched these young students, handicapped and able-bodied, perform and interact.

Whereas children are sometimes accused of being cruel to those who are less fortunate, it was heartwarming to watch able-bodied children help and play with their disabled classmates. More important than anything that these children will learn from a book or a test, they are learning that acceptance, inclusion and friendship combine to make this world a better place for all of us.

RON MAGILL, communications & media director, Miami Metrozoo, Miami

Shameful condition

We cannot be governed by fear any longer. Tough decisions have to be made regardless of the ridicule and unfounded fear that a few promulgate. The lack of medical coverage and the excessive cost when it is available is a shameful condition for this country.

EDUARDO DE ARAGON, Miami

Singled out?

I am constantly reading about Hispanic illegal immigrants -- how they are picked up, jailed and sent back to their native countries; how they should not be covered under healthcare reform, which I am sure they will be as no one is refused treatment in emergency rooms.

I was in New York recently, and I was amazed at the large number of Chinese and Nigerian immigrants selling their wares -- few legitimate and mostly fake -- and wondered if they are in the country legally?

Why don't I read about illegal immigrants from Asia and Africa being picked up and sent back? Is there a double standard in the treatment of illegal immigrants?

R. C. GUIXENS, Miami

Not so smart

Re the Oct. 27 story Florida `smart' power gets a jolt with U.S. funds: The smart grid is not so smart. The picture of a centralized solar-generation system says it all. It's an example of new technology combined with old technology to the detriment of creating a more-efficient product and a truly smart grid.

When a hurricane strikes our area the first thing to go is the power distribution system. When Florida Power & Light centralizes the solar-generation system it does not alter this equation.

A truly smart grid would localize the solar panel on houses and flat-topped warehouses around the state. When power lines are downed, people would still have limited amounts of power to preserve food, cook and operate a business.

Legislation should enable this, and government should assist people in purchasing solar arrays. One of FPL's arguments against localizing the solar generators is the increased cost. This same argument has been used for years as a reason not to bury power lines.

I wonder what the economic losses have been because of lost productivity and the cost of repeatedly rebuilding the grid system as a result of power lines downed by hurricanes over the years. I hope local and state governments will consider more seriously moving forward on promoting this solar option.

JOE PARKER, Miami Beach

Opinion of mankind

The Miami Herald sees fit to put on the front page gossip about Fidel Castro's family while burying the story of the United Nations' condemnation of the brutal embargo against Cuba on page 6A.

I suppose the paper did not want to upset readers with the reality of how isolated and out of touch the hostile policies against the Cuban people are in relation to the rest of the world. A long time ago, the Declaration of Independence's phrase ``a decent respect to the opinions of mankind'' meant something. The condemnation of our policy against the Cuban people came by a U.N. vote of 187 to 3.

JOSE FERNANDEZ, Miami

Not even a kite

Having been a pilot for 43 years, I think that the FAA should suspend the pilot licenses of the captain and first officer of the Northwest Airlines A-320 [that overflew its destination by 150 miles] to the extent that they can never even fly a kite.

Too many times we get used to the auto pilot that keeps the aircraft at altitude until it runs out of gas. It was only a miracle that a disaster never occurred.

DAVID E. THORPE, Pembroke Pines

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