TRUE ROLE MODELS DON'T NEED SPOTLIGHTS

Michael Phelps is not a national treasure, hero, or role model gone
bad; he's just another human being making bad choices. True heroes and
role models are the men and women who take care of their
responsibilities day in and day out. They do not scam the government
out of disability payments when they are able bodied. They do not
expect the government to pay for their out-of-wedlock children. True
role models do not depend on parents and grandparents to raise their
children, they do it themselves.

We lost a true role model recently, but if you have to have a ticket
to get through the pearly gates, Modesto's very own Frank Johnson will
be there to take it ("Longtime minor league ballpark greeter dies at
84," Feb. 3, Page C-1).

Wanda Smith

Ripon