Students, bars, low test scores all connected

Did anyone see the irony of two stories in the Dec. 8 Gazette?

One is the update on allowing underage students into Iowa City bars. The other was the story about how U.S. students have dropped to 30th place in worldwide tests in reading, math and science.

Our priorities are really screwed up here.

I can't understand why this is so hard for the Iowa City Council. If you are under 21, you don't belong in a bar that serves alcohol. Period. If the bar owners want to provide an entertainment venue, then open a coffee shop that serves non-alcoholic beverages.

Perhaps we should be discussing why our kids are not keeping up with the rest of the world in math, reading and science. Perhaps there is a relationship between our kids' level of education and America's ability to compete in the world economy. You think?

Michael Shea

Marion