Letters to the Editor 10-07-2004
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Government And Education - The Problem With W - Church And State - Take A Stand - Junior Neighbors - Gun Issue - Opinion On Kerry
Government And Education
Editor, Times-Union:This country as a whole has a choice to make when it comes to the overall direction of education in the 21st century. America can move toward freedom of education/separation of school and state. Stick with the status quo with its current mix of government, private, religious schools and home schooling with local school boards, overseen by state education departments with increasing intervention by the national government. Or it can move toward the totalitarian (pure communist or fascist) principle of having the national government become a central school board to a single unified nationwide school district.
The third choice is based on several books dealing with the educational practices of such regimes as Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Imperial Japan, Soviet Union, Red China, Castro's Cuba, communist North Korea and Vietnam, the ex-communist nation of Romania, the Islamic theocracy of Iran and taking these practices to their extreme logical end. Most of the books used as sources for this letter are available at the Warsaw Public Library.
The educational practices of these regimes can summarized by the following:
1. Elimination of competition - private and religious schools along with home schooling is made illegal; those who do not comply are punished.
2. Nationalization - existing private and religious schools come under government ownership and management.
3. Compulsory attendance - all persons from preschool to college age, plus adults seeking job retraining are required to attend government schools.
4. Compulsory funding - all citizens are required to pay for government schools through income, property and sales taxes, whether they actually attend or have children who attend those schools.
5. Centralization - all existing elementary, middle, high and college-level schools along with local school boards and state education departments come under the control of policies and directives of a single national department of education.
6. Uniform teaching - a single school curriculum, set of textbooks, testing standards, methods of teaching, teacher licensing standards are adopted for the whole county.
7. Loyalty to the ruling regime - substantial amounts of classroom time are devoted to studying the lives, speeches, beliefs and policies of the current nation's leaders and how they are larger-than-life god-like figures who warrant unwavering loyalty and no criticism of their actions and ideology.
8. Replacement of learning with indoctrination - students are brainwashed with propaganda or distorted one-sided disinformation in every conceivable subject such as civics, history, math, science, health, art, literature, etc.
9. Strong emphasis on polytechnical education - this type of education is similar to vocation-type education which creates an educated technologically skilled workforce which is necessary and useful in modern times, however the other purpose with this type of education in communist or fascist nations is to create ignorant content with life drone-like workers who will not challenge the current regime, in other words people who cannot think for themselves.
Americans should be watchful for and challenge any action by government officials that move us toward these practices.
Alexander Houze
Leesburg
The Problem With W
Editor, Times-Union:Bush facts:
In 1990, George W. came under SEC investigation for insider stock trading, while he was on the board of Harkin Energy. His fourth failed oil company. Stockholders lost all, George W. walked away with more than $900,000 in profit!
When George W. became governor of Texas, the state had a surplus. George left Texas with the largest deficit in the state's history. He did have the Crawford Ranch driveway paved with taxpayers' money. Maybe that's why the Crawford town newspaper came out in support of Kerry this week.
President Bush came to the office with the largest surplus in our nation's history. Now our nation faces the largest deficit in our history and it's still growing. Four more years of President Bush would bankrupt our nation!
I'll end with a question to the readers with the Michael Moore film and all the many, many books about President Bush's misdeeds - why hasn't President Bush sued anybody? We have laws against slander! - could it be because you can't sue the truth!
Carol May
Etna Green
Church And State
Editor, Times-Union:The Capitol Building (Supreme Court), near the top, has a row of the world's law givers. Each is facing toward the middle. The middle is a frontal view. It is Moses and the Ten Commandments. The Supreme Court Room has two huge oak doors. The Ten Commandments are engraved in the lower half of each door. Inside the courtroom, on the wall above the judges sitting area, is a display of the Ten Commandments. There are Bible verses etched in stone all over federal buildings and monuments in our capital. James Madison stated, "... to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments." Patrick Henry said our nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians. Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher. This has been paid for by the taxpayers since 1977. Our very first justice (John Lay) said, "Americans should select and prefer Christians as their leaders." I guess what we've done for 220 years is now unconstitutional. I wonder if our Civil Liberties Union knows this.
D.G. Lundgren
Warsaw
Take A Stand
Editor, Times-Union:I cry out to the American people, "Take A Stand!" We live in a world where good morals, values and principles are a thing of the past. There was a time where deals were mad with a stiff handshake, and the value of one's word. But throughout history, man made laws and intimidation of political power has led the American people into a new era. Now you have high prices, fast-talking, politically connected legal representatives speaking for you in a courtroom of law. The law says we are entitled to a legal and proper defense. This statement is a deception of the truth. What it's really saying is, if you are willing to disperse a large amount of money throughout the legal system, you are entitled to a legal and proper defense. But yet even this is not always true. Political power followed by greed, manipulation, intimidation and deception of the truth run this country. This goes beyond our courtrooms, the congress, senators and other political leaders. This has infected our entire country like some sort of black plague. From the White House, to the courts, to your place of employment, and even with feuding neighbors within your community have been touched by this plague. I ask you the people, "Is this acceptable? Are you content with the way things are? If not, are you ready for change?" You might be asking yourself, "How do you create change against something so huge and so powerful?" Numbers; active involvement, letters to your congressman and your local papers, combining forces with your local community voting and then branching outward. We are tax-paying American citizens who have civil and constitutional rights. We, the people, elect and vote in these political officials, and or leaders of this country. We, the people, do have a say! Majority rules! Who's the majority? "We the People!" From one Sovereign American, to another, I ask you to take back our country! I ask you to "Take A Stand."
Richard Neal Sizemore
Warsaw
Junior Neighbors
Editor, Times-Union:One of the local 4-H groups, Junior Neighbors Club, contacted me in regards to this program. They requested the American Legion Post 49 to be a central drop-off point and to join them in this endeavor.
They had received information that service personal wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan receiving first aid are treated and then returned to their posted duties.
Those with more serious wounds were treated as best as possible and then air evacuated to German for further treatment. From there they are air evacuated to Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C. In the process of treatment of their wounds their service clothes are cut off, discarded and paper clothing issued. Their other uniforms and personnel items are left behind.
Due to the hostile environment in Iraq, created by insurgents, it is impossible to find a safe haven to treat their wounds, protect them and give them the rest and recuperation they need. Consequently, they arrive at Walter Reed Hospital with the paper clothes on their backs.
Let us not forget these reservist and guardsmen called for active duty had family back in their home towns. Many had good jobs that paid higher wages then they receive on active duty. They had made commitments to pay rent, purchase cars, homes and to support their dependents.
Phone cards can be a great help for them and their families morale. It can give them the personal contact to their families to discuss their problems without adding to their personal expenses.
Other items listed below can also help in their rest and recuperation and help in some small way with those expenses.
I don't think we can stop now as the war on terrorism, and troop deployment continues, their families needs and plights will also continue.
We would appreciate all donations be received at the American Legion Post 49, Warsaw, drop box no later than Oct. 30.
Please enclose a personal note of appreciation for their service and dedication to their community and country.
Items requested: rolling luggage (small); totes and carry-on bags; individually wrapped snacks (no homemade items can be accepted); magazines and books; note pads and pens; playing cards and other games; sweat pants and shirts (all sizes); and underwear (all sizes.)
The Junior Neighbors 4-H Club and the American Legion Post 49, Warsaw, thank you for your contributions and concerns.
Don Nichols
Commander Post 49
Gun Issue
Editor, Times-Union:My first and last letter to a newspaper. I am not a gun lover or a hunter hater, but I do think we've had enough letters from Harold Kitson to last his lifetime.
Anne Watts
Warsaw
Opinion On Kerry
Editor, Times-Union:In the opinion of this World War II veteran, Senator Kerry is a loud Monday morning quarteback in today's political arena.
He "talks the talk" but in no way does he deserve "to walk the walk!"
Charles W. Todd Sr.
Ligonier
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- Government And Education - The Problem With W - Church And State - Take A Stand - Junior Neighbors - Gun Issue - Opinion On Kerry
Government And Education
Editor, Times-Union:This country as a whole has a choice to make when it comes to the overall direction of education in the 21st century. America can move toward freedom of education/separation of school and state. Stick with the status quo with its current mix of government, private, religious schools and home schooling with local school boards, overseen by state education departments with increasing intervention by the national government. Or it can move toward the totalitarian (pure communist or fascist) principle of having the national government become a central school board to a single unified nationwide school district.
The third choice is based on several books dealing with the educational practices of such regimes as Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Imperial Japan, Soviet Union, Red China, Castro's Cuba, communist North Korea and Vietnam, the ex-communist nation of Romania, the Islamic theocracy of Iran and taking these practices to their extreme logical end. Most of the books used as sources for this letter are available at the Warsaw Public Library.
The educational practices of these regimes can summarized by the following:
1. Elimination of competition - private and religious schools along with home schooling is made illegal; those who do not comply are punished.
2. Nationalization - existing private and religious schools come under government ownership and management.
3. Compulsory attendance - all persons from preschool to college age, plus adults seeking job retraining are required to attend government schools.
4. Compulsory funding - all citizens are required to pay for government schools through income, property and sales taxes, whether they actually attend or have children who attend those schools.
5. Centralization - all existing elementary, middle, high and college-level schools along with local school boards and state education departments come under the control of policies and directives of a single national department of education.
6. Uniform teaching - a single school curriculum, set of textbooks, testing standards, methods of teaching, teacher licensing standards are adopted for the whole county.
7. Loyalty to the ruling regime - substantial amounts of classroom time are devoted to studying the lives, speeches, beliefs and policies of the current nation's leaders and how they are larger-than-life god-like figures who warrant unwavering loyalty and no criticism of their actions and ideology.
8. Replacement of learning with indoctrination - students are brainwashed with propaganda or distorted one-sided disinformation in every conceivable subject such as civics, history, math, science, health, art, literature, etc.
9. Strong emphasis on polytechnical education - this type of education is similar to vocation-type education which creates an educated technologically skilled workforce which is necessary and useful in modern times, however the other purpose with this type of education in communist or fascist nations is to create ignorant content with life drone-like workers who will not challenge the current regime, in other words people who cannot think for themselves.
Americans should be watchful for and challenge any action by government officials that move us toward these practices.
Alexander Houze
Leesburg
The Problem With W
Editor, Times-Union:Bush facts:
In 1990, George W. came under SEC investigation for insider stock trading, while he was on the board of Harkin Energy. His fourth failed oil company. Stockholders lost all, George W. walked away with more than $900,000 in profit!
When George W. became governor of Texas, the state had a surplus. George left Texas with the largest deficit in the state's history. He did have the Crawford Ranch driveway paved with taxpayers' money. Maybe that's why the Crawford town newspaper came out in support of Kerry this week.
President Bush came to the office with the largest surplus in our nation's history. Now our nation faces the largest deficit in our history and it's still growing. Four more years of President Bush would bankrupt our nation!
I'll end with a question to the readers with the Michael Moore film and all the many, many books about President Bush's misdeeds - why hasn't President Bush sued anybody? We have laws against slander! - could it be because you can't sue the truth!
Carol May
Etna Green
Church And State
Editor, Times-Union:The Capitol Building (Supreme Court), near the top, has a row of the world's law givers. Each is facing toward the middle. The middle is a frontal view. It is Moses and the Ten Commandments. The Supreme Court Room has two huge oak doors. The Ten Commandments are engraved in the lower half of each door. Inside the courtroom, on the wall above the judges sitting area, is a display of the Ten Commandments. There are Bible verses etched in stone all over federal buildings and monuments in our capital. James Madison stated, "... to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments." Patrick Henry said our nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians. Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher. This has been paid for by the taxpayers since 1977. Our very first justice (John Lay) said, "Americans should select and prefer Christians as their leaders." I guess what we've done for 220 years is now unconstitutional. I wonder if our Civil Liberties Union knows this.
D.G. Lundgren
Warsaw
Take A Stand
Editor, Times-Union:I cry out to the American people, "Take A Stand!" We live in a world where good morals, values and principles are a thing of the past. There was a time where deals were mad with a stiff handshake, and the value of one's word. But throughout history, man made laws and intimidation of political power has led the American people into a new era. Now you have high prices, fast-talking, politically connected legal representatives speaking for you in a courtroom of law. The law says we are entitled to a legal and proper defense. This statement is a deception of the truth. What it's really saying is, if you are willing to disperse a large amount of money throughout the legal system, you are entitled to a legal and proper defense. But yet even this is not always true. Political power followed by greed, manipulation, intimidation and deception of the truth run this country. This goes beyond our courtrooms, the congress, senators and other political leaders. This has infected our entire country like some sort of black plague. From the White House, to the courts, to your place of employment, and even with feuding neighbors within your community have been touched by this plague. I ask you the people, "Is this acceptable? Are you content with the way things are? If not, are you ready for change?" You might be asking yourself, "How do you create change against something so huge and so powerful?" Numbers; active involvement, letters to your congressman and your local papers, combining forces with your local community voting and then branching outward. We are tax-paying American citizens who have civil and constitutional rights. We, the people, elect and vote in these political officials, and or leaders of this country. We, the people, do have a say! Majority rules! Who's the majority? "We the People!" From one Sovereign American, to another, I ask you to take back our country! I ask you to "Take A Stand."
Richard Neal Sizemore
Warsaw
Junior Neighbors
Editor, Times-Union:One of the local 4-H groups, Junior Neighbors Club, contacted me in regards to this program. They requested the American Legion Post 49 to be a central drop-off point and to join them in this endeavor.
They had received information that service personal wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan receiving first aid are treated and then returned to their posted duties.
Those with more serious wounds were treated as best as possible and then air evacuated to German for further treatment. From there they are air evacuated to Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C. In the process of treatment of their wounds their service clothes are cut off, discarded and paper clothing issued. Their other uniforms and personnel items are left behind.
Due to the hostile environment in Iraq, created by insurgents, it is impossible to find a safe haven to treat their wounds, protect them and give them the rest and recuperation they need. Consequently, they arrive at Walter Reed Hospital with the paper clothes on their backs.
Let us not forget these reservist and guardsmen called for active duty had family back in their home towns. Many had good jobs that paid higher wages then they receive on active duty. They had made commitments to pay rent, purchase cars, homes and to support their dependents.
Phone cards can be a great help for them and their families morale. It can give them the personal contact to their families to discuss their problems without adding to their personal expenses.
Other items listed below can also help in their rest and recuperation and help in some small way with those expenses.
I don't think we can stop now as the war on terrorism, and troop deployment continues, their families needs and plights will also continue.
We would appreciate all donations be received at the American Legion Post 49, Warsaw, drop box no later than Oct. 30.
Please enclose a personal note of appreciation for their service and dedication to their community and country.
Items requested: rolling luggage (small); totes and carry-on bags; individually wrapped snacks (no homemade items can be accepted); magazines and books; note pads and pens; playing cards and other games; sweat pants and shirts (all sizes); and underwear (all sizes.)
The Junior Neighbors 4-H Club and the American Legion Post 49, Warsaw, thank you for your contributions and concerns.
Don Nichols
Commander Post 49
Gun Issue
Editor, Times-Union:My first and last letter to a newspaper. I am not a gun lover or a hunter hater, but I do think we've had enough letters from Harold Kitson to last his lifetime.
Anne Watts
Warsaw
Opinion On Kerry
Editor, Times-Union:In the opinion of this World War II veteran, Senator Kerry is a loud Monday morning quarteback in today's political arena.
He "talks the talk" but in no way does he deserve "to walk the walk!"
Charles W. Todd Sr.
Ligonier
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