If as reported today in Dan Damon's Plainfield Today blog, The Chairman of the Plainfield Democrat City Committee called for a meeting tonight Oct. 7 at 7pm; I consider it to be insensitive if not an insult to an ethnic group.
Sunset marks the beginning of the most holy day observed by Jews. May he not be inscribed in the book of life for 5772.
I will not post a blog Saturday. I may post one later today.
Showing posts with label i. Show all posts
Showing posts with label i. Show all posts
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, November 11, 2010
I believe that I and all others who have served our country have earned the right to speak out on government affairs. To day is a day that expressed in the past our nations appreciation. But you do not have to thank anyone who served in the armed forces in times of combat. Just try to appreciate the trials experienced by them and those they left at home who often had no knowledge where or how their loved ones where.
These documents are 64 years old and time has faded the ink
I don't expect people to be able to read them but they should be enlargeable like pictures by clicking on them
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."
These documents are 64 years old and time has faded the ink
I don't expect people to be able to read them but they should be enlargeable like pictures by clicking on them
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, andAn Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."
************************************************************************************
We can not win a war in Afghanistan or even Iraq because we can not force our interpretation of Democracy upon people that have never had a taste of personal freedom. But we must not negate the sacrifices that many have made by forcing a political premature withdrawal.
On the other hand we can not accomplish anything positive if we act like the "Ugly American" in dealing with the indigenous population.
I may have had a conducted tour of Europe in 1944-45. My brother, also a physician served with the Marine Fleet Air Wing in the Pacific. While on Guadalcanal he was instrumental in organizing the air evacuation techniques that saved many a life. He made the Navy a career, I on the other hand could not wait to again be a civilian.
One of his sons spent two tours of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, another served in the submarines.
We can not win a war in Afghanistan or even Iraq because we can not force our interpretation of Democracy upon people that have never had a taste of personal freedom. But we must not negate the sacrifices that many have made by forcing a political premature withdrawal.
On the other hand we can not accomplish anything positive if we act like the "Ugly American" in dealing with the indigenous population.
I may have had a conducted tour of Europe in 1944-45. My brother, also a physician served with the Marine Fleet Air Wing in the Pacific. While on Guadalcanal he was instrumental in organizing the air evacuation techniques that saved many a life. He made the Navy a career, I on the other hand could not wait to again be a civilian.
One of his sons spent two tours of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, another served in the submarines.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
TUESDAY POTPOURRI
As do all inquisitive bloggers, I receive many anonymous emails chastising me for "unjustly" picking on Plainfield's political leadership, the City's administration and the BOE. Since the writers are anonymous one can only surmise that they or their family might have significant.economic ties with one of the above entities.
I would like revisit a few of the subjects that I have made critical or inquisitive recent remarks.
Those with a legitimate interest in this City can take advantage of the comments option and submit the facts as they know them. I, and I believe that I can speak for the "big three bloggers", have never hesitated to post any comments that pointed out our errors. That is more than one can note in the Politicians blogger. My only exceptions are those that are abusive or offensive.
Yesterday,I questioned what had happened to the Dudley House. One answer was a commentator who wrote that it was dark and vacant. In 2009 the city had failed to meet certification or to renew its license in time to operate it that year. Dashields inferred that it was an oversight but that it would it would be cost effective for the city to turn that successful agency's operation over to a "non profit".By late August the Council was being assured that a certain nonprofit with a good track record had been selected and would be up and running by the first if the year. Either in December or January in response to a Council question we were informed that the original agency was no longer involved and a different agency was going to take over.
For some reason no inquiry or report on the status of Dudley House is on record. One more effective valuable asset in Plainfield has been allowed to die through administrative inaction or deliberate neglect.
Addendum 10:30AM-Please read comments to yesterday's blog
Will we learn of a viable candidate for the Director of Finance and Administration or the CFO. Administrations track record says NO. Perhaps next Tuesday we will learn of the States response to the Council request.
Time to BOE switch emphasis to the BOE. Recent posting of the emails relating to the abortive May BOE meeting, and the recent Courier article on the Gallon situation. Once again it seems that our school system is the victim of an inept Board and legal advice. True we are not aware of all the facts since some can be hidden and a few must due to the potential legal actions.
However the Board should make public a copy of Gallon's contract and the action taken at the meetings which were to determine his fate. In other words was he reprimanded, suspended with or without pay or fired? Since he is a public servant he should not be entitled to privacy if he has been the recipient of punitive action.
That also should be applied to all public employees especially in executive positions. The matter is not just between the the chief executive of trustees but belongs to the public who are by being taxpayers the true employers. The BOE for the School District and the Mayor for the City Government have that fiduciary responsibility to keep the public informed, not to bury it..
I would like revisit a few of the subjects that I have made critical or inquisitive recent remarks.
Those with a legitimate interest in this City can take advantage of the comments option and submit the facts as they know them. I, and I believe that I can speak for the "big three bloggers", have never hesitated to post any comments that pointed out our errors. That is more than one can note in the Politicians blogger. My only exceptions are those that are abusive or offensive.
Yesterday,I questioned what had happened to the Dudley House. One answer was a commentator who wrote that it was dark and vacant. In 2009 the city had failed to meet certification or to renew its license in time to operate it that year. Dashields inferred that it was an oversight but that it would it would be cost effective for the city to turn that successful agency's operation over to a "non profit".By late August the Council was being assured that a certain nonprofit with a good track record had been selected and would be up and running by the first if the year. Either in December or January in response to a Council question we were informed that the original agency was no longer involved and a different agency was going to take over.
For some reason no inquiry or report on the status of Dudley House is on record. One more effective valuable asset in Plainfield has been allowed to die through administrative inaction or deliberate neglect.
Addendum 10:30AM-Please read comments to yesterday's blog
Will we learn of a viable candidate for the Director of Finance and Administration or the CFO. Administrations track record says NO. Perhaps next Tuesday we will learn of the States response to the Council request.
Time to BOE switch emphasis to the BOE. Recent posting of the emails relating to the abortive May BOE meeting, and the recent Courier article on the Gallon situation. Once again it seems that our school system is the victim of an inept Board and legal advice. True we are not aware of all the facts since some can be hidden and a few must due to the potential legal actions.
However the Board should make public a copy of Gallon's contract and the action taken at the meetings which were to determine his fate. In other words was he reprimanded, suspended with or without pay or fired? Since he is a public servant he should not be entitled to privacy if he has been the recipient of punitive action.
That also should be applied to all public employees especially in executive positions. The matter is not just between the the chief executive of trustees but belongs to the public who are by being taxpayers the true employers. The BOE for the School District and the Mayor for the City Government have that fiduciary responsibility to keep the public informed, not to bury it..
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