I don’t know how many chances I’ll get to agree with the San Francisco mayor on well, practically anything. So when I do get a chance to do so on the topic the SF school board’s decision to ban JROTC from city schools, I will.
Courtesy of Kris, in New England:
Dear Ms. (Kris, in New England),
Thank you for writing me regarding your concerns about the Board of Supervisor’s resolution to abolish the ROTC Program in the San Francisco Unified School District. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you my opinion on this important issue. I too share your concerns and oppose the resolution for the following reasons.
It does a disservice to families in San Francisco to eliminate a program that benefits students in very practical ways because of an ideological disagreement with the current leadership in Washington D.C. Eliminating a program that is popular among many parents and students only further alienates families from the public school system. The San Francisco Unified School District does not provide students with sufficient enrichment programs, and it makes little sense to eliminate an entire program that receives significant funding from the federal government. Furthermore, San Francisco should not be identified with a lack of respect for the service of men and women in uniform, and this resolution would do just that. Additionally, this resolution would further propagate the growing use of “San Francisco values” as a diminutive term.
Thank you again for sharing your concerns with me.
Sincerely,
Gavin Newsom
Which, you can’t say fairer than that Mr. Mayor.
But for the record, I still think that this decision was made by “the kind of preening, morally supercillious, smugly self-satisfied pinch-faced shrews who are convinced that nothing should be permissible unless it is compulsory.”
Just in case anyone wasn’t clear on that.
Hey Lex / Kris,
Any chance you can post Kris’ letter? Sounds like Mr. Mayor got an intellectual ass whoopin…
Nose
Nose – happy to oblige. Here is what I sent to Mr. Newsom:
“Mr. Newsom: I?
Nose – happy to oblige. Here is what I sent to Mr. Newsom:
“Mr. Newsom: I’m sure you are being flooded with messages regarding the S.F. School Board decision to remove the JROTC from the schools, after a 90 year history of providing a solid foundation of leadership, responsibility, accountability and a future to young people. I live in New England and I’ve never visited San Francisco, but I can tell you unequivocally that I never will now.
Lest you forget, Fleet Week draws thousands of people to the city, many of them residents. Given that S.F. has indicated thru its School Board decision that the military isn’t welcomed there, I suggest that Fleet Week withdraw, that any military personnel, active or retired, still living in S.F. pack up and move to greener and more welcoming pastures. Oh and your National Guard should start funding themselves, rather than use government money that can be best spent elsewhere in the country.
I am certain that the next time the city shakes & burns, as it surely will, the cry for military assistance will surpass that of Louisiana in volume and desperation – and the military will respond with all of its capabilities, even though it’s very existence is viewed as grotesque and repugnant by many of San Francisco’s residents.
JROTC teaches the true values of patriotism and self-pride for kids who won’t make it to the football or debate teams. JROTC teaches citizenship, because the cadets learn what it takes so at least they can better appreciate those who do choose to serve. If S.F. doesn’t want to invest in America’s youth, that’s fine. I won’t invest in the economy of S.F.”
I will only take very partial credit for the “intellectual ass whoopin”, as I excerpted liberally from comments in Lex’s original post. Since I couldn’t give them credit in the context of the note, I hereby credit them now: Lex, AW1Tim and Bomber Guy.
And Bomber Guy, in answer to the question you posted (and I didn’t see) in the original thread – the snow melts in NE around mid/late March. But NE in winter is a beautiful thing; spring is messy. Summer is humid, autumn is best.
The good mayor’s reasoned response to Kris’s letter suggests to me that her letter was less “an intellectual ass whoopin” and more a carefully reasoned expression of her opninion and concerns on this matter. I say MEGA KUDOS to Kris (big hair not-withstanding) and herewith give her one of FbL’s almost famous, (or is it infamous?)… internet hugs. Best
And I think, too, that Mayor Newsom fully realizes that nothing good ever comes from society denying it’s future, it’s youth, opportunities that can help them excel, make good choices to enrich their lives and to become better citizens. The city is turning it’s back on them. Extremist fools.
Can Newsom do some sort of Executive Order or something and reinstate it? Is it within his purview?
Good job Kris. You would think they should know better than to mess with east coasters
Kris, Thanks. Very nice!
Snake,
I agree with everything you said, but seeing as the position of the school board is indefensable, I’d say anyone on the recieving end of Kris’ note get their ass whooped!
Nose
Excellent note, Kris.
Perhaps I’m stretching things, but it seems that your note is another example of the great strength of the Internet: Lex, Tim and Bomber Guy (and those who inspired them) shared and built on each other’s thoughts in a forum (Lex’s post) that allowed Kris to gather up those thoughts, mix in her own, and come up with a very powerful letter… perhaps even demonstrating that the sum was more powerful than the parts. Kudos to all!
Thank you all, but my inspiration for the note came from all of you. It IS a great community as the Lioness said (and no you aren’t stretching things at all!) and one that I’m proud to be part of.
Would that this kind of grass roots effort could REALLY change the world.
And Snake on behalf of my big hair – thank you!
“Would that this kind of grass roots effort could REALLY change the world.”
For what its worth (and hoping I get the quote accuate):
Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead
Kris, Way to go!
If in fact the Mayor’s office has been “flooded” with messages; I am very sure that few rose to the level of your well thought-out and skillfully crafted letter.
Thanks also for the NE travel advisory; more than one season – what a concept!
And for what it’s worth, I sent the same message to the Board of Supervisors for the City and the Exec Assistant to the Board of Ed. I’ve only heard back from the Mayor, which surprised me. I didn’t expect to hear back from anyone.
Who knows, if enough people did it then maybe, just maybe Margaret Mead (as quoted above by Michelle) would be right.
Bomber Guy – aw shucks.
“Additionally, this resolution would further propagate the growing use of ?
“Additionally, this resolution would further propagate the growing use of “San Francisco values” as a diminutive term.” This from the mayor who openly disregarded California State law by allowing, or should I say promoting, homosexual marriage in his little fiefdom, somewhat disingenuous, don’t you think?
I think Mr. Newsome’s response was only made with the absolute knowledge that he, in no way, could be expected to actually DO anything about it. It is easy to “do the right thing” when that involves zero actual “doing” on your part.
We he in a position to overrule or in some way set aside this decision, I daresay the response might have been a little different.
Gavin is a waste of flesh and bones, who just throws the Bible right in the trash. Accomodating immoral lifestyles and openly supporting this lifestyle. Two men screwing each other make no babies.
Scum!