Everything said about spring has already been said. Our thoughts turn to the future and what may lay in store for us. Our best hope is to remember the wording on our currency – "In God We Trust."

Last March 4, 2001, the USS Ronald Reagan, a massive 90,000-ton nuclear carrier was christened by Nancy Reagan with President Bush standing by. This powerful vessel is a distinct asset to our navy and our country by boosting our ability to face the forces of terrorism in the world. Very little was mentioned by the liberal news media about this event or the ship itself.

The vast majority of our people (88%) approve of President Bush and his presidency. We recall former President Reagan standing in front of the Berlin wall and defiantly telling, "Mr. Gorbachov, tear down this wall." President Reagan single handedly defeated the Soviet Union without firing a shot.

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher later told President Reagan, "sir, you strode into our midst at a time when America needed you most…in a time of average men, you stood taller than anyone else."

We now have a president in the White House cast in the same mold. What he needs is your prayers.

Congratulations are in order to former East Greenbush Central School Board member, Jim Baldwin. He has been named the new superintendent of Questar III. Baldwin, who has resigned from the Board, had served as Questar III’s chief operating officer since October while also serving on the School Board. Baldwin will wear at least two hats as an employee of both Questar III and the State Education Department, according to the Times Union.

Native Americans, also called Indians by most present day inhabitants of this country, are themselves puzzled by land claims of different tribes. Historical facts are hard to come by as there are no written records to substantiate claims. The best we can deduce is that early tribes were nomads moving around from place to place, warring with one another and yet creating few permanent sites of positive occupation. Remains of ancient human beings have been discovered in Wisconsin and Minnesota and are believed by some analysts to be Caucasian. The theory of who got here first is thus questioned. We are one nation, one jurisdiction by law and precedent.

If one were to look at a map of Europe of one hundred years ago, it would be entirely different from the present boundaries of countries, large or small. The former Soviet Union alone has undergone a complete transformation in the last ten years. One wonders if the hundreds of different Eurasian tribes, factions, peoples, nationalities, etc. have interdicting land claims against one another.

The present NYS land claims by "Indians" seem to have gambling casinos as their goal, among other things. This poses a question, are gambling operators behind the "Indian land claims", or is this speculation? Think about it. What may have happened eons ago has no legal proof of authenticity in this day and age.

We know and recognize many people of Indian ancestry. Most are true Americans, are good citizens, fought in our armed services and most have no use for gambling promoters.

With so many bad accidents recently centered on teen-age drivers under the influence of alcohol, it behooves the public and especially parents and schools to wake up and smell their responsibilities. We put this in the form of questions…to wit

WHO hands the car keys to novice drivers and then gives them a little "spending money"?

WHO sets down weak admonitions about driving and drinking and fails to set strict demands on driving etiquette?

WHO fails to refuse to allow a car’s use when their senses tell them disaster will likely result?

WHO allows consistent violations of traffic ordinances to go unpunished or with light sentences for repeat offenders?

WHO is influenced by political connections that allow certain lawbreakers excessive leniency while the general public is compelled to obey every rule and regulation?

WHO in academia prioritizes driver education while neglecting to teach responsibility, not only in driving automobiles but in all walks of life? If children grow up in a normal behavioral pattern, knowing the difference between right and wrong, righteous conduct, and normal decency, few or none of these accidents will occur.

Private testing paid for by the student’s own earnings and removed from school influence would be a step in the right direction.

A pressing need exists for candidates who do not work in public service or educational institutions to run for the school board in their communities. The above cited types of individuals find it so easy to spend someone else’s money. It will take time, however, for those in private enterprise with economic and educational experience, to use their expertise to foster accountability, cooperation, and excellence in public education.

Following months of controversy, the Board of Education of the East Greenbush Central School District has voted to discontinue the cat dissection anatomy and physiology course, effective July 1, 2002. The Board wants it both ways. It listened to public concerns; however, it saw to it that the course was taught both semesters. (Times Union, 2/15/02.)

The District must take its cue from industry. Those companies with economic problems start at the top and critically analyze the operation. An examination of the administrative and support services should be completed before academic program cuts are "thrown at the public." Past suggestions have gone unheeded. Transportation and/or food services could be put out for bid, as proposed by RCTA earlier. Has the Board ever looked at putting out for bid both transportation and food services? If not, why not?

Regionalization has again been mentioned in limited form. People in Cohoes and Troy call it consolidation. In TU Ed., Feb 14, "critics of possible consolidation of Troy and Cohoes fire operations should listen to Shawn Morse, president of the Uniformed Firefighters of Cohoes. ‘Right now we are truly strapped’, he says. ‘We cannot effectively fight fires with the staff we have now.’ That alone is reason enough for the cities to pursue a consolidation plan. Public safety should not become a victim to foolish parochial pride". The two mayors are in agreement on this issue.

There may be many advantages for contiguous towns, villages, and small cities to enter into consolidation agreements to buy equipment and exchange services and cooperate in providing utilities that benefit all citizens. Highway equipment, signs, office equipment, etc. could be purchased at advantageous prices and eliminate excessive paperwork.

These matters should be taken into consideration in future planning, particularly in regard to public water, transportation, taxes and all items regarding public safety.

So called regionalization to enhance the positions of politicians and increase the bureaucratic envelopment is something to be avoided. There is a difference. People in neighboring sections can have cooperating services yet retain their own particular identity.

Have you ever heard a politician, governor, senator, or president take a position on a matter as a private citizen? School Board members are politicians. Ms. Susan Hains, who wrote a letter which appeared in The Advertiser asking support from individuals in favor of the controversial CAT dissection anatomy and physiology class, said that she did so as a private citizen.

The RCTA feels that – those who choose to become involved in the public sector may not always find everything sweetness and light. Our public can be, and frequently is, a stern taskmaster. This is the result of what we call FREEDOM. It brings out the best in us.

This is why we have survived 215 years. We are the oldest democracy in a Republic. This controversy is an excellent example to present to our students to have them stand up for what we truly believe. The textbook prattle of our liberal "educators" misses the point of true education every time.

President Harry Truman once said, "if you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen".

What has immigration to do with taxes? Answer Plenty? Our government’s attitude toward immigration costs the taxpayer enormous amounts of money. Time was when a foreigner came to our borders looking for a new life. He/she was eager to learn the English language and put to work the skills they brought with them. Today, many coming to our borders refuse to learn the language and are only too happy to get on the government dole. The language bit costs not only taxpayers but every business that provides service to the immigrant because they must do business in that person’s language. Our last president pushed through a bill that decreed this ridiculous idea.

At present there are more than one million illegal immigrants in the United States. At one time this was a California problem, but now they are everywhere. Remember the illegal apple pickers last fall in East Greenbush? The horrible 9/11 calamity was done by a number of illegal aliens that had been living in the States. Some were here for years preparing for this heinous act. Almost 4000 lives are gone forever and the cost is in the billions.

What can we taxpayers do? We can tell our representatives to:

1. Get the illegal aliens out of the USA
2. Make sure that students here on a student visa go home when their schooling is done.
3. Reduce drastically the number of immigrants allowed in the country and make sure they come here with talent instead of an outstretched hand.
4. Require newcomers learn the English language and to work toward citizenship.
5. If you believe the above is right, let your opinion be heard where it counts.

Most Americans know quite a bit about John Bin Walker. He is a misguided Cal. youth of 20 who joined a terrorist group that teaches hatred of the USA. We believe that one of the worst incidents is the murder of 13 people at Columbine High School at Littleton, Co. by two pupils who then committed suicide. A horrible event. Why do you think Charles Bishop, a 15 year old, stole an airplane and flew it into a building and killed himself?

Where do you suppose these youths get these ideas? Certainly not in Sunday school. That leaves the schools and the parents. In spite of all the PTA’s, playgrounds, bus trips, social programs, sports activities, community activities, fund drives, scholarship groups, etc., the situation has not improved. It is patently obvious that something is wrong – perhaps a lot of things are wrong. Hazing of youngsters in high schools and colleges has reached far beyond the friendly fun stage and has become a sadistic and/or immoral activity. It should not be tolerated. The only real goal of schools, and their main reason for being, is to import a good education. Extravagant budgets, higher and higher salaries and lobbying for more "state aid’, etc., are seen by most taxpayers as wasteful, time consuming and not productive.

Our school districts are not employment agencies nor entertainment centers. If indeed, concentration were on teaching and bringing out the best in pupils, there would be little or no need for monitors, armed police and now the possibility of State Police, already in 63 school districts statewide.

An aside – some readers said we don’t print the names of contributors on Vox – true. If anyone wants their name included, we will gladly cooperate.

RCTA
PO Box 145
East Greenbush, NY 12061

www.capitalpost.com/rc/rcta.html

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