LETS ACT TOGETHER ON THIS ONE

Last night it was a major story on the Bill O’Reilly program. And, indeed, he was doing all he could to watch out for us.

And today there was continuing discussion and debate on many of the Bay Area radio talk shows.

On Tuesday evening, November 14th, the San Francisco school board voted to discontinue the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs in the city’s high schools, an action which will place more than 1,600 students at 7 schools into “alternate training.”

Many of the students literally were in tears when they heard the board’s decision, one applauded loudly by opponents of the program.

A San Francisco Chronicle newspaper reporter said, “this is all about politics; the priorities have to do with indoctrination, with education last.”

A former teacher, Nancy Mancias, said, “We need to teach a curriculum of peace.”

Opponents said the armed forces should have no place in public schools, and the military’s discriminatory stance on gays makes the presence of JROTC unacceptable.

Retired U.S. Army LTC Robert Powell, a senior instructor at Lincoln High School, was heard to say on the local radio station that “This is where the kids feel safe, the one place they can feel safe. You’re going to take that away from them.”

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom did not support the board in its action. The mayor also said he thought the vote would push more city residents away from the public schools. “You think this is going to help keep families in San Francisco? No, the mayor said, it’s going to hurt.”

At the Thursday, November 16th Silicon Valley Chapter membership luncheon, CDR Gordon Rollman, USN (RET), and immediate past president, expressed his anger and disappointment, saying “I sent an e-mail to National MOAA today asking that some kind of action be taken in this situation.”

Others suggested that the California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) take immediate action to survey all affiliated veterans organizations, obtain statements of support for the JROTC, and deliver a strong message to the San Francisco school board and Mayor Newsom.

This is a call to action on the part of CAL-MOAA. This might be an issue for our times. Perhaps we should obtain statements of support from all forty five (45) affiliated chapters and send a Council message to San Francisco officials.

Who will raise the banner on this one? Who will take up this cause? Who will provide the leadership to assist the families of more than 1,600 JROTC students in San Francisco who are right now being treated very badly?

If ever there was a time for action on a specific issue, it’s right now. Let’s get with it! Let’s get a little action going! No, let’s get a lot of action going! And now, not six months from now.

What on earth is going on in San Francisco, and what impact is it going to have on California and the rest of the nation?

You are invited to post a comment right now. And please do. What are your thoughts and feelings about junior ROTC units in the high schools? What is your reaction to the San Francisco school board action? In your view, is this an appropriate issue for CAL-MOAA consideration and action? If so, how should the Council approach this matter?

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