Educational Excellence

The concept of land ownership often bothers me for various reasons.  Between the parking tickets I have gotten where Police Departments of different cities claim to “own” the land that your car is parked on and you have to PAY to park YOUR car on THEIR land, and the presence of officers  nearly everywhere, I don’t know which one makes me more nervous!!!  We all know the concept of “nationalism” and how it shaped the expansion of Western Europe into their colonies world-wide.  It was like a competition, especially in North America, where part of the “13 Colonies” were occupied by French explorers, Spanish explorers and the British whose colonization ultimately was predominant in the USA.  What happened to the Native Americans who welcomed the likes of Italian explorer Columbus and the first settlers in Jamestown from England?  You can well tell what happened to them … disease brought to them, massacres and tribes destroyed through superior weaponry and alcohol.  Remember now, the first “Amerinds” said to be from what we call the Bahamas today, were carried over the ocean to serve as servants to the Spanish elite and got sick, got cold from the climate … and died!  Those left here were hustled on to reservations!!!  Believe it … or not!

So, it is at this point that I really want to say “Thank You” to so many of you who read these e-mails and blog posts, and have come to my aide many many times when life had thrown me a few curve balls … back to back!  My goal most often is to sensitize us or not let us forget certain things that I think get “swept under” the politically correct “rug” far too often!  Yet, simultaneously to my commentary of the origins of Thanksgiving, I want to wish everyone everywhere … where ever this e-mail may go … a very Happy Thanksgiving … American Style!

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director

Yes, today is Wednesday … Hump Day …. and Veteran’s Day!

So much to be thankful for with the military presence we … the USA … hold in the world today.  Many of us … me included …. I am sure take for granted some of the freedoms we have here in terms of our lifestyle.  Sports in arenas and amusement parks of all shapes and sizes … and rides.  Clubs and restaurants …. lakes and rivers to boat and canoe in …. Thanks Veterans … and those presently serving.

At this time, I want to congratulate a good friend, former room mate from St. Paul’s School senior year with Robert Aurelius Hipp (RIP), Mr. Larry T. Woody who has been instrumental if not pivotal in establishing an excellent program for “Fathers” and has received a Federal grant to continue this important work.  He also just got a promotion to take things even further!  Kudos, LT Woody!  The “Focus on Families & Fathers Initiative” in Philadelphia owes much to your case management work and dedication!

Our world is one plagued with violence … and it appears to be part of the “human condition”.  That is, we like to fight … wars and battles and stuff!!  Personally, us humans also gravitate towards groups.  Even if there are three people, two usually join sides against the other.  Heh!!  Who knew!!  I learned that in social psychology … whenever that happens … rather than have a “church”-type development, we choose sides and “go to war”!  “When in Rome … do as the Romans do!”  Well, as we live in a world as previously described, it is beneficial to have excellent “armed forces”.  Thusly, we in the U.S.A. celebrate Veteran’s Day.  That would be today … “Oooo- rahhh!”, as the saying goes amongst the brave and fearless soldiers of the United States of America.  So, going out to those who have served … RIP … those who are serving … and those who will serve, perhaps, Happy Veteran’s Day!

Peace,