Letter to the Editor: The “Four Pillars”
In June of 1873, with the Revolutionary War won, General Washington wrote a momentous circular to the States, sometimes referred to as Washington’s Legacy. He felt that for him to remain silent on certain issues “would be a crime,” he then listed four fundamental elements “which I humbly conceive are essential to the well-being, I may even venture to say, to the existence of the United States as an independent power.”
“First, an indissoluble union of the states under one federal head.
Secondly, a sacred regard to public justice.
Thirdly, the adoption of a proper peace establishment.
And, fourthly, the prevalence of that pacific and friendly disposition among the people of the United States which will induce them to forget their local prejudices and policies, to make those mutual concessions which are requisite to the general prosperity, and, in some instances, to sacrifice their individual advantages to the interest of the community.
These are the pillars on which the glorious fabric of our independence
and national character must be supported; liberty is the basis , and whoever would dare to sap the foundation overturn the structure, under whatever specious pretexts he may attempt it, will merit the bitter execration and the severest punishment which can be inflicted by his injured country.
Now, many moons later, the dangers he warned could destroy our Nation, are, in fact, being actively pursued by those presently in power.
Joe Pettit
Yorktown
Source”The Real George Washington-Parry A. Skousen pgs 390-391
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To the editor, JD Vance’s anger toward educators is bad for families
JD Vance’s angry, hurtful comments that teachers who don’t have children “disorient and really disturb” him are consistent with his long history of attacking families and public schools.
Teachers, teacher aides, paraprofessionals, school nurses, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, janitors, librarians, social workers, counselors, and dozens of other essential school employees work every day to help kids learn and grow. So often they pay for supplies for children out of their own pockets to make sure they have what they need.
Vance doesn’t seem to understand that being an effective educator and not having biological kids are completely unrelated. I support our educators because they support our kids, and it’s upsetting that Donald Trump and JD Vance have such anger and disdain for people who do not share their views.
Enough is enough. We have more in common than what divides us, and that’s why I am excited for the hopeful vision Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have for our families and the future of our great nation.
Sincerely, Kimberly Fenty, Yonkers
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To the Editor,
JD Vance has commented that teachers who do not have children “disorient and really disturb” him.
As a student, many of my teachers were single women with no children. I learned a lot from their classes — enough to get into a good college tuition free.
My uncle was an elementary school teacher. He never married and he had no children, but his students sure remembered him. He and I had the same last name. After my high school gym teacher called attendance using our last names, a classmate came up to me and asked if I were related to him. I said “yes”. She told me how much he had helped her in elementary school and how grateful she was.
Whether or not you have children that you have given birth to or fathered has nothing to do with quality teaching or all the other services schools make available.
Sincerely,
Marsha Henkin, Yonkers, NY
