In need of history lessons
I was saddened to see a comment from one of the people interviewed in your May 24 edition of the Town Crier. Have we really become that complacent? Is society fat, dumb and happy?
The comment that “It’s just the beginning of summer. Don’t we recognize the veterans on July 4th? It’s just a long weekend and the time to begin wearing white again.” The sad thing is there was a child in the photo. What is the child going to learn from her parent about this wonderful country?
Unfortunately it would appear not much.
The schools do not teach the Constitution, Bill of Rights or the history of this country as they should. Three years ago on Dec. 7 my three boys came home from school and I asked if their teachers had made mention of the significance of the date. They all said “No.”
We sat down and looked up Pearl Harbor and learned.
Parents need to teach their children the history of this country. They unfortunately are not going to learn what they need to know from school.
The children need to know what veterans fought and died for. Their freedom comes with a high price.
I hope this is just an isolated incident, but I am afraid it has become too commonplace in our society.
John Mattes(Vietnam veteran)Los Altos
Ignorance about Memorial Day
I just finished reading the May 24 Town Crier. In going over the “Sidewalk interview,” I was amazed and just plain mad at the response given to the Memorial Day question posed to one (interviewee).
Doesn’t she know anything about this country’s history? She apparently doesn’t know that the Fourth of July is the celebration of this country’s independence from the rule of England in the 1700s.
It’s not primarily to remember the soldiers, but to celebrate Independence Day. Memorial Day is just that, to remember our gallant men who have fallen to war. If she had, she would certainly remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.
I shudder to think she is given the privilege to vote.
Ted BaileyMountain View
Editor’s note: These points are well taken, but in defense of the interviewee, most responses are made off-the-cuff during sidewalk interviews, so this person might have said something differently, given time and some additional thought.
Now firing in Los Altos Hills
Trust Los Altos Hills to be different. While every enterprise in this valley has a “now hiring” sign in their windows, our town displays a “now firing” in its. The most recent example is the sacking of some poor guy who had the misfortune of taking the position of town manager in the first place.
The reasons for sacking him are unknown but easy to guess. Our new “40-vote landslide” council majority is in control and “dictatorial” would be an apt way of describing its management style.
So what sort of qualifications in a manager are they looking for as they search for a new one? Try this suggestion for a want ad:
“POSITION OPEN: The town of Los Altos Hills is seeking to fill the position of town manager by someone wishing to advance his or her career under difficult circumstances. The applicant should be able to take orders and not sass back or, worse, come up with his or her own suggestion.
It is essential that an applicant’s resume list all menial positions formerly held so that when confronted with insults or criticism by a councilmember, in public, the applicant will not blubber or whine but accept it as just part of the job.
“Applicants should appear in person at Town Hall. Rap on the front door. If no one appears, assume that everyone has been fired or quit. But do us a favor. Check to see if the last one out turned off the lights. Thanks.”
David MacKenzieLos Altos Hills
Thanks for ‘bridge to a good time’
Thank you for your wonderful community article, “Bridge to a Good Time (April 19 issue).” I play duplicate bridge at the Palo Alto Bridge Center on Elwell Court as often as possible.
In fact, like so many members of our club, I often find myself scheduling appointments and other commitments during rare “off-bridge” hours. Bridge players certainly know their priorities.
For most players, bridge is more than just a game.
The sport provides a stimulating environment for learning new bridge strategies and methodologies, and offers a friendly atmosphere for developing mutually fulfilling relationships.
I believe that the Town Crier’s rapidly-growing bridge-playing readership would welcome and enjoy a weekly bridge quiz in its publication. Certainly, it would give us bridge enthusiasts yet another way to play.
Adrienne Oliff(no address given)
One-story ordinance seems ‘peculiar’
Congratulations to the Los Altos City Council on yet another peculiar decision regarding whether neighborhoods should have two-story housing or not. With the current plan, if 69 percent vote for or against these so-called monster houses, the majority lose and are dominated for the next seven years by the 31 percent minority. This, if it has been planned, seems a splendid way to promote neighborhood animosity.
Surely, a simple 51 percent majority would be fairer.
Peter Grutchfield
Los Altos
