Jack’s Winning Words 2/23/18
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”  (1640 Proverb)  The first mass inoculation of the anti-polio vaccine was on Feb 23 in 1954.  At its peak in 1952, there were 60,000 cases, with 21,000 paralyzed and 3,000 fatal.  Parents were terrified.  But scientists Salk, Sabin and others found a way and the disease has been practically eradicated.  I’m sure we can all agree that gun violence in schools needs to stop. Do we have the will to work together to solve this problem?    :-(  Jack

FROM EDUCATOR PAUL:  What an interesting topic you chose.  How things have changed!  Today, mainly from the far left, we have parents who are anti-vaccinations.  I remember the story you told me about your experience.  How many people back in 1954 would have predicted that a significant amount of parents in 2018 would not vaccinate their children!?====JACK:  "Out of a sight, out of mind."  Imagine an "anti-vaccination" movement during the polio epidemic.  We must work together, today, to find a solution to a problem we could not have imagined when we were schoolchildren.====PAUL:  Exactly right!====PAUL:  I wonder how many voters today can name a U/S. President who had  infantile paralysis?

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  of course, gun violence has to stop. so does gang violence, domestic violence, bullying... but god made sinners, so good luck w/that!====JACK:  Think back,,,Were you ever afraid that you--or your daughter were going to contract polio, or be shot at when you were in school?  I can see why parents were distressed back in the 40s and why parents are demanding action today.====LIZ:  some vaccines are necessary, others, like HPV, are not. autism is prevalent, cannabis still illegal.  that kid slipped thru every possible crack in the system... so what do you suggest? ====JACK:  I point out the problem and rely on the "scientists" to come up with the solution.  Perhaps we need a new set of "scientists," ones who will explore unexplored solutions.====LIZ:  what makes scientists so smart? can’t even develop a flu shot that works!====JACK:  Most scientific breakthroughs are based on countless experiments...finding out what doesn't work.  It took Edison 1000 tries to invent the lightbulb.

FROM TRIHARDER:  The first time I heard this as a child, I heard, "Where there's a wheel there's a way."  A lot to be said for that, too.====JACK:  Did you know that puns were found in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics?  Neither did I.====TH:  way up on the wall. The high roglyphics. ====JACK: The answer to violence, specifically gun violence, seems to be written high up on the wall, too.

FROM HUNGRY HOWIE:  Which idea is more stupid...Trump’s suggestion that we pay  bonuses to teachers who are armed (when it is self evident that getting high powered weapons off the street is the solution) or...the state  House discussing making English the official language (they are fiddling around while our roads crumble).  We need some candidates who understand that the state is responsible for roads and schools and  our voters that pay attention to what’s  important  I feel frustrated and angry.  I do what I can but all around the world is upside down.   Whew!====JACK:  Nothing will change if we continue to elect legislators and leaders who continue to do what we've been warned NOT to do..."Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

FROM CS IN RO:  I’m in awe of These passionate young people!  They are our future maybe we can get this done!====JACK:  Perhaps "energized children" is the answer.  Up to now, "the answer is blowin' in the wind," as Bob Dylan put it.

FROM SCIENTIST JH:  Yes we must and these incredible students are leading the way. ====JACK:  In the Bible it says, "A child shall lead them"

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  Common sense a lot of hard work and prayer r all needed.====JACK:  I read that one school administrator has decided that all children who walk out of school in protest shall be suspended for 3 days...no exceptions.  As a former classroom teacher, how would you advise your students?====SHIRL:  Just thankful never to have to make that decision

FROM RS IN TEXAS:  Agreed.  Gun violence everywhere needs to be addressed.  Not pleasant to realize that we have more gun murders per capita - by far - than any European country, Australia, Canada, Japan, etc.  I hope we do have the will to come together.  Sure would be easier if the NRA would at least be receptive.====JACK:  We need to remember that the NRA is people.  Today's violence problem is a people problem.  The solution is to be found in bringing people together for a common cause.

FROM JB AT LSTC:  , Gun violence does seem to be its own disease. But apparently we can’t all agree that it needs to stop or we would be more serious about finding a solution. Columbine. Sandy Hook. Northern Illinois University. Marjory Stoneman Douglas. How many times does this need to happen before we can agree, before it touches someone high enough up in the NRA so they become reasonable instead of blaming school security or want to arm teachers? Prayers of lament. ====JACK:  In the midst of the Vietnam War (1962) Bob Dylan wrote a song which asked the question, "How many times must the cannonballs fly?"  It seemed that there was an impossible solution to that war...but the war eventually did end, although not all were pleased with the solution.  An answer to gun violence will eventually come, but "how many times must the "bullets" fly?"

FROM ST PAUL IN MESA:  good one, Jack.   my secretary at SLLC   (Nancy Ryan) got polio one week before the vaccine came on the market.  how sad for her.  she was in a wheel chair the rest of her life. ====JACK:  Some things just don't seem fair.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Do what Australia did after a shooting rampage in 1996 which killed 38 people..Ban ALL assault weapons and monitor all handguns eligible to only a small group of security people and police. they haven't had a shooting since!  Of course they didn't have to amend the 2nd amendment of the constitution...Surely we can emulate Australia, or don't we wish we could!  ====JACK:  Is there anything out there now that's realistic, or will it take some new idea that brings people together?  I'm sure that in your teaching days you wouls not want to carry a gun.

FROM FM IN WIS:  I surely hope that a way is found, without arming our teachers ====JACK:  ...or preachers.  The proliferation of guns does not seem to be the answer.  It's a conundrum.

FROM DB:  I blame Hollywood for all of the violent movies, and for violent video games.
Kids are bored, plus, they have few positive role models. They tend to emulate what they see..... ====JACK:  I just read that Trump, too, blames violent video games.  Personally, I haven't seen any of those games, so I can't make a judgment.