A TEACHER AGAIN

     " Any post, even the slightest comment that goes on Dave's blog, always gets an immediate response from them on either Gary's or Esther's blog. It's amazing, too, how the least little remark gives them the fuel for a long, drawn-out blog reply. Esther Sutofsky and Stew Richland seem to especially like "long." Is it because they were teachers? You'd think teachers might know better, though."
       This comment, taken from Lanny's comment on David's blog, is the impetus for this posting. I had other ideas but could not get this comment out of mind so I dared to respond, something which obviously bothers him quite a bit, he and the smelt.       Chatting. Having a conversation. Exchanging ideas. Give and take. Back and forth. Action and reaction. Remark and commentary. Shooting the breeze. What are all these? These are synonyms or close enough to it, for the right and the privilege we are extended here in the USA, to write as we wish, to comment on what we wish, and when to do so or not. I know it is difficult for them to realize that there is freedom of speech and they cannot control everyone, but such is life - so deal with it, Lanny. Grow up.
     But this is the way of life and belief in the Israel camp - salute the leader and check your brains and independence at the door. It matters not whether you can string together a few words or a few sentences or not, for only what is approved will be allowed. As for any other group or individual or entity that opposes the rise of Fascism within the Village - why they are consigned to the depths of hell as far as David and company are concerned.
     You know, just as an aside, we all know that it is difficult being green, being envious of the skills of others; Kermit the Frog expressed that very thought, that difficulty of being green, but if you try I bet you can overcome it and perhaps even see the light. Just sayin'. Everybody has skill levels and I, too, know the feeling of being green as I pick up a new novel or read an excellent analysis piece in a paper or a great article on line and wish I had said that or the other but I accept that this person was able to do a wonderful thing and so I accept that and enjoy the gifts of others to me. You might try that, Lanny. It will make you a happier person - and less green.
     Certainly, you will not try to rain down insults on two people who have the skills to string enough words, sentences and paragraphs into a longer thought piece. Certainly you will not insult them for their chosen and honored profession for if you demean teachers and teaching as a profession then my, oh my, I would not want to be you what with all the negative vibes and feelings being directed at you what with all the retired UFT teachers living in south Florida! Get a cold feeling on your neck yet?
     In any case, certainly you can do better than what you have done so far. As a teacher, I am always encouraging others to try harder, to strive for a higher goal, to raise the bar for themselves rather than trying to build negative feelings or trying to demean an excellent newspaper that has grown from two or three pages to twenty or more, that contains health articles, thought pieces, advertisements, that is grabbed up at the local sources of it outside the Village, that is mailed to hundreds, if not thousands, that allows free speech and opposition pieces, that is widely distributed within the Village to people who asked for copies and to others who come seeking the truth. Ahhh, there is that tinge of green again.
     I guess you have not chosen a good role model nor teacher in the form of David Israel as he foams at the mouth at the sign hanging from Olga's windows. It could have been averted had he tried not to be a snitch and know it all - but I guess maybe there is a good side to all of this as I hope we can expect him to be out there picking up his "snipe" signs that he seemingly detests so much once they appear outside the Village during campaign season. Should he not be there - oh what a riot, David is a hypocrite....
     In any case, hanging sheets and signs off of windows and balconies and fire escapes is a time honored American tradition from way, way back to today's times and even in the international world. People will rebel against tyranny any which way they can and though the tyrants do not particularly like it - gee, wonder why - it will continue to happen, so David, wipe off the foam, cut the ranting and raving, grow up and come out and debate, talk issues, face the residents openly and fairly. I know I am just wasting my breath as you have neither the courage nor the honesty to do so, but still, it must be said.
     So go ahead, urge your smelt followers to post their ridiculous pandering comments as they hope to bolster you and yours, but it is the same people with the same inane comments - Esther is this or that, Olga is the other, Stew writes or speaks too long - I know your attention span is limited, but it is a shame for Stew has much to give over to people, and of course you lump all into one group, thinking that will do the trick. Well, think again, for there is no candidate from the Messengers. There is a candidate that they support, but at this point I believe any opposition to you would be welcomed and supported! So I guess you will try to uselessly taint any people that they support come February because your tiny little heart and your nonexistent soul will lead you to do that. Sorry for you.
     So, from Plato and Socrates, Aristotle and Hippocrates, from Diogenes (gee, there he is again), to the teachers in the universities that grew in the years of the Renaissance, to the teachers who struggled daily to teach questing, earnest, rebellious, charming, angry, rich and poor and all other students to think, to challenge, to grow and serve - and to those who continue and will continue into the future - I salute you in your daily difficult task and in the struggle as people tar you with the misdeeds of a rotten few and as people forget who gave them the basis and the skills to move forward in their chosen areas of work. I know what I have gained from my teachers and schools and I thank you. And all of you out there - keep on writing, thinking, talking, challenging - for that is what makes the world move forward.