Jack Edmund Bookwalter

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

"Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

JFK's challenge to every American to contribute to the public good is critical for Americans today.

Our country needs us

as we learn we are "burying our country" (Khrushchev) repeating Putin's "fictional narrative" trumpeted by Trump, pitting Americans against Americans. 

The most important responsibility a president has is to unify our country and Trump is intentionally failing at that - he thrives on division which puts our country at risk.

Can we heed Fiona Hill's advice and stop spreading "fictional narrative" ? ? ?

Where do our loyalties lie? (with a president, a political party, or our country?)

"Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

JFK's words, written for the speech not delivered, at Austin, Texas, banquet on the evening of November 22, 1963:

"Neither the fanatics nor the faint-hearted are needed.  And our duty as a Party is not to our Party alone, but to the nation, and, indeed, to all mankind.  Our duty is not merely the preservation of political power but the preservation of peace and freedom."  
 

In their imperfect wisdom, our founders provided for the process we're in today.
                  

Holly Semiloff (Ciotti)

Hello to Donn Pearlman, (not sure I am doing this correctly).  Holly Semiloff here, and I remember that speech completition on Nov. 22, 1963, the day K. was shot.  I went to it also (although I hardly remember what events I competed in).  My mother picked me up at West at about noon, and on the radio going home, the news broke that K. had been shot.  My mother shrieked, and momentarily lost control of the car.  I was horrified (of the shooting and my mother's driving!).  I hardly remember the speech competition at NIU, but I recall not knowing if we should all be mourning and subdued or if we should try to be "normal."  

But it's history, and long ago history at that.  I teach in a high school in Glendale CA, and my students (10th, 11th, and 12th graders) think of 9/11 as history, so 1963 is ANCIENT history.  Gee, to them, social media postings of a week ago are old, very old.

holly semiloff (zelasko, now ciotti -- few marriages)

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

We live in a confusing time -

Disinformation gets stuck in our brains.

Remembering facts can be difficult...

Many of us are struggling to sort fact from Trump's fictional narrative that is tearing us and our country apart and confusing our allies.

With constant repetition and the support of right wing media many believe Trump's fictional narrative is truth.

Hey, just for fun, read Holly's greeting to Donn about a November 22, 1963 memory thay share (?).

In any case, it's been 56 years - memories can dim (more than we realize)...

am I misunderstanding posted memories?

Donn was at ISU competing in a statewide speech tournament - in between tournament categories he was in the student union; someone kept playing "Sugar Shack" on the jukebox... time-after-time-after-time.

Holly had returned to West from the statewide speech tournament at NIU, and about noon, while others of us were in class, her mother picked her up, and in real time, driving home from school, they heard news of the shooting on the radio.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Disinformation and dysfunction are crippling our government.  Our leaders seem unwilling / disinterested in finding common ground. Are we incapable of finding our way out of a paper bag?  Republicans have turned Constitutional oversight into a snakepit, the country be damned.

We cannot countenance a president who uses the machinery of government for his own benefit.

Scott Mermel

A little late with my comment about JFK.  I think everyone in Concert Band will remember Mr. Groeling having us all stand and play the National Anthem after the announcement was made on the school PA system.  I can remember those 2-3 minutes like they happened yesterday (even though I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning).  It's amazing how moments in our lives are indelible.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

As we approach Thanksgiving, it is uplifting that classmates are reaching out to connect.

The most important responsibility a president has is to unify our country.

We can celebrate that our memory of JFK's unexpected death is drawing us together 56 years later.

Stewart Myrent

 Janis, I couldn't agree more with your observations in your post of earlier today, relative to "disinformation and dysfunction".  Jack, it was very nice to hear you pitching in to the Forum, & Holly, also, very nice to hear your name, as I don't recall seeing you here before.  Same to you, Scott Mermel - it's nice to hear your name after so long.  Another name I saw, that I haven't seen in yrs., is Donn (with 2 ns) Pearlman.  Yikes!  Where have all you people been hiding?  (Or have you all been following this Forum surreptitiously?)  The main thing I remember about the JFK assassination, was that it was our senior yr. (not like the current senior yrs.) & all I really recall was Dr. Nick Mannos, the principal, getting on the P.A. system & announcing to the entire school that Pres. Kennedy had been shot & killed in Dallas.  Out of curiosity, I looked up Dr. Mannos & found he had passed in late March of 2008, at age 86.  He had served as Niles West's principal for 27 yrs. until his retirement in 1989.  (He had started at Niles West in 1962 - don't know if you all remember, but when we started at Niles West in 1960, as freshman, we were supposed to go to Niles West for freshman & sophomore yrs. & then go to Niles East for Jr. & Sr. yrs., then, I believe in our sophomore yr., they decided to make both campuses 4-yr. schools.)  The only other thing I remember from that day, is wondering on the bus ride home, if my parents had heard the news, but, of course, they had. 

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

"Stated simply, the primary takeaway from the past 250 years of recorded American history is that Presidents are not kings."  
-- Federal Judge Jackson

"The witnesses who have defied Congress at the behest of the President will have to decide if their duty is to the country, or to a president who believes that he is above the law."  
-- Chairman Adam Schiff 

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

A Trump supporter asked why we don't chat as much as we used to.

I said, "It is discouraging to be reminded you live on your own island of facts."

Trump supporter responded: "Don't we all?  You do realize the same could be said of you.  I accept that we all 'live on our own island of facts', but you don't."

My response: "I listened to all the witnesses at the congressional hearings.  I heard fact based concern about the damage disinformation is doing to our country.  I want to live in a democratic republic - factual truth is critical for our country to survive.  We have to get off our islands and find our way to a country of facts."

Trump supporter: "I agree with you that disinformation is doing damage to our country.  I just think it's coming from a different direction than you do."

Me: "I heard the witnesses - they are in a position to know facts and understand what's happening."

Some believe the moon is made of green cheese, kewl, but -

belief is NOT fact.

Stewart Myrent

In my post of 2 days ago, I neglected to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving, which is now, tomorrow.  I really look forward to the T'giving meal; it's my favorite meal of the year.  Yumm!  I will be going to my ex-wife's place & she always puts out a great spread.  Janis, I saw your post of yesterday, about a conversation with a (former?) friend & how you don't understand why they don't see things exactly as you (and I) do & vice-versa & your friend's rejoinder that, "I agree with you that disinformation is doing damage to our country.  I just think it's coming from a different direction than you do."  As incredible as that person's assertion seems, I thought back to about 6 mos. ago, when I was trying to understand this liberal/conservative conundrum, how we can see the exact same FACTS & come to totally different conclusions, & decided that people see what they want to see.  Thus, the explanation of why this person sees things in an exactly opposite light.  Your friend sees what he/she wants to see & so do you & so do I.  Egad, when will this all end?

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

My gmail account has been hacked so I learned of IMPORTANT Forum news via the grapevine.

To quote Stewart: "Your friend sees what he/she wants to see & so do you & so do I.  Egad, when will this all end?"

Sadly, it will result in the end of our republic.

It seems to me most important that in these times, when we live on separate "islands of facts" that we bump into facts we are not learning from our own news sources.

We are graduates of Niles West High School; we were educated to be informed and capable citizens - "to keep our republic."

It is critical that we learn to communicate across the divisions that separate us.

Time and time again, classmates have expressed the desire for freedom of speech on the Forum.

I have been in touch with Class Creators and told we are using the Forum correctly - for daily postings that keep us abreast of the news.

Personal news has not been lost on the Forum - Stewart for one individually recognizes classmates who post on the Forum.  Class Creators tells me general information is more appropriate on User Forums.

Who appointed anyone to censor and delete posts?  What about Stewart's book reviews? - an idea Paul Hain suggested years ago and did not pick up on himself.

When was the meeting that produced the decision? 
Who was at the meeting?  
Why was there no notice to classmates of such a meeting?

Stewart Myrent

Janis, I sincerely hope that your response to "...when will this all end?" with, "Sadly, it will result in the end of our republic.", proves to be incorrect, but I have to say, ANYTHING seems possible, at this point.  I, also, have been concerned about Scott's post about changes to the Forum, as he (they) have decided that the proper place for political posts is on the User Forum, effective this Sun. 12/01.  I'm not sure why, as I have looked at the User Forum (as opposed to the Message Forum) several times, & there was 0 happening there.  However, I have to say that, this decision smacks of, at least, a modicum of censorship.  Also. Janis, you said that Class Creators stated that, "...we are using the (Message) Forum correctly..."  I am shocked (shocked I tell you) to hear that the Reunion Committee, does not agree with that assessment.  I am presuming that my book reviews are still OK on the Message Forum, but what if I am reviewing a political book?  Since Sun. is still 4 days away, I am hoping that cooler heads will prevail & that this NEW RULE (not Bill Maher) will be rescinded by then.  Happy Thanksgiving to all!  Speaking of that, I just saw today that Trump is claiming that he has saved Thanksgiving for all of us, just as he has saved Christmas for all of us.  I, for one, am not embarassed to shout Happy Thanksgiving! to all of you & I will not be embarassed to say MERRY CHRISTMAS! when the appropriate time arrives.  I will say that if this new rule about Forum usage stands, it will be the 1st time in my life, that I can recall, that my life has been affected by censorship.  Talk to you all after the upcoming holiday.  I plan to be very busy for the next day or so.  

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Stewart, you have given much to the Forum.  Thank you for your generous spirit extended to all.

I will continue to look here for your posts. 

I am grabbed by your recognition that "if this new rule about Forum usage stands, it will be the 1st time in (your) life ... that (your) life has been affected by censorship."  a truly sad legacy for Niles West Class of '64.

I too hope that "cooler heads will prevail & that this NEW RULE will be rescinded by Sunday."

Happy Thanksgiving to you,

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

May the founding ideals we cherish live on in our country and on Niles West Forum.  
We could lead the way to a brighter day.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Current Events & Politics is a newly listed category on the User Forum.

I look forward to a report of the voice vote by members of the Reunion Committee.

Thousands of posts were deleted without notice and no verification by Class Creators for the reason given.

It would be nice to see some transparency about the management of the Forum.

Nancy Doyle (Sudlow)

Janis, I agree with most of your poitical posts on the Message Forum.  However, I have heard many classmates complain about the politics on the forum.  I do not believe it is censorship to ask classmates to post those views on the User Forum instead.  That is where they were originally posted.  Several people have asked on the Message Forum  to move political posts back to the User Forum.  Why not?  

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Nancy, thanks for your comments.

Politics are front and center at this time and it's critical for our republic that voting citizens cross the divisions that separate us.  If you read what I've learned from Class Creators, the posts are on the appropriate Forum - if we're voting in elections we should be informed.  Why should classmates be censored?  People who have trouble posting on the Forum with their classmates have the space they need to determine topics to their liking on the User Forums.

Beverlee Ann Arpan (Marshall)

Moving the political posts over one column to the User Forum is not censorship. No one is censoring anyone.  No one is changing one word of the political posts. Those who are interested in reading political opinions just need to click on the User Forum: Current Events and Politics, which is where they belong.

Janis Kliphardt (Emery)

Why ignore the way Class Creators designed the website?  No one else has been asked to take their general interest posts elsewhere. Classmates who do not want their messages in a potpourri with other classmates' messages should take their general interest posts elsewhere. Current Events and Politics should be a concern to all of us, something we expect to be part of our lives. What's this, that's "where they belong" ?  That's discrimination, exile; deleting the posts is censorship.

Everyone is free to speak on the public forum. No one has to listen.
Let's reach across the turkey.

Beverlee Ann Arpan (Marshall)

On a much brighter note:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BbSkeZHlf8A

Nancy Doyle (Sudlow)

Nancy Doyle (Sudlow)

Scott Mermel

Everyone -- please calm down.  We're just asking that you post you comments on a different forum that's readily available to you under "User Forums" above.  The Committee has been asked by several classmates who would like to post "non-political" stuff to be able to use the message forum for that purpose.  The Reunion Committee unanimously agreed to ask you to move your postings there for that reason.  Please continue the lively conversation on the "Current Events and Politics" blog under User Forums.  That's all we're asking.

Thanks.

Nancy Doyle (Sudlow)