New York City Councilman Daniel Dromm want the Junior ROTC programs removed from NYC schools. Why? Here’s what he said:
I have concerns about the way they go about recruitment. It contributes to a war machine, and I have some problems with that.
I really have a problem with . . . them being there. It sends a message to kids about armed forces and their policies, what happens when they move forward with college.
Clearly, Councilman Dromm has a problem with the US military. And he doesn’t want kids to be “exposed” to their training opportunities which provide training and employment to so many Americans, not to mention the structure and discipline to persevere, achieve goals, and work as team. What horrible things to introduce our children too! (Yes, that was sarcasm.)
I wonder if he knows how and why he has the freedoms that he has? The freedom to run for office and be chosen by his peers to represent them. The freedom to speak his mind, even when he’s speaking against the protective arm of his federal government. The freedom to enact policies that may ultimately weaken our national defense by discouraging the next generation from serving.
He needs to know that all those freedoms came because people serving in the military were willing to fight (and die) for future generations to have those freedoms and those freedoms are maintained by that military strength today. Only a fool would weaken it and suggest that it’s a bad thing.
And to his question regarding why the programs appear to be mainly in schools “of color”… maybe those are the student populations who showed enough interest in the programs to make them fiscally sound. Rather than throw out statements that make it sound like it’s racially motivated, how about you find out the “why” before you start commenting about it publicly. Considering the fact that you’re on the Education Committee, it shouldn’t be too hard for you to find out. That’s called responsible representation, which is much preferred over political grandstanding.
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Photo credit Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet
