EDITOR’S NOTE: We introduce a new face to this page this week. Meet Roy Pokladnik (poe•clad•nick) HSD,AA, BA, BEE, FCA, FCE, CO3 and teacher who was born in La Marque in 1957. He explains the suffixes as follows: the first of all those letters is for his high school diploma (he graduated in 1976 from a top school both academically and athletically), AA refers to his two year degree in Fine Arts from College of the Mainland. The BA is his four year degree from the Univerity of Houston in the field of Humanities. The next group of letters stand for his stint in the Navy, basic electricity and electronics, fire control (automated weapon systems), he was a petty officer in the US Navy and then a Correctional Officer for the Texas Department of Corrections. He then became a teacher after entering the TOPS program in Region 20 in San Antonio. He is currently a teacher in the Jourdanton ISD. This column will look at various questions and problems we face and he has named it Solutions because he will suggest answers to those challenges. He even welcomes responses that may convince him to change his solution accordingly.

H ow can an apology be a solution? Usually I would say it can’t. That said over the length of my life I’ve heard many an apology on many a topic. The most recent example would be Secretary of State Clinton apologizing for the accidental death of several Pakistani citizens. Now do not misunderstand I approved of the apology but it should have come quicker. Worse still the apology sounded fake and insincere, like it was only done to mollify an ally. So here is my apology/solution to all the people who feel the need to apologize for the US.

So let me apologize for the Declaration of Independence, and her sister the Constitution. I’m sorry we lit the torch of freedom to inspire and lead the world. The French sent us Lady Liberty just as a quirk. Next I will jump to I forgot who, who declared that the America’s are off limits to Europe’s machinations. May we now go to oh 1812, you may not steal our citizens to serve on your ships of war.

Also let say that America’s long belief in freedom of seas started here. So I apologize for our defense of freedom. Slavery is wrong no matter what, but states’ rights are fundamental. So I’m sorry we fought over the rights, duties, and freedoms of people. Our treatment of the Native Americans was disgraceful, and the constant disregard of treaties inexcusable. Going on should Imperial Germany ever again threaten the world with conquest and cruel militarism we will not interfere, we apologize for this first saving of Europe.

I apologize for the treasure, equipment, supplies, and people we gave to the world in stopping Nazi Germany and her Allies. Rest assured that if Fascism should be reborn we will stand by as it devours the world. What can I say about the Cold War, I apologize for the US policy of Mutual Assured Destruction, and its extension of the US nuclear umbrella to Europe. Israel, where to start, we midwifed at your rebirth, were the first to recognize you, and have stood by you even though many wanted your destruction. Sorry it won’t happen again.

To the terrorist and fundamentalists whatever your calling, it is with regret that we stand against genocide, murder, intolerance, and the ruination of a great religion. Yes, God is great, and all the people of the book should stand together. What a shame you prevent us from this. So sorry but this to will pass. Once more I apologize for our drive for excellence, for our search for truth, our belief in justice, and faith not only in our exceptionalism, but in the exceptionalism of humanity. So to the past, present, and future, I apologize.

P.S. Watch here for additional apologies for I assure you our time is not over, we will continue to lead, we will continue to care, we will strive for justice, we will sacrifice to protect the weak, AND WE WILL NOT GIVE IN. Here then is my apology, yes I left some out but our faith in our path and duties is a constant and while at times we seem distracted we abide.

ROY POKLADNIK, a teacher and problem solver welcomes comments and suggestions for topics . He may be reached at : roypokladnik@gmail.com.