Dec 28 2021

Opinions: December 28, 2021

I am very happy to enclose the piece on Charter Schools by Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a man I have great respect for. This echoes the recent book by Tom Sowell on “Charter Schools and Their Enemies”.

The only road to movement to “equality of opportunity for all” is a good practical career oriented education for all; and mostly hard work by all. The emphasis on reading, writing, especially math, tech. Not how to divide young American “residents”.

Peter Dwares

Founder, Pathways For Kids

May 13 2021

Opinions: Art Gensler

Art Gensler died.

In 1978, Art Gensler designed the Mercantile for me, an update of a former dance hall/bowling alley across from the beach in Capitola Village. I had lunch with him at University Club then later in 2018. Wonderful man. Huge talent. A great people person. “Call me Art” he always said.

May 10 2021

Opinions: May 10, 2021

Thinking Friends

RE: Biden’s latest diversity nomination

I wrote this on May 10, 2021.

Biden, Harris, Obama, Sanders, Warren ruining the economy. He praises “not” individual achievement. His tax policies along with taxing states leave individuals 45% of what they make.  Incentive killer.

His border disruption is dangerous and will hurt people.

His fostering of cancel, virtue signaling suppression of speech, frightening. Watch inflation 4-6%. It’s been long under 2%.  Watch unemployment at low end with new migrants and minimum wage. Watch depreciation of our military.  God forbid.  Safe space and diversity replace hiring the best and speaking out.

Peter Dwares

Apr 7 2021

Opinions: April 7, 2021

“What is America to me?”

The marvelous song interpreted by Frank Sinatra, Don Costa arrangement. In my early days I found it sappy. I was cynical. Sinatra got it. When we think of this beautiful country, let’s not think whites, blacks, Asians, Hispanics etc. Most of us don’t certainly in northern California. Let’s think what’s good and what’s great about America.

Look at the opportunity instead of pointing at differences, point out what we have together. The air, the beauty. The right to vote, to live, to make money, to criticize and the opportunities if you are ready to take them. We as a society need early competitive, career oriented education from four years old.

Thank you United States. If my great grandfathers had not come here, I could never had this great life.

Feb 15 2021

Opinions: February 15, 2021

I believe impeachment is to remove an officer. There should have been a summary judgment. I believe the impeachment of a Secretary of Defense was as wrong a single present as Brown separate schools and equal schools.

I believe that Trump’s character and personality have long upset those who support his policies. I did except for drilling in Alaskan pure territory and offshore.

I believe that the venue is a suit by Justice in Federal Court to see if his words and did or did not cause deaths and should he have foreseen it. Families who lost members also have standing for damages in State Courts and perhaps Federal Courts.

Impeachment was a notion that replaced assassination to get rid of a bad king in the beginning.   It came from English law but there they did not need it as they could vote out a PM midterm. Here we can’t so we have impeachment.

Did Trump go too far? I think without being there he did. Were the nutcases who got into the buildings wrong? Yes. Was Trump’s goal to review five states elections and force the Supreme Court to take the case with alternative electors, I think so. Should he have been more gracious and welcomed Biden after presumably exhausting remedies, yes. We must all live together.

What frightens me and I expected it, burnings, lootings being allowed but nuts or thinkers in Portland, Kenosha, Seattle etc. including killings. I predicted rather than protests peaceful encouraged by Mayors there (not Police Chiefs) and Cuomo with his statement and non statements by Biden and other leaders until much later.  This violence opened doors to it being OK for nuts on the right in DC, with inadequate policing in all the above.

Violence, looting killing in all the above is hurting our beloved country.

Jan 12 2021

Opinions: January 12, 2021

To be clear I support the values I espoused, I was and am not “Trumper”.  I am a pragmatist, free market, free speech, not cancel, pro competition of Charters, sub out Math to KUMON etc. in inner cities, pro strong Israel, wary of China, pro near full employment, against over regulations, against unfundable government pensions, pro reduction of corporate taxes, pro assistance to Black Colleges, pro release of drug criminals if non violent, pro Middle East Treaty, pro settlors sharing historically connected land in Samaria and pro not drilling in special reserves in Alaska etc. policies (there I disagree with Trump).

Trump did a lot I liked substantively and followed all court procedures on immigration etc.

On charming people then firing, insulting and being a megalomaniac etc., I never liked but accepted.

I don’t care if he exaggerated crowd size (I’m always told he lies all the time, but above is all I hear).

I’m completely opposed to further impeachment. It hurts the country and probably illegal, as impeachment is to get an officer out.

I’m for breaking up Google, Twitter etc. to extent three or four companies can cancel a person with something to say. They are suppressing free speech. Violating first amendment if I am right as they have a nexus with the government and thus are governed by the First Amendment as defined by Oliver Wendell Holmes.

I hope Mr. Biden brings the two halves of country closer together though I am doubtful.

I hope he lives and is compos mentis for four years.  And me too!

Warmest,

Peter

Jan 7 2021

Opinions: January 7, 2021

Thinking Friends

Friends of Israel

I supported many issues advanced and implemented by President Trump. It’s now past time for Trump to go. He has exhausted legal remedies. He has forever tarnished his Presidency. His calling for mob attacks, his son saying to Republicans we are coming for you that don’t support his staying, disgust me. He should bring Mr. Biden to White House and gracefully welcome him now. I hope he does.

Peter Dwares

Dec 29 2020

Opinions: December 4, 2020

Socialism does not work. Incentives and strong business create jobs. Education starting very early I support. Delegating by schools to math companies like KUMON I support. Two year service mandatory I support. President elect Biden if sworn in must be given a chance to keep the country centrist. Hopefully he will take policies instituted by President Trump leading to a strong economy and employment and not destroy them.

Oct 14 2020

Opinions: October 14, 2020

As a boxing fan, Judge Amy Coney Barrett confirmation hearing reminds me of a Floyd Mayweather fight. Unlike a mano a mano boxing match, she is taking on all Comers Durbin, Whitehouse, Harris et al. deftly not allowing them to lay a glove on her; much, like Floyd who could as she punches back. She believes in precedent, stare decisis. She’s a lawyer’s lawyer.

As for Congress’ concern over court handling Obamacare constitutionality without implied tax i.e. mandate, they could have passed an ACA law leaving policy choices, no mandate (although I think mandate for getting care was good so I don’t pay for others to be in a hospital) and added small tax to satisfy the commerce clause i.e. bring it under Federal Law. She is a terrific person, brilliant. The President using advisors like Sally Pipes, still can produce a plan removing fears of people frightened of losing ACA which they will not in my view at least not from Supreme Court with Justice Barrett.

Pete Dwares

Oct 13 2020

Opinions: October 13, 2020

Sally C. Pipes
President, CEO, and Thomas W. Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy
Pacific Research Institute

Dear Sally,

You have been clear as to why Canadian Healthcare here is not desirable. Naïve people want “simple” and “free” answers. They don’t know it’s expensive and will cause scarcity.

The President should have had an articulated plan to put many Americans at ease. They fear bankruptcy. They fear having no insurance. They are not informed as to short term value plans.

The President should have succinct bullet points how you would deal with 3-5 million uninsured and those 2-5 million with pre-existing illness, if ACA is struck down which it will not be, in my view.

A plan leaving the remaining private sector (150 million people) intact. Medicare intact with age raising starting 2024.

Also he should explain tax deductible health saving accounts; it’s confusing for many.

I have to answer to people when arguing against government funded health. They don’t fear Canadian type. I cite Canadians coming here for procedure. They cite Denmark. Israel, Germany, large level of satisfaction. I counter with wait times, lack of doctors, no medicines being developed in most of the above.

I am copying this to my friend list. They should know you and PRI.

Warmest,
Peter

Aug 20 2020

Opinions: August 20, 2020

Amy Palmer

RE: What did I think of Michelle Obama’s Speech you asked

Dear Amy,

Beautiful elegant woman. Well delivered speech. Trouble is it’s misleading. It suggests white cops murdering poor blacks daily, many time a day. She portrayed racism toward blacks as if slave days, Jim Crowe, pre 1964. That’s wrong. Why not point out large middle class black community in Atlanta and Houston etc? “Look at me”. I’m a lawyer. My husband was your President, This would not have happened in 1964. It’s all sad and negative and justifies burning, looting in cities where Mayor, Police Chief, City Council, Judges, are all black like Chicago. So you can see systemic racism has kept Blacks out of politics in Chicago. My point is stop with “victimhood”. Look to today and future. Focus on educations for free enterprise, trades. Father on site with kids.  No bragging about baby moms. Sorry if it offends someone. Not Tom Sowell, Shelby Steele.

Peter

Aug 12 2020

Opinions: August 12, 2020

I am for ‘truly liberal universities” with rigorous debate from all, not one position that’s so called Wok.  Someone’s idea of political correctness is  antithetical to liberal. What is safe space? What speech is impermissible? Who decides?

I am for preserving and explaining history as Auschwitz does, as Slave Quarters in South Africa do. How else do future generations learn?

Peter Dwares

Aug 7 2020

Opinions: August 7, 2020

IMG_0239

Supervisor Aaron Peskin

I came back for a few days. This is Coit Tower Circle. This is where a stately Italian Columbus financed by Spain probably dark skinned Italian of Moorish African descent stood. Thanks to “progressive” erase history mentality, he has been replaced by a homeless on drugs asleep in midday in an unsafe space and could be run over. I’ve never seen this up here at the Circle. The City is not what it was. It’s regressing in many ways quickly. Lots of us will leave for good. Sad.

Jul 31 2020

Opinions: July 31, 2020

Thinking People

I love Portland. I have an office there.

Should we allow Portland businesses and buildings to be destroyed by educated, (often by our taxpayer scholarships) young White Women and Men, hurting police (a large percent of whom are black), in a City run by Ted Wheeler a man I know and liked (we had breakfast), but don’t agree with at all. Just let it happen? No Federal policing to protect business and residents has been a common position of the Democrat Party. Who stands for the ordinary people who work and are hurt by this? What say you?

Peter Dwares

Jun 24 2020

Opinions: June 24, 2020

RE: America’s New Nihilism

Thinking People

Daniel Henninger’s column is quite right. We all have to build better opportunities. Things have changed for better over the years. Racism and slavery happened. Time to move to build an education, family and careers. Lots of African Americans are doing it. Racism is not systematic and in fact has diminished markedly over the years. Are there racists? Sure. Fewer and fewer of all the time. Hands on fathers and Charters or other good schools will diminish gap. Study business, science, medicine.

Peter Dwares

Jun 17 2020

Opinions: June 17, 2020

Thinking Friends
I think cities, buildings, statues are living history. Slave quarters stand to be seen in South Africa, Charleston. Attempts to rewrite histories’ negative aspects are wrong in my view.

Explain the statue. We learn from what was right and what was wrong.

But now it’s about destruction. This nihilism really comes from dissatisfaction with people’s own lives. This has nothing to do with the terrible police killing of George Floyd. Many if not most African American people and most White people are not part of this Talibanesque activity. People are destroying our beautiful country by tapping the existing anger. The anger will only dissipate when people think they have a fair chance. All families need to focus on business, science, medical educations if possible at good Charter Schools, trade schools and colleges. Be a great hands on Dad. Read Robert Woodson, Jesse Peterson, Tom Sowell, who I admire so much.

Peter Dwares

Jun 16 2020

Opinions: June 16, 2020

Thinking People

After the burning and looting of recent times, and 50/50 division in country, I started to think I miss the good old days of the 60’s.

Then I remember as a law student driving from Washington D.C. to Baltimore to get arrestees out out of prison, circa 1968 when D.C. was burning, ring of red around it as I drove. I remember the divisiveness over the war in Vietnam and the President.

I remember hatred of Johnson then Nixon even more than Trump today. “Hey, hey LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?” Not good old days in that respect.

I remember in 1969 being in charge of Air Force Police Barracks in San Antonio. I am still proud of it being friendly between races. I got along with all of them after the first day when I got a guy to drop a straight edge razor he threatened me with.

Today I fear the far left is far too violent. Beheading statues reminds me of beheading French aristocrats. I want all Americans to do well. Education and fatherhood. Lots of business and science oriented Charter Schools.

Peter Dwares

Jun 10 2020

Opinions: January 9, 2020

I sent out an email regarding Southern border enforcement of law. I got back a spectrum of ideas as my friends are on Left and Right of me.

I listen to the agents on the ground who must enforce our laws. The best was Obama’s Chief Mark Morgan. To those who don’t want to argue the issue but feel Trump is a bad man and nothing he puts forth is worthwhile, I can’t debate the matter.  So far I haven’t seen signs of his disbanding Congress. He has put on the Court right of Center Judges, but so was Earl Warren, Miranda etc. and John Roberts Obamacare legality opinion.

But to those who will listen to arguments for enforceable Southern border calling the idea racist against Central Americans and Mexicans, I ask would you do away with visas and passports at Kennedy or SFO International Airports?  Is asking for them racist?

Why not at least listen to Mark Morgan and others on the ground who strongly feel the necessity of a wall on part of the border, or if you like impervious as possible barrier. Certainly drones and even robots in future will be part of security. Let the experts tell us. Forget Trump is the advocate. All his predecessors have dabbled with it. If nothing else once up, it will allow arguments to tackle cocaine imports at ports of entry. It will dissuade gangs and human traffic who don’t fly in.

Do it over 20 years. Legalize DACA and up to 20 million illegals as part of a deal despite the far right.

But we must also find a way to educate in our language 25% of California residents who can’t read or write English, often illegals who I say got an implied right of pathway to citizenship.  They are poor. Our school system is not well. Our poverty rates are unacceptable. Let’s deal with this before we add 300,000 a year more to the 1.1 million legals we take.

Jun 5 2020

Opinions: June 5, 2020

What’s happening is tragic. Looting, destruction. People take advantage of one tragedy and multiply it 1,000 times. And kill innocent black and white police and others. No vigil for them.

Italians, Jews, Irish, Vietnamese Boat people come here with nothing.  They were very poor. Did not speak English. Life changed through education and hard work. Nothing was given to them.

Poor Blacks, Mixed race, poor Whites, other minorities can model after what those people did. Medical, food stamps, social programs, we did not have prior to 60’s. There is a safety net. At Pathways For Kids we introduce economically disadvantaged to businesses and their employees to see what they can aim at. Push, not get stuck in notion of victimization. Meet the challenge like President Obama, Shelby Steele, Thomas Sowell, Ben Carson, Randy Peterson and millions of others who are succeeding. We are all human beings.

Peter  Dwares

Founder, Pathways For Kids

 

Jun 3 2020

Opinions: June 3, 2020

Thinking Friends

RE: My Feelings

By our subsidizing China’s 30 year growth by buying cheap consumer goods at Walmart etc. that we change every few years, they got a bigger military, our technology, better living standards, fast trains, ports in European countries, and manufacturing capacity that is excellent, ours shutting down.  That’s our China relationship since Cho En Lai told Kissinger he was eating chicken when it was pig. Not much different from Indians selling Manhattan to whites for $10.