Engineers Club of Santa Clara Valley (ECSCV)
February 2003 Newsletter

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Leo Ruth Memorial Issue

February 2003

LEO RUTH passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2003.
Words cannot tell who Leo was and what he stood for in life. A true gentleman whose place will be permanently retired. A reflection: Leo was only 11 years old when Engineers Club of San Jose was founded. He helped make it the icon it became. Thanks, Leo.

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Thursday, February 27, 1003
GARY RICHARDS, the road show guru of San Jose Mercury News, will be our speaker on Thursday, February 27. With more cars (posm’s) and more stupid drivers out there on our highways and by-ways than ever before in history, something that Gary has to say might well save your life.

The comment so often stated today is “Drive Carefully — and BUCKLE UP!” Plan to attend this unique meeting, have lunch, and reminisce with the spirit of Leo Ruth. It will be there.

See you there?

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RLR’s Are Driving’s Number One Menace
When a roadway signal light turns red, it means STOP! Only when the light is green is it safe to proceed. The amber light does not mean it’s okay to go.

In France, the amber light means STOP! I was in Paris when I saw a car go through an amber light. At the corner, two gendarmes went in to action blowing whistles and gesturing for the driver to stop.

A police car across the street turned on its blue lights and it did not have to travel too far. The driver stopped and received a citation. And that’s only for going through the amber light.

RLR, just in case you didn’t get it, means “RED LIGHT RUNNER.” They are real killers, those people who don’t halt as a light is about to turn red.

I can say it from experience on December 20, 2002. A heavy van ran a red light and totaled my 2002 automobile. If it had not been for the seat belt and air bags, I would not be writing this about RLR’s.

How much time does making a red light save the driver? In truth, none. But it must be some psychological factor that causes people to try to “beat the light.” You can see them at all hours anywhere you go.

I heard that San Jose police now issue citations that will cost the errant driver who tries to “beat the light” $281. That may discourage the urge to do it, but the fine should be $1,000. Anyone involved in a collision that totals his car is going to lose a lot of energy and will suffer a great deal.

It takes only a minute or so to drive sensibly at stop signals. When the light is amber, it’s good practice to stop. That avoids running a red light.

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SCOFFLAWS are really OUTLAWS. They think laws are made for others, not for them.

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It’s always good to get email from Dick Blackburn. He passed this one on just today [Saturday].

Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash with Wylie Post in 1935, was probably the greatest political humorist this country has ever known. Enjoy the following:

1. Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco.
   
2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
   
3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman... neither works.
   
4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
   
5. Always drink upstream from the herd.
   
6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
   
7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back your pocket.
8. There are three kinds of men. The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence.
   
9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
   
10. If you’re riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.
    
11. Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier’n puttin’ it back.
    
12. Finally: After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
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Wakeup Calls Are Afoot
If you had a chance to read a current letter from the Heritage Foundation, you were probably astonished to learn that American History is becoming a rarity in our schools. You will also be astonished that a number of university and college profs condemn our country. For example, a Purdue professor said, "There is no ground to be certain that America and Israel weren’t behind the 9/11 attacks." ultimate cause is the fascism of U.S. foreign policy over the past decades." Today, schoolchildren and college students are taught" to believe that America represents but one of many cultures and deserves no preference. Without America there is chaos.

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DUES
The few dollars we pay for dues keeps the club going. Membership is down, as with most associations but the dedication of some of our members is the glue that keeps the club together. Expenses are much less than in the past, but they still exist.

Enclosed with this issue of the Leo Ruth Memorial Issue is a pre-addressed envelope which you can use to Send in your dues for 2003. Regular dues are $40. For senior members (retired, no longer working) dues are $20.

But, in truth, whatever you can send will be put to good use. It has been a struggle the last couple of years, but Engineers Club continues. 2003 is its 75th Anniversary year. Not bad for any kind of group. It shows that Engineers are not people who give up easily.

Can we count on you to send in your $40, $20, or whatever? And a sincere thank you from the Board.

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