Vote for Obama? Nope, I can't do that. Ah, that leaves McCain.... Nope, I can't vote for him either. Hmmmm.
Neither candidate possesses what I want in a President; neither is remotely close. So, what to do? One of my college classmates, not jokingly, says, "Hold your nose and cast your ballot for McCain." I don't think I can do that.
What about a write-in or a third party candidate? Of course, a third party candidate worth a vote must first be found. But that's another matter.
Some have suggested that a write-in or third party vote is "throwing away a vote." Is it? Is it wasting the precious vote (and I'm not being facetious)? Right now, I think voting for Obama or McCain is "wasting," "throwing away" my vote. Neither is worth my vote for President. I think a vote for Gore or W was also a "wasted" vote; same for Kerry or W.
Perhaps if enough people thought a write-in or third party vote didn't think it was "wasted" or "thrown away" a difference could be made. Elect a third party candidate? Not likely. It's never happened, at least not for President. But a minor party candidacy has influenced the outcomes of a number of elections from 1824 right up to 1992 (and maybe 2000). T Roosevelt, running not as a Rep, but as a Bull Mooser in 1912, finished second, ahead of Big Bill Taft. I guess there's a first for everything. Maybe soon? More likely, if enough folks voted write-in or for a minor candidate, maybe (I know, a big stretch), just maybe a major party would give us a candidate worth voting for, worth the Presidency.
Others may be right. I might be wasting, throwing away my vote by not choosing BO or McC. I have thought about it often and hard. I still think voting for either of them is a waste.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Ramblings
Can it really be almost two weeks since my last post???? But, I see, I am writing to myself--zero comments. It's like when I was working. I'm almost ashamed of it, but often I deliberately tried to insult people, to question their motives, etc. just to try to get them to say something, even "Shut up, Ron!" But, nope, rarely, very, very rarely, over 33 years did anyone speak up and, when he/she did, more often than not spoke from a position of ignorance.
Is global warming behind our numerous and thunderous storms of late spring and early summer? If so, how does that mesh with the 25,000 physicists who recently joined the skeptics that global warming is caused by man-made activities? I wonder what the hairy mammoths and wooly mastodons called the end of the Ice Ages?
What constitutes art, as opposed to crafts? For instance, the Ann Arbor Art Fair has both. Which is which? Some, oil or pastel paintings to name one item, are obvious. What about painting on rocks? If it hangs inside, on a wall, is it art? If it hangs outside, in the garden, is it a craft? Beats me.... What was it Supreme Potter Stewart said about pornography? "I can't define it. But I know it when I see it."
Kenneth Davis of the Don't Know Much about... books has a pretty good new one, Hidden American History. Some is new, but not much. But it's entertaining and he offers some good perspectives. It's worth reading. It ends at the Constitutional Convention/Ratification, so my guess is there's a sequel or two or three in the making.
Is global warming behind our numerous and thunderous storms of late spring and early summer? If so, how does that mesh with the 25,000 physicists who recently joined the skeptics that global warming is caused by man-made activities? I wonder what the hairy mammoths and wooly mastodons called the end of the Ice Ages?
What constitutes art, as opposed to crafts? For instance, the Ann Arbor Art Fair has both. Which is which? Some, oil or pastel paintings to name one item, are obvious. What about painting on rocks? If it hangs inside, on a wall, is it art? If it hangs outside, in the garden, is it a craft? Beats me.... What was it Supreme Potter Stewart said about pornography? "I can't define it. But I know it when I see it."
Kenneth Davis of the Don't Know Much about... books has a pretty good new one, Hidden American History. Some is new, but not much. But it's entertaining and he offers some good perspectives. It's worth reading. It ends at the Constitutional Convention/Ratification, so my guess is there's a sequel or two or three in the making.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Edu
William Brock is the former Labor Secretary and, I believe, Trade Secretary. He currently is the head of some education think tank. He has some good, sensible views. And, he won't get listened to because what is says, although true, will be rejected by those who run the show.
First, Brock notes that "we recruit new teachers from the bottom 30%" of students entering college. Then, we turn them loose in the schools and say, "Educate!" Right. Consider this, seriously consider this. Is there any part of this that makes sense? Of course, this won't change, not at all. But why not? Because guess who is running education, the administrators, the supers, the teachers--yep, the "bottom 30%...."
He is off base in saying "they have no voice in their schools" (I'm impressed he didn't say "no say!"). And, for the most part, why should they? Remember, they are the "bottom 30%." Do NFL teams send the "bottom 30%" out there as their starting line-ups? Perhaps only two places do we find the "bottom 30%" in such roles--education and politics.
Second, Brock notes that "standardized tests of rote knowledge [shouldn't] drive education away from the very things that have made America special...." And, what are we doing? And who is afraid to stand up and say "NO!?" Yep, the "bottom 30%." What "drives" the curricula? The tests, of course--standards ("benchmarks," as nauseating to me as "biofeedback") are geared, not to creativity, to thinking, to innovation, nope, but to "the test." Now, that might not be a bad thing if, a very big IF, the tests were any good. But, as anyone who wants to go look at one can tell, they aren't any good.
I think Brock does miss the boat again somewhat in saying that "education is the key to better jobs, higher incomes, and greater growth in...an extremely competitive global economy." He adds, "Nothing is more important than education. Absolutely nothing." ("Hunh! Good God!") Yes, jobs are important, but edu is more important for another thing--the ability of people to rule themselves, the very existence of self-government. That was a keystone of Jeffersonian principles, that, with time and education, people were indeed capable of democratic government. And the US provided "the last best chance" to prove that despotism, tyranny in the form of emperors, dictators, monarchs was not the inevitable outcome of history.
Again, who will listen? Nobody. It's the "other" schools that are failing, not ours. Remember, as long as it's "give my kid an A, but don't make him work for it," then schools are wonderful successes. Note the inflated GPAs, not only of K-12, but also the colleges. (I never had an A as an undergraduate and, from the talk on my class's List Serve, not many did get As--note the colleges of education GPAs are often 4.0, Stanford's average grade is A-, etc.) So, the "bottom 30%" only know one thing--good grades without regard to standards and rigor.
Can you say, "Doomed?"
First, Brock notes that "we recruit new teachers from the bottom 30%" of students entering college. Then, we turn them loose in the schools and say, "Educate!" Right. Consider this, seriously consider this. Is there any part of this that makes sense? Of course, this won't change, not at all. But why not? Because guess who is running education, the administrators, the supers, the teachers--yep, the "bottom 30%...."
He is off base in saying "they have no voice in their schools" (I'm impressed he didn't say "no say!"). And, for the most part, why should they? Remember, they are the "bottom 30%." Do NFL teams send the "bottom 30%" out there as their starting line-ups? Perhaps only two places do we find the "bottom 30%" in such roles--education and politics.
Second, Brock notes that "standardized tests of rote knowledge [shouldn't] drive education away from the very things that have made America special...." And, what are we doing? And who is afraid to stand up and say "NO!?" Yep, the "bottom 30%." What "drives" the curricula? The tests, of course--standards ("benchmarks," as nauseating to me as "biofeedback") are geared, not to creativity, to thinking, to innovation, nope, but to "the test." Now, that might not be a bad thing if, a very big IF, the tests were any good. But, as anyone who wants to go look at one can tell, they aren't any good.
I think Brock does miss the boat again somewhat in saying that "education is the key to better jobs, higher incomes, and greater growth in...an extremely competitive global economy." He adds, "Nothing is more important than education. Absolutely nothing." ("Hunh! Good God!") Yes, jobs are important, but edu is more important for another thing--the ability of people to rule themselves, the very existence of self-government. That was a keystone of Jeffersonian principles, that, with time and education, people were indeed capable of democratic government. And the US provided "the last best chance" to prove that despotism, tyranny in the form of emperors, dictators, monarchs was not the inevitable outcome of history.
Again, who will listen? Nobody. It's the "other" schools that are failing, not ours. Remember, as long as it's "give my kid an A, but don't make him work for it," then schools are wonderful successes. Note the inflated GPAs, not only of K-12, but also the colleges. (I never had an A as an undergraduate and, from the talk on my class's List Serve, not many did get As--note the colleges of education GPAs are often 4.0, Stanford's average grade is A-, etc.) So, the "bottom 30%" only know one thing--good grades without regard to standards and rigor.
Can you say, "Doomed?"
Monday, July 7, 2008
Ramblings
Interesting article from Newsweek, Darwin v Lincoln. A good analysis, it is insightful and thought-provoking. You may, early on, figure out what the author admits later. One of those who commented was way off base. He claimed Darwin was much greater in that Lincoln was involved in saving "only one country." What this guy ignores is that this "only one country" is the world's "last best hope." You can find it at http://www.newsweek.com/id/143742.
One would think, with all of the bells and whistles that are put on cars, standard equipment mind you, that one of the things would be turn signals. When did those become passe, no longer put on cars? Obviously, they are not on newer model cars since the vast number of lane changers I saw over 5 hours yesterday didn't signal!!!! And, need I mention the cars, trucks, SUVs doing in excess of 80 mph--with $4.20 a gallon gasoline????
Guest column in today's (?) newspaper ripping on state super of schools M. Flanagan. Even more to the point, though somewhat lost in the rest of the article, was the bit about "fake teachers." Yep, but nobody listens. To people today, a degree is a degree is a degree...they are all equal. Little do they know....
Is there anything better than working outside? I've spent the last 4-5 days out there, about 4-5 hours each day--mowing the lawn, hauling dirt and shredded bark, etc. I enjoy the physical nature of that work, but also just being outside is cool. And, what better break than to stop and watch my grandkids play on the trampoline, in the sandbox (that Grandma turned into a pool), and just running the yard.
Good book coming out in Sept, a photo bio of Lincoln. Very poignant pix, great quotations from Abe, with good text. I zipped through my review copy. I'm about halfway through Ellis's Passionate Sage, the John Adams bio. It, too, is very good--but what else might one expect from Ellis? I remain impressed with the research these guys (I know they have researchers, but they have to do it, too) do. Where do they find the time?
One would think, with all of the bells and whistles that are put on cars, standard equipment mind you, that one of the things would be turn signals. When did those become passe, no longer put on cars? Obviously, they are not on newer model cars since the vast number of lane changers I saw over 5 hours yesterday didn't signal!!!! And, need I mention the cars, trucks, SUVs doing in excess of 80 mph--with $4.20 a gallon gasoline????
Guest column in today's (?) newspaper ripping on state super of schools M. Flanagan. Even more to the point, though somewhat lost in the rest of the article, was the bit about "fake teachers." Yep, but nobody listens. To people today, a degree is a degree is a degree...they are all equal. Little do they know....
Is there anything better than working outside? I've spent the last 4-5 days out there, about 4-5 hours each day--mowing the lawn, hauling dirt and shredded bark, etc. I enjoy the physical nature of that work, but also just being outside is cool. And, what better break than to stop and watch my grandkids play on the trampoline, in the sandbox (that Grandma turned into a pool), and just running the yard.
Good book coming out in Sept, a photo bio of Lincoln. Very poignant pix, great quotations from Abe, with good text. I zipped through my review copy. I'm about halfway through Ellis's Passionate Sage, the John Adams bio. It, too, is very good--but what else might one expect from Ellis? I remain impressed with the research these guys (I know they have researchers, but they have to do it, too) do. Where do they find the time?
Friday, July 4, 2008
Independence Day
On this Independence Day, we should remember, "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1825, fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Adams purportedly said on his deathbed, "The Union is safe; Jefferson lives." He had no way of knowing, in Massachusetts, that Jefferson had died a few hours before in faraway Virginia. James Monroe died the next year--on Independence Day.
Also, I'm wondering and have been for quite a while: Why aren't there many schools--none around here--named after Abraham Lincoln? In fact, in the Detroit Metro area, two high schools are named after Adlai Stevenson! Now, he may or may not merit having such honor, but doesn't Lincoln at least merit it as much? Of course, I'm being facetious. Is this yet another instance of our incredible ignorance of history?
Speaking of ignorant: A Detroit sports columnist wrote this about an NHLer who signed with the Red Wings for both less money and a shorter term--that he was "...shunning guaranteed financial security." Huh? The guy signed for $7.5 million!!!!! Maybe someone isn't thinking properly, if at all. How many of us have made $7.5 million, not in a year, but in our lifetimes? I'm not bemoaning this guy his money; I don't care what he makes. But, "shunning guaranteed financial security?" Maybe his contract says he must spend it all in one year, that he can't save or invest any of it? See why I rarely read the sports columns!?!?
I'm reading yet another book on Lincoln and continue to be amazed at the man, his words, his ideas, his actions. Why don't we study him and his types more and more? Why do we focus on, well, "A-Rod and Madonna?" I think I know why....
Happy Independence Day!
Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1825, fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Adams purportedly said on his deathbed, "The Union is safe; Jefferson lives." He had no way of knowing, in Massachusetts, that Jefferson had died a few hours before in faraway Virginia. James Monroe died the next year--on Independence Day.
Also, I'm wondering and have been for quite a while: Why aren't there many schools--none around here--named after Abraham Lincoln? In fact, in the Detroit Metro area, two high schools are named after Adlai Stevenson! Now, he may or may not merit having such honor, but doesn't Lincoln at least merit it as much? Of course, I'm being facetious. Is this yet another instance of our incredible ignorance of history?
Speaking of ignorant: A Detroit sports columnist wrote this about an NHLer who signed with the Red Wings for both less money and a shorter term--that he was "...shunning guaranteed financial security." Huh? The guy signed for $7.5 million!!!!! Maybe someone isn't thinking properly, if at all. How many of us have made $7.5 million, not in a year, but in our lifetimes? I'm not bemoaning this guy his money; I don't care what he makes. But, "shunning guaranteed financial security?" Maybe his contract says he must spend it all in one year, that he can't save or invest any of it? See why I rarely read the sports columns!?!?
I'm reading yet another book on Lincoln and continue to be amazed at the man, his words, his ideas, his actions. Why don't we study him and his types more and more? Why do we focus on, well, "A-Rod and Madonna?" I think I know why....
Happy Independence Day!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Back in Business
Whew! Hard to believe that it's been since March since I have talked to myself on this blog. Lots has happened.
I was listening to a Christian radio station this AM (yep, it's true!). The guest was Charles Colson, of Watergate fame. He was saying things that were right on the money. One was how our sense of values has declined over the past 40-50 years. Our sense of right and wrong has become warped. In part, it is because of "moral relativism," that wonderful (of course I'm being very facetious) "diversity" movement. We have been taught that there is no right and wrong, that people who do terrible things (can you say terrorists?) do them for legitimate reasons, that the good guys are really at fault. Another reason is that we recruit people to be members, not to be disciples/apostles. He was speaking of Chris churches, but that could be easily translated to mean America. We are not interested if people we allow into the US are committed to the values upon which this country was founded--notably freedoms.
It's frightening that I often find myself nodding when the conservative radio jocks say things--but rarely Limbaugh or Hannity. Bill Bennett, Phil Valentine are really good. Mark Levin, I find myself agreeing with, but dislike his tone. Michael Savage is, well, Savage and is sometimes outrageous, but often on the mark. Along with Bennett and Valentine, Frank Beckmann, locally, seems to be a voice of reason and intellect.
How cool to get a rebate check from the IRS! Not! I wouldn't mind it if I knew Congress was just going to spend less money. But, no, it will merely borrow more money from, hmmm, the Commie Chinese?, to pay for it. And, get a load of this. What did we get a couple letters telling us it was coming? The check itself? So each person had more than $1 postage.... How many millions of letters went out? How much for those 3 or 4 envelopes, sheets of paper? How much for the people who sent them out? And, two days after our check arrive, we were told that ours was short because the IRS took out $170 we owed due to 2007 taxes. The next day, we received another letter telling us that another 13 cents was taken out for interest on the $170! Yes, 13 cents!!!!! Our government in action. And people want government to run health care?!?! Hasn't government already messed up the schools enough? Thanks to FDR, LBJ, and subsequent Dems, more and more people look to government to bail them out--can you say homeowners, lenders, etc.? Nobody seems to recognize that when gov't gets its hands on things, they almost always worsen.
Just one man's lonely opinions.
I was listening to a Christian radio station this AM (yep, it's true!). The guest was Charles Colson, of Watergate fame. He was saying things that were right on the money. One was how our sense of values has declined over the past 40-50 years. Our sense of right and wrong has become warped. In part, it is because of "moral relativism," that wonderful (of course I'm being very facetious) "diversity" movement. We have been taught that there is no right and wrong, that people who do terrible things (can you say terrorists?) do them for legitimate reasons, that the good guys are really at fault. Another reason is that we recruit people to be members, not to be disciples/apostles. He was speaking of Chris churches, but that could be easily translated to mean America. We are not interested if people we allow into the US are committed to the values upon which this country was founded--notably freedoms.
It's frightening that I often find myself nodding when the conservative radio jocks say things--but rarely Limbaugh or Hannity. Bill Bennett, Phil Valentine are really good. Mark Levin, I find myself agreeing with, but dislike his tone. Michael Savage is, well, Savage and is sometimes outrageous, but often on the mark. Along with Bennett and Valentine, Frank Beckmann, locally, seems to be a voice of reason and intellect.
How cool to get a rebate check from the IRS! Not! I wouldn't mind it if I knew Congress was just going to spend less money. But, no, it will merely borrow more money from, hmmm, the Commie Chinese?, to pay for it. And, get a load of this. What did we get a couple letters telling us it was coming? The check itself? So each person had more than $1 postage.... How many millions of letters went out? How much for those 3 or 4 envelopes, sheets of paper? How much for the people who sent them out? And, two days after our check arrive, we were told that ours was short because the IRS took out $170 we owed due to 2007 taxes. The next day, we received another letter telling us that another 13 cents was taken out for interest on the $170! Yes, 13 cents!!!!! Our government in action. And people want government to run health care?!?! Hasn't government already messed up the schools enough? Thanks to FDR, LBJ, and subsequent Dems, more and more people look to government to bail them out--can you say homeowners, lenders, etc.? Nobody seems to recognize that when gov't gets its hands on things, they almost always worsen.
Just one man's lonely opinions.
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