NCAA

Does this organization try to make itself foolish on purpose?

So, the OSU guys get suspended, not now, but for next season? They won't miss a bowl game, but the first five games of 2011? I guess money talks. The irony is that people would still watch the OSU bowl game and the five players will return next year, after sitting the games, fresh for the end of the season. Now, if they were also banned from practices, spring and fall up to the fifth game, that'd be something different, though still not what should have been done.

"Should" is the key word. I guess there's an NCAA rule that prohibits players from selling items they get from being athletes. Is that a joke? Is the focus that players get things other students don't get? If so, ha ha ah! Let's see...scholarships, training facilities, better meals, etc. I suppose those are all open to all students? Let's see...not going to classes or made up phys ed courses, lower SATs/ACTs, hmmmm. What hypocrites run the NCAA! It must be fun to be able to pick and choose which "principles" are to be followed or abandoned.

Instead of NCAA, maybe the name should be changed to MCAA, Monetary Collegiate Athletic Association.

Cool!

I received, from Bryan, two ties emblazoned (and I mean emblazoned!) with images of Abraham Lincoln! How cool! Yes, I will certainly wear them. Immediately, I think of Lincoln's Birthday and the Civil War lectures in class as very appropriate times. And, no doubt, when the mood strikes me, I'll just wear one of them when we go out--maybe even next week to the New Year's Eve bash!

How coincidental, considering my earlier post! I must have been giving a Lincoln lecture last week during the funeral days.

How cool!

DuBois on Lincoln

In this time of maddening desperation toward our fools-for-representatives, this quotation of W.E.B. DuBois about Abraham Lincoln bears repeating. It is doubly appropriate in this season which brings the hope of birth.

"Abraham Lincoln was perhaps the greatest figure of the nineteenth century. Certainly of the five masters--Napoleon, Bismarck, Victoria, Browning, and Lincoln--Lincoln is to me the most human and lovable. And I love him not because he was perfect, but because he was not and yet triumphed. The world is full of illegitimate children. The world is full of folk whose taste was educated in the gutter. The world is full of people born hating and despising their fellows. To these I love to say: See this man. He was one of you and yet became Abraham Lincoln."

Wow...I still get chills having read and recited this hundreds of times. "He was one of you and yet became Abraham Lincoln." After his Cooper Union Address, he was handed his payment of $200 and was told, "Had we paid you $200,000 it would not have been enough." Leaving Cooper Union, one man related, "When I cam out of the hall...a friend, his eyes aglow, asked me what I thought of Abraham Lincoln, the Railsplitter. I said, 'He's the greatest man since St. Paul...."

Fri Musings

I don't often agree with former state superintendent Tom Watkins, but he had a great column in today's newspaper. In essence, he wrote that, if Americans want to continue to have the country they have, with its freedoms, wealth, etc., they're going to have to work for it. It won't come easy. I believe he described too many Americans as "fat and comfortable." Good for Mr. Watkins!

And, in the spirit of the Christmas season, here's this gem. (No, I don't make up this stuff!) Apparently an Oklahoma bank, a private bank, had some Chris display, "Merry Chris" or something like that. The Federal Reserve, overseeing its duty (read that facetiously!), told the bank to remove it, citing some regulations. First, whose stupid "regulations" were these? Second, what ding-a-ling at the Fed was stupid enough to apply/enforce them? Such an innocuous matter, yet other religions, e.g., Islam, are left unfettered, e.g., women wearing burkhas so their identities are hidden, say, in courts of law. Fortunately, enough people were aroused to contact their US Sen and Congressman, who stepped in and got the Fed to rescind its silly directive. But, the question remains, how did any of this get anywhere? Stupid people making stupid regulations that other stupid people blindly enforce. BTW, to whom, really, is the Fed responsible?

Also, while I'm at it.... How about that Cal pilot who demonstrated the folly of some TSA regulations? Apparently, flight personnel undergo rigorous TSA scrutiny, while mechanics, baggage loaders, etc. merely need to swipe a card, forgoing any similar scruting, to get access to planes. Again, your federal gov't at work.

It's nice to see that John Conyers is going to reimburse for the inappropriate use of a gov't-funded SUV. Yet, two big questions remain. Why is the gov't paying over $12oo a month for a Congressman's wheels? Can't he drive what the rest of us drive? Hey, does he still own his Ford dealership?!?! Does anyone think he's paying for any reason other than he/his son was caught?

Isn't revision wonderful? The gov is engaged in it right now. Granted, she was dealt a difficult hand; but, she knew that going in. To claim that things are better because of her two terms is preposterous, maybe worse.

I just love (yep, read more sarcasm into that) how people say things like "Let's not blame anyhone" or "Let's not dwell on the mistakes of the past and move ahead from there." How absolutely silly! Where is the accountability if we don't cast blame? If we don't recognize the mistakes others made, how can we move ahead? Shouldn't we stop people who made poor decisions in the past from making more decisions?

Time to leave....

Sometimes I Sits and Thinks...

...and sometimes I just sits.

Today I just "sits." When I saw and read the article about MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo's suspension I just had to laugh--and laugh hard. Who are these NCAA clowns? All the crap going on, payoffs, illegal recruiting, payoffs (did I already say that?), false attendance/grades in classes, training meals, tutors (for free), etc. and this guy gets a one game suspension for paying a guy to work at one of his clinics. Did the guy actually work the clinic/camp? Was he there? Then, he deserved to get paid, didn't he? Who was supposed to be hired, some Bozo of a high school coach who doesn't know any basketball? But, in the end, that's not the point. The point is that the NCAA just looks the other way, ignores, doesn't want to know, etc. major problems--e.g., admission of players who don't deserve to be in college. If people want to keep paying attention to college sports, good for them. The hypocrisy, dishonesty, lack of courage and integrity, etc. have pretty much driven me away.

Joys, Redux

Earlier this week I posted a list of joyful things. One was shooting stars/meteors. Two nights ago I viewed a "big one," (Can you say that on television?), a long, wide streaking meteor. It might well have been part of the Perseids or Leonids, whichever meteor shower is visible this week. And, to make it cooler, Bopper, in another car a couple miles away, heading home, too, saw it!

Wed AM, out running, a deer crossed my path, maybe only 20-30 yards in front of me. I kept running, smile on my face. Following the first was a second, then a third, then.... There were nine of them, all leaping through the snow, over and down a hill, across the road and up and over a hill. How cool! But, as a note of interest, they are not at all "cute." In fact, up close they are pretty ugly, fur all matted, not particularly bright/shiny, etc. But, still, cool to see so many.

Fri AM Thoughts

Ah, back to some semblance of normalcy (a word invented by Warren Harding or his campaign writers--look before 1920 and you'll not find it in a dictionary; you'll final norm, normal, normality, normalness, but not normalcy--but it's a nice word), hectic normalcy as usual (is that redundant?).

Bopper and Ash are asleep, as is Matt. The Codester will be over in a few hours (it's early). Lots to catch up on.

The funeral is over--what a week! I understand the need for different people to grieve in different ways. I'll never understand why they need to grieve they way they do at funerals. And, despite understanding, I don't have to like it. I detest funerals, even more so as mine is closing in, I guess. And I still don't like hugs and handshakes, not at all. Yuck.

I guess there are only a few explanations for the ways our DC legislators have been acting in recent weeks. They could be stupid, not understanding the clear message sent to them in Nov. That's a strong possibility. They could be ideological, with the arrogance that comes from knowing they are right and we are wrong. They could be vengeful, getting us for what we did in Nov. My guess it's one of the first two, maybe a combination. Whenever I hear the words "bipartisan" or "compromise," I cringe. I immediately think of "sell-out." One never compromises on one's principals. For instance...

Have you seen the contents of this "tax cut extension bill?" Even the title is misleading, very misleading. What part of "no more spending" has so soon been forgotten? What part of "quit borrowing" against the future has so soon been forgotten? It's a terrible bill in many ways and, no, that neither party is happy with it doesn't mean it's good. It stinks, adding to the deficit, encouraging undesirable behaviors, etc.

Why the "tax the inheritance of the rich" screaming, esp from Pelosi? Talk about a hypocrite! The inheritance tax isn't on income, but on wealth. There's a difference. Consider a family farm or business that has been handed down from father to son, father to son, father to son...perhaps for generations. Take a farm, just to take something. Do you know how much farm equipment costs? Several pieces of it, tractors, harvesters, balers, etc. can run into millions of dollars. Toss in the price/value of land and, if say a dairy ranch, the animals like cows. If a son inherits this from his father, after working it with dad for decades, he's received no money, none, just the farm that has been in his family, where he's worked. The ding-a-lings in DC want to tax that farm--its equipment, land, animals, etc. So, to pay the tax, for which the inheritor has received no money, the farmer has to sell some of his stuff (isn't that a great word, too!?!?). It's utterly ridiculous, if not worse.

Oh, well, off to run and blow off some of this steam--it's about 20 degrees warmer this AM that several other AMs this week.

Out...

Joys

1. Watching a rising Venus out of the east in the wee hours of the AM.
2. For that matter, seeing a meteor shower light up the skies.
3. That special cup of tea with honey that doesn't seem to come every morning.
4. Picking nose hairs.
5. Watching my grandkids intensity at work or play.
6. Reading a newspaper, not on the computer, but spread out on the dining room table every AM.
7. Finding a good glob of belly button lint.
8. Seeing more beauty in more women than I ever have before.
9. Riding my bike, not like the racers, but like a kid.
10. Giving a lecture on Lincoln.
11. Eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, dunking it in milk.
12. Recalling my kids' athletic contests and games.
13. Just sitting and holding my grandkids, especially when they lay their heads on my chest.
14. Shoveling snow in the dark and quiet of an evening or early AM.
15. Hearing from old friends who seem to have disappeared for a while.
16. Watching hypocrites squirm when caught in their own hypocrisy.
17. Seeing smiles on kids' faces.
18. Finishing a difficult puzzle: crossword, Kakuro, Soduku, etc.
19. Having leisurely lunches with good friends.20. Listening to long time favorite recording artists do their things.
21. Finding a new joy.
22. Coming across a song that brings back memories.
23. Chuckling at numbers 4 and 7 and not being embarrassed.

Round One

Fri AM and this AM were prelims; they don't count.

But the 2010-11 Snow Shoveling Season has officially started. Round One was this evening. I think I won the first round, but by a close decision. I did shovel about an inch of sloppy, slushy stuff this AM before heading into Dearborn. I was a bit worried that, when we'd get home, that we'd have a lot more sloppy stuff. But, the temps dipped and only a few places, at the bottom of the 5-6", were slushy. The rest was pretty fluffy.

The wind was blowing and temps have dropped into the teens, but, until near the end, it was quiet and peaceful. Only one car interrupted the solitude--the kid next door returning from a Sun eve basketball practice. (What coach would have his high school kids out driving in stuff like this--with police requests to stay home unless unavoidable--for a single practice? Just asking.) Then, the guy next door fired up his put-put snow blower, ruining the peace and quiet. It might have been worth the 10 minutes of noise since he had his wife utilizing the shovel while he had the machine!

So, in all, it took about an hour. I was pretty "schweaty" upon entering the house, but not as tired/wiped out as I might have been or expected to be. All in all, it was a good evening of shoveling, reminding me why I enjoy it so much.

I'm looking forward to Round Two!

A New DC?

It sure doesn't look like it. This tax bill to extend the current tax rates (it's not a tax cut!) symbolizes that those in DC still don't get it. We only hear from the Lamestream media about the extension of current income rates and unemployment benefits, the death tax (hey, hasn't that money already been taxed once or twice or...?), and the small cut in payroll taxes.

Why isn't there more about the continued earmarks, such as the de facto financial aid given NASCAR? How about some notice of the help given to Puerto Rican rum? Yep, the DC bobbleheads are still stuck on spending. After all, it's not their money!

I got a kick out of a lib reporter's column the other day. The name escapes me right now. But she was harping on the negativity, the anger in DC now--you know, after the election! So, Americans let their voices be known in Nov and now it's all about vitriol. But, when they voiced their opinion in the election in 2008, it was all "kumbaya?" What a fool! Do these writers have relatives who hire them?

Out for a LaBatts.

Education

Does the news on the state of education in the US ever get better?

Yesterday results from yet another study were published. US students, of 34 nations studied, finished in the middle of the pack. They did their worst in math and science, but were also pretty pathetic in writing/reading. As usual, history isn't important enough to be tested, but I'd assume American students would do poorly in that, too. Oh, everyone, even the Sec of Ed (yet another bomb of an appointee by Obama), chimed in on the deplorability, the dangers, etc. of the results. And, yes, we hear the same old cries for "reform!" "We need to change our ways about learning and teaching!" It seems to me we did "change our ways," about 35 years ago--and the results are still looking us in the face. "Change our ways" in education has become a profitable industry, but it has been counterproductive. Maybe it's time to finally listen to people who haven't captured anyone's ear yet, those whose ideas are "old-fashioned," "anachronistic," "out-of-date," etc.

And, closely related, was the news coming out of Detroit that a Wayne Co judge ruled that Bob Bobb doesn't have much authority to enact needed reforms in the Detroit schools. She ruled in favor of the school board, which has done such a bang-up job (yes, that's sarcastic, to the nth degree!). Apparently, according to this judge, Bob Bobb is not qualified to run the schools, to instituted reforms such as more reading and writing, summer school, extended days, etc. I guess, as she noted, that's because he has a real college degree, not one in "education," like the "experts." This judge needs to start paying attention. She needs to get a reality check. It's the "experts" with their fake "education degrees" who have caused most of the deplorable state of education, in Detroit and elsewhere. I certainly would hate having to argue a case before a simple-minded judge like that. When will people learn that those with "education degrees" know the least about quality education and the rigor it requires? I guess, with what is going on in the schools now, the answer is "Never."

On a personal note, I have been taken aback the past few classes. I have had several students come after class and say, in effect, "Thank you," in those words or close to them. To each I replied, "Thanks for what?" And they say, "For today's lecture (or class)." It felt good to hear those words, but even more, I am humbled. Yet, I also know that, in my previous tenure as a teacher, I was treated by those who should have known better (administrators, who else?) as a "piece of mung." And, with some current inside info, the education circus around here continues unabated.

Why so often (and see above) am I reminded of Mark Twain's words? "In the first place God created idiots. That was for practice. Then he created school boards."

WikiLeaks

Like almost everyone, I was initially concerned over the WikiLeaks. How irresponsible! How devastating! How dangerous! Well, after reading an article by Vasko Kohlmayer I've had second thoughts. We should have been alerted when the self-anointed elites, namely Obama and H Clinton, took off after Assange and his "leaks."

What "dangers" are really posed by them? Can it be those with whom we negotiate are naive enough not to know what we really think of them? Can it be no diplomat thinks others of his kind are devious, dishonest even?

WikiLeaks reveals more about the incompetence, dishonesty, self-centeredness, and self-serving natures of our leaders. They are exposed for what they are, not much of it good.

Maybe it's time we all reconsidered both WikiLeaks and those we so blindly elect to lead us--and consider where they have and continue to lead us.

Wed AM Thoughts

Make that very early "Wed AM thoughts...."

What a rotten way to wake up, getting an e-mail that includes an article with reference to "Senator Al Franken." Talk about wanting to puke!

Which led me to consider a comment I heard on the radio driving home from class last night. The host of the show was talking about "fascinating people," who is and who isn't, etc. His co-host mentioned "Sarah Palin," to which the host audibly scoffed and said, "I'm not even going to go there." It's his show and he can do what he wants. But.... Why the reaction like that, so typical in the media, to Palin? I haven't been excited by Palin, at least, not like apparently so many others. She has some things to offer, but seems lacking in some things, too. Is she Presidential material? I wouldn't think so, but I don't think W. Bush or Obama are close to Presidential material either. Anyway, back to the reaction toward Palin.... Why isn't there similar reaction to say Joe Biden, Gov Jen Granholm, Sen Debbie Stabenow, or, OK, Al Franken? What have any of them done to warrant anything other than a scornful "I'm not even going to go there?" For that matter, what about Donna Brazile or EJ Dionne? I caught a bit of Brazile on C-Span (don't tell anyone!) over the weekend (and I've read some of her stuff) and she's a political consultant??? And Dionne? What claptrap in his article this weekend about the "unconstitutionality" of banning earmarks! Where is the scorn directed at these feeble efforts at intelligent discourse? No, I really do understand....

And I heard the reaction of the US Sen to Dodd's farewell on the Sen floor yesterday. It was disgusting...unless the cheers were because he was going?

Can you believe Obama's press man, Gibbs? He had the audacity to say that Obama believes in open, "transparent" operation of government, etc. Either the guy is a blatant liar or extremely delusional. Of course, if it's the latter, nothing can be done. Like all of the self-anointed elites, they are too arrogant to recognize any flaws. Remember, if by some chance the elites are caught in something, it's always, "Let's not assign blame. Let's focus on moving on."

"Blame." Now there's an interesting word. If we don't "blame" anyone, what does that do to individual responsibility? What about accountability? How can we trust anyone to do anything right? It's the same claptrap (I've used that word a lot this AM!) I heard for years in the schools. "Oh, let's not blame anyone. Let's focus on moving on." It's a great way to prevent the fools from being held responsible for their foolishness, their continuous foolishness.

Lots to do today and I've just got started, about two hours ago....

How Refreshing!

I'm not a big fan of former Sec of Def Robt McNamara, but what a refreshing bit he did on C-Span today. He admitted that he might have been wrong on some things back in the '60s. He exhibited none of the arrogance I saw yesterday--or see coming out of our politicians, diplomats, bureaucrats, or media today. I may have to pick up McN's recent book.

Arrogance

I was watching C-Span 3 last night (Shh! Don't tell anyone!) and there was a panel discussion. Included were three media folks, political correspondents/analysts, and two of JFK's advisers. I enjoyed the panel, until....

Some of the insider stories were good ones, funny, insightful, etc. Then, each of them, to a man, exhibited their arrogance, that they are smarter than everyone else, that they know what's best, that their ideas, not those of others, are the right ones. It was very disconcerting, disappointing. So much so, that I turned off the channel, the whole tube.

They made fun of, mocked today's voters, those who exhibited their displeasure with how gov't is being run. And these guys, part of the establishment, have no idea that what they were part of has fouled things up so. They are, not the solution, but the problem--and they are so arrogant they don't even know it.

?????

OK, I know, having been one once myself, that youths are sometimes a bit, well, weird. But what's with this bumpersticker some kid in the neighborhood has on his car? It reads, "Kill Yo Self." What???? That's just a bit, well weird, isn't it?

I'm curious to see if there will be any letters-to-the-editor or any comments about "greed" concerning the Tigers giving $50 million dollars, over four years, to one player. Actually, I'll be surprised if there are any, not if there aren't.

Who ever told people like Mick Jagger and Bruce Springstein they could sing? If they did, they lied to the two men. Now, I enjoy hearing some (certainly not all) of their songs and even have bought some of them. OK, I like them, some of them. But they can't sing, not at all. Their voices are hardly melodic. It leads me to wonder if some other guy, just Joe Blow, had sung the same songs, would they be equally successful? After all, they couldn't sing any worse, coud they? I then think of the Supremes. It was held that Mary Wilson, even Florence Ballard, had a better voice(s) than Diana Ross. But, Berry Gordy knew what he was doing in giving Ross the lead of the group. I guess there's more to it than "better." Still, listen, as I did out shopping today, to Springstein sing "Sanat Claus Is Comin' to Town." Can you make the whole song without turning it off or putting your hands on your ears?

"Kill Yo Self?" What kind of bumpersticker is tha????

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for reflection. Wasn't it Socrates (or his student Plato?) who said, "The unexamined life isn't worth living?" I think that is so.

Now, I don't have a Pollyannish life, not by any standard, but it's pretty darn good. That doesn't mean I don't have any regrets (I have surprisingly many of them!), but I am grateful for all that I do have. Life is, well, pretty darn good.

I hope more and more people have reasons to be thankful today. I hope more and more people reflect. I hope that reflection isn't just on themselves and today, but the future of our children and grandchildren. I hope that they are thankful for what they are leaving behind, too. And, if they aren't, that they work to make their legacies something good.

Happy Thanksgiving! (What time do the Lions and Packers play?)

Thoughts on a Thur AM

In this time of economic woes, how can the Detroit Tigers (or anyone?) give a player $50 million dollars, even if it is over four years? And, of course, people will continue to support them, esp if they win. I don't blame the player, whoever he is, or even the Tigers. I think it's the whole game, the system, that is very wrong and misguided. C'mon...$12-13 million a year to play baseball????

Talking about systems or games that are broken, what about college football? It's all about money now, isn't it? I'm certainly in a minority here, but that is discouraging to me. A former UM player was interviewed in today's newspaper (he now has cancer and the story is good one, with his attitude, spirit) and said something that people need to hear, but won't, "Nebraska doesn't belong in the Big Ten any more than Arizona does." Nope, it doesn't. It's not a question, he suggested, of being opposed to change, of being "a fuddy-duddy." I think it's a matter of doing the right things, always. This goes to the BCS system (and does anyone know what it really is?), to the clamors for a playoff, to those who get hired as coaches. In a personal way, it's a shame, because I used to watch a lot of college games, years ago, but rarely watch them now, not even the local teams. Too bad for me....

Good article in Thurs paper from last week (yep, I'm very behind in my reading; things are just zooming by me--I have three or four deadlines of next Wed, too!). The guy, a college prof, decries the lack of "preparedness" (I'd never use that word) high school students are for college. Well, HELLO! Of course they aren't prepared and it's getting worse. I've seen it in the 16 years I've taught in the colleges--and many of the high school students I saw who were accepted and went on to colleges astounded me. Of course, this guy's article will be ignored--by practically everyone. Who's going to pay attention? Students? Parents? High schools, both administrators and teachers? College instructors? College administrators? None of them, not a one. This system is broken, too. A college degree, now, is about equivalent to a high school diploma of mayb 30 years ago. Not only have the high schools watered down everything (curricula, standards, etc.), but so have the colleges. High schools are too concerned with their images, mostly false ones, of improving and their test scores. "Teach to the test" is the mantra. Teachers often have not been through rigorous, quality education programs themselves (and that's not the education schools, but colleges/universities in general!); they don't know their subjects nor the effort required for quality. They have been the most mediocre of students themselves and therefore are cowed/intimidated by the latest silly, counterproductive claptrap coming from administrators, who are often chose from the weakest of teachers. (Add that one up!) Colleges, with their massive construction and expansion projects, have mortgages to pay; they need the tuition. Professors, burdened with political correctness (and most of them fully buy into that, having created much of it) such as self-esteem, affirmative action, etc., rarely give out the grades deserved, the poor grades. (I recall reading Patrick Allitt's I'm the Teacher; You're the Student. It was a good book in describing his class, what he does, his assignments, etc. What was distressing, very much so, was when he admitting that 7 or 8 of his students fully deserved to fail the course, but he wrote, "They'll get the B-minuses." Oh, he rationalized that, but not at all convincingly to me. He's a wimp, pure and simple.) Why would students be concerned? They've been handed grades with little or no effort in high school, come very much unprepared for college work (although they don't think so), and why wouldn't they expect more of the same--good grades for no effort or achievement? In a way, I can't blame them, well, at least not fully. So, when I hear people like our soon-to-be ex-governor loudly exclaim, "Everyone goes to college!" and the subsequent, equally loud cheers, I just shake my head.

Can you believe the TSA patdowns? If those You Tube videos are real...? OK, I understand the need for security. I also understand that a very small percentage of people/travelers undergo the patdowns. But, that's not the point. It's the invasion of our rights, our individual rights. I heard a radio announcer yesterday defend the patdowns, saying they were OK if they ensure our safety. Nope, I don't think so. First, he's supposedly one of those guys who believes in the "founding principles," you know, what the Founding Fathers of the US professed. Well, apparently he forgot this one from Jefferson: "Those willing to give up a little of their freedom to get a little security deserve neither one." And he has overlooked the reason for the founding of this nation, the constant usurpation of rights of colonists by Britain. Oh, we hear in the textbooks and teachers (who don't know any better) about "No Taxation Without Representation." OK, taxes were an issue, but just one, and, by itself, not even the most important one. The Americans were hardly taxed, a very small percentage (about the same as the number being patted down by the TSA!) compared to their fellow British citizens "across the pond." But it wasn't just taxes. It was the quartering of soldiers, usurpation of the right to trial by jury, writs of assistance (open-ended search warrants), etc. You'll get an idea by reading the Bill of Rights. They were witnessing a gradual loss of their freedoms, liberties, a little by little. There was nothing egregious, just small increments. Look at us today. The federal government has mandated we purchase health insurance, wear seat belts, what to use to cook our foods, etc. Little by little....

Ah, but there's still football and isn't American Idol coming soon?????

Caring?

Why don't people care? Oh, they say they do and, maybe in their heads they really do. But why do they let things happen? Is it because they have other things to do? Is it because "things" are happening to others, not to them--yet? Are they too comfortable in their lives? Or, do they just not care?

Do we think "caring" means putting a "Free Tibet" bumper sticker on our cars? (Yeah, the Chinese government is threatened by that!) Is it serving on committees that merely rubber stamp silliness handed down from on high? Is "caring" making sure we recycle while leaving on all the lights in the house, driving an SUV, etc.? (I got a great kick out of driving past an elementary school that proudly had a sign that it had been awarded some sort of "Green School" award, while the majority of vehicles in the staff parking lot were SUVs!) Is it favoring the gov't to "do something," namely taxing more and spending more of other people's money, while continuing on lengthy, expensive vacations, buying large flat screens, having cell phones with all the latest bells and whistles, driving luxurious cars, etc.?

Where to start? Speeding on the expressway? 80 mph or faster on the road is not uncommon; I saw it many times just yesterday. It's dangerous, consumes fuel, etc. Yet? Have you seen any of the videos of the TSA searches at airports in recent weeks? And then the smugness of the TSA agents afterward? (Watch some of the You Tubes out there and see if you aren't reminded of Animal Farm.) How about re-electing people who are on public record calling the public "stupid," among other similar things? Why do we let those who have few, if any, real credentials (note I said real!) run our schools and school districts? Oh, the list seems infinite....

Again, it's a question of caring.... What we say and what we do are most often quite different.

And...

Have I said this before? I love the food at Antonio's!!!! We stopped there yesterday and I ordered one of the two or three menu items I always get, substituting fettucini for linguini. Oh, my! It was the best meal I've ever had there. Have I said that before, too? I'll bet I have. The bread was as great as ever (and I am not a "bread person," often considering it something merely to fill me up so I don't eat as much of the good stuff) and the pasta y fagioli was wonderful, just perfect. So, then, what about the "Fettucini del Mar?" Heavenly, just heavenly! I loved it. In a single word, "Yummy!!!!!"

I feel a bit better today, but Fri, Sat, Sun I was a bit sore, well, more than "a bit." I wasn't suffering from flu-like aches and pains, not at all. But I was sore, as if I had played in a football or rugby game the day before. I was that sore! It felt like use/usage aches rather than those associated with some sort of illness. Ugh, but better today. And, I get leftover Antonio's food for lunch or dinner!!!!

Mon AM Thoughts

"Mon AM?" It seems much later than that, since I've been up since 1 AM!

Driving through a neighborhood in the West Side of Detroit yesterday was just devastating to me. I've been thinking about it since. There were many abandoned homes, most boarded up. And this was a vibrant neighborhood--back when I was a kid. There were parks and school yards where we used to come and play. The homes were working class, small by comparison to what most people seem to be able to afford today, but well kept. There are still some homes that are well tended there, but some are not. What was just, well, devastating to me was how many of them had bars on the front doors and windows--all of them had bars! Poverty or even below average income shouldn't require one to turn his house into a fortress. People shouldn't have to live like that, barring their homes in fear of break-ins. What went wrong--and when? (I know better than to ask "why" because that affixes blame and blame is counterproductive. It's more important to move on. Of course, I'm being facetious--note all the vowels in alpha order in that word!--even sarcastic. Most certainly we should blame people when things go wrong, for a variety of reasons. Not the least of which, we should know who or whose ideas fouled up things so those people never get to make decisions again!) So, this is how people must live--or at least think they must live? What is wrong and why can't that be fixed? I refuse to accept that "poverty" or some other sociological term is responsible. I just wanted to cry, right there and in the open, out loud.

Why can't we just come out and say things we really mean or want to say? I know we can't, for many reasons, many of them good ones. But, it sure is frustrating at times. Sometimes we can hint, but must draw back when getting too close to the line. Is that more frustrating or not? Hmmm....

Greed?

One of the lessons of history is the truth is not necessarily "somewhere in the middle," but where we find it. For instance, for decades apologists for Stalin held that "only" about 1 million Ukrainians were killed by Stalin in '33-'34. Anti-Stalinists (no, don't ask how anyone could not be "anti-Stalin" because I have no idea) claimed the number was closer to 3or 4 million. So, traditional historians said the number was "somewhere in the middle," about 2 million or so deliberately starved to death, shot, etc., by the monster Stalin. Well, later research revealed that the number was somewhere in excess of 10 million dead! The truth is where we find it.

So, who and what is greedy? Here we go again.... Of course, Wall Street, Big Oil, The Bankers, all CEOs, etc. are greedy, almost by definition. OK, what about these folks? I saw numerous SUVs and other vehicles flying past me on the expressway today. I had the cruise set at 71-71 mph. Many had to be going at least 80. So, how greedy are they? They, with no regard for the cost to others, in terms of real money, help to nations that aid and abet terrorism, etc., drive along getting less than 20 mpg. And, again with no regard for others, they jeopardize others' lives. It can't be disputed that "speed kills." So, what is so important in their lives that they can drive in such greedy manners?

OK, what about runners? At a race this AM, many slower runners lined up at the front, forcing much faster runners (not necessarily me!) to run around them. Many of the slower runners were already walking, tired out, by mile one in a 10K race. And, from what I could tell, most of them had those ear buds, unable to hear or even consider others around them. I suppose, once upon a time, one might argue that the slower runners had a right to be up front so they could get their fastest times, too. Not now, not with timing chips. In fact, their times wouldn't be at all affected by lining up in a more considerate position. But the faster runners are again hosed since they must negotiate in and around and through the globs of slower ones. And, to lock oneself in his/her own little world with head sets on in a race? Nah, none of that is greedy, all about me!

That leads me to what I was initially going to post. The recent tragic spate of teen-age suicides can be linked to greed or, at least, self-centeredness. And, of course, young people today are taught to be greedy, self-centered by the schools who focus on self-esteem, self-concept. How many students are taught that their opinions can't be wrong, that they are as valid, legitimate as any others' opinions? What hogwash! Any teacher who teaches that, who stresses that should be fired immediately or, at the very least, put through a reindoctrination program! No, not every opinion is valid. Yes, students' opinions can be wrong. Now this is America and people, even students, have a right to their own opinions. But having a right to an opinion doesn't validate that opinion. One who thinks it should be "St. Adolf Hitler" is wrong!!!!! So, with students being taught this self-concept, self-image, nothing they think is wrong, why wouldn't they put themselves in positions of thinking they can write, say, do anything they want? Why wouldn't they think they could bully someone else? And, not to blame those who commit suicide, but what about that self-image, self-centeredness, etc. stuff on them? No doubt I am all wet on this, but I there is a distinct correlation in the past few decades between student suicides and this whole "God didn't make any junk," self-concept, self-image junk.

Out to read....

The Tea Party

Sometimes it is grating that so many self-anointed elitists run down the Tea Parties. I wonder if they realize that, without the Tea Parties, the Dems would have done much better and many Reps who were elected would have been the spineless legislators of the past few decades.

I still keep hearing that the Tea Partiers are "racists," "bigots," etc., that "they have no ideas." Now I know I've written about that before, that just because people have ideas different from others doesn't mean they aren't ideas. They're just different ideas and, because others don't agree with them, doesn't mean they aren't ideas or even good ideas. Looking around at things the way they are now, maybe some of the "good" ideas of the past 50 years haven't really been so "good." Of course, the self-anointed elitists, who know better than anyone else about everything, would surely never concede that, would they?

And what about the leadership in both parties. What arrogant fools! They equate the Tea Parties with the common folks, you know, US! And listen to the fools, how they run us down, how we don't really know what's best for us, how they have all the answers. Yep, they've sure solved a lot of problems, haven't they?

No doubt, the Tea Partiers do have some less than desirable characters. But should we begin to list the scoundrels in the major parties? How about listing those who have shown themselves to be very stupid? Oh, I forgot...that doesn't matter.

What's Next?

OK, NO FUN ALLOWED!!!!

So, San Francisco is joining the list of communities eviscerating Happy Meals. Toys can't be included with the HMs because, apparently, they entice the youngsters to eat HMs. That the toys are fun and enjoyable, I guess, doesn't matter. SF, and other places, are going to make us fit--or at least not as obese--whether we like it or not. Perhaps SF and other local, state, and the federal gov't should pay more attention to what they are really supposed to do, not raise our kids. It's not as if these gov'ts have any kind of superlative record in the governing departments.

And the schools! Talk about letting an institution that can't get its own act straight reaching out to fix something that isn't any of its business. Maybe the schools should focus a bit more on teaching reading, writing, thinking, math, history, etc. instead of worrying about if kids have cupcakes or cookies or candy bars in their lunches! If the schools have enough money to pay "food police," then maybe all their cries of "poverty" are as bogus as most of us think. And here's the latest one I heard. The state of Michigan passed a law outlawing flavored waters in the schools, well, at least banning them from being sold there. Just what we need, a marriage of incompetents: those running the state and those running the schools.

BTW, I haven't received a peep from any of the 7 school board members here regarding my suggestion that we consider changing school names from "places" (lake) and trees ("oak") to those of important persons, such as Lincoln, Washington, Douglass, etc. I guess, though, it's nicer to have something named "Country Oaks" or "Oak Valley" or "Spring Mills" (how nice!) than named after someone who made a difference. What better way to reinforce an idea--that people have and can make a difference.

Oh, I'm getting a headache!

Mixed Reactions

I guess, numerically/quantitatively, I am happy with the results of Tue's election. I imagine what the pundits are saying, but anyway one looks at them, the results are staggering. The Reps demolished the Dems. Even more so than nationally, the state results tell the picture--more than 680 party changes in state legislature seats!!!! Yet, I am concerned/bothered by more than one thing.

First, Obama and the other self-anointed elites are not likely to pay attention to the message. They might not even get it. But, assuming they do, what do we peons know? We're stupid; they know it and have told us. They are smarter than we are and know what's best for us better than we do. So, why would the election have anything to do with anything? He needs to be defeated in 2012, preferably in the primaries.

Second, the Republicans have to have heard the message. While they are exchanging hugs and high fives all over the country, the Republicans must realize what we are telling them. They must behave responsibly, not like the ersatz Republicans of the past dozen years. Here's where I favor a third or new party. I don't trust the Republicans, who've shown again and again in the recent past that they lack integrity and courage.

Third, it is devastating to me that people like Reid, Murkowski, Dingell, Peters, etc. can be re-elected. How????? Oh, I understand, I guess, how and why. But, I don't understand either. Dingell was facing a top-flight candidate, Rob Steele. The man is intelligent, wants to serve (he isn't a career politician and doesn't need the money or headaches). He had the right ideas. Yet, he lost, by 15 points or more. How? I know it's the closest race Dingell has ever had and he was running scared, but so what? He won. Dingell, on the radio more than once, laughed in our faces, pretty much calling us stupid. He claimed to have been the author of the ObamaCare bill, but admitted he hadn't read the whole thing. When questioned, he said he knows what's good for us better than we do. (Well, I have some news for him. I'm no genius, but I've heard him talk and he isn't smarter than I am!) Steele was characterized as "one of those rich guys" or something in that vein. He's a cardio-surgeon. Is being a "rich guy," which would seem to indicate he's a successful surgeon, a bad thing? Is having money a bad thing? Maybe we should ask the thousands of people whose lives he has saved or extended what they think about hims being successful or even wealthy! And Peters.... Granted, the Reps threw a lollipop at him, not a very strong candidate in opposition. But, Peters outspent the Rocky guy by two times and his ads were disingenuous, if not dishonest. The "fair tax" that Rocky supports is not "a 23% increase in taxes," not at all. And to claim that Peters is "independent" is a laugh. He voted lock, stock, and barrel with Obama and Pelosi when it counted. When the Dems didn't "need" his vote to pass stuff, he was released from a "yes" vote so he could claim "independence." I suppose that Reid barely pulling out a victory over Angle is a strong statement--couldn't a much, much better opponent be found? Yet, that he had so resort to shady tactics--could the LV casino owners have exerted much more pressure on their employees to vote for Reid?--and even voter fraud--the reports of Reid's name already being marked on absentee and early voting ballots?--should be some consolation, but it's not. I guess I just don't like it when the bad guys win--ever.

Maybe I'll perk up in time....

Election Eve

I'm nervous about the results of tomorrow's election. I think it could be a watershed election, even though voters are not selecting a President. It will indicate which direction the US will go--maybe. I've blogged and had op-eds about the "message" aspect of this election. If the so-called "right" people are elected, but don't get the message.... Will, then, 2012 be too late?

Again, I don't understand how people can vote for some candidates? Do they just blindly believe what their unions tell them? Are they getting freebies from the gov't and "credit" these candidates for them? Do they really believe these candidates should be representing us, I mean really? Have they no sense of pride, after having some of these candidates pretty much call us "stupid?"

I was thinking about "greed" again the other day. I heard again from a guy about the "greedy" oil companies, Wall Street, the banks, etc. Yep, I suppose they are greedy. But what about those gas station owners who charge 9 or 10 cents more a gallon for credit purchase than for cash? I understand that credit might, might, cost them more, hence the higher price. But, first, why are some station owners' costs covered with 3 or 4 cents more while others crank it up to 9 or 10 or more per gallon? Second, isn't the extra charge for credit purchases on the individual purchase, not on the gallons? So, a credit purchase on a fill-up costs $1.50 or more for paperwork? Baloney!!!! Third, when at all possible, I don't stop at those stations that have higher credit than cash prices. I'd imagine I'm not the only one who does that. They, then, are losing my business. I even will go out of my way, not far, but some, to avoid the credit stations. And, what about the greed of those who say "I'm retired; I don't care any more?" Don't they care about the futures of their own kids and grandkids? They just care about themselves? Isn't that greedy? What about those who bemoan the state of who they call "the unfortunate" in this country, yet drive around in SUVs, take several extended vacations, have several thousand dollar houses, etc., instead of living far more modestly and giving the money they don't spend on themselves to "the unfortunate?" Isn't that greedy (and hypocritical)? I don't begrudge them their vehicles, trips, homes, etc. It's the self-righteousness and hypocrisy that get me.

I guess I don't believe in "karma," but it's good that MSU got smashed the other day in Iowa. Reinstating that player was wrong, sent the wrong message.... It's just what the university needs, what with the rest of the country seeing Detroit and Michigan as they do. Now, how do they view MSU? It's win at all costs. Likely most people believe that for their own schools and teams, but not for others (just a little more hypocrisy). But, in the player's defense, if it's true he blew the minimum on the breathalyzer.... Well, I think the law is far too strict. I'm not at all in favor of drunk driving, but one glass of wine or two beers in a couple hours? C'mon.... The legislators, once again, fell victim to lobbyists with sob stories to tell. Again, I'm not in favor of drunk driving, have had family members victimized by drunk driving, etc. But to throw on a person the penalties and related costs of having two beers or a glass of wine in two hours is ridiculous. Now, that is especially so when we haven't done as much for talking on cell phones or texting while driving. Cell phone usage, statistically, is just as dangerous as drunk driving and texting, according to some studies, is 20 times more dangerous. Again, people not thinking....

What a game it must have been to watch! Amherst beat Tufts last Sat, 10-7....that is, 10 touchdowns to 7 touchdowns. Yep, 70-49, the Lord Jeffs over the Jumbos. BTW, what great nicknames, too! Two tough games in a row coming up, the Bantams of Trinity and the Purple Cows of Williams.

Hell!

The Run Thru Hell was a lot of fun! Boy, it was cold, about 34 degrees at race start. It was 41 by the time I arrived home, about three hours later. The course wasn't the 10-mile one of the usual Run Thru Hell, but a 10K. It was still pretty hilly, although not as bad as the longer course. And, it wasn't 90 degrees with 90% humidity.

Folks were all dressed up, adding to the festive atmosphere. Batman, Spidey, the Flintstones, lots of devils and witches, a couple astronauts/cosmonauts, the Joker etc. I found Waldo. Scoobie was there, too, with Velma or Daphne, I don't know which. A guy dressed as the Olympic gold medal swimmer Phelps was there, complete with medals, drug-paraphenalia, and speedo--he had to be cold! I was disappointed that a gorilla whupped me! He chugged right past me at mile 4 and never looked back--I never saw him again.

I ran pretty well, my fastest 10K in several years. I ran right at the limit of my comfort zone, pretty much pushing it the whole way. I could have slowed some, but couldn't have sped up at all. I thank Chris Burley for keeping me at that good pace. She didn't back off and pushed me on the up- and downhills. I hope I run that well at Big Bird, which doesn't have the hills.

It was great to see so many runners and walkers, more than 3400 I understand. It was a phenomenal number (and I don't use that term often) for a race planned just two months ago! It was in large part due to the efforts of the running community and its affection for Dolores and Harrison Hensley. They have been mainstays and great ambassadors for the Michigan running community for almost 3 decades. I hope the wheel-chair accessible van works out well for them.

It was a great AM....

Election

If you've not voted, I urge you to read the article to which I have linked. Think about it and the implications of the election--not just who we elect, but the message that needs to be sent.

http://detnews.com/article/20101029/MIVIEW/10290395/1469/MIVIEW#ixzz13lyQ6yb0

I have returned....

OK, so that's not original, but I have!

Just finished two articles, beating tomorrow's deadline for each! Hooray! I enjoyed doing both. I thought, as I wrote the third of three "feel-good" columns this week, that some might think I'm always so rosy. Well, when I do most of my writing (not necessarily blogging or sending out e-mails) I am. Why, for instance, would I want to grouse about, say, running, a runner, or the running community? There's too much out there to be negative about; running doesn't need to be. Others, if they wish, can cover the negativity there.

Besides, runners are great to talk to and write about. I always feel better after talking to them and writing about them. With all the junk going on in the rest of the realm, that's a good escape.

I read a very, very good book this week. Once a Runner is one of my favorites. I wondered when John Parker was, if ever, going to write another novel. After all, Once a Runner was published in '78 I think. Well, Again to Carthage is out in paperback and it is terrific. I really enjoyed it.

I think I have all my writing done for a couple of weeks now. I have one race to cover on Nov 14 and my Dec column to write (I already have the topic/subject and have notified the guy I need to interview). Whew.... That October was quite a month, with about half a dozen reviews, two or three columns, a couple of race stories. Carrie F. said, "You write too much." Yep, but I like it.

I broached the subject of a history dept journal, where instructors could write about history. They could take episodes that interest them, write book reviews, tell about teaching techniques, etc. This didn't work so hot at OCC, where just a handful of people contributed and one guy did most of the work. I know it is a lot of that. Maybe I'll ask if I can start one.... I'll think about it.

OK, now out for more fun, to grade some papers.

Thoughts on a Windy Day

The breeze is stiffening out there, growing, it seems, by the hour.

So, the NFL, I hear and read, is getting tough on "vicious hits." That has to be a tough one. First, as an On Demand ad used as a come-on today, people want to see "the great hits!" Second, how can an official call a "vicious" hit? These guys are giants, moving faster than guys half their sizes. Of course, hits are going to be "vicious." What is "leading with the helmet?" I suppose a handful, but only a handful, of hits can be so described. But there are only fractions of seconds when these giants make decisions. And others are moving so quickly and so forcefully. I guess I don't see it. And, have any players called for a crackdown? I don't know.

Glorious Weather

What great weather! Another sunny, relatively warm (low 60s) day. We've had a bunch of them. The colors of the leaves are great, too! I don't know which color I like the best: the fiery reds, the glimmering golds, the bright yellows, even the deep red-browns. What a wonderful dilemma to ponder.

Bopper scored two goals yesterday in a 5-1 win, against a team that smashed them before. Bopp's team really dominated the game and the other three goals were scored by a kid who's really, really improved. I am amazed, though, that so many of them are still afraid of the ball, a soccer ball! And, they still don't quite grasp some pretty basic things, like go to the ball, don't give it to the other team, etc. But at least they are exercising, not watching TV or playing video games.

Out...

"Fair???"

I can't wait, like I wanted. This won't be what I planned or plan to write, but....

I'm reviewing a book right now and the author writes, "It may not seem fair" that the only way to make money is to work for it. Now to be "fair," the author does later write about investments. But what would be "fair?" How about just giving people money, for free, for doing nothing? Or, would robbing a bank be "fair?" Or how about defrauding people out of their money? Well, I suppose one who robs a bank or defrauds people is doing some work....

Maybe "fair" isn't a word most people should use.

The Mosque

OK, I've "pontificated" on the Cordoba Initiative/Mosque building proposed near the WTC site. I think there are Constitutional protections to construct such a center. But, as I've opined, just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should.

In So. Carolina, a woman is flying a Confederate flag in her mostly black neighborhood. Does anyone care to weigh in on that? (Actually, it's similar to a scenario I used in addressing this issue a few weeks ago.)

Pink Bracelets

C'mon. I think people who know me realize what I think of those running the public schools. But it seems as if those running the schools are out to convince everyone they shouldn't be running them.

I heard and saw online the stories of the pink bracelets being sold at the (junior high?) schools. OK, the pink bracelets is a good enough idea, although I wonder what "awareness" is being raised in jr high kids. And, of course, my guess is that it wasn't really the kids who bought the bracelets, but their parents. Should kids be used as walking billboards for every "good cause" or political policy? That's a slippery slope, no doubt. Nevertheless, it's not that which has be worked up. Off had, I think it's not a bad idea, the pink bracelets.

But they are printed up (so I understand from the online articles and the radio) with "I love boobies." C'mon. Whose idea was this? And, jr high kids? "What's the harm?" no doubt some will say. OK, I wonder what those "no harmers" would think about, say, blue bracelets for men's testicular cancer with "I love b*lls." They might well respond that that's the only way we can reach today's kids. If that's true--and I don't believe it is or at least hope it isn't--is that where we've come, what we've become? I think that's a pretty sad state, pathetic even. Of course, these might just be the ramblings of an old fogey!

What's the big deal with Michelle O campaigning in a polling place? It's against Illinois law? So what? She was in Chicago. I would guess a few other such campaign/election laws are being broken there. And, what is anyone going to do to her? Is the First Lady going to be charged with anything? Now, you or I might be, but not her. (I wonder if she was "proud" to have broken the law??? I assume, being a big-time Illinois lawyer, she knows the law.) Imagine the screams if she was. So, there are double standards--laws for some and laws for others. Get used to it--although I don't have to like it.

I'm a little worked up today over the word "fair." I have heard it several times this week, but I have a couple other things to do right now. So, it will be fodder for later this weekend--if I have time. A full schedule is on tap! When will I grade my mid-terms???

Out....

Black Bats

Bopper and I were watching a special on the boob tube about a local Detroit ballplayer and his teams from the '50s and '60s. I played against several of those interviewed, but never the player, "Pinky" Deras, himself. But I knew about him, of course. More about competition between "us" and "them" in another post.

But the program displayed the "black bat," given to national championship teams. Team and team members' names, dates, exactly what championship, etc. are stamped on the bats. I mentioned to Bopper than I had a few of those. He looked skeptically at me, so I went to see if I could find them. I did find two. Bopp became curious, wanting to see my name (I wonder if thought I stole them?). Then he asked about the "really good guy" that he'd heard about from me and others. That was Ted Simmons and I showed him Ted's name. He looked satisfied. He asked about some of the other names, which really meant little to him, but he wanted to know if they were good, etc. There was no all-state baseball team back then, but quite a few of the team members on that bat were all-state in football and basketball. Including the four we picked up for the national tournament, if I recall, all but one either were drafted by MLB teams or played college ball or both. It brought back fond memories. I told Karen that, when I kick off, Bopper gets the black bats.

I ran into one of my son's junior high, I mean middle school, teachers. He said he heard about Matt teaching in Las Vegas. "I knew he'd be successful," he said. Well, although Matt was always a very, very good student, I'd say he was less than the ideal jr high kid, esp for teachers he didn't respect or like. Anyway, the teacher said he'd followed Matt through his high school, sports I assume, and was proud of him and what he'd done. Pretty cool....

First...

...to address a couple of comments/questions from past posts.

In the course of a recent conversation, face-to-face, not online, someone (OK a teacher) asked what I meant by "asking the right questions." I used this example. Several other teachers, not from the same district as the questioner, related to me that they and most of their school are viewed as "negagtive" by adminstrators, the board office, etc. The administrators, esp the superintendent and others at the board office, need to ask questions before calling names. Why are these/so many teachers "negative?" Is it because they think what they are being asked to do (outside of the classroom, with curriculum, etc.) is stupid, counter-productive, yet another boondoggle? Is it because they think the district has treated them unfairly, dishonestly, without respect? Is it because they don't like their principal and don't want to give him/her any reason to claim success for him/herself or have no respect for him/her? I don't know many answers, but I do have a lot of questions. Of course, maybe they aren't prepared to hear the answers to these questions?????

Another asked why Americans are so complacent, submissive. Why do they elect so many obviously stupid, incompetent people? Why do they continue to let government take them down the wrong road? I think, in part, it's because we've become too comfortable. As the Dutch editor wrote, "I was too busy enjoying my freedom to do anything to protect it." And, remember the wrotes Pastor Niemoeller wrote about the Nazis, "First they came after the Jews and I wasn't a Jew so I said nothing. Then they came after...." In part, too, I think it's a product of our age, the '60s and '70s. It was the time of "I, Me, Mine." It was the schools and their inane self-concept/image emphasis, the "God didn't make no junk," etc. philosophy. And more, but....

OK, too brief, but I have to go get Michael from school....

Sun PM Musings

Just a few thoughts before settling down for a bit of relaxation, just a bit.

How cool it is to see Bopper run around playing soccer! OK, I'm not a big soccer fan, but he runs and runs and doesn't seem to get tired. And, each of the last couple of weeks, he's scored a goal. I think I get as excited as he does. And he came within about 10 feet of two or three more, just missing the net, with one bouncing off the crossbar. And, he had a couple of cool headers today, too.

How glorious the past three or four days have been! I took Ash and the Codester to "a park" on Fri. They ran in the maze for about 15 mins, then played on all the slides, swings, etc., with a few minutes in the sand, for about an hour. Then we visited the animals, petting them. Rabbits and (William) goats--Ashley was feeding them tree leaves. The Code was, as usual, quick to chase the roosters and turkeys. I wonder if it's as much fun for them as for him. Then, Grandpa said it was time to go, but they wanted more play time, so we stayed another half hour. About 2 1/2 hours at "a park."

Upper 70s to 80, with sunny skies and the leaves turning. Other than New England, can there be any more beautiful place than Michigan? I suppose there is, but I surely like it here.

With Halloween, I've taken to showing the kids two songs: "Flyin' Purple People Eater" and "Monster Mash." Ash sings the first and dances to both. Michael plays cool, but can be seen watching the videos intently, almost mouthing the words.

Why don't people care about things that really matter? How many got worked up only a bit at the ridiculous US District Court ruling over ObamaCare or that several school districts are banning cupcakes from kids' lunches? Should we even bother to ask the question of the MSU or Lions' victories? Remember the Dutch editor: "I was too busy enjoying my freedom to do anything to protect it."

But, I will admit, it is cool to have Fordson, Amherst, MSU, and the Lions all win on the same weekend.

Out to read, Return to Carthage....

Education

The recent "Superman" movie appears to be sparking a lot of debate about education, namely schools and the need to improve them. Note, I didn't use the word "reform." That's because there's been a lot of reform, but not much improvement, in fact, probably none at all. I don't count the test scores because the tests, over the years, have been shown to be inaccurate (with poorly written questions, wrong answers, etc., schools/teachers literally teach the tests (sample questions, how to take those types of tests, etc.). No, they are hardly any reflection of improvement. It's disheartening to hear school officials, including the state superintended, claim that there has been significant improvement. I really doubt there has.

Some of the debate has been marked by arguments such as "we know what to do," "it's easy to identify bad teachers, etc. Well, yes and no. But I think those are off the mark, way off. First, we have to ask the right questions. Then, we have to ask the right people for answers. We aren't doing either of those and the likelihood of that is not high.

Sure, we can easily identify the poor teachers. That's not hard. Although most teachers do a creditable job, some are even outstanding, there are far too many poor ones. And, yes, they are "protected." No doubt some are protected by the teachers' unions and even tenure laws (although with competent administrators, those can't protect bad teachers). But I would submit that most lousy teachers are protected by administrators. Some of that comes from incompetent administrators or even those who lack the courage to get rid of the bozos. Yet, I think most protection comes from administrators who are more concerned with keeping "team players" than they are with outstanding teachers. I can give many examples, past and present of this. Administrators are happy to be rid of the critics, the naysayers, who often point to the stupid, silly, ineffective policies and programs that are pushed by administrators and school boards. Again, I can give many examples, past and present. Isn't that sad, that a principal jumps up and down in excitement to get rid of one of the few outstanding teachers out there just because that teacher knows and speaks out about the inanities passing for education? You know, I haven't heard nor read a word all week about incompetent administrators. It's as if all the pundits just accept that administrators are experts--and they aren't, not at all. In fact, I believe they, with their fake degrees in education, have the least amount of education, know the least about quality education, and have no idea of the rigor required for that quality. And, from what I have seen, past and present, they lack the courage and integrity to stand up for what's right, for quality and rigor.

Here's one that might shock some folks. I don't think education should be "all about the kids." Nope, at least not in the sense that most people think of that. Education is about preparing for the future. Installing, for instance, a false sense of self-esteem/concept is not good, but detrimental. Students should be prepared for failure as well as success. Now, far too many expect the best, be it grades, jobs, etc., without really having to prepare themselves. The schools, in being "all about the kids," have encouraged this. Education should be about preparing citizens for an active and knowledgeable role in democracy. I wonder how learning how to take standardized tests does that?????

Those applauding attempts at school reform (see above) have their hearts, but not their heads, in the right place. Why in the world would we expect the same people who got us in this educational mess in the first place to get us out of it, esp when they've implemented failed policy after failed policy? Beats me.

Another thing I've read and heard is the amount of time US students spend in school compared to those in countries with higher test scores. I find it interesting that many of these same folks, citing the greater time in class in other countries, then are absolute in adopting, say, health care like other countries. "We don't want to be like them!" "We aren't France or Norway!" I know, I know--comparing apples and oranges. But, you know, apples and oranges can be compared!

"More hours," "more homework," "Saturday classes," and "longer school years." Bah! When is there time for kids to play, to be kids? If we want more of the above, add an extra year, with graduation at 19 instead of 18. How many 18 or 19 years olds are really ready to jump out and save the world? Let kids be kids as long as they can. They grow up soon enough. But, no, we want them to, well, dress scantily, have babies, smoke cigarettes, use drugs, etc., just like adults. Oh, we don't? Then why do we force, or at least advocate, so many "unkid" things on them?

There's more, but Bopper has a game.... Out.

Dirty Tricks

Weren't "dirty tricks" some of the things that brought down Richard Nixon and the Republicans about 35 years ago? Remember the one where people in Fla were awakened at 3 AM by phone calls? "Hello, we're calling from the Dem Party and we're wondering if you're going to vote in the upcoming election. We urge you to vote for the Democratic candidates...." The only problem, other than ticking off people with the 3 AM phone call, was that it was the Reps, identifying themselves are Dems, making the calls. Funny, but a dirty trick.

How different, other than less serious, were those phone calls from the Dems faking "Tea Party" candidates, getting them on the ballots? They aren't real tea partiers, but really Dems. The purpose is to steal votes from Reps. Isn't that some sort of fraud, you know, complete with jail time?

We've had that here in Oak Co and now it's taking place in other states. Funny how the law applies to some people, but not others. Funny how the LameStream media jumped all over the Nixonites (rightfully so), even winning Pulitzers, but remains mostly silent on the fake tea partiers. No, it's not funny at all. They are earning the name, "LameStream Media."

It's Getting Scary

OK, it's getting scary out there. A federal district court judge yesterday upheld the ObamaCare provision that requires people to purchase health insurance or face fines or jail. (Fortunately, there is the appeal process, but I wonder if there's any hope there.) The judge held that Congress has the authority to force us to buy insurance. He cited the Constitution's Commerce Clause, which has been used by activist judges to grant more power to government while taking away our individual rights for almost 80 years now. Such use of the Commerce Clause was wrong in the 1930s and is wrong now.

Here, take this example. If the Commerce Clause can be used to justify mandating health insurance purchases, it can also be used for just about anything. Maybe Congress will want us to all join health clubs, so we can exercise, whether we want to or not. Do you really think you want such a law passed? Don't be ridiculous, Ron!? Well, how much more "ridiculous" is that than requiring people to buy health insurance? What about forbidding us to eat certain foods? What's to prevent Congress, if the Commerce Clause can justify such broad authority, to make it illegal for me to have my single Cherry Coke or Dr. Pepper each day? Or, eat my raw cookie dough? Or have a beer? Or eat fast food (oh, they already do that, well, at least some local gov'ts do)?

Gee, why doesn't Congress use the Commerce Clause to ban/outlaw abortions? Surely it's not such a stretch that, by aborting a fetus, a person is prevented from being born and that would most definitely have an impact on the national economy.

In the newspaper, one of the decision's supporters (and obviously a supporter of ObamaCare) said that, over the next four or five years, we're going to see positive changes in health care, just wait and see. And, of course, this guy is one of the anointed, the self-appointed elite, one of those who knows what's good for us better than we do. The sanctimonious, self-righteous, smug, arrogant elitists will occupy one of Dante's rings in the Inferno (along with the guy who invented cell phones!).

Do you see, left or right, liberal or conservative, Dem or Rep, why it's important to send a message in this year's elections? We have to tell these people they are not smarter than we are (and anyone who listens to them on the radio or television or reads what they write knows they most assuredly are not smarter than we are!).

And, if the election doesn't do it, maybe we should. What if we just say "no!" and refuse to obey these arrogant laws? Whose country is this anyway? What if Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Adams, etc. had all, 235 years ago, just shrugged their shoulders when Parliament violated their rights--"no taxation without represention," trial by jury, quartering of troops, establishing martial law, closing ports, etc.? Think about that, if not for yourself, how about for your kids and grandkids!!!!

Humble and Fortunate

Someone sent me another list of "best colleges" in the US. Amherst was number 3, the third best in the nation! Granted, there likely isn't much difference, if any at all, between the top ten or even more, but third! It's very humbling to have had the privilege of going there. How very lucky I was. With 7 or 8 students being rejected for every one accepted, I often wonder how I was selected. (OK, I actually have an idea, a pretty good one.) And how can I repay that, the experiences I had, with academics, professors, athletics, friends, etc.? (OK, I think the school did get something back from me.) But sometimes I have to pinch myself when I think this is where I was able to go to college.

I am reminded of the quality of the learning experience(s) frequently. Now, on the Class of '70 list serve, another discussion/debate is taking place. I remain struck by two things. First, the quality of the debate, the depth and breadth of the ideas, is phenomenal. It really is. And I was fortunate enough to go to college with these guys. Of course, the professors were instrumental in developing these thought processes, etc. Lucky, Lucky, Lucky. Second, the civility of the guys is remarkable. Although they have strong opinions, the discussion is heated, always the guys are civil toward each other. It's very cool.

When I think of the academics at Amherst, I remember two things. The first is the quality, the exceptional quality, of the professors we had. Surely, not all of them were top flight, but, by and large, most were outstanding. And, the longer I am in teaching, the better they become. They were great! The second is the tons of work we had. There was reading and reading and reading, too much for anyone to completely finish, right? I am not joking when I tell my classes today that my first history course had 12 books! And, that wasn't all--there were several looseleaf notebooks of reprints to read, too. And the writing!?!? We had papers due all of the time. In high school, a 3-5 page paper was a term paper. At Amherst, many/most classes had 3-5 page papers due every week! And the topics weren't easy either. Wow!

Of course, I didn't do all of the work and was far from the list of top scholars. But somethings must have rubbed off, considering my graduate studies and how easy they were and how I was able to excel without much effort. And, my professors did instill a love of learning that remains with me, perhaps even stronger today than ever. I'm a lucky man, one who is humbled by the educational experience I had at Amherst.

Random Thoughts

OK, why does the Wendy's in Holly have the best Double Stacks? Other Wendy's are good, but the ones in Holly are better, really. I've tried Onion Lake, Walled Lake, Milford, Westland, Garden City, Wixom, Brighton, and even out of state, but Holly takes the cake. Hmmm....

Education will never improve until it does, at least, two things. First, in order to make things better, the right questions must be asked. Second, the right people must be asked for answers. I see all the so-called "reform" movements have the same old people involved, including the Secs of Education. They were the ones who were in on the things that fouled things up in the first place. Why ask those who messed things for more lousy ideas? Of course, a letter to the editor in the newspaper explains all; it must have been written by an education-type. It's a waste of time and energy, she wrote, to look backward at what went wrong, who caused things to go wrong, etc. Far better, she continued, to move forward. We shouldn't point fingers. How wrong, wrong, wrong!!!! Those who caused the problems in education need to be identified for several reasons. They have to be held accountable. And, it must be made certain that these people are not allowed to make any decisions in the future. I suppose this attitude is a version of the "Everybody Wins!" philosophy now in the schools. Again, the wrong questions are being asked of the wrong people. No meaningful reforms will come until we figure this out.

Did I hear it right this AM that some environmentalists, to save Mother Earth, are advocating people killing themselves off, as much as 90% of the population? There was a video on the Internet with one of these nut jobs, if true. Apparently, the guy has won a lot of science awards. Is he really pushing for genocide to "save" the environment? If so, I wonder if he puts himself in the 90% or the 10%? Nah, there's no wonder. He's another one of those self-anointed elites.

Out to grade papers.

Sore and Tired, but Feeling All Right

I'm still a bit sore and tired today, go figure. Yesterday I was more of both. Of course that was due to running the Brooksie Way Half Marathon. It was a good race, rapidly becoming one of my very favorites, a "must" race for my annual calenday, much like the Crim.

I was a bit disappointed with my time and place, but not much. I was about 3 minutes slower and 4 places lower than last year. I guess I can attribute that to getting a bit older--all of my times at the same races are a bit slower, except one. I guess I can accept that--getting older! But I think my training was not what it should have been. I didn't really have a training plan, not like usual. Oh, I ran, but, due to circumstances, not like I wanted. I didn't have in the long runs I usually get. I didn't run as many hills as I normally do. I did more biking, but that isn't the same thing. But, no regrets. I did what I did because I made choices. They were my choices and I enjoyed what I chose. Huh????

What I liked about my effort was that, although I never really got in the groove/zone (and really haven't in any races this year), I never really felt bad. It was a workmanlike performance, which is just fine. And, I noted, I ran the second half almost two minutes faster than the first half. That is odd, not just because of the fatigue factor, but the second half is loaded with long, grinding hills. Yep, I'm pleased.

I did get out for an easy run today and, in fact, the state park's trails/woods were so pleasant I ran longer than planned. I rode the bike, pretty easy, too, to work out the soreness. But, taking Ashley to "a park," I did beg out of going down the slide a couple of times. I went down some, but not as often as usual. And Bopper didn't want to bike after school, which was fine with me--I didn't push it like I usually do.

More rants tomorrow or Wed....

Faceless Names?

I'm sure this is my fault more than anyone's, but....

In the past couple of weeks, my Comcast daily news is saturated with names I don't recognize: Ashton, Rhianna (spelling?), Heigl, and even some names I recognize, but only as names. I have no idea who these people are. Actually, I do have an idea. They must be some pseudo-celebrities: Hollywood-types or Hippy Rock Guys, something like that. Now, why are they the headline news? OK, I know why, but why do people care what happens to Ashton, Rhianna, Heigl, and the others more than matters of substance, perhaps, like the upcoming elections, the federal government deficit, the usurpation of individual right by those in DC, the sad state of affairs in Michigan, etc.? I suppose I have an inkling of an answer to that one, too, I suppose.

In the same vein, why was this Colbert guy invited to testify before a Congressional committee? Granted, the two or three times I've seen him, he seemed pretty funny. But, why is he testifying? Do the other comedians on the Hill need some comic relief? To his credit, John Conyers asked that Colbert leave, at least initially, but caved in when he found out one of his Dem colleagues had invited him. We certainly wouldn't want to make any of our colleagues "uncomfortable," even if they do foolish things.

Just curious, too: When will the history textbooks and teachers begin to at least give the side that maintains FDR and his New Deal not only didn't end the Depression, but likely lengthened and deepened it--at least give the side...?

And, with a move toward expanding our union involvement at MCC, I am once again torn between the current efficacy of unions. Hmmm....for me, there's really a double-edged sword.

It was nice that not a single one, nobody, from the local Huron Valley School board responded to my suggestion that we name schools after important historical (national or local personalities. That's just what we need another "Country Oaks" (with nary an oak around) or "Oak Valley" (at the top of the highest point around). Is this yet another example of the arrogance of the self-anointed elite, that they are smarter than the rest of us, that they know better, so don't bother them with matters?

Out....

Hypocrites

Two matters: Regarding my recent post about the three wealthiest members of Congress being Dems, not Reps, check out Michelle Malkin's column yesterday. She asks a lot of embarrassing questions, well, embarrassing to Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, and even the President. Of course, the questions are embarrassing only if they become public. Why doesn't the mainstream media pick up on this? It's not that these guys have accumulated a great deal of wealth or even how they did so. Those might be interesting stories in themselves. The key here is their hypocrisy, how they continually criticize the "greedy" rich, the Republicans as the "party of the wealthy," etc., yet live very much unlike how they preach. I'm betting a lot of people would buy a lot of papers and magazines that could dig into that!!!! No, I'm not holding my breath.

How about academia? Those high-minded, principled educators are once again proving to be first-class hypocrites. See Cal Thomas' Fri column (and, those of you who know me, are aware Thomas isn't my favorite). It's very good. The federal DoE is attempting to force curricula, ideas, etc. on the colleges and universities. Not a peep from the overwhelming majority of college administrators and professors, nary a one. Imagine if W had tried this!!!! Oh, the cries of "Academic Freedom!" are hurting my ears. Remember the MSU professor who had the temerity to criticize the Islamists? Try being the one or two conservative professors at U of M or Harvard or Yale or Berkley. Oh, can you say, "Ward Churchill?"

Oh, while I'm at it.... I've certainly been lucky enough to have my own share of personal successes over my lifetime. I won't go into them here, but I've had the good fortune to be very successful at things I've done, won things, experienced things, etc. that the vast majority of people never do. That's not really the point. (In fact, I find them, most often, very humbling.) But we forever give people things they don't deserve. Oh, it can be grades, accolades (note the ubiquitous use of the term "classic"), etc. What has me worked up are several recent elections (or appointments?) to several halls of fame or things of that ilk. I have seen the lists of members and most don't belong anywhere near a hall of fame. Also note a recent magazine cover, citing a "beloved" actress, one who I never heard of! (Maybe that says more about me than others?) What was it Groucho Marx once said, "I wouldn't belong to a club that would have me for a member." (I think he also said, "I was married by a judge; I should have asked for a jury." How great are those!!!!)

Out to write....

Correction

I was notified that I blundered on Fri's post. John Dingell's opponent is Robert, not Rick, Steele. I don't know how I made that mistake, since I had the name right in front of me, written out. Maybe I was thinking of Rick Snyder??? But, it's good to be corrected; it helps one to remain humble and not arrogant. Yes, that's a paid political comment.

November is coming soon. Remember, this time, voters are not just electing our representatives. They are also sending a message, an important one. Don't let the arrogant, self-anointed elites win--don't give them the wrong message. They are arrogant and snobbish. They think they know better than we do. First of all, no they don't. Second, that's not the point.

The Apocalypse

Yet more signs that the Apocalypse is nearly upon us:

Is it true that a campaign ad for John Dingell is criticizing is Congressional opponent, Robert Steele, for being wealthy and, even worse, for how he earned his wealth. It surely can't be healthy to criticize someone for being successful, as long as the success was honestly earned. And Steele earned his money as a cardiologist, one who has performed thousands of cardiac catheterization procedures--you know, saving people's lives! Is this what it has come down to--class warfare? How can anyone, let alone a Congressman, criticize a doctor for making money? What is it, exactly, that members of Congress do to earn their money--and for more than 55 years? 55 years? Yep, that's how long Dingell has been leeching off the public teat!

I'm not certain, but I'll wager, if Dingell needed a life-saving heart operation, he wouldn't seek out a minimum-wage cardiolgist. I know I wouldn't. Great, now we are critical of those who are not only successful, but marvelously successful in a life-saving occupation!

And, mind you, this is the same Dingell who claimed credit for the ObamaCare bill, as an author, yet admitted on radio he hadn't read the entire bill. Then, one might ask, how did he write it? In fact, his answer was sneering, as if it was a stupid question, "Hey, did you even read that bill before you voted for it?" Yeah, I guess that is a stupid question. Dingell is one of those self-anointed elites, one who knows what's best for us better than we do ourselves. If anyone deserves to be bounced from office this Nov, he's right near the top.

And, the Democrats are using such ploys? Talk about hypocrisy and arrogance! I don't see them critical of their Hollywood-types for making a lot of money is something that is considerably less than life-saving. In fact, I might argue quite the opposite, but that's a topic for another post. And, of the ten wealthiest members of Congress, seven are Dems! What about them? (Of course, the hypocrisy reigns there, too. How many of those multi- multi-millionaires voluntarily give up much of their money--you know, to live like the rest of us!--to give to those they claim "need" it? Right, none of them. The arrogant hypocrites!) How about their President, the "community organizer?" His house is worth 30 or 40 times what mine is, yet (well, see the above).

I'm not against wealth, not at all, as long as it is gained legally and ethically. In fact, I like the idea of wealth for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is it's a measure of success.

And is it true the NCAA is going to allow college football teams with losing records (5-7) to go to bowl games? How fitting! Yep, the colleges are going the way of all of education: "Everybody's a winner!"

Why try? Why exert any energy, physically or mentally, if the laziest among us is rewarded equally?

It reminds me of a "discussion" I had with a woman a while back. She argued that everyone should "be equal." Her idea of "equality" was every has the same thing, like money, I guess. So, someone going out and getting, say, a college degree and three graduate degrees (any resemblance of that to me is purely intentional!), works at improving skills, etc. shouldn't be compensated any more than a lazy dreg who never completed high school (or has a high school degree courtesy of the milquetoast teachers who have no idea of what quality, rigorous education is)? Oh, I get it. There's more, but I am chasing the kids around this afternoon and they are both wound up.

Take-Backs

Talk about "just kidding!"

I see, last week, that Monica Conyers went to prison. She had pleaded guilty to bribery, corruption, and what else. When she received her 3-5 year sentence (?), she decided she really wasn't guilty and wanted to change her plea. How cool! Plead guilty until you find out what penalty you'll get and then, if it's not what you like, withdraw your plea!

Is that like buying a lottery ticket, losing, and then wanting your money back because you decided you really didn't want to buy the tickets in the first place? Sure sounds like it.

And isn't it more than strange that hubby John Conyers has been completely silent in all of this. That sure does make one wonder, doesn't it?

Comfort Zone

Here is an op-ed piece from the NY Post. It reflects what I've been saying, writing, blogging for quite a while. We have become complacent, too comfortable with our lives again. We choose not to recognize (and I believe it's a willful choice--we are more concerned with American Idol, the NFL, etc.) that there are some people out there who want to kill us, all of us. Once again, I believe "it's all about me." We are wrapped up in ourselves, not taking time to consider others. Hmmmm.... Isn't that "greed?" But that's a topic for another day (and one I've addressed before, surely). Here's the op-ed:





Updated: Sat., Sep. 11, 2010, 4:16 AM
What our grandparents knew
By ARNOLD AHLERT
Last Updated: 4:16 AM, September 11, 2010
Posted: 12:38 AM, September 11, 2010

Dec. 7 and Sept. 11 are iconic American anniver saries. Both days represent our greatest failures to understand the true nature of evil. And while each day will be treated with a similar veneration reserved for national tragedies, there is one aspect that truly divides them: resolution.

The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. Four years later, they surrendered unconditionally. If one posits that the war against radical Islam began in 2001 (at least for us), we are in the midst of a nine-year-old conflict that shows no signs of resolution.
How is this possible? In terms of manpower and machinery, Japan was a far more formidable foe than the various umbrella groups that make up Islamic jihadism. Why are we having more trouble defeating them?

Because we've "sanitized" warfare. The same nation that detonated two atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki no longer believes in victory, if such victory requires too much "collateral damage," a k a civilian casualties.

Sounds enlightened, does it not? Who could possibly prefer relentless onslaught and destruction over "winning hearts and minds" and "nation-building?"

Yet consider how out of phase such thinking is. How do you win hearts and minds or nation-build before the enemy is defeated? How do you convince Afghans during the day to risk their lives siding with us, when the Taliban kills them at night -- because they still can?

How do you maintain the morale and well-being of American men and women in harm's way by purposefully prolonging war? How many lives would be saved by military ruthlessness?

War is ostensibly a last-resort option. It's supposed to be something so dreadful that it should be avoided at all costs. Do Americans ever wonder how far Islamic jihadists would continue to go if their every provocation were met with an annihilating response? Our grandparents knew the answer to that question.

Dec. 7 is a day of remembrance. Sept. 11 is an open wound -- courtesy of Politically Correct Warfare.

atahlert@comcast.net

Sat columns

Leonard Pitts and Walter Williams, as usual, had very good columns this AM. Williams wrote of the disservice the diversity bean-counters have done to black students. Reminds me of "Everybody goes to college!" Brilliant, just brilliant--really of the former, sarcastically of the latter. Pitts wrote of the Fla minister who wants to burn Qu'rans. I think it's silly, but this is America; the minister can do what he wants as long as he isn't harming anyone. And, no, I don't think he's hurting anybody. Pitts rails, correctly, about the idiocy of this, and that we, perhaps idiotically ourselves, allow it to become a major story. But I think he misses a great opportunity to rail, not equally, but even more so, against Islamists who would use such idiocy to kill more people. The jihadists, those purporting to speak for "the religion of peace," have called for this minister's death. Will I see op-ed pieces condemning this? It's obviously a much more terrible thing, isn't it? That's where the anger and concern should really be focused. So some guy has a bonfire where he burns religious books. Others use this as an excuse to murder people. Hmmm.... Where should our real concern and anger be focused?

Still, it's good to see that these two fine columnists, often at odds with each other, continue to be well worth reading--insightful, thought-provoking, and reasoned. We can learn a lot from each of them.

Michelle Malkin

Michelle Malkin is really very good. She really nails this one.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38938

Meanwhile, the major media just cave in. The Free Press, of course, and even the News kowtow to the likes of Victor Begg, Richard Nodel, and Imam Ali Sharia (or whatever his name is), allowing them to insist on Islam as "the religion of peace." Where is their concern, their protests, even any articles condemning all of the violence being wrongly (so they insist) committed in the name of their "religion of peace?" Where is their condemnation of the treatment of women, the use of children and handicapped persons as human bombs, even the beheading of Daniel Pearl and others????? Then, their silence is deafening, isn't it? I know I'm being insensitive, bigoted, racist, and all those other perjorative descriptions, but "it is what it is."

Hey, speaking of "insensitive...." OK, I believe that the Constitution, US and local laws, and our principles permit a mosque to be built near ground zero. Now, I don't think it should be for several reasons. One, what is the message being sent to the Muslim world? What wonderful propaganda fodder for the Islamists! Two, what about this "religion of peace?" Shouldn't it have some concern over the sensitivity of the 911 attacks, if it is, indeed, "the religion of peace?" And, how about those Americans who are pooh-poohing the "sensitivity" thing? Where do you think they might stand, for instance, on the waving of a Confederate flag at a civil rights march, as just one example? Right....

Now, I'm not at all in favor of waving the CSA flag anywhere nor the construction of the mosque. I believe the Constitution protects the rights to do both. But, just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should. In both cases, concern for other people, their struggles and beliefs, should be enough to prevent them.

But, hey, what do I know????

Education

I knew Amherst grad Harold Varmus was a Nobelist in medicine. But I just found out that, at AC, he was an English major!!!!!

Yet, another strong argument for a broad, liberal arts education--for most people. Yet, that's not what our education-types are after now. Other than "test, test, test," it's science and math and computers, science and math and computers. Well, what would one expect when we let the people (the education-types and I say that with heart-felt insult) largely (but not solely, to be sure) responsible for our sorry state of education try to fix it.

The OCC adjunct meeting next week is to discuss "Academic Standards." I'd think about going, but I wouldn't get paid, like I would at MCC. I'd still think about going, but OCC pays its adjuncts like dog-meat. There's been no pay-raise in 10-12 years for adjuncts. One of the ajd was saying she gets about $12/hour for teaching there. I get a bit more, but not much, because I'm at the far right and bottom of the pay scale. But, I note, there's a lot of money to put televisions in the hallways and student-gathering areas, redundant technology, etc. Again, those in charge have no real knowledge, no respect for quality education or those who can provide it. I am left alone, however, for which I am grateful. And, in that, it's not a bad place to work, esp compared to HVS. And, I enjoy the teaching, a great deal.

Out to baste my ribs....

Labor Day

Today evokes mixed emotions about labor unions. I know the history of them, the advances in pay, safety, health, etc. that they brought, likely decades, if not never, before they otherwise would have come. I know how teachers' salaries were improved--the other day I reminisced to another how I took a $2-3000 pay cut to start teaching and that doesn't include regular overtime that usually doubled my weekly paycheck. I don't regret that move, but I do sometimes wonder what it would have been like to stay with my road construction job. I enjoyed it a lot, was paid much better than teaching, and was outside. I didn't want to quit it, but was sort of forced to do so by my father, who said something like, "I didn't pay for you to go to college so you could work construction." Fair enough, I guess--but I did enjoy the job. My first teaching job was about a quarter an hour, maybe a bit more. But, when I coached football and baseball, I was paid less than a quarter an hour, all tolled. So, I appreciate all that....

Yet, unions have become something else, something, I think, detrimental in many ways. I don't like the work rules, the stay-at-home-but-still-get-paid, etc. There have been, by necessity in recent years, changes in some of that attitude. But I've heard, still, union workers who sort of boast that "two people do one job," etc. In education, the unions have become a bulwark against quality (can I use "bulwark" and "against" like that???). They protect lousy teachers. They, illogically and ridiculously, maintain that all teachers are good, dedicated, etc. They aren't. So, I'm of two minds about unions.

I read an article about some Hollywood-type doing a reality show about teaching in a public school. My initial response was, "Here we go again: anyone can teach." I still have a bit of that thought, but the Hollywood-type did relate how difficult teaching, real teaching is. He might have focused on the "helping" part, the "self-esteem," "relevance," etc., far too much, though. But he did tell of the vast knowledge and thought that must go into teaching, although, again, the "feel good" aspect seemed to be the focus. OK....

I still wonder, as I did a week or so ago, before the radio shows began their blathering, what would have happened had a so-called "Tea Partier" held the Discovery Channel hostage. That the nut case was an avid follower of Algore and the global warming crowd, that he was a supporter and smuggler of illegal aliens apparently doesn't translate to the same fear-mongering and name-calling that "Tea Party" evokes. The article on the hostage crisis and ultimate shooting appeared on page 10 of the Detroit newspaper, of 14 pages in the section. That seems pretty far back. Why do I believe it would have been front page if a "Tea Partier?"

If so many take potshots at Sarah Palin's intelligence (and she may or may not be smart), why aren't there more at other women office holders? I'm thinking, mainly, of two pretty high profile Michigan pols. Nothing they've done, nothing they've said have led to anyone saying, "Wow! She's a genius!" In fact, when I have heard them on the radio, read their op-ed pieces, listened to their soundbites, I have had the exact opposite thought. I guess there is a double-standard.

You know, before I give any credibility to the arguments (even by Americans!) that people in third-world nations have legitimate grievances against the US--that they legitimately hate us--I want to see them rise up against their own. Why is the US the villain, but not the sheik, the emir, the dictator, the king, etc.? Who has taken all this American money and not given it to their people, not allowed it to trickle down to their people? Who live in mansions, palaces, etc., travel all over, lead jet-set lives, etc., while their people continue to exist often in subsistance manners? And how can Americans defend this anti-American silliness without first addressing what is happening in these other nations? How can they defend people, namely the Islamists (be they the Taliban, Hamas, Hezbollah, or whoever), who treat their own the way they do? Where are the women's rights groups? (A woman slated for death by stoning in one of these Muslim nations for adultery was publicly flogged because a photo of her, without a veil, appeared in a London newspaper--a photo that was not of her it turns out! Death, lashes for these transgressions?) Where are the children's advocacy and other human rights groups? (Strap a bomb to a kid or a handicapped person and send him off to blow himself up--along with other innocents?) Of course, where are the anointed Nobel Peace Prize winners, esp Algore and Obama? Where are their protests? Surely their anointed positions create a pulpit for standing against this barbarity? Yet, they remain silent, very silent. Hypocrites! Of course, where is the Pope and other world religious leaders? Where are the so-called moderate Muslims? Maybe we should all get the equivalent of "Free Tibet" bumper stickers???? Oh, let's just trade more with Red China, Saudi Arabia, etc....

Grrrrrr.....