Harry, a friend of mine, recently completed a blog. - one of the nicer experiences in my life - and probably a good read for many others as well.
Recently he has been writing a lot of "good feeling stuff" about his love for playing music and the blessings of good comraderie. I have enjoyed both immensely. I also enjoy it when he "let's it all hang out" as he did in his most recent blog.
Harry may be visited at: http://www.harry2335.blogspot.com/. I am more than pleased to endorse a man who is a Yankee's fan and still finds time to root for our Pirates.
Harrys' writings suggest we both came from parents and an environment that encouraged us to think about and act upon the rights of others.
I'm sure that is true of all generations but, it would spoil this blog if I start throwing around plaudits indiscriminately. Get your own friends to start writing an "old farts" blog.
So, here's MY pet peeve.
It came after reading Ron Cook's column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about fan behavior at sporting events. The impetus was the 21 year old (kid?) who was so inebriated he intentionally vomited on a 11 year old girl and punched her father several times in the head during a Phillies/Nationals game played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia..
They ejected the "kid" from the game. He pleaded to one count each of simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment for his behavior during the Phillies game.
His public defender declared, "It's probable he consumed too much alcohol." You can tell it's tough to pull anything over on this guy - but, that's not the bottom line.
In exchange for his guilty plea, charges of reckless endangerment and corruption of minors were dropped. He is expected to get probation when sentenced at the end of July.
Now, maybe this is not considered abhorrent behavior in Philly. Maybe the people running the court system have neither a 11 year old daughter nor grandaughter. In my lifetime I've had both and I know Harry & his wife Jane are the parents of two daughters.
Recently, I've added to my nightly prayers, "And dear God, please thank my Mom & Dad for settling in Pittsburgh and not travelling further east."
I will admit to having some prejudice about the Philly area - like also praying that some day they discover a fault line around the city and New Jersey that causes both to become permanently detached from the mainland and float off into the Atlantic.
But, let's leave Philly alone to it's own potty training.
People go to sporting events to have fun - cheer for their teams - and get away from every
day problems. They don't go to be hassled - not just by the team owners - but the other fans as well.
Granted, the latter is more of a societal problem and is not just being confined to sporting events. However, the lack of attention given to the idiot/fans who are causing the problems smacks of an owner philosopy which states: "Hey, if he/she wasn't sitting in that seat - it might go unoccupied."
A loud mouthed guy from New York (not like you, Harry) was sitting behind my brother Jim and me at a Pirate Spring Training game at McKechnie Field.
His contribution to the enjoyment of us and the others seated around us was to loudly supply play by play for all of us who were trying to enjoy the game. His rantings had people upset for three rows. Both my brother and I spoke up and criticized his behavior. His defense?
"Hey, I came to root for my team. Didn't you?"
After he finally got up for refreshments, a cigarette or a pee break, several folks supported our stand- and I'm ashamed to admit it did get a little ugly.
When the rights of one or two inconsiderate fans are allowed to supercede the rights of many, we're going to see these situations repeated.
Where did we go wrong?
You figure it out.
In the meantime, "Give em Hell, Harry!"
Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
THE KENNYWOOD PICNIC
Mid to late May was usually the time for the Kennywood school picnic for Forest Hills students. It was one of the highlights of my school years.
Now, I've written about Kennywood before and still haven't gone into how it came to be. That's a story for another day. Today's blog is strictly about the annual school picnic and the assortment of plusses and minuses contained therein.
One minus was that even as a young kid I took on more responsibility than my buds. Therefore, I had to leave Kennywood early. Despite this act of youthful responsibility I still would be beleagured by the complaints of my newspaper customers who resented not having their paper delivered at the expected hour by "ole reliable Barry".
Sometimes I lucked out and could get a Catholic School buddy to take my route for the day. But, even he got smart. He sought out new friends with public school credentials who could score more than the allotted number of school picnic tickets and take him along.
Another drawback of Picnic Day was that I couldn't as much as ride on our porch glider for any sustainable period of time. I suffered from serial motion sickness.
For a kid with this drawback, Kennywood was more of a rite of passage - an opportunity to prove that this skinny guy was not "chicken." I heard the cries - got on the rides - threw up - and then headed off by myself for something tamer like "Noahs Ark", "The Olde Mill," or "Laff In The Dark" - rides that didn't spin around or go up and down. There, I was Billy Batson incarnated. S-H-A-Z-A-M!
By this time The Rocket ships had done me in as had the Caterpillar Ride that spun me around under the heavy and hot tarp covering. Even The Racer - the mildest of the rollercoasters - did not treat me well. Yet, I tried them each year for the reason given above and also to see how I was progressing with my malady.
How I dreaded a day when I was told I was either too tall or too old to ride upon the less threatening rides of the Kiddieland section. Oh man, in addition to the Merry-Go- Round, I would ride them forever as long as my buddies couldn't see me. If someone asked I told them my parents forced me to ride with my brothers and my cousins. Who knew what they looked like?
The rocking socking ride on the old square yellow streetcars transporting us kids from Forest Hills out to Kennywood was my warmup for the rides in the Park. It had reversible seats and locked windows that preserved the hothouse experience throughout the journey.
There were pluses too. First off, it was a day when you didn't have to go to school. It was also a time when chances were good you were going to get a new pair of dungarees and maybe even some new tennies.
We were upper class poor and the new clothes were a treat . The tennies were a big step up from wearing Dad's way- too- short street shoes. After wearing them for a while they usually ended up having to be held together with one or more "gumbands" across each instep. Therefore, they didn't flap when I walked - suggesting the arrival of Spike Jones band. I was so proud of my new high top tennies.
Another bonus was finding a girl who you had a crush on sitting on a park bench by herself. I was an "early cruiser" - way ahead of my time.
Kennywood Picnic Day was also the day when Mom would make homemade pimento cheesespread sandwiches, white cupcakes with chocolate frosting, and bring more than one bag of Wise Potato Chips for us to share. We also had refreshment tickets with which we could purchase chocolate milk and soft ice cream.
I know this to be true as I saw all of these food articles more than once each School Picnic Day.
Despite this Kennywood was a happening for me and it proved a couple of things:
If you just hang in there, at some point in your life you no longer have to prove to anyone you're not chicken".
It also reminds me, as a aging septugenarian, that nothing is ever as bad as it appears when you're going through it.
Wouldn't mind revisiting Kennywood on a future visit to Pittsburgh.
Just don't ask me to get on any of the rides.
I'll wear my new tennies.
Now, I've written about Kennywood before and still haven't gone into how it came to be. That's a story for another day. Today's blog is strictly about the annual school picnic and the assortment of plusses and minuses contained therein.
One minus was that even as a young kid I took on more responsibility than my buds. Therefore, I had to leave Kennywood early. Despite this act of youthful responsibility I still would be beleagured by the complaints of my newspaper customers who resented not having their paper delivered at the expected hour by "ole reliable Barry".
Sometimes I lucked out and could get a Catholic School buddy to take my route for the day. But, even he got smart. He sought out new friends with public school credentials who could score more than the allotted number of school picnic tickets and take him along.
Another drawback of Picnic Day was that I couldn't as much as ride on our porch glider for any sustainable period of time. I suffered from serial motion sickness.
For a kid with this drawback, Kennywood was more of a rite of passage - an opportunity to prove that this skinny guy was not "chicken." I heard the cries - got on the rides - threw up - and then headed off by myself for something tamer like "Noahs Ark", "The Olde Mill," or "Laff In The Dark" - rides that didn't spin around or go up and down. There, I was Billy Batson incarnated. S-H-A-Z-A-M!
By this time The Rocket ships had done me in as had the Caterpillar Ride that spun me around under the heavy and hot tarp covering. Even The Racer - the mildest of the rollercoasters - did not treat me well. Yet, I tried them each year for the reason given above and also to see how I was progressing with my malady.
How I dreaded a day when I was told I was either too tall or too old to ride upon the less threatening rides of the Kiddieland section. Oh man, in addition to the Merry-Go- Round, I would ride them forever as long as my buddies couldn't see me. If someone asked I told them my parents forced me to ride with my brothers and my cousins. Who knew what they looked like?
The rocking socking ride on the old square yellow streetcars transporting us kids from Forest Hills out to Kennywood was my warmup for the rides in the Park. It had reversible seats and locked windows that preserved the hothouse experience throughout the journey.
There were pluses too. First off, it was a day when you didn't have to go to school. It was also a time when chances were good you were going to get a new pair of dungarees and maybe even some new tennies.
We were upper class poor and the new clothes were a treat . The tennies were a big step up from wearing Dad's way- too- short street shoes. After wearing them for a while they usually ended up having to be held together with one or more "gumbands" across each instep. Therefore, they didn't flap when I walked - suggesting the arrival of Spike Jones band. I was so proud of my new high top tennies.
Another bonus was finding a girl who you had a crush on sitting on a park bench by herself. I was an "early cruiser" - way ahead of my time.
Kennywood Picnic Day was also the day when Mom would make homemade pimento cheesespread sandwiches, white cupcakes with chocolate frosting, and bring more than one bag of Wise Potato Chips for us to share. We also had refreshment tickets with which we could purchase chocolate milk and soft ice cream.
I know this to be true as I saw all of these food articles more than once each School Picnic Day.
Despite this Kennywood was a happening for me and it proved a couple of things:
If you just hang in there, at some point in your life you no longer have to prove to anyone you're not chicken".
It also reminds me, as a aging septugenarian, that nothing is ever as bad as it appears when you're going through it.
Wouldn't mind revisiting Kennywood on a future visit to Pittsburgh.
Just don't ask me to get on any of the rides.
I'll wear my new tennies.
Monday, May 10, 2010
SOME MONDAY MORNING OBSERVATIONS
Read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette headlines today. One that stood out was a suicide by a 60 year old man who jumped from the Westinghouse Bridge to the railroad tracks below.
On a clear day, and by standing on our second floor side porch in Forest Hills, you could see the bridge in all it's glory. It was one real driving threat in the winter due to it's smooth surface and the cold winter air passing over and under it. It also was a bridge where you soon learned to slow down when exiting west due to the expected speed trap as you headed for Ardmore Boulevard - Route 30.
But, in Pittsburgh East, the bridge was known more for the tendency of people to jump from it. The attraction baffled me as a child and even more now that I'm a seasoned adult. There has to be an easier way to go.
The bridge did accomplish one thing however.
It was the maturity tool that my parents occasionally used to illustrate the need to pick your friends carefully and to think for yourself.
"Well, then I guess if (fill in a name) told you to jump off the Westinghouse Bridge, you'd do that too."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Just read an article in the USA Today regarding lobbyists who were former congressional aides or retired congress members. One lobbying group's website boasts that 54 former Senate and House members "have staff alumni at our firm."
A total of 149 former members of Congress were registered to lobby in 2009. Unfortunately, similar figures are not available for former staffers. However, a 2006 examination by National Journal found that 107 of 635 top-salaried aides who worked in Congress from October 2003 through march 2004 - or nearly 17% - had taken lobbying or government-relations jobs."
Earlier this year, Barney Frank, D-Mass chairman of the House Financial Services Committe criticized a former aide for joining an industry lobbying group after working on a sweeping financial regulation bill. The former aide joined a lobbying firm that is a clearinghouse for derivatives, which would be subject to regulation under legislation now in Congress.
Now there's a pot and a kettle in an angry exchange!
Several people were quoted in the article and one Senator recently introduced legislation that would impose a lifetime ban on lobbying by former members of Congress . It also would increase the cooling off period for congressional staffers to six years before they can lobby."
Hmmm, who needs a calendar to determine if it's an election year?
Dave Weinhold, president of the American League of Lobbyist, said "It's unlikely many lawmakers would support a bill that limits their future employment."
Finally, a lobbyist that got it right? What is it that we don't understand?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To end this blog on a upbeat note, I recently re-read an E-mail entitled, "And that's when the fight started." Here are a couple of tongue in cheek excerpts that reminded me of the old late 40's/early 50's radio show, "The Bickersons" with Don Ameche and Frances Langford:
"My wife and I are watching "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" while we were in bed. I turned to her and said, "Do you want to have sex?"
"No," she answered.
I said, "Is that your final answer?"
She didn't even look at me this time, simply saying, "Yes"
So I said, "Then I'd like to call a friend."
And then the fight started . . .
Finally, my favorite: "My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high school reunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat along at a nearby table. "
My wife asked, "Do you know her?"
"Yes," I sighed. She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since."
"My God!", said my wife, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"
And, then the fight started.. . .
Have a great Monday!
On a clear day, and by standing on our second floor side porch in Forest Hills, you could see the bridge in all it's glory. It was one real driving threat in the winter due to it's smooth surface and the cold winter air passing over and under it. It also was a bridge where you soon learned to slow down when exiting west due to the expected speed trap as you headed for Ardmore Boulevard - Route 30.
But, in Pittsburgh East, the bridge was known more for the tendency of people to jump from it. The attraction baffled me as a child and even more now that I'm a seasoned adult. There has to be an easier way to go.
The bridge did accomplish one thing however.
It was the maturity tool that my parents occasionally used to illustrate the need to pick your friends carefully and to think for yourself.
"Well, then I guess if (fill in a name) told you to jump off the Westinghouse Bridge, you'd do that too."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Just read an article in the USA Today regarding lobbyists who were former congressional aides or retired congress members. One lobbying group's website boasts that 54 former Senate and House members "have staff alumni at our firm."
A total of 149 former members of Congress were registered to lobby in 2009. Unfortunately, similar figures are not available for former staffers. However, a 2006 examination by National Journal found that 107 of 635 top-salaried aides who worked in Congress from October 2003 through march 2004 - or nearly 17% - had taken lobbying or government-relations jobs."
Earlier this year, Barney Frank, D-Mass chairman of the House Financial Services Committe criticized a former aide for joining an industry lobbying group after working on a sweeping financial regulation bill. The former aide joined a lobbying firm that is a clearinghouse for derivatives, which would be subject to regulation under legislation now in Congress.
Now there's a pot and a kettle in an angry exchange!
Several people were quoted in the article and one Senator recently introduced legislation that would impose a lifetime ban on lobbying by former members of Congress . It also would increase the cooling off period for congressional staffers to six years before they can lobby."
Hmmm, who needs a calendar to determine if it's an election year?
Dave Weinhold, president of the American League of Lobbyist, said "It's unlikely many lawmakers would support a bill that limits their future employment."
Finally, a lobbyist that got it right? What is it that we don't understand?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To end this blog on a upbeat note, I recently re-read an E-mail entitled, "And that's when the fight started." Here are a couple of tongue in cheek excerpts that reminded me of the old late 40's/early 50's radio show, "The Bickersons" with Don Ameche and Frances Langford:
"My wife and I are watching "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" while we were in bed. I turned to her and said, "Do you want to have sex?"
"No," she answered.
I said, "Is that your final answer?"
She didn't even look at me this time, simply saying, "Yes"
So I said, "Then I'd like to call a friend."
And then the fight started . . .
Finally, my favorite: "My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high school reunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat along at a nearby table. "
My wife asked, "Do you know her?"
"Yes," I sighed. She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since."
"My God!", said my wife, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"
And, then the fight started.. . .
Have a great Monday!
Monday, May 3, 2010
SO, TELL ME AGAIN - WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND?"
To all my Pennsylvania friends:
Let's make this as simple as we can. You have an investment counselor that Vinnie, your brother-in-law recommended. He said, " Stick with Tony and you'll never go wrong.".
So, you do. You select Tony over all the ones who are guaranteeing you that they will take you to the promised land. Now, you're a little hesitant because you've been led astray before.
You remember how your dad who worked in the mills - sometimes on the same shift as your grandfather -listened to the union steward promising him, "Look the mills and this union have been with you forever. They put food on your table and provided your kids with gainful employment. Hell, they got you that house in Munhall, by God. We will be back!"
Well, we now know the mills didn't come back and the union steward is still selling security to a lot of folks. One of them is you. Tony is a likeable guy.
Still, you start to get concerned. Your investment doesn't seem to be paying off. You keep paying more and more each year and are getting a negative return. Last year, your investor told you, "Relax, I know it hasn't been easy but we have a 472 mil guaranteed line of credit that is going to make you and me forget all about those lean times."
Having seen your family burned once, you get a little bold and ask him, "Just what is the source of this 472 million that will make us okay?"
He responds, "Never mind. Trust me on this. It's definitely going to take care of our financial difficulties."
Again, you're not quite convinced. You say, "How well did you research this? That's a lot of money. What can I get in writing that will reassure my wife Gladys who thinks I'm a fool when it comes to money?"
He looks you right in the eye and says, "Look, either you trust me or you don't. I've been doing this for a long time and when did I ever steer you wrong?"
Before you can answer a black limo pulls up and your investment counselor says,"Sorry Pal, I just got a call, I'm needed in a meeting at the Capitol."
Now, you're impressed. The Capitol? By God he really is big! You now have something to tell Gladys that will finally put her in her place.
You get up the next morning and open your freshly delivered Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. You read: "Federal Government refuses to allow the state to put tolls on Interstate 80." Apparently, there were a few glitches committed by the folks over in Research.
Bottom line: The 472 million in tolls on Interstate 80 expected by Tony and his pals ain't gonna happen.
Once more you were misled by your investment counselor - a local legislator. You then discover that the financial difficulty facing him and the rest of the "investors" will rise from the March 31 estimate of 700 million (that's with a "m") to as much as 1.1 billion.( with a "b".)
His answer? Probably nothing. You see,as stated in the Post Gazette: "Legislators are loath to raise taxes or fees before they face re-election in the May 18 primary and the November general election."
Any chance that after those dates your investment counselor will be coming to you and asking you to increase your investment?
"Probably so" is the correct answer. So, do you think that either May or November is a good time to sever your relationship with your investment counselor for good?
You see, now you really do understand.
Let's make this as simple as we can. You have an investment counselor that Vinnie, your brother-in-law recommended. He said, " Stick with Tony and you'll never go wrong.".
So, you do. You select Tony over all the ones who are guaranteeing you that they will take you to the promised land. Now, you're a little hesitant because you've been led astray before.
You remember how your dad who worked in the mills - sometimes on the same shift as your grandfather -listened to the union steward promising him, "Look the mills and this union have been with you forever. They put food on your table and provided your kids with gainful employment. Hell, they got you that house in Munhall, by God. We will be back!"
Well, we now know the mills didn't come back and the union steward is still selling security to a lot of folks. One of them is you. Tony is a likeable guy.
Still, you start to get concerned. Your investment doesn't seem to be paying off. You keep paying more and more each year and are getting a negative return. Last year, your investor told you, "Relax, I know it hasn't been easy but we have a 472 mil guaranteed line of credit that is going to make you and me forget all about those lean times."
Having seen your family burned once, you get a little bold and ask him, "Just what is the source of this 472 million that will make us okay?"
He responds, "Never mind. Trust me on this. It's definitely going to take care of our financial difficulties."
Again, you're not quite convinced. You say, "How well did you research this? That's a lot of money. What can I get in writing that will reassure my wife Gladys who thinks I'm a fool when it comes to money?"
He looks you right in the eye and says, "Look, either you trust me or you don't. I've been doing this for a long time and when did I ever steer you wrong?"
Before you can answer a black limo pulls up and your investment counselor says,"Sorry Pal, I just got a call, I'm needed in a meeting at the Capitol."
Now, you're impressed. The Capitol? By God he really is big! You now have something to tell Gladys that will finally put her in her place.
You get up the next morning and open your freshly delivered Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. You read: "Federal Government refuses to allow the state to put tolls on Interstate 80." Apparently, there were a few glitches committed by the folks over in Research.
Bottom line: The 472 million in tolls on Interstate 80 expected by Tony and his pals ain't gonna happen.
Once more you were misled by your investment counselor - a local legislator. You then discover that the financial difficulty facing him and the rest of the "investors" will rise from the March 31 estimate of 700 million (that's with a "m") to as much as 1.1 billion.( with a "b".)
His answer? Probably nothing. You see,as stated in the Post Gazette: "Legislators are loath to raise taxes or fees before they face re-election in the May 18 primary and the November general election."
Any chance that after those dates your investment counselor will be coming to you and asking you to increase your investment?
"Probably so" is the correct answer. So, do you think that either May or November is a good time to sever your relationship with your investment counselor for good?
You see, now you really do understand.
Edjication - PART TWO
There were a few subjects as a kid that I was discouraged from discussing with strangers. One was religion, another was politics, and I'm assuming the third was sex. Hey, two out of three ain't bad.
Seriously, upon reflection, this appeared to be good advice. I now have a fourth No-No to add: Education. I sought some input as to our eductional woes from folks either in the profession or retired from same. For a variety of reasons that assessment was not forthcoming. Therefore, I'll go with what I have.
Let's start with the latest "flap" regarding the education of our kids.
Texas allegedly wants to change their books so that they will narrow the options of actually learning the truth about history. We're now 26 years past the title year of the famous book "1984" and it's "newspeak'" and apparently some of us still don't get it.
What we also don't get is a convincing answer as to why our kids are not receiving the education of their forefathers. Now, that may not be necessarily bad but , there is a clear indication that our kids are not learning at the projected grade levels.
Now, what we could do, as in "1984", is to wipe out history, change the memory level, or simply reduce the requirements. Don't laugh. It's happening every day. At a grade school, middle school, or high school level there are many who recommend we simply stop that infuriating and depressing scheme of measuring the test results and awarding appropriate grades.
The PC folks tell us -in a manner consistent with giving all Little Leaguers a trophy - that to do otherwise is harming the psyche of our kids.
My one question to all of this is :"Folks, how the hell did we get it so screwed up?"
I'd like to share with you one assessment that may go "behind the screen and reveal the true identity of the Wizard in the land of Oz".
Here is one educators response to my questions which is described by the writer as "stream of conscienceness by a secular humanist relating not uniformly accepted truths but that which I believe." (editors quotes)
So, if polysyllabic words are not your thing you may choose to read "no further". However, you'll miss one heck of an insightful treatise.
In response to my question about the Rhode Island teacher firings:
"Was it a radical action? Yes, but needed.
In 20 years of teaching I got very tired of hearing some of my peers decrying the "lot" they had been given each year, their blaming of the parents, or the student's cultures, or the teaching materials, or the administration, or television, or video games, or .. whatever.
It is the responsibility of teachers everywhere to build a multicultural family within their classrooms where differences in culture, social economic status, language, and belief systems are all embraced, not found fault with, and for the teacher to instill an atmosphere of "yes, I can" within their classroom.
Teachers need to take personal responsibility for the results achieved in their classrooms, and once they stop growing in teaching skills and personal empathy, then they should get the hell out of the profession."
In response to my question about diversity of students and cultures:
"During my years of teaching in inner city schools, I have had classes that on average had student demographics of 1/3 white, 1/3 black, and 1/3 Hispanic, with a sprinkling of Native Americans and Asians.
My observations were that no one race was dumber or brighter than another, although difference in cultures had a lot to do with their achievement levels. Asian culture valued education more and had stronger parental support than the other cultures. Black culture had the lowest value on education and the least amount of parental support, and often had a serious problem with family structure. A high percentage of my black male students thought that their best chance to improve their socio-economic status was through sports: the females believed it was through dance and music.
These cultureal based beliefs are based on memes".
I had to look up the meaning of the term: meme (sounds like cream) : "a postulated unit of culture, ideas, symbols or practices which can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing , speech, gestures, rituals or imitation."
There was much more included in the thoughtful response of this educator- but, I think you, the reader, get the picture.
Education is what it is because we of the amount of time we take to make it so. The "number crunchers' in sports as in life would have you believe that their statistical conclusions are "the answer" instead of just one more tool to throw into the mix.
It is the failure of this syllogism containing a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion that has allowed us to witness incredible feats achieved by sports teams and kids in classrooms whose team members went off at 70 to 1 odds of being successful.
It is still human thought, response, and actions that are needed - not more government intervention using a carrrot/stick "Race to the top" approach to improving our lot in education.
If you read this to the end - I thank you for your interest. You are one of us who can make a difference.
Seriously, upon reflection, this appeared to be good advice. I now have a fourth No-No to add: Education. I sought some input as to our eductional woes from folks either in the profession or retired from same. For a variety of reasons that assessment was not forthcoming. Therefore, I'll go with what I have.
Let's start with the latest "flap" regarding the education of our kids.
Texas allegedly wants to change their books so that they will narrow the options of actually learning the truth about history. We're now 26 years past the title year of the famous book "1984" and it's "newspeak'" and apparently some of us still don't get it.
What we also don't get is a convincing answer as to why our kids are not receiving the education of their forefathers. Now, that may not be necessarily bad but , there is a clear indication that our kids are not learning at the projected grade levels.
Now, what we could do, as in "1984", is to wipe out history, change the memory level, or simply reduce the requirements. Don't laugh. It's happening every day. At a grade school, middle school, or high school level there are many who recommend we simply stop that infuriating and depressing scheme of measuring the test results and awarding appropriate grades.
The PC folks tell us -in a manner consistent with giving all Little Leaguers a trophy - that to do otherwise is harming the psyche of our kids.
My one question to all of this is :"Folks, how the hell did we get it so screwed up?"
I'd like to share with you one assessment that may go "behind the screen and reveal the true identity of the Wizard in the land of Oz".
Here is one educators response to my questions which is described by the writer as "stream of conscienceness by a secular humanist relating not uniformly accepted truths but that which I believe." (editors quotes)
So, if polysyllabic words are not your thing you may choose to read "no further". However, you'll miss one heck of an insightful treatise.
In response to my question about the Rhode Island teacher firings:
"Was it a radical action? Yes, but needed.
In 20 years of teaching I got very tired of hearing some of my peers decrying the "lot" they had been given each year, their blaming of the parents, or the student's cultures, or the teaching materials, or the administration, or television, or video games, or .. whatever.
It is the responsibility of teachers everywhere to build a multicultural family within their classrooms where differences in culture, social economic status, language, and belief systems are all embraced, not found fault with, and for the teacher to instill an atmosphere of "yes, I can" within their classroom.
Teachers need to take personal responsibility for the results achieved in their classrooms, and once they stop growing in teaching skills and personal empathy, then they should get the hell out of the profession."
In response to my question about diversity of students and cultures:
"During my years of teaching in inner city schools, I have had classes that on average had student demographics of 1/3 white, 1/3 black, and 1/3 Hispanic, with a sprinkling of Native Americans and Asians.
My observations were that no one race was dumber or brighter than another, although difference in cultures had a lot to do with their achievement levels. Asian culture valued education more and had stronger parental support than the other cultures. Black culture had the lowest value on education and the least amount of parental support, and often had a serious problem with family structure. A high percentage of my black male students thought that their best chance to improve their socio-economic status was through sports: the females believed it was through dance and music.
These cultureal based beliefs are based on memes".
I had to look up the meaning of the term: meme (sounds like cream) : "a postulated unit of culture, ideas, symbols or practices which can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing , speech, gestures, rituals or imitation."
There was much more included in the thoughtful response of this educator- but, I think you, the reader, get the picture.
Education is what it is because we of the amount of time we take to make it so. The "number crunchers' in sports as in life would have you believe that their statistical conclusions are "the answer" instead of just one more tool to throw into the mix.
It is the failure of this syllogism containing a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion that has allowed us to witness incredible feats achieved by sports teams and kids in classrooms whose team members went off at 70 to 1 odds of being successful.
It is still human thought, response, and actions that are needed - not more government intervention using a carrrot/stick "Race to the top" approach to improving our lot in education.
If you read this to the end - I thank you for your interest. You are one of us who can make a difference.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)