Hate is unacceptable. In my family, the H word (Hate) is akin to a curse. Yup, I don't allow my kids to use that word. You can say you "severely dislike" but Hate is out. I just will not tolerate it.
Hate is bad enough but to choose to show it at a funeral is unacceptable. This goes for folks like the Westboro Baptist Church who seem to think its okay to protest at the funerals of our service people. UNACCEPTABLE.
Another funeral was a made into a display of hate. You can read the story here.
The short story is that Barbara Johnson, a devout Catholic and gay, was at her mother's funeral mass at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Md. Johnson was the first in line to receive communion but the priest refused Johnson, the sacramental bread and wine citing "you live with a woman and that is a sin in the eyes of the church". Then after gaining her composure to deliver her mothers eulogy, the priest left the alter when she spoke. Last, the priest, refused to deliver mass at the deceased grave site.
WOW!
No religion is about that much hate. Sure, the priest was probably a "bad egg" in the bunch, but really that much venom shown to a daughter mourning the loss of her mother seems particularly cruel.
Its probably time we all started interviewing our faith leaders. Faith is about peace and in peace there is no hate.
What does your religious leader think? Do you share the same values? Better find out now, because finding out in a time of need can have horrible results.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Car Manufacturers: The distracted drivers friend or enemy?
We all know about the distracted driver. The texter, eater, phone using driver.
We are probably all guilty at one time or another, even the driver who is too involved in the song, audio book or a thought about that little snippy argument you had with your spouse as you were leaving the house at 6am (My opinion, in case you are curious, is that no fight between 11 pm and 7 pm should count, really save those for traditional working hours).
Okay, I will get to the point.
Now the U.S. Department of Transportation wants to get into the act. The DOT
"announced voluntary guidelines to "encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk for in-vehicle electronic devices." The guidelines cover communication, entertainment, information gathering and navigation devices that are not necessary for the safe operations of a vehicle by the driver."
Here is an interesting blog post on the topic.
So will the car companies listen? Will you heed the warning?
Last year Volkswagen said their cars were rolling computers. We know the other car manufacturers are rushing to add music, wifi and all sorts of bells and whistles to your next car. Do you really need all of that in your car? Can you just use all those bells and whistles when you are in park or is the inevitable going to happen.
DOTs proposal has no teeth (read that no fines to car manufacturers) in it yet. Its also important to note that President Obama's FY 2013 budget request includes some $330 million over the next six years to fund distracted driving programs (read that lots of commercials). Is there not a better use of $330 million dollars!!!
Again, we miss the logical point. Lets all keep our eyes on the road, admit we do not need a car that is a rolling computer (you have your smartphone) and save $330 million dollars that we could use for something more prudent.
Happy trails!
We are probably all guilty at one time or another, even the driver who is too involved in the song, audio book or a thought about that little snippy argument you had with your spouse as you were leaving the house at 6am (My opinion, in case you are curious, is that no fight between 11 pm and 7 pm should count, really save those for traditional working hours).
Okay, I will get to the point.
Now the U.S. Department of Transportation wants to get into the act. The DOT
"announced voluntary guidelines to "encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk for in-vehicle electronic devices." The guidelines cover communication, entertainment, information gathering and navigation devices that are not necessary for the safe operations of a vehicle by the driver."
Here is an interesting blog post on the topic.
So will the car companies listen? Will you heed the warning?
Last year Volkswagen said their cars were rolling computers. We know the other car manufacturers are rushing to add music, wifi and all sorts of bells and whistles to your next car. Do you really need all of that in your car? Can you just use all those bells and whistles when you are in park or is the inevitable going to happen.
DOTs proposal has no teeth (read that no fines to car manufacturers) in it yet. Its also important to note that President Obama's FY 2013 budget request includes some $330 million over the next six years to fund distracted driving programs (read that lots of commercials). Is there not a better use of $330 million dollars!!!
Again, we miss the logical point. Lets all keep our eyes on the road, admit we do not need a car that is a rolling computer (you have your smartphone) and save $330 million dollars that we could use for something more prudent.
Happy trails!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Frick, Frack…WHACK!!!
There is a thought process that says go for the short term gains (usually money, jobs, etc.), at any cost.
I do not share this thought process especially when it's the environment you are playing with. Especially if it's the environment in Pennsylvania, as that seems to cut a little too close to home (although honestly, I am pretty earthy, and pro- protect our environment kinda girl).
It's for the reasons above, and more, that I just do not understand why we don't stop Fracking. IMMEDIATELY.
In case you have been under the proverbial rock, Fracking is:
Hydraulic fracturing (also called "fracking"), a method for extracting oil and natural gas. Hydraulic fracturing is the propagation of fractures in a rock layer caused by the presence of a pressurized fluid.
Here is the longer definition in case you are curious.
Fracking in our state is putting increased chemicals into our drinking water (yes, sometimes small levels of some chemicals appear naturally in nature but we are not talking small levels here). Period. There is evidence of such harmful chemicals, such as,
a. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX)
b. radioactive elements including radium, barium, strontium, and uranium;
c. heavy metals including lead and arsenic;
d. high levels of mineral salts such as bromides and chlorides.
So the chemicals are getting into our drinking water thru fractures and because the waste water in the Fracking process, is dumped, without filtering, back into our streams and reservoirs.
Yes, small towns that employ Frackers have jobs and lots of full motel / hotel rooms now, but in under 10 years, they may very well be ghost towns, as the water will be polluted and the jobs long gone.
I beg us the stop the insanity. Call your Senator and Congressman and tell them to stop Fracking.
Here are some resources:
http://marcellusprotest.org/the-big-deal-about-marcellus
Now we get to taxing it and some safety standards, I am still a no but wanted to be fair…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/09/pennsylvania-fracking-bill-governor-corbett_n_1265489.html
smarter debaters than I:
http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/is-fracking-a-good-idea
and its not just our state:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/story/2012-02-12/cnbc-fracking-north-dakota/53041830/1
Lets grab this logic chip and say no to fracking, together, or our children are going to pay for this decision dearly.
I do not share this thought process especially when it's the environment you are playing with. Especially if it's the environment in Pennsylvania, as that seems to cut a little too close to home (although honestly, I am pretty earthy, and pro- protect our environment kinda girl).
It's for the reasons above, and more, that I just do not understand why we don't stop Fracking. IMMEDIATELY.
In case you have been under the proverbial rock, Fracking is:
Hydraulic fracturing (also called "fracking"), a method for extracting oil and natural gas. Hydraulic fracturing is the propagation of fractures in a rock layer caused by the presence of a pressurized fluid.
Here is the longer definition in case you are curious.
Fracking in our state is putting increased chemicals into our drinking water (yes, sometimes small levels of some chemicals appear naturally in nature but we are not talking small levels here). Period. There is evidence of such harmful chemicals, such as,
a. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX)
b. radioactive elements including radium, barium, strontium, and uranium;
c. heavy metals including lead and arsenic;
d. high levels of mineral salts such as bromides and chlorides.
So the chemicals are getting into our drinking water thru fractures and because the waste water in the Fracking process, is dumped, without filtering, back into our streams and reservoirs.
Yes, small towns that employ Frackers have jobs and lots of full motel / hotel rooms now, but in under 10 years, they may very well be ghost towns, as the water will be polluted and the jobs long gone.
I beg us the stop the insanity. Call your Senator and Congressman and tell them to stop Fracking.
Here are some resources:
http://marcellusprotest.org/the-big-deal-about-marcellus
Now we get to taxing it and some safety standards, I am still a no but wanted to be fair…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/09/pennsylvania-fracking-bill-governor-corbett_n_1265489.html
smarter debaters than I:
http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/is-fracking-a-good-idea
and its not just our state:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/story/2012-02-12/cnbc-fracking-north-dakota/53041830/1
Lets grab this logic chip and say no to fracking, together, or our children are going to pay for this decision dearly.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Buying Prisons: Can Your State Guarantee Prisoners?
Under the category of really scary...
Corrections Corporation of America, the nation's largest operator of for-profit prisons, has sent letters recently to 48 states offering to buy up their prisons. Okay, privatization of prisons, sort of scary but times are tight. All options need to be explored, or do they?
But wait, it gets super scary...
They want a 20 year agreement, and they want you to guarantee a 90% full rate?
Huh, I thought we want less folks in prison.
But wait, then they are honest, and I will give them that...
"Corrections Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission clearly point out that business success is tied to a status quo in criminal justice policy.
"The demand for our facilities and services could be adversely affected by the relaxation of enforcement efforts, leniency in conviction or parole standards and sentencing practices or through the decriminalization of certain activities that are currently proscribed by our criminal laws," the company's most recent annual filing noted. "For instance, any changes with respect to drugs and controlled substances or illegal immigration could affect the number of persons arrested, convicted, and sentenced, thereby potentially reducing demand for correctional facilities to house them."
Whoa...
That is not okay. We all want less folks in jail right? And wait, with the recent attacks on public education, could there be a plan? I mean, if you want to keep jails full, certainly not educating folks, is a great way to accomplish that mission.
That is just sick thinking. After all it costs about $30,000 to house an inmate and $11,000 to educate a child per year. Again, do the math, better to educate than jail, not only for the obvious reasons like you want a smart society, but because in dollars and cents, it just makes more sense!
Read Private Prison Corporation Offers Cash In Exchange For State Prisons
Corrections Corporation of America, the nation's largest operator of for-profit prisons, has sent letters recently to 48 states offering to buy up their prisons. Okay, privatization of prisons, sort of scary but times are tight. All options need to be explored, or do they?
But wait, it gets super scary...
They want a 20 year agreement, and they want you to guarantee a 90% full rate?
Huh, I thought we want less folks in prison.
But wait, then they are honest, and I will give them that...
"Corrections Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission clearly point out that business success is tied to a status quo in criminal justice policy.
"The demand for our facilities and services could be adversely affected by the relaxation of enforcement efforts, leniency in conviction or parole standards and sentencing practices or through the decriminalization of certain activities that are currently proscribed by our criminal laws," the company's most recent annual filing noted. "For instance, any changes with respect to drugs and controlled substances or illegal immigration could affect the number of persons arrested, convicted, and sentenced, thereby potentially reducing demand for correctional facilities to house them."
Whoa...
That is not okay. We all want less folks in jail right? And wait, with the recent attacks on public education, could there be a plan? I mean, if you want to keep jails full, certainly not educating folks, is a great way to accomplish that mission.
That is just sick thinking. After all it costs about $30,000 to house an inmate and $11,000 to educate a child per year. Again, do the math, better to educate than jail, not only for the obvious reasons like you want a smart society, but because in dollars and cents, it just makes more sense!
Read Private Prison Corporation Offers Cash In Exchange For State Prisons
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Found: $200 Million Dollars!
So this is the stuff that keeps me up at night!
It's a total disregard for logic.
It turns out that pennines and nickels, cost more to manufacturer than they are worth. Yup, to a tune of $1,000,000 per year, per coin.
Come on! Do we need pennies and nickels?
Read the story here
and even worse, if that's possible, we have the solution...
"Treasury estimates the halt in production of the coins will save about $50 million a year." because we have 1.4 billion surplus presidential dollar coins sitting in bank vaults waiting to be circulated.
Really!!!
Come on, we could spend that $200,000,000 on education, jobs for the troops, anything but wasting it.
It's a total disregard for logic.
It turns out that pennines and nickels, cost more to manufacturer than they are worth. Yup, to a tune of $1,000,000 per year, per coin.
Come on! Do we need pennies and nickels?
Read the story here
and even worse, if that's possible, we have the solution...
"Treasury estimates the halt in production of the coins will save about $50 million a year." because we have 1.4 billion surplus presidential dollar coins sitting in bank vaults waiting to be circulated.
Really!!!
Come on, we could spend that $200,000,000 on education, jobs for the troops, anything but wasting it.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Lets talk about love...
In honor of Valentine's Day, lets talk about love.
Google will tell you this about love:
love/ləv/
Noun: An intense feeling of deep affection: "their love for their country".
Verb: Feel a deep romantic or sexual attachment to (someone): "do you love me?".
Synonyms: noun. affection - fondness - darling - passion
verb. like - be fond of - fancy - adore
But what is love to you?
I grew up with great role models for love. My grandparents, Bob and Irene Kaufman were married for over 69 years. They adored each other and they were each others best friend. They had each others backs no matter what. If they did have a difference of opinion on something major, that was handled when no one else was around. They could laugh with each other even when old age robbed them of physical things they had no desire to part with. They were my families rock and they are sadly missed but they gave us lots of intangible gifts, the number one gift being love and what it looked like over decades and decades.
I try to model my grandparents in my relationship now entering its 29th year. My grandparents had much more grace but as I stumble through and acknowledge all the hard work my grandparents put into their relationship, I realize my definition of love changes and evolves. What I think was proof positive of love before, is now just a relic. There are some givens, but the rest of the love in my life is fluid.
Here is how I define love, both in a traditional sense and actions, because actions speak much louder than words most of the time. This list is in no particular order, my mind does not work like that!
1. Love is shown by "time of service". If you have been with your partner / spouse / "whatever you call it" over 11 years, you love them. Anyone can get thru the first 5-10 years, to make it through decades together, there must be some love.
2. Love is opening the door for the person you care about, even if they can open the door themselves.
3. Love is a good meal, prepared for (takeout included), or consumed together outside the home.
4. Love is telling someone you love them when you leave the house and when you hang up the phone. The more the merrier.
5. Love is supporting your partner in their dreams, even if you do not share the same dreams.
6. Love is sharing money, you can still ask questions about where it all went, but this is the "what is mine, is yours" category.
7. Love is making someone laugh. Call me whacked out but if you can't make your partner laugh, its going to be a longggg relationship (and that is not good).
8. Love is not letting your children play you against each other. Even when they really test you and try really hard to divide and conquer.
9. Love is holding hands or sitting next to each other on the couch, just being close and together.
10. Love is acceptance not agreeing. Don't say you agree if you don't, but the non-agreeance does not mean the end of the world either.
11. Love is standing behind your partner, if you don't agree, save it for home.
12. Love is not sweating the small stuff (just for you Barb).
13. Love is not holding a grudge and getting that we are all humans and are trying.
14. Love is understanding that love is work, that the divorce rate is 50% because lots of folks do not or do not know how to do the work.
15. Love is talking and talking because that the only way you are going to get through it...together!
What is your definition of love? Leave it in the comments, we all have tons to learn from each other.
Happy Valentine's Day, I miss you Mama and Papa (Bob and Irene to you). Your love was one for the ages, and I am so proud to have been around you for so long. xoxo.
Google will tell you this about love:
love/ləv/
Noun: An intense feeling of deep affection: "their love for their country".
Verb: Feel a deep romantic or sexual attachment to (someone): "do you love me?".
Synonyms: noun. affection - fondness - darling - passion
verb. like - be fond of - fancy - adore
But what is love to you?
I grew up with great role models for love. My grandparents, Bob and Irene Kaufman were married for over 69 years. They adored each other and they were each others best friend. They had each others backs no matter what. If they did have a difference of opinion on something major, that was handled when no one else was around. They could laugh with each other even when old age robbed them of physical things they had no desire to part with. They were my families rock and they are sadly missed but they gave us lots of intangible gifts, the number one gift being love and what it looked like over decades and decades.
I try to model my grandparents in my relationship now entering its 29th year. My grandparents had much more grace but as I stumble through and acknowledge all the hard work my grandparents put into their relationship, I realize my definition of love changes and evolves. What I think was proof positive of love before, is now just a relic. There are some givens, but the rest of the love in my life is fluid.
Here is how I define love, both in a traditional sense and actions, because actions speak much louder than words most of the time. This list is in no particular order, my mind does not work like that!
1. Love is shown by "time of service". If you have been with your partner / spouse / "whatever you call it" over 11 years, you love them. Anyone can get thru the first 5-10 years, to make it through decades together, there must be some love.
2. Love is opening the door for the person you care about, even if they can open the door themselves.
3. Love is a good meal, prepared for (takeout included), or consumed together outside the home.
4. Love is telling someone you love them when you leave the house and when you hang up the phone. The more the merrier.
5. Love is supporting your partner in their dreams, even if you do not share the same dreams.
6. Love is sharing money, you can still ask questions about where it all went, but this is the "what is mine, is yours" category.
7. Love is making someone laugh. Call me whacked out but if you can't make your partner laugh, its going to be a longggg relationship (and that is not good).
8. Love is not letting your children play you against each other. Even when they really test you and try really hard to divide and conquer.
9. Love is holding hands or sitting next to each other on the couch, just being close and together.
10. Love is acceptance not agreeing. Don't say you agree if you don't, but the non-agreeance does not mean the end of the world either.
11. Love is standing behind your partner, if you don't agree, save it for home.
12. Love is not sweating the small stuff (just for you Barb).
13. Love is not holding a grudge and getting that we are all humans and are trying.
14. Love is understanding that love is work, that the divorce rate is 50% because lots of folks do not or do not know how to do the work.
15. Love is talking and talking because that the only way you are going to get through it...together!
What is your definition of love? Leave it in the comments, we all have tons to learn from each other.
Happy Valentine's Day, I miss you Mama and Papa (Bob and Irene to you). Your love was one for the ages, and I am so proud to have been around you for so long. xoxo.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Values, and why don't we agree on the easy stuff?
So I know I ave written about PA Governor Corbett's budget recently, but I am still up at night and I am still wondering. Bottom line, I want you to wonder with me. Sorry (not really).
Here a couple of items that seem so logical to me. I want healthy conversation, I want to know what I am missing, where I have erred. Please do tell me.
Why would you cut:
1. Education, K-12: Why, after $900 million cut last year do you take another swipe at Public Education. ALL children are entitled to a free and appropriate education…or is that just for the "good" zip codes?
The link between a poor education and jail time is undeniable, so why not educate (pro-active) than jail (re-active)…oh wait, jails are for-profit institutions, and oh wait, folks who run jails make campaign contributions…oh my!
2. Education, Part 2, Colleges: So if you happen to make it to 12th grade and want to go on to further your studies, POW! You have been cut by 20-30%, thats on top of 18% from last year! Getting that degree just cost a heck of a lot more. Does that mean depending on your zip code, again, education is only for the wealthy. I do not believe college is for all but could a state school not cost $30-40,000 a year? Please.
3. Department of Agriculture: huh, we need food, we need farmers, gosh knows its a hard job. Under Corbett's budget (and in all fairness, Rendell cut them twice too) Funding would be eliminated for agricultural research, agricultural promotion, education and exports, hardwoods research and promotion, and food and marketing research. Boo!!! Farmers are fabulous!
4. Transportation: Our roads and bridges are crumbling, but are not addressed in this budget. Its only going to get worse. No one likes a tax increase, but do we want to have bad bridges?
5. Environmental Protection. The Governor’s Budget cuts every line-item in the office of Environmental Protection. Ummmm, this could be scary.
Why wouldn't you cut, or tax (I know its a bad word):
1. Natural Gas: check that, I don't want to tax it, I want to stop drilling NOW. Its a short term gain in jobs and money for land for a very long time of pain in wrecked communities. The gas is getting into places we don't want it to be in (like drinking water). When folks can light up their faucets, its not good. We are missing the common sense chip, big time here!
2. Businesses. They can take a tax cut if they buy new equipment, despite a resulting $200+ mil revenue shortfall to the state. Huh, could we even that out a bit? Maybe only a $100 million dollar hit?
3. The county having block grants sort of scares me…what if your county does not like your town? What if there is a difference of opinions in what a great town is? Could disparity now become a tool of your county leadership?
Look, clearly I do not have the answers, but I do know the cuts above scare me and are part of the values I hold near and dear to me, like education, kids and our environment. I know no one likes new taxes but aren't some things just worth it?
I liked these graphics on our state budget, sometimes pictures help.
Here a couple of items that seem so logical to me. I want healthy conversation, I want to know what I am missing, where I have erred. Please do tell me.
Why would you cut:
1. Education, K-12: Why, after $900 million cut last year do you take another swipe at Public Education. ALL children are entitled to a free and appropriate education…or is that just for the "good" zip codes?
The link between a poor education and jail time is undeniable, so why not educate (pro-active) than jail (re-active)…oh wait, jails are for-profit institutions, and oh wait, folks who run jails make campaign contributions…oh my!
2. Education, Part 2, Colleges: So if you happen to make it to 12th grade and want to go on to further your studies, POW! You have been cut by 20-30%, thats on top of 18% from last year! Getting that degree just cost a heck of a lot more. Does that mean depending on your zip code, again, education is only for the wealthy. I do not believe college is for all but could a state school not cost $30-40,000 a year? Please.
3. Department of Agriculture: huh, we need food, we need farmers, gosh knows its a hard job. Under Corbett's budget (and in all fairness, Rendell cut them twice too) Funding would be eliminated for agricultural research, agricultural promotion, education and exports, hardwoods research and promotion, and food and marketing research. Boo!!! Farmers are fabulous!
4. Transportation: Our roads and bridges are crumbling, but are not addressed in this budget. Its only going to get worse. No one likes a tax increase, but do we want to have bad bridges?
5. Environmental Protection. The Governor’s Budget cuts every line-item in the office of Environmental Protection. Ummmm, this could be scary.
Why wouldn't you cut, or tax (I know its a bad word):
1. Natural Gas: check that, I don't want to tax it, I want to stop drilling NOW. Its a short term gain in jobs and money for land for a very long time of pain in wrecked communities. The gas is getting into places we don't want it to be in (like drinking water). When folks can light up their faucets, its not good. We are missing the common sense chip, big time here!
2. Businesses. They can take a tax cut if they buy new equipment, despite a resulting $200+ mil revenue shortfall to the state. Huh, could we even that out a bit? Maybe only a $100 million dollar hit?
3. The county having block grants sort of scares me…what if your county does not like your town? What if there is a difference of opinions in what a great town is? Could disparity now become a tool of your county leadership?
Look, clearly I do not have the answers, but I do know the cuts above scare me and are part of the values I hold near and dear to me, like education, kids and our environment. I know no one likes new taxes but aren't some things just worth it?
I liked these graphics on our state budget, sometimes pictures help.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Snow, Food and the Miracle of an Active Community
My community, Lansdowne has a Farmers Market. Its going to in its sixth year. This year we decided to try a Winter Market. It's Winter, there is not much good growing except for Mushrooms but there is soup, breads, cupcakes, flowers, chocolates, quiches, cheeses and wine!
This morning was our second Winter Market and for the second time it snowed! Its only snowed 3 times this year, two of which have been our markets. You would figure when it snows, and the market runs early (9-11am) folks would not come out but not in Lansdowne.
In Lansdowne they come out in droves. How cool is that! Yes, folks come to buy items but they come out to chat, and to see each other. They come out to participate in our Farmers Market tradition. Even in the cold and the snow, they mingle.
It's a great thing. Not only does the Market keep cash flowing into 12 small businesses, it fosters a community. Sometimes you walk down the street and no one says hi, not in my town, in my town they will put on their boots and come to the middle of town to see you in the snow.
I could not be prouder.
This morning was our second Winter Market and for the second time it snowed! Its only snowed 3 times this year, two of which have been our markets. You would figure when it snows, and the market runs early (9-11am) folks would not come out but not in Lansdowne.
In Lansdowne they come out in droves. How cool is that! Yes, folks come to buy items but they come out to chat, and to see each other. They come out to participate in our Farmers Market tradition. Even in the cold and the snow, they mingle.
It's a great thing. Not only does the Market keep cash flowing into 12 small businesses, it fosters a community. Sometimes you walk down the street and no one says hi, not in my town, in my town they will put on their boots and come to the middle of town to see you in the snow.
I could not be prouder.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Education, Rich v. Poor
I am a school board director for the William Penn School District. It's a job I was elected to do. It's the hardest job in the universe and it's the job, of all my "jobs" that I love the most. It unpaid, takes countless hours and lots of the time people complain, sometimes rightfully so, sometimes they are just mis or under informed.
We are not a wealthy school district (understatement) and things are made even worse by an archaic system of funding schools off of property taxes. Its simple math. You have a town with 10 houses worth $1,000,000 and town with 10 houses worth $100,000, guess which has to pay more "taxes" to raise $10,000? BINGO, the town with the $100,000 houses is paying more.
Okay, so taxes stink. We all get that.
What happens after that is actually criminal, or so I believe. The poor kids, the ones in the $100,000 house, get an inferior educational experience. The bells and whistles are missing, the options, the Latin, the Italian, Sushi Thursday. The $100,000 towns struggle over crushing property taxes and boards like mine have to make difficult financial decisions that affect the educational experience.
The educational gap is widening, if you don't believe me, believe the New York Times.
Again, the logic chip is missing. Why is Kid A in the $1,000,000 town entitled to a better educational experience that Kid A in the $100,000 town?
I am confident we can fix this problem if we work together but do we really want to fix it? Can we agree that every child is entitled to an equal education regardless of their zip code? So far, we do not agree. I hope that some day soon, we can.
Our future and ALL of our children depend on it.
We are not a wealthy school district (understatement) and things are made even worse by an archaic system of funding schools off of property taxes. Its simple math. You have a town with 10 houses worth $1,000,000 and town with 10 houses worth $100,000, guess which has to pay more "taxes" to raise $10,000? BINGO, the town with the $100,000 houses is paying more.
Okay, so taxes stink. We all get that.
What happens after that is actually criminal, or so I believe. The poor kids, the ones in the $100,000 house, get an inferior educational experience. The bells and whistles are missing, the options, the Latin, the Italian, Sushi Thursday. The $100,000 towns struggle over crushing property taxes and boards like mine have to make difficult financial decisions that affect the educational experience.
The educational gap is widening, if you don't believe me, believe the New York Times.
Again, the logic chip is missing. Why is Kid A in the $1,000,000 town entitled to a better educational experience that Kid A in the $100,000 town?
I am confident we can fix this problem if we work together but do we really want to fix it? Can we agree that every child is entitled to an equal education regardless of their zip code? So far, we do not agree. I hope that some day soon, we can.
Our future and ALL of our children depend on it.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Roe v. Wade, a history lesson
So I have a friend (okay I have a fair amount of friends) but this one in particular is really bright. He also knows history. The history of energy, the history of Wall Street. He's actually quite adept in many topics.
I am jealous of him. When I am not jealous of his brain power, I can actually learn lots!
Today we were emailing about gay marriage and how if it reaches the supreme court, we think it might have a real shot on being law.
I sent him this article.
He fired back a history lesson. I have to admit, I never knew the Supreme Court vote on Roe vs. Wade. I was shocked. Now you will know the truth too and we will all be a little smarter. History is cool like that.
The Roe vs. Wade History Lesson:
Roe vs Wade was decided by a REPUBLICAN Supreme Court.
The verdict was 7 -2
Here is how they voted:
In Favor:
Douglas (D) nominated by FDR (D)
Blackmund (R) nominated by Eisenhower (R)
Brennan (D) nominated by Eisenhower (R)
Stewart (R) nominated by Eisenhower (R)
Marshall (D) nominated by LBJ (D)
Burger (R) nominated by Nixon (R)
Powell (R) nominated by Nixon (R)
Against:
Renquist (R) nominated by Nixon (R)
White (D) nominated by JFK (D)
So, that's 4 R's & 3 D's that voted in favor. Had it gone on
party lines with the Republicans against, it would have been defeated
5 to 4
History Lesson Over: Fascinating stuff, huh!
I am jealous of him. When I am not jealous of his brain power, I can actually learn lots!
Today we were emailing about gay marriage and how if it reaches the supreme court, we think it might have a real shot on being law.
I sent him this article.
He fired back a history lesson. I have to admit, I never knew the Supreme Court vote on Roe vs. Wade. I was shocked. Now you will know the truth too and we will all be a little smarter. History is cool like that.
The Roe vs. Wade History Lesson:
Roe vs Wade was decided by a REPUBLICAN Supreme Court.
The verdict was 7 -2
Here is how they voted:
In Favor:
Douglas (D) nominated by FDR (D)
Blackmund (R) nominated by Eisenhower (R)
Brennan (D) nominated by Eisenhower (R)
Stewart (R) nominated by Eisenhower (R)
Marshall (D) nominated by LBJ (D)
Burger (R) nominated by Nixon (R)
Powell (R) nominated by Nixon (R)
Against:
Renquist (R) nominated by Nixon (R)
White (D) nominated by JFK (D)
So, that's 4 R's & 3 D's that voted in favor. Had it gone on
party lines with the Republicans against, it would have been defeated
5 to 4
History Lesson Over: Fascinating stuff, huh!
Ellen and the value of the spokesperson
Under the category of you learn something new everyday...
I didn't even know that Ellen DeGeneres had been selected as a spokesperson for JCPenney. That is until One Million Moms decided they wanted her fired and the news firestorm picked it up. They wanted her fired because she was Gay. Ellen represents the wrong values for this group.
Well okay...
So a brief look at OMMs website (you can google them if you like, I am personally choosing not to link to them, and by the way, they are not a million moms, they are 40,000 moms), says the following...
"JC Penney Offends Again
Make a personal phone call to JC Penney's corporate headquarters and ask JC Penney to replace Ellen Degeneres as their new spokesperson immediately to remain neutral in the culture war."
A culture war! Is that what gay folks represent? Gezzz, folks have been gay forever. Is it because we are now stepping out of the closet and asking for equal rights, that people / groups like OMM are upset? So if "gay" stays hidden, its okay but when we start having kids, wanting to get married, and asking to be viewed the same as everyone else, its a problem.
Come on, we are smarter than that right? We believe in equal rights? We believe in not discriminating, right?
I think Ellen said it best...
"If you don't know me or know what my values are, they are the following:
honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people like you you want to be treated and helping those in need."
I don't know about you, but those values seem correct to me. At some point, we are all going to have to accept each other as we are, its sort of ridiculous that we don't. Now is not the time for hate, now is the time to join together for the betterment of all. Life is short, lets get it right folks.
I didn't even know that Ellen DeGeneres had been selected as a spokesperson for JCPenney. That is until One Million Moms decided they wanted her fired and the news firestorm picked it up. They wanted her fired because she was Gay. Ellen represents the wrong values for this group.
Well okay...
So a brief look at OMMs website (you can google them if you like, I am personally choosing not to link to them, and by the way, they are not a million moms, they are 40,000 moms), says the following...
"JC Penney Offends Again
Make a personal phone call to JC Penney's corporate headquarters and ask JC Penney to replace Ellen Degeneres as their new spokesperson immediately to remain neutral in the culture war."
A culture war! Is that what gay folks represent? Gezzz, folks have been gay forever. Is it because we are now stepping out of the closet and asking for equal rights, that people / groups like OMM are upset? So if "gay" stays hidden, its okay but when we start having kids, wanting to get married, and asking to be viewed the same as everyone else, its a problem.
Come on, we are smarter than that right? We believe in equal rights? We believe in not discriminating, right?
I think Ellen said it best...
"If you don't know me or know what my values are, they are the following:
honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people like you you want to be treated and helping those in need."
I don't know about you, but those values seem correct to me. At some point, we are all going to have to accept each other as we are, its sort of ridiculous that we don't. Now is not the time for hate, now is the time to join together for the betterment of all. Life is short, lets get it right folks.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Money, Money, Money...
My grandfather was a wonderful man. He could do math in his head at warp speed, he loved his wife and he gave his money and time to many charities. Why am I sharing this? Well, first, I miss him almost everyday and second because he taught me a couple of very important things. One of the most important things he taught me was that we should take care of the young and the old. The young because they were new to the world and they should have a good start and the old because everything we had, they helped us get.
Governor Corbett forgot that yesterday in his budget for 2012 - 2013. He also forgot the value of a college education and to help those less fortunate. He did not forget his contributors though, as the Gas folks are still not paying taxes on what they rape from our environment and the possible negative environmental impact. I understand no one wants to raise taxes, yes, that takes guts, but our State's priorities are out of whack. If this budget is a statement of our values (and certainly it is a statement on what Corbett values), then we are in need of some life lessons and value adjustments.
Now down to brass tacks.
Here is a summary of Corbett's budget.
Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten throughout the State will suffer with $100 Million less through the cutting go the Accountability Block Grant Program. Locally, the William Penn School District lost $400,000 in the Accountability Block Grant Program. It funded our Full Day Kindergarten program. Our kids need full day Kindergarten, in my opinion, but it will take 5 WPSD board members with the same values as I have to make that statement.
I will also say that while Corbett did not raise taxes, he did make it so that local school districts, will probably have to just to keep up with the bare minimum. We have increase in health care, a pension issue (a problem we did not make, I might add) and teachers salaries to deal with. I say Corbett, you are a chicken...you passed the taxing on to us and you know darn well you did.
PLEASE NOTE: Do not even tell me that teachers do not deserve what they are paid. I dare you to go into a class room for three days in a row. You pick the grade and the district. Really, walk in their shoes before you bash them. AND how dare you bash teachers, really, do you want a more dumbed down society? We support Football, Baseball and Basketball unions, but not the Teachers Union...are our values that warped?
The deep cuts to college will make college financially unreachable for even more. Do I believe that everyone should go to college, no I don't. I love my plumbers, electricians and roofers. I think we should be more respectful to our crafts people but college is a good fit for many. Why cut their funding? Again, do you want a more dumbed down society?
Read up on Corbett's Budget, make up your own mind. I know money is tight but does this budget show our values as a state? Why not educate kids and cut prison funding (an educated kid is way less likely to go to jail). Why cut services to the poor, why not help them get off of social services. Did we create jobs? Should we cut funds to PennDOT, Department of Environmental Protection, Penn State, Temple...speak up folks. Its our state too!
Governor Corbett forgot that yesterday in his budget for 2012 - 2013. He also forgot the value of a college education and to help those less fortunate. He did not forget his contributors though, as the Gas folks are still not paying taxes on what they rape from our environment and the possible negative environmental impact. I understand no one wants to raise taxes, yes, that takes guts, but our State's priorities are out of whack. If this budget is a statement of our values (and certainly it is a statement on what Corbett values), then we are in need of some life lessons and value adjustments.
Now down to brass tacks.
Here is a summary of Corbett's budget.
Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten throughout the State will suffer with $100 Million less through the cutting go the Accountability Block Grant Program. Locally, the William Penn School District lost $400,000 in the Accountability Block Grant Program. It funded our Full Day Kindergarten program. Our kids need full day Kindergarten, in my opinion, but it will take 5 WPSD board members with the same values as I have to make that statement.
I will also say that while Corbett did not raise taxes, he did make it so that local school districts, will probably have to just to keep up with the bare minimum. We have increase in health care, a pension issue (a problem we did not make, I might add) and teachers salaries to deal with. I say Corbett, you are a chicken...you passed the taxing on to us and you know darn well you did.
PLEASE NOTE: Do not even tell me that teachers do not deserve what they are paid. I dare you to go into a class room for three days in a row. You pick the grade and the district. Really, walk in their shoes before you bash them. AND how dare you bash teachers, really, do you want a more dumbed down society? We support Football, Baseball and Basketball unions, but not the Teachers Union...are our values that warped?
The deep cuts to college will make college financially unreachable for even more. Do I believe that everyone should go to college, no I don't. I love my plumbers, electricians and roofers. I think we should be more respectful to our crafts people but college is a good fit for many. Why cut their funding? Again, do you want a more dumbed down society?
Read up on Corbett's Budget, make up your own mind. I know money is tight but does this budget show our values as a state? Why not educate kids and cut prison funding (an educated kid is way less likely to go to jail). Why cut services to the poor, why not help them get off of social services. Did we create jobs? Should we cut funds to PennDOT, Department of Environmental Protection, Penn State, Temple...speak up folks. Its our state too!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Ah ha, logic prevailed today...(we will deal with Corbett's budget tomorrow)
"Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples," Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote in the decision. The court concludes that the law violates the 14th Amendment rights of gay couples to equal protection under the law. Access to gay marriage will remain on hold pending appeals to the decision."
Court Majority Opinion
Court Majority Opinion
Courage
So a dear friend of mine posted this on Facebook this morning.
Sometimes all you need is 10 seconds of insane courage to change your life.
-Erin Shell Anthony
It just struck me as incredibly true. We need courage to change things. To submit to the fact that things are not the way they should be, and that we are capable of changing them. Its an easy thought to have but a difficult action to take.
I am sure after Corbett outlines his budget for 2012 - 2013, there will be plenty I will want to change. I am going to remain hopeful until then and pray that Public Education escapes his knife, as after last year further cuts would be incredibly devastating. I am also going to keep hoping that folks start to understand that negative environmental impact of drilling for Natural Gas in our state and that when gas is in your water its not good (clearly a missing logic chip).
My 10 seconds is calling me, will I answer the call and help?
Sometimes all you need is 10 seconds of insane courage to change your life.
-Erin Shell Anthony
It just struck me as incredibly true. We need courage to change things. To submit to the fact that things are not the way they should be, and that we are capable of changing them. Its an easy thought to have but a difficult action to take.
I am sure after Corbett outlines his budget for 2012 - 2013, there will be plenty I will want to change. I am going to remain hopeful until then and pray that Public Education escapes his knife, as after last year further cuts would be incredibly devastating. I am also going to keep hoping that folks start to understand that negative environmental impact of drilling for Natural Gas in our state and that when gas is in your water its not good (clearly a missing logic chip).
My 10 seconds is calling me, will I answer the call and help?
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Testing, Testing, Testing...
We test kids...and test, and test.
I am really okay with some testing. The adults in our kids lives want to see how they are doing, if they moved from Point A to Point B but I think we may have gone overboard.
I certainly am no fan of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). The PSSAs are flawed because they test, for example, this years Third Grade Class vs. last years Third Grade Class. That is just not logical. Who cares how this years class did against last years class.
If you want to understand a child's progress I think you need to use the PA Value-Added Assessment System which is a statistical analysis of PSSA assessment data which allows you to look back at a child and see if they made progress in moving from Point A to Point B.
I just want kids to learn and I am not sure testing them over and over teaches them anything, except for how to take tests which I know as an adult is a rare occasion.
I am really okay with some testing. The adults in our kids lives want to see how they are doing, if they moved from Point A to Point B but I think we may have gone overboard.
I certainly am no fan of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). The PSSAs are flawed because they test, for example, this years Third Grade Class vs. last years Third Grade Class. That is just not logical. Who cares how this years class did against last years class.
If you want to understand a child's progress I think you need to use the PA Value-Added Assessment System which is a statistical analysis of PSSA assessment data which allows you to look back at a child and see if they made progress in moving from Point A to Point B.
I just want kids to learn and I am not sure testing them over and over teaches them anything, except for how to take tests which I know as an adult is a rare occasion.
Really, Santorum...
When a politician compares the price of an iPad to the cost of drugs for a sick child...
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/02/rick-santorum-tells-sick-kid-market-should-should-set-drug-prices/
and argues with the sick child's family...
He either needs to never speak off the cuff, needs to not run for political office, or invest in a new logic chip!
AND Romney, and his "I'm not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there" should take the same advice!
Geez, guys, you are running for our nations highest office, show some common sense.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/02/rick-santorum-tells-sick-kid-market-should-should-set-drug-prices/
and argues with the sick child's family...
He either needs to never speak off the cuff, needs to not run for political office, or invest in a new logic chip!
AND Romney, and his "I'm not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there" should take the same advice!
Geez, guys, you are running for our nations highest office, show some common sense.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Today
Today is a new day. Today I try to re-start my blogging. Why?
That answer is pretty simple. I can not stand by and watch our my universe pulled apart by the craziness that seems to permeate my existence. All to often we just stand back and watch it happen. We have lost our logic chip. The obvious, becomes in-obvious. We don't help each other enough. We just stand by and watch it happen.
So wish me luck. I welcome your comments. I do not expect you to agree with me all the time. Feel free to call me on my thoughts. When we become active in our communities, we will have better communities.
Lets get our logic chip back, together.
That answer is pretty simple. I can not stand by and watch our my universe pulled apart by the craziness that seems to permeate my existence. All to often we just stand back and watch it happen. We have lost our logic chip. The obvious, becomes in-obvious. We don't help each other enough. We just stand by and watch it happen.
So wish me luck. I welcome your comments. I do not expect you to agree with me all the time. Feel free to call me on my thoughts. When we become active in our communities, we will have better communities.
Lets get our logic chip back, together.
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