...humans are money grubbers by nature, and some cultures magnify the trait, among them, modern american...we pay our entertainers grotesquely more than our teachers, removing all financial motivation for teaching, then, we think we can throw crumbs at teachers and produce better results.....as Tx Trumbo, a teacher, says in his seminal book "Whos' the Teacher Now?"....
"Merit pay? Thank goodness money is not our pimary motivation for teaching. Teaching is a collaborative and service profession. Merit pay rewards the individual, not the team, the acquisitive, not the selfless.
Do we really think a few thousand dollars will help teachers to inspire their students more than smaller classes or extra planning time will? Merit pay does not promote better education. As a teacher for the past ecade, I would say that using money as the motivator is silly, ineffective, and even counterproductive."
Trumbo is equally opposed to giving out awards to teachers:
"I don't even like the Teacher of the Year award because its the one time of the year some of us are elevated above the others, not because they are dramatically better teachers but because you have to pick a few candidates out of the whole.
You are separating the team. It is a negative impact on the common good of the team. We ae not singular employees acting without the help and cooperation of our peers. We are team."
Anybody who dosn't think money and awards are good motivating tools is in the minority in america, unfortunately.
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Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Limbaugh's Apology
The fact that Rush Limbaugh has apologized for insulting a young lady on radio is in a way surprising. After all, he insulted her several days in a row, even after people started complaining about it, then, after it turned into a national uproar, he apologized, in writing.
Did he yet apologize on his radio show? If not yet, will he? It seems obvious that Limbaugh's initial reaction to the uproar was to stubbornly stick with his insults, and only changed his approach when the advertisers started canceling in large numbers.
And it seems unlikely that he intended his remarks to be humorous, as he claimed in his apology. He probably thought that if he kept up the attack, his supporters would come staunchly to his defense, and the part of the public offended by his word choice would simply be shouted down.
But it didn't work out that way. This time, there was no support for Rush, and the offended public turned out to include everyone. If Rush learned a lesson from this, he now knows that he is not above reproach.
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Did he yet apologize on his radio show? If not yet, will he? It seems obvious that Limbaugh's initial reaction to the uproar was to stubbornly stick with his insults, and only changed his approach when the advertisers started canceling in large numbers.
And it seems unlikely that he intended his remarks to be humorous, as he claimed in his apology. He probably thought that if he kept up the attack, his supporters would come staunchly to his defense, and the part of the public offended by his word choice would simply be shouted down.
But it didn't work out that way. This time, there was no support for Rush, and the offended public turned out to include everyone. If Rush learned a lesson from this, he now knows that he is not above reproach.
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Saturday, March 3, 2012
The Lorax
There aren't very many motion pictures made in America which seriously question the status quo. Any that do deserve serious attention, even if they are cartoons.
"The Lorax" was written in 1971, in an era of social protest and questioning. It was not a particularly successful book for Dr. Seuss, but of course it had a lot of competition from other Suess books from the 1950s and 1960s.
Animation techniques in the computer age have become incredibly impressive visually; good artwork goes well with high technology.
We are a civilization which has decided that material prosperity for the many and great wealth for the few is more important that preserving nature, and this is the point of the film.
Unless we change that priority, we are doomed. The change will have to start small, and grow. So far there have been innumerable false starts; what we need now is a genuine one.
The Lorax is a story about greed, environmental devastation because of greed, and the emergence of a widespread determination to reverse it, which begins as a tiny seed, and grows.
This is a movie worth seeing.
Please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
"The Lorax" was written in 1971, in an era of social protest and questioning. It was not a particularly successful book for Dr. Seuss, but of course it had a lot of competition from other Suess books from the 1950s and 1960s.
Animation techniques in the computer age have become incredibly impressive visually; good artwork goes well with high technology.
We are a civilization which has decided that material prosperity for the many and great wealth for the few is more important that preserving nature, and this is the point of the film.
Unless we change that priority, we are doomed. The change will have to start small, and grow. So far there have been innumerable false starts; what we need now is a genuine one.
The Lorax is a story about greed, environmental devastation because of greed, and the emergence of a widespread determination to reverse it, which begins as a tiny seed, and grows.
This is a movie worth seeing.
Please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Fed Question
The Truthless Reconciler recently published an article suggesting that abolishing the federal reserve system might not be in the best interest of America, that so doing might bring about too much economic disruption; and took a lot of flak .
Which is fine. Oh that the people who disagree would just write for this blog! They are invited to, but thus far they reject the offer.
The people, lilke Ron Paul, who believe that the fed should be abolished are all fervant about it, give 'em credit for that. And if you don't agree, heaven help you. But that's OK. A little issue based passion is a good thing.
I'm perfectly willing to believe that the american federal reserve bank should be abolished, but I have not yet been convinced. You can't believe everything that you read, and simply reading that the fed is owned by an evil international consortium of criminals who steal from the american people doesn't make it so.
But it does seem obvious that the american military-industrial, corporate complex rules the american people and has much power throughout the world. undoubtedly the federal reserve is their tool, like everything else is.
So, yes, we need a revolution. We the people need to overthrow the corporate mastery of our lives, and, to the extent that the fed supports this, overthrow it too. So that should appease the fed haters. Reform that which needs reforming, and do it in the interest of the teeming masses.
But let's be careful about what we decide should be done. Like Davy Crockett said: "Always be sure you are right, then go ahead." Before we eliminate the federal reserve system, let's make sure that its the right thing to do, that's all.
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Which is fine. Oh that the people who disagree would just write for this blog! They are invited to, but thus far they reject the offer.
The people, lilke Ron Paul, who believe that the fed should be abolished are all fervant about it, give 'em credit for that. And if you don't agree, heaven help you. But that's OK. A little issue based passion is a good thing.
I'm perfectly willing to believe that the american federal reserve bank should be abolished, but I have not yet been convinced. You can't believe everything that you read, and simply reading that the fed is owned by an evil international consortium of criminals who steal from the american people doesn't make it so.
But it does seem obvious that the american military-industrial, corporate complex rules the american people and has much power throughout the world. undoubtedly the federal reserve is their tool, like everything else is.
So, yes, we need a revolution. We the people need to overthrow the corporate mastery of our lives, and, to the extent that the fed supports this, overthrow it too. So that should appease the fed haters. Reform that which needs reforming, and do it in the interest of the teeming masses.
But let's be careful about what we decide should be done. Like Davy Crockett said: "Always be sure you are right, then go ahead." Before we eliminate the federal reserve system, let's make sure that its the right thing to do, that's all.
Please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
TO SLEEP, PERCHANCE TO DREAM
I had a horrible nightmare last night, worse than any Wes Craven movie, but fortunately, most of the details disappeared within a few moments of awakening. I decided to do a little research on it, because the biggest complaint I hear from my friends is about sleep, or the lack of it, and crazy dreams.
Some experts on the NBC’s Today Show offered some good advice: slow down (mentally and physically) before bedtime, hide the clock, drink less alcohol and caffeine, sleep in a cooler climate (or less clothes), and turn off the TV. I can’t tell you how many times I fell asleep to Family Guy or Stephen Colbert and woke up to a weight loss infomercial (a nightmare in itself).
Okay, good advice, but what about the nightmares? The list of possible causes was extensive, including stress, alcohol, drugs, and the wrong foods.
In the Bible, Book of Matthew, Jesus apparently drove demons out of a man and sent the demons into a herd of pigs. I guess that makes sense, as he was Jewish. But as a result of that story, pork is believed to be a cause of nightmares?
Other foods that may have adverse effects on sleep include most meats (high protein) cheese, chocolate, potatoes, tomatoes, sugar, spices, tobacco, energy drinks, caffeine, ethnic food and fast food. Geez, what else is there? Even worse, one study showed 75% of people who eat pepperoni pizza will have nightmares.
One anonymous blogger explained the problem is not with the food and that nightmares are a result of unexpressed fears, anxieties, trauma or stress.
Luckily, some foods contain melatonin, which promotes sleep. This smaller, unappealing list includes warm milk, turkey, grains, bananas, cherries and grapes. Alcohol seems to promote sleep initially (also known as passing out), but it is actually a stimulant and causes problems later in the sleep cycle and again the following morning.
So let me get this straight. I’m supposed to eat dinner as early as a senior citizen, dining on turkey and oatmeal, followed by warm milk, de-stress, turn off the TV, turn down the thermostat, hide the clock, and fall into a dreamy, uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep? What a nightmare!
How Much Change?
Ron Paul remains in the republican presidential campaign because he is gaining delegates if not victories in primaries, and because he has a solid base of support among those who like his message of elimination of the American empire, and elimination of the federal reserve system.
Liquidating the empire business is particularly tempting, because you just sense that it would save money, permit the homeland itself to be better defended, and result in a lot less trouble in general around the world for the United States.
The federal reserve is a different matter altogether. Its hard to imagine that anyone can even remotely conceive what effect this would have on the American and indeed the global economy. Wouldn't a return to a currency supported by precious metals tend to restrict, constrict, and maybe paralyze this huge modern economy we now have?
And wouldn't the elimination of the fed invite even greater economic volatility than we already have? The federal government would still have the power to fix the prime interest rate under the interstate commerce act. Without the fed, would the government continue to provide this stabilizing force? And would we be better off without government involvement in interest fixing?
These questions mighthave to await the results of actual study...
Please scroll down for the other articles in this issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
Liquidating the empire business is particularly tempting, because you just sense that it would save money, permit the homeland itself to be better defended, and result in a lot less trouble in general around the world for the United States.
The federal reserve is a different matter altogether. Its hard to imagine that anyone can even remotely conceive what effect this would have on the American and indeed the global economy. Wouldn't a return to a currency supported by precious metals tend to restrict, constrict, and maybe paralyze this huge modern economy we now have?
And wouldn't the elimination of the fed invite even greater economic volatility than we already have? The federal government would still have the power to fix the prime interest rate under the interstate commerce act. Without the fed, would the government continue to provide this stabilizing force? And would we be better off without government involvement in interest fixing?
These questions mighthave to await the results of actual study...
Please scroll down for the other articles in this issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Stand Up to Israel?
Word is that the Israelis have told the United States that they might attack Iran with or without United States permission, without telling the U.S. in advance. To which I would reply, fine, but we may or may not like the idea, and if you do it and we don't like it, we aint necessarily gonna be on your side...
...at least, that's what my response would be, if I were president. Undoubtedly whatever Obama's real world response is the republicans will call it weak, and disastrous, just to make political points.
The republicans didn't like Obama's apology for the unfortunate Koran burning incident, but, this attitude was adpoted purely for political purposes.
Isn't it time for America to stand up to israel, like they stand up to America? Obama might be more likely to do that than the republicans, so, on this particular question, the repubs might be the "weak" ones.
The middle east might be a far more peaceful place today if this questionable idea of creating a national jewish state hadn't been forced upon the world, but so it was, and our only recourse now is to respect its right to exist.
Similarly, however, the needs of the displaced Palestinain people must be adequately addressed, and it is remotely possible that the United States has always, and continues to fall down on this point.
One can only imagine how much better the US might get along with the Arab and Islamic world if America would simply adequately acknowledge the legitimate point of view of the Palestinians..
...would that be too much much to ask? So far, it seems the answer is "yes".
Please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
...at least, that's what my response would be, if I were president. Undoubtedly whatever Obama's real world response is the republicans will call it weak, and disastrous, just to make political points.
The republicans didn't like Obama's apology for the unfortunate Koran burning incident, but, this attitude was adpoted purely for political purposes.
Isn't it time for America to stand up to israel, like they stand up to America? Obama might be more likely to do that than the republicans, so, on this particular question, the repubs might be the "weak" ones.
The middle east might be a far more peaceful place today if this questionable idea of creating a national jewish state hadn't been forced upon the world, but so it was, and our only recourse now is to respect its right to exist.
Similarly, however, the needs of the displaced Palestinain people must be adequately addressed, and it is remotely possible that the United States has always, and continues to fall down on this point.
One can only imagine how much better the US might get along with the Arab and Islamic world if America would simply adequately acknowledge the legitimate point of view of the Palestinians..
...would that be too much much to ask? So far, it seems the answer is "yes".
Please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Snobbery
President Obama has been talking lately about wanting every American to have the opportunity to go to college, and how we can make that happen. In response to this, incredibly, republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum calls Obama a "snob", presumably on the pretext that if Obama thinks that every one should go to college, then he must think that those who don't are inferior, and is therefore snobbish.
Of course Santorum doesn't really believe this, because he can't possibly be that crazy, but its alarming that he thinks saying it will help him. People won't buy it. That don't make good sense. Hell, that don't even make good nonsense, to quote Davy Crockett.
Ironically, hypocritically, it is Santorum himself who is a snob, and a horrible one at that. Does he not think that his religion is superior to all others, and that everyone would be better off to adopt his religion and its associated moral values?
Does he not believe that heterosexuality is better than homosexuality? The answer is yes, and the result is that Rick is the ultimate snob.
So contentious is our culture, so determined are we to prevail, that we fabricate reasons to attack our opponents, rather than simply listening to them, and giving them a chance. We are far too angry, and competitive.
Obama understands that not everyone needs to go to college, and Obama understands that a sanitation worker who never goes to college but works hard is equal in value to anyone who goes to college.
Obama understands that, because he is not an idiot, nor is he a snob. Or, if he is a snob, it manifests in more subtle ways than that. Why not attack the ideas of others on a reasonable basis, not an emotional personal one, if possible? For Santorum, it might not be possible.
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Of course Santorum doesn't really believe this, because he can't possibly be that crazy, but its alarming that he thinks saying it will help him. People won't buy it. That don't make good sense. Hell, that don't even make good nonsense, to quote Davy Crockett.
Ironically, hypocritically, it is Santorum himself who is a snob, and a horrible one at that. Does he not think that his religion is superior to all others, and that everyone would be better off to adopt his religion and its associated moral values?
Does he not believe that heterosexuality is better than homosexuality? The answer is yes, and the result is that Rick is the ultimate snob.
So contentious is our culture, so determined are we to prevail, that we fabricate reasons to attack our opponents, rather than simply listening to them, and giving them a chance. We are far too angry, and competitive.
Obama understands that not everyone needs to go to college, and Obama understands that a sanitation worker who never goes to college but works hard is equal in value to anyone who goes to college.
Obama understands that, because he is not an idiot, nor is he a snob. Or, if he is a snob, it manifests in more subtle ways than that. Why not attack the ideas of others on a reasonable basis, not an emotional personal one, if possible? For Santorum, it might not be possible.
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Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Quest Continues
When I was about twelve years old, in 1967, I read a book entitled "The Interrupted Journey", about an interrracial couple who claimed to have been abducted by aliens in New Hampshire in 1961. I thought it was a great book, and probably still would if I read it aqain.
The question I kept asking was, "why would they make it up?" To draw attention to their interracial marriage ? Because the book, co authored by a professonal writer, does not hide the interracial aspect by politically correctly failing to mention it, as we probably would today.
We are so politically correct today that we do not allow radio announcers to tell us whether the athletes ar black or white, and, for the purpose of forming my mental image, I, frankly, would like to know...but that's another matter entirely...
Betty and Barney Hill sparked my interest in UFOs, which continues even to this day, and I have read many more books on the subject. That's why I'm trying to find an alien being willing to channel messages through this website, as they apparently do on other websites.
Or maybe the other websites are all fake, and maybe so were Betty and Barney Hill, and so maybe are all the crew on the U.S.S. carrier Roosevelt, and all the others who filed UFO reports, maybe all those airline pilots and police officers are mere frauds - maybe...or, maybe not.
Either way, its worth a try, at least. Either the world is full of liars about UFOs, or something is going on. Either way, I aint takin' no chances. If my attempt to get in touch with an alein being willing to channel messages to me doesn't work, fine.
But maybe it will work! You never know! All I know is, the websites which channel messages from aliens tend to be far more popular than my website, and, quite frankly, I'm jealous. So either way, fake or no fake, aliens or no aliens, to me, its worth a try...
...and like I said before, if this doesn't work, then its either going to be celebrity gossip or pornography... so, for those among you with a brain, you'd better hope to hell that UFOs and aliens are real......so, again , here goes...
Dear Galactic Federation of Light....
...please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
The question I kept asking was, "why would they make it up?" To draw attention to their interracial marriage ? Because the book, co authored by a professonal writer, does not hide the interracial aspect by politically correctly failing to mention it, as we probably would today.
We are so politically correct today that we do not allow radio announcers to tell us whether the athletes ar black or white, and, for the purpose of forming my mental image, I, frankly, would like to know...but that's another matter entirely...
Betty and Barney Hill sparked my interest in UFOs, which continues even to this day, and I have read many more books on the subject. That's why I'm trying to find an alien being willing to channel messages through this website, as they apparently do on other websites.
Or maybe the other websites are all fake, and maybe so were Betty and Barney Hill, and so maybe are all the crew on the U.S.S. carrier Roosevelt, and all the others who filed UFO reports, maybe all those airline pilots and police officers are mere frauds - maybe...or, maybe not.
Either way, its worth a try, at least. Either the world is full of liars about UFOs, or something is going on. Either way, I aint takin' no chances. If my attempt to get in touch with an alein being willing to channel messages to me doesn't work, fine.
But maybe it will work! You never know! All I know is, the websites which channel messages from aliens tend to be far more popular than my website, and, quite frankly, I'm jealous. So either way, fake or no fake, aliens or no aliens, to me, its worth a try...
...and like I said before, if this doesn't work, then its either going to be celebrity gossip or pornography... so, for those among you with a brain, you'd better hope to hell that UFOs and aliens are real......so, again , here goes...
Dear Galactic Federation of Light....
...please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
One Ant Shy of a Picnic
How many expressions are there to describe stupid people? One French fry short of a happy meal. The wheel is spinning but the hamster is dead. All foam, no beer. One peanut short of a Snickers. The elevator doesn’t go to the top floor. Too much yardage between the goal posts. One gorilla short of a jungle.
I’m back in college, as a senior citizen this time around. Even with the internet and other technology, it still isn’t easy. I’ve never been on the dean’s list – at least not the list of the hundreds of students who maintain a 4.0 average. We can’t all be smart. But do IQs, or at least test scores, really matter? Even if you took this test in 5th grade on a day when you had the flu and didn’t eat your Wheaties, this number follows you around for the rest of your life.
My research on the internet was inconclusive about President Obama’s IQ; reports claimed everything from 116 to 145, depending on whether you are Republican or Democrat. Sarah Palin’s IQ was apparently not made public, but one internet site reported it was 19 points higher than Paris Hilton, which would make it 20.
Currently, the smartest man, Kim Ung Yong, has a score of 210. The smartest woman, Marilyn vos Savant, allegedly has a 228 IQ. I will withhold editorial comment here, for even this is not empirical evidence that women are smarter than men. It’s subjective.
A person’s character should not be measured using IQ scores or one stupid quote, or in former President George Bush’s case, numerous stupid quotes. He has an above average IQ (128) and by most bipartisan accounts was a genuinely good person.
Bill Clinton’s IQ is 137. Hillary Clinton’s IQ is 140, but Madonna and Shakira are also 140s. IQ scores of 160 include Stephen Hawking, Reggie Jackson, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates and Quentin Tarantino.
So what if my IQ is not in triple digits? I’m in good company. Artist Andy Warhol’s IQ was only 86. Vice president Al Gore didn’t really invent the internet.
Joe Theisman said “The word ‘genius’ isn’t applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.”
We need to quit stereotyping women and athletes and people from certain geographic areas as dumb (except for Kansas
In one of President Obama’s speeches to American students, he said “Every single one of you has something that you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.”
If there were no average students, the dean’s list would just be a school roster. Kudos to all those who have been on the dean’s list. Look for my name on there sometime soon, when global warming has made hell freeze over.
### annie
### annie
Who's the Teacher Now?
In his straightforward book "Whos' the Teacher Now?', author Tx Trumbo, a career teacher, asks the question "Do We Value Our Children?" His answer is not comforting.
"Most of my students 'care' about doing well in class. They pariticpate and focus in class, in the computer lab, and on each quiz and test. But do we 'care' about them? Our struggles with basic literacy, remediation, absences, language-acquisition, dropouts, and poor test scores are ongoing challenges and a product of our country's culture, which devalues children."
Trumbo goes on to point out that a UNICEF study indicated that the United States is a relatively bood place to be a child, on account of unequal distribution of wealth, poverty, isolation, dysfunctional families, and lonliness.
"we have the longest work days and the fewest vacation days of any industrialized country, the higest number of children who say they are lonely, and a high number of children living in poverty."
The great things about Trumbo's book and his approach is that while he has a highly negative opinion of American culture and its influence on children, he is absolutely convinced that the children themselves somehow survive it all and are good people, worth our attention and energies, which he says they do not get.
Throughout his book Trumbo tells true, heartwarming stories about life and events among his minority kids in an American high school, while soundly and sensibly criticizing the culture in which the school strives.
please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
"Most of my students 'care' about doing well in class. They pariticpate and focus in class, in the computer lab, and on each quiz and test. But do we 'care' about them? Our struggles with basic literacy, remediation, absences, language-acquisition, dropouts, and poor test scores are ongoing challenges and a product of our country's culture, which devalues children."
Trumbo goes on to point out that a UNICEF study indicated that the United States is a relatively bood place to be a child, on account of unequal distribution of wealth, poverty, isolation, dysfunctional families, and lonliness.
"we have the longest work days and the fewest vacation days of any industrialized country, the higest number of children who say they are lonely, and a high number of children living in poverty."
The great things about Trumbo's book and his approach is that while he has a highly negative opinion of American culture and its influence on children, he is absolutely convinced that the children themselves somehow survive it all and are good people, worth our attention and energies, which he says they do not get.
Throughout his book Trumbo tells true, heartwarming stories about life and events among his minority kids in an American high school, while soundly and sensibly criticizing the culture in which the school strives.
please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Help Wanted
dear galactic federation of light;
perhaps you did not receive my previous letter, in which i requested permission to become a channeler of messages from enlightened extraterrestrial beings.
The Truthless Reconciler would be willing to publish such messages every day, or every week, or as often or as infrequently as you "people" wish.
I don't even know who i'm talking to here; is it the Andromedans? The Pleiadans? The greys?
From what I understand, the Andromedans are benevolent, and the greys and reptilians are not.
Thus, this inquiry is addressed to the andromedans. please respond if possible, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
The Truthless Reconciler
Who's the Teacher Now?
The Truthless Reconciler seeks to present thoughts and comments on all areas of human and American cultural endeavor, not the least of which is education. The best way to find out what's going on in education is to dive straight into a public school, through the eyes of a teacher who is there every day, all day. Terry X (Tx) Trumbo, a social studies teacher and basketball coach in Springdale, Arkansas, wrote and published a fascinating and insightful book entitled "Who's the Teacher Now?" Its part daily journal, part commentary and analysis of American public education policy, and the broader American culture within which the education system strives.
Tex (Tx) likes the kids: "you should know that our nation's youth are gifted, talented, compassionate, and honorable. In their own unique ways, they are all our best and brightest. They have a sense of duty and are fun living. They have integrity, inner strength, and a desire to serve others.They are respectful. They enjoy a challenge. They are intelligent and intellectually curious. They are not the problem."
By implication, the problem is elsewhere, and Mr Trumbo does not hesitate to say where:
"Now, the society that surrounds us is another matter. We are victims of an economic system that relegates millions to low wage jobs that create an inferior quality of life including poor living conditions, lack of access to health care, lower opportunities for higher education, uncertainty, stress, drugs, crime, gangs, desperation and even homelessness. In my working class, lower income school district, over half the students receive free - and - reduced lunches. That is why we call them 'at risk', because we have put them in a troubled and risky situation."
Again, the book is "Who's the Teacher Now?", and the author is Tx Trumbo. The book is on Amazon dot com, and deserves attention, for it can inform people.
please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
Tex (Tx) likes the kids: "you should know that our nation's youth are gifted, talented, compassionate, and honorable. In their own unique ways, they are all our best and brightest. They have a sense of duty and are fun living. They have integrity, inner strength, and a desire to serve others.They are respectful. They enjoy a challenge. They are intelligent and intellectually curious. They are not the problem."
By implication, the problem is elsewhere, and Mr Trumbo does not hesitate to say where:
"Now, the society that surrounds us is another matter. We are victims of an economic system that relegates millions to low wage jobs that create an inferior quality of life including poor living conditions, lack of access to health care, lower opportunities for higher education, uncertainty, stress, drugs, crime, gangs, desperation and even homelessness. In my working class, lower income school district, over half the students receive free - and - reduced lunches. That is why we call them 'at risk', because we have put them in a troubled and risky situation."
Again, the book is "Who's the Teacher Now?", and the author is Tx Trumbo. The book is on Amazon dot com, and deserves attention, for it can inform people.
please scroll down for the other articles in today's issue of The Truthless Reconciler! Thanks!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Lovin' the Show
The republican presidential race might be the most exciting in history, ironically, since this is the first national campaign in the new era of unlimited corporate money. So maybe that's the lesson: if you want exciting, wide open campaigns for president, remove all financial restraints, and let 'em go at it.
So far we've had, what, eight different frontrunners? And just think, its still early! And even though its an exciting final four, you wish there were more candidates to make it even more interesting. I really miss Rick Perry, Michelle Bachman, and Herman Cain. Now they were interesting! Rick was fun for his verbal blunders, Michelle for her wild ideas, and don't we all miss Herman and his women? We couldv'e had month after month of scintillating all American drama.
If only Sarah Palin and Donald Trump would jump in right now, as bitter rivals, and launch bombs in all directions. That would be an advertiser's and a blogger's dream come true. But it would be too much to expect...
I love every republican candidate, even thought I'm a lib dem.They're all great people, ambitious, power hungry, desirous of attention, wealth, and fame. Thus, entirely human. We all wish to survive financially, we all want some attention and social interaction, and we all want to have some control of our environment. The people who run zealously for president simply have a surplus of these basic human needs.
Are we not all just a bit too inclined to dislike those with whom we disagree? We forget that we only gain by stealing ideas from other people. No sane socialist can visit a grade school lemonade stand and remain unconditionally opposed to capitalism.
As Goethe said:
"If thine own value thou wouldst relish, the world with worth thou must embellish."
And
"When one respects nothing, it is no trick to be brilliant."
By Bob Bond
please scroll down
for more
TTR
()
So far we've had, what, eight different frontrunners? And just think, its still early! And even though its an exciting final four, you wish there were more candidates to make it even more interesting. I really miss Rick Perry, Michelle Bachman, and Herman Cain. Now they were interesting! Rick was fun for his verbal blunders, Michelle for her wild ideas, and don't we all miss Herman and his women? We couldv'e had month after month of scintillating all American drama.
If only Sarah Palin and Donald Trump would jump in right now, as bitter rivals, and launch bombs in all directions. That would be an advertiser's and a blogger's dream come true. But it would be too much to expect...
I love every republican candidate, even thought I'm a lib dem.They're all great people, ambitious, power hungry, desirous of attention, wealth, and fame. Thus, entirely human. We all wish to survive financially, we all want some attention and social interaction, and we all want to have some control of our environment. The people who run zealously for president simply have a surplus of these basic human needs.
Are we not all just a bit too inclined to dislike those with whom we disagree? We forget that we only gain by stealing ideas from other people. No sane socialist can visit a grade school lemonade stand and remain unconditionally opposed to capitalism.
As Goethe said:
"If thine own value thou wouldst relish, the world with worth thou must embellish."
And
"When one respects nothing, it is no trick to be brilliant."
By Bob Bond
please scroll down
for more
TTR
()
Monday, February 20, 2012
FAT TUESDAY
Fat Tuesday. Finally, a holiday I can relate to, even though I’m not Catholic.
According to americancatholic.org, “Mardi Gras” actually means Fat Tuesday, the last hurrah before the Catholic season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. In many cultures, it is associated with Carnival, (from Latin words “carne vale”, meaning “farewell to the flesh.”) Since the 2nd century, Romans observed a 40-day fast, preceded by a brief period of feasting and merrymaking.
But I’m not here to present a lesson on Mardi Gras or Lent. I just think Fat Tuesday is a dandy idea. But why make it only one day a year?
Even though the problem of hunger is underrepresented, here in America U.S.
This morning, I turned on my computer and an unusual start-up screen appeared, informing me that one of my computer files is too fat. I confront this message in the mirror every Monday morning.
Everyone in my family has weight struggles, but I’m an overachiever. My father never let us dine out at all-you-can-eat buffets because he didn’t like being around all the fat people. And I would say, “But dad, we’re fat.” He was right. I feel no shame, sometimes even feel skinny or at least normal when I dine at buffets. They are by far the most popular restaurants in town. The amount of food that some people pile on their plates is truly disgusting. Are they justifying this behavior by thinking that this is the best value for meals in this troubled economy?
We all know the answer. Eat less, move more. I’m very impressed with Michelle Obama’s campaign to tackle this problem in childhood. I wish her message would have been around in my childhood, but we only had Jack Lalane. Like millions of others, middle age, cable TV and the internet have lured me into a sedentary lifestyle.
I wake up every morning with good intentions. But not today. Not on Fat Tuesday. Somewhere out there is a loaded burger or a pint of Ben & Jerry’s with my name on it. I can reform tomorrow. As Scarlett O’Hara said, “After all, tomorrow is another day.”
###annie
###annie
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