Some Thoughts, or Waxing Philosophically While Hoping Someone Cares Enough to do Something

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June 11

I have a number of friends in the field of education and because sometimes I think that people outside of the realm of education need to know how hard some teachers work, and that others are kind of clueless, I submit the following series of email messages:

June 8, 5 pm

Dear Sirs,

Today **** told me that *** will not, nor cannot, pass Mr. !!!!!'s English course. Very early on in the school year, comments were made that laid the foundation for a contentious teacher/student relationship. I know that learning to work with authority figures is an important lesson that will prepare **** for the real world; and at **** 's request, I have remained quiet and kept my concerns private. However, hearing that **** was openly accused of lying and plagiarizing are serious and slanderous charges that I feel must be addressed. Further, as an educator and community member, it greatly concerns me that a student could receive a failing grade without the instructor exhausting the standard course interventions which should include contacting parents when a student is at risk of failure, referring student to the guidance counselor, and/or requesting a parent/student/teacher conference.

As a fellow educator I realize there are many facets to something as final as a failing grade. I hope you can help me understand how and why this has happened, and work with me to create a satisfactory plan that will hold **** accountable for a passing grade.

Professionally,

?????? ?????

M.Ed., NBCT

June 8, 9 pm

M ?????,

I am uncertain what you mean in stating 'comments were made.' A few specifics would help to clarify a general statement.

Second, **** was not accused of lying. *** handed me a paper that *** said *** just found in *** binder, and that *** said I had not recorded in the gradebook. First, that assignment was done in class on the 25th of March, a day **** has an unexcused absence from my class. Second, **** must have known that assignment was not recorded as *** has checked *** grade online 99 times since the beginning of the second semester, 69 times since that assignment was due on the 25th. Third, I think if you look at the copies of the other assignments I sent with **** today, you will notice that the manner in which the grades are marked is consistent on the two I did grade, and different on the one *** supplied today. And finally, I did not accuse **** of lying; I said that I did not read that paper, nor did I grade it or mark it, and that if *** found it marked in *** binder, someone was playing an awful prank on ***. I would ask you to consider, when you look at what would be the first sentence of the second paragraph: 'Nora who although goes against society norms and finds money to save her husband's life, does this simply because she wants to save her husband's life.' the grammatical problems with the sentence. Yet, **** brings me a paper that received a 10 of a possible 10 for mechanics. That simply can not be. Additionally you might note the lack of paragraph indentation, another reason this paper could not be perfect mechanically. A score of 10 would indicate a perfect mechanical paper. Strangely, **** stopped insisting that I had graded it and asked if I would then read the assignment and grade it for ***. Why ask again if it had already been read and graded as *** claimed?

Regarding the plagiarism, you can check the websites that are listed on the copy I gave ****. I am certain I do not need to clarify the rules regarding plagiarism.

*** *'s sentence reads," Ophelia in her madness expresses indirectly the desires she is forbidden to act on; in turn, she presents herself as a victim of male lust and betrayal."

However, if you wish to look, here are the references:

Shakespeare A comparison of the role of women in his plays and in ...

Ophelia in her madness, can convey indirectly the desires she is forbidden to act on; she can present herself as a victim of male lust and betrayal: "Then ...

www.docshare.com/.../Shakespeare-A-comparison-of-the-role-of-women

Feminist Criticism and Teaching Shakespeare

Ophelia in her madness can express indirectly the desires she is forbidden to act on; can present herself as a victim of male lust and betrayal: "Then up he ...

web2.ade.org/ade/bulletin/n087/087015.htm

As the paper was to be a feminist criticism of Hamlet, it appears clear that **** lifted the material from one of these sources. I'm more than certain that this is a clear cut case of plagiarism, though I am willing to hear your defense.

As for interventions, I would have welcomed the chance to talk to ****, help ****, cajole *** in to finishing some assignments. However, *** has amassed 43 absences in my 3rd period class this semester alone. That amounts to missing nearly one half of the semester. Twenty two of those absences are unexcused. A little checking shows that there are days when **** was in *** first, second, fourth, fifth and sixth period classes but did not attend third period. Once again, as an educator, I know you understand the difficulty of conducting an intervention when a student is not present.

One of the advantages we have is the parent portal, a tool that **** again has used 99 times to access her grades and scores in classes. It is an amazing tool for parents to check on a student's progress or attendance. The system has been advertised on the school website, addressed at the open house, and touted I believe in the Gateway and numerous messages from district administrators. I understand from your message that you have remained quiet and kept your concerns private, however, there are times when being an overbearing parent can be beneficial.

I do appreciate your letter. You may not believe that, but I, like you am frustrated with *** *'s lack of progress and last minute attempts to get things done. I too would like to see a plan that would help every student pass every class. However, as a teacher, you realize, as do I, that plan involves two people working toward the same goal in a partnership. Presently 43 absences, 22 of them unexcused, a plagiarized paper, an unexcused absence on Friday the 4th when we wrote in class the last outside reading paper, and a mysteriously marked paper create more than a minute dilemma.

I know that the story that gets told at home may not accurately reflect what occurred. It is hard for some people to admit they made a mistake. It is much easier to blame another. M ?????, I have nothing to gain in this. I have no reason to make up a story or tell you anything but the truth. In fact, I think if you check around you will find I am a man of integrity. I believe in education and I have standards that I adhere to and that I hold students to as well. I also realize that not everyone may be capable of making good decisions, and in such cases they may face dire circumstances. Do you not think it pains me when students do not do well? Do you not think I experience a sense of heavy anxiety when students struggle? Do you not think I find it difficult to tell a student that they did not do well on an assignment? Do you not think I have feelings and that personal accusations and innuendo might hurt a bit? I would imagine that as a fellow teaching professional, you do understand, and that you intended nothing untoward.

In closing, I would also would like to hold **** accountable. However, as *** currently resides at 25%, that might be more than difficult.

Again, thanks for your concern. Please have a pleasant evening.

!. !!!!!

M.A. English, NBCT

June 9, 9:30 am

Oh my goodness. Your letter certainly gives insight and clarifies how and why **** has failed your course. Clearly, you have your "ducks in a row". I know the parent portal is a tool available to parents and used by some teachers; I regret not accessing it. I do think it a shame that technology has replaced direct communication, especially when a student has failed.

If you are truly interested, once this school year is over I would be happy to share with you some of the concerning "comments" (opinions, really), that students spoke of. Perhaps they were statements intended to spark debate.

?????? ?????

M.Ed., NBCT

# Grade Teacher

^^^^^^ ^^^^ Elementary

(not sent - simply wishful thinking)

M ??????,

I appreciate the fact that you see the situation for what it truly is rather than a skewed representation used to manipulate parents and teachers and pit one against the other.

I will forgo the opportunity to discuss "comments/opinions" as it appears that included in your sources is the very student that in *** dishonesty perpetuated the problems I outlined previously. There would undoubtedly be a credibility gap between the solid truth and what is represented in your *****'s comments. Hopefully *** can rebuild an element of trust with you, and learn that a parent's love and concern is unconditional.

!. !!!!!

M.A. English, NBCT

AP Composition and Literature, Sophomore English

<><><><> <><> School

Eng 101, Hum 130

$#$#$#$# Community College

May 27

I know why the banking industry is in trouble. It took me less than one hour to figure it out. This summer I am taking a trip which will necessitate carrying some foreign currency. Rather than deal with exchanging dollars for local currency when I reach my destination, I prefer to buy here, thus I have the money in my wallet when I land and desperately need a bottle of water.

Before buying I do some pretty extensive research. I keep my eye on the exchange rates, and watch the foreign markets. I check the banking websites to make certain that the establishment offers the currency I need. In fact, I call the customer service numbers for those banks to ask about and clarify the procedures. I did all of that yesterday for two banks, one the place where I do business, and the other, a bank I have used just down the road from my bank. As it turns out, my bank was unable to complete the transaction because they were bought a few months ago, and the complete transfer of all services will not happen until July. So, I withdrew the necessary cash and drove down the road to the bank which uses the name of our country to purchase the currency there. I had been assured by two customer service people that the branch would be able to sell me foreign currency, all I had to do was show up with the cash. The second representative I spoke to told me that if anyone at the branch had a question, they should call him or anyone at the service center and that person would take care of the matter. Ha! The first thing the representative at the bank of country's name told me was that they did not offer foreign currency transactions. I asked her to call the customer service center. She did, and she told the person on the other end of the line that in Washington, the branch offices don't have the necessary forms, and don't process foreign transactions. Despite the person at the service center trying to explain the procedure, the woman at the branch would not change her mind. She did tell me if I opened an account, and was willing to pay the $10 a month service fee, I could process the transaction. I asked her to look up the exchange rates, more to challenge her intellect than anything else as I had them in front of me having checked them before leaving work. She did, though she could not figure out the difference between the British Pound and the Turkish Lira. Once she figured everything out, she said the transaction could not be processed until the next day as it was after 2pm. I left telling her I now had a few things to think about.

I then crossed the freeway to a branch of Wells Fargo. I asked Jodie if she could answer a question about buying foreign currency, and she immediately said that while she knew a bit, I should talk to Mickey. I did. I told him the currencies I wished to purchase and the amount of each. In ten minutes he had the amounts ordered and he had taken my name and phone number to call me what they came in. And I am not even a customer at the bank.

So, I spent 45 minutes in a bank that said they offered the service, but really did not, dealing with a woman who because she called me a client made me feel dirty, only to drive to Wells Fargo a minute away and experience real customer service. Jodie an Mickey restored a bit of my faith in the banking system. The bank of country's name, not so much.

April 2, 2010

I waited until the second to write because I feared no one would take seriously anything written on the 1st. Today the airlines are set to announce some new screening procedures to be implemented at airports. Will this be another in a list of reasons why I have to show up two hours before my flight, and even then find that I arrive at the gate only minutes before the door closes and the plane leaves? Let's first of all start with the people the TSA hires. I imagine that they are nice enough folks, but are they adequately trained to do the job that will keep passengers safe while flying?

A few years back, just after the planes flew into the buildings in New York, the TSA made a big push to hire more people and to ramp up the screening process. I applied for a job. The procedure involved an online application that took about thirty minutes or so to complete. I was careful and truthful in my answers. At the time I had not just a high school diploma, but a four year college degree as well as a Master's Degree. I had extensive travel experience, having been to each continent in the northern hemisphere. I had taken foreign language classes, and made it a priority to learn the languages of the countries I visited. I fired the application off into cyberspace, and twenty minutes later I received an email telling me I was not qualified to work for the TSA. I'm not bitter. I have a job. I was however concerned about what might have been on my application that screened me out. Why would a government agency not want an educated, well traveled person working in an area that deals with people and travel?

Instead they hired the woman that works in the San Francisco airport that tore open my wife's suitcase, breaking the zipper, to inspect her bag of corn meal mix, something we can not get in Washington and she had bought while in Atlanta. No apology from the over zealous TSA screener, even though both of us tried to explain what it was and asked her to be careful with the bag. Or the person at the x-ray machine in Kansas City who said that the computer bag I carried counted as a second bag, not a personal item to carry on and I would have to check it. I explained that I asked at the desk, when checking in, and was told I was fine. My baggage carry on was a small gym bag. That TSA screener said the desk people did not understand the regulations and I would have to go back and check my bags. I trudged back tot he check in counter, where the person who checked me in the first time became a bit irritated, called someone and told me to go back to the screening area. This time, the person who started the problem was gone. I got on the plane.

You see, I really have no problem with new screening procedures, I simply want them to screen people that may cause harm. Leave the corn meal alone. Think before you declare what is a personal item. Be well prepared enough to, yes, I will use the word, profile the person that may be likely to cause problems. Read the handbook of procedures so you know who will match the information about potential suspects. Seriously, this is no joke, all I want to do is be able to travel, and enjoy a flight.

February 7, 2010

I suppose today should be reserved for thoughts about the big game in Miami. While I am looking forward to watching it with a few friends, a few other things are crowding the game from my head at the moment. The Tea Party folks are in the midst of some sort of convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The event is taking place at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. I stayed there last year when in Tennessee for my niece's wedding. Nice place, plenty of room, interesting layout, good outdoor pool. Now, I will remember it as home to, well, I'm not certain who these people are. From what I can read in the paper, or see on the news, they seem very upset with the current administration. Sheesh, Tom Tancredo and Sarah Palin, the two big name speakers so far, spent much of their time behind the podium calling those leaders some pretty despicable names. I'm really not much for name calling. Wait, to set the record straight, I do not mind calling someone out, but name calling as a method to tear someone down serves little purpose except to incite others who may choose not to think for themselves.

Let's consider thinking for a moment. I have heard a number of right leaning folks express that the current administration is enacting socialist policies, that Obama is a socialist, and the list goes on. First, how many of those critics have insurance, either for their car, their health, their teeth, their life? Is not insurance a socialist program? Consider that insurance companies pool the premiums to gain the widest coverage, and some policy holders use the coverage a lot while others use it little or not at all - socialism. Now I suppose that the argument arises because some folks are afraid of state or government control of insurance, or any other program. Fine, let your voice be heard, but know of what you speak please. Therefore, if you do not want any socialist programs, cancel all your insurance today.

I must return to the name calling. Why does anyone do it? The easy answer is that the name caller can appear better, smarter, more in control than the person they call a name. This is a facade, a curtain to hide behind. That person calls another a name to defray any negative attention that might lean their way. As of late, the loudest of the name callers seem to be the far right leaning conservatives. Yes, those same people that tout God, Jesus and religion just after calling someone with an opposing view an intolerant terrorist cradling socialist arse bent on destroying America, seem to be the guiltiest of name callers. I choose not to play that game; I choose to pay no attention to the person behind the curtain.

December 11, 2009

I have a few friends who are educators. Let's face it, the job is getting tougher. It seems that schools are being blamed for a number of the ills in society. Some of the criticism may be rightly aimed, but if we consider that the people in any occupation represent a microcosm of society as it exists, then we will see great work and we will see poor work. That however is not my focus here. I was talking to friends about what goes on in a normal classroom, just how much time is spent teaching and how much time is spent trying to maintain control or correct behavior and how much time is spent trying to convince the apathetic student to do his school work. In talking we figured that in the average 50 minute period, about one third of that time is spent (depending on the class - perhaps less in an upper level science or math class) asking students to take out paper or find a pen or open the book or start to write or put away the cell phone/ipod/blackberry. Good Lord, why are the parents of the students who are on task, and wanting to learn, not rising up and screaming about the injustice being done to their child because a teacher must spend so much time with the apathetic? If the situation were reversed, and a teacher spent all his time on those who came in and did as asked, the parents or advocates of those who were behind would be shouting about the inequity of a system that fosters elitism.

Is this what our public education system has become? I realize we are in the midst of the rebirth of the popularity of the vampire, especially amongst children, but is it right that a group of bottom feeders suck the life and strength from those who want to learn? Look, Count Dracula was pretty smart, and worldly. Lestat was a virtual genius. And from what I understand from my niece (having not read Twilight myself) Edward goes to high school. So I would offer a few choices. First, and I think most importantly, if you are a student that does little or nothing, wake up and get an education, get your work done and quit being a burden to others. If that is not within your grasp, find something you can do, and like to do, and pursue that. Consider that choice might mean leaving school and joining the Job Corps or the military, or working with your dad. And finally, if you are a parent of a kid whose educational opportunities are being pushed aside because the do nothings take up too much of the teacher's time, let your voice be heard, turn the focus toward academics and learning so your kid can reach his or her absolute potential.

November 22, 2009

Last night I was reminded again why as fans, we should wait until the event is over before we celebrate. When the Arizona Wildcats scored with just over seven minutes left in the game, the Arizona fans figured their team had wrapped up a trip to the Rose Bowl - a game they have never qualified to play. They slowly made their way to the front rows of the stadium, clutching roses in their hands and between their teeth. They were the picture of redness, an interesting color theme for the evening.

Then the Ducks, a team that seems to be able to score from anywhere on the field at any time, began a methodical march down the field.

With about two minutes left in the game, and the Ducks still on the far side of the fifty yardline, and needing a touchdown and extra point to tie, the red clad Arizona fans jumped from the stands and crowded the sidelines preparing to rush the field and celebrate, roses held high.

And then, the Ducks rolled. With six seconds left on the clock they scored; the extra point was good and the game was tied. Still Arizona fans stood on the sidelines, confident that they would after an overtime period still be able to rush the field and wave roses.

It did not happen that way. The Ducks won in the second overtime. The Arizona fans had to crawl back over the wall, back in to the stands, back to hope that they were not recognized on television while waiting to rush and celebrate.

Perhaps it was fitting that the Arizona fans were clad in red. That way their faces matched their clothing.

Go Ducks.

November 8, 2009

I am waiting for the vaccine to combat the H1N1 virus to become available to those who are not children, or pregnant women, or who work in the health care industry. I am not yet convinced it will be available.

I took, for the first time in my life the seasonal flu shot. In years past I have said no, taken my vitamins, eaten wisely and avoided situations where a person might become infected. However, this year, I bought in to the hype, and on a Sunday afternoon walked in to a local Urgent Care and got poked. The interesting thing about getting the shot was that the same woman who took my patient information, called me from the waiting room, and took me to an examination room, gave me the shot. I wondered if she could serve as a valet and go get my truck.

The next day, I was sick. I know that a vaccine is a small amount of an illness, meant to alert the immune system so the body can fight the real thing. but come on - if I wanted to get the flu, there were plenty of people around that I could let breathe in my direction. For three days I remembered why I had not taken the shot in years past.

So, if the H1N1 vaccine ever does show up will I stand in the line to get the shot? Probably. Will I get sick again? Probably. Will taking the shot be worth the wait and the suffering? Probably not. You see, the way I figure it, by the time the vaccine is available we will be past the time of infection for this strain, and the real danger will be from the later arriving seasonal flu - from which I am already safe. I remember more than a few years back, when a swine flu panic was sweeping the Northwest and the Portland Trailblazers were one of the best teams in basketball, Bill Walton made some off handed comment about rude and rowdy fans and how he and Maurice Lucas would, with the help of the swine flue virus, take care of them. If only we could deal with this in such a manner.

August 6, 2009

Just returned from Las Vegas, a place that no one should really visit in late July or early August unless he or she plans to spend the entire time in an air conditioned room or casino or submerged in a pool. Don't be fooled by the people that tell you that even though it is 110 degrees, "it's a dry heat." It is all heat, and 110 is really hot.

At any rate, I think I now understand why the tag line to visit Las Vegas is "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas." Here is what it really means.

The large woman, she probably weighed in at about 275 pounds, stuffed in and flowing out of the bikini can wear the bikini in Las Vegas because the image will stay in Vegas. I do not imagine she would wear that suit at a neighborhood pool where people know her by name, but pool side in Las Vegas, no one knows her so she is free to assault us. I considered trying to recreate the image, but doing so would call forth all the metaphorical powers in my grasp, and even then justice would not be served. Instead, try to imagine how you would cover 275 pounds of margarine with three handkerchiefs. And before you think women are the only violators, there were men with huge bellies (the kind that make one look in the mirror to make sure their shoes match) wandering about as well. So, in Vegas there is no need to hide that shamefully obese body. I mean, I saw you, but I do not know you, do not know where you live. I know that I would only be assaulted in Las Vegas.

The couple with a six week old baby sitting pool side need not worry about someone calling CPS when in Vegas. Here is the situation. The temperature outside was 110. The baby was in one of those on the floor type baby carriers. The only space available was in the direct afternoon sun. The parents placed the baby between their lounge chairs, and covered the carrier with a towel to block the sun. What would that feel like? Next time it is hot, place a thick beach towel over your head and stand outside for an hour. The baby cried occasionally, and one of the parents usually rocked the carrier to calm the little guy, but still, creating shade with a towel is hardly cooling. About an hour in to their pool side visit, mom picked baby up and took him to the side of the pool. No shade there. For twenty minutes six week old junior sat in mom's arms baking away in the hot sun. What happens in Vegas... except for coming home with a beet red baby, which could be a bit of a problem to explain to the neighbors.

Because what happens there stays there, far too many people leave any semblance of good mannerly behavior someplace else. In this town, it is ok to bump, push, shove, elbow, do what ever is necessary to get where you want to go. This means that if you are in a group of four or five, you can walk shoulder to shoulder, keeping those behind you from moving along while making those coming towards you move out of your way. Walking single file is not conducive to conversation, but when walking five abreast, can person one really effectively talk to person five anyway? You group walkers do not know the people who have to move, or who have to linger behind you, so ignore them, inconvenience them. Be nice when you return home because there the person you force off the sidewalk today might be the person pouring your coffee tomorrow.

And finally, the drunks. Over indulge in alcohol. Stagger around the streets. Carry one of those 128 ounce drinking globes (the ones with the three foot long straw and the lanyard that goes around your neck) everywhere you go. [As a side note, when the people who buy those leave to fly home, how do they take that glass with them?] Puke on your shoes, on the shoes of the girl you are with, on the people (trying) to share the sidewalk with you, on the people watching the Siren show at TI. Except for the girl, none of them will see you when you return home. The remnants of your $5.99 steak and egg breakfast mingled with the fruity drink will also stay in Vegas, a stain baked in to the sidewalk under 110 degree heat.

July 31, 2009

I like to travel. I have been fortunate enough to have had adventures in over half of the continents on the globe. I have met people that have amused me and bemused me. I will travel for as long as I am able, and have already booked the next adventure for next summer. However, before that occurs, I wish to make a couple of points.

I do not imagine anyone was happy when the airlines started to charge people to check a bag. Think about it. Airplanes have a large cargo hold. Airline workers place baggage in the hold and take it out. This has been the practice for quite a while. Those of you old enough to remember can recall a time when men boarded a plane carrying a book, while women carried a purse, with the book tucked inside, and very few people traveled with their children. Now it seems that almost everyone carries their luggage on board rather than check it. I understand, to a point, having been the victim of lost luggage in the past. However, carry on bags have gotten bigger and bigger while the overhead space has remained relatively the same, and the under seat space is barely big enough for a half case of beer (assuming the airline would let you carry that on). The metal racks at the check in counter, and they sometimes appear at the gates too, are built so the traveler will know if their bag will fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. When was the last time you saw someone check the size of their bag? When was the last time you saw a ticket agent ask someone to place their bag in the rack to make certain it would fit? I do not think I have ever seen that happen, though I have placed my carry on bag in the rack once or twice to make a point to the passenger behind me that is pulling a wheeled carry on slightly smaller than a dormitory refrigerator. In May my wife and I took a quick trip to Atlanta, flying on Continental. We packed in ONE carry on bag which easily fit in the rack. We were seated in row 7. As is the case in America, plane loads from the rear first. When we got to the door, the flight attendant told the remaining passengers on the jet way that all of us would have to check our bags, and reclaim them on the jet way in Houston, as the overhead bins were full. You see, what happened was that greedy over packing people seated in rows 15 through 30 stuck their bags up front so they could make their way down the aisle unencumbered, then when exiting, grab their bag from above my seat, and leave to make their connection. Luckily, our bag fit under the seat, though that meant no leg room. I won't fly Continental until the flight attendants start to enforce the airline carry on rules.

I do have a solution. The airlines can solve this problem one of two ways, and continue to make money. First, instead of charging for checked baggage, place two metal racks at the ticket counter and the gate. Make one smaller than those currently used. If a passenger's bag fits in that rack, they can carry it on for free. If it does not fit in that one, but fits in the one currently used, they pay fifteen dollars to carry the bag on the plane. If the bag does not fit in either rack, it must be checked. And as the passenger is now at the gate, and that means more work in order to get the bag on the plane, charge them fifty dollars. The second option, let a passenger check the first bag for free, and charge one hundred dollars for each additional checked bag. How much does a person need to take when traveling? I spent three weeks in Scandinavia and Russia a few years ago and packed in a carry on. I did the same thing while traveling in Australia last summer. I will do the same when traveling next summer. There are bound to be laundry facilities in almost any location. Finally, if you check a bag, that means you get to carry on the 'personal item' type of carry on, a purse or a camera bag or a small over the shoulder back pack. You should not wander in to the airport looking like a sherpa, check a free bag, and schlep the rest of your stuff through the security lines knocking people over and just generally being a nuisance.

I will continue to travel, and I imagine I will continue to see passengers carrying on bags that could (and considering the way they behave on airplanes, probably should) contain a toddler. That passenger will wrestle to get the bag over their head, then shove and pound it to get it to fit in the overhead bin. I put those people in the 'bemused' category.

(next time a bit about the people we see when traveling)

July 10, 2009

Count me as one that is really quite tired of hearing people complain about education. Open any newspaper, tune in local talk radio, listen to people in line at the grocery store, and you are likely to hear someone complain that students are not learning enough in school. Or that good teachers are being let go while some of the less talented teachers stay because of the union and tenure rules. Or that graduation rates are quite low. Or you may hear people wonder why those with knowledge in a subject do not go on to teach. The answer to that is easy: Money. A degree in math with knowledge of engineering will get the graduate a job that pays far more than a teacher, and let's be truthful, we value accumulating wealth over just about everything.

In less time than it takes you to remember your high school math class, I can tell you why we are hearing all the complaints. Education is the one thing most of us have in common. It is the one institution we all endured. So, does it not seem feasible that we have earned the right to complain about it and tell anyone who will listen how to fix it? Look, I fly fairly often, and in so doing I sit in the airline seats. I have sat in seats in planes made by Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed, and I'm old enough to say Hughes, but that does not entitle me to tell someone learned and skilled in seat design how to build a seat.

So if you want to complain about education, do so from the inside. Get in the classroom and work toward making a change. Help those in the field determine if they are an educational institution, a social institution or a blend of the two. Help them determine if the priority is keeping students in school to graduate, or helping students reach a point where they can be completive in the workforce. Help them refine what they do - either academically, socially or both - to the point where the mission is clear so that students, parents, teachers and administrators know precisely what is expected. Then, and perhaps only then, you can tune out all the complaints as they come from people whose experience comes from only one side of the classroom.

Maybe there is a bigger lesson here. Maybe we should apply this to the country as a whole. How about if before we complain about the way something or someone is working, we have a better, or at least a competing idea.

May 25, 2009

I wish to enlist your help in what may be a two man crusade to stop at least one injustice being fomented against the English language. If you have listened to politicians over the last few years, I would guess that at least once you have heard one of them refer to a country or group of people as an 'existential threat.' Dick Cheney has used it, so has Hilary Clinton. They use it to mean that a threat exists - you know, like some terrorist cell or the swine flu, or someone running a red light. Heaven help us, it appears that such threats are everywhere.

Are William Safire and I the only ones who recognized that 'existential' refers to the philosophy of such great thinkers as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus, Kafka, Doestoevsky? Have you read these men who asked us to consider our very existence while trying to explain the irrational aspects of a world we try to make rational? Existence precedes essence. The primary tenant of a philosophy that I believe, with its other tenants, frees me to be a human rather than tying me to a post and living as others postulate.

There are no 'existential threats' unless you fear previously mentioned list of philosophers. There are threats that exist, some real, some imagined, all seemingly referred to as 'existential' in order to make them appear more threatening. So, do your part, join Safire and I and the next time you hear someone misuse the word, correct them. Say, "I think you simply mean that driving while intoxicated poses a threat, not an existential threat." Let us reclaim language from political ideologues.

May 22, 2009

Quite a few years after graduating from high school, I have performed in a genuine high school musical. I did not have to sing, or dance, had only nine lines, but was in a scene with three remarkable young actors. The opportunity came about when students cast in the play thought it might be entertaining to see adults in the role of Fletcher, the man looking for Violet, the street walker, in Wonderful Town. My part was really quite insignificant, though thoroughly enjoyable. Most interesting was what I experienced backstage and in the dressing room. Do you ever wonder what the heck young people are thinking? How come they act so crazy and do, let's face it, stupid things? Well, rest assured, there are young folks that would make you toss aside any such feelings. I watched a large cast of characters adjust costumes, apply make up, warm up their voices, help each other get ready, and then in front of an auditorium of people, make the imaginary become real. I watched students, who ranged in age from 14 to 18, become adult characters, sing beautifully and dance with precision while transporting viewers to New York in the 1930's. Some day, when Faith, Amanda and Marshall - the three people I got to act with - make it big, I will brag. For now, I have added a short entry on the resume, Actor, Fletcher in Wonderful Town, May 7-9, 2009.

April 1, 2009

I have officially become an American Statistic. The momentous occasion occurred last night, just after dinner. (Had it happened today, I would have laughed rather than take the call). The phone rang, the caller ID read 'Gallup' and I thought what the heck, I'll take this call - just for entertainment purposes. My entertainment mind you.

The caller began the session asking political questions: "Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Barack Obama is doing," "Do you think life is getting better or worse in the United States?" I made a mental note to run to the basement after the call was finished to find the old statistics book that explained how to develop survey questions devoid of bias. If the approve comes first are people more likely to choose it?

Next the caller asked about my health. Fair enough. I'm healthy for my age, I stay fit and eat right and do not over indulge in anything - moderation in all things - a line often attributed to Aristotle which still rings true thousands of years later. I did however stumble a bit when asked, "Have you had five servings of fruit or grains every day in the last seven days?" I made another mental note to look at the suggested servings of fruits and grains. Five of each seemed like a lot. I have a banana about 9 every morning, an apple or an orange with lunch. A bagel for lunch and toast for breakfast. Sometimes a piece of bread or some rice with dinner. But every day?

The questions about religion simply threw me. Protestant? Roman Catholic? Muslim? Jewish? Don't believe in religion? I was supposed to choose one of those? I couldn't very well say I did not believe in religion because he had just named a number of them. I tried to think of one off his list, but Zoroastrianism did not come to mind until after I had hung up and began the descent in to the basement library. I said I have to believe in all of them, but follow nothing that closely. I suppose that response will be counted in the 'margin of error section.'

We finished with questions about my job and education. I rocked. I have a great job. I work with great people. My boss and co workers treat me with respect. I make a decent living. I have a graduate degree and have done post graduate work. The caller had to be wondering then why I laughed at so many of the questions. The experience was funny. I gave answers to questions that under most circumstances I would have told the person asking to bug off. And I did it so I could be an American Statistic. Don't believe me? Check out my responses at the Gallup website. Of course, you won't recognize me, I am only a number.

February 22, 2009

I will begin by admitting that I like Arnold Schwarzenegger as an actor. I thought he was quite good in the first Terminator film; he walked right down the middle between drama and comedy. That made the film interesting.

Today I like Schwarzenegger as a politician, not completely as a Republican politician, but as an elected official politician. This morning on ABC News This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Schwarzenegger spoke about the necessity of working for the people and leaving partisan politics behind. Now comes the hard part. He, and a number of other politicians on both sides must do just that. Forget the initial that comes after the name and work for me. In the long run I do not care whether you are symbolically linked to an elephant or a donkey. I want to keep my job, deposit my savings in a bank that will not go under, and enjoy the benefits of living free.

Some politicians don't get it. Instead we hear them rail against current policies - and I admit, not everything in the new ideas is 'peachy clean'- because they feel the need to spew the ideology of their party. Why here and why now? I think because there are some that are afraid that economic changes will not work. This is so unlike the situation leading up to the war in Iraq. Then, even those that stood in (silent) opposition to the war voted to go in because they did not want to be left out of the victory parade. One that has yet to happen. Now, perhaps with an over riding sense of cynicism, politicians have chosen to speak against change, hedging their political future on the success or failure of fiscal stimulus. I don't care about your political future, none of you, Democrat or Republican. Neither do I want to limit your right to oppose what you believe is misguided policy.

We live in a world of ideas. If you have one, speak up. If you do not, and instead only want to berate someone that does, say you disagree and sit back down. Thank your lucky stars that Arnold is only a governor, and not hell bent on destroying all opposition.

January 10, 2009

What is happening to boxing in the Pacific Northwest? Look at the schedule on the main page. Seven events scheduled for all of 2009? Remember the days when we could count on one a month? Remember the days when we would see our old boxing heroes sitting in the stands watching the fights with us? Well, ok, that population of heroes is aging, and some have passed on, but that hardly seems to be reason for boxing to fade away.

On one hand I know why it is fading. There are just not any big name thrilling fighters out there. Sure, we have our favorites, Medina, Torres, Anderson, Boose, Cantrell, Banks, Davis, Perez... But are they the next big headliner? Will they step up and take a challenge if there is a chance they may lose? I can click a link and view records at Box Rec and find any number of fighters that are undefeated or have fewer than 5 losses on their record. Does that mean anything? It might mean they are being carefully guided along, building a record in hopes that they can land the big money fight. And in some respects, there is nothing wrong with that; except when that big money fight is coupled with big disappointment. build a record by fighting increasingly better competition and disappointment may be avoided.

Another reason we see a decline: quite simply MMA. Good Lord, I can not watch it. Like reality tv or talk radio, I find it to be that which appeals to the basest of human thought. Yes, in that belief, I am an elitist. But wait, I do not begrudge you, if you are a fan of MMA, your choice to revel in the sport. In fact, I will champion your right to chose to like what you wish. Currently it is your money and your desire to see men in a cage punch, kick and wrestle their way to a championship that is driving the market. MMA ticket buyers swallow up seats in record numbers in record time. Casinos host the events. Promoters expand their reach and put the events together. Who can fault a free market system? Can we make a case contrary to supply and demand? Again , quite simply, no.

And so in the new year we will see fewer boxing shows and more MMA. So be it. But, in the (seemingly) never ending string of questions that populates this entry, is there anything that cane be done to bring boxing back? I say yes. I encourage fighters to take the tough fight. Bring the fans back. Make a night at the fights exciting. Let's recapture the excitement that was boxing in the northwest, and while we are at it, let's tap in to just a bit of the money the fans of MMA are willing to spend.

November 8th, 2008

I can finally write it, I can finally scream it from my porch (though my screams may be indistingiushable from the people fighting the next door), I can finally tell any of you reading this: I am glad the election cycle is over. What have we come to when an election process takes nearly two years, is filled with anger and vitriol, and one candidate can say virtually anything about their opponent because by the time the fact checkers get the real story, it is old news - the lie lives while the truth is flushed down the gutter.

I do however see at least one positive aspect in the current election, and that is, if we can believe the statistics of the voter rolls, and that is that young people voted in larger numbers in this election than in previous elections. It is far past the time for that group of people to start taking some responsibility for the future instead of leaving the future to those too old to live through it. If I hear one more old codger say he or she is putting America first, they better follow that statement explaining where they had been putting America during the last fifty years of their career, and then proving it. We are in a mess because too many of the old guard put themselves first and hoped for the best. That may have paid off for a number of them, but for many, such action spelled trouble.

I have always tried to be an advocate for people who possess a vision. I want to see forward thinkers. While how we got to a position is important, unless someone has an idea of what lies ahead, we will stay in that position for quite a while. My hope for you? Make a difference. Make a change. Speak a kind word or two to someone. And just before you blurt out your next complaint, think about following the complaint with a solution.

August 31st, 2008

Australia - more specifically Queensland, put this on you list of places to visit My wife and I did a short two week stint spending time between Brisbane and Cairns this month. The objective was to swim and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. That we did, and though it was the Australian 'winter,' we were able to adapt to the 75 to 80 degree weather. Now a few other things I found interesting (In three parts):

We spent a day with one of the most colorful characters in Queensland while staying in Rockhampton, a town we learned that does not usually make the short list of tourist destinations. I had read in a guide book, and found on the internet, that Capricorn Dave takes day trips and overnight excursions out of Rockhampton during which he allows guests to have close encounters with all kinds of creatures. A little adventure is always good, and we booked a day trip online before we left. Dave came by the hotel and picked us up and then drove through town to get two students from the Netherlands, Femke and Peter, and the adventure began. Before long we were out in the countryside looking for frogs, toads, spiders, lizards, kangaroos, wallabies, snakes, ants, echidnas, kookaburras and anything else that would frighten the daylights out of the squeamish. Ok, kangaroos and wallabies are kind of cute, and it is hard to get close to a wild bird, so we settled for being frightened of spiders and snakes and lizards. We found a bearded dragon sunning himself on a post. All of us held it and two of us let it sit on our head. Dave found an eastern brown snake, we looked at it, but as it is one of the most poisonous in the country we were content to look at it from a distance of four or five feet. Dave found a female Huntsman spider, and while Peter and I had little problem holding it, the women too overcame their fears and held it as well. How about that, overcoming a fear/phobia in the middle of a field, under a banyan fig tree, for the cost of a day out with a guide rather than spending thousands of dollars for a psychiatrist. We did see the kangaroos and wallabies. The difference you ask? Well, Kangaroos play soccer and Wallabies play rugby (thanks Dave, I'm still laughing even though few others get it). Before we returned to town we watched one of the most brilliant sunsets I have ever seen. Should Rockhampton be on you list of places to visit? Well, if you want an entire day filled with outdoor adventure, laughs and good company, book a day with Capricorn Dave, we were certainly not disappointed. For photos, click here

One of the things that I appreciated the most while in Australia was that the people were genuine and not afraid to say what they thought (unless they were on tv and pandering to the political correctness crowd - shame on you channel 9!). While we were there, John Molony, the mayor of Mt Isa, a small mining town in the north, issued a call for 'beauty challenged' women to come to his town because there is a shortage of eligible women in a town loaded with single men. I say bravo Mr Mayor! You spoke your mind. You did not say that beautiful women were not welcome. You did not issue a call for ugly women. In fact, you were attacked even when you were using the words favored by the purveyors of neutral language- beauty challenged certainly need not be derogatory.

And finally, you know those lousy air dryers that have taken the place of paper towels in public restrooms? The machines which you spend more time in front of than you do the urinal or on the toilet? The machines that blow out warm air with less force than Roger Whitaker whistling? Well, in Australia they run like a warm airplane test tunnel. No kidding. I was trying to figure out how to turn it off because my hands were dry and the air kept coming. Does that mean the air flow is adjustable and in this country some restroom attendant has turned down the power? If so, knock it off. I want to go in to the bathroom and get out. I do not want to start to dry my hands and finish the job wiping off the rest on my jeans as I exit.

August 3rd 2008

It's Open Season (For Politicians): While I enjoy thinking about politics and what the people running for office have to say, I tend to shy away from openly talking about campaigns, except with my wife who tends to agree with me, and some British friends who tend to scoff and call me an upstart colonist. So, I shall not launch in to a diatribe regarding which candidate I prefer, but I do feel the need to address campaign tactics. I am really tired of the attack ad. I do not want to hear what problems a candidate thinks his or her opponent carries. I already know he (using the male singular pronoun from here on out for the sake of ease) thinks he could do a better job, that is why he is an opponent and not a running mate. And then, when an attack ad is run, the media: television, radio, print and the web, go on for days trying to dissect the ad and tell us what it means and how horrible it is that the ad is being run. Notice however, that those media outlets that benefit financially from running attack ads do not stop running them. Therefore, because it appears that candidates will not stop using such tactics (even though they promise us such things will not happen in their campaign), and that the media is hungry for the ad revenue, I propose a solution. The media needs to initiate a sliding scale regarding the cost of political advertisements. For instance, lets say (for the sake of argument) that a 30 second spot on network television costs $600,000 (just a bit above the cost in the 05-06 season). Should a candidate run an ad in which they speak only about themselves, addressing their platform, their plans, their beliefs, they can buy that ad time for the base cost times a factor of ten, a total of six million bucks. However, should a candidate choose to run a negative ad, one which addresses the opponent, or contains attacks on the opponent, or is made solely for the purpose of pointing out differences between the candidates, they must buy the ad time for the base cost times a factor of fifty, a total thirty million bucks. Any politician that really wants to win, can then really buy an election. Then we too can decide on a candidate because if we see one running an inordinate number of attack ads calling his opponents an elitist (or the like) we can look to who has the deep pockets and really find the elitist, or the person who has more money than ideas about how to govern.

July 13th 2008

What to avoid shouting from the crowd: Look, I accept the prevalence of pop culture references from virtually everyone able to speak. However, there are some references that need to remain the domain of that inside voice rather than escaping from thunderous lungs during the course of a boxing match. Let me give you some examples. Two fighters taking part in a relatively uneventful match, one lacking excitement, fall in to a clinch in the middle of the ring. Someone shouts, "Bite his ear." Augh! No! Do not refer to one of boxing's darker moments because you want people to laugh. It was not funny when Tyson did it, it is not funny now when you shout it. Next, Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang (or Mr T), and Ivan Drago are fictional characters, so when you shout that you want to see one of them in the ring, you may as well be shouting to see Rocky the Squirrel (he too was fictional, and a cartoon). Those characters fought according to a script that someone wrote for them. Actually, with the exception of Tommy Morrison (Rocky V) and Antonio Tarver (Rocky Balboa) every one of the characters that steps in to the ring is an actor ... playing a part ... written by someone with a background in fiction. And finally, show some class when the women step in to the ring. I know we have seen some women fighters that really should consider any other line of work, but shouting, "Pull her hair," or "Kick her," or "You hit like a girl," is classless. Finally, the last thing I would want is for a boxing match to reflect the eerie silence of the funeral parlor at my grandmother's service. Shout, whistle, cheer, but do so in a manner that reflects your intellect and knowledge of the sport rather than reflecting the number of beers you have consumed.

July 5th 2008

Professional Human: Often when I am out covering boxing events people will ask, "What happened to Rich Baker? How come we don't see him as much anymore?" Well, Baker is still around. He drops in to watch the boxing at the EQC every once in a while. He plays jazz trumpet with bands in Seattle. He is helping his grandkids rebuild two Mustangs, and the kids are still a few years from driving. He gave me one of his new cards last time I saw him. It read 'professional human, serving the world since 19--.' I thought that was pretty good. No pretentious nonsense about being a world class photographer, an award winning writer. I thought about getting new business cards too. But mine are going to read 'amateur human.' I do not want to turn pro yet. I want to retain my amateur status so I can qualify for the Olympics should they ever decide to make 'being a human' an event. Seriously. I mean there is a move afoot to include competitive yoga in the Olympics. Three minutes in a steaming hot room, piped in music and six poses. That ought to rank right up there with that awful gymnastic ribbon dance debacle of a decade ago.

Ring Announcers: One of the greatest ring announcers of all time took care of the Playboy/ESPN show in Los Angeles. Jimmy Lennon Jr. is simply put, a class act. He doesn't shout, he correctly pronounces and annunciates names so that one syllable names retain that characteristic, his voice does not shift from high to low (say 'ping pong' and you will hear what I mean here)and he does not make vowel sounds last longer than the commercial breaks on Spike TV. He knows the show is about the guys in the ring, not him. There are too many faux announcers who think if they can sound like the guy that does all those annoying things Lennon does not do, they will be adored. Face it, if you announce in that style you are annoying, a caricature of what you are supposed to be doing. If you want to perform, get a gig on the radio. There your voice is your shtick, and I can choose to turn it off.

Making Weight:In this world of litigation and fights over every detail of a contract, how come when a fighter signs a contract to fight at a certain weight, he can ignore that? In the last couple of weeks I have witnessed fighters come in over weight and just shrug their shoulders expecting the other guy to acquiesce. Commissions tell the fighters to work it out. Promoters try to get both sides to come to some agreement. However, lately, the overweight guy seems to be getting the better end of the deal. He often throws some money at the other fighter, and goes off to the buffet table at the local casino. I remember a few years back when Diego Corrales faced John Brown and Corrales came in about two pounds heavy. He had to spit, he had to run, he tried to go to the bathroom. Each time he stepped on the scale every stitch of his clothing was on the floor. I sat with his mother as she too felt his anguish. He eventually made the weight; and the next night he probably entered the ring about seven or eight pounds heavier. Granted, rules are different for title fights, but if you know the contract weight, get to the contract weight. And promoters, write in the contract that if the fighter comes in overweight, and refuses to lose the weight, they forfeit a sizable portion of their purse. Make it a little more difficult to buy that quarter pounder with cheese.

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