We all benefit

The school system needs money and they are looking at ending the No School Tax for retirees.  Some retirees feel they have done enough and should not have to support education.  People without children are also claiming they should not have to pay for schools because they do not use them.  The idea of parents paying a fee for education keeps popping up.  Below are my thoughts on the issue.

If I do not use the local police or fire departments, I should not have to pay for them. Instead, charge a fee to the people utilizing the services. A sliding scale can determine the fee based on crime, property damage or severity of injuries. Charge a higher fee for a robber than a speeder. Charge the heart attack victim more than the owner of a cat stuck in a tree. The criminal is charged more than the victim is, but all still have to pay.

This idea is absurd because the entire community benefits from quality law enforcement and fire protection. A lack of safety services would negatively affect home values and the expansion of business in Cherokee County.

It is impractical to argue that those without children in public schools should be exempt from school taxes. Public schools provide the education and training for our doctors, police, firefighters, military personnel, and other skilled or professional jobs

In place of taxes, some advocate charging a fee to those that use the public school system. The usage fee is not applicable because education in the United States is compulsory. In 1918, all states passed laws making Thomas Jefferson’s vision of public education a reality. A fee based education system harkens back to days of social class order, where only the wealthy received an education.

Without adequately funded public schools, families and those planning on families will find Cherokee County an undesirable place to live. Any real estate agent will tell you that one of the first questions asked by homebuyers is about the schools. Areas with quality public schools have higher home values and less crime, the opposite is true with lower quality schools.

Public schools reflect the community’s values and priorities. For Cherokee County to prosper it must continue to have one of the top school systems in Georgia. We are all responsible for funding public schools.

Marshmallow Man

Over the last two months, a new job and lousy weather reduced my biking and running workouts to bimonthly events. During my fitness hiatus, my body has transformed from triathlete to Mr. Stay Puft.

I discovered the severity of my marshmallow physique in the reflection of a car window. The blue and white Pearl Izumi jersey I normally wear on road bike rides accentuated the softness of my shape. Mountain bike jerseys are loose while road bike jerseys are tight and aerodynamic. The last time I wore the blue and white jersey it fit me perfectly because I was training for Ironman Augusta. I no longer train thirty hours a week while eating balanced meals. Now my diet is frappuccinos and thin mints and exercise is an afterthought. Ironman has transformed into the Marshmallow Man.

I began my ride on Mosquito Bite trail at Blanket Creek. The Bite, the beginner area, is the easiest of the trails. The few hills are not technical or steep. In the past, this trail served as my warm up ride. Today however, I used maximum effort to make it to the top of the easy hills. I was breathing harder than expected when I finished the beginner trail. I rode to the Dwelling loop, a four-mile intermediate trail that I ride all the time. The entrance to the loop is twisting, uphill, root covered with several hills to climb along the way. Early in the ride, I was gasping and the difficult climbs were still ahead of me. I dismounted the bike on two occasions to push it up a hill. Half way up one of the longer climbs my legs were burning; I did not have the strength to continue. Near the end of the ride, I heard a rider gaining on me. Recalling the primal instinct of survival I attempted to elude my pursuer. I could not escape because I lacked the drive, strength and power to do so. There was nothing I could do to avoid being run down by the speedy and superior rider behind me. When the rider caught up to me, I surrendered and moved to the right allowing the rider to pass me. The rider did not have the build of a mountain bike racer. Nor did he resemble one of the weekend warriors that ride for hours on Saturday. The rider that bested me looked like Santa Claus in age and appearance. I rode to the parking lot despondent and depressed. After throwing my bike in the back of my truck, I took out my notebook to record my feelings. I did not want to forget how I felt on this ride. I wrote about the jersey making me look like a chicken potpie, and the difficulty I had riding my bike. I wrote extensively about the jolly old elf making me eat his dust. I read my notes and promised to make changes: I will exercise frequently, eat healthier and rededicate myself to becoming the Ironman I once trained to be. I will begin this tomorrow for today I am stopping at Starbucks for a Venti Java Chip Frappuccinio.

AJC sports vent

I have not updated in a while – but I have been writing.  I am rewriting a screenplay that I lost when my hard drive crashed.  Back up data people – back up your data!  The upside is my new finished copy is better than my old finished copy.

I am posting a sports vent I sent to the Atlanta Journal Constitution – you can see it here – http://projects.ajc.com/vent/sports/2010/04/08/ you can even vote on it.  It did not make the AJC Sunday paper despite being the highest rated for the week – they just used Friday’s vents.  Lame.

My vent:

Sad commentary on our culture:  We discuss the pressure Tiger faces after his infidelity and ignore the pressure Lefty faces while his wife battles cancer.

Thanks for reading – more updates this week.

D

it was my party…

This letter is in the Cherokee Ledger.

I am a Republican by birth and an American by the grace of God.  I was raised embracing the Republican values of patriotism, responsibility and intelligence.  The values of today’s GOP are opposite of the ones I grew up with.    Party first has replaced President Reagan’s big tent philosophy. I did not leave the GOP, they left me and I want my party back.

How would President Reagan feel about the GOP today?  Would he agree with GOP Purity Test? Current Golden Boy, Senator Scott Brown distanced himself from the GOP claiming to be a “Scott Brown” Republican.   His recent vote supporting President Obama will earn him harsh words from the true believers.   How has the party of Reagan fallen so far?

The philosophy of the GOP changed during the reign of Speaker Gingrich. Republicans in Congress were more interested in President Clinton’s extramarital transgressions than running the country.  Today Republicans in Congress filibuster and vote no out of political spite.  Republicans must demonstrate leadership and not resort to obstructionist tactics.

Republicans often speak of the “real America” found only in small town USA.  The terrorists that planned 9/11 must feel foolish attacking the un-American cities of New York and Washington DC.  The GOP must accept the unique differences of each region and stop trying to divide us.

The GOP denigrates intellectualism by replacing the brilliance of William F Buckley Jr. with fire bombers like Rush, Beck and Hannity.  The GOP slides further into the abyss of ignorance by reducing complex issues into simple talking points.

If the GOP is to regain my support, they need to move away from the myopic views of a vocal minority and focus on leadership instead of propaganda.  Support candidates that appeal to the majority of voters, not the base of the party. Scott Brown did not win Massachusetts because people do not like President Obama; he won because his principles appealed to the voters.

In 2008, Senator McCain said he was taking off his Republican hat and putting on his American hat.  With all due respect, to Senator McCain and the GOP, I always have my American hat on, country before party.

You can read some of Buckley’s work here.

Tiger

Borrowing from Sir Charles Barkley:  Tiger, you owe us nothing.  You are not a role model; you are not paid to be a role model.  You are paid to hit a golf ball.

The talking heads and fish wrap pen pushers are weighing in heavily on the Tiger Woods Apology. The Apology was the biggest non-event of this young century and a harbinger of things to come. Tiger’s press conference was a lame attempt by a control freak to control an uncontrollable situation.  If he did not want the press making allegations and following his wife, he should have refrained from cheating on his wife and family.

Many media and sports experts believed the Apology would help rebuild Tiger’s image as a role model.  I began to wonder why people thought he was a role model.  Is it because he is good at a sport?  Is he a role model because he makes a lot of money?  Is he a role model because of his charity work?

We do not know Tiger any better than we know other strangers.  We see a public imagine of Tiger that his corporate sponsors want us to see.  The Tiger marketing image and Tiger the golfer are not the same.  Golfers know you can learn a lot about a person by golfing with them.  Golf brings out the best and the worst in people.  What I saw in the golfer revealed he was not a role model.

Tiger has a history of tossing clubs and dropping more F bombs than the Sopranos.  He uses his caddy as an enforcer to take candy from babies that cry too loud.  Are these the actions of a role model?  Tiger does not know how to be a role model because he was raised to be the best golfer in the world.  Unfortunately being the best golfer does not make him the best husband or father.

For those that feel Tiger let you down I am sorry…for you.  You put your faith in a man you do not know.  If your kid needs a role model, it should be you.  Tiger owes us nothing except to be the best golfer he can be, and he has fulfilled his obligation.

Billy

Five years ago an event occurred that changed the way scientists viewed the universe.  For centuries, they believed the planets orbited a central star to form galaxies.  These infinite galaxies made up the universe.  Scientists never imagined the universe revolved one central body, a boy named Billy.

From the time Billy was born his parents and grandparents made sure to accommodate Billy’s demands.  Plans were cancelled because Billy did not want to go Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

Three-year-old Billy delayed Christmas two days because he did not want to open his gifts.  The family dog went to the ASPCA because Billy would not stop pulling his tail.  Billy decided when and what the family would have for dinner.

An outsider may think that Billy’s parents were spoiling him.  Only Billy’s family understood how smart and special Billy was.  It was a shame the rest of the world could not understand that a child like Billy had to be protected and encouraged.  Using a fork was not a developmental milestone it was a historic moment.  The first time Billy went potty by himself his parents through a party and invited the entire neighborhood.

Billy stayed at home with his mom for five years.  For five years, he had mom’s undivided attention.  When dad came home, Billy commanded dad to come play with him.  Dad, not wanting to disappoint his son always complied.

In August, the family walked Billy into Mrs. White’s kindergarten class.  Mom and dad held Billy’s hands while both sets of grandparents filmed the entire event.  Billy walked into the room three times because other kids kept getting in the shot.  Finally, Grand Pa Bob blocked the hallway so Billy could make his grand entrance into the classroom.

Mom saw Mrs. White talking to another parent.  Mom walked up to the teacher and parent interrupting the conversation, “This is Bill, he is very smart and very special.  He will be your best student.”

Mrs. White looked at the mom for a moment deciding whether to point out her rude behavior.  Finally, she looked down to Billy, “Nice to meet you Billy.  I am Mrs. White.  Please go have a seat with the other students.”

“No,” Billy responded.

What happens next depends on the reactions of mom and dad.  Will mom and dad support the teacher and reinforce the school rules?  Will mom and dad chide the teacher for expecting Billy to follow the rules?  The future of a child will be determined depending on the parents’ decision.

First time

The Cherokee Ledger News printed  Fight for their rights!  in this weeks issue. I admit that I really like seeing my name in print.  Hopefully this will be the first of many.

Click here to see  it – 3rd one from the top.

Thanks for reading,

D

Fight for their rights!

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to give corporations and unions the right to free speech.  Conservatives call the ruling a victory in the war on free speech.  Liberals fear corporations using their resources to pollute the election process with misinformation.

I do not think giving the right of free speech to a non-person goes far enough.  The Supreme Court should immediately grant corporations all the rights of a citizen.   Some of the possible outcomes of corporations having rights:

Claiming 2^nd Amendment Rights Apple will create a militia to defend against incursions by Microsoft.  Apple is purchasing top weapons systems form major arms makers. Unfortunately, Apple will be confined to major cities since AT&T and iPhone have limited 3G service areas.

Banks and Wall Street are accusing the Obama administration and Congress of violating the 8^th Amendment.  Most Justices agree that listening to Senator Reid and Representative Pelosi is cruel and unusual punishment.

Attempting to get ahead of a possible marriage amendment Coke and Pepsi are planning a Civil Union.  Family values groups oppose the marriage of two caramel based beverages.

Major corporations are seeking representation in Congress.  It is grossly unfair subjecting corporations to taxation without representation.  The 15th and 19th Amendment guarantee corporations’ right to vote.

The U.S. Supreme court must grant the oppressed corporations all the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all American citizens.   It is unthinkable that a group as loved and revered, as our corporations still do not have the rights they have paid for.

Grades pt 2

I received an email form Kyle Wingfield in response to my criticism of the A+ plan.  I would like to post the letter, but I am not sure I should do so without permission from  Mr. Wingfield. An overview of the email: Data, teacher mobility and vouchers.

Below is my response:

My opinion of Governor Bush’s A+ plan is ground in more than data.  I have 8 years of teaching experience in a Florida title 1 school.  I have watched 8 year olds crumble under the pressure of high stakes testing.  Quality education is student focused not data driven.

Test scores support the link between low scores and low-income.  Governor Bush and his Foundation for Excellence in Education believe that poverty is not an excuse and all children can learn.  Bumper sticker slogans aside, poverty is a factor and all students can learn at different rates. Unfortunately, the A+ plan overlooks real world differences between children.

Students retained more than once are opting to leave school before graduation. The A+ plan has increased drop out rate as reported by the FLDOE.  Educational Darwinism is not healthy for the state or the nation.

The importance of the FCAT results in teaching geared to the test. Standardized tests scores have increased in Florida because of teaching test taking strategies.  Learning to take a test is not the same as receiving a quality education.

A third of new teachers quit before three years and less than half of those make it to ten years. Teacher turnover in low-income schools is the highest.  If a teacher can move to a school with a better bonus opportunity most will take it.  Experienced teachers in low-income schools are replaced with inexperienced or undesired teachers.

I support education reform, but oppose the politically motivated A+ plan. Reform focusing on rewarding innovation and achievement while supporting schools, teachers and parents is the best way to improve education in Georgia.

School grades

This is in response to Kyle Wingfiel’s  (AJC) view that Georgia should follow the Florida A+ Plan.  I did send in my rebuttal.

To read KW’s opinion

Re: Grades are not just for kids

The column by Kyle Wingfield is another example of political propaganda attacking public schools. Facts have been cherry picked to support Governor Jeb Bush’s attempt to bring about vouchers and cripple public education.

Contrary to Mr. Wingfield’s opinion, the Florida Supreme Court ruling denying public money for vouchers did not cause test score to drop. The Florida Department of Education concluded that the 2006 test scores were inflated due mistakes in placing anchor questions on the test.  To put it in columnist speak: 2006 test was too easy.

In 2006, the Florida high school graduation rate was 72 percent, including special diplomas.  Special diplomas were again included in 2009 when the graduation rate was 76 percent.  Special diplomas are awarded to students that do not take the FCAT test. The real Florida high school graduation rate, minus the special diplomas, was 57.5% in 2006.  Georgia’s graduation rate, not including special diplomas in 2006 was 72 percent.  Why should Georgia follow a state that graduates a little more than half of the students with a regular diploma?

Schools with higher percentages of students receiving free and reduced lunch score lower.  A high percentage of free and reduced lunch is indicative of low-income students.   Converting letter grades into GPA using a 4-point scale demonstrates the gap caused by income.  A school in Pinellas County with 50 percent low-income students averaged a GPA of 1.4 over the eleven years of FCAT.  During the same eleven years, a school with less than 20 percent low-income students averaged a 3.63.

Letter grades do not inspire competition they inspire teacher mobility. Why would a professional educator stay at a school with slim hope for a bonus? Many of the best teachers will move to schools in affluent areas to escape the challenges of a low-income school.

In corporate world companies compete for business by hiring the best ands putting out the best product.  Sounds like the perfect solution for education.  Except in corporate world a business can fire employees that are not performing.  The public school system cannot fire students that are not or will not do their job.  The public school system must accept every student.  As long as education is a right, public schools will face challenges.

I have yet to see any reform that addresses the conditions at home.  As Governor Jeb Bush learned, low-income impacts on school performance.  If students come form a wealthy area, they are likely to have a stable, college-educated family.  Lower income families are less likely to be college educated.

School reform is not a plaything for career politicians.  We do not trust government with healthcare but we will trust them with education?  To find out what the system needs talk to the men and women that work with Georgia’s children each day, teachers.  Our students deserve better than soliciting advice from lobbyists and special interest groups.  I hope Georgia is serious about educational reform.  If they are then Florida is not the example they should follow.  Many Floridians moved to Georgia to escape Florida’s dysfunctional education system.