OMG! Are you watching the same thing I am? Did he actually say that? I know, I can't believe it either! I can't believe that I am watching/listening to the State of the Union Address.
1) George W. Bush actually says that Congress should have a balanced budget and that he will cut bloated government program. My question, does that include graft and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan?
2) He says that a decent education is the only way for many children to achieve their dreams, obviously it wasn't necessary for the Bush. He is harping on and on about failing public schools, what about failing private schools, like the ones he attended?
3) I am appalled at the beginning of his speech. He was actually threatening the Democrat dominated Congress with veto after veto. I was wondering, how does that give us the "State of the Union?"
4) He wants more manufacturing in the United States. I would like to see him support laws that will protect American jobs from being outsourced overseas.... for a change.
5) Energy security? How can he and his big oil buddies benefit from energy security? Where will the big profits come if the prices do not stay high?
6) Limit carbon emissions? Is he admitting that there is global warming? Then why not sign on the the Kyoto Protocols, as a starting point upon which to improve?
7) Ted Turner? Did I just see Ted Turner in the house of Congress for the State of the Union Address?
8) By asking Congress to pass laws banning unethical practices, does that included corruption in the Food and Drug Administration and will actually prevent the approval of drugs that kill, and are known to kill?
9) Did he just say that the Constitution should be respected? When did he have this change of heart?
10) By supporting faith-based groups, does that include the Muslim faith or will they continue to be discriminated as "terrorist" organizations?
11) Here comes the Social Security reform. Beating a dead horse. He is worried about deficits, um, did you pay attention to how many billions of dollars that flow into Iraq and Afghanistan (and not into New Orleans)?
12) Is it just me, or are you also repulsed every time Bush talks about "high ideals?"
I can't watch any more. I am done here. Actually, I expected him to get up and tell us how he and his friends have hoodwinked the United States and once his term is done how they will make off with billions of our tax dollars and the next president will deal with the economic problems caused by it.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
January 21, 2008
And away we go. Tomorrow begins the second semester - same curriculum, new students. You would think that which students I teach should not make much difference, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, the difference of just one student can change the complexion of an entire class and create an entirely different experience. Since I do not know the students coming to me, I have no idea if I have any of these students. Ones that can change the entire mood of a class and sour the experience, no just for me, but for everyone. Not only can it change the experience, it can have a profound impact on the final results. A student that has to continually be reprimanded or quieted, or dealt with due to tardies can disrupt the flow of the class and distract students sufficiently to the point of information loss. I think that is the main reason why teachers have anxiety when getting a new class (either at the beginning of the school year or change of semester). I will just have to wait and see who shows up and how I deal with it.
Michelle and Evan return from San Francisco tonight, late. They will arriving at about midnight from JFK after an hours long flight from San Fran and an hours long layover at JFK. They will be exhausted and Michelle will have to work tomorrow. She will essentially be losing 3 hours of sleep due to jet lag. We aren't sure where Evan will be tomorrow. Actually, Michelle probably has a pretty good idea where Evan will end up tomorrow, I on the other hand am not yet privy to that information. I guess I will find out tonight or tomorrow when I call Michelle from work at the end of the day.
Yesterday I caught a couple of cool pictures. As the ice and snow began to melt, there was a car with an interesting melting pattern on its hood. I can't explain it other than I think it has something to do with the support underneath the hood of the car.
Michelle and Evan return from San Francisco tonight, late. They will arriving at about midnight from JFK after an hours long flight from San Fran and an hours long layover at JFK. They will be exhausted and Michelle will have to work tomorrow. She will essentially be losing 3 hours of sleep due to jet lag. We aren't sure where Evan will be tomorrow. Actually, Michelle probably has a pretty good idea where Evan will end up tomorrow, I on the other hand am not yet privy to that information. I guess I will find out tonight or tomorrow when I call Michelle from work at the end of the day.
Yesterday I caught a couple of cool pictures. As the ice and snow began to melt, there was a car with an interesting melting pattern on its hood. I can't explain it other than I think it has something to do with the support underneath the hood of the car.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
January 15, 2008
It is the end of the semester. Just one more class of exams to go. It is nice to get a fresh start in the middle of the year, but at the same time, with such great students this semester, I fear what I will get next. I already received an email for a students that will be on homebound instruction until Feb. 1. I won't know why, but that is always an inauspicious start, not just for me, but for the student. I can not base any of my homebound lessons on the internet because the student does not have internet access. I have already read between the lines.
Third period exam was today. Honors World History. It was weird but I am not going to teach this group of students again. This is the first time I have felt this way about a semester-long class. I am not sure we are doing the students any good by using the block schedule. Compared to the 6 period traditional schedule, we have lost 30 hours of instruction and we do not get to know the students as people. We are forced to teach a curriculum, not students.
Second semester begins Tuesday. I am looking forward to the new start, I hope to get farther into the World History curriculum than before now that I have only one honors class. But it is the two Civics and Economics classes that worry me. It is this subject that high stakes testing takes place. I have had a look at the rosters and the students previous grades, many have not passed World History (the 9th grade supposed prerequisite). In fact, some have failed it a couple of times so guidance feels that they should try something else instead. I will do my best, but I am worried that my best will not be good enough for students who are dealing with much more than grades and homework. This will translate to more work for me. I am anticipating many absences from class, many missing assignments and many make-ups. Which become very tedious to keep up with after a while. And the first time I forget something, it is automatically my fault even though it is the student's fault for not keeping up in the first place.
To top it off, my tenure as class advisor expires this year, which means that several events are upcoming that will curtail my time. Winterfest is next month, Senior Assembly is in June, and Graduation. I hear the preparation for Winterfest is going well. My coadvisors have taken on this task and have left nothing for me. In general, I am glad that I have less to do, but on the other hand, and more importantly, I do feel as though I am not helping in a job that is rightfully mine as well. In fact, I have the suspicion that they are planninig to take this task entirely, without me, and leave one of the other tasks entirely to me as a sort of tit-for-tat, I did this you do that kind of thing. I hope not because I have not chosen to step out of the Winterfest preparation, as much as I feel boxed out by them.
Third period exam was today. Honors World History. It was weird but I am not going to teach this group of students again. This is the first time I have felt this way about a semester-long class. I am not sure we are doing the students any good by using the block schedule. Compared to the 6 period traditional schedule, we have lost 30 hours of instruction and we do not get to know the students as people. We are forced to teach a curriculum, not students.
Second semester begins Tuesday. I am looking forward to the new start, I hope to get farther into the World History curriculum than before now that I have only one honors class. But it is the two Civics and Economics classes that worry me. It is this subject that high stakes testing takes place. I have had a look at the rosters and the students previous grades, many have not passed World History (the 9th grade supposed prerequisite). In fact, some have failed it a couple of times so guidance feels that they should try something else instead. I will do my best, but I am worried that my best will not be good enough for students who are dealing with much more than grades and homework. This will translate to more work for me. I am anticipating many absences from class, many missing assignments and many make-ups. Which become very tedious to keep up with after a while. And the first time I forget something, it is automatically my fault even though it is the student's fault for not keeping up in the first place.
To top it off, my tenure as class advisor expires this year, which means that several events are upcoming that will curtail my time. Winterfest is next month, Senior Assembly is in June, and Graduation. I hear the preparation for Winterfest is going well. My coadvisors have taken on this task and have left nothing for me. In general, I am glad that I have less to do, but on the other hand, and more importantly, I do feel as though I am not helping in a job that is rightfully mine as well. In fact, I have the suspicion that they are planninig to take this task entirely, without me, and leave one of the other tasks entirely to me as a sort of tit-for-tat, I did this you do that kind of thing. I hope not because I have not chosen to step out of the Winterfest preparation, as much as I feel boxed out by them.
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