No Child Left Behind

I attended my daughter's kindergarten award ceremony. . . . Every child received an award from their teacher for the best smile, best dancer etc. It obscured the real awards such as Excellence in Reading that meant that the student is a year ahead of their peers in this endeavor. . . . .

Now we all know that this is to protect the self esteem of the children who are victims of their upbringing, who have a low self esteem created by a poor parental environment. But what is the turn of the coin?

After minimizing the true accomplishments of the able students (for whatever the reason) - which is what awards are for. . . . The principal gave out awards for attendance. This is the same person that the child who read the most books got to have lunch with. He must be important right? And now he gives out 4 classes of awards for attendance. The final award went to the one child who had not been absent, late, or left from school for a doctors appointment. The principal encouraged the complimentary clapping for this student to become a standing ovation.

Now, I found all this to be quite annoying. Not only have we taken the recognition of achievement out of the award ceremony, but we made it all about the school's 'Bread & Butter', attendance. And now I am being suckered into standing up and clapping like a hypocrite.

And then, I looked over at my daughter. . . she is visibly hurt. She received the Excellence in Reading from her teacher, and I am standing there cheering with the Principal for some child who spent everyday at school. She drags Mom into the bathroom and has a cry.

Now, you can guess I am angry. I have heard about dumbing down education, and scoffed at it as if it is the way of the times. But, now I got to see first hand how I got suckered into injuring my child's self esteem.

My daughter will come out of this. Her family is more important than school. For now it is. So we will repair the self esteem damage done by the school. We can. The school knows it. They have saved many at the risk of the elite few who are smart enough and have the support system at home to help them reco ver.

Is there any damage being done to those poor unfortunate kids who needed that boost in self esteem? They probally learn that all they need to do is show up to work everyday and collect a paycheck. Performance will not be an issue. . . But don't you think that a mind is a terrible thing to waste?

Cruel Justice

I was speeding on a 300 mi trek from MD to Slippery Rock, PA. Being a cheap skate I had avoided the PA Turnpike and all the other tolls and was within 10 mi of my destination. It was 3 am on some two lane highway and I was on the downside of some hill accelerating. As I rolled up the otherside of the next hill I see flashing lights behind me. I guess he knew I and others would be coming.

So I get a ticket for $75 fine, $75 admin fee. I was so frustrated. My vacation had just accrued a $150 expense.

When I got home I paid the fine, and on the check I wrote $75 fine, $75 for donuts and coffee. I thought I had voiced my tacid disapproval and felt the sweet victory of vindication for such an unjustice.

To my chagrin, the payment was refused, and the invoice for the ticket sent back to me, with the $150 crossed out, and $160 written in. Was I going to go 300 miles to court. Certainly not paying would cause my state to be notified and points on my liscense and insurance rates go up.

I had no choice but to pay it. Boy did it hurt to write that check.

Patriot Guard Ride

I put 300 miles on my 500cc Honda Shadow yesterday, and if that poor 1986 Honda feels like I do, she's wishing I left her home today. My hands hurt. Of course we were both holding on for dear life. I think the longest ride I have been on has been about 50 miles round trip. And more poor shadow hasn't been over 4000rpms. But as she had to keep up with those 1500cc Goldwings on the beltway, . . .at 6000rpms. We both were tired.

Of course the comedy of the day was as follows:
I left home at 530am 43degrees and got to the rally point 10min late. No one is there and I'm cold.

I left the rally point and arrived at the DOVER Denny's late as well, but they were running late too. I'm cold, and its time to go. . .no pit stop for me. Put the red vest on and go. . . its not fastened

We went from Dover Denny's to the Dover AFB picked up the hearse. Forgot to take the red vest off. It flaps in the wind whether fastened or not.

We head off to the Bay bridge but stop in Kent Island for fuel for those "small bikes". Fuel up the small bike, grap a slim fast and a double shot expresso, pocket them and on to that pit stop I wanted 50 miles back. . . guzzle my two beverages and we are off! I left my jacket pockets open and I am loading up on cool air, I am still cold.

On to the funeral home. I was more awake now, and it was getting warmer!


Convoy riding is a hoot but stressful all the same. For me a spacer, it was easy to fall behind. Afterall even if I had cruise control the convoy speeds up and slows down in the back, so a lot of acceleration and braking occurred. But we did have a statepolice motorcycle escort. 3 of them with BMWs no less! Boy could they ride. They reminded me of sheep dogs chasing the locals when they got too close to us.

We got there at 12:30pm. A uniformed seargant came out and thanked us for being there. He was evidently the individual who had invited us. The PGR captain said we were asked to stay till the wife got there at 2:30pm. About 15 of us waited. She broke down in tears when she saw us, and headed into the building. It was saddening. I suspect she has had enough attention. I didn't realize this particular individual had national press coverage. I hope she finds peace. I hope she did not take offense to our presence. The PGR captain indexed the event a little after 3pm. We said our good byes to the fellows left. . . and headed home.

I am a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, which is a diverse group of motorcycle riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. It was my honor to escort Captain Weikel from Dover Air Force Base to Arlington Virginia. The escort had more than 50 motorcyclists from, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and other states. Every rider had at least one American Flag with him, either to carry or on their motorcycle. Our escort stretched nearly two miles. The Delaware State, Dover, Maryland State, Maryland Transportation Authority, and Virginia State Police provided us with escort all the way. Police officers were seen on the side of the road at attention and saluting.John D. Santivasci Jr. (Saint Leonard, MD )

The captain was a loyal patriot willing to put himself in harms way for our country. You swear to fealty to your country and hope the county's decision to put you in harms way is not undertaken lightly.My Dad did it and I did it. We made it back. Many do not.

I am thankful that I am back with my wife today. I am thankful I may hug my daughter. I am thankful for the relationship I was able to experience with my father. This opportunity is no longer an option for Cpt Weikel's family.

This is my way to "Support our Troops" like the sticker on my truck says. Protestors or not, it is an honor to be invited and to be present.

Causes for Mass Extinction

I have several friends who have bought luxurious homes in areas that should have never had home because of high water tables. During the wet seasons, one actually has his drain field draining back into his septic tank, forcing him to pump it every 2weeks. We attribute such an error to the financial aggreement between local government and a wealthy contractor.

What if the FDA, EPA, and some chemical contractor made a similar error:

"In retrospect, this may seem like one of the biggest, if not the biggest, mistakes the chemical industry has ever made," said Jane Houlihan, vice president for research at the Environmental Working Group, an activist organization.





What if the entire american population became extinct in the period of 50 years because of an inability to repopulate. Lets say teflon fad or some other chemical made everyone steril.

Just daydreaming...sigh

Faith

I note the talk radio, and talk shows, and political comedy giving commentary on everyone and everything. Inevitably faith will take a hit. I might reflect on the speaker's lack of faith, or the form of faith of the party ridiculed. But the bottom line is the best reflection is on my own personal faith. Billy Idol has released this single below, and at first it might seem disrespectful toward that which a christian might hold in high regard. However, that is unimportant compared to the opportunity presented to us by our Maker to reflect on how we regard his deity, not only in voice but far more importantly our actions.

It is very unimportant how a nonbeliever regards God, more important how we conduct ourselves in the presence of the God in whom we believe.

I DON'T CARE IF IT RAINS OR FREEZES AS LONG AS I GOT MY PLASTIC JESUS RIDIN' ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR THROUGH MY TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS AND MY TRAVELS THROUGH THE NATION WITH MY PLASTIC JESUS I'LL GO FAR RIDIN' DOWN THE THOROUGHFARE WITH A NOSE UP IN THE AIR A WRECK MAY BE AHEAD BUT HE DON'T MIND TROUBLE COMIN' HE DON'T SEE HE JUST KEEPS HIS EYE ON ME AND ANY OTHER THING THAT LIES BEHIND
CHORUS WITH MY PLASTIC JESUS GOODBYE AND I'LL GO FAR I SAID WITH MY PLASTIC JESUS SITTING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR WHEN I'M IN A TRAFFIC JAM HE DON'T CARE IF I SAY DAMN I CAN LET ALL MY CURSES ROLL 'COS JESUS' PLASTICO DOESN'T HEAR 'COS HE'S GOT A PLASTIC EAR THE MAN WHO INVENTED PLASTIC SAVED MY SOUL CHORUS AND IF I WEAVE AROUND AT NIGHT POLICEMEN THINK I'M VERY TIred THEY NEVER FIND MY BOTTLE THOUGH THEY ASK 'COS PLASTIC JESUS SHELTERS ME FOR HIS HEAD COMES OFF YOU SEE HE'S HOLLOW AND I USE HIM LIKE A FLASK WOA WOA WOA SAVE ME I DON'T CARE IF IT'S DARK OR SCARY LONG AS I GOT MAGNETIC MARY RIDIN' ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR I FEEL THAT I'M PROTECTED AMPLY I'VE GOT THE LOVE OF THE WHOLE DAMN FAMILY RIDIN' ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR
WITH MY PLASTIC JESUS I SAID GOODBYE AND I'LL GO FAR AND I SAID WITH MY PLASTIC JESUS I SAID SITTING ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR OUTRO WHEN I'M GOIN' FORNICATIN' I'VE GOT MY CERAMIC SATAN SITTIN' ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR WOMEN KNOW I'M ON THE LEVEL THANKS TO THE WIDE-EYED STONEWARE DEVIL SNEERIN' FROM THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR

Kids - What are they thinking

11 year olds. . . what can you do. . .

He's keeping me busy being a parent. I know he doesn't want me to be one, and I don't want to be one, and we both want to just have fun. I guess we are both being a little childish about this whole parenting thing. I guess one of us has got to grow up. . . otherwise the other one might not.

Children
Questioning Everything Parents Do or Say


Establishing
Boundaries for Pre-Teens

Teaching
Kids to Respect Authority

Understanding
Angry Outbursts

Peer
Pressure

Managing
Mood Swings


The
Boy-Girl Thing

Safe Lazer Tag

My son got pummelled by his school aquaintances yesterday via a new weapon Soft Air pistol. It would have been nice if he had one at the time and all were wearing safety goggles. However this was not an incidence of fair competition but rather an abuse of power by children.

Perhaps that would be a nice competition toy with adult supervision and safety goggles. However for less you can have Lazertag. Today's technology allows us to be much more safe than the poor boys pinecone wars of the past.

Cowboys and Indians with out the dangerous Lord of the Flies aspect. And yes its a a guy thing.

Katrina Sue

My cool cat perished on DEC22 2005 by my own hand. Sounds kind of cruel. But the circumstances are this. . . the poor cat was 16 years old, and had skin cancer of the nose. Thus, the poor thing was constantly breathing this fluid and sneezing it back out as the growth replaced the nose. What a way to go.

The vet said he'd put her down if I liked, and I was indecisive. But on DEC22 both my cats came to meet me as I left my house hurriedly. Precedent states the cats are waiting for dinner, and never have they followed me to the truck. Generally they run from it when it starts and they find they are sleeping on it. When pulling into the yard, you generally know that though you can't see them they see you and they are on the move.

Started the truck, the radio blasting and backed up . . . into the curb. Got out to the street and realized it may have not been the curb.

I rushed her to the vet to confirm death and no more suffering.

I kept wondering how it would end, and in the end it was resolved without a concious effort on my part. I still find the whole affair climatic but abrupt. 15 years and gone in an instant. I think people age because a little bit of them goes with every soul that passes.