Great BlogTalkRadio Show

Here recently I participated in a great Blog Show on BlogTalkRadio. The show was hosted by the Kiri Love, Psyche Of The Single Mother. This young woman was a warrior who had a way with words. Her show encouraged me to take some time to think about my grandmothers. My grandparents were great grandparents. And, I have a lot of special memories tied to my grandparents. This young woman has coined a new term. She calls some grandmothers, deadbeat grandmothers. These are grandmothers disconnected from their grandchildren because of their deadbeat sons.

This show was touching because grandparents are so often the glue for young families. My grandparents were so encouraging and my children have been so blessed with at least one set of loving grandparents that to hear horror stories about grandparents was quite sad. But, Ms. Love has clearly identified and diagnosed a serious cancer within our community.

Good Show, Kiri!

Help Me, Nancy Pelosi. Why Can't We Drill?

I've been a loyal democrat for 20 years. In the past, I've voted for the party, even when my convictions were nudging me to do a new thing. Lately, I vote my conscience. But, for the most part, I'm still a party loyalist. But, Nancy and I are quickly parting ways. I'm not getting the anti drilling sentiment. It's not that I don't want to look for alternative solutions. In fact, I think we should aggressively support alternative sources of energy. I'm a fan of wind, solar, etc. I'm still a little edgy about nuclear. But, I'm still learning. I want to know why we can't do it all.

I'm tired of the argument that it won't make a difference for 10 years. Especially since, 1) some scientists say with newer technology we could see relief in 3-5 years and 2) they gave us this same argument 20 years ago. I'm also not really interested in the fact that oil companies already have leases where they can drill. If oil companies say they can get it faster from land the federal government is standing in front of, I want to know why we can't try.

I know in Nancy's world there are taxis, buses, trains and everyone can ride a bike or walk to work. But, honey I live in rural America with four sons. We don't fit it anything small and to get to any place of substance, you really need a car. So, if you can explain Nancy's argument to me (better than Nancy has), share the logic. I'm easy pickings. I want to believe her. I'm just not feeling it right now.

In fact, Nancy Pelosi even went as far as to say that to capitulate was to give in to Republicans. Sorry, Nancy. In my world (buying diapers, gas, groceries, paying college tuition), I'm not really thinking about whether Republicans will get a victory. I need a break.

Pelosi stands firm against offshore drilling

Rebuilding Our Neighborhoods

Let's take a vacation from whining about injustices real and perceived. No, this isn't an endorsement of Phil Gramm's silly economic brain lapse. Our economy has suffered greatly and many Americans are feeling the pain, at the pump, in the grocery store, and in many other places. But, perhaps we need to put some of our mental anguish to work, pull up our sleeves and start to rethink how our smaller cities and communities should function. How about this for a plan of attack?

1) Let's educate our citizenry, so we have a more empowered community. Government is supposed to work for us. Our representatives in Washington have forgotten how to behave, but that's no excuse for us to begin to believe they operate independently of our desires. Let's retire a few permanently and eventually we'll get a group that understands that they work for us. So, watch your back senators.

2) Let's take a lesson from Powell, Wyoming. This small town built it's own store when the big chains either refused to move in or chose to leave. Guess where the shareholders live and shop. You guessed it. Community members in the city are the ones receiving the dividend checks. Can you think of a better reason to shop locally.

3) Let's take a new look at our schools and encourage the hiring of creative teachers and administrators looking to do more than simply pick up a check. But, we also have to give them the freedom to discipline appropriately. When schools receive money based on butts in seats instead of performance, disaster can be expected.

Let's start to live a can do life in our communities. I think this is something great that emerged from the election trail. Perhaps this is the spirit that many sense from Obama, and even Clinton. On the Republican side, perhaps even Ron Paul, Duncan Hunter, and even Mike Huckabee. Why did I choose these candidates. On the Democratic side, these candidates were given a podium and really took advantage of the spotlight so their message could be heard. And, for the most part, their message was often positive. Yes, we can! Yes, we will. On the Republican side, Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter were often ignored and belittled. And, even so...they were able to win votes and supporters, although the media made certain their stories and messages weren't heard. Even Huckabee, largely responsible for the McCain's eventual nomination, was considered inconsequential and yet his message was still able to reach the masses and he was able to pull a couple of stunning defeats against candidates with much more money.

Let's reclaim our communities.

News To Be Depressed By...

I'm a news watcher, through and through. Some stories are so sad, that you're actually sorry you read or heard about them.

Story #1: Woman's Corpse May Be Link To Mystery Baby

This CNN story shares the arrest of Andrea Curry-Demus, aged 38. This woman quite possibly killed an expectant mother and then pretended that the baby was hers. Later she would tell the police that she purchased the baby from the deceased for $1,000. There are so many sad components to the story. The family and friends left behind by both the deceased young woman, and the alleged killer. The thousands of young women who have unprotected sex and then decide to abort their babies. What an ugly world we live in today?

Story #2:Lawyer for Missing Florida Toddler's Mother Suggests Little Caylee Might Be Out of State

The young woman in this story has a two year old that has supposedly been missing for weeks and according to reports, she had had not reported her missing. I think we all know these reports often end sadly. I can't imagine any circumstance where a mother would not report a missing child unless foul play was a part of the picture. I'll wait for the full story. Reports like these minimize presidential politics and other nonsense.

Schools In Crisis

If you're a FIRM believer that our public K-12 schools are failing simply because of a lack money from the Federal Government, STOP Reading. You'll find the next few paragraphs highly offensive.

THE PROBLEM IN OUR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, JUNIOR, & HIGH SCHOOLS IS (sound the drums), that many of our kids are uninterested, unfocused, and under prepared for success. I'm sorry, I can't blame teachers, either. Now, I'll admit. It's definitely a multifaceted problem. But, we tend to get the order of priority mixed up. Here let's try this view for a moment.

Scenario (Working Parents)
Child is allowed to behave in any manner that allows the parent(s) a semblance of peace once they return home from work. This child is this scenario is basically raising him/her self. This should be seen a judging working Moms & Dads. It's simply a recognition that if we work not at home from 7:00 - 6:00 (commuting, etc), it's really hard to provide hands on parenting, get the meals done, complete homework, prepare for the next work & school day, etc. Regardless, we find a family struggling from day to day to simply exist and not really tuned in to Jim Bob's or Darnell's success at school.

Result: Mr. or Ms. Teacher gets an angry (my parents don't have much time for me) child, teen, etc. each day at school. This child interacts with the other angry (my parents don't have time for me) children. Very little learning happens because these kids are doing everything EXCEPT school during the school day. Mr. or Ms. Teacher spends precious time with disciplinary problems.

Solution: I know what you're thinking. Throw the little bums out. My little Sally Jane can't learn a thing, because Susie Q. is constantly in trouble with the teacher and is basically a distraction. Sorry, "way back in the day" when we were teenagers, the trouble makers did exist, but they were few in number, the majority had the proper fear of their parents so as not to cause undue problems in school. Today, it seems its the majority who have the issues. And, only a small handful that are NOT trouble makers. In my opinion, schools get money for "butts" in seats. No little "butts" in seat. No money. So, unless Susie Q. does something HORRIBLE, she's likely to remain a pupil, continue causing problems, and help continue the cycle of a non-functioning classroom. This isn't a problem money can help directly. (I'll mention my solution a little later)

Scenario (Single Parent - Working or Non Working)
Alright, disclaimer. I know there will be a few who will email me or call the show to tell me that "My mother was a single parent and I did just fine. Why does everyone always pick on single mothers? Resist the urge to email me and consider you may not be the rule, you may be the exception. Not because mom wasn't a great mom. But, because hey - statistically single mothers are more likely to 1) live a more distressed socioeconomic lifestyle and 2) have to assume the role of mother and father and this is simply unfair. Your grandmother was right. It took two to get that little munchkin here, what makes it think it its reasonable to expect one to bear the burden of raising it. Two parents can provide a united front, back-up (when necessary), successful pull off a convincing good cop - bad cop, and just slow down the wear and tear that raising children can have on the body, mind & spirit.

Result: See Above. Angry, kid, yada, yada, yada...

Solution: Unreasonable one...see above (throw the bums out). Reasonable one...keep reading.

So, our schools are filled with distracted children who behave horribly. (Not Your Kid - Uh, yeah, okay - then your neighbors kids). The child that wants to learn is often trying to do it under nightmarish conditions. Chance are - in your teenagers school, there are on any given day, other children are trying to 1) sell him drugs, 2) sleep with her (some teachers included), 3) exclude her from the cool clique, 4) bully him, 5) chide her for not so cool clothes, weight, hair, complexion, etc. I left off a few, for fear you were becoming depressed.

Solution. As parents and educators, we have to take a more direct approach.

1) We do need school choice vouchers. Sorry. I'm all for public education. But, even public schools should have to compete. The value of a child's education should not be dictated by their zip code. That's not free and appropriate education. If another school has creatively found a way to manage the wayward imps, you should have the option to put your little (angel, whose never cause a problem in her life, and just wants to learn...yeah), in another school.

2) Never have tenure for teachers in K-12 unless you also have tenure review. Yeah, Mr. Bob works his butt off to become tenured only to never push the envelope of creativity again. If you must have tenure, you must have tenure review. Or complacency and just down right nuttiness is bound to raise its ugly head.

3) This option may actually require money. I'm sorry. Consider same sex classrooms and even schools. I know. It stinks. We did all that fighting to make sure girls could have the same opportunities and access to education as males and now there is actually some research to suggest that they do more learning - when they're not in the same classroom. Along this same line of thinking, do we really want 14 year olds in the same classrooms as 18 year olds. Don't think it happens. If a kid fails a class a couple of times, this is exactly what happens. Consider your neighbors kid who failed English I. Not your child, of course. Now, we've got "more aware", about to turn 16 or 17, Jane or Bob in a class with perhaps I'm still 14, impressionable Sam and Sue. Your child isn't likely to get into the details of the ages of children in their classes and it may not resonate with you. Recipe for classroom disaster.

4) More individualized instruction. This definitely costs money. Sorry. The more kids have trouble succeeding in class...the more kids have trouble succeeding in class. Compounding in essence. Joe has failed a course, and really feels like a failure. If his self esteem is bruised or wounded, he may start the semester assume he just can't get it. So, anything he actually attempts and does excel at essentially reinforces his already growing belief that he just can't do it. First, this child gives up mentally. And, then he gives up physically. He believes he can't do it. And, then he just doesn't do anything you ask him to do. Why should he? After all, in his mind, he already knows he can't do it. As children around him, actually start learning, he now has to seek other ways to "fill" his time. He stopped trying to follow the class discussion ages ago, but he's required by law to sit there unless he drops out. His parents really want him to try. So, he sits there. His school needs his butt in a seat (to get paid), so even if his behavior is seriously signaling that he needs a different environment, they keep him. Now, he's got spare time on his hand and 40 minutes remaining in a classroom.

5) We need a different set of Superintendents, and Principals. We need real creativity at the top. We need to take our schools more seriously. We're sending these people into war zones. Don't believe me. Become a substitute teacher. You'll get a much greater appreciation for what teachers put up with. I tried this years ago after completing my Bachelor's Degree. Why is the turnover so high for new teachers? Substitute teach, you'll find out. These young people figure out early that if they want to go to war, they can join the military. The pay may still be low, but at least they'll have a measure of respect and professionalism. People often disrespect teachers. You can't find a lawyer, doctor, nurse, President, Vice President, etc, who hasn't had a teacher. And, still this is a ripe area for Rodney Dangerfield no respect jokes.

Want another option? You could always home school. For all the flack this group receives, many homeschool parents manage to introduce their children to a variety of foreign languages, field trips, and higher math classes than would be available at your local school.

Well, feel free to drop me a comment and share your great idea to help schools succeed.

Mad Enough To Scream - Sick Enough To Throw Up!

I'm reading a CNN article about a 10 year old that has divorced her husband and was then required to pay him $200.

Child bride gets divorced after rape, beatings

When you read the article, be sure to read the comments, also. Sprinkled in with the comments of disgusts from concerned readers (Muslims included), you also bump into some that want to educate us on media bias.

RANT MOMENT: OF COURSE THERE IS MEDIA BIAS, BUT I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ONE SINGLE, SOLITARY, WHINE ABOUT MEDIA BIAS BECAUSE THE MEDIA DECIDED TO COVER A CORRUPT GOVERNMENT THAT ALLOWS AND ENCOURAGES THE RAPE OF SMALL CHILDREN. I AM SICK OF PEOPLE TREATING WOMEN AND CHILDREN AS IF WE ARE EXPENDABLE.

I am so furious. I can barely see straight. Now, the father of this child is upset. Why...because the husband of his 10 YEAR OLD CHILD, promised he'd wait until his child was 20. Yeah, right.
In a country where they had the presence of mind to LOWER THE LEGAL MARRIAGE AGE A DECADE AGO, SO THAT IT WOULD BE BELOW 15, I FIND THIS AN UTTERLY UNACCEPTABLE EXCUSE.

What the #$!%? News stories like this are bad for my blood pressure. If the CHILD'S husband had beaten his dog, AMERICANS WOULD BE IN AN UPROAR DEMANDING GEORGE W. BUSH, THE POPE, MCCAIN AND OBAMA, make a statement, demand action, etc, etc, etc.

But, it's okay here. It's OKAY FOR A MAN TO SHIP OFF HIS CHILD TO BE A MAN'S WIFE.

SAD! SAD! SAD!

Talk About a Bad Day At Work!

Talk about a bad day at the office. Did you see the video of the father who put on a wig and attempted to rob his daughter's place of employment? Yeah, now that's a disguise. Can you say, "FIRED"? Wow! CNN has this "nifty" little feature that will allow you to get a t-shirt with a headline on it. I know you're dying to pick this one up.

What do you say the next time you're out with friends? What do you say if you are this woman's friend? Hey, girl. I saw your dad on TV. Check out my shirt.

Black Woman Running For President

Well, Well, Well. Where's the band? Where's the media? Where's the never ending coverage? We have a black woman running for President of the United States of America. Cynthia McKinney is the Green Party's candidate for Election '08. (Stop laughing, I'm serious)

http://www.runcynthiarun.org/

Now, I have had my issues with this woman. She can say some really strange things. But, she does deserve her time in the spotlight, doesn't she? Wait, you want more, right. Hip Hop Activist Rosa Clemente has accepted the VP slot to run with Ms. McKinney. (Not laughing anymore. Just Crickets.)

We have black women running for President & Vice President. (People silent. Now the crickets are laughing)

This has got to be on CNN, right. Let me turn on the television. Nope, it's not on CNN. It's a show about Myanmar. Wait, I'll go to Fox. (Now, I need to laugh) Nope, no Cynthia McKinney. They're discussing Heath Leger. MSNBC has been SO PRO OBAMA, I know they'll recognize the significance of black women running for both President and Vice President. Hmm, they're talking about Obama. What a surprise?

I know what you're thinking. Stop, Yme. You know the mainstream media has mentioned that "whole, McKinney running for President" thing. MSNBC mentioned it...what day was that? They talked about it a couple of days, ago. But, you know everyone is caught up in the "historical' nature of perhaps a black man becoming President. No one seriously expects Cynthia McKinney to win. Her campaign will receive a donation from me, for that reason alone. She's a true underdog. No media outlet will drool over her. Clean up her missteps. Or give her the benefit of the doubt. In fact, the kindest thing they'll do for Cynthia McKinney is ignore her altogether. Fox News is totally in the tank for the McCain and MSNBC is in a love fest for Barack Obama. Since, I'm resolved to an Obama Presidency, this suits me just fine. But the mainstream media can also be quite brutal when you're not the fair headed child "of the moment.

McKinney's nomination has been marginalized before its barely begun. Help me come up with the many reasons black folk alone are going to complain about her campaign.

1) She knows she can't win. Jesse Jackson all over again.
2) Why should she share the spotlight with Obama?
3) With Obama, we're so close to the White House. (Newsflash...Obama's not sharing the White House with You or Bill Clinton)
4) She's going to make us look bad.
5) She has so little experience (hmm, community organizer, house representative, this is starting to look a little similar)
6) She's a lightning rod for controversy (I can only agree with this one)

At the end of the day, she's still running for the President of the United States of America. And, unlike Ron Paul and Hilary Clinton, she has clinched her party's nomination. Warts and all.

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This blog is an Official Supporter of Anyone who keeps McCain OUT of the White House.