No, it's not what you think. I'm talking about trends in education, schools, society and parenting. There are studies, movements and high-ranking educators who insist on not flunking students in school. If you give them an 'F' they will think less of themselves. They deride the concept as creating a culture of failure. The system will hold the student down; it will make them feel inadequate. They suggest replacing the 'F' with an 'H'(for held). What's the difference? I know of one school district that does not want the teachers to use a red pen when marking papers. It is considered demeaning. Yep, it's all hogwash!
The greatest lessons ever learned are those where you fail. Who learned anything necessary if it was not a challenge? After the age of six no child should be in any sporting event that does not keep score. I understand learning the rules and letting them play but that is what practice is for. Sports is not a substitute for life but it does help you learn life lessons. Sooner or later if you get tired of losing you will strive to do better. You will improve yourself through your own work and perseverance. You may inspire others to improve themselves as well. That is how a team is built. Successful teams win. Successful teams build successful individuals.
The adage "it takes a village to raise a child" is a ridiculous notion and the cry of those who don't want to do the work and put in the time. A society is built on different groups fulfilling a variety of needs for the community as a whole. Farmers raise the food, teachers educate etc. They are not raising your child, the parent is. Those who lament a failing child as a product of society need to look in the mirror. A child learns from the parent. I'm not so blind as to not understand social pressures and life in decrepit urban areas. There are challenges in the real world no parent can handle by themselves. I believe those are the exceptions and not the rule.
Those who promote the standard of not 'hurting a child's feelings' are only promoting mediocrity at best. Life is about overcoming challenges. Your future employer won't care if he 'hurts your feelings' in a work environment. Children need to be prepared for life and sometimes life is hard. If your ideals are only about building 'self-esteem' you don't belong in the education business.
I realize not every child will go on to become a doctor, lawyer or other 'titled' position but to hold them to a lesser standard within their own abilities is doing them a great injustice. Hold young people accountable or they won't learn a damn thing.
Ramblings of a 60 Year Old Man - My thoughts on just about anything, in no particular order; Robert Thomas - author.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A Small Victory
In one of my earlier posts I lamented the neutering, as such, of God the Father in many of the hymns sung today, and occasionally in prayers.
This morning at Mass, the music director told everyone (paraphrasing) that according to the Catholic Church directives as printed in such-and-such publication, the version of The Gloria we have been singing, in which "His" has been replaced by "God's" is not to be used; the word "His" is to be sung. Then she said "when you sing the song, sing it AS IT IS PRINTED (emphasis mine), not how we have been singing it".
Not me, lady, I have been singing "His" every time.
This morning at Mass, the music director told everyone (paraphrasing) that according to the Catholic Church directives as printed in such-and-such publication, the version of The Gloria we have been singing, in which "His" has been replaced by "God's" is not to be used; the word "His" is to be sung. Then she said "when you sing the song, sing it AS IT IS PRINTED (emphasis mine), not how we have been singing it".
Not me, lady, I have been singing "His" every time.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Beauty and the Beast
Recently in the news (a very loose definition of the word, both news and celebrity) celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was afforded the opportunity to judge and ask a question of the contestants in the Miss USA pageant. Well known to most by now he asked the question of Miss California if her state should follow suit and allow gay marriage. I do not have an issue with the question, it is valid in the quest for the title. I do however take issue with 'Mr' Hilton.
Although I do not watch pageants I know what they are. They are a blend of American pseudo-culture linking beauty pageants of the past with celebrity focus. It may be the only way to keep them alive. Unfortunately 'celebrities' such as Perez Hilton have a role. His question although valid shows he brought a personal agenda with his appearance. His question asked, he did not like the answer.
The setup couldn't have been more conducive. Miss California's home state is possibly the most liberal in the nation and home to such culture busting legislation. I assume he was hoping for a pageant-neutral, politically correct answer. Carrie Prejean, Miss California threw his agenda right back in his face and gave an answer that upheld her traditional Christian values. Mr. Hilton was not pleased and it showed. Many believe her answer cost her the title of Miss USA. The next day Mr. Hilton took it upon himself to post the hostile reactions to Ms. Prejean on his blog. It was the weak and cowardly thing to do. Several of the other judges and benefactors spoke out condemning her answer thus exposing the contest for what it really is, a forum for others to pat themselves on the back for promoting political correctness. They should be applauding her for standing up for what she believes in and not backing down in the face of other's opinions.
I suppose the producers of the pageant are happy with all the publicity. Rarely are such shows in the news for more than a day announcing the winner and then never seeing them again until they hand over their crown the following year. If they wanted to keep things in the news Ms. Pajean would have been their best opportunity.
Do you know the name of the actual winner? I don't but I know she's from North Carolina. What does that say about your product?
Although I do not watch pageants I know what they are. They are a blend of American pseudo-culture linking beauty pageants of the past with celebrity focus. It may be the only way to keep them alive. Unfortunately 'celebrities' such as Perez Hilton have a role. His question although valid shows he brought a personal agenda with his appearance. His question asked, he did not like the answer.
The setup couldn't have been more conducive. Miss California's home state is possibly the most liberal in the nation and home to such culture busting legislation. I assume he was hoping for a pageant-neutral, politically correct answer. Carrie Prejean, Miss California threw his agenda right back in his face and gave an answer that upheld her traditional Christian values. Mr. Hilton was not pleased and it showed. Many believe her answer cost her the title of Miss USA. The next day Mr. Hilton took it upon himself to post the hostile reactions to Ms. Prejean on his blog. It was the weak and cowardly thing to do. Several of the other judges and benefactors spoke out condemning her answer thus exposing the contest for what it really is, a forum for others to pat themselves on the back for promoting political correctness. They should be applauding her for standing up for what she believes in and not backing down in the face of other's opinions.
I suppose the producers of the pageant are happy with all the publicity. Rarely are such shows in the news for more than a day announcing the winner and then never seeing them again until they hand over their crown the following year. If they wanted to keep things in the news Ms. Pajean would have been their best opportunity.
Do you know the name of the actual winner? I don't but I know she's from North Carolina. What does that say about your product?
Friday, April 17, 2009
Things you should know along the way
In the eighties, 1982 I believe, a book was published titled 'Real Men Don't Eat Quiche.' It was a reaction to the times when men were asked to turn to their feminine side. It didn't take long for a host of other articles to follow. Comedians then joined in the fray and a new era was born. It lasted about as long as 'you know you're a redneck'. It was fun then, thankfully it was over.
Women never had an opportunity to joyfully bask in their failings. They were never asked to change to something they weren't. The women's movement was not about change as much as it was about growth and opportunity. At least that's a man's view of it. However, things you should know along the way is gender neutral, mostly. They are nuggets hopefully most will come to understand as they make their way through life. Perhaps this will give you a leg up as you travel 'along the way'.
Don't live by the verse on a Beatles poster. Life is more involved than that.
Real men actually want a woman with brains.
If you are more concerned with style than substance you have the depth of a photograph.
It's OK to ask a question.
Remember the past and cherish those memories, but live in the present.
Manners are timeless, not a weakness.
It's OK to hold hands in public. (With your wife)
Live beyond the refrain of a song. It only repeats and you will be forever in one place.
If you do drugs you will eventually cycle down to the bottom of the well.
Problems are actually opportunities.
A parents primary job is to protect their child. The second is to know when to let them go.
If you don't work for it you probably won't get it.
If you don't set a goal you don't have direction.
It's not about the math. It's about learning to think.
Every 'opportunity' in life is a word problem. (See previous item.)
Life is littered with 'stop' signs. There are no 'go' signs. Don't wait, just go.
I'm sure I'll think of some more 'along the way.'
Women never had an opportunity to joyfully bask in their failings. They were never asked to change to something they weren't. The women's movement was not about change as much as it was about growth and opportunity. At least that's a man's view of it. However, things you should know along the way is gender neutral, mostly. They are nuggets hopefully most will come to understand as they make their way through life. Perhaps this will give you a leg up as you travel 'along the way'.
Don't live by the verse on a Beatles poster. Life is more involved than that.
Real men actually want a woman with brains.
If you are more concerned with style than substance you have the depth of a photograph.
It's OK to ask a question.
Remember the past and cherish those memories, but live in the present.
Manners are timeless, not a weakness.
It's OK to hold hands in public. (With your wife)
Live beyond the refrain of a song. It only repeats and you will be forever in one place.
If you do drugs you will eventually cycle down to the bottom of the well.
Problems are actually opportunities.
A parents primary job is to protect their child. The second is to know when to let them go.
If you don't work for it you probably won't get it.
If you don't set a goal you don't have direction.
It's not about the math. It's about learning to think.
Every 'opportunity' in life is a word problem. (See previous item.)
Life is littered with 'stop' signs. There are no 'go' signs. Don't wait, just go.
I'm sure I'll think of some more 'along the way.'
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Baseball as it was
When we were kids, we had baseball on tv on Saturday afternoons only, until the World Series, and those games were played in the afternoons as well. I would get home from school to watch each of the games, and I enjoyed watching my baseball cards come to life on the screen.
Beloved Father and Sainted Mother would occasionally take us to watch Columbus Jets games at Jet Stadium, in the era before stadium naming rights came along. The Jets at the time were a farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and I saw a few Jets who made it to the big leagues, including Roman Mejias, Johnny Powers, Steve Blass, Donn Clendennon, Willie Stargell, Al Oliver, Dave Parker, and others; but while many of my favorites played hard, they were just not quite good enough to make an impact at the top level. I am not certain if any of them ever made it up to The Show, men such as Jack Damaska, Tony Asaro, Diomedes Olivo, George Spriggs, and a whole host of now-forgotten players.
We would buy a Jet Badge, which we wore to the games for a 50-cent admission fee. We sat in the general admission seats, and I longed to see one game from close to the field in a box seat, those blue plastic ones that looked much better than the gray metal seats we sat on. It wasn't until just a few years ago that I did finally get to see a game from the box seats. Alas, no foul balls came my way.
I clearly recall the smell of cheap cigars being smoked in the stands, but, strangely, not cigarettes, even though both parents smoked at the time. The hot dogs were great, and I almost always had peanuts or Cracker Jack. Nachos were an invention far in the future back then.
I would keep score on the scorecard I bought for a dime, and another nickel for a pencil, no eraser. The games were on the radio, on AM of course, and the away games were re-created from ticker tape reports, complete with all the sounds of the park. I never knew away games weren't "live" back then. Still, Joe Hill called a good enough game to make it convincing to a youngster.
Weirdly, the memory that stands out the most is not something by a Jets player, but rather when an outfielder for the Syracuse Chiefs hit 4 consecutive home runs against the Jets one night, and flied out to the deepest part of center field on the 5th at bat, narrowly missing a fifth homer. The fans gave him a standing O for his night's work. I believe his first name was Gene, and he had played a bit of ball in the majors before that night.
The Jets were preceeded by the Columbus Buckeyes, Senators, and RedBirds, and later became the Clippers, returning to Columbus after a several-year absence in the early 70s. They were again a farm team of the Pirates until changing to the Yankees for many years, then to the Washington Nationals for two years, and now the Indians.
Fond memories of a simpler time and place.
Beloved Father and Sainted Mother would occasionally take us to watch Columbus Jets games at Jet Stadium, in the era before stadium naming rights came along. The Jets at the time were a farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and I saw a few Jets who made it to the big leagues, including Roman Mejias, Johnny Powers, Steve Blass, Donn Clendennon, Willie Stargell, Al Oliver, Dave Parker, and others; but while many of my favorites played hard, they were just not quite good enough to make an impact at the top level. I am not certain if any of them ever made it up to The Show, men such as Jack Damaska, Tony Asaro, Diomedes Olivo, George Spriggs, and a whole host of now-forgotten players.
We would buy a Jet Badge, which we wore to the games for a 50-cent admission fee. We sat in the general admission seats, and I longed to see one game from close to the field in a box seat, those blue plastic ones that looked much better than the gray metal seats we sat on. It wasn't until just a few years ago that I did finally get to see a game from the box seats. Alas, no foul balls came my way.
I clearly recall the smell of cheap cigars being smoked in the stands, but, strangely, not cigarettes, even though both parents smoked at the time. The hot dogs were great, and I almost always had peanuts or Cracker Jack. Nachos were an invention far in the future back then.
I would keep score on the scorecard I bought for a dime, and another nickel for a pencil, no eraser. The games were on the radio, on AM of course, and the away games were re-created from ticker tape reports, complete with all the sounds of the park. I never knew away games weren't "live" back then. Still, Joe Hill called a good enough game to make it convincing to a youngster.
Weirdly, the memory that stands out the most is not something by a Jets player, but rather when an outfielder for the Syracuse Chiefs hit 4 consecutive home runs against the Jets one night, and flied out to the deepest part of center field on the 5th at bat, narrowly missing a fifth homer. The fans gave him a standing O for his night's work. I believe his first name was Gene, and he had played a bit of ball in the majors before that night.
The Jets were preceeded by the Columbus Buckeyes, Senators, and RedBirds, and later became the Clippers, returning to Columbus after a several-year absence in the early 70s. They were again a farm team of the Pirates until changing to the Yankees for many years, then to the Washington Nationals for two years, and now the Indians.
Fond memories of a simpler time and place.
And the Galactically Stupid shall lead us
There are times in life where one is generally 'floored' by the decisions made by others, specifically those in places of power and prestige. No, this isn't a commentary on politics. I am referring to the incredibly stupid decision of Florida International University on hiring Isiah Thomas as their men's basketball coach.
For those of you who do not follow basketball closely, Mr. Thomas is the person who nearly ran the once proud NY Knickerbockers into oblivion. His record both on the court (as coach and general manager) and off was so pathetic as to cause the president of the Knicks to relegate him to a position within the organization that 'had no title and no one would report to him'.
Although I am one for giving second chances, this is not the focal point of this ramble. Rather, who at a college university would think it is a great idea to hire someone as their head basketball coach who can neither coach nor make quality personnel decisions. He put in place one of the most dysfunctional teams in NBA history. Mr. Thomas' personal life has as well been in question. He was the focal point of a sexual harassment lawsuit with the Knicks and has been reported having overdosed on sleeping pills.
Whether this hiring was the choice of Modesto A. Maidique, university president or Pete Garcia, athletic director or a board or panel, I can not fathom why anyone would think this is a good decision on any level. To bring a person with questionable ethics and background into a university setting is unconscionable. You are guiding young men in a vulnerable time in their lives. They believe they are men but many lack the life experience to make correct choices. They need guidance. What FIU has chosen to do is to put their athletic program in the news no matter the cost, obviously favoring the notion even bad publicity is good publicity. I believe the leaders of FIU have done a tremendous disservice to their university and should be called to task for it.
The Regents of FIU had better get ready. I for one believe they will have much more bad publicity in the near future due to this galactically stupid hire.
For those of you who do not follow basketball closely, Mr. Thomas is the person who nearly ran the once proud NY Knickerbockers into oblivion. His record both on the court (as coach and general manager) and off was so pathetic as to cause the president of the Knicks to relegate him to a position within the organization that 'had no title and no one would report to him'.
Although I am one for giving second chances, this is not the focal point of this ramble. Rather, who at a college university would think it is a great idea to hire someone as their head basketball coach who can neither coach nor make quality personnel decisions. He put in place one of the most dysfunctional teams in NBA history. Mr. Thomas' personal life has as well been in question. He was the focal point of a sexual harassment lawsuit with the Knicks and has been reported having overdosed on sleeping pills.
Whether this hiring was the choice of Modesto A. Maidique, university president or Pete Garcia, athletic director or a board or panel, I can not fathom why anyone would think this is a good decision on any level. To bring a person with questionable ethics and background into a university setting is unconscionable. You are guiding young men in a vulnerable time in their lives. They believe they are men but many lack the life experience to make correct choices. They need guidance. What FIU has chosen to do is to put their athletic program in the news no matter the cost, obviously favoring the notion even bad publicity is good publicity. I believe the leaders of FIU have done a tremendous disservice to their university and should be called to task for it.
The Regents of FIU had better get ready. I for one believe they will have much more bad publicity in the near future due to this galactically stupid hire.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Oh to cruise again in style
In my formative years watching car commercials and looking at various cars on the road was fun. It fueled the drive for my brothers to learn to drive and hopefully have cars of our own, Sainted Mother and Esteemed Father permitting. I however was the only one permitted to actually own my own vehicle before moving from the family abode. I can only assume the others were jealous.
I was the proud owner of a 1971 Torino. Not a pumped up Gran Torino, but a true two-door Torino. It was candy-apple red with a black vinyl top with black vinyl seats that burnt the hair off your legs in the summer. Graybeard at one point owned an orange fastback Torino. After a few years mine turned into a rust bucket. I had repaired the body and it looked good but the underpinnings were rotting away. Unfortunately that was the way cars were made back then and they only got worse as the decade progressed and cheap gas went buy-buy. The decade of the eighties brought us some of the worst automobiles ever to come out of Detroit. It was sad. Baby Sis was relegated to a Dodge Polaris. I was never sure how it ever got her to the land of fruits and nuts, although it was the size of a WWII destroyer and probably got as good gas mileage. I have no idea what her husband drove in his day. (Sorry, I have yet to endow him with a suitable moniker. It shall come in time).
Sadder still was the lack of imagination of names. We had some clunkers in my early days like Edsel but gone were great car names. Nothing has replaced Cougar, Torino, Charger, El Dorado and El Camino. I have never been sure how Spanish made it's way into that culture. But they were cool names none-the-less. Also disappearing were Stingray, Corvair, Chevelle, Impala and Bel Air. I had always hope GM would revive the Bel Air name but that has not come to pass. The few plates that have been revived have not done justice to the old cars, although I can't figure out what resemblance a hulking '73 four-door family sedan has in relation to a sleek impala.
Instead we are saddled with Camry (what is a camry anyway), Accord, Sportage, Xbox and the like. Euro's seem to like alph-numeric titles; MX320 or RS300. They remind me more of a cell phone than a powerful automobile. Alas, I am riding in a small SUV called an Amigo. It's fun and has been a good truck but it just doesn't have the same thrust as a Torino.
Maybe someday I'll ride in style once again.
I was the proud owner of a 1971 Torino. Not a pumped up Gran Torino, but a true two-door Torino. It was candy-apple red with a black vinyl top with black vinyl seats that burnt the hair off your legs in the summer. Graybeard at one point owned an orange fastback Torino. After a few years mine turned into a rust bucket. I had repaired the body and it looked good but the underpinnings were rotting away. Unfortunately that was the way cars were made back then and they only got worse as the decade progressed and cheap gas went buy-buy. The decade of the eighties brought us some of the worst automobiles ever to come out of Detroit. It was sad. Baby Sis was relegated to a Dodge Polaris. I was never sure how it ever got her to the land of fruits and nuts, although it was the size of a WWII destroyer and probably got as good gas mileage. I have no idea what her husband drove in his day. (Sorry, I have yet to endow him with a suitable moniker. It shall come in time).
Sadder still was the lack of imagination of names. We had some clunkers in my early days like Edsel but gone were great car names. Nothing has replaced Cougar, Torino, Charger, El Dorado and El Camino. I have never been sure how Spanish made it's way into that culture. But they were cool names none-the-less. Also disappearing were Stingray, Corvair, Chevelle, Impala and Bel Air. I had always hope GM would revive the Bel Air name but that has not come to pass. The few plates that have been revived have not done justice to the old cars, although I can't figure out what resemblance a hulking '73 four-door family sedan has in relation to a sleek impala.
Instead we are saddled with Camry (what is a camry anyway), Accord, Sportage, Xbox and the like. Euro's seem to like alph-numeric titles; MX320 or RS300. They remind me more of a cell phone than a powerful automobile. Alas, I am riding in a small SUV called an Amigo. It's fun and has been a good truck but it just doesn't have the same thrust as a Torino.
Maybe someday I'll ride in style once again.
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