Doc Sounds Off

The Problems with Our Schools?

2007-10-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

I just read a report that talked about the "problems with our schools" and the "problems with kids today." All the problems listed probably won't go away very fast, if at all, until we as a nation, quit making excuses. Diagnosing every kid who shows dislike for school as having some kind of genetic or medical problem, and immediately putting him on a "control" drug just isn't the answer. The answwers aren't going to be found by:
1. Trying to solve the problem with a pill. This response might make the kid more passive, but it does little to teach him to relate to others in a meaningful way. He no longer has any responsibility for his actions
2. Blaming the teacher. Almost everyone who works with children, wants to do it. It doesn't take them long to realize that for every failure, they will be blamed, regardless of the circumstances.
3. Reverting to law suits against teachers and school systems. For the most part, the legal system should stay out of the schools. I attended a beginning of the school year set of meetings in which the whole tone of the conference was talking about the many ways that a teacher can leave herself open for a law suit. Most teachers avoid even mild forms of discipline these days.
4. Making parents the scape goat. Parents shouldn't have to take all of the blame, either. Many are tired, and overworked in todays society, and really have very little idea of how they can help their children. When a lawyer tells them that they "have rights," they are likely to jump on the band wagon. The parents and the teachers end up on opposite sides of the fence, pointing fingers at one another. Parents need to remember that if they find it difficult to control one child, that it must be especially difficult to handle 20 or more kids effectively at one time, and then perhaps they will be more capable of relating to the teacher.
5. Talking about classes being too large. Fairly large classes can be delightful if you've got the kids with you. A sense of humor and the ability to laugh and joke with the kids will often diffuse other problems.
6. Eliminating music, art, home ec., shop, and gym. This will never solve the educational problem. It will only make future societies more limited. As Edwin Markham said, "Why build these cities glorious if man unbuilded goes."
One thing is certain. Discipline is not a dirty word. It's one of the human characteristics that make it possible for each of us to complete projects and effectively contribute to the future of our kind.

Too Much Campaigning

2007-10-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

A long time ago, there wasn't instant communication, but people who ran for offices in this country reached most of the people in the country if they campaigned for one year.

Today, campaigning starts the minute that the election is over. I don't know about you, but for me, this gets to be little much. There's so much campaigning that I've started to avoid the notices that are sent to me everyday, and believe you me, I get a lot of them. If you were to look at my "slow mail" when I bring it in each day, you'ld think, "Wow! She either has a lot of bills, or she has a lot of friends." Hillary and Obama seem to think that I need reminders to remember them every day. Frankly, this battery against my senses has made me look a little more closely at John Edwards, and Joe Biden. Either they don't have as much money as H. and O., or they are using more sense in how they spend their money. Some of the others who're running are getting my attention now, too.

I've had e-mail communications numbering into forty or fifty a day, from the various candidates. At first I tried to read them because I wanted to make an informed decision when it came to voting. Today, I'm quite delighted to have access to a delete button. At least, trees aren't being wasted when a candidate uses e-mail!

There's not doubt about it. We desperately need some campaign reform. Limitations should be set regarding the amount of money that's spent, where the money comes from, and how much time can be used to sell yourself and your ideas to the people. It would be nice to know if there is a jewel of a person out there running for office that he hasn't already been purchased by big business.

Health Care in the Good Ole USA

2007-10-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

I wonder if there is any way to get our legistators to put the people of this country ahead of party. Everyone in a country this rich should be able to have health care. It's beyond my comprehension. This should not be a partison issue. This is something that's concerned with just plain old fashioned decency. What have the republican party compassionate conservatives done to immunize themselves against the suffering of little children. Sickness at any age is so debilitating and when someone is down, these people seem to take delight in stepping on them. For those who are standing in the way of lending a helping hand to deprived and suffering citizens in this country, I wonder if they realize that their mirror is reflecting back a Dorian Grey image. May their "God" help them.

Bush at it again!

2007-09-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

According to our "fearless" leader, things are goin' great in Iraq. All's we need is more time. He's made a great offer to the US citizens. Have a little faith and have patience while your sons and daughters are killed and maimed in good ole' Bagdad so that me and my wealthy buddies can keep our kids home, safe in their little beds or attending parties. Why, my goodness! I'll bet their party dresses cost more 'n an old Flack jacket. Just because there haven't been enough of those to go around for our troops in Iraq......... Is this what the president really means when he says, Well, gosh! Ya' win a few, and ya' lose a few?

Control the Drug Companies

2007-09-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

I just finished listening to the candidates for president in 2008 speak about national health care. Some of them seemed to really want to help those who need help. Most of them still linked our future health care to some form of private alliance with an insurance company. Few of them spoke of the role that drug companies take in our health care needs. Even if we have national health care, this is an issue that needs to be addressed. I'm appalled by the cost of drugs. I can't believe that we don't have a major uprising because of it. I'm required to use three DROPS of medication for my eyes, daily to ensure that I won't go blind. Between me and the insurance company, we pay about three dollars a day for these THREE DROPS. 98% of the solution is distilled water. Am I just strange, or isn't this just a little bit unreasonable? If the whole drop were really medicine------Whew! Let's face it. There'd be a lot more blind people in the world. If there's anyone in the stratosphere who can justify this kind of nonsense, I would love to hear from them. In the meantime, I hope that you aren't one of those who can't have medicine because the drug companies need to have wealthier CEO's.

Subscribe to Strength

2007-09-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that when a disaster occurs in another country, the people here in the good ole' USA seem to have very little knowledge about it. Hurricanes, tornadoes, assassinations, etc. are just things people have to learn to live with if they don't occur in "our" country. Yet in this country, let a disaster occur, and WOW!. We hear the words, "We'll never be the same," over and over. I ask myself. What's this all about? Does this mean that, fundamentally, we are weaker than the people in other countries? Does it mean that we will have difficulty facing the future because we can't let go of the past? Yet we expect people of other nations to take their problems and learn to live with them. "Deal with it!" How about the people in this country? Can we "DEAL" with the things that have happened? Can we grow up and quit living in the past? Can we quit wallowing in fear, and realize that there's tons of work to do in this country right now. Let's get busy and do it. Write your senators. Write your thoughts to your newspapers, and your friends. You won't be able to work on all of the problems that are facing our country right now, but choose one area that interests you. Get actively involved with making a change.

Fightin' Words!

2007-08-31T16:09:00.000-07:00

It's impossible to go through a single news day without finding some new reason to be angry. I've emailed a litany of officials. I've tried to stir up all my friends to put pressure on the lawmakers and the law breakers. Sometimes it seems like I'm shouting against the wind, but I'm not about to give up! Today, I start blogging about all the dirty dealing, all the graft, and everyone who needs to be flushed down the toilet.