Campaigns heating up

All the campaigns appear to be heating up. This includes our local campaign for school board in Bernie. Word is out the candidates are organizing and as many have noted, there have been some letters to the editor in the Banner with words of wisdom from some local community leaders. Complaints are that many of the letters to the editor have not been published and that the Banner is being a little to selective in their posting of the letters. I have and will continue to offer up to anyone to post letters to the community on this blog site should someone want to submit them. My requirements are as follows:

• they must be signed by the writer
• they must not include names of individuals other than those holding public office
• they are not to be simple mudslinging, name calling pieces.

I am willing to post these undedited to the blog and allows comments and responses from others who are interested. If you have interest, as always, email me at jacksontalktome@live.com and I am happy to post.

Do you see my Vision? Speak to me.

Who do you like? Part 2

Well it is now time to talk about our Republican candidates. It pretty much has come down to John McCain, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, and Mike Huckabee. New Hampshire primary has just completed, and it looks as though Mr. McCain has taken it for the Republican side.

John McCain has definitely great strength in the areas of his patriotic stance. His history as a military man, former POW, and Senate experience on the Senate Armed Services Committee have served him well in the eyes of all conservatives with that military focus. His weakness from most conservative perspectives is his support of campaign finance reform, his immigration stance, and his weakness in the area of not voting for the Bush Tax Cuts. By the way, he just won the New Hampshire Primary.

Mitt Romney is a former Governor of Massachusetts. Many believed this could help his cause in the Northeast. His strengths have been a good record of fiscal conservatism, executive experience as Governor, and strong against immigration. His weakness has been past “flip flops” on abortion, taxes, etc. He is a very competent business man, negotiator, and a politician. He is often perceived as “slick” as a speaker. This has hurt him in many instances. He has also ran many negative campaign ads to date which many look unfavorably upon.

Mike Huckabee is former Governor of Arkansas. His name is obviously the first thing people notice about him. As a former Baptist preacher, he has good speaking abilities that the average watcher can relate to. He has been accused of being a populist by focusing on the messages that most appeal to the masses instead of digging into the details of policy and immigration. He is the only Republican candidate which has proposed a completely new tax idea with his fair tax, doing away with the IRS, and going to a tax on consumption. Huckabee is identified as Christian conservative, extremely pro-life, but weak on history of crime & punishment, as well as taxes as Governor.

Fred Thompson is a former Senator from Tennessee. He is laid back, not a particular eloquent speaker, and has yet to convince many that he really wants to be President. He is a proponent of Federalism and is strong in all the major components a conservative would look for. His real weakness is his presentation and communication style up to this point. It will be interesting to see how he fairs as the race turns to the southern state primaries.

Rudy Giuliani is former Mayor of New York City. He is most noted for his dealing with 9/11. His strengths are his perception of great leadership, his success with New York City on crime and taxes. He has taken an approach of focusing in on Super Tuesday Primaries. His performance in the initial primaries has been nonexistent and could prove to be challenging to truly win the nomination. His weakness is social liberal policies in the past, his historical lady problems, and his nomination of key city officials which turned out to be corrupt.

Who will get this nomination? No one knows. Right now, an average of the national polls shows Mike Huckabee leading by 1.3%. I look for this to quite possibly change in the near future. I hope you have fun reading and learning about all your candidates, for knowledge is power.

Beliefs – Stand Up for Them or Suck.It.Up.

Who do you like?

It is an interesting time in politics. The regular two party establishments have started their Primary/Caucus process, and the results are now starting to trickle into our minds as we ponder who our next Presidential candidates will be. Iowa is over, and New Hampshire is in full swing. Our candidates sling their viewpoints, and it is time we take a look at them.

Democrats are faced with three real candidates at the moment. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards.

Hillary is faced with a tough battle right now. Her name obviously precedes her, but the country is trying to figure out if they want another cycle of the Clinton years. Many view the Clinton years as some of the most prosperous in our visible lifetimes, while others would argue it was defined and put in place by a series of Republican administrations that set up the success with their “conservative” philosophies. Hillary’s problem may well be her traditional old school democratic song which she sings. She wants to emphasize the “change” slogan, but her debates always lead back to old Washington politics which she definitely knows how to play. Granted Hillary as President would certainly be change as being the first female, but I am unsure the old school Washington political game would be any different. She continues to discuss universal health care, troops coming home, and discussing her 35 years of experience. It will be interesting to see if she can win the nomination with her political machine.

Barack has taken the first caucus by following what many label the populist philosophy. He has focused in and appeals to the younger generation. He has excelled at getting out the young vote by his "on the ground" tactics inspiring many with his speaking abilities and working to keep his campaign on a positive note. He is a fantastic orator. He gives speeches reminiscent of JFK that can and do inspire many. He has also to this point done well with the independent voters by emphasizing change. He has opposed the Iraq war from day 1 and is certainly on the universal health care initiative. Iowa caucus goers opted for the new guy, rather than the same old excuses on these issues. He is one to watch in New Hampshire as he is shaping up to take this Primary as well. His weakness (or so the pundits will tell you) is his inexperience. Many see this as an advantage as well saying he is not buried in "old Washington politics".

Edwards has recently backed up Obama in the “war against Hillary” as he realizes the strength of his campaign is her not getting the nomination. He has much work ahead of him being behind once again in New Hampshire polls, but as well is focusing on change. It appears his focus theme for New Hampshire is he will not allow any special interest corporate lobby in his administration. I look for him to go all the way to the convention, but I doubt we will see him nominated, but alas, we have been shocked by these races before.

In summary, it is interesting the discussions as the primary level really have not revolved around the core of what America is generally concerned with right now, which seems to be the economy. It seems we have had many discussions on health care, pulling troops out of Iraq, and more than that, conversations on who is more for change than the other. These are certainly important items, but gas prices at $3.00 per gallon, our companies closing down in the US and moving overseas, and the devaluing of our dollar (better known as inflation) are the issues that seem to have an effect on our daily lives. Things which affect our pocket book everyday are the things I believe are important to Joe Average in America. Up next? The Republicans.

Beliefs – Stand up for them, or Suck.It.Up.

The Challenge

Happy New Year to you and all your loved ones. 2008 has come upon us, and of course we all are reminded of Resolutions which we make and often do not keep. Resolution is defined as the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc. What have you resolved to do in 2008?

Reflecting back on 2007, it was a challenging year. Perhaps we have forgotten much of what happened through 2007, or perhaps you did not. I often need to be reminded. Here are just a few of the things which happened along 2007:

- Nancy Pelosi first female Speaker of the House
- Drama with Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Anna Nicole
- Virginia Tech gunman - 32 people killed
- the final book of Harry Potter
- Lead in China toys
- bridge collapse in Minnesota
- Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's record
- Michael Vick gets arrested for dog fighting
- the "surge" in Iraq appears to make progress
- California wildfires & a severe drought
- Al Gore wins a Nobel Prize for Global Warming film
- Subprime mortgage crashes
- Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto is killed
- and of course the expanded awareness of our own small community to what takes place on a local level.

Is it not interesting when we reflect on a previous year, how we tend to focus more on the bad things which happen, and often pass over the good things which happen?

I believe this will be our challenge for 2008. We must adjust our focus on the goals at hand and make a conscious decision to focus our thoughts on the positives of what 2008 holds for us. As many of you know, I have been quiet the last few weeks with minimal posts. I have watched the commentary. Many of my posts for 2007 revolved around revealing some facts and truths. This will not stop, as my foundational beliefs are in the rights of the people to lawfully receive information of their government entities and for the constituents to hold their elected representatives accountable.

The challenge for all of us in this political season will be to focus our efforts on a positive outcome for our community from this point forward. Yes, we have exposed some ugly points and events that have occurred. Accountability does not end, but it graduates to the next Evolution of stern commitment to moving forward with replacement, and permeating the positive vibe for 2008.

I challenge each of you as well to move to the Next Evolution. Our community, our school, and our children are ready for action. The action for 2008 should be to move forward in a spirit of unity, resolved in our beliefs, with an effort to reflect positively on our upcoming year.

I hope you will join me and welcome the Next Evolution!

Beliefs - Stand up for them or Suck.It.Up

Merry Christmas

Having read through this earlier, I couldn't help post it for Christmas. Enjoy and Merry Christmas.

On this night, a comforting message

By: John Kass

December 24, 2007

"For all the children who should be loved always, but especially on this wondrous night, with our arms around them, and a long good-night kiss on the temple, a kiss more precious than anything wrapped in a box.

For the parents lingering in the doorways of the bedrooms, watching those sleeping shapes. For all the babies who aren't loved and may grow up with a hard crust around their hearts, because someone neglected to plant those kisses and give those hugs.

For every couple that adopts a child to save a life. For those who've tried to have children, but can't. For those who've lost their children. For the kids who've lost their moms and dads.

And for the crazy uncles who will drink too much and tell wacky jokes and put on the red suit and dance outside, before sneaking back in to surprise all those laughing kids. And for the aunts who make sure the coffee is strong, so the crazy uncles sober up.

For the men and women of all the choirs, who've been practicing for months, gathering on weeknights after work in empty churches, so that on this night they may carry us with their harmonies.

And for their voices that gently invite us to humble ourselves, so that we might ask for help to begin scraping away any bitterness that has taken root.

For every friend and relative, uncle and aunt and cousin who haven't waited for this one night to build something important. All year they've been building it, with their concern and love.

They show up on a Thursday afternoon in June, on some cool morning in November. They stop by to see if you are OK. So tonight is theirs, and tomorrow, too, because they are family, by friendship, by blood, by the acts of family.

For those who are far away and can't make it home this year. And for those who've been distant. They figure they've probably been gone too long. They wonder if there still is some chance there is a welcome for them, too.

The door is always open.

Just reach for it and see.

For those who keep their sense of humor, and are able to count to 10 when angry and actually do count to 10, and can forgive after the counting.

And for those who've made bad choices and acknowledge what they've broken.

This is the night that is all about hope. And so, this is the night to begin.

For the guys at the end of the bar, with their smokes, nursing their drinks, half watching the TV, grateful there is a warm place to sit and hear laughter, even the laughter of strangers.

And for the old women alone in their rooms, awake in bed, remembering these nights past and the laughter of children, nights when it wasn't so still, when there was so much to do and a houseful of hungry guests to feed.

For that person at work who laughs too hard at bad jokes and is eager to please, yet is stepped over and can't understand why. For the shy ones at work who would stun you with their grace and talent if they were given half the chance.

For everyone on the night shift tonight, and everyone who has to work tomorrow.

For the families of our police officers, firefighters and paramedics working tonight, and the officers, firefighters and paramedics themselves, who run into danger to help us.

And for all those in hospitals who are ill, who pray for dignity and relief, and for the doctors who take special care of them tonight, and hold their hands; and for the nurses who enter the room later, and pull up a chair, listening to quiet confessions.

For the clergy who struggle with belief, yet find it again, and are renewed.

For every sailor on every ship tonight, and especially those standing watch on the bridge, looking out into cold black water, remembering brightly lit rooms.

For our president and for those who wish to succeed him in the political campaigns, each making loud speeches, knowing that if they do succeed, they too will be terribly alone.

For all the members of the U.S. armed forces who protect us with their bodies. For the members of the intelligence services and the Foreign Service, who put themselves at risk to protect us here at home.

For their parents and their loved ones who wait for them.

For our great nation that faces difficult days.

To those of you whom I've offended by thoughtless and clumsy words and strident tone on bad days. I'm sorry.

And to those of you who've given this column a chance four mornings a week, those who write or call or e-mail, I can't adequately express my thanks. But thank you, again.

For everyone who has kept hold of what's important about this special night.

It is the message brought by that perfect child, born in a manger in Bethlehem so very long ago.

It is all about love.

And I hope it comes to you, and comforts you, and remains.

From my wife, Betty, and our sons, from my mom and from my brothers, and their wives and children, from all of us to all of you and yours.

Merry Christmas."

Great MSTA Article

Will the real experts please stand up?

By MSTA President Linda Schnakenberg

I am mad as hell, and you should be, too. We educators have lost control of our profession. We have given up the ability to map our own direction. We have lost the right to provide input into policies and practices concerning our classrooms. We have stood by and allowed ourselves to be attacked by higher education, politicians and others who proclaim expertise by virtue of having attended public school. We have settled for a few crumbs thrown our way to keep us quiet.

Many entities proclaim to be education experts, but attending school once upon a time does not qualify one as an expert. For example, those in the business world are not education experts. Corporations do, however, have needs and have established expectations and qualifications for their employees, both present and future. Those expectations and qualifications need to be communicated to educators so we can determine the best course of action to prepare our students.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the State Board of Education, and the U.S. Department of Education are not experts either. More often than not, their ideas and policies are unrealistic and impractical. They expound airy rhetoric, impose impossible directives and worship the almighty test as a single determinant of what our students know and are able to do. We are rarely asked, except as token representatives, for valid contributions to any education initiative.

Although it may come as a shock, those in higher education are not experts either. When was the last time a professor spent time in a public-school classroom?

It is time to take back our own profession. We are the experts. Our opinions and suggestions should be valued and sought after, not simply paid lip service. We are in our classrooms each day teaching, working and connecting with young people. We know who our challenges are, what works for our students, when to prod, where to place emphasis, and how to motivate. We deal with parents, administrators and John Q. Public. We make thousands of decisions each day. A few more decisions on behalf of our profession would not tax us too greatly.

One of those decisions should be political. We need to become involved in local elections. We need to elect school-board members who care about kids and education, who are reasonable and who value highly qualified teachers. We also need to elect education-friendly state legislators who listen to us, who will value and seek out our expertise, and who will enact legislation that is practical and realistic.

We must initiate and pass a statewide minimum salary schedule to return some validation to our profession. We should be paid as the professionals that we are.

We need to ask DESE and the Feds questions, and we need to demand explanations. We must present our opinions and thrust our suggestions upon anyone and everyone in those departments. In addition, we should demand that anyone dealing with education issues be required to spend real time in a public school classroom, not just 30-minute drop-ins.

Now is the time. We have waited long enough. We must step outside the comfort of our classroom doors and join together to make our voices heard across the land. Real change will not happen overnight. It will take time, determination and hard work to reclaim our profession, but the odyssey will make us stronger, worthier and in control of our destiny.

Challenge to the Candidates

Greetings all you readers. I have a challenge to offer up to all the Board Member Candidates:

I challenge you all to show up at a Town Hall style meeting where the district voters can ask you questions and hear your answers. I believe this would be beneficial to help clear the air, provide the community a chance to ask their questions, and hear the various positions each person has re: the questions the community has on their minds.

My challenge to the school employees: I challenge every school employee to get involved in the campaigns of your Board members. Choose your candidates of choice, and get involved in their campaigns. Each one will need folks to help put out signs, banners, printed material, and go door to door to ask for votes. This is your opportunity to be involved in helping decide who is on your Board and providing direction to your District for the future. Make no excuses. Donate your time and money.

My challenge to the community: I challenge everyone in the community to get involved in your elections. Donate your time and money to get involved in your campaigns. This is your local school and you all need to be involved. Do not take for granted any election. Exercise your rights and get out the word to VOTE!

Do you see my Vision? Speak to me.