The Affordable Health Care Act, Scotus, Romney, Obama - Oh My!

The Affordable Healthcare Act, Scotus, Romney, Obama - Oh My!

So, it's been a pretty big week for... CNN and FOX news.  Both of whom were so aggressive in getting the Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Health Care Act, or if you prefer, Obama Care out, that they spent 13 minutes and nearly 3 minutes respectively promoting the wrong decision.  To Fox's credit they made their adjustment much faster than CNN did. But, really, don't each of these networks have people watching other networks, Twitter or even the AP news app? Isn't the goal of News in general to get the story right? I got the headline from the AP news app (Supreme Court upholds the Affordable Healthcare Act), on my iPhone about 10:03 Thursday morning.  So, since I'm a teacher and you know teachers have their summers off for lollygagging, I was home, lollygagging.  I turned on the television and first went to FOX, expecting them to be downtrodden.  Huh? What? The decision gutted the Act? Then I went on to CNN, Huh? What? The decision gutted the Act? Was AP wrong? Then I hopped online to MPR.org, they had the same headline as AP.  Could FOX and CNN both be wrong?

Yes.

And therein proves the problem with News in general currently, but cable news in particular. The story itself has become secondary to the slant, to being first on the soapbox to yell and scream for more... Or is that ice cream?

In an age where technology allows us to be instantly updated with virtually any and every news story across the planet, are we also one of the least informed people in the last 100 years? If you watch one network news, cable or regular television, that tells people about you.  How'd that come to be? My brother keeps promoting this idea of "the evil of mainstream media..." But, he watches Fox pretty regularly, isn't Fox mainstream media? If your viewership is larger than the next 3 networks combined, you are also mainstream media, regardless of what you promote yourself to be.  My brother is a smart guy, a barrister for goodness sakes, and we came from the same parents (or so I'm told), but I do not know how or where he picked up his lens for the world.

After getting the straight poop, finally, on the fact that for the most part in a 5-4 ruling with President George W. Bush's Chief Justice appointee, John Roberts being the deciding factor, the Supreme Court upheld President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act. And although I've skimmed roughly half of the 190 page decision (actually, an interesting read, by the way), what it comes down to is that Chief Justice Robert's basically said that legally, as a tax, the Act is constitutional and in force. But really, what he did, they did, and should have by the way; was tell Congress that their not getting involved in what is a HUGE political football and that Congress and the President needs to figure it out for themselves.  I took the dogs, and decided to do some more lollygagging up on the North woods of Minnesota, because, you know, I have my summers off...

While on the way to the lollygagging, I listened to MPR on the radio and their coverage. Does being an MPR listener (and proud member, by the way) tell you something about me? Probably.

MPR had on people who thought the decision was great and people who thought the decision was not so much great. Each side kept selling their beliefs (without yelling -for the most part - by the way), and I do not know or care, what the MPR moderator thought of the decision - they never said nor were asked.  However, a caller from Cannon Falls called "just to say that the Supreme Court's decision is the END of the United States." and promptly hung up. Fox news viewer? Maybe.  I, myself, thought that with the end of the Mayan calendar coming this December, and the end of the world happening; the end of the US was not that big of a deal.

President Obama came on and was more subdued than I expected him to be, having just gotten a big WIN or maybe he also felt, like the caller from Cannon Falls, that the END of the US was neigh. Anyways, two comments from the President's statement stuck with me. 1)That he did this not because it was good politics... Ya think? 2)He was willing to continue to work on it.

Governor Mitt Romney, or as he's referred to now, Presumptive Nominee Mitt Romney made his statement as well. On a side note, I think I'd prefer Governor to Presumptive Nominee... So, Governor Romney comes to tell us that he thinks the Supreme Court made mistake and that if elected, the first thing he'll do is repeal the Affordable Health Care Act.  But that he wants to work with Congress to find a way to insure all, to get rid of people being denied for pre-existing conditions... Wait, isn't that what the Supreme Court just upheld? (scratching head).

I don't know much, just ask my students who are also lollygagging away their summers, but I believe that the US will continue; assuming the world survives the end of the Mayan calendar on December 22.  That throughout the history of the US and most countries for that matter, decisions are made, bills are made into law, things happen that appear to some people to be the WORST. POSSIBLE. THING. EVER. but somehow we just keep swimming. Shout out there to "Finding Nemo". In the last 150 years the US has survived a civil war over slavery, whether or not to get involved in two world wars, a Great Depression (The 1930's, not now), Civil Rights, Medicare, Social Security - both it's birth and apparent soon ending- and many other things that were "going to tear the country a part" or be, to quote the caller from Cannon Falls, "...the end of the United States." And yet, here we are, plugging along.

I recently read General Colin Powell's 13 rules for leadership and the first one is That Things Are Never As Bad As They Seem. The unspoken or unwritten counter to that is that Things Are Never As Good As They Seem. And at the end of the day, that's what we need to keep in mind. Regardless of where you come from politically, we, the United States of America will continue and decisions will be made and laws passed that you agree with or don't agree with, and that's okay. Our diversity is what makes us great, what makes us strong. Chief Justice John Roberts made a decision that he knew would bring him a great deal of flack from his perceived "side", but he did what he thought was right regardless. While I wish we had more men and women who were able to do that, as long as we have a few, I feel confident we'll be all right.

I'll leave you with my favorite Margaret Mead quote:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"

What the Heck Happened?

This was originally written fall of 2011

So, we're heading into the fall, the holidays are on the way.  In a matter of 3 weeks, all hell breaks loose. The European Union is on the cliff overlooking a canyon of financial disaster and the E.U. breaking up. Steve Jobs, Andy Rooney, Smokin' Joe Frazier and rapper Heavy D, died.  The Republican Presidential race has turned into a "Democrats and most importantly Obama are the cause of all of your problems" media campaign interspersed with Bi-weekly debates the shines the spotlights on each candidates weaknesses.

What the Heck Happened?

Sooo... It's been awhile since I last stopped in to write. Blogging is an interesting process, as a naturally private person, it's not natural for me to share me.  Which, at the end of the day, is kinda of the thing about a blog.

Who am I writing for, me or a public audience? If it's just for me, then what's the point?  If it's for a wider audience, than how much do I edit myself? As a public school teacher, I'm sort of a public figure, do I worry about that? Do I only write about things that are "safe"?

Eyes, used to be the pathway to the soul, now it's your blog.

To blog, or not to blog, that is the question. However, I'm since I'm already here writing this way too deep opening, obviously I'll blog.

If my blog is boring and poorly written to start, I apologize. I'll get better. Like anything else, writing takes practice. So, my blog will be my practice. The coaches in the room will stick around because they get this concept.

So, here I go, thanks for reading.

Gene Simmons, Shannon Tweed, Nick and Sophie... Oh, My!

So, my wife and I have been watching Gene Simmons Family Jewels (GSFJ, from here on out) for the last five or six years.  It's been kind of an odd choice for us, as we're not "reality TV" people as a rule.  Sure, "Dirty Jobs", Bear Grylls and of course some "Deadliest Jobs" but none of the shows with people shouting "Look at me, look at me!"  No "American Idol", "So You Think You Can Dance", "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette" etc... And of all things, I'm not a fan of KISS, as a whole.

So, we stumbled across it one night and were amazed by the "normalness" of the family.  Rock star Gene, was the teased, put upon, hard working Father (not husband!).  Shannon, the Mother (not Wife!), organizer and core/glue of the family; as well as former model and actress.  Oldest son and wiseass, Nick, who is tall and talented and appears perpetually bemused.  Finally, Sophie, daughter and former daddy's girl.  Like Nick, talented but more motivated with a huge heart.  We watched, waiting for the other foot to drop; waiting for some of "The Osbornes" craziness.  That craziness never came.  Gene worked, and got into jams.  Shannon did her thing, followed Gene and got into her own hi-jinx with younger sister Tracy.  The kids lived their lives, went to school, made friends.  Nick created his own comic and began his music career.  Sophie pushed herself academically, played sports, toyed with fashion/art and also sang.   Gene and Shannon, while "happily unmarried" appeared to be great parents and terribly in love.

Over the years, we became attached to them, almost like friends we'll never meet.  In conversation when we spoke about Gene or Shannon or Nick or Sophie, my wife and I knew who we were talking about.  We don't make a big deal about our friendship with them, but we know.

Gene has always lived the Rocker lifestyle and with that were the rumors of his many affairs and indiscretions.  We waited for that to disrupt the show, and they appeared to go blithely on. They even ran a storyline where Gene was going to take a lie detector to prove his fidelity.  We, like many, were relieved when he passed.

Then came this season of GSFJ, and the shit hit the fan.  Shannon had had enough. Gene tried to charm his way out of it.  Shrapnel everywhere.  At first people assumed it was just for ratings, a ploy.  But if you watch closely and really listen.  It's real.  People are hurt and lost.  Shannon has been quoted multiple times that "The last 8 years have been a bitch." Most of that 8 years has been filmed for public consumption.  In hindsight, you wonder if they all knew it was going to come to this.  And while it came racing to meet them, they were just making the best of it. Biding their time and hoping against hope that they'd be able to avoid "The Family Killer" asteroid hurtling towards them.

Unfortunately, this is real life, it's not the movie "Armageddon" where everyone, except the crew live.  It's more like "Deep Impact", some survive, some don't; but there will be long lasting damage.

It is painfully obvious that these people do, really, love each other.  But, as all of us know, love without honesty and respect is empty and terribly unsatisfying.  It's also, at the end of the day, painful in a lasting, bitter way.

Gene's behavior and words have resonated with families across the country.  "It's all compartmentalized" comment from last night episode really struck a cord with me from my own relationship with my father. Sophie made the insight last night as well "That we all have daddy issues...but we're normal" Her comment and subsequent ones from both her and Nick spoke volumes about... Them.  Their maturity and intelligence.  Gene claims that that's all Shannon and the parenting she did while he spent most of their childhoods on the road, which is probably mostly (Ok 98%) true.  But, it cannot be discounted Gene's impact on them... both the good and bad.  It appears that they've figured out early, what many of us figure out later; that as children it's our job to take the good from our parents and learn from the bad.

Gene's infidelity and as Nick commented at one point "lack of of examining/reflecting upon his life (sic)" are the reason our friends, the Simmons/Tweed clan is in this predicament. That Gene is an expert at lies of omission should not be a surprise to anybody.  But his excuses ring hollow, and as Shannon keeps pointing out, inexcusable for a "61 year old man".  So, the question is, can he change? Can Gene walk the walk and follow thru. Will he be able to repair his relationship with Shannon, Nick and Sophie? Will he put in the work?

Ultimately, and we may be in the minority here, the fact that this family is willing to keep the camera's rolling while they went through all of this has set a great example for people going through similar ordeals.  That Gene has allowed the camera's to film him being exposed by his family in this way without storming out or blowing up, is a credit to him.  Gene is being humbled and perhaps that's what the "God of Rock" needs the most. Our father's, my wife and I's, both were humbled by illness, and that is what it took for us to reconnect with them.

So what will happen to our friends? I don't know.  The comments from Shannon and Gene online as well as the show leave it up for conjecture.  It's been hard to watch at times. If Shannon say's "Yes" to Gene's upcoming proposal, I hope she and the kids continue to hold him accountable. And that Gene continues to put in the work with Dr. Wexler, who by way, will probably have to build the Simmons wing to her office for all the new clients she'll get. There's bridges to repair and as we know those repairs take time.  If Shannon say's "No." to the proposal and moves on with the "next phase" of her life, we wish her the best. But in the end, I want to thank this family for sharing their good times and now, their bad times. They have set an example of what a real family should be on television...an in "real" life, whatever that is.

Old Friends...

I read somewhere the following quote; "There's no friend like an old friend."

Recently, okay last night, my wife and I met up with friends I've known for more than 20 years. I don't want to get too specific, because as women, they're protective of their age. Suffice it to say, we go back a long ways.

Anyways, we haven't seen each other in, we figured out last night, five years. To me, it couldn't have been more than two years. Life and Geography are the key reason's we don't see each other more often. Oregon, Illinois and of course the great state of Minnesota are our current stomping grounds. Sure we keep up via Facebook, email and the yearly Christmas card from Illinois.

But being together, reconnecting, talking with them and their spouses it's like no time spent on Facebook or email. This visit, I got to see their growing children. Five years ago, the children were...smaller. The youngest actually, had just turned one. Now, they're like real little people. Each with his or her own personality. It's such a thing to look at the children of your Old Friends and see the pieces of them in their children. A mannerism, a smile, an expression, whatever; it's just cool.

Oregon and Illinois are sisters, in many ways as different as any two siblings I've ever met... And yet, so close and alike as to leave no doubt about their sisterhood. Who knew 20 odd years ago, how life was going to turn out? Who knew 20 odd years ago that we'd all be living successful, happy lives... within reason of course, let's not get crazy here. Who knew 20 odd years ago, that we'd still be friends?

Count me fortunate. You know, life gets in the way sometimes. We meet new people. We make new friends. But, it's true, there are no friends like Old Friends.

Really...Really?

So, the State of Minnesota is shut down as the Republican lead legislature play "Chicken" with the newly elected Democratic Governor. Meanwhile, in the nations capital, hyper-partisanship is preventing the House and the President from being able to come to any kind of agreement on debt reduction as the impending debt default rises to meet them.

What has become of our country when the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many? I am terribly concerned and disappointed in how our "Democracy" is currently operating.

It appears to me, sitting in the Cheap Seats, that a vocal minority has taken control of this country. I don't believe that that is the foundation upon which this country was founded. Politics has become "Black and White", "I'm right and You're wrong". How can we get anything done with that attitude? Have the people we've elected to lead us forgotten about the concept of Compromise?

It seems that compromise has become a sign of weakness. How sad is that? There is no longer a concept of Win/Win. Only I win/ You lose. And at the end of the day, the only ones who lose are all of us.

Response to NYTimes article on Education

As a teacher in a high poverty district in Minnesota, I get that teaching young men and women who come from poverty is difficult. However, I am very troubled - as is Mr. Tough, by the idea that these school leaders are referring to their students as "oranges" and "grapefruits". The inherent bias and belief that their students are DIFFERENT than other kids and so should have lower expectations is insulting to those students and their families. It reminds me of a scene from "Lethal Weapon 2", please stay with me. Danny Glover's character goes to the South African embassy and is talking to a worker there, telling him that he wants to become a South African citizen. Incredulously, the embassy workers blurts out "But, but, you're BLACK!"

Turn that scene around, one of the students walks into the office of these school leaders and say's "I want to go graduate, I want to go to college." The leader looks at the student and blurts out "But, but, you're POOR!"

Poverty is an obstacle. Single parent families can be an obstacle, but not always. As a front line teacher, the biggest obstacle, in my humble opinion is Belief and Faith.

1)Belief in the Value of Education and the that the hard work will pay off.
2)Faith. Faith in themselves. That they can do it. Faith that their teachers are willing to work with them.

High Expectations are what is needed here, not lower. I have variations of the following conversation multiple times every school year.

"I know you've got some tough things going on in your life. But, I'm going to continue to push you, because I believe in you and want you to be the best you can be."

If we fail these students with low expectations, our country will struggle to rebuild it's economy and hold it's global position. Because graduate or not, what jobs are these students going to be able to perform? What will their quality of life be? We need to break the cycle.