Wednesday, June 3, 2015
A time to introspect
I don't want to write a blog that's just about me rambling about, well, me. No, I aim to write a blog that goes deeper, has some moral or introspective or even macro/micro-sociological relevance. Ultimately, I want to write about subjects that offer hope, encouragement, healing, grace, correction, teaching, and love.
Now, some of you reading this would probably never associate the word, "Love," with me. To you I just say, "You don't know me." You don't know what makes me tick or what makes me smile. You don't know what makes me riled-up or even quiet and pensive. You don't know what gets my heart beating and my emotions all stirred.
The laugh of a baby or an elderly couple holding hands while walking makes me laugh. Memories of loved ones long gone-some because it was their time; and others because their time was taken from them-this makes me both sad and angry.
Senseless tragedies and children intentionally hurt, maimed, and murdered by the people entrusted to care for them-this gets me riled up, ready for battle. I could go on and on.
At the end of the day, what really gets me quiet and pensive and introspective is when I stop and intentionally look at my kid and my family and say, "THANK YOU, GOD!" When I turn off all the negative thoughts, constantly waiting to sneak back into my conscience, to distort and rob me of all that I have to be so damn thankful for.
Now, some of you reading this would probably never associate the word, "Love," with me. To you I just say, "You don't know me." You don't know what makes me tick or what makes me smile. You don't know what makes me riled-up or even quiet and pensive. You don't know what gets my heart beating and my emotions all stirred.
The laugh of a baby or an elderly couple holding hands while walking makes me laugh. Memories of loved ones long gone-some because it was their time; and others because their time was taken from them-this makes me both sad and angry.
Senseless tragedies and children intentionally hurt, maimed, and murdered by the people entrusted to care for them-this gets me riled up, ready for battle. I could go on and on.
At the end of the day, what really gets me quiet and pensive and introspective is when I stop and intentionally look at my kid and my family and say, "THANK YOU, GOD!" When I turn off all the negative thoughts, constantly waiting to sneak back into my conscience, to distort and rob me of all that I have to be so damn thankful for.
Some BIG IFs
Some big IFs
If you oppose any organization that once or still does any of the following: 1. Supports racism and slavery 2. Supports women killing their young... 3. Supports fathers abandoning their families 4. Opposes individual rights to defend yourself with force, of necessary 5. Supports young women in other countries being mutilated 6. Supports the will of the government to direct how you earn and spend your earnings 7. Believes that government is what gives and takes away inalienable rights 8. Believes that God has no place in a society If you oppose any of these, then the Democrat party should have one less member by the end of the day. See More |
Maybe, just maybe
Can someone please explain why leftists and liberals liberally give out vouchers for daycare, food, housing, rent, school food programs, and other types, but, fully resist giving vouchers for school choice?
Maybe, if parents had school choice vouchers, they would choose to send their kids to the same schools the leftists and liberals send their kids to-the same leftists and liberals who oppose school vouchers.
Maybe, if parents had school choice vouchers, their kids would be educated and equipped with marketable skills, which will enable them to independently care for themselves and their families.
Maybe, if parents had school choice vouchers and their kids were properly educated and skilled to care for themselves, they would have no need for the vouchers for daycare, food, housing, and rent, because they would be economically and independently sound to teach and ensure those same principles and values were taught to their children and grandchildren.
Maybe, if parents had school choice vouchers, ultimately, they would not choose the leftist, Democratic party to represent them or their values.
Maybe, just maybe!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Parents WAKE UP-We are raising the next menaces to society!
Today I substituted at a local elementary school-a fourth grade class-and I spent the last half of the day as the hall monitor.
I can only imagine what goes on at home (or doesn't) with most of these kids.
Nine & ten year olds walking the halls, cursing, shouting at teachers, (and those are the least aggressive students) was the norm. One student absolutely refused to listen to anyone and would enter & leave any classroom he pleased, without any repercussions. I asked the counselor if his behavior was a daily occurrence and she replied, "Yes. No one can do anything with him. He doesn't listen to anyone and he stays in the hallway or the classroom as he chooses."
And that is what this student did all day. He interrupted other classrooms, would sit in the hall reading a magazine or sing out loud. He would even walk the hallway and have his pencil scrape over all the lockers as he walked.
Of course, I asked a few administrators and teachers, "Where are the parents? Have they been notified?" I even collected a few names of students and told them I would call their parents on my break-which I attempted to do, only to be shot down by the school secretary with, "Those are the same students we've called about before-with no response."
Can you imagine? When I & most of you reading this were in grade school, we were afraid of the teachers & administrators. Of course there were always class clowns & maybe, maybe one or two bad kids, but even they knew their limits. Teachers had no qualms about pulling us up, even by the collar, but really, in most cases, all it took was having to stay for detention and our behavior & attitude would shape up quickly.
Now, what I'm about to say will undoubtedly make the blood boil in some of you, but, that's never stopped me before: Most of the students in this school were black kids, living in single-parent/female homes, no fathers or significant male role models, and a predominantly female-run school. Most of the students were reading below average (if at all), and most of them could not complete basic science & math problems.
But, these kids knew the latest pop & rap music, artists, fashion trends, & popular television shows.
Most of these kids did not even register the words, 'authority,' or 'adult,' or 'respect,' or the like. And, most of them had no fear when they were told their parents would be contacted about their behavior.
Why am I writing all this? First, I need to vent. I know most of you have heard this story before, either personally or in the national media. Most of us are surely aware of the ill-consequences to families, children, & society when generations of children are raised without dads. Yes, I'm sure you know those data and stats.
Second, I am writing to ask all parents, whether or not your kids attend school X or Y, when is the last time you visited your child's school? When is the last time you actually met & discussed your child's academic progress face-to-face, with your child's teachers?
When is the last time you discussed and accepted that your child's behavior is out of control and your child needs some strict, tough, discipline? When is the last time you faced yourself and admitted to yourself that you are not parenting well and you need some help with properly rearing your child?
When is the last time you actually came to grips with the fact that your child is on the fast-track to being a menace to society?
Do you remember the novel, "Lord of the Flies"? If you do, you have a vivid picture of what that school looked like today.
But, I bet these derelicts will receive the expensive Ipods, Playstations, & other gadgets on Christmas because mommy (and daddy in some cases) believes they are entitled to have their feelings assuaged because mommy would feel so guilty if she carried out the promised consequences for bad behavior.
And the menaces begat menaces.
I can only imagine what goes on at home (or doesn't) with most of these kids.
Nine & ten year olds walking the halls, cursing, shouting at teachers, (and those are the least aggressive students) was the norm. One student absolutely refused to listen to anyone and would enter & leave any classroom he pleased, without any repercussions. I asked the counselor if his behavior was a daily occurrence and she replied, "Yes. No one can do anything with him. He doesn't listen to anyone and he stays in the hallway or the classroom as he chooses."
And that is what this student did all day. He interrupted other classrooms, would sit in the hall reading a magazine or sing out loud. He would even walk the hallway and have his pencil scrape over all the lockers as he walked.
Of course, I asked a few administrators and teachers, "Where are the parents? Have they been notified?" I even collected a few names of students and told them I would call their parents on my break-which I attempted to do, only to be shot down by the school secretary with, "Those are the same students we've called about before-with no response."
Can you imagine? When I & most of you reading this were in grade school, we were afraid of the teachers & administrators. Of course there were always class clowns & maybe, maybe one or two bad kids, but even they knew their limits. Teachers had no qualms about pulling us up, even by the collar, but really, in most cases, all it took was having to stay for detention and our behavior & attitude would shape up quickly.
Now, what I'm about to say will undoubtedly make the blood boil in some of you, but, that's never stopped me before: Most of the students in this school were black kids, living in single-parent/female homes, no fathers or significant male role models, and a predominantly female-run school. Most of the students were reading below average (if at all), and most of them could not complete basic science & math problems.
But, these kids knew the latest pop & rap music, artists, fashion trends, & popular television shows.
Most of these kids did not even register the words, 'authority,' or 'adult,' or 'respect,' or the like. And, most of them had no fear when they were told their parents would be contacted about their behavior.
Why am I writing all this? First, I need to vent. I know most of you have heard this story before, either personally or in the national media. Most of us are surely aware of the ill-consequences to families, children, & society when generations of children are raised without dads. Yes, I'm sure you know those data and stats.
Second, I am writing to ask all parents, whether or not your kids attend school X or Y, when is the last time you visited your child's school? When is the last time you actually met & discussed your child's academic progress face-to-face, with your child's teachers?
When is the last time you discussed and accepted that your child's behavior is out of control and your child needs some strict, tough, discipline? When is the last time you faced yourself and admitted to yourself that you are not parenting well and you need some help with properly rearing your child?
When is the last time you actually came to grips with the fact that your child is on the fast-track to being a menace to society?
Do you remember the novel, "Lord of the Flies"? If you do, you have a vivid picture of what that school looked like today.
But, I bet these derelicts will receive the expensive Ipods, Playstations, & other gadgets on Christmas because mommy (and daddy in some cases) believes they are entitled to have their feelings assuaged because mommy would feel so guilty if she carried out the promised consequences for bad behavior.
And the menaces begat menaces.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
No beatin' 'round the bush!
Kid: Mommy, all kids need fathers, right?
Me: Yes, kids need fathers & mothers.
Kid: But, if a kid doesn’t have a father, can he go to a foster parent?
Me: Well, some kids live in foster homes-and, thank God for those foster parents who
take care of those kids. ...
Kid: So, what’s a guardian?
Me: A guardian is someone that takes care of a kid if the parents can’t or won’t take care of their own kids-like a foster parent.
Kid: Well, why would a parent NOT take care of their own kids?
Me: Sometimes parents are sick and can’t take care of their kids. Sometimes parents die in accidents or from their illness. Sometimes parents just don’t take care of their kids.
Kid: Oh, so you mean when a parent just doesn’t take care of their kids then they are lazy and not being responsible, right?
Me: Yes…I guess so!
Kid: Then, why do they make the children if they are not going to take care of them?
Me: That’s a good question.
Kid: (Thinking out loud) Maybe they are just selfish!
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