What a political mess, nationwide and in this state! With all of the happenings as the legislative session ended here, one could not help but reflect on how we arrived at this point. When trying to unravel the events you find that state politics and national politics are intertwined as one impacts the other so drastically. But at this point in this long entry let me get one point straight initially, I am not a Jesse Helms type right winger but neither am I a Clinton type left winger. I suppose most people would call me the person on the fence and since I don't give a flip what people say that is OK with me!! I can do my own thinking, thank you.
North Carolina has always been somewhat conservative due to its agricultural holdings. However, with that being a fact in the time I have lived in this state the majority of governors have been Democratic. The Republican governors elected in the years with which I am familiar have been more middle of the road Republican. In addition to that the legislative body has never had a Republican majority until now.( In my day, anyway.) Therefore, I found myself pondering how this came about and how a Republican governor was elected, as well.
My conclusions were and remember this is only my opinion: North Carolina still remains anti-minority / integration -- whether Black or Hispanic, or Asian. North Carolina always favors and votes for the Republican candidate for president -- even Mitt Romney. In spite of the northern population influx here, there is really intense dislike for Obama so much so that the state swung right in most cases. For the first time in more years than anyone alive remembers NC wound up with a Republican governor and a Republican legislative majority. My thinking is that it all happened due to that one factor -- Obama.
The Republican politicians in this state had an agenda --I called it their Grudge-Bucket List. They had been threatening and complaining all while putting their list together and collecting grudges from their contributors and their supporters. All of those went on the G-B List and they just laid in wait for their day to come. Let me make it clear that I see nothing wrong with some of the items passed that were included on their G-B List!! I am just writing what I believe happened and trying to keep abreast of this argument I am trying to make.
I don't believe that John Q Public believed that those elected legislators would come to town and achieve what they have. Perhaps the citizenry believed all was idle threats or they were just not as attuned as they should have been. Some became convinced as the session moved along, but it really didn't matter. The legislators had an agenda and they were hell-bent on making it live!! And they did! Now comes the whining and the crying. The next several elections will tell the story in terms of results of what the majority believes, thinks and commits to in this state.
I still say, what a mess, folks!!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Playing Political Football
Throughout this legislative session I have commented on the crazy seemingly outlandish 'doings" and behaviors of the representatives participating. Their job has been a difficult one in determining what to do in attending to the needs of the state while balancing a budget in difficult economic times. However, it has been obvious that the majority of this group had an agenda or a bucket list they had been saving for decades to reform and undo the laws of the Ole North State. It makes one wonder why people have flocked to this state to live and work since the 1950's if it had so much that needed correcting!!
Some of the laws that have been undone and some that have been passed seem to be part of a political agenda that is vindictive. It makes me think of a "Gotcha Plan." One is left to wonder how long it will take the other party to undo what this group has spent so much doing in this session.
I do not pretend to be an authority on politics or economics but I am not exactly stupid either. Considering myself more of an Independent politically, I often can see both sides of an issue while trying to weigh which side has more to gain and which more to lose when a bill is passed or changed. It would seem to me that this would be the job of those elected. However, as constituents, we all feel our area or district will profit more if legislation goes our way rather than looking at the big picture of what is best or better for the state.
Perhaps I have a one-sided or lopsided view of Education and how it has been dealt with by this legislative session but I prefer to think otherwise. I spent many years in a career in the field. Personal experiences carve their meaning on your soul. I have had experience(s) teaching school in three states. I started so many years ago that I can remember difficult days that teachers today can only fathom. Pay was little, materials were few, support was meager at best if at all, yet we loved what we were doing. Some of us were born with the desire to teach hidden deep, deep, inside of us. Thus, we persevered throughout difficult days and years. Today due to advances of society in regard to women, teachers are not sticking with a difficult career but are ready to move to another field when their expectations flounder. The handwriting is on the wall yet politicians refuse to see. In this legislative session tenure has been pulled from teachers. Why?? My view is that teachers having tenure presents evaluators with the task of not just appearing in a classroom and flipping out an evaluation or perhaps not appearing and flipping out an eval but documenting a number of times a weakness or problem, of or, with an individual after having met with him or her individually initially and providing an avenue for training and or correction and then re-evaluating. The preferred way is to fire an individual on the spot without due process. The latter leaves open avenues to be discussed in another post.
Another issue is the removal of increased pay for advanced education. I can visualize teachers fleeing with this their plight. Who wants to further their education and skills at considerable cost plus an investment of time and energy when it doesn't seem to matter? What happened to the talk about improving teaching techniques for the benefit of students or the ever popular Quality Education??? Apparently it doesn't matter to these legislators. Another "bragging point" has been the number of teachers in North Carolina with National Board Certification proving their abilities. Not important, now!!
Another sore spot is the encouraging of parents to find other means of educating youngsters with the implication that public schools are not desirable. The insinuation is that better education can be found by accepting vouchers to charter and private schools and that the state should fund these by taking these funds out of the public education funds. While legislators have lots of jargon and rhetoric to support this, it is difficult to understand. It would seem that they might have considered taking funds from another source rather than the public school allotment to support privatization.
What a convoluted mess!!! Who has an answer for this??
Some of the laws that have been undone and some that have been passed seem to be part of a political agenda that is vindictive. It makes me think of a "Gotcha Plan." One is left to wonder how long it will take the other party to undo what this group has spent so much doing in this session.
I do not pretend to be an authority on politics or economics but I am not exactly stupid either. Considering myself more of an Independent politically, I often can see both sides of an issue while trying to weigh which side has more to gain and which more to lose when a bill is passed or changed. It would seem to me that this would be the job of those elected. However, as constituents, we all feel our area or district will profit more if legislation goes our way rather than looking at the big picture of what is best or better for the state.
Perhaps I have a one-sided or lopsided view of Education and how it has been dealt with by this legislative session but I prefer to think otherwise. I spent many years in a career in the field. Personal experiences carve their meaning on your soul. I have had experience(s) teaching school in three states. I started so many years ago that I can remember difficult days that teachers today can only fathom. Pay was little, materials were few, support was meager at best if at all, yet we loved what we were doing. Some of us were born with the desire to teach hidden deep, deep, inside of us. Thus, we persevered throughout difficult days and years. Today due to advances of society in regard to women, teachers are not sticking with a difficult career but are ready to move to another field when their expectations flounder. The handwriting is on the wall yet politicians refuse to see. In this legislative session tenure has been pulled from teachers. Why?? My view is that teachers having tenure presents evaluators with the task of not just appearing in a classroom and flipping out an evaluation or perhaps not appearing and flipping out an eval but documenting a number of times a weakness or problem, of or, with an individual after having met with him or her individually initially and providing an avenue for training and or correction and then re-evaluating. The preferred way is to fire an individual on the spot without due process. The latter leaves open avenues to be discussed in another post.
Another issue is the removal of increased pay for advanced education. I can visualize teachers fleeing with this their plight. Who wants to further their education and skills at considerable cost plus an investment of time and energy when it doesn't seem to matter? What happened to the talk about improving teaching techniques for the benefit of students or the ever popular Quality Education??? Apparently it doesn't matter to these legislators. Another "bragging point" has been the number of teachers in North Carolina with National Board Certification proving their abilities. Not important, now!!
Another sore spot is the encouraging of parents to find other means of educating youngsters with the implication that public schools are not desirable. The insinuation is that better education can be found by accepting vouchers to charter and private schools and that the state should fund these by taking these funds out of the public education funds. While legislators have lots of jargon and rhetoric to support this, it is difficult to understand. It would seem that they might have considered taking funds from another source rather than the public school allotment to support privatization.
What a convoluted mess!!! Who has an answer for this??
Friday, July 12, 2013
How Do You Think
How often do you allow someone else to take over your free agency? How often do you allow someone to exercise dominion over you? Do you ever allow anyone to use persuasion on you to the extent that you change your way of thinking about something? Do you ever consciously allow anyone to do your thinking for you? Do you ever give someone permission to control you?
I am assuming as you read this you are thinking, "No, woman, are you crazy? What would make you think that?"
This is what would make me think about that! I sometimes see people (I know) being blindly led along by people they know basing their reasoning or thinking on someone else's brain power! People don't do their own thinking! It is alarming and at times can be totally disgusting. Some folks hear about a heated issue, political issue, or just an everyday issue with which we all deal, and rather than doing their own study of the issue, its pros and cons, they listen to all of the other voices in their circle(s) and at times the community to make decisions. It makes for much misinformation and at times undesirable consequences.
I find it really disturbing. I see folks I know and consider fairly grounded in basic principles coming across as very narrow minded and taking the path of those without a full knowledge. I sometimes want to shake them really hard and say. "THINK!" "You have not thought this through and have hastily made judgments without looking at the big picture. You are not basing your judgment on all of the truth available to you."
Just the thoughts of an old lady on a rainy day!
I am assuming as you read this you are thinking, "No, woman, are you crazy? What would make you think that?"
This is what would make me think about that! I sometimes see people (I know) being blindly led along by people they know basing their reasoning or thinking on someone else's brain power! People don't do their own thinking! It is alarming and at times can be totally disgusting. Some folks hear about a heated issue, political issue, or just an everyday issue with which we all deal, and rather than doing their own study of the issue, its pros and cons, they listen to all of the other voices in their circle(s) and at times the community to make decisions. It makes for much misinformation and at times undesirable consequences.
I find it really disturbing. I see folks I know and consider fairly grounded in basic principles coming across as very narrow minded and taking the path of those without a full knowledge. I sometimes want to shake them really hard and say. "THINK!" "You have not thought this through and have hastily made judgments without looking at the big picture. You are not basing your judgment on all of the truth available to you."
Just the thoughts of an old lady on a rainy day!
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Jes Rambling!!
This is just rambling --- if you don't like rambling -- don't bother to read a word of it!!
So....this is my entry on a July day from the glorious steamy south. I think I shall write about whatever comes to mind on this day ---because this is my blog and I can! How is that for an attitude! The attitude is so "bad" that it closely resembles that of the legislators of this state now in session for the umpteenth week. I have lived in this state more years than I have lived in any other and having lived in the capital city have witnessed a lot of legislative sessions. Of all, this is the wildest ever!! These folks are just undisciplined and crazy. There is really not another adequate way to describe them. At the moment they are reforming abortion laws in the state. The governor (and this is significant because the governor and legislative majority are of like parties) keeps telling the legislators that he will veto their bill the way it is written should they pass it and send it to him. Last night they re-wrote the bill and tagged it onto another piece of legislation while most of their constituents were getting their sleeping hours in. Today the governor again reminded them of his intentions. He keeps saying there is a fine line between safety and denial of access.????? Go figure! While I personally feel abortion is morally wrong there are a few instances in which it might have to happen -- and I don't know for a surety exactly when life begins so I will not debate that here.
On to other issues -- the Brunswick County beaches are under attack for safety because folks keep swimming out and getting caught in rip tides, Last week was especially deadly. It seems many, many swimmers don't understand what to do or how to swim parallel to the coast to get out of the current, panic, and perhaps do all of the wrong things. Several have died trying to save others. Then last night another deck fell from a condo second floor onto a concrete patio injuring a majority of the twenty-five people located on it. According to hospital reports lots suffered broken bones, lacerations, trauma and shock. They were fortunate the injuries weren't worse. It would be wonderful to have a nice quiet rest of the summer but knowing the nature of the human spirit .....well, I rather not say more.
My own troubles as of today consist of two areas but first let me comment on one area for which I am eternally grateful. It is summer time and the time of year when I usually make those annual appointments for a physical and all of the other components required therein. So thus far, I have had the physical part from my family doctor, seen the dermatologist for needed attention and treatment and had that annual mammogram. The next visit scheduled is the dreaded colonoscopy since the tenth year has rolled up since the last one!! Let's just get it over this month and get on with whatever. I have been blessed with very good health and often have feelings of guilt wondering whether I have used my days on this earth as I should. I retired several years ago after dislocating and breaking my shoulder and tearing the muscles off the rotator cuff. That part of me is put together with a little titanium and I am on go again! So...I would love to get a job and just go back to work and work for the rest of my life -- if I productively could. I love being busy and "anxiously engaged" in something I enjoy doing. I enjoy doing service for others as well. I taught school beginning at age nineteen until a few years ago. Seems I need to do something related but what???????? I worked with gifted students, regular classroom students, remedial Math deficient students and teachers. I am thinking....what to do....!
My other area of concern is the health of my older schnauzer girl and learning how to manage diabetes in a canine It is a daily puzzle. I am learning - - but perhaps slowly. I lost my first schnauzer to cancer -- a mean one that entangled itself into the blood vessels and muscles of my little girl. It was hard to watch her and then have to make that dreadful decision for her. Life is full of tough decisions.
I am finished ramblin' for now! No more -- gone!
So....this is my entry on a July day from the glorious steamy south. I think I shall write about whatever comes to mind on this day ---because this is my blog and I can! How is that for an attitude! The attitude is so "bad" that it closely resembles that of the legislators of this state now in session for the umpteenth week. I have lived in this state more years than I have lived in any other and having lived in the capital city have witnessed a lot of legislative sessions. Of all, this is the wildest ever!! These folks are just undisciplined and crazy. There is really not another adequate way to describe them. At the moment they are reforming abortion laws in the state. The governor (and this is significant because the governor and legislative majority are of like parties) keeps telling the legislators that he will veto their bill the way it is written should they pass it and send it to him. Last night they re-wrote the bill and tagged it onto another piece of legislation while most of their constituents were getting their sleeping hours in. Today the governor again reminded them of his intentions. He keeps saying there is a fine line between safety and denial of access.????? Go figure! While I personally feel abortion is morally wrong there are a few instances in which it might have to happen -- and I don't know for a surety exactly when life begins so I will not debate that here.
On to other issues -- the Brunswick County beaches are under attack for safety because folks keep swimming out and getting caught in rip tides, Last week was especially deadly. It seems many, many swimmers don't understand what to do or how to swim parallel to the coast to get out of the current, panic, and perhaps do all of the wrong things. Several have died trying to save others. Then last night another deck fell from a condo second floor onto a concrete patio injuring a majority of the twenty-five people located on it. According to hospital reports lots suffered broken bones, lacerations, trauma and shock. They were fortunate the injuries weren't worse. It would be wonderful to have a nice quiet rest of the summer but knowing the nature of the human spirit .....well, I rather not say more.
My own troubles as of today consist of two areas but first let me comment on one area for which I am eternally grateful. It is summer time and the time of year when I usually make those annual appointments for a physical and all of the other components required therein. So thus far, I have had the physical part from my family doctor, seen the dermatologist for needed attention and treatment and had that annual mammogram. The next visit scheduled is the dreaded colonoscopy since the tenth year has rolled up since the last one!! Let's just get it over this month and get on with whatever. I have been blessed with very good health and often have feelings of guilt wondering whether I have used my days on this earth as I should. I retired several years ago after dislocating and breaking my shoulder and tearing the muscles off the rotator cuff. That part of me is put together with a little titanium and I am on go again! So...I would love to get a job and just go back to work and work for the rest of my life -- if I productively could. I love being busy and "anxiously engaged" in something I enjoy doing. I enjoy doing service for others as well. I taught school beginning at age nineteen until a few years ago. Seems I need to do something related but what???????? I worked with gifted students, regular classroom students, remedial Math deficient students and teachers. I am thinking....what to do....!
My other area of concern is the health of my older schnauzer girl and learning how to manage diabetes in a canine It is a daily puzzle. I am learning - - but perhaps slowly. I lost my first schnauzer to cancer -- a mean one that entangled itself into the blood vessels and muscles of my little girl. It was hard to watch her and then have to make that dreadful decision for her. Life is full of tough decisions.
I am finished ramblin' for now! No more -- gone!
Monday, July 8, 2013
Just Another Episode
Doggie diabetes and pancreatitis have to be some of the worst although I thought bladder stones and a brachial plexis tumor were the worst when my Sassy was plagued with those two, one of which took her life. In our house we just go from one crisis with these problems to another. We think we are getting them managed only to find out it was just a wish not a true happening. Diabetes in a canine is sort of like the most frustrating guessing game. And the pancreatitis part is like a big black horror or black cloud hanging back some where just waiting to descend.
At this moment my mind is so blown from all of this --- that I have no more to say. Lucky for the reader!!
At this moment my mind is so blown from all of this --- that I have no more to say. Lucky for the reader!!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Piper's Schnauzer IQ
Well, folks I am here to declare that my doggie's IQ is either on the rise or mine is declining superfast!! My Piper schnauzer has been back in the vet hospital for several days this week due to problems with the diabetes and pancreatitis. I checked her out and brought her home about mid-day yesterday. Since then I feel like I have been walking on eggs trying to trip my way through this disease and its compiications. I brought home three types of canned dog food recommended by the veteranians. She doesn't want any of them thus I have a problem. They are all low calorie / low fat. She thinks they are yuck (and so do I)!!I can't get her to eat more than a taste or two ---unless it is a treat!! She will be glad to eat all of those you will allow in addition to one kind of kibble that I have with a fat content too high for her with pancreatitis.
I was talking to her this morning and trying to bribe her along while she was playing really sick. I asked her if she wanted to go for a walk. She listened. I asked if she wanted to go outside. She listened and we did. We went into the yard and tinkled and came back inside. She drank a lap or two of water and I then insulted her again by trying to get her to eat some of the yucky food. All the while I am talking to her. I came through the house and was doing several things and here she comes.....trot..trot..trot..and takes a stance near me. I moved around working and she follows me, takes a stance and looks up at me again. So, I start questioning her trying to figure out what she needs. When I exhausted the list several times I remembered I had mentioned the magic word -- walk -- again. That was it!! So, we put on the leash and out we go for a walk -- in the heat and humidity. She loved it --walked, smelled, tinkled, pooed, walked some more, smelled, and tinkled. We walked a pretty good distance and then came back.
When we got home she got some water and was resting. I insulted her again by offering some more of the yucky stuff which she promptly refused! So.....I am left with the dilemma. What am I going to feed this girl? Oh, and I forgot to mention that exercise decreases the need for insulin. Thus, I have another problem! Balance the insulin with the food and exercise!
What do you think??? I am thinking I am not toooo smart!!
I was talking to her this morning and trying to bribe her along while she was playing really sick. I asked her if she wanted to go for a walk. She listened. I asked if she wanted to go outside. She listened and we did. We went into the yard and tinkled and came back inside. She drank a lap or two of water and I then insulted her again by trying to get her to eat some of the yucky food. All the while I am talking to her. I came through the house and was doing several things and here she comes.....trot..trot..trot..and takes a stance near me. I moved around working and she follows me, takes a stance and looks up at me again. So, I start questioning her trying to figure out what she needs. When I exhausted the list several times I remembered I had mentioned the magic word -- walk -- again. That was it!! So, we put on the leash and out we go for a walk -- in the heat and humidity. She loved it --walked, smelled, tinkled, pooed, walked some more, smelled, and tinkled. We walked a pretty good distance and then came back.
When we got home she got some water and was resting. I insulted her again by offering some more of the yucky stuff which she promptly refused! So.....I am left with the dilemma. What am I going to feed this girl? Oh, and I forgot to mention that exercise decreases the need for insulin. Thus, I have another problem! Balance the insulin with the food and exercise!
What do you think??? I am thinking I am not toooo smart!!
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