New York City public education

"Last year, 16 percent of kids in grades three, four and five passed the state math exam — well below the 41 percent citywide average; 19 percent passed the English exam, compared to 40 percent citywide. The 2016 exams had fewer questions and gave students unlimited time to finish."

The above is taken from a New York Post  article about one elementary school.  What is striking, demoralizing so, are the cited city wide averages of 41 percent for math and 40 percent for English state exam scores.  Focus on those numbers for a moment.

In New York City, the averages for math and English are 41% and 40% respectively.  How, we must ask, can students succeed in the light of those scores?  How are they being prepared to succeed as citizens in our nation?  This, in a city dominated by Democrats, with some of the highest per student spending on education in the nation.  According to the US Census figures from 2013, New York City public schools spent the second most amount per student ($20,331) in the nation.  Only Boston ($20,502) spent more.

How do the people of New York stand by and accept such an abysmal and inexcusable situation?  Would they accept only 40% of the subways working on any given day?  Would they accept only 41% of the trash being collected?  Would they accept only 40% of calls for the fire department being answered?  Would they accept only 41% of the streets being cleaned?

For all of that, the average numbers cited for passing the state math and English exams are stunningly low.

Leaves one speechless! 

One picture

This one picture speaks to the bond of Marine Corps camaraderie.

Semper Fidelis

Mother nature is real

We stood in our kitchen, sipping coffee and looking west, enjoying the view out to the ocean.  Soon the view was obscured by an incoming band of weather.  Slowly and steadily the view was overtaken by the low hanging clouds.  Really low hanging.

The surface of the water, buildings, trees, streetlights, and landmarks were swallowed as the weather front crawled inexorably from east to west.  Obviously we were soon to be inundated.  Just as that thought crossed my mind, a flash with accompanying thunder emanated from the rolling mist, announcing the arrival.

The first light drops of rain hit the surface of the pool.  Slight, shallow dimples.  As the mist enveloped our home, with the rising wind, the drops became heavier and heavier, soon growing to torrential size.  Trees were swaying.  The drumming sound of heavy drops beating on the deck and patio.

Warm and dry, standing in our kitchen drinking our coffee, taking in the scene, I couldn't help but think of mother nature.  

Perhaps she knew of the thought, because another, brighter  flash and much louder thunder lit up and rocked the house, as the storm cell passed over, pushed by the strengthening wind.

From beginning to end, it was probably not more than 5-to-10 minutes.  Where streets, decks, and patios were dry, they now are soaked.  Flowing down the hill's streets, the sudden infusion of water is following nature's course to lower levels.

As across the nation men and women speak and write in hyperbole, with loose attention to facts, communicating emotion based opinion, complaining about this and that, firing accusations and unfounded assertions.  Politicians.  Elected officials.  Members of the media.  Spokespersons.  Pundits.  Athletes. 

Having the choice of listening and reading their tripe or watching mother nature, it's no contest.  

Another cup of coffee.  Another look west, in anticipation of the next band of weather gathering out there on the horizon.  Another flash, another roll of thunder.  

That is real.

(By the way, I also look forward to sunny skies and dry roads, so the motorcycle can come out of the garage.) 

 

Freedom at work

The protests across the nation today illustrated freedom at work.  It is something we should celebrate, even if disagreeing with the messages and purposes. 

Some observations for consideration.

In many places around the world, such protests would not be allowed, or would be rejected violently.

In some places around the world, women are treated essentially as property of their husbands.  At best, as second class citizens.

In some places around the world, females have been denied education.

In some places around the world, women have been stoned to death.

So, while America is imperfect, at least our freedoms are at work.  We can speak our minds.  We can join together in peaceful protest.  We can pursue education.  We can work.  We can vote.

Some questions, in view of the numbers that turned out across our country.

Wonder how many of the protestors voted?  Of those who voted, wonder how many voted for Clinton?  

Finally, with the passion and intensity displayed today, where was Clinton?    

An outrageous affront

Today's announcement that President Obama commuted the sentence of Private Manning is an outrageous affront to all those serving or who have served honorably in the Armed Forces.  Manning is a criminal, found guilty and sentenced by a court martial.  The full sentence should be served.

It is outrageous this Commander-in-Chief takes such action, clearly and forever breaking faith with our men and women in uniform.  By his action, Obama clearly and unequivocally shows his disdain for the members of the military, their honor, their service, their sacrifice, and the oath they took upon entering our military.

Make no mistake, this action was socially motivated.  No legal or military purpose is served by commuting the sentence of a former soldier who deliberately stole classified information and provided it to unauthorized others.  In other times it is conceivable Manning could have received the death sentence.  Of course, in other times, other Presidents of the United States admired and revered the Armed Forces.

It is particularly galling, given that this week we laid to rest Major Griffiths, U. S. Army at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  He died while a POW during the Korean war and his remains were just recently identified.  Posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and POW medals, Major Griffiths represents all the best of our Armed Forces.  Obama's action today effectively denigrates and insults Major Griffith's service and sacrifice.

When neither a Private (Manning) or General (Cartwright) are held fully accountable for their illegal actions, because of the decision of the president of the United States, something is sorely amiss in our nation.  

Shame on you, President Obama.

20 January 2017 Update  

Though Obama's action re Manning remains an outrageous affront, at least Bergdahl will have to face the military trial for his actions.





         

Belittling the office

Much of the media is devoting time and ink to reports of elected officials and entertainers boycotting the upcoming inauguration.  Boycott as a verb,  according to Dictionary.com,  is defined as follows:

1.  to combine in abstaining from, or preventing dealings with, as a means of intimidation or coercion:

2.  to abstain from buying or using:

 

That entertainers choose not to attend the inauguration is totally inconsequential.  However, elected officials, who would otherwise attend, choosing not to attend, belittle the office into which the people have voted them.  This is no time for attempted intimidation or coercion.  Instead of celebrating the peaceful transition from one president to the next, an important cornerstone of our democracy, these elected officials are petulantly acting in a manner inconsistent with this same democracy.  Thus they belittle the office they hold.

 

A staunch supporter of the freedom of speech, I understand an individual's consuming desire to express his or her displeasure or support.  But sometimes the manner, place, and timing in which this expression is offered must be taken into account.  A sitting federal senator or representative can always take to the floor of Congress to express his/her views in opposition or support of the current administration and president.  We may not agree with with they say, but they have the right to say it.  That is democracy in action.

 

But to childishly claim they are boycotting the inauguration serves to demean the positions they hold.  As elected leaders of our nation, they must set positive examples by their actions.  Principled disagreement with the administration, coherently articulated at an appropriate time and place, exemplifies democracy in action.  A whining claim of boycotting the inauguration does not.

 

Rather than belittling their office, these individuals could take the moral high ground by stating their are attending the inauguration to visibly demonstrate their unyielding support for the peaceful transition of power characteristic in a free democracy, even when they vehemently disagree with the incoming president.     

A hero's funeral

On this cool January morning in San Diego, under overcast clouds and in a persistent drizzle, they came together.  One by one, they gathered, seeking some shelter under an awning or umbrella.  On a normal day, the majority would be riding their motorcycles.  Due to today's inclement weather, about half came in their vehicles, with the other half braving the weather.  What, one might ask, would possess them to come out in such weather?

The grizzled veterans, clean shaven citizens, men and women alike staged outside the mortuary as members of the Patriot Guard Riders mission supporting the funeral for Major Jack Griffiths, POW/KIA, U S Army.  Major Griffiths fought in World War II and died a POW during the Korean War.  

Most wore jackets or vests adorned with patches depicting military units, the branches of the Armed Forces, patriotic phrases, and the American flag.  Army, Navy, Marine Corps.  From junior enlisted to senior officers, they gathered to honor a fallen comrade.

At the specific invitation of Major Griffith's family, including his son who last saw his father as a two years old, the Patriot Guard Riders were honored and proud to be present, even in such adverse weather.

Standing in the rain, holding American flags aloft or presenting crisp hand salutes, these patriots stood in two lines during the dignified transfer of the coffin into the hearse.  The riders then escorted the hearse and family to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  There, the U. S. Army awaited and provided full military honors.  Further, Major Griffith's son accepted the posthumous Silver Star, Purple Heart, and POW Medal from the Army representatives.

Throughout, the Patriot Guard Riders stood in the persistent mist, properly Presenting Arms during the rifle volley and playing of Taps.  In a final tribute, they presented a custom made plaque, signed by all, to Major Griffith's son.

Across our nation, Patriot Guard Riders are invited to support the funerals for soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who die on active duty, and honorably discharged veterans.  At times, members of the Patriot Guard Riders are the only ones in attendance, standing in as family for their fallen comrades.

They seek no recognition.  They seek no funding.  They volunteer their time.  They honor our men and women in uniform.  Whether it be a sunny afternoon or a cool, damp, drizzling morning, they will "stand for those who stood for us."   

Local TV news story. 

FOOTNOTE:  Looking around during the funeral, one saw U. S. Army soldiers, the U. S. Navy Chaplain, representatives of veteran organizations, Patriot Guard Riders, and the family members and their friends.  But not one elected official.  Apparently no local, state, or federal elected official deemed worthy of their time the funeral for a soldier who died a POW in the Korean War.  Their absence speaks loudly and clearly to this veteran and retired Marine.