More on education

A while back I wrote about the so-called educator who cancelled celebrating high academic achievement at his middle school, because the students who tried for good grades and did not get them would be "devastated."  As reported, "A Massachusetts principal has been criticized for canceling his school's Honors Night, saying it could be 'devastating' to the students who worked hard, but fell short of the grades."

Now we learn about rampant grade inflation in universities.  https://www.nationalreview.com/nrd/articles/344660/higher-education-revalued

In the article, the author writes, "A half-century of grade inflation has been demonstrated repeatedly by national studies. Today, an A is the most common grade given in college — 43 percent of all grades, as opposed to 15 percent in the 1960s, according to Stuart Rojstaczer, formerly of Duke, and Christopher Healy, of Furman, who conducted a 50-year survey of grading. Arthur Levine, president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, has also studied the trajectory of college grades. He finds that in 1969, 7 percent of two- and four-year college students said their GPA was an A-minus or higher; by 2009, 41 percent of students did."

Adding the two reports together provides for an alarming sum.  Recognizing achievement is yielding to rewarding attempts.  Wanting is replacing attaining.  

If these two stories characterize the state of education in our country, we are in very serious straits indeed.  Our children spend more waking hours being influenced by teachers than they do by their parents.  At the most formative times in their lives, they are exposed to subtle but dramatic influences.  If education wants to make everyone feel good by lowering the standards, the natural, instinctive competitiveness we are born with is dampened.  Through the years of exposure to this approach, in school and on the sports fields and courts around the country, our children and grand children are being taught the wrong lessons for life.

I fear that recent college graduate, who is one of the 43% to receive grades of A, departs schooling believing he/she is exceptional, as the grades received should convey.  However, it is possible he/she is merely average.  When the average individual faces the real world, competing with those who have proven themselves to actually be exceptional by their work, it won't be a pretty picture.  Self-esteem crumbles.  Work productivity, assuming they can secure a employment, suffers and they risk lost of the job.  So begins a downwards spiral.  They have been rewarded for merely wanting to achieve, not attaining.  Attempts have been recognized, rather than achievement.  Hell, I WANT to play professional baseball, but at 62 years of age, that isn't going to happen.  Shouldn't a major league team give me a lucrative contract, simply because I want it?  When failing to hit a 98 MPH fastball, shouldn't I be rewarded with a "he tried his best" bonus?  Of course not.  In the real world, achievement counts.  Certainly we look for effort on behalf of our employees, but ultimately established goals must be attained.  More over, some in the work force are average, some below average, some superior, some above average.  But no way are 43% superior.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with being average.  At the ceremony marking my retirement from the Marine Corps, I stated I made only one claim, that I was an average Marine.  I met all the standards and requirements placed before me, excelling in a few.  Average men and women built this country and made it great.  Average men won the wars in which we fought.  Average men and women share common values of hard work and ethics.  The "average Joe (or Jane)," as the saying goes, is the most important individual in the country.

So, as I sit, sipping a morning cup of coffee, I'm angry at the progressive liberals in education.  They are, from the cited stories, teaching the wrong lessons and encouraging the wrong behavior.  It is time to shake up public education and inject some conservative values.  Over a couple of generations, the hippies of the 60s have become the college presidents, senior teachers, professors, and those who control the teaching and training of the future generations of teachers.  Like many, I believe public education is severely flawed and requires the average Joe and Jane to demand it be fixed.

Nothing like a truck

There is really nothing like a pick up truck.  A new pick up truck brought out the guys in the neighborhood. 

You might have guessed it, but we got a new pick-up truck yesterday.  This morning, as I was trying to get my cell phone to synch with the truck's system, neighbors (all male) walked up and we started talking.  "Great looking truck."  "Can it tow?"  "What's the mileage?"  "Did you get a good deal?"  Spring boarding from these questions, we talked about all manner of things male.

There's nothing like a truck.

The testosterone was flowing in earnest. 

Sports, off-roading, politics, fishing, sports (again), etc.  Guy talk.  It was like a magnet had drawn us together to bond in the quintessentially male way.  If a cave had been nearby, we surely would have started a fire, squatted down, cooked something over an open spit, and broke out a beer or two.  Well, maybe not the beer at 0730.  Perhaps a tall mug of coffee.  But you get the idea.

There's nothing like a truck.

I can't think of any other American symbol so iconic to the male sector of society and history.  A truck brings to mind images of cowboys, farmers, and ranchers.  Male characters all.  When on active duty in the Marine Corps, more of my young Marines owned pick-up trucks than any other type of vehicle.  Even in this semi-suburban area in which we live, in southern California no less, the image the pick-up creates is overwhelmingly male.  Dang.  I even remarked that I feel far more manly after selling my sports car and getting the truck.  Riding along, listening to country music, my red neck roots showing.  Hard working.  Levi blue jeans and a ball cap.  Dedicated to family, faith, and country.  The American flag.  A Marine Corps decal in the back window. 

There's nothing like a truck.

A lot of country music songs are either about or include reference to the pick-up truck.  Even many of those written and sung by female artists.

There's nothing like a truck.

So, as I wash and wax the truck, I'll revel in it's unique place in American history and society.  It's place is iconic, representing values and beliefs I hold as crucial.  In a way, having a truck makes a statement I enjoy communicating to those around me.

(Foot note:  I got a Ford truck, in large part because Ford Motor Company didn't take money from the Federal government, as did Chevrolet and Chrysler (maker of Dode Ram pick-up).  GM stock went down and Chrysler didn't pay back all of the "loan." Ford business is booming, their products are more than competitive, and its decisions are supportable.)

What's truly important

Were we to believe those who have the loudest and most comprehensive (at least as measured by the numbers of people they can reach) public megaphones, all sorts of things are terribly important.  From the left and right sides of the political spectrum, the fringe groups aligned with either or neither, the honest and dishonest, the analytical and asinine, the believers and non-believers, the young and the old, the wealthy and the poor, the elected officials and unelectable, the whites and the blacks, the politically astute and politically corrupt, male and female, and all other manner of groupings, we are bombarded with innumerable, impassioned declarations about what is absolutely critical and important.  That which we must, we are told and urged to hold above all else, accept as critically important as they would have us believe.

Why?  Can't we, as free thinking individuals, agree on what is truly important?  Do we really need someone to tell us what is important?  Some don't actually tell, which conveys informing, but rather demand that we accept their definitions.

I offer that "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is a darn good place to start.  Life: a healthy  body free of injury and illness is important.  By extension, the importance it extends to our loved ones.  Liberty: the freedom to do as we choose, without intrusive government or other limitations.  The ability to chart the paths our lives will take, according to our beliefs, values, abilities, and desires.  As long as we don't infringe on others.  Liberty within a nation and society that celebrate the individual, while providing reasonable support for the common good.  Pursuit of happiness: seek out that which make us happy.  Not happy as someone else would dictate, but happy as we define it.  For example, I like to be with my family and friends, hold my wife, run, play tennis, ride a Harley, read, play with my grandchildren, reap the benefits of my own hard work, write, listen to country music, and wear Levi jeans and a ball cap.  I also respect the rights of others to pursue what makes them happy.

My pursuit of happiness doesn't infringe on those who don't care for any of the activities listed above.  Similarly, their pursuit of happiness shouldn't infringe upon me.  I don't want to hear their hip hop/rap music booming from their cars in my neighborhood, just as I'm sure they don't want to hear the Zac Brown Band playing in theirs.  I don't want or need a government to dictate a definition of happiness, anymore than it should allow others to reap the benefits of my hard work.

I don't need someone trying to dictate personal values and beliefs.  Having stated this, I do, however, believe there are shared societal values and beliefs in the American culture.  Some are readily apparent to the overwhelming majority of us.  For example, raising, protecting, and nurturing our children.  (In spite of MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry's bizzare statement that "part of it is that we have to break through our kind of private idea that kids belong to their parents, or kids belong to their families and recognize that kids belong to whole communities.")  It is true that many of the societal values and beliefs are under an all out assault by the liberal progressives.  That assault, however, doesn't mean the values and beliefs are any less real today than they were years ago.  The only real phenomenon is that the communications media has changed dramatically over the years, allowing those with the most comprehensive public megaphones to spread, broadcast, and insert their messages over wide sections of the populace.

For example, though the people of California overwhelmingly rejected gay marriage (Proposition 8), the progressive liberals have the use of comprehensive public megaphones to intone that it is a civil right.  They seek to force values and beliefs on the majority of the remainder of the nation.  All the loud noise they create doesn't change the fact that overwhelming majority of voters reject it.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  All within the bounds of societal values and beliefs, most of which are codified in our Constitutional rights and other laws.  (By the way, I'm compelled to cite that no where in the Constitution does it state separation of church and state.  No where in the Constitution does it say I can't worship as a Christian.  No where in the Constitution does it state homosexuals can marry.)

Regardless, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (not the expense of or infringing upon others) are what is truly important.            

America needs a Margaret Thatcher

The world is a better place for having experienced England's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

We in America desperately need a Margaret Thatcher.  We need a strong leader like her, because our problems require a person of character to resolve them.

When she was elected Prime Minister, we'd been living in England for two years.  The grip "labour" (organized labor AKA unions) had on the country was horrible, as illustrated by the mass transit and other strikes.  Socialist policies did not encourage young men and women to seek either education or employment.  In fact, it actually encouraged them to go on the dole.  The giveaways were astounding.  Government funded housing, called council housing, proliferated and were the petri dishes in which violence, sloth, and football (soccer) hooliganism bred.  It was not a pleasant time to be in England.  Then she was elected Prime Minister.

As George Will notes, "When she left office in 1990, the trade unions had been tamed by democratizing them, the political argument was about how to achieve economic growth rather than redistribute wealth, and individualism and nationalism were revitalized."

Does his description of Thatcher's achievements sound appealing?  Certainly does to me.  Most likely because the same type of issues are upon us.

Somewhere in our great nation, there must be a Margaret Thatcher who can rise to lead the nation back to its greatness and away from the socialist agenda of the current progressive liberals.

Look for the humor in life and be the better for it

Look for the humor in life and be the better for it.

As stated in earlier posts, it san certainly be challenging to find the positive in today's world.  We are constantly targeted by the negative.  The liberal progressives condemn the expression Christian beliefs, while holding said condemnation as sacrosanct under our uniquely American free speech doctrine.  University campuses extol "diversity," though of a non-inclusionary form excluding  conservative or Christian views.  Gay marriage is touted as a civil liberty guaranteed by the Constitution.  Federal spending is out of control.  The liar-in-chief is viewed as the presumptive lock for the 2016 Presidential election just over three months from the swearing in ceremony from the last Presidential election.  Soon after the new Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State (both of very questionable capabilities) are sworn in, the DPRK (also known as North Korea) begins its most aggressive campaign in decades.  And POTUS, FLOTUS, and VPOTUS rack up millions in taxpayer funded costs for vacation and other travel.

Egad, it is hard to find the positive in today's world.

But the humor is there, if only we look for it, create it, and revel in it.

For example.  The other day I walked up to the counter to pay for something at my local Harley Davidson dealership.  The two young ladies working the counter were talking and one said, "He's such a cute guy."  I loudly stated, "Thank you."  All three of us then shared a laugh.  It wasn't hard.  In fact, it was made all the funnier by the spontaneity.  Another example. While on the tennis court today, my Marine buddy called across, "Do you have two ball?"  Though he was referring to tennis balls, I did yank his chain a bit.  (OK, some may not think that is appropriate humor.  But for two old Marines, it certainly was.)

Opportunities for humor exist all around us.  Some will merely bring a smile to our face.  Others will result in a guffaw.  And some will make us laugh out loud.

How sad when our fellow Americans don't take the time to seek out the humor, or create it, or merely enjoy it when encountered.

I fear folks listen way too much to the politicians, self appointed newscasters, and others who deliberately seek out to tell us everything that is wrong with the world, including what is wrong with us.  This negativity dampens the human spirit.  It runs counter to the pursuit of happiness.  In most cases, it just isn't necessary.

Sure, there are serious issues in front of all of us.  But why let concern for them fester and prevent laughter?

Look for the humor in life and be the better for it.              

Patriotism is timeless

Professional baseball, referred to as America's pastime, has started a new season.  For me, one of the best parts of attending a game is the playing of the National Anthem.  Thanks to a change in federal law, as a veteran and retired Marine, I can now stand, assume the position of ATTENTION, and salute, just as I did while in uniform.  Even as a gray beard in his 60s, it is a source of pride and cause for goose pimples, because patriotism is timeless.

And one of Major League Baseball's Top 100 Plays illustrates it perfectly.  Watch what ball player Rick Monday does as two miscreants attempt to burn an American flag.  http://agencypages.net/AgencyPages/11-52/

Rick Monday's actions on that beautiful afternoon at the ball park sum it up quite clearly.  His comments in the film clip vocalize it quite clearly.  "It was wrong then.  It is wrong now."

If memory serves, between then and now some court somewhere declared burning the American flag is permissible.  Something about free speech.  Well, it's not permissible in the eyes of this gray beard, this retired Marine.  And it never will be.  Patriotism is timeless.

I took my oath of office, facing the flag and ending with, "So help me God."  I marched behind the flag in parades.  In the offices I held as Commanding Officer, I was entrusted with the care of the command's battle colors and the American flag.  At funerals for my fellow Marines, such as Doc (see earlier blog), and my father (a World War II Army grunt) the caskets were covered with the flag and the widow or parents were presented an American flag as a symbolic statement of honor for the deceased.  As an American flag was raised above Mount Surabachi on Iwo Jima, Joe Rosenthal took what is the most famous combat photograph in the world.  Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines wear the American flag on their combat uniforms.  I wear an American flag patch on my motorcycle vest/jacket, as do the vast majority of bikers I know.

The flag is the symbol of our nation.  Hell, even our enemies recognize this, as their burn the flags or replicas of them when protesting our nation.

But some court and many liberals see nothing wrong with desecrating the flag, burning it, flying the Mexican flag above it, and otherwise acting as though it is meaningless.  The liberals celebrate some court's decision that students in public schools don't have to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  They complained mightily when some of our troops inappropriately, mistakenly, and wrongly burned copies of the Koran.  But the hypocritical liberals don't complain when someone burns, defaces, or desecrates our flag.

I have a suggestion for them.  View the above video.  Watch one man's action.  Listen to the story of those in attendance spontaneously singing "God Bless America."  If that doesn't stir your patriotism, I have a simple solution.

Leave.

If you don't love our country, you are free to depart.  If you aren't willing to stand up against those who would defile, burn, or desecrate the flag, then leave.  No one is holding you here against your will.  Act as a responsible citizen or depart.  You can't have it both ways.  You can't demand to enjoy the privileges of citizenship without assuming its associated responsibilities.  

Patriotism is timeless.  If you aren't a patriot, then you need to leave.

"Members of the military must learn to connect with American civilians"

Members of the military must learn to connect with American civilians

"We need to better understand the American people and the leaders they elect, to build relationships with those outside our Spartan lives."  Rear Admiral John F. Kirby (http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/veterans-must-learn-to-connect-with-american-civilians/2013/03/27/d328430e-84f4-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html)

The subject line comes from a Washington Post piece attributed to a speech Rear Admiral Kirby recently gave.  Certainly a central theme, as he articulates below, has value:

"We haven’t been neglected or forgotten. American civilians are simply confronted by problems other than war, problems we might have difficulty understanding from the relative permanence of our profession. They are not losing life and limb on the battlefield, but they are losing their jobs, their homes, their livelihoods. They can be forgiven for being distracted and even a little tired of war."

Our society has learned a lesson from the Viet Nam era, during which the public disillusion with the decisions leading to engagement in war was inappropriately focused on the individual soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine.  Our servicemen and -women had no say as they performed their duty, yet were vilified and subjected to grossly repugnant treatment.  During the war on terror, society has learned that it's disagreement with national policy should be focused on the senior decision makers and elected officials, not those in uniform.  So, in this context, Rear Admiral Kirby makes a valid point.  I've seen first hand the support provided by the public, particularly to those wounded in combat and the families "back here" when their serviceman or -woman was deployed, often multiple times, to one of the combat zones.  We've all seen community and individuals expressions of pride and support, whether it be in an airport, at the ballpark, or elsewhere across our nation.  Simply put, we did a better job of recognizing and honoring the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and their families.

But, with all due respect to Rear Admiral Kirby, some of his comments in the above article are misguided.

"We hold ourselves to higher standards of conduct. We tell ourselves that not everyone is good enough to join us. All this is true.  But it’s foolish to believe we are better than the society we protect."

The military, by its nature, must be dedicated to, believe in, and behave at levels above that of our general society.  We can not lower ourselves to the prevailing levels of loose morals, ethical relativism, lacking integrity, dishonesty, absence of responsibility, or self-centered pursuit.  When dealing literally with life and death matters in defending our nation, only the highest of values can be accepted from those who wear the cloth of our nation's uniforms.

The author suggests reaching out to and entering into discussion with elected officials, as part of thanking and educating them.  True.  But in doing so, keep in mind the disdain in which all too many hold the military.  For example, Senator Boxer publicly chastising a general officer during testimony for responding, "Yes, Ma'am," a measure of respect schooled in the military.  We respond to our seniors by "Yes, Sir" and Yes, Ma'am," recognizing and respecting their seniority.  Also keep in mind how some have tremendous trouble with the truth.  For example, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton falsely claiming to have landed under fire while visiting the Balkans while First Lady.  ("I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base." --Hillary Clinton, speech at George Washington University, March 17, 2008.)  And all too many have trouble with responsibility and accountability.  For example, former Congressman Anthony Weiner.

As I see it, the best of the military operates at levels well above the general population and considerably above that of Congress.  So, in this context, I respectfully disagree with Rear Admiral Kirby.  As the protectors of America and our way of life, it is incumbent upon us to do so.  We can not afford to do otherwise.  Despite what some may believe, that is why a lot of young men and women are drawn into the military.  They want to be part of something bigger and better than the general population.  Once in uniform, they find the ethos of unit before self, sacrifice in the name of the greater good, ethics, recognition for accomplishment, and integrity that which they have been seeking, but not finding, in the civilian world.

To those detractors who who cite failings by members of the military (USAF drill sergeant rapes of recruits; general officer extramarital affairs; removal from command of US Navy ship commanding officers; etc.), I would offer that the military takes seriously these actions and reacts with certainly, in ways not found in general society.  And certainly not by elected officials.  It is all too sad that politicians say and do things for which they are not held accountable by either their peers or constituents.  Falsehood after falsehood is uttered without the individual being called out or held accountable by his/her peers.  (For example, Representative Maxine Waters declared the sequester would cost "170,000,000 jobs," when there are not that many people employed in the entire country.)  Members of Congress fail to follow the law and are not held accountable.  (For example, Senator Reid and the Senate did not table a budget for more than four years, violating federal law.)  Scofflaws are nominated for and confirmed to Cabinet positions.  Rest assured, failing to obey the Uniform Code of Military Justice brings about punishment for those in uniform, because we hold each other accountable and expect to be held accountable for our actions.  Elected officials, on the other hand, have risen to a form of art the dodging of responsibility and accountability.

So while agreeing that our society correctly supports and recognizes our men and women in uniform, we are better than that general society.  I believe this is appropriate and necessary.  The military must be above that which prevails in today's society.  Doing so is imperative in performing our mission of defending the nation, placing the lives of men and women on the line while doing so.  The nation expects and and we can do no less.       

A Marine's Marine

Standing on the patio with a cup of coffee this morning (those in the frozen and wet portions of the country may be envious at the local pleasant weather), I was thinking about how fast time seems to pass, particularly as I age.  Marveling at how fast the grand kids have grown, how long it has been since I last wore my Marine Corps uniform, how the vacation three years ago seems so recent, and how it has been two years since we laid to rest a truly great American, Colonel C. L. "Doc" Dockery, U. S. Marine Corps (Retired).

Doc and I met first while attending school at Quantico, Virginia.  Thirteen years later we served together overseas.  Over that time, we became close -- very close -- friends.  Doc came from Texas and his patriotism and "Marine-ness" were unrivaled.  In the iconic way of those times and that area, he grew up in a small Texas town, where he played football and raised a little hell from time to time.  A solid, loving family served as the bedrock for his beliefs and work ethic.  One of those beliefs was the importance of serving our nation.  So after graduating from high school, he enlisted in our Marine Corps and served in Vietnam.  The values he learned in Texas provided the foundation upon which he added the Marine Corps values he lived and breathed.  Subsequently, he attended Texas A & M, earned his degree, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Marines.  After initial training, he went to Pensacola, Florida to attend flight school, and was designated a Naval Aviator.  From that point forward, he was was a Marine Corps pilot, serving in a variety of flight, staff, and command positions.  Fast forward to 1998, when we again served together overseas.

Doc was the truly exceptional among the exceptional.  Not everyone can become a Marine, let alone an officer of Marines.  With the up or out promotion system, few officers rise to pin on the insignia of a Colonel of Marines.  In this group of exceptional Americans, Doc stood out.  He stood out because of the values he taught, insisted upon, and lived.  For those who have not served in uniform, the Marine Corps values can seem mythical or naive.  But for Marines, these values are the essence of who we are and what we do.  Honor, Courage, Commitment.

How can one describe these to an outsider?  It's a real challenge to convey all that they mean.  I remember learning early on that Marines never let a fellow Marine down; once a Marine, always a Marine; Marines don't lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those that do; every Marine if a rifleman; instant, willing obedience to orders; and other simple phrases that possess enormous meaning and obligation.  Doc embodied all of these and more.

Never one to "go along to get along," Doc stood for all that is right in the Marine Corps.  This meant, at times, insisting that the right way be taken, contrary to the desires of those less committed to the Marine Corps way of life.  Hard nosed, but gentle, he stood for what was right - period.  No equivocation.  No excuses.  No wavering.  Right was right, end of discussion.  And he did it in such a way as to earn the unyielding admiration of his fellow Marines, myself included.  Perhaps this is why we bonded so closely.

In the positions we held, as senior officers in a large command, our actions and decisions were under constant scrutiny.  Further, from time-to-time we encountered a small number of individuals who wanted to by-pass regulations.  We stood together to counter and push back against those individuals.  It was never a matter of our personal views or opinions.  It was always a matter of following regulations and doing it right, in the Marine Corps way.  Several times, we had to tackle issues with firm resolve to ensure the right, Marine Corps decisions were made and implemented.  In his distinctive Texan drawl, Doc would calmly, but forcefully explain and educate.  Never wavering, he ensured the right decisions were made and executed.  By the way, some mistook that Texan drawl for a lessor intellect, only to regret it later.  Doc's mind was one of the sharpest, quickest, and most analytical I ever encountered.

Looking the part of the grizzled combat veteran, Doc could spin a sea story better than most.  Never forgetting his roots as a Marine NCO, he always took time to teach and mentor the young Marines.  In doing so, he earned their never ending respect.  A Marine's Marine.  Doc simply, eloquently, and with steadfast determination embodied all that is meant by the title of United States Marine.

We both retired in 2002, remaining in touch.  Our calls on the Marine Corps birthday (November 10) were a favorite.  (The Marine Corps birthday is important to us and I have a treasured picture of the two of us celebrating one birthday overseas.)  Emails and other calls reinforced our friendship and camaraderie.  Retirement was hard for the both of us, as (second only to family) the Marine Corps is our life.  We constantly cited that the civilians with whom we were working couldn't measure up to a good Marine Corps Lance Corporal.  And we shared some laughs when remembering our time together.  I miss those calls, emails, and laughter.

We laid him to rest in Arlington National Cemetery two years ago.  As his bride Cheryl told me, Doc said that laying alongside his fellow Marines and other warriors in Arlington was a fitting final resting place.  Fellow Marines traveled from across the nation to pay their respects.  A Major General in Dress Blues, who had been a Lieutenant Colonel when we are last overseas, represented the Corps, by choice, since he well remembered Doc.  Marines from squadrons in which he served as officer and enlisted attended.  Our Commanding General from our time in Okinawa was there, as were other senior officers.  Active duty and retired.  Officer and enlisted.  Combat veterans.  Marines all, including gray beards.  The horse drawn caisson, Marine Color Guard, Honor Guard of two platoons of Marines, and Marine Band participated in honoring this exceptional Marine.  We in attendance stood to shoulder some of the pain for Cheryl and Doc's family.  After the ceremony, I went to the Marine Corps Memorial, which is immediately adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery.  There I sat on a bench, looking at the statue commemorating the flag raising on Mount Surabachi on Iwo Jima, thought of my friend, and shed some tears in private.  (By the way, Doc visited Iwo Jima during a remembrance ceremony.  Where there is a road to the top now, he climbed it rather than take a truck or walk the road to the top, because that is what a Marine should do.)

So while staring out to sea from our patio, with coffee in hand this morning, I thought of Doc and how the world, my Marine Corps, and I are much better because of him.

Doc, Semper Fidelis, Devil Dog!

Teaching the wrong lesson

Egad!  Talk about teaching the wrong lesson.

As reported, "A Massachusetts principal has been criticized for canceling his school's Honors Night, saying it could be 'devastating' to the students who worked hard, but fell short of the grades." Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/20/massachusetts-principal-calls-off-honor-night-because-it-could-be-devastating/?test=latestnews#ixzz2O6zD0b92

Critical to success in life as adults are the countless lessons we learn as children.  Some of the lessons derive from literal education (English, math, science, etc.).  Others are less formal, but no less important.  This principal's action in canceling the recognition accorded those students who were able to meet the higher Honors standards fails on two fronts, while concurrently contributing to one of the more serious aspects of the progressive, liberal agenda.

His first failure comes from teaching his students that seeking and achieving academic distinction, in other words doing your absolute best, isn't important.  He is teaching students that there is no reason to stretch yourself, to perform at your best, to work hard, to expect to earn recognition for superior achievement, to take on challenges, or to seek self-improvement.

His second failure comes from not teaching his students to learn to deal with not attaining the objective.  In other words, just show up and not try.  Absent this life's lesson at an early age, far too many enter adulthood unprepared to deal with personal and professional disappointment.  Unfortunately, I saw this first hand on the campus of a major public university.  Students came ill-prepared to accept and deal with not being "number one" at everything.  It was shattering.  The life lesson is that we will simply not attain every challenging goal we pursue.  But that is no reason to continue to pursue those goals.

Our youth need to learn to strive, to accept and tackle challenges, and to realize self-gratification from having worked at their best in pursuit of a goal.  Our society needs those who pursue excellence.  And with excellence comes recognition.  Without those who do so, all aspects of society suffer from mediocrity.  Face it, life is a full participation event.  Merely showing up isn't enough.    

Concomitant with this lesson is learning to accept that there will be times in our lives when we must deal with disappointment.  Not attaining a goal is not failing.  However, not seeking the goal is appalling.  I would much rather work with someone who has made the earnest attempt, regrouped, and keep pursuing excellence, than I would someone who made no attempt or was convinced from life's lessons that one needn't try.

It is this final point that comprises what I see in the progressive, liberal agenda.  The agenda seeks to lower the expectations for all, to eliminate competition.  No victories, no defeats.  No high standards to pursue.  No recognition for exceptional achievement.  In fact, no definition of exceptional achievement.  Mediocrity at every turn.  The pursuit of this agenda results in unrealistic approaches to competition, a basic component to human life.  Like the little league baseball programs where no team wins or losses.  At the end of the season, merely showing up is rewarded.  Achievement is not.  Take this agenda to the extreme and ask yourself if you want a surgeon who only showed up at med school.  Or a aircraft pilot who tried, but couldn't make the standards for certification.  Or the banker who doesn't do his best at work.  Nonsense!  That is not the real world.  In preparation for the real world, certain professions are uniquely placed to teach life's lessons to our children.  Educators are so placed.  

Unfortunately, this principal failed to teach his students the right lessons.       

Equal opportunity or preferential treatment?

What some term equal opportunity, others term preferential treatment.

Another in a seeming endless number of studies recently cited “many obstacles to achieving equality for African Americans in the federal workforce.”  (EEOC African American Workgroup Report)  One of the seven cited obstacles states, “Educational requirements create obstacles for African Americans in the federal work force.”

While accepting bias still exists in too many segments of our society, against racial and ethnic groups, including blacks, Hispanics, Asians, whites (yes, whites), asserting that "educational requirements" create obstacles is too far a stretch in my view.  If a position description, in the public or private sector, specifies certain education as a matter of basic eligibility, it is perfectly reasonable.  To assert, directly or obliquely, that “Educational requirements create obstacles for African Americans in the federal work force” is merely a ploy.  A ploy that seeks to provide preferential treatment, in this case to African Americans, in the name of equal opportunity.  

Thus, what some view as equal opportunity, others view as preferential treatment.  Specifically, as implied in the cited report, establishing educational requirements specifically denies African Americans opportunities in the federal work force.  By extension then, as a matter of equal opportunity, African Americans should not be required to meet said educational requirements and implicitly should be hired into the positions.  Doing so wouldn't be a matter of equal opportunity as much as a matter of preferential treatment.  Hire an African American who does not meet the educational requirements over some other who does.

We are at a point in the development of out society that neither discrimination nor preferential treatment should be tolerated.  On this, most of us would agree.  And some states have codified such as stance.  For example, California's Proposition 209 clearly states, "The state shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting."  California is certainly considered a liberal, progressive state.  So its law is formidable in pursuit of civil rights.

It clearly states discrimination and preferential treatment are against the law.  Therefore, in response to the cited EOC study, we offer one word: balderdash!

If the essence of the issue is that too few African Americans lack the educational credentials to compete for higher level positions in the federal government, take issue with both an educational system that fails to educate young African Americans (a very valid, documented situation) and African American households in which education is not seen as important (equally valid and documented).  Therein lay the solutions, not in advocating preferential treatment in hiring individuals who lack the education to be successful.

Because it may be inevitable that when an individual, no matter how motivated and energetic, is provided preferential treatment and hired into a position for which he/she lacks the education to be successful, that individual is more likely to fail.  And in failing, another one of the reports cites obstacles may manifest, “Insufficient training and development assignments perpetuate inequalities in skills and opportunities for African Americans.”

The goal, in reference to this cited obstacle, must be to address education and family expectations.  Then the individual will have the skills and knowledge to have the opportunity to compete equally against others, regardless of "race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin."

What one terms equal opportunity, another terms preferential treatment.

Civility every day

The experience we enjoy traveling along the way in our daily lives is, to a large extent, determined by our approach.  What we receive from the world in which we live, love, work, and play is definitely based on that which we are willing to give to it.  Stated in various forms in multiple religions, as well as numerous other sources, we should strive to treat others as we would want to be treated.  When we give of civility, if not genuine friendliness, we receive unmeasured but invaluable rewards in return.  Just pause for a moment and reflect on recent encounters as verification.

Today began as usual, heading out for my morning run.  During the ensuing hour, coming upon my fellow pedestrian citizens, as they headed to the trolley station, work at the hospital, the coffee shop or wherever in the early morning hours, I greeted each with, "Good morning."  Most replied, some did not.  Those that did invariably also smiled.  When approaching a crosswalk and a car stopped to permit my passage, I turned, raised a hand, make eye contact, and mouthed, "Thank You."  Normally, I receive a nod of acknowledgment, as I did today.

Each of our fellow travelers are thinking about the beginning of another work week.  Some looking forward to it, other bemoaning it.  Some may be heading to school or another appointment.  But each is thinking about their world and the beginning of the day.  Problems, concerns, joy, family matters, excitement, whatever.  A small expression of civility from a stranger probably isn't what they anticipate and it costs nothing to provide.

Small acts such as these mean more than we can sometimes realize.  Who knows which of us was uplifted by the kind word and civility of a passerby.  With the speed at which our lives seem to move, many days are mere blurs.  During these frenetic, bustling times, having another slow down to act civilly might actually be surprising.

So, I advocate you surprise someone today.  An act of civility every day will generate responses that bring forth smiles.  And that is a pretty damned good way to go about the day.  

  

Revitalize English communication skills

The richness of our language is being seriously undermined by a variety of influences.  Not the least among them is the increasingly poor job of teaching English communication skills, written and oral, in our public schools.  In the name of diversity, fairness, equality, and other progressive agenda buzzwords, schools are forgoing rigorous academics based on the English language.  There is a collapse of standards, based on English, to which our students are being held accountable. 

In the progressive’s misguided pursuit of “equality,” we see multiple languages represented increasingly across our country.  For example, check out the websites that provide registration for social services and government assistance programs.  Almost universally, one can find Spanish and other language options.  This approach to the use of other languages has essentially transferred to public schooling, where it is considered inappropriate to hold students to high standards of performance in English.  In fact, English is no longer a topic, having been supplanted by the vague term Language Arts.  Ostensibly, this was because the very use of English is considered pejorative by the progressives who control educational philosophy and practice.  Somehow, focusing on English is seen by progressives as injurious to students from low income families or those where English is a second language.  It doesn’t embrace the liberal’s definition of and manic pursuit of diversity.  Hence, standards are lowered, in the expectation it is better for the self-esteem of the children, reduces the stress for the student, and is “fair.”  This fairness philosophy, however, is woefully misguided.

An education system that lowers the standards on the use of the English language is dooming too many the students, by providing lowered levels of capability.  These are readily apparent as all too many students entering post secondary education are failing to meet basic, let alone rigorous, standards.  Hence, many are required to take preliminary courses in writing, rhetoric, etc. before they begin their matriculation.  However, a special one-term course cannot fill the learning void created by 12 years of reduced emphasis.  Consequently, first generation college students from low-income homes are at a decided disadvantage.  As many of these students come from homes where English is a second language, where reading and speaking English are not embraced, the problem is magnified several times over.  They enter college eager to learn, but without the English language skills to do so.  Consequently, many fail to complete their undergraduate degrees, returning to essentially the same level on the ladder of economic success.

The language of higher education and business remains rightfully English.  A nation that fails to provide a large section of its students with the most rigorous education in English communication skills, written and oral, effectively denies those students the ability to enter into higher education and succeed.  This eventually denies entry into the employment sectors providing the highest income levels.  Perversely, the progressive agenda seeking to raise those on the lowest steps of the income ladder actually hinders their advancement by its liberal approach to education.  Is it any wonder, then, that achievement gaps are widening for large segments of our student populations?

English is a rich language that requires revitalization by our public education system.   

Stand up for what is right

Two months ago I posted a determination to write about the positive and happy, rather than the negative.  I've been looking for and finding the positive and humor in our daily lives, the little things, the center mass of our country in which resides smiles, laughter, and the happiness that comes form a job well done.  I look for the little kindnesses performed by our fellow citizens.  I look for the smiles on their faces.  Most every day, I see invigorating and uplifting examples, from countless, average members of our great nation.

Then I learn of the latest incredible action or statement by some unbelievably negative individual.  All too often, said individual is an elected official or member of the so-called media.  A slow, gripping anger begins to form.  Why, I ask, can't this individual see that his/her actions, words, and pursuits are damaging our country?

So, occasionally we must stand up for what is right.  By doing so, we also stand against what is wrong.  So it is time to stand up for what is right.

It is right to....

• always speak the truth, even if it angers someone
• to hold individuals accountable for their actions
• act with integrity
• embrace ethical behavior
• denounce behavior that is self-centered, narcissistic, "me first" 
• show up for work on time
• do our best at our jobs
• expect loyalty from our employers
• preserve the nuclear family, comprised of father, mother, and children, as the national standard
• celebrate, not denigrate, our nation
• expect our fellow citizens to vote
• judge our fellow citizens by their actions and what is in their hearts, not by their race, ethnicity, or gender
• stand and honor our nation at the playing of the National Anthem
• demand our military maintain the highest possible standards of combat readiness and efficiency
• demand an unyielding, higher level of accountability from our elected officials
• hold elected officials responsible for their actions and judgment
• expect fellow citizens to earn their way
• expect our fellow citizens to be law abiding citizens
• require unions to do the bidding of the workers, not the other way around
• demand the media be balanced
• demand civility in the public debate
• demand the President lead, not perpetually campaign
• expect elected officials who commit crimes to be jailed
• expect elected officials be present and prepared to vote
• expect the Speaker of the House and Leader of the Senate to provide sufficient time and resources for the consideration of legislation
• require the Senate to obey the law regarding passing an annual budget
• expect severe punishment for the corporate officers who ruin people financially
• expect the Attorney General to enforce all the laws of the nation
• expect Congress to negotiate its way to solutions
• require free speech on our university and college campuses
• demand all levels of the government to "live within their means"
• expect teacher evaluations to be connected to student performance  
• demand respect for the men and women in uniform
• require that we treat one another with respect and dignity, even if we disagree    
• demand the Secretary of State have unimpeachable truthfulness
• require those seeking the office of the President of the United States to have served in the Armed Forces
• reject calls for women to serve as infantrymen in our Armed Forces
• summarily dismiss any commentator, reporter, blogger, etc. who falsifies information, calls an official a "troll," misrepresents the truth, or otherwise acts in an unethical manner

I could continue, possibly indefinitely.  But I'll limit this section to one more crucial action for which I want to stand for what it right. 

The most important aspect of citizenship is the responsibility to vote.  It is right for each of us to demand our fellow citizens exercise this right at every election, local to national.  Regardless of our views, we must all stand up for this right and expect every other citizen vote.

Free speech, aggravating and humorous!

Histrionics, hyperbole, hysterics, exaggeration, embellishment, and the like are some of the costs of free speech.  Wielded by talk show hosts, employed by politicians, abused by university academics, and cherished by the media, how these forms of communication have expanded most recently.  Aggravating though they may be, even ridiculous at times, we can see in them grand theater and humor.

Those that utter, write, broadcast, or post histrionics, hyperbole, hysterics, exaggeration, embellishment, and the like appear to take themselves too seriously.  Can they really believe what they are saying?  Do they really believe the average citizen fawns over every word, accepting them without question?

One side of an issue utters, writes, broadcasts, or posts, only to be outdone by the other side of the issue.  The war of words escalates.  When broadcast, the escalation can lead to shouting at one another, taking the histrionics, hyperbole, hysterics, exaggeration, embellishment, and the like to exponentially higher levels of inaccuracy.  Shaking my head, I smile at the spectacle.  And I recall what a mentor said years ago, “Saying it loudly doesn’t make it a fact.”

Fortunately, truly fortunately, we have the right to free speech.  While at the highest plane the right is inherent to discussing those matters most critical to a free people, at the lowest plane it enables idiots, near do wells, the uninformed, and politicians to demonstrate their foolishness.  And, as the old saying goes, “Don’t argue with a fool in public, because passersby won’t be able to tell who’s the fool.” 

So let the theater continue.  Bring on the histrionics, hyperbole, hysterics, exaggeration, embellishment, and the like.  Encourage university professors to publish more uninformed pieces about matters in which they have no practical experience.  (By the way, it requires no knowledge to profess, which is why universities have professors rather than teachers.)  Add another dozen rabid talk show commentators to cable and radio.  Ask elected officials to hold another thousand press conferences.  

Why, you may ask?  

While aggravating, the humor can be found.  While frustrating, occasionally something really important is said.  And that is the purpose of free speech.

Expressing appreciation

For those in the majority of the country, as the saying goes, eat your hearts out.  It's been in the 70s and 80s here in San Diego county.  Yesterday, my bride and I took advantage of this terrific weather to enjoy a leisurely lunch with friends, overlooking the beach and Pacific Ocean.  Truly phenomenal for this time of year.

What, you may ask, does this observation have to do with expressing appreciation?  Simple.  There seems to be all too much energy expended complaining about what could or should be, the state of this, the price of that, what this politician said, and other negatives.  Yet, truth be told, if we look for it, we have a great deal for which we should express our appreciation.

Surely, life continues to provide surprises and disappointments, some major and some minor.  Some tremendously unsettling (death, serious health issues, financial crisis, etc.) , others momentarily distracting (unexpected car repairs, the weather, house repairs, etc.).  How we respond when these occur goes a long way to describing our mood at any one point in time.  But, equally assuredly, there is so very much for which we should express appreciation.

In expressing appreciation, the itself act runs similar gamuts of high to low, critical to nearing inconsequential, public to private, outward vs. inward.  But the expression of appreciation is important and I fear it has lost its place in our lives.

I sincerely appreciate the time spent with my wife and friends at the beach yesterday.  While the weather was most definitely a positive aspect, it was not a matter worthy of appreciation.  While the lunch was tasty, it was not worthy of appreciation.  Sharing some time with friends of several decades -- that is worthy of appreciation.  Sharing the one element we can't create more of, our personal time, is worthy of appreciation.  So, as I ruminated on expressing appreciation, I deliberately reviewed the weekend to identify the times that warrant an expression of appreciation.

• Sharing time with my bride of 42 years
• Standing and chatting with neighbors
• Exchanging texts with our children
• Receiving a new photo of our youngest granddaughter
• The aforementioned lunch with friends at the beach 
• Chatting with my mother
• My faith
• Playing tennis, then enjoying brunch with other friends
• Discovering a 15 year old Thank You note
• Being healthy
• A cold beer on the patio
• And the list goes on....

If accepting what the media, entertainment, TV, and other bloggers are presenting, one could stumble around in a perpetual state of depressed dismay, encapsulated by negative energy and emotion.  I choose to say to hell with it and express here that I am exceptionally appreciative.

I am an American.
I have a wonderful family, including loving wife.
I served my country with pride.      
I am healthy.
I have purpose.