Speak Out 8/15/13

Good Samaritan

God's blessings and a big thank you to the good Samaritan who helped us when our car broke down in Menard's parking lot. We'll pay it forward. Thank you again.

Test notes

The recent comments about notes used during testing is a perfect example of the garbage put out against the Common Core Standards. The standards do not address notes used during testing. That was the teacher decision, not the standards. Standards do not equal curriculum or lesson plans. Standards set forth clear concepts that students need to know and understand. Curriculum and lesson plans are the steps and methods teachers take to explain the standard. So again, if someone has a specific objection to one or more of the standards, please speak up.

Problem with weeds

As I drive down Hopper Road, between Kingshighway and Dorothy Street -- my childhood neighborhood -- I notice weeds, some waist high, growing in the cracks between the sidewalk and the street. Back when I was growing up, all these homes had owners who always took care of their lawns. Such a shame to see this type of "I just don't care" attitude. It doesn't take but a minute to either pull the weeds or spray weed killer about twice during the summer.

'Core' education?

Here is a sad but true picture of Common Core: Most schools still mostly teach from textbooks. But publishers decide what's going to be in those books. Then teachers pick and choose what they'll teach from those books, usually based on what they like or the students think will be fun. Not very "core" for a nation needing a commonly educated population.

Right-to-work

According to a study sanctioned by Hofstra University, right-to-work laws do have the effect of attracting more businesses to a state. However, the benefits go primarily to the owners and overall worker wages take a hit. So, there seems to be more than a grain of truth in the oft heard statement to the effect that right-to-work really means right to work for less.

Global leadership

The global leadership is a nice idea and all but we're going through a phase of history where there will be no global leadership, neither by one nation nor many. NATO, the G8, the G-20, the eurozone and other international leadership organizations have become more or less irrelevant as every nation is going to be left in large part to fend for itself.

Knee-jerk reaction

Now that is a pre-emptive strike. Some Speak Out caller tried but failed to give concrete evidence of the failure of the Common Core Curriculum prior to its implementation. Maybe this knee-jerk opponent of improving public education just couldn't wait until it has been tried and the results measured.

Obama trip canceled

Obama canceling his trip to Russia to meet with Putin shouldn't surprise anyone. Obama is a weak president that struts around bullying people when he is surrounded by his "yes men." When going to meet with another world leader he vacates his responsibilities of "acting" presidential.

Federal deficit

A caller or poster claimed that we should look fast because the federal deficit is shrinking. I don't have a clue as to what source that person is using because all reliable statistics clearly show otherwise.