for Joel

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My party, the Republican Party, has been taken over by extremists and has been thusly repudiated by the American voter.

The Abramoff scandal, the Foley scandal, and the leadership’s failure to address them didn’t help. But the real problem, I think, was in the party’s departure from its basic principles — that government should only do what people (or local governments) cannot do for themselves; that the government closest to the people is best, etc.

The GOP wasted time on things like banning federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, and actually grew federal intervention in areas of local government like education (using up a lot of money at the top end of the problem, not at the classroom level where it might actually produce results). They didn’t get very far in the area of decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, where they could have made a change by using domestic resources and increasing research on alternatives instead. They didn’t fix social security, or medicare, or the other entitlements that make up most of the federal budget.

At the time of my midday post yesterday, the stock markets were decidedly down (foreign as well as domestic), but by the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P500, and the Nasdaq were all up. I think the DJIA hit a record high.

The world will not end. Actually, having a divided government for a couple of years might bring significant improvement. I hope that the division is such that we will not see a swing to extremism on the other side, but that they will grow focused on a few priorities and actually work together to forge a centrist compromise on a few things that would made the biggest difference to our future.

As a nation, we have the ability to do amazing things, but we haven’t been performing up to that ability of late.

How’s that, Doc?

Afterthought: George Will said it better. 

Trading concerns?

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Without question, yesterday’s elections will bring change to this country.  We don’t yet know exactly what kind of change, except that it won’t involve Donald Rumsfeld.  Rummy’s going home.
Others are wondering about it too… especially in regard to trade policies. CanWest news service reports:

OTTAWA – Free trade between Canada and the U.S. could resurface as a thorny issue after the Democratic party won an influential swath of Washington’s political real estate Tuesday night, said a former ambassador to the United States and political adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Derek Burney, who was posted to Washington under Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney in 1989, said that on the issue of trade with Canada “there’s not much good news” that can come from the election result because Democrats are more likely to bring a “protectionist” bent to their work in Congress, as opposed to Republicans who bring a “freer-trade mentality.”

Hmmm.  The Canadians tend to be a fairly liberal lot, and that’s fine — they can govern as they choose.  There is just a touch of irony in the fact that they prefer the Dems’ ideology, but the Republicans’ way of doing business.

Russia’s a little worried about it too —

The Democratic takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday is likely to stall Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization, lawmakers from both parties said Wednesday.

Doubts voiced by U.S. officials came on the same day that Russia’s top trade official, German Gref, declared the country was steadily moving closer to WTO accession.

*     *     *

The candle in the corner?  That’s for GAC. Today’s been a much better day.

…and today is Wednesday

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BJ is doing better today; stop by Atomictumor.com for updates as AT posts them. But don’t stop the prayers and positive thoughts, as she’s still very sick.

* * *
Control over the US House went to the Democrats last night, and the Senate is still undetermined with the question resting on a final tally from Virginia. Alpha called this morning to note that her roommate, a resident of Lynchburg VA (home of BWXT, which co-manages Y-12 here in Oak Ridge), recognized the importance of that absentee ballot she recently cast.

Yep kiddo, every vote really does matter. You never know which one’s going to be the extra-close one. This election was Alpha’s first to participate, having turned 18 just after the August election… somehow, I think she’ll forever remember the importance of every vote now. That’s a good thing.

* * *

MarketsThe financial markets are down this morning; I don’t know whether that’s simply fear of change, or a fear that (as repeatedly advertised during the campaigns) Democrats will raise taxes. I haven’t run the numbers on the Dem newcomers yet, but seem to recall that a goodly number of them were running as conservative as people I used to call Republicans.

Or, maybe they’re only conservative on social issues. This might worry the markets.

There could be some positive things come out of this change in leadership. For one, neither party should tolerate corruption — the issue that the pollsters are now saying drove the tidal wave. Maybe there will be some changes to No Child Left Behind that actually provide the resources to effect desired results, rather than punitive measures for schools’ inability to force uniform achievement from a non-uniform student body. Maybe there can now be some flexibility in the discussion of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research — like making it illegal to pay the donor for the embryos (much as selling human organs for transplant is illegal), but using only those slated for destruction anyway (primarily in fertility clinics).

I hope that the new congress will not result in a weakening of national defense; while I do not like being at war, I also believe that there are people in this world — both nations and more loosely governed groups — who would like to see us eliminated, and that the only thing stopping them is fear of what we could do if sufficiently provoked. I hope that the new congress will not eliminate the tax cuts of a few years ago, because revenues have actually increased as a result of more investment and velocity in the economy.

Lastly, I hope that this will result in a congress governing more from the center, and less from the fringes of either side.

Voting

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If some national media outlet stops you at the polls today and asks if Tennessee voters are racially motivated, show them this (courtesy of BlueCollarRepublican).

Of course, not all voters are racially motivated; some have good reason.

*    *     *

At Oak Ridge’s Hendrix Creek precinct, PunkHP reports that a Massengill supporter is harassing voters.  Not surprised… they’ve been to my door about three times, the last a few days ago when I was on an important phone call.  After waiting at the door for ten minutes or so (12-year old Delta answered it) with Dog staring through the crack, they left.

I told Delta that next time, she should tell them that we’ve all already voted.

Still, if any candidate supporters harass you, call the Anderson County election commission at 457-5400 and report them.

*     *     *

As the rain pours and the election goes on and Tuesday creeps past as Wednesday draws nearer, keep praying for AT and his beautiful young wife who is still fighting for her life in CCU at Methodist Medical Center.

I can’t remember the last election day when the election itself meant less to me on that day.  Right now, I want to find the old guy with the clipboard and explain to him (as I so often apply to school board matters) that common sense and decency are more important than policy.

Keep praying.

Best marketing gimmick ever?

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Getting this news story (Fox) planted may be driving sales through the roof at an Albuquerque Burger King:

ALBUQUERQUE —  Two police officers have sued Burger King Corp., claiming they were served hamburgers that had been sprinkled with marijuana.

The lawsuit says Mark Landavazo and Henry Gabaldon, officers for the Isleta Pueblo tribal police, were in uniform and riding in a marked patrol car when they bought meals at the drive-through lane Oct. 8 of a Burger King restaurant in Los Lunas, N.M.

The officers ate about half of their burgers before discovering marijuana on the meat, the lawsuit said. They used a field test kit to confirm the substance was pot, then went to a hospital for medical evaluations.

“It gives a whole new meaning to the word ‘Whopper,”

So how will you have that burger?  Loaded?

Council & Board work session

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Last night’s work session between the Oak Ridge City Council and School Board involved an overview and timeline of the schools’ budget development, brief mention of Council’s process (again, relying on a small committee to do the detail work), and some healthy discussion about the impact of unfunded mandates (BEP class size requirements, No Child Left Behind, IDEA, etc.).

I was floored when Councilman Abbatiello asked what “NCLB” means, and more so when he asked for a dollar amount of the mandate. Since the 2001 federal law impacts every student, every teacher, and every school differently, it’s virtually impossible to assign a price tag.

Class size requirements are a bit easier to explain: the State pays about 67% of what they allocate for a teacher’s salary for the number of teachers they calculate are needed based on the total number of students in the system, but class size requirements apply at the classroom level. So, if you had 1,000 students and a class-size restriction of 25, you’d need 40 teachers, right? Wrong.

Students never, ever come neatly packaged in bundles of 25. If you have 100 kindergarten students and the max class size is 25 (it’s really 23), we would need four teachers. But if, on opening day, we have 101 kindergarten students show up, we must hire an extra teacher or face a fine of $50,000 — and still have to hire the extra teacher.

Because of the irregular distribution, we have about 70 teachers required by the State to meet class size limits, but for whom the State pays no part of their salaries. Since staffing is 83.5% of our budget, this is a big part of the problem.

There was some discussion of changes being debated for the BEP, and Council seemed very interested in partnering with us to help influence those changes in a way that will not be harmful to Oak Ridge. I believe that Mayor Bradshaw will be able to attend the next BEP Review Committee Meeting with me, and that will send a powerful message, I think.

At the very end, Board members pointed out that we’ve discussed ways to work toward long-term solutions, while the short-term problem (namely, Council’s plan to use a percentage increase, decided in advance of the schools’ budget request) remains. Mayor Bradshaw pointed out that this is the process we’ve they’ve used for several years, and I reminded him that when this process began several years ago, the school board was told it would only be for a few years (3 or 4, I think). Ann McNees, former Board Chair, was in the audience and nodded her agreement.
It’s been going on for at least six now, and the School Board (before my time and since) has used it’s formerly-healthy undesignated fund balance (rainy day fund) to make up the difference each year. That resource is depleted, and now, the restrictions are resulting in eliminating services — like this year’s change in bus service.

That’s what we need Council to understand. Just as they look at the changing needs of the City and adjust departmental funding accordingly, they need to look at the changing needs of the school system and give us an equal opportunity with other departments to justify the need. In the current year’s budget, some departments received substantially greater increases than others, based on need.

We received no such consideration. And I think that’s the message we were trying to send: if education is a priority here as it has been for decades, we need to consider the needs in setting the budget — not an arbitrary or fixed percentage.

The meeting was fruitful, I think, and opens the door for another meeting (which will hopefully be televised). I understand that Council does not normally broadcast its work sessions, but the Board usually does. Thus, it seems we could at least split the difference.

Speechless

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Before tonight’s school board + city council work session (both uncapitalized because they seem frivolous compared to where my thoughts are today), I went to the hospital.

Mostly, to try to be supportive of AT, whose saga of the past week is absolutely heartbreaking.  I got a little lost in the newly-rearranged hospital, and didn’t get there before he went in for his 5:30 visit, but Daco and Mrs. Daco came by, and we waited together for a while.

About 6:20, we were granted a couple of passes at the desk, and a nice young doc let us through the doors to CCU.  We probably weren’t supposed to be there, but there we were.
No words came, but I stroked BJ’s hand to let her know — to let her feel — that she is loved and treasured.  That I still have hope.  What strikes me even now is the soft skin of a young woman’s hands…  a woman who is probably a decade from looking in the mirror to see her first dreaded wrinkle… and yet, she lies at the brink.

This afternoon’s desperate prayer was decidedly less conversational, but a simple tear-soaked plea: in the New Testament, a woman was healed by simply reaching out to touch the hem of Jesus’ coat.  BJ can’t reach out, so I asked that He simply walk by, and allow the hem of his coat to simply brush her hand.  I know he’s there; just walk by, just close enough.

Whether that touch results in healing or salvation (or both) is up to God.  Please keep praying with me for her.

What I saw today

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I’m certainly not a prophet or saint, but I do believe.  And I pray — mostly in the car (about random things), or a quiet chat first thing in the morning or last thing at night.  Too often, I forget.  I’m probably the least perfect person I know.

But this morning I saw something special.

Praying again for healing for GAC, along with comfort and strength for AT and their children, I could see in my mind the image of GAC laying cradled in God’s hand, much like one might nap in a recliner, with sort of a glow making it’s way from God’s palm through her body.  It seemed as UV light kills bacteria, that perhaps this represented God’s taking from her the toxins that have been sapping life from her body.

And maybe letting her feel the love that has gone out from so many in hopes of her recovery.

It’s not like I have visions on a regular basis… I don’t remember ever seeing (even in my mind) anything like this.  I know that she’s still fighting for her life, from AT’s update a few minutes ago.  But somehow, I believe she is getting better.  As good as medical care is, I don’t believe they get all the credit in this one.

Hang in there guys… she’ll be back.

Open your heart

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UPDATE: Never mind.  The kitties have a new home, and best of all, one where their children/owners can still visit once in a while. 

Three young cats, vaccinated and neutered, need a new home today. Can you help?

I have five cats already and to bring them to my house would be risking a divorce… but these kitties need a home. Today.
If you haven’t noticed, AT’s been dealing with a crisis this week and needs to find a home for the kittens that he so generously took in a few months ago, after some idiot dropped them off in a box in his yard. He needs them gone before he brings GAC home from the hospital.

I’ll bring them to you, with food. E-mail me and tell me that you can take them.

Be careful what you read

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I woke up way too early this morning, and should have known better than to start reading.  Joe Sullivan over at Metro Pulse finally got around to covering the Oct. 23 BEP Review Committee meeting, and the bias is overwhelming.

The committee of the state Board of Education mandated to make recommendations for rectifying inequities in the state’s public-school funding formula has failed to do so.

Indeed, instead of making progress toward such a recommendation by a statutory deadline of Nov. 1, the committee has regressed by backing away from a recommendation it made a year ago that would have benefited Knox County schools and many other county school systems.

Actually, the “recommendation made a year ago” would hurt far more school systems than it helped — causing 62% to lose funding in order to boost the coffers for the four largest cities.

At the BEP Review Committee’s Oct. 23 meeting, highly respected state Comptroller John Morgan dismissed the Peabody model as one that “reduces funding to counties that are among the poorest in the state while advantaging systems that are already relatively better off.” In a meeting room laden with envoys from municipal school systems, the TACIR model got short shrift as well. And over the objections of Sen. Jamie Woodson and a few other members, the committee voted to defer making any recommendation on a more equitable funding formula.

The rationale for that vote, provided by the SBE’s chairman, Fielding Rolston, was that the committee needed to address the adequacy of state school funding before deciding how to distribute it more equitably. And Morgan weighed in with the observation that, “We haven’t collectively reached a vision of what we expect our education system to achieve, and until we have a sense of that it’s very difficult to talk about what it’s going to take to do it.”

What Sullivan doesn’t mention is that the committee spent a large part of the meeting talking about the need to define and achieve ADEQUACY in education funding; if all school systems are adequately funded, the question of equity is essentially resolved.

Fielding Rolston, Chair of the State Board of Education, gets it.  It’s more important to do this right, than to do it now.

At the meeting on November 21, Comptroller John Morgan will present the plan he developed about a year ago — one which addresses both adequacy and equity, but which Sullivan dismisses as “political non-starters.”

Doing the right thing is seldom the easiest.  If it were, Knox County would have raised property tax levels to a rate comparable to that paid by residents of Oak Ridge, which would make their per-pupil spending equivalent as well.

I agree that there needs to be a change in the funding formula, but am adamant that such change should not penalize those who have already chosen to do the right thing — difficult though it is — in supporting education through local property taxes in the absence of adequate state funding.