Education Crisis

This evening's news heralded more coverage here in St. Louis on the Albert Pujols contract dilemma with the Cardinals.  ESPN speculated the following in a report today, Albert Pujols talks break off.   

"Is Albert Pujols worth $30 million per season?  He is a year and a half younger than Alex Rodriguez was when he signed a 10-year, $275M contract in 2007, and based on the numbers here, one could say that Pujols has been underpaid." 

Another issue that is on the Greater St. Louis area's plate is more budget cuts for one of our largest school districts.  This evening Francis Howell School District announced that it expects to lay off nearly one-hundred employees (mostly teachers) this week during a board decision meeting.  The almost certain decision will affect nearly every school in the district.

Check out KSDK's Francis Howell School district layoffs expected video report.  (Technical note, when I embed this particular source it defaults to automatic play on my blog's home page, long story short it's rather irritating hence the provided link).

My brother and I are products of the Francis Howell School District.  While I attended a private secondary school, my entire primary school education was through FHSD.  My brother will graduate this May, a K-12 product of the district.  Not only is FHSD one of the largest districts in the area, it also offers a myriad of extended learning services including top quality support for disabled and mentally handicapped students.  While the district, like other St. Louis area districts, has faced budget cuts in the past, I feel that at some point enough is enough.  I am not in any way criticizing the decision Francis Howell will most likely make as they are responding to their budget cuts the best they can.  My problem is in the budget cuts, and education funding in general.

In a larger sense, education budget cuts are a national trend;  St. Louis is not unique in this regard.  Money is a hot button topic and everyone loves to complain about the darned economy.  Yet at the same time, our entertainment industry seems to be doing just fine.  I don't have access to credible figures, but I'd be willing to bet that an obscene amount of money is funneled into the entertainment industry annually in the U.S.  Take James Cameron's 2009 Avatar, for example, which cost a whopping $237M to produce and grossed $2.7B worldwide.  Criticisms regarding the content of the film aside, I wouldn't say it was completely hopeless (if you ignore the "unobtanium" moniker); but in the grand scheme of things, do we really think this film was worth the money?  Here's the kicker, Avatar isn't the only movie out there to cost mega mullah.  I guarantee that the majority of the films that make it to theaters blew through millions as well; and for what?  To offer a lineup of new movies every few months - a ridiculously small percentage of which are even worth a fraction of the cost to go see it at the theater?

I realize it might seem a bit odd to take education cuts and the entertainment industry and discuss them side by side when they represent two very different systems.  Education is government sanctioned while the entertainment industry is comprised of private corporations.  The way I see it, however, there is a common denominator: the public (i.e. everyday Joe Schmoes, e.g. yours truly).  Our tax dollars support the education budget in our states.  Our money also directly funds the entertainment industry.  The only difference is that taxes are compulsory and going to the movie theater or buying a DVD is elective.

This is not to condemn paying for a movie or sports ticket, entertainment is there for a reason.  That said, I still take offense that we can so readily support one industry for our pleasure and then nickel and dime another.  The possible solutions to this conundrum I guarantee would be met with heated criticism.  Politics aside, this is our children's education that is at stake here.

To even begin to address our society's aspirations, that liberty and happiness our government was founded on to ensure, we absolutely have to educate our children.  They are our future.  If we neglect them now, we will certainly pay the price.  This is not to say that a thrifty education system cannot provide a quality education, but with continual budget cuts we run the risk of jeopardizing the quality the system is able to offer for the sake of money.

I bring this up because I am passionate about public welfare.  In a year I plan to graduate with a B.A. in Criminal Justice.  Even in the short period of time I've been exposed to the Criminal Justice field, I can resolutely affirm just how crucial a supportive education is for society.

The money exists that would benefit education; the question is how do we as a society ensure that it's used in the best way possible?

Candidly, I wonder what it would take to organize a "Movie Tickets for Education" event?  What if there was a way to encourage people to donate the cost of just one movie ticket's worth to their local school district?

Just some food for thought.

Signed,

RF

We didn't start the fire

I'm sure most people have heard about the Florida pastor who announced plans for "International Burn a Koran Day" on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks last September.  Well for some crazy reason, England didn't much like it when said pastor, Terry Jones, was invited to speak at a political function in their fair country.  So they banned him.  From the UK. 

Cited in this recent BBC article, which is worth a read, the reason for this exclusion was due to the government's position on extremism.  Meanwhile, Jones claims:

"I'm not against Muslims, we are not against their religion.  We have, here in the West, freedom of religion and limited freedom of speech which we don't have in other countries."

Let the record stand that Terry Jones is not against Muslims, in the same way people who burn American flags out of malice are not against Americans, or people who burn Bibles are not against Christians.  It's actually how they show their love, silly misguided simpletons.  Even better was his additional comment:

 "What I am against is the radical element.  If I came to England we would expect Muslims to rally with us."

I'm sure England's Muslim population is just devastated that that doesn't look to be a possibility anytime in the near future.  Sarcasm aside, Jones went on to complain that it wasn't fair for him to be kicked out of England permanently because his daughter and grandchildren live there.  He said the ban was unfair on a human basis.

The irony here is palpable.  It wasn't exactly "fair" on a "human basis" for the millions of Muslims who were (rightly) offended by Jones's actions.  I guess there's some poetic justice in Jones's current predicament.  The bottom line here is, hate has consequences.  When you spread enmity and discord, it's only just if you experience even a slight discomfort as a result.

So I'm not sorry, Terry Jones, that England has chucked you out.  The people you insulted with your little holiday idea lost far more than you have, their dignity.

We might not have started the fire, but it's actions like Terry Jones's that sure dumps a whole lot of oil on those proverbial flames.

The cost of free speech, a message to the Westboro Baptist Church

The Bill of Rights did not come into existence at the behest of ignorant people who wanted to picket military funerals with anti-anything signs.  The Founding Fathers put those rights into the Constitution to protect the common man (and woman) against oppression.  Furthermore, the soldiers who have died defending this nation over the centuries did not do so lightly.  It is no small gift, the freedom we have, yet there are some in our midst who seem to treat it like garbage.

Enter the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) protesters.  Recently the controversial group made good on their promise to protest in front of an administration building in St. Charles, Missouri, near my hometown.

From an article entitled 'Cowards, go home' Peaceful but vigorous counter-protest compels Westboro protesters to exit early:

"Nothing WBC protestors could say was audible with hundreds of counter protestors drowning out the unwelcome visitors, waving flags and shouting them down.  Military veterans, Tea Party organizations, youth groups, and ordinary citizens were on hand to greet the five or six WBC members upon their arrival.  Whatever message the WBC had planned to deliver was literally drowned out. "

This ladies and gentlemen is a fine example of honoring the meaning of our First Amendment rights.  Yes, you have the "right" technically to say a lot of things in the public arena (such is one of the beauties of our country), but the sacrifices that gave you that right also give you a certain responsibility to use it appropriately.  The truth in a quote popularized in the 2002 Spiderman movie, "Remember, with great power comes great responsibility," we would do well to acknowledge.

To the members spearheading the WBC's message of hate and slander against service men and women I have this to say, the heroes who have given you the right to stand up and say whatever (cowardly) message you want have made a sacrifice none of us will ever begin to deserve, you least of all.  You call yourselves Christians, followers of Christ, yet there is not one record in the Bible of Jesus Christ condoning your behavior.  Furthermore, it was Jesus Christ who said "Truly, I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).  You may be "Christians" but you are not Christians.

A funeral, regardless of who the deceased was, is a time for mourning.  The privacy of the family and friends, and the dignity of the deceased is of the utmost importance.  It is not appropriate for complete strangers (such as the WBC and the people they've protested) to ever make slurs against these people, much less at their funeral.  Add the fact that the people in question are service men and women who've fallen in defense of this nation.  The absolute fury I feel at this is indescribable.

To the rest of America, I ask what will we do with the freedom that has come at such a dear price?  Will we use it to crucify the very people who've ensured such protection, or will we use it to honor them and live the lives they've fought to ensure us?  I only hope I can begin to live up to the great responsibility given to me, and even then I know I am indebted far beyond my ability to repay.

Respectfully,

RF

You are beautiful

Online social media sites can be a great way to interact with the world, keep up to date on the latest and greatest, or simply waste a whole lot of time (I will raise a hand to that).  I'm part of the technology generation and from personal experience, I'm all for online social media; but what happens when people go too far?  

I don't mean the ridiculous amount of time college students such as myself spend procrastinating on Facebook.  I'm talking about when online social media is used in such a way that promotes actual harm to people.  Hopefully you recall the 2006 suicide of St. Louis area native, Megan Meier, after being harassed by the mother of a school friend using a fake MySpace profile; the incident prompted the Megan Meier Cyber Bullying Prevention Act of 2009 though it never became law.  What a horrible situation.  Let me introduce a new piece of work, an individual by the name of Kenneth Tong who uses his Twitter page for, well, I'll let the tweets do the talking. 

" @... I am indeed for real, and my size zero pill works, I serve as thinspiration to Twitter, of which is my stage.

Inner beauty is a myth. You are just fat. You are unloved. People look at you & are pleasant cause they feel sorry for you. Size Zero...

If your beautiful in your own way, am glad you appreciate yourself, cause that plus size garment can't breathe with your fat stretching it.

I do no promote anorexia. I promote managed anorexia. I created the latter term. I defined the latter, I assure you there is a difference.

I wholeheartedly hope I put you off your Dinner. Look at yourself. You are a disgrace. That's why the Guy you like doesn't notice you

@KhloeKardashian We've met a few times, but you'd be perfect as a Size Zero - I've launched a new Size Zero Pill. I'll send it to the shop?  "

Believe me, there was more.  Much more.  I sincerely hope that anyone who reads even these snippets of what this man is purporting would find themselves absolutely outraged.  I am.

While I could very well delve into a lengthy dissemination of just what is wrong with Tong's campaign, there is a broader picture here.  Part of that broader picture is the use of online social media.  As furious as I am with his message, Tong is simply one of the many sources of negative messages out there.  These sources need a way to reach their audience and a vast majority of them utilize online social media (For instance, Tong has nearly 20,000 followers on Twitter; that's 20,000 people who he can instantly access with one nasty Tweet).  But so do thousands of everyday people, such as you and I.  Online social media gives us a vehicle to, in a way, speak to the world.  In our circles of friends on Facebook, our followers on Twitter, and the people we follow all comprise a giant network; we are a part of a global mouthpiece where it is very possibly the things you post on Facebook and Twitter can be read by people all over the world.  Some choose messages of hate, like Tong.  What will you choose to say to the world?  Let's choose love.

I find this to be an appropriate time to bring up the Operation Beautiful campaign.  Check this video out everyone and remember: you are beautiful just the way you are.



All my love,
RF

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I was appalled at the image featured on the front page of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch this past Sunday, October the 17th.  As you know the headline read, “American dream is crushed as foreclosure crisis spreads,” with the subheading, “Idyllic suburban areas fall victim to stubborn unemployment, plummeting home values.”  The headings framed an image of a garbage dumpster containing the American flag.  This image is not a testament to the house market crisis, but rather a testament to the American value crisis.  

I speak of an American value crisis, as there must be one in order for an image of our flag’s desecration to be featured on the front page of a newspaper that is viewed across the country.  Regardless of the unfortunate circumstances of the original owners of the flag in question, I would expect no less than someone to step up and find an appropriate place for the apparently unwanted flag.  Find any local Boy Scout and give the flag over for a proper retirement.  The banner of our nation deserves absolutely no less.  

An additional problem with the use of the flag image is the implication that the American dream is contingent on the ownership of a home.  The claim that the “American dream is crushed as foreclosure crisis spreads” flies in the face of all that America has stood for over her life.  The Founding Fathers established this nation as a refuge from oppression and persecution.  Have we forgotten what is truly means to be an American?  It’s not in the value of our homes or their contents.  It’s not in even owning a home or a car or even a vacation home.  One can live the American dream in an apartment just as much as they can a stately suburban home.  

I know of people in other countries who risk contracting deadly diseases because they lack access to clean water.  There are children who cannot go to school because their families cannot afford it or because they risk being abducted and forced into slavery if they leave their villages.  There are countless instances across the globe where basic human rights do not exist.  Yet here in America we enjoy access to clean water.  It is unheard of for a child here in America to die of Malaria.  We do not fear abduction and slavery. 

It is true that we have difficulties in the United States.  I do not claim otherwise.  The bottom line is, however, we live the American dream simply by being Americans.  

I have held the St. Louis Post Dispatch in very high regards over the years.  I am gravely disappointed that such a blatant defamation of the American flag has been featured anywhere in the paper’s contents, let alone the front page. 

I seek the location of the flag in question.  If it has not already been removed and properly taken care of, I humbly ask for the opportunity to do so.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely...

The un-replaced toilet paper role

What will become of you, the poor soul who, after relieving yourself, goes for the padded white roll located conveniently near your throne, only to discover a very thin sheet of tissue separating you from the coarse brown tube of emptiness? Who will be your voice when you're sitting uncomfortably in the bathroom, debating the options.

Do you yell and hope a fellow housemate will hear? Do you further hope he or she will take pity and come to your rescue?

Perhaps that would be too awkward or the only person around is your roommate's boyfriend or you're not even in your own home or that of a close friend's. Perhaps you're at a friend of the family's party. You just ducked in for a quick freshen up.

If you're at home, and you're still unrelieved (which is unfortunate given what you set out to do in that room in the first place), do you attempt to separate the brown cardboard and use that? Do you eye a bath towel, with plans to bleach it or pitch it after? Do you consider replacing your clothing as loosely as possible and go in search of toilet paper yourself? Do you weigh the chances of getting caught with your pants down as you streak (pardon the pun) to the next closest bathroom? What if that bathroom is also void of tp? What if your whole household is dry of the comfort your bottom craves?

You're beginning to get that even more uncomfortable tingling feeling. You know where. You're cold. And probably feel disgusting. Your cellphone is buzzing in the next room. It occurs to you that maybe you could text someone an SOS, but if only you could reach the phone! Again, the problem of being caught in the nude arises.

Maybe you're in a bathroom that also has a shower. Do you remove the rest of your clothing and just rinse your whole body off? What if you're not? What if you have someplace to be in ten minutes and you've already dressed?

With another pitiful attempt to search under the sink, as you crane your body around the side of the vanity and over the side of the door (they never swing in your favor), you know it's impossible that a roll could have materialized in--no, wait! At last, sweet relief! You missed the back corner on your side of the cabinet. There, behind the spare economy bottle of shampoo, tucked in its dark little nook, your spool of heavenly plushness awaits. You have to half-stand to reach it, but reach it you do. Your fingers paw at the line where the tissue flap is adhered to the roll. You shred it a bit, and through a combination of impatience and utter bliss you retrieve far too much tp. You don't care, you've just been delivered.

Finally, your business is complete. You can flush the toilet and replace your clothing in comfort. You give your hands an extra long washing and you replace the empty roll with the new one. The savior.

Then you think back on who else has been home that day. Who was the last to use the bathroom? Who took the last of the precious tissue, leaving only that tiny flap, and walked away, dooming you to your moments of agony? Who?

I wish you all the best in tracking down the foul felonious fellow. If only those scoundrels could be tried for crimes against humanity and punished accordingly? What if they could be made to stack boxes of Charmin, Scott, Bounty, or the store's brand of toilet paper in the freezing cold and wearing wet pants? What if?

Alas, my friend, we don't live in such a world. All us survivors can do is take extra caution that regardless of whether we're taking a quick potty break at the mall or we're taking care of our morning business at home, we double check that roll- is there adequate tp for your toiletting needs? If not, is there a stash nearby? In the house somewhere? At your neighbors? Once you have done so and have completed your business, also be sure to do your part for society (or your household at large) and check the remaining tp roll. Is it appropriately supplied for the next patron? If it's looking on the low side, can you locate a new roll and place on the counter or the tank, providing back-up?

Whether you're a culprit or a victim or both, one final thing. For the love of God. When replacing the toilet paper, follow these steps EXACTLY:

1. Retrieve old, empty roll from the holder.

2. Throw empty roll in garbage.

3. Take new roll, put on holder.

See, not that difficult. Three easy steps.

Do your part, don't contribute to the un-replaced toilet paper role pandemic. You may even thank yourself some day.

Signed,

RF