In case you weren't already aware, the recent WOOD TV 9 broadcast probably alerted you to the presence of Save Our Saxons, a web site dedicated to exposing some dirty laundry concerning the Hastings Public School system. Unfortunately, instead of tackling the actual issues at hand, the channel 8 story chose to focus on the less controversial issue (at least as far as a TV station is concerned) of whether such information is best discussed on a web site presenting "one side" of the issue. Once again, by completely missing the meat of the issue the media has shown in its handling of this story why blogs such as West Michigan Politics and sites such as Save Our Saxons have sprung into existence.
As HHS teacher Larry Christopher states on the Save Our Saxons site, he was forced on-line when the local media dropped the ball, as he saw it. I too decided to create this site when I heard several instances of stories suppressed or ignored by the local media outlets. While your average citizen doesn't get any favors from the press, if you're an important person the chances of your drunk driving arrest getting reported in the local media aren't very high. In this case, the schools are a solid source of revenue for certain news outlets and that, along with other possible conflicts of interest (family members of the HHS Athletic Director employed by the company which published the Hastings Banner, personal friendships or business relationships within a small town community, etc.), might possibly be coloring the news that is reported. Now, I'm not sure you could find someone more dedicated to improving our schools and our community than Banner publisher Fred Jacobs but one has to wonder why none of the allegations put forth by Christopher and others seems to have made it into the light of day before now. Now, the Banner is a far better paper than most cities the size of Hastings have- it has often made enemies that other publishers might have not made but I have heard too many stories about news that never made it to the surface because of a personal or business connection and I think some of the commentary on this issue has been a bit disingenuous.
In the story be Dee Morrison of channel 8, Jacobs is quoted as saying:
"The industry has guidelines. We're taught how to handle news, the ethics of good news reporting. When you're talking about just an open society where there's no rules or guidelines, that's when you get into trouble."
"Whether or not accusations on a website are true or false, or a little of both, how does an accused person respond? With reputations and careers at stake, what kind of responsibility is there for those who post on the internet?"
"Hundreds of people, thousands of people could see it. How is an innocent person going to go and reclaim their integrity? There's absolutely no control over it."
While it's certainly possible that a web site could be used to slander people, it's happened often enough in the mainstream media that the log in the eye of most media outlets likely obscures their view while surfing blogs. When AM talk radio repeats slanderous smears devoid of factual content on an almost hourly basis, how can one turn to the Internet and expect a higher standard? When a prosecutor falsely accuses someone of something as bad as sexual assault or possession of child pornography and uses the local paper to spread the false charges (and once it's in print most people choose to believe no matter what facts get aired later, often buried deep inside the paper if at all), what right does the owner of that same paper have to complain about the hypothetical instance in which some other person's reports may contain minor inaccuracies?
I actually think bloggers are forced to higher standards since they often don't have the financial means to "lawyer up" and many aren't hidden beneath layers of legal trickery to protect assets the way a corporation can. In fact, right now a video blogger holds the U.S.A.'s record for jail time in a case for refusing to give up evidence where the FBI would like to know who was at a anti-globalization protest where minor property damage to a police car occurred and yet this case has received a tiny fraction of cases like Judy Miller who refused to give up her confidential sources in the case of the outing of covert CIA officer Valerie (Plame) Wilson in the Scooter Libby case. While many journalists can get legal counsel from their employers, an amateur with a web site is likely not equipped to do and faces a greater amount of legal exposure. In fact, I have had to peel back from stories I would have liked to get into just because I couldn't risk what might happen even though I felt the stories were 100% accurate.
Certainly, there is a possible "disgruntled employee" explanation for Christopher's motives, which he himself tackles on the site, leaving readers to decide for themselves whether they think this is sour grapes based on losing out on a coaching gig or righteous indignation aimed at a corrupt spoils system of good old boys excusing each others' bad behavior. In as much as Save Our Saxons focuses on cronyism and corruption one has to decide for themselves whether the evidence is strong enough to prove the case. But more troubling for me are the allegations regarding emails and instances where Hastings AD Mike Goggins engaged in behavior which at many jobs would have resulted in his immediate dismissal or at least some sort of reprimand or suspension.
In recent history we have witnessed the Columbine massacre and the murder of gay teen Matthew Shepherd. One of the connecting threads in the two events is how our culture treats teens who are different. Our school administrators, teachers and support staff should be working toward creating a positive and nurturing environment that lifts students up. On several occasions Goggins seems to have engaged in behavior that would probably garner a student a suspension, possibly even expulsion. But what disciplinary action has Goggins faced that measures up to the actions that have been recorded in email or by eye witness testimony? A letter in his file? A stern talking to? Ouch, I'm sure that's a pain that lingers...
Goggins' lawyer's contends that "the problem is, you get people who put themselves into the media on the Internet, and they don't have to have that same kind of accountability." From what I see, if the media had been doing their job and allowing people more access to the public soap box, the people who are posting on blogs probably wouldn't have found the audience they've now got. Now the media is trying to put the cow back in the barn and it's likely too late. Considering the way the major media outlets allowed the White House to spin a phony case for war or to paint anyone a traitor who opposed them in doing so, I fail to see where the so-called pros get off criticizing citizens for trying to expose the truth they failed to uncover or even intentionally tried to bury and yet they do so. If only professional journalists followed the real stories instead of trying to belittle anyone without a degree in the field doing it in their spare time, maybe people wouldn't be getting more and more of their information from on-line sources. Maybe if the sponsors of the news didn't get to dictate what appeared during the news, maybe the media would have a leg to stand on in this discussion.
Even if most of the allegations are ultimately unprovable or even false, there is enough to at force a public airing of allegations and evidence which might finally happen now that the media has decided this is news. Yesterday, Tuesday, February 13, was the final day for people to enter the race for school board where 2 seats will be up for grabs and we will likely see some last minute filing given the timing of the media exposure. I don't begin to know where the truth lies in all of this but I know that finally the parents, citizens and taxpayers of the area can make up their own minds. But only because some guy with a web site forced the issue into the open. And the beauty of the Internet is that if Mr. Goggins or anyone else doesn't like what's being said, there's always a little place known as Blogger than will give you a free space on the world wide web to present their own case. That's a better example of equal time than almost anything found in the mainstream media today.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
34 comments:
Pol Watcher: Very good points about accountability and bloggers. I spent several hours reading Mr. Christopher's web page. I suspect that there is probably a little truth to most everything cited there. It seems to me however that he protestith a little too much. He evidently feels that everyone in public office should approach their job exactly like a judge... impartial, objective, without bias or prejudice, unemotional etc. The truth of the matter is that personal feelings do enter into just everything we do and is inherent in the polical process no matter how much we don't like it.
Mr. Christopher should be careful not to slander..... he might be sueable.
If I were among the powers that be in HAS system I'd speed up the appointment of a new superintendent. I'd definitely choose someone who lived at least 50 miles from Barry County and had never lived here. Appointing a HHS graduate was the school boards original mistake..... this is one of the root causes of this mess in the first place. The formation of power clicks was a given and should have been forseen.
If Mr. Simpson is tenured and I assume he is it would be practically impossible to terminate him. When is comes to discussing personalities it is legal for the board to go into closed session. Perhaps they should have a series of closed hearings and call in the major players in this fiasco for discussions. This will take time but then school board members should be willing to anything that might help resolve the situation.
I have lived in this community for many more years than I'd care to admit and it has always seemed to me that at any given time one segment or other of the power structure is under attack and has had to circle the wagons.
I guess one of the questions I'd have for Mr. Christopher is exactly what his recommendations are for correcting the situation as he sees it. It is O.K. to express yourself but you should have some constructive suggestions and alternatives to offer. At the moment it seems to me that his blog is appealing to the baser instincts of human nature.
Sorry..... after posting my comment I noticed that I made an error and used "Mr. Simpson" when I should have used. "Mr. Christopher"..... slip of the brain.
Three damning comments have been hard for me to excuse. For a leader, educator and role model to use terms like Tards to refer to his special ed students, fags in refering to Band membersand Dear Homo as a degrading method of addressing another professional.
The rest is mirrors and smoke and it seems that the intrem superintendent has taken little notics as have most board members as far as I can see.
As a Band Parent my child, called a fag by Goggins attends band class every day of the school year, not just during a special season. The child also participates in the Jazz Band two afternoons each week on the child's own time and for no academic credit.
This child of mine has won state honors and also takes private lessons on. The child has always carried a 4.0 or better.
For Goggins to use this type of language is inexcusable for any decent human being.
Since Goggins is quoted in today's Banner saying most of his kids won't go to college it might be more useful to require more than a 2.0 to participate in student athletics.
Oh, and the child in question attends two different Band Camps during her vacation time, all at FAMILY expense.
I find Mr. Christophers website disgusting. To label one a child molester is a vicious thing and Mr. Christopher hides behind the internet to do it. And to dredge up stuff that happened 11 years ago? Please...Mr.Christopher needs to take his 22.6 years and start a new career somewhere else. As far as e mails go, anyone can write to other adults and use profanity so what? Mike Goggins may not be "politically correct" but who cares. ok Mr. 22.6 years teaching in Hastings does
In perusing Mr. Christopher’s web site and if what is posted has truth, I find it disturbing that a teacher/coach would be allowed to display those types of speech and behaviors in the school setting.
Teachers setting those types of examples only perpetuate the manorless, thug mentality becoming so rampant among some of our youth. You reap what you sow.
As for Mr. Goggins, I have watched his behavior at the wrestling mat and it never ceased to amaze me that a school district would allow his antics unless of course “winning at all costs” is the only lesson being taught. In reference to the Banner quote [Goggins is quoted in today's Banner saying most of his kids won't go to college] is that because HASS parents don’t demand excellence and accountability from their teachers and administrators in preparing students for a productive future and for the behaviors they exhibit, or they (parents and staff of HASS) just don’t care. If this issue isn’t addressed I may be led to believe that it’s the latter.
Finally!
Like the lone ape that holds a boulder in his mighty grip above his head, and releases it to do his bidding on the tissue and marrow of his opponent. A disgruntled citizen without a venue in which to vent concern, and anger, wields his blunderbuss full of bits, and bytes to do the same.
The internet was born in Hastings!
What hath God wrought?
This should not be a discussion of accountability. That will come on its own terms.
Access.
Without it desperate means are used. Don't concentrate now on the innocense or guilt of the parties involved. But the mechanics that have taken us here.
Lack of a voice breeds anger, and anger like electrical current follows the path of least resistance. At some point there was a switch thrown. A stop, that has now been circumnavigated. The internet will take that load. It is what it is there for. It was invented for this purpose, and to argue otherwise is as futile as arguements from those that advocate AK47's are for hunting. This is a weapon, as well as a bandage. A simple tool at hand when others are deemed inefficient. Responsability is the same here as on the streets ,or in line at the supermarket. Screams of "faggot" or "child molester" here will net the same as there.
There is enough blame to go all around for the situation at the HASs. The Board of Education, the admininstration and mmembers of the HEA. I'm certain that Mr. Christopher has all along had ample opportunity to express himself to his collegues and his superiors, he has always had ample access. His major problem is that he hasn't gotten his own way on the issues that seem important to him. Deny it as much as he will the whole thing boils down to revenge for not getting the AD position. I certainly do defend his constitutional right to express himself and vent his feelings on line. I'd like to say that I'm not passing judgement on the merits of what he is posting [and not posting] on his blog. I would like to say however that he has split the HEA of which he is a mamber, he has sucessfully created a split in the community, demoralized our wonderful teaching staff and most disturbing of all our students.... something has got to give.
I looked up the word "paranoia" in the dictionary and I'm now beginning to wonder if that isn't what we may be dealing with here. In reading Mr. Christopher's blog not once does he mention that he himself may have made even one mistake along the way or does he ever take blame for anything. He tries to come across as a knight in shinning armour slaying evil dragons.... like St. George. I have confidence in our Board of Education, interim superintendent and teaching staff. I pray that they can come together very soon and stabilize this situation in a fair and equitable manner.
Access.
Since many small market town/counties are held hostage to a monopoly press (in this case the Banner/Reminder) the www has become a new source of information dissemination. Should we take everything we read as fact? No, just as we should question when we read the printed word.
When issues as this are exposed to the public, should our tax paid officials (whether publicly elected or hired) be held accountable to refute or correct the issue at hand? YES.
Should we as the public hold these officials accountable? Yes, but again, sadly, the proactive seem to be a minority. Most don’t seem to care as long as their status quo does not change.
Perhaps Mr. Christopher’s web log will energize some to get out of the lazy boy and make a stand one way or the other.
Is Mr. Christopher paranoid? Don’t know. Perhaps he’s just a guy who’s had enough and is taking HIS stand.
Geeez, kneestroms still runnin loose out there. Focus folks, one thing at a time. Hastings Schools only one District, lettum fight it out. I got no dog in this fight, you Ellie?
Tambien, Ag3,
The real issue here is why the editors lobby and the writers on this blog are interested in the ramblings of some fruitcake, when there is so much more that needs consideration. Like 911911911, for example.
Of lesser interest would be the question of why these print marketers are in their “Lazy-Boyz” rockers watching TV instead of doing a smidge of investigative journalism on a subject of some value to the uninformed electorate.
It should come as no surprise to anybody that the statistical population of teachers has always provided us with embarrassing incompetents as well as individuals who make daily contributions to every child’s growth and development, just as some newspapers choose to avoid responsible behavior in favor of titillation. The GRP and GRTV8 are products of a tiny repressed society and have to satisfy the needs of their anal sponsorship, but this blog has demonstrated a much higher level of intellectual exploration. The advantage of blogging is that it is not about trimming the size of our comments to fit neatly between the spaces bought by our advertisers.
Blogging will fade away and disappear, Comm. Adams, when the media picks up the ball and accepts the responsibility of exposing the whole truth, not as a result of whining about the behaviors of others.
Publishing the whole truth is not about exposing the well-known fact that undershorts get stains on them. Let’s move on!
Not just yet.
I feel comfortable here. Not the tit, for tat.. he said, he said.. that is still rearing its cabeza. But the over all legitimacy of what is being done here.
Stained undershorts while not uncommon, can be an portent of things to come. Should such possibilities not be explored?
Pol seems to take that challenge. The Lone Blogger that seeks the stained, and unsanitary undergaments, in order to expose them to the light of day.
A purpose, and a port of access!
If it were not so, why would anyone type, 911911911911! and where else would they go if they couldn't?
Ag3,
I wouldn’t want you to think that I consider the lampooning of 911/Central Dispatch a worthwhile topic for further discussion, but even that is far more interesting than this drivel.
I have been reading some stuff that was written about carbon sequestration before GWBII came along and denied most of our important international treaties. During the Clinton era, when stained underwear was an important topic for discussion, Norway was taking global destruction by greenhouse gases seriously. They already recognized that stained underwear was old news.
Carbon sequestration is a process whereby a country such as Costa Rica (or Miami) can raise the level of world carbon storage and remove CO2 from our atmosphere. This is done by planting forests of trees. The important part of the process happens when corporate giants who are the favorites of the GOP, etc, and the poster children of the WSJ/BSJ, actually agree to pay for the right to continue to pollute our world. Norway has made such an arrangement with Costa Rica. Rural property owners can receive payments similar to rent for growing more rain forests. The money comes from industrial giants, who pay the media big bucks for promoting fruitcakes who become Presidents of large pollution generating countries.
The position of GWBII, supported by the readers of the WSJ/BSJ, is that being forced to pay for the right to pollute our world would reduce the profits of his most valued constituents. While you read a great deal in places like the WSJ/BSJ about how the backward countries don’t have strict environmental rules, the good ol’ USA is still the biggest source of pollution in the world. We would prefer to run around with our hair on fire attacking anybody that doesn’t read the WSJ/BSJ, putting other countries in fear for their survival, dominating entire hemispheres, and reaping huge profits from the Amazon deforestation to pay dividends to the readers of the WSJ/BSJ.
I thought this post would be a good place to interrupt the scent of stinky shorts with some additional words about unpleasant odors leaking into our universe. Dig up the word “Kyoto” in your dog pile. I doubt that “Carbon Tradable Offset Bonds” would be in there, but you might be able to Google it. Ah surely do hope you’uns is impressed.
If Mr Goggins feels slandered by Mr Christopher he very rightly should hold him accountable in a Court of Law.
Insulting the messenger serves no purpose other than to lend credence to the charge of bullys and thugs being behind attacks on Mr Christopher.
I personally know neither of these people, but, Mr Goggins references to 'band fags", "tards" refering to his Special Ed students and other such comments ARE those of a schoolyard bully who has not matured. From the information I have read it is clear that Mr Goggins has engaged in a good deal of this conduct more recently than 11 years ago.
He says he has apologised to the people he has offended.Somehow I have missed those public apologies. At the very least Mr Goggins owes it to the people he has so crudely insulted in these ways a public and speedy public apology.
It won't change my disgust with a man in leadership and a so-called role model, but it might enhance his standing in the community were he to stand up and do it in public.
Allow me to close by saying that MR Christopher's motive in making these facts public are of no importance to me whatsoever.
Pathof Truth: It sounds to me like you are accepting Mr. Christopher's postings as the whole truth and nothing but the truth and ruling out the possibility of any bias or ulterior motives... this is not being objective. I certainly have to agree though that there certainly appears to be some smoke here and where there is smoke there is often some fire. It would appear that at the very least Mr. Goggins should have had some sensitivity training a long time ago....... Mr. Christopher could have benefited from some counseling too.
Those stains on the undershorts were not caused by smoke.
Ptruth? has a history of latching on to things quick without much thought to any basis but in pruth?'s defense, Mr. Goggins might be a little more accurate at least in his ravings. His label of "band fags is not quite correct. Last year a senior Cheerleader was arrested in the incubator parking lot having sex with a (minor) junior band member. Both were allowed to continue in their extracurricular (both school and otherwise) activities as if nothing happened. She graduated, he is still in band. My question is if this is allowed in the band/cheerleading, why enforce any rules in sports as to eligibility? Should not criminal activity rank the same or even worse than not having completed your homework? - Oh and in Pruth?'s defense, I would believe this proves that our band is not made up of "fags". Some out of control heteroes lacking parents but not fags, lol.
And as far as Mr. Goggins abrasive tactics, I agree, they may be a bit unpleasant but take a minute to think about this. What have any of his past players gone on to do with their lives? Have any gone on to further success or have they for the most part been permanently scarred by his verbal assault? Coach Bob White in years gone by (TK Trojans) led his troops (Whites Army) to State Championships using similar tactics and many of these young men have experienced great success in their later lives. These young men were taught to push themselves beyond their comfortable limits. I don't know of any that have required therapy or the like to repair any perceived damage to their psyc's. The great leaders of this world are raised in harsh conditions. This is not 100% but it is very common. To demand Goggins soften up and stroke his group softly would take away a valuable lesson for these kids. He just might be teaching these young people the ability to handle extreme stress without having a bawling emotional breakdown. Life is harsh so let’s not miss a chance to teach our youth the strength to withstand it.
el grillo: Refried beans?
C.D.
I understand your point and am reluctant to disagree, that a certain amount of verbal abuse can be motivational within the confines of coaching a team.
It is not apropriate though, when it is directed at those that are not participating in the sport that is being coached. At that point it turns to something completely different.
It is simple harassment, and I don't believe that is the morale builder you are advocating is it?
Perhaps, bird, but I am more suspicious of too much investigative probing. In my estimation this boring discussion has been probed far enough and further probing will not improve the odor.
Happy President’s Day!
I am joined in my good wishes by Fidel Castro (Cuba), Hugo Chavez (Venezuela), Evo Moralez (Bolivia), and Daniel Ortega (Nicaragua) all of whom were elected by larger margins of democratic voting than GWBII.
Here’s a tidbit of interest, for today.
The “W” in GWBII is from the name “Walker”. Every history book in Costa Rica (and all tour guide books, as well) include the story of the infamous William Walker who gathered a personal army and invaded Central America to see what profits there might be gleaned to fatten the purses of his corporate sponsors. He and his army were soundly punished and forced to retreat back to the relative safety and security of the USA.
Sound familiar?
ps:Agnosticrat,
If the subject must continue, you are on the right track. There is little value in teaching violence to kids and holding "drill sergeants" up as mentors. This is especially abhorrent when it is advocated by those who wear their Christianity on their sleeves, and denigrate Muslims for the teachings of their radical right-wing fringe fruitcakes. Worship of padded obese soldiers of fortune is not encouraged in my line of slightly more advanced humanoids, however we do hold some pretty awesome records for athletic talent. I, personally, participated in the sport of violence under an exceptional coach who didn't own an assault rifle. Our philosophy was that if you couldn't hit a running rabbit with a single-shot shotgun, you should hunt in your own backyard.
Knee socks,
I am no jury member in this case. But I see opportunity to discuss the effects relevant to it. Order, and peace must be held in the halls of our education system, and the public as a whole.
To be sure there is no winner in this civil arguement. But to turn a blind eye to a seeming lack of response, by what appears to be a dysfunctional system of recourse would be a pity.
In short, I do not accept your apathy.
Perhaps issuing uzzis to the hall monitors would restore order and peace. The typical response down here in Miami is to turn your back on fruitcakes and walk away. But then, they also wear silk shorts and T-shirts that say "Imperial Beer" and "Pilsen". How do they keep track of the number of goals scored without plastic helmets?
Historical tidbit: My great grandfather wrote his autobiogrophy a few years before he died. He has a chapter on General William Walker's "Fillibuster" to Nicarauga in the mid 1850s. He says that most of the men in his expedition were recruited in the San Francisco area and that he joined up. We know for certain that he was in the area because of the gold rush in California in the early 1850s. However, a number of family members are skeptical of his actual involvement.
Bird,
The whole affair was questionable. My read is that it was so bunged up in logistical bungling that it was hardly worth mentioning. Iraq, on the other hand, seems to be costing lives.
The Walker business was a bit more like the FEMA rescue of New Orleans.
Bird,
I received my Feb. 1 copy of the Hastings banner today. I didn’t see any mention of stained undershorts, but it seems like the Progressive Dems have once again failed to offer a candidate for elected office. Did anybody volunteer to become the butt of media School Board criticism, or will the seats just remain void of leadership participation?
The hot topic seems to be about access to the polluted waters of Algonquin Lake. For some reason the stained undershorts upstream seem to be a hush-hush subject. The investigative probing seems to stop at the waters edge downstream from Leached Lake. The last list I saw from the wetlands lobby showed Algonquin as the fourth worst polluted lake in Barry County. Why would anybody want to take a dip in a sewage lagoon?
More importantly, your ancestor’s involvement with the “William Walker Saga” in “1850” would put him in the early stages of the USA unilateral invasions. In 1853, Walker and “a few hundred cronies” were financed by a right-wing Christian pro-slavery outfit called the “Knights of the Golden Circle”. They invaded Baja California. The left-wing Catholic Mexican army delivered them back north to the authorities for violation of the “Neutrality Act”.
Next on the list of excursions into “manifest destiny” activities, which continue today, in 1855, Walker and 56 mercenaries backed by Wall Street capitalists and President Buchanan (who had never heard of “nuceular-ality”), conquered Nicaragua and elected himself President. From there he invaded Costa Rica (the equivalent of Iran from his occupational stance in what would be the same as Iraq).
History, however, ignores the folly of Walker and celebrates a little kid, Juan Santamaria, who is still considered a hero for his suicidal attack on Walker’s fort. Today, his name would be Mohammed Something-or-other, and instead of a flaming torch in his hand he would have explosives in his backpack. It still seems to have the same affect. Walker went home with his tail between his legs.
I could continue, but eventually, after two more invasions, Walker was turned over to the Hondurans by the USA and he was summarily shot.
Juan Santamaria was not emboldened by people in the USA protesting the outrageous acts of Walker and his thugs. Juan was just protecting his neighbors from the impending capitalistic domination of an ugly American.
There may be other versions of the saga, but I am stuck here in Miami waiting for a flight out to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose. Nothing to read but Moon Handbooks and Wall Street Journals. Sales of video games are supporting the economy. “Return of the Knights of the Golden Circle” has the highest rating. It features embedded journalists who gain points for probing.
el Grillo: Thanks for the info on General Walker... I'm going to get that autobiography out and review that chapter in gramps book.... I might say that he was always very proud of his participation in surpressing the Sioux Indian uprising in Minnesota during the Civil War. From what I gather he'd probably be a far right-wing supporter were he living today. If you want to read about a sorry chapter in US history look up the mass execution by hanging of 49 Indians in New Ulm, Minnesota... Abraham Lincoln refused them amnesty.
There was a long meeting last night of a committee of the BoC and they are going to split control of the museumn and village off from the purely recreational aspect of that facility. It is my understanding that they will formalize it next week at their regularly scheduled BOCs meeting. It is still unclear to me exactly how the chips are going to fall.
I'm going to get a copy of the job description for the part time interim park and village director they posted in the Banner. I'm curious to know just what they expect a "part interim" director to do and how much they expect to compensate him/her.
Agno, I agree that the verbal push from any coach might be better if kept inside his own area. Mr. Goggins might have aimed his "Fag" remark at the other team instead. Our Band/Cheerleading departments have little trouble creating their own problems and any disparaging remarks from others certainly won't help repair the damage they create from within. I bow to your wisdom on this point.
We seem to have progressed in this heady discussion from "investigative probing" to applying a "verbal push". It reminds me of a very old joke where a kids brags that his Dad can blow smoke rings out of his butt and provides Dad's shorts as proof.
When I see this kind of mindless chatter in the public news out of D.C. I immediately search out the subject that is being hidden.
On the local scene I would suspect the vacuum in the non-race for schoolboards is the topic we are afraid to bring out in the open, or perhaps the total lack of energy from the Progressive Dems to constructively address this issue.
Bird,
Your President's Day timing is exquisite. Our history books ignore much of this infamy in favor of blowing smoke ....., but then there are some folks who grip onto the soiled shorts like bulldogs.
Grillo, you're wrong. Quite a few people stepped up to run. I think the number was 12(?) for 2 seats including a recently defeated board member. Those of us who have children attending school in the district would like to be able to discuss this despite your assurances that we're dumb for doing so... but at least you kept it civil and didn't call us "tards" or fags."
I repeat my assertion that anyone who can look the other way at a school administrator who demeans and belittles the children of the people he works for is unworthy of the job or the support of the mouth breathers currently writing letters castigating Christopher for being nasty, immediately followed by nasty aspersions cast toward Christopher.
I am, of course, pleased that the seats did get a response. My local news arrives three weeks after it hits the coffee shop, so I try to get some local news from the Internet. So far, you are the closest I get, along with el colibri, and that is sketchy.
You didn't seem to address the issue of how many of the 12 were Progressive Democrats, who from what I can see spend most of their time putting on movies.
Just because a teacher fills out his own time sheet doesn't make him a "school administrator".
Hey ElGrillo, put down your banana and get off the Progressive Dem's back. At least THEY do SOMETHING!
... and the next Commissioner candidate from Movie Mundo will be ....?
... unopposed.
Post a Comment