TWEET!
Huddle up! We are facing an opponent that has played a game for almost 50 years! And it's still playing with the minds of people today. Old Schools (like your local public school) vs. New schools (charters and such)
Sounds like the old "Separate but Equal" BS.
According to Wikipedia: Separate but equal was a legal doctrine in United States Constitutional law that justified systems of segregation. Under this doctrine, services, facilities and public accommodations were allowed to be separated by race, on the condition that the quality of each group's public facilities were to remain equal. The phrase was derived from a Louisiana law of 1890.- Separate but equal: West's Encyclopedia of American Law (Full Article) from Answers.com
Sounds similar?
You and I with the help of a good writer can start a charter. They're not following any program developed by a trusted educator like Montessori, Piaget or Steiner.
MUPPET NEWS FLASH! The Beginning w Children Foundation's CEO makes $600,000 per year! ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME!
The "new" citizenry in my former, now gentrified, neighborhood, are trying to find nearby school options, b/c since they purchased perversely bank-stolen $200K homes for $700k, private school is not an easy option in today's economy. It's not completely racial, but it does have socioeconomic prejudices involved. Blacks and Hispanics do it too, b/c they're afraid of the schools in their own nabes like Bed-Stuy and Brownsville.
So, it's like "Let's send Skipper to "Fancy Name School". They are in the same bldg as the underlings, but they're gonna do something revolutionary! Bullshit!
There have been a lot of posts on my former neighborhood's Yahoo Groups board about a New School (Junior HS) that has already invaded an Old elementary (K-6) public school's building, and enjoyed themselves so much, that they want to expand and start their own K-6!
Team, I don't think that these New Schools pay into the pensions, facility management or pay union wages that are an albatross to the education system. So the $15,000 that the State has riding on the head of each student is not equitable.
Oh, hell yeah, your Coach has worked in a New School and found out quickly that they're doing no better than any ordinary public school. They had to work to keep their charter to educate students. Test scores were just as even as the schools around them with the same socioeconomic dynamic.
Separate but equal must never come to exist again!
In 1954, the Brown vs The Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas ruled:
We conclude that, in the field of public education, the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. Therefore, we hold that the plaintiffs and others similarly situated for whom the actions have been brought are, by reason of the segregation complained of, deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.
Today, in NYC, you have these New School entities sharing and taking space from existing Old public schools, under the guise of, "the building is underused and we need to use up these seats". The children remain completely separated, and of course the invaded school gets much less support from the powers that be. (And in some cases, its the Dept of Education itself wearing both hats!)
Let's keep the blitz on!
Win on 3! ONE, TWO, THREE!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
LOYALTY
HUDDLE!
Here we go team...There's a smell wafting through our great city, and its not the sewer system nor the subway. It's not a wayward skunk who made it to the city. Nor is it the pungent odor of "teen spirit".
BUT IT STINKS! And this is a good time to address where it's coming from.
Last summer basketball icon, LeBron James made a public spectacle of himself and his free agency staus in the NBA. It all went badly and his now former boss, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dennis Gilbert, called him out. Gilbert, owner of Quicken Loans had these kind parting words to LeBron:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5365704
But, that's not where I'm going with the ball. Today we discuss loyalty. I've been running this team for several years. We have made great strides, and everyone seemed to be happy. I'm discovering that after spending much of my time developing and molding young men and women into being responsible leaders and players, that a few are quietly defecting! Some to arch-rivals, some to parts unknown.
Where is the loyalty? Where are the replies to my weekly e-mails calling for pre-season training and fitness classes? All this time I thought that money was too tight to mention, so I felt that parents were counting up their chips and would "all-in" as we got closer to the start of the season. SOME STILL OWE MONEY FROM LAST YEAR'S PROGRAM! (And for them, I would merely remind them of their trespasses and allow for longer, if any, payment)
TWEET! Personal foul, offens(ive)! The result of the play is ejection!
It's the actions of the few that make it bad for the whole. The distaste now will not allow for me to have patience and empathy going forward. Imagine, attending a preseason event, used to promote togetherness and learning later that these parents are entertaining another team?
Have we as a society, forgot all about manners? Is this another part of the dumbification of America? DO YOU HAVE ANY PRIDE?! Are we all thoughtless and as self-possessed as the peons we're watching on shows like "Filthy Wretched Housewives of Atlanta?"
Listen up team! I'm insulted. You've been insulted. We are gonna hitch up our wagons in a circle. We're gonna stand back to back. And when we see them on the court, we'll take it right to them, because no one disrespects us!
All hands in on three!
One-two-three
LOYALTY!
Here we go team...There's a smell wafting through our great city, and its not the sewer system nor the subway. It's not a wayward skunk who made it to the city. Nor is it the pungent odor of "teen spirit".
BUT IT STINKS! And this is a good time to address where it's coming from.
Last summer basketball icon, LeBron James made a public spectacle of himself and his free agency staus in the NBA. It all went badly and his now former boss, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dennis Gilbert, called him out. Gilbert, owner of Quicken Loans had these kind parting words to LeBron:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5365704
But, that's not where I'm going with the ball. Today we discuss loyalty. I've been running this team for several years. We have made great strides, and everyone seemed to be happy. I'm discovering that after spending much of my time developing and molding young men and women into being responsible leaders and players, that a few are quietly defecting! Some to arch-rivals, some to parts unknown.
Where is the loyalty? Where are the replies to my weekly e-mails calling for pre-season training and fitness classes? All this time I thought that money was too tight to mention, so I felt that parents were counting up their chips and would "all-in" as we got closer to the start of the season. SOME STILL OWE MONEY FROM LAST YEAR'S PROGRAM! (And for them, I would merely remind them of their trespasses and allow for longer, if any, payment)
TWEET! Personal foul, offens(ive)! The result of the play is ejection!
It's the actions of the few that make it bad for the whole. The distaste now will not allow for me to have patience and empathy going forward. Imagine, attending a preseason event, used to promote togetherness and learning later that these parents are entertaining another team?
Have we as a society, forgot all about manners? Is this another part of the dumbification of America? DO YOU HAVE ANY PRIDE?! Are we all thoughtless and as self-possessed as the peons we're watching on shows like "Filthy Wretched Housewives of Atlanta?"
Listen up team! I'm insulted. You've been insulted. We are gonna hitch up our wagons in a circle. We're gonna stand back to back. And when we see them on the court, we'll take it right to them, because no one disrespects us!
All hands in on three!
One-two-three
LOYALTY!
Monday, October 11, 2010
A SHOW? YOU WANT A SHOW?!
Lissen Up! This is what happens when a good team begins to lose its' focus:
I dunno about you, but when I'm putting my iPod away, I usually wrap the earbud headphones around the iPod. What I learned is that when you do that, you can strip the delicate audio mechanism inside your iPod, losing one of the 2 audio channels.
So, last Friday, I took off early to scramble down to the Apple Store in Soho. My iPod was still under warranty and I also have a Square Deal warranty as backup. I dodge through the pedestrian mall that is Prince Street and amble up the white marble stairs towards Apple's Genius Bar, where techies listen and address all concerns Apple.
A Contested Lay-up
I was approached by a young woman who asked if I had a reservation at the Bar. I said no, and in my mind, I was willing to wait my time, until a technical support Genius could see me. The young lady said to me, "Oh, I'm sorry- we will not be able to see you today". I asked why not? "We are preparing for a concert in awhile and cannot take any walk-ins."
TWEET! TECHNICAL FOUL!
Um, excuse me?- I say. She repeats herself and, well, I started to turn into Earl Weaver, interrupting her measured speech.
Let's Go To the Videotape! (Using technology with today's lesson kiddies!) :)
Earl Weaver- for all of you who don't know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl-4FSRYagc
It's The Fundamentals
There's no way you're gonna tell me that I can't see a tech guy because you're gonna have a show. YOU WANT A SHOW? Call up a manager here pronto!
Here comes Ms Fasttalker, the manager, who also had a preset shpiel. I can't quote her verbatim, but it sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher: "Blah, Bla-blah..." So, I says to her: So you trying to tell me that because you're going to do a show, I can't get my iPod checked, and that hosting a rock show has more clout to you that customer satisfaction with your products? The store isn't closing for sales, but you trying to tell me that as a longtime Apple consumer, you're gonna disrespect me, by telling me to come back another day. For a concert? I refuse to hear that and am not willing to accept that as an answer. There's no other time for me to come back here and I'm not trekking up to 57th St. This isn't a rock venue- its a store. Mr Jobs wouldn't like to hear this story, y'know.
Her answer remained the same: "But when the show begins, I don't think that you and our tech people will be able to hear anything, and its not good for them or you." I told her that I wasn't the least bit interested in her concert promotion and the Consumer 101's Answer to Question 1 on the final: THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT.
Go Strong to the Hole
I told her, "Guess what? We will have to make due when that time comes." Ms. Fasttalker says, "Well, it may take a half-hour to see someone- these people seated at the Bar are ahead of you". I told her I had a newspaper, my phone and an iPod to keep me occupied while I wait.
And I waited... This gave me enough time to text my buddy and my wife the BS I was encountering. (Missus Coach just happens to be a nonconfrontationalist (unless its me versus her), my friend is a "give em hell" guy.) Then an epiphany hit me: Lets just call the Apple HQ toll free number, and see what customer support guide THEY live by.
'THE PARTY YOU HAVE REACHED....(Slim Shady)...IS NOT AVAILABLE TO TAKE YOUR CALL, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE AT.....beep!
They Are Who We Thought They Are !
Well, the wait was 40 minutes. Because the store told many customers (fuckin' sheep) who arrived after me that they would not be seen- the Genius Bar cleared up very fast and I successfully saw a Genius and received a replacement iPod. I told him there we 6000 songs to grab and have fun.
Oh, another manager appeared as I was leaving and says, "I have a call here from someone (probably Ms Slim Shady at Apple World HQ) you called at Apple. Would you like to speak to her or has your problem been solved?"
No, I don't want your phone. She has my number, but do tell her that I am satisfied with technical support but do not care for your in-store support system.
HARD WORK ON 3! 1-2-3 HARD WORK!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
WHO YOU WIT?
Huddle Up!
A coach consults his stats to see who should play. Even preseason and pickup games need to be recorded. Let's find out who makes the team!
Just before we get to the polls in November, we need a tally to show folks WHO did WHAT while in office. My first example is this Atlantic Yards Project in my ol' Bklyn home. Did ya get a look at the Daily News article today? Well- here it is. Read it , then read on:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/2010/10/06/2010-10-06_ratner_plan_nets_critics.html
Tweet! (No- not twitter, but the sound a whistle makes)
WTH is this? EB-5 Program to help raise foreign money for this project? Hello?! It's about the fundamentals! I can't get property without putting up a deposit. Holdup! (Wait a minute). The City told Ratner about this small unknown Federal program?! TECHNICAL FOUL! We need to start following the trail, from the City Hall, to ugly Albany to DC
This Ratner guy was given a deal and he's got no "bank"? (Ratner's two other local commercial properties- MetroTech and nearby Atlantic Terminal Mall are not at capacity)
Didn't he just team up with that Russian crime boss Prokorov? (A ba-zillionaire who took over the largest nickel mine at the falling of the USSR?
Did anyone perform a background check of Forest City Ratner finances BEFORE they awarded him the site? (Yes, Ratner didn't have top bid, but was awarded the bid)
OK, back to the basics. This EB-5 allows a developer to attract foreign investment of up to half a mil. In turn, that investor is awarded (there goes that word again) an opportunity to get a green card!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? IS THAT THE PLAY?!
I dunno. There seem to be a lot of counter-culture organizations overseas looking to "destroy America" (whatever that means). We just sent Faisal (yeah- like the mouse in that movie) Shahzad to a lifetime of mind conditioning in a "Super Prison" for his attempt to bomb Times Square.
IMHO (and I have many and you will find out I ain't humble) EB-5 is an open invitation for terror. I'm sure al-Qaeda and the Somalia Pirates are passing around a church plate right now.
If you wanna buy into my team- send a check and buy a share, but that doesn't mean "Junior" will get on the team.
THEY ARE WHAT WE THOUGHT THEY ARE!
So, going into this election season, we need a list of which of our elected officials is cheating on us all. Maybe I can be a Tea Party-er too, because its all about anger with those we've put in charge and the need to GET A SUBSTITUTE IN THE GAME!
Robert Moses will be leaving his grave and coming after us all. So too, is the ghost of Walter O'Malley. Moses (famed City government urban planner) didn't want O'Malley (owner of the famed Brooklyn Dodgers) to get this VERY SAME parcel of land to build a new stadium. The Dodgers left and the 4th largest city in the US fell into a depression. How the hell are we gonna give the ball to the NJ Nets? SUB! SUB!
But instead, 50 years later, the land went to a pencil-necked weasel who hasn't a dime to his name to complete some unwanted grand vision of a multi-building, 40-story luxury (don't give me that affordable housing crap) tower development (that will stand out like an eyesore like Co-Op City in the Bronx). Ratner says, "well, there's a decline in the rental market". And I say, "Yeah, you pinhead! There's a lot of new skyscrapers now in Brooklyn (the Oro, the Forte and the Legos-looking Toren) that don't look to be 30% capacity. (It seems like many lighted apartments are on timers). Ratner can only build an unwanted arena for his new tall Russian dominant partner. THAT'S A FOUL!
I NEED A TIME-OUT, REF!
-The Coach
(PS: We are always looking for advertising teammates to keep the blog on the field. Send me yourcontacts, um, comments)
A coach consults his stats to see who should play. Even preseason and pickup games need to be recorded. Let's find out who makes the team!
Just before we get to the polls in November, we need a tally to show folks WHO did WHAT while in office. My first example is this Atlantic Yards Project in my ol' Bklyn home. Did ya get a look at the Daily News article today? Well- here it is. Read it , then read on:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/2010/10/06/2010-10-06_ratner_plan_nets_critics.html
Tweet! (No- not twitter, but the sound a whistle makes)
WTH is this? EB-5 Program to help raise foreign money for this project? Hello?! It's about the fundamentals! I can't get property without putting up a deposit. Holdup! (Wait a minute). The City told Ratner about this small unknown Federal program?! TECHNICAL FOUL! We need to start following the trail, from the City Hall, to ugly Albany to DC
This Ratner guy was given a deal and he's got no "bank"? (Ratner's two other local commercial properties- MetroTech and nearby Atlantic Terminal Mall are not at capacity)
Didn't he just team up with that Russian crime boss Prokorov? (A ba-zillionaire who took over the largest nickel mine at the falling of the USSR?
Did anyone perform a background check of Forest City Ratner finances BEFORE they awarded him the site? (Yes, Ratner didn't have top bid, but was awarded the bid)
OK, back to the basics. This EB-5 allows a developer to attract foreign investment of up to half a mil. In turn, that investor is awarded (there goes that word again) an opportunity to get a green card!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? IS THAT THE PLAY?!
I dunno. There seem to be a lot of counter-culture organizations overseas looking to "destroy America" (whatever that means). We just sent Faisal (yeah- like the mouse in that movie) Shahzad to a lifetime of mind conditioning in a "Super Prison" for his attempt to bomb Times Square.
IMHO (and I have many and you will find out I ain't humble) EB-5 is an open invitation for terror. I'm sure al-Qaeda and the Somalia Pirates are passing around a church plate right now.
If you wanna buy into my team- send a check and buy a share, but that doesn't mean "Junior" will get on the team.
THEY ARE WHAT WE THOUGHT THEY ARE!
So, going into this election season, we need a list of which of our elected officials is cheating on us all. Maybe I can be a Tea Party-er too, because its all about anger with those we've put in charge and the need to GET A SUBSTITUTE IN THE GAME!
Robert Moses will be leaving his grave and coming after us all. So too, is the ghost of Walter O'Malley. Moses (famed City government urban planner) didn't want O'Malley (owner of the famed Brooklyn Dodgers) to get this VERY SAME parcel of land to build a new stadium. The Dodgers left and the 4th largest city in the US fell into a depression. How the hell are we gonna give the ball to the NJ Nets? SUB! SUB!
But instead, 50 years later, the land went to a pencil-necked weasel who hasn't a dime to his name to complete some unwanted grand vision of a multi-building, 40-story luxury (don't give me that affordable housing crap) tower development (that will stand out like an eyesore like Co-Op City in the Bronx). Ratner says, "well, there's a decline in the rental market". And I say, "Yeah, you pinhead! There's a lot of new skyscrapers now in Brooklyn (the Oro, the Forte and the Legos-looking Toren) that don't look to be 30% capacity. (It seems like many lighted apartments are on timers). Ratner can only build an unwanted arena for his new tall Russian dominant partner. THAT'S A FOUL!
I NEED A TIME-OUT, REF!
-The Coach
(PS: We are always looking for advertising teammates to keep the blog on the field. Send me your
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