Quoting Mati Palm-Leis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > Platt, > > I was intending to let this go into the sunset, well ....... > > Platt: > I was very much involved not long ago in our local school system, > attending board meetings, PTA meetings, writing letters to the > editor, etc. in an effort to get a better accounting of the school > budget and expenditures. All I got for my efforts were accusations > of being a "terrorist" and threats against myself and family. > > Mati: > Given your past postings I would guess that you were perhaps very narrow in > your criticisms of school primarily looking at the fiscal functions of > schools. This is extremely common phenomenon of critics of school who don't > know better. Such was the case of my father, which both of you seem to share > this trait. My question is did you offer any other real idea's other than > stop spending the money. As a former assistant principal I often had > students claim that they were pure victims in various verbal attacks. Often > I would ask them if I were to ask the other side what provoke the attacks > what would they say? There were kids would struggle to find an answer the > smart ones knew exactly what I was asking. Platt I sense a feeling of > victimization in your post. People feel when all you want to do is cut... > cut... cut... and offer no other solutions to the need to cut then they of > course feel you are attacking their children's education. But perhaps I am > misreading what happened, but then again if I were a betting man....... > > Platt: > It seems when it comes to spending money, "Nothing is too good for our > children."Also, you don't want to mess with the teacher's union. They have a > directline to the state legislature. A mere citizen like me might is > ignored. > > Mati: I am reminded of a recent posting of yours. > > "Like Ian, Arlo revels in the evil world of personal attacks. The purpose: > to avoid debate by ridiculing, and ultimately destroying, your opponent." > > It works both ways. I sense that you want to blame the teacher unions > hmmmmm.... the blame game has almost become a national sport. (By the way as > an administrator I am non union.) Again finding real solutions that make a > difference is key. This will require the greatest contributions of > intellect that we can muster. Also it must be a willingness to work > together. Your comment that "They (the union) have a directline to the > state legislature" is likely a gross misrepresentation of reality. Sure > they have large lobbyists, but that is how the political game is currently > played and you expected that they weren't going play not to win. The fact > is the educational problem is so complex that it is fair to say that a mere > citizen does need to invest a tremendous amount of effort to be educated. I > currently know of an elderly man who has over the past 3 years attended > meeting and started off on the same foot. I give him a lot of credit in > that he has worked really hard to learn and understand what the issues are > and not just spout off. Now he is able to be critical with ideas worth > considering. Sometimes it is the cheap shots of the less educated that > really turns people off. I am really interested in what ideas that you might > have. > > Platt: > Having had this experience I hope perhaps you can understand why I ceased > "getting involved." > > Mati: > One experience should not be a deterrence but rather a lesson to be learned. > I am sincerely hoping an "old dog can be taught new tricks". ;-) > > Platt: > As for the rest, I bow to your superior knowledge of the trials and > tribulations of the public schools today. If the parents and "culture" are > the primary culprits of poor performance I don't see there's much that can > be done. But, I could be wrong. > > Mati: > Plenty can be done but it takes thoughtful people willing to work together > for a common vision to make the difference. I wish you all the encouragement > and luck to get back in the ring. Remember Rocky Balboa!!!! ;-) >
Hi Mati, Since you view my previous efforts negatively I decline you invitation and pass the torch of fiscal responsibility to the next generation. Thanks for the conversation. Regards, Platt ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/ moq_discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
