You are shouting so loud I can't hear you
If you live outside
This issue has become like most in public policy discussions. Civil debate has become an oxymoron in this country. We can no longer disagree without being disagreeable, calling each other names, adding vitriol to most comments.
Our advice to those on both sides is the same. Sit down, shut up, take a deep breath and focus – focus on what’s best for our students. That includes all students, whether they are include the top socioeconomic strata or the bottom.
For whatever it might be worth here’s where I come down on this debate. It’s nuts for a 7, 8, or even 10 year-old child to get on a bus at 6 am, passing by several schools he or she could attend and not get home until 4:30 in the afternoon. You will never convince me that a commonsense solution to that isn’t available without wrecking diversity in schools, but unfortunately the education bureaucracy wasn’t responsive, prompting many of the claims that the board and the administration were not listening. Neither were they responsive to frequent reassignments and year-round schools. The voters, at least some of them, spoke.
Those complaining about the current board should understand this new majority is doing exactly what they promised in their campaigns they would do. They won the majority and they now control the board.
But, and this is a big but, the arrogance and deaf ears of
the old school board has been replaced by impudence and equally deaf ears in
this new board. Sadly, the children of
We cannot help but believe that the new majority, knowing how it felt when the old board and administration wasn’t responsive to the community, would go overboard to avoid the same charges leveled against them. Their actions appear arbitrary, somewhat mean-spirited, and voted on without having fully developed plans of action.
Many who felt changes were needed are trying to weigh the issues on merit and are having a hard time with either side in these uncivil meetings and debates. They are all screaming so loud I can’t hear any of them.
If the new board just wants to prove they have the power and
can force their votes on the board they have won their point. But if the board
sincerely wants to improve education for students in
Otherwise they are no better than the group they replaced.
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Wake County education public education politics school board
Once again Wake County School Board was besieged by discontented voices as an attempt to reason was made. Despite a resolution offering a practical approach to eliminating the economic diversity albatross plaguing our schools, the whining and threats of law suits continue.
It is a fallacy to continue arguing merits of economic diversity as a great benefit to at risk students. The new board members are trying to present a reasonable approach to an emotional rather than reasonable problem. They are speaking to deaf people rather than being unheeding. Any school is charged with educating students. Motivated, trained teachers are a must. Teachers are responsible for educating our kids in academics, etc. Parents are responsible for moral discipline. They are the primary motivators. This is where we are failing.
My wife was a single Mom with three sons for ten years. I know difficulties she faced. The list is long. They must be faced and you are STILL responsible for the moral discipline AND motivation of your child. Without moral discipline kids grow up to behave like the pseudo adults witnessed at the school board meeting. The church is a first refuge for many of us. Pastors are better served looking into their communities for where they can be of assistance than threatening law suits. We are responsible for our kid’s motivation and discipline, not the school!
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Those complaining about the current board should understand this new majority is doing exactly what they promised in their campaigns they would do. They won the majority and they now control the board.
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For whatever it might be worth here’s where I come down on this debate. It’s nuts for a 7, 8, or even 10 year-old child to get on a bus at 6 am, passing by several schools he or she could attend and not get home until 4:30 in the afternoon.
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Wake County is also likely to face a new issue, as nationally, there's a big debate over a Wake County suspension of a teacher after she complained online about students harassing her because she was not a Christian. You can read about it here:
http://ncvoice.com/kirk/2010/4/teacher-suspended-for-complaining-about-christian-student/
It seems highly disturbing, especially given the other issues existing in Wake County. There's certainly a lot of turmoil brewing.
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School board are only interest in their own individual agendas. They rarely have the children's education in mind.
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To Tom Campbell: I found an article of yours via a Google search of "You're shouting so loud... " and I quoted a sentence or two of your editorial. The topic of the BLOG to which I responded was "YOUR OPINION OF THE TEA PARTY." My response, including credit to you for the paraphrase, follows. I hope it's OK. If I've taken you out of context or misrepresented you in any way, I'll do whatever I can to make it right. My comment follows:
I confess that I find it difficult to separate the philosophy of the Tea Party from its tactics. I have pure contempt for anyone who screams and shouts for the sole purpose of disrupting civilized gatherings of citizens trying to communicate with their elected government officials. Yes, Jefferson, Franklin, Payne, et al, may have been considered "radical revolutionaries" in their day, but they did not resort to or endorse such uncivilized behavior. You're shouting so loud, I can't hear you! "Civil debate has become an oxymoron in this country. We can no longer disagree without being disagreeable, calling each other names, adding vitriol to most comments. Our advice to those on both sides is the same. Sit down, shut up, take a deep breath and focus – focus on what’s best for our [citizens]."* {*Credit where it's due: Tom Campbell of NC SPIN made this comment in the context of a different issue, but it expresses my sentiments exactly.} I have no use whatsoever for anybody whose position is: "I'm angry as hell, and I'm going to shout out my opinion and my anger, and screw the rights of anybody who disagrees with me!" Sorry, pal, but if that's your attitude, then your opinion - whatever it is - counts for ZERO in my book.
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I agree, civil debate is gone. In the internet, everything at the touch of your fingers age, sometimes it's hard to reflect on impacts of decisions. It's obvious kids need a sense of accountability, but this just isn't cutting it.
It seems very disturbing that this can not be solved in an adult like manor given the circumstances. As stated before, anymore of this and they are no better than the board they replaced.
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You are right on with your analysis. Politicians think we are stupid so they spew the negatives. Of course certain people are influenced by the negatives, but those individuals are not reading NCBlogger. Thank you for your insights..So thanks for it..
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It is a fallacy to continue discussing the merits of economic diversity as a great benefit for students at risk. The new board members are trying to present a reasonable approach to an emotional rather than reasonable. They speak with deaf people rather than surveillance. Any educate students of the school.
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I wish more parents would stand up and speak out for our children and there future. The politics in todays school environment are pathetic
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The bussing of students from long distances takes its toll on the kids. Anything involving schooling that requires more than 8 hours of a child's time is overkill. In reality, schooling should last between 6 and 7 hours. Plenty of studies detail that the most workers and students less greatly in productivity when concentration is required for prolonged periods.
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County is also likely to face a new issue, as nationally, there's a big debate over a Wake County suspension of a teacher after she complained online about students harassing her because she was not a Christian. You can read about it here:
horses for sale
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"We can no longer disagree without being disagreeable", this is a very intelligent post. Thanks
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