This Land Is Your Land...

I am very worried about the future of education in our state and in our country.  I am very worried about my job as an educator and the compensation I receive for doing that job, but I also have other worries.  After reading an article in the NY Times about the push in states to deregulate the environment, I got so angry and knew I had to say something, but I just didn't know how to put my disbelief and disgust in words.  Last night I went to see Peter Yarrow in concert at the Ark, and now I know what needs to be said.

Governor Paul LePage in Maine, put away your 63-point plan to cut environmental regulations and open up three million acres of your North Woods to development because

This land is your land, this land is MY land
From California, to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and ME.

Governor Rick Scott of Florida, take back your proposal to eliminate millions for land conservation and millions more cut from restoring the dwindling Everglades because

As I was walking this ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was mad for you and ME

To the Republicans in North Carolina, take back your proposed budget that would cut operating funds to the state's Department of Environment and Natural Resources by 22 percent because

I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and ME.

To the Republicans in Washington who have been fighting hard for rollbacks to the Environmental Protection Agency, clean air and water regulations renewable energy and other conservation programs, may I remind you,

This land is your land, this land is MY land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and ME.

What is the reason for slashing the funds that protect our land?  Well, according to Governor LePage it is the working families and small businesses in Maine who are endangered and need to be defended  with the same vigor as the tree frogs and Canadian Lynx!  You see, all of these regulations are just too burdensome to business interests and are apparently keeping people from being able to find work.  Did you know that Republicans made it clear last November that reducing all government was important, but cutting environmental regulations was a priority?  Why?  (For some of us a rhetorical question).

To New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie, please rethink your statement that the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, which preserves more than 800,000 acres of open land that supplies drinking water to more than half of your state's residents is an infringement on property rights.  Your desire to shift power from planning boards to administrative judges who will favor the interests of developers is just not right because

The sun comes shining as I was strolling
the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
the fog was lifting a voice was chanting
this land was made for your and ME.

In Florida, Governor Scott has asked to cut staff members to 40 from 358 at the Department of Community Affairs, which regulates land use and was created to be a control on unchecked urban sprawl.  These cuts according to one of the Gov's spokesman, will enable businesses to grow again in Florida.  Now get this statement he made; "the governor does care about the environment, but feels it is more important to get people back to work."  By cutting 318 people from the Dept. of Community Affairs?  What? 

If you don't get what is happening think about the last verse of Woody Guthrie's song

In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.

Rosemary

letters@freepress.com

 Normally, if the Free Press is considering publishing a letter to the editor they send an email stating that within a couple of days.  Since I haven't received that email, it looks like the FREEP is again not wanting to print facts in contradiction to their misconceptions.  Shame on them.

I wrote a response to another editorial in the Free Press two months ago that did not get printed.  Your article, Mr. Henderson, is very much like that editorial so I am responding again.  Please, educate yourself.  You are incorrect in what you think is wrong and how to fix it.  It is only fair that Free Press readers get the facts, so please print my response this time.  I thank you in advance for presenting both sides of this issue. 

Mr. Henderson,
You say our standards aren't good enough.  If you read Michigan's standards and benchmarks at each grade level I think you will find that they are quite "good enough", in fact many are extremely "rigorous."  If certain school systems in our state are not considering these standards and benchmarks in the lessons they teach to their students that is a problem, but it is not a problem with our standards.  If certain students in our state are unable to internalize the concepts being taught, that is a problem, but it is not a problem with our standards.  So to say that Michigan schools are failing because our standards are not high enough, is simply, not true.  As for your MEAP and NAEP comparisons, and the data you freely throw around, let me clear some things up for your readers.  The MEAP is given to all of the students in a certain grade level.  The NAEP is given to a sampling of students in that grade level.  You say in 2009, only about 35% of Michigan 4th graders did adequate work on the NAEP which makes it sound like they tested far below the national average which isn't so.  For 4th graders the scores in mathematics were just slightly lower, in reading they were practically even as they were in science, and only slightly below in writing.  I find it ironic that on Jan. 25th of this year, in your paper, an article was written titled "Michigan students outpace U.S. national average on the NAEP exam!  Let me also clarify something about standardized tests.  There is something called a score spread that is necessary in order for the test to produce comparisons.  The makers of these tests want a wide range of difference in the scores.  Questions that produce the most score spread are ones that only about half of the test takers can answer correctly.  Now get this, the questions on these tests that can be answered correctly by half the population tested are linked to the students' socioeconomic status.  Can you guess which half answers correctly?  Another fact, standardized tests were never meant to determine successful and failing schools.  One more fact, those that produce these tests are making loads of money.  Although non-profit, in 2007 ETS made 94 million, ACT took in 35 millions and CollegeBoard, 55 million!  These company leaders support politicians.  While there may be much wrong with some districts in Michigan, there is much right with many others, and how a student scores on a standardized test is the least telling factor in what is working and what is not. 

97.1 Friday morning, it made my blood boil

I don't usually listen to 97.1 in the morning, but on Friday while driving to work, that is what I had on.  The discussion was centered around the 10% pay cut forced on teachers in West Bloomfield by their school board.  By the time I got to school, I was so mad I could have spit as my dear mother would say, and my blood was boiling.  I was just glad that I was not able to pick up the phone, or send an email with my comment, because it would have been a rant of epic proportion.  Now that I have calmed down, I need to clarify a couple of things for the morning crew of 97.1.  While the hosts seemed to truly be in support of teachers, the one kept asking in regards to why the teachers' pay should not be cut, "but where are they going to get the money?"  They of course being the schools.  How about from the school aid fund?  It is not broke, but the Governor plans to take about 900 million, from K-12 and give it to community colleges and 15 public universities, that's why he says Michigan needs to cut 470.00 per pupil from the budget. No Gov, you don't.  The money in the fund belongs to the K-12 educational system, and the Governor can not just use it as he pleases.  It is also my understanding that in the past this fund has been borrowed from and it has not been paid back, so Gov. Snyder is not the first to steal from Michigan's children.  This brings me to another misconception the morning crew at 97.1 have.  If the students of Michigan suffer because of the lack of educational funding, it will not be the fault of the teachers.  IT WILL BE THE FAULT OF THE GOVERNOR AND HIS PEOPLE IN LANSING!  Again, the one host was getting upset that teachers would stop showing up for school events, on their own time, or basically stop doing "work" beyond the school day.  "This only hurts the kids."  He said this over and over again, and he couldn't understand how, good and dedicated teachers could do this.  Here is what teachers have heard for years, "You make an awful lot of money for only working 6 hours a day, 9 months a year."  Too many people believe this, and now with this assault on teachers, how can anyone expect that there won't be that desire to show the public what a six hour day would look like?  So if it looks like the students in Michigan are going to be hurt by all of the changes that will be taking place as school districts cut upwards of twenty million from their budgets, and the students will be hurt by this, don't get mad at the teachers, get mad at your legislature and then help us do something about it.  Call them, write them and tell them you don't like how Governor Snyder is reinventing Michigan, and tell THEM to stop hurting kids.
Rosemary

Trouble with a capital T

Yes, the the president of the MEA sent a letter to its members more or less suggesting that we prepare for a work stoppage.  One has not been called for, and a strike will not, I repeat, will not be demanded of us public school employees.  The irony is that House Speaker Jase Bolger called it "shameful for the MEA to put the union's interest ahead of children."  Cutting per pupil spending by 470 dollars, and more in some districts, is thinking of the children?  Districts are looking to cut anywhere from 15 million to 20 million from their budgets because our Governor and his Republican lead legislature are not putting children ahead of business, and that is a fact.  So shame on you Mr. Bolger.  Next, I have to ask why Michael Van Beek, the Director of Educational Policy for Mackinac Center, (whatever the hell that is), has any say in what is going on in public education, when he has absolutely no experience as a public educator?  He may have degrees, he may have taught, but according to the bio I read, he has no experience as a public school educator. And next, colleges are paying more to retain good people, guess they are trying to be more like the private sector as has been asked, hurray for them!  Finally, I will miss Bob Herbert's column in the New York Times, he says what I have been saying, the middle class, the working class?  Going, going gone.  And the poor?  Our governor doesn't care about the poor, and that's a fact.  Wake up and smell the coffee as Ann Landers used to say, because if you don't, and real soon, if you are middle class you are going to be poor, and if you are poor, well, what's poorer?  Dead?  I'm not kidding.  If you're wealthy?  Don't worry, the gov likes you. 
Rosemary

Congressional staffers rewarded with higher salaries.

Here are reasons some members of congress gave for paying more money to people on their staff.  When Rep. Kildee was asked if spending more money on salaries was justified during the worst financial crisis since the great depression, he said it was, especially because his constituents are in more need of help.  According to the government, our school children are more in need of help than ever before, so using Rep. Kildee's reasoning,  teachers should be paid more, not be asked to take pay cuts.  Erin Donor thinks more money is due to staffers who are have been around a long time and have much experience because there are few issues they haven't dealt with.  Again, that is a good argument for not capping teachers' salaries, but having those who stick around for long time continue to earn more because their experience is so valuable.  Donar also said the hours are long, the work is hard and his staff should be rewarded.  Teaching is hard work, and the hours are long with much time spent on the work of school beyond the work day, so would Donar agree that teachers should be rewarded with higher pay?  Rep. Dingell defends spending more money on staffers' salaries because the goal is to have qualified staff that is hardworking, experienced and stays with the office.  If school districts would like to have qualified, hardworking teachers who will remain in the district shouldn't they pay for that?  Brad Fitch, who heads the Congressional Management Foundation, said most staffers could earn more in the private sector and the work load has increased while staff sizes have capped.  Most teachers have advanced degrees and would certainly find higher paying jobs in the private sector, and the work load and class sizes have increased yet there is no pay raise in sight.  Retired Rep. Bart Stupak said people "have no idea how many hours staffers work."  I can say the same thing, people "have no idea how many hours teachers work.  But there are benefits for the hard work and long hours of the staffers.  This is often a stepping stone to a more lucrative career, their pension and health care are as secure as any in the U.S. and overtime pay is required under federal labor law.  Unfortunately, none of this is true for teachers who are in the fight of their lives to simply keep what they have.  I don't get it, do you?

Have We Met Before?

This is something I wrote on my writing site.  I thought I had posted it before, but I can't find it, and now, I want someone to.  It was for a contest for a short very short story that had to start with, "Have we met before?"  So enjoy, and let me know what you think.  Don't get why I am about to do what I am going to do, but I am!

"Have we met before?" He uttered these words before I could even sit down. I looked up at him, but I was not sure what to say, how to tell him. I struck a pose and beamed, "Yes, we met in elementary school. You didn't like me much and I stuck my tongue out at you."

The response was what I expected, surprise, so I continued. "We met again in junior high, at the sock hop. It was fun. You asked me to dance, so shy, but your smile betrayed your confidence and I fell in love. We weren't quite ready yet, and we went our separate ways not to meet again until our junior year in high school."

Now he looked at me completely puzzled, and he slowly took a sip of the drink that was on the table before him. "Would you like something?" he inquired with a steady gaze.

"No, I don't think so. Oh, alright, I'll have what you're having. "So," I began. "Do you remember me?" He seemed to be in deep thought, and then he looked up at me and quietly asked, "Have we met before?"

I set my water down and looked into those confused eyes and replied, "Yes, at the prom. I was with your cousin, and you asked me to dance, so shy, but your smile betrayed your confidence and I fell in love, again. You were going off to college though, and I was just a dance."

"So I know you?" He lifted his head and asked.

"Yes, like no one else on this earth. You know where I hide, you know what I don't say, and you know what I pray for."

"Have we met before?" He asked.

"Yes, at the fair. You were home, graduated from college. I was on the midway, the music was playing, and you asked me to dance, so shy, but your smile betrayed your confidence, and I fell totally in love."

"I'm hungry." he said. "Should we eat now?"

"Yes." I answered. "Let's go to the cafeteria and get our supper."

On the way, he met many people he knew. "Hello Gerry, Gertrude, how are you two ladies doing tonight?" "Sam, haven't seen you in a few days, glad you are up and about again." And they looked at him, at me, and Sam asked, "Does he know you today?"

"No, not today Sam, but I am helping him remember, so maybe tomorrow."

We took our seats at the table, we had both chosen the same thing to eat. He was slathering butter on his potato and eyeing his roast beef when he looked at me and inquired, "Have we met before?"

"Yes, in 1949, at the altar. We said "I do" to each other and then at our reception, with all confidence you asked, "Mrs. Brady, may I have this dance?" And for the second time that day, I answered, "Yes."

"I'm feeling rather tired." he said as he stretched and yawned. Perhaps you'll come back again, I have so enjoyed catching up." We walked together down the hall to his room, I held his elbow to steady him. We entered his room, his bed had been turned down and I led him to it. He sat down. "Have we met before?" He asked as he removed his slippers.

"Yes, my Darling." I answered as I stroked his head. "We met in the delivery room in 1951 and again in 53 and with much joy and astonishment in 1960! We met in the funeral home when our parents passed away, we met again at the grave of our child of 1960. We have met at the altar when our own flesh and blood wed, and at the fountain of salvation when their babies were baptized. We have held hands, touched places only we can touch, and loved so much. Have we met before? Oh yes, I know you." I sat for a minute, preparing to leave. I turned to lay a gentle kiss upon his cheek. I saw a tear meet at the edge of a smile that betrayed all confidence, and I knew I would be back tomorrow hoping to dance.

Dear Gov. Walker

Here's a letter written to Gov. Scott Walker:

Governor Walker,
I must address your statement that you "have no doubt" that support for the measure would grow over time.  Why are you signing a bill that does not have public support now?  Aren't you elected by the people, for the people?  Or do you think you were elected to just take care of some of the people?  Who are those people you are in office to take care of?  Obviously not the hard working middle class men and women of your state.  After you were elected you wrote; Dear Friends, "Today begins a new chapter in the history of our state...We have a bold plan to help the private sector create 250,000 new jobs by 2015."  So creating private sector jobs is the goal, and to hell with the public employees?  You also said about this bill, "Once the public sees government becoming more efficient, support for the changes will increase."  What does union busting have to do with the government running itself efficiently?  I simply do not understand the connection, BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ONE!  And there's more to your rhetoric;  "What we're doing here...is progressive.  It's innovative."  NO IT'S NOT!  Those in power have been screwing those without power since time began.  You want to do something innovative?  Tell those with the money to take it elsewhere and then do what's right.  Finally, you say the new law will be "good for the middle class for years to come."  I need you to elaborate.  I need you to be specific.  Just how will this new legislation be good for the middle class for years to come?  I await your reply addressing my concerns.  While I am not from Wisconsin, please do not ignore me, because as a great man once said, "When there is injustice somewhere, there is injustice everywhere."  Another important man once said, "Something that affects one directly, affects all indirectly."  I am affected by this.

Rosemary 

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