Schools Can Open If.....

In the middle of a nationally uncontrolled pandemic, the clamor to open schools has entered the realm of politics. A disgraced CDC and it's feckless director can no longer be believed. If you really want schools to open it can happen if:

-Classroom spaces with real 8 ft. distance on all sides are provided.

-Student schedules are put in place with minimal to no movement from class to class occuring. This means bring back tracking...sorry education gurus.

-New high tech desks with plastic see through all around inserts and disinfectant wipes,, tissues, gloves and masks supplied and replenished within built in compartments.

-Triple Custodial and Nursing positions to provide twice an hour cleaning and to reach testing protocols.

-One full day school cleaning meaning all remote at least one day a week.

-PPE provided to all staff daily along with twice weekly Covid tests for students and staff.

-Elimination of close contact activities and classes or complete revision of affected curriculum to provide social distance learning with Chorus. band, theatre, Physical Ed. etc

-Remodeling of staff break areas to insure social distance and hygiene guidelines, toilets, refrigerators etc can be to the highest health standards.

-Prepacked lunches for students distributed with social distance and mask standards in place.

-Eliminate assemblies and replace with high tech school zoom/communication systems in place.

-No class trips

This is a start but the costs will never be funded. I guess you are on your own. Remember that we love our students and staff. Health first. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

The Right Way To Open School

I wouldn't ask a florist to perform heart surgery nor a carpenter to be my wedding planner. Training and expertise matter. I therefore would not ask a politician to decide on reopening school unless they were a former teacher or school expert with something credible to say. We should not be surprised that the least competent Secretary of Education and anti public school advocate in history and the demonic idiot she serves are putting students, parents and staff in the middle of a political war during a raging health crisis without regard for their health. We must hope that the thousands of smart minds running public school systems can ignore the noise, the threats, the inaccuracies and the bluster and plan for a safe reopening of school. We cannot look for a one size fits all approach. The reopening plans should run the gamut from a hybrid of remote/in class to a full reopen to full remote. It depends on how you merge the realities of the spreading virus with the essential public health requirements, building capacities and financial flexibility of each district. All 13000 school districts are planning for the new school year but must reflect on their geography, their infrastructure and their local realities. It's easy to create another us vs. them war...those who want to open school and those against it. That is a false and totally dangerous narrative. It's only used by trump to stoke more hatred and division. It won't work. I am a retired educator and Board of Ed member so this issue is near and dear to me. I know that the expertise, professionalism and common sense of the vast majority of educators is up to the task. Knee jerk reactions and political interference will not work. Let the educators and public health officials do their jobs. The rest should just go under a tree and read a book.

Where are you Americans For Reason and Truth?

Mass(k) Confusion.

Let's say you are a MAGA hat wearing supporter of the President. He has told you masks are not manly, they show weakness and the virus has only affected15 people going to zero. Then it was that the virus is only for the old. Then it was it won't kill more than 75000. Then it was, we have to open, the virus will just go away. Then it was the Governor's are handling it great. Then it was Dr. Fauci makes a lot of mistakes. You've bought into it all. You've listened and reacted hook, line and sinker. You worship him. Now yesterday, he wore a mask. Are you confused? Are you less of a man? 

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

trump Math

Math is useful whether you like the subject or not. Numbers do not lie. trump has the support of 40 percent of likely voters. This group is 53 percent men 94 percent who are white. 73 percent are non college grads. 47 percent are women 92 percent who are white and 68 percent non college. These numbers have been gathered from a selection of polls and may not be completely representative of real numbers. That leaves the rest of us. If you do the math, it looks like he is a goner. So how does trump math work? Restrain mail in ballots to reduce the educated participation. Pass draconian voter ID laws in red states to suppress minority votes. Scare suburban white women about Antifa kidnappers coming for their kids so they stay inside on election day. Lie about Covid 19 death numbers calling the lost lives fake corpses and use the three fifths compromise to only count 60 percent of the black vote claiming that one man one vote is not real getting AG Barr to issue such an advisory. It just may work.

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

The Old Playbook

In 1987 George Herbert Walker Bush was down in the polls against Massachusetts liberal Michael Dukakis. He dusted off the old Nixon playbook, the Southern strategy and his race baiting Willie Horton ad turned the tables. Be afraid of mean looking black rapists released from jail. It worked. He went on to be our President. In 2020, we again are seeing and experiencing the remnants of racism in this country. This time the incumbent, down in the polls is going full on hate. Good Nazis, heroic Confederate traitors, left wing Antifa, encouraging police roughness, extremist lefties aligned with Pantheresque dark people. The same old playbook. If you don't want it to work again, you better vote. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

From Russia With Love

How do Americans support the denial and credibility of the former director of the KGB over the CIA? Is there a MAGA explanation for that? Or an invitation to rejoin the G7 to a country that invaded Ukraine against our interests? Is there a MAGA explanation for that? Or the financing by Russia, the killing of coalition forces as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Is there a MAGA explanation for that? I am just asking. I'd like to make an informed decision.

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth.

Why Won't They Listen?

I am a left of center citizen. I am educated, generous and accepting of different points of view. I never disrespect a person just because their views differ from mine. It does however produce incredible sadness in me to know that there remains a substantial number of my fellow Americans who just don't listen. Forget partisan differences related to size of government, taxation and originalist vs flexible interpretations of our Constitution. Whereas these are viable, relevant and acceptable points for debate, the non listeners will not accept the most basic, human and decent elements of reality. Masks work. Bleach should not be ingested. The virus did not magically go away. There is no caravan of rapists on our border. Confederate monuments do not represent America, they represent secessionist states. North Korea is not reducing it's nuclear arsenal. Telling 20,000 lies as a President is not a good thing. Trying to deflate real numbers during a health crisis is not safe. Encouraging people to rally in hot spots is not good policy. Trying to take health care away during a health crisis is mean without a replacement. Lying about mail in voting while voting by mail is disingenuous and isolating scientific experts in the name of a political campaign is dangerous. Applauding autocrats, ignoring the opinions of intelligence experts and antagonizing allies is unhelpful. Using racist language, encouraging violence and creating division is hurtful to our nation's principles. Still, they won't listen. Vote.

Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Good Government

Many people rail against government. It's too big. My taxes are too high. I don't want government telling me what to do EXCEPT when it affects them. Then, they love government. When it finds you a job (New Deal) or protects your health and retirement (ACA, SS and Medicare), or helps rebuild your home after a hurricane or gives you incentives and loopholes to avoid taxes. Then you love government. Most of the animosity comes from those who actually rely on it the most. Statistically those states who are most likely to be red, take a larger proportion of Federal aid than what they contribute but are the loudest in railing against government. BUT, it is functioning good government that should be debated and demanded. This is what is most important. Government that works, that cares, that makes a difference. What we are seeing now is BAD government. 3 months into a pandemic that has affected us all, we are seeing the worst case counts so far. Why? Bad government. We need Good government. One with leadership, compassion and truth. Wear a fukking mask. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

The New Normal? What's that even mean?

Today, Memorial Day, will likely mark the 100 thousandth Covid 19 death in America. Notwithstanding the utter failure, inhumanity and denial of our President in the handling of this crisis, a lot of dialogue about a new normal is being had. What does that really mean? If anyone tells you they know, they are drinking bleach. We don't know when or if an effective vaccine is coming. We don't know the level of a fall surge. We don't know (yet) how reopening measures will affect the health care institutions. We don't know if positive antibody results protect you from a reoccurance. We don't know how children reexposed to each other will handle the virus. We don't know which underlying conditions give certainty to the virus strength in your body. These are just the tip of the iceberg. We do know that masks work to mitigate spread. We do know that drinking bleach or disinfectant is not a good idea. We do know that hydroxychloroquine can cause fatal heart arythmias. We do know that lengthy crowding in closed spaces causes viral spread. We do know that fresh air, exercise and social distancing work in controlling the virus. We do know that 

Scientists, Doctors and Researchers know more about viruses than do politicians. And, we do know that a healthy, careful and science based population can restore economic growth quicker than any tweet or reckless recommendation. The New normal? Beats me. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth.

He Deserves It

He is a bad guy. A bully, a liar and a cheat. His whole life has been built on a narcissistic self promotion narrative and on the backs of others' misfortune. As President he has violated his oath to protect and defend the Constitution and no matter what his supporters say, he is just not worthy of the office he holds. He may not be removed by a feckless sycophantic Senate, but he deserves the historic rebuke that will be delivered by the peoples' House. Only 2 before him have suffered such a repudiation. He will go down in history as deserving of the pain and insult he will receive just like how he piles onto others. Merry Impeachment Donald. Wear the mantle of scorn with dishonor and shame. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Not a Close Call

I am far from a genius. I am no better than you. I do, however, understand our Constitution. I taught it, I went to school to learn about it up through and including graduate courses and I keep a copy of it at my disposal at all times. It is not a close call regarding trump's continuous violation of his oath to defend it. No matter what your political party affiliation is, take a breath, be honest, pretend it was Obama if you are a Republican, and clear your mind of spin. trump has refused to execute existing law. He has obstructed Congressional authority for spending. He has held aid back from an ally for political gain. He is colluding with jurors at a possible trial. He has set policy for personal financial gain. He has instructed people to defy subpoenas and he has obstructed an investigation into an enemy attack on our democracy. Not a close call. Where are you Americans for reason and truth? Impeach.org for a rally near you.

There was a time

There was a time in America where bullying a child, making fun of a disabled person, lying, being a hateful, indecent piece of human trash, would be viewed as bad. No more. The New America. Welcome. Brown people not welcome. Education is not needed. Only wealth matters. Health Care is a privilege. Debate and compromise are gone. Indecency is our new motto. Hate your enemies. Ignore the law. Rip up the Constitution. Love Russia. Ignore truth. Yes folks, this is our country. What a shame. Where are you Americans for Reason and truth. Go to impeach.org and rally for how we used to be.

All this winning

Mexico has not paid one cent for a border wall. Manufacturing at a 10 year low. GDP growth is half of what was promised. North Korea is expanding it's nuclear program, calling djt a dotard. Love letters? Iran is enriching uranium. No Middle East plan. 11 million additional uninsured Americans. Record defecits. Lifespan of Americans declined. Small farmer bankruptcies on the rise. Trade war getting worse and not so easy to win. 6 child deaths in detention facilities. Coal mines closing with no new coal jobs as promised. Air and water more polluted according to government agencies as a result of deregulation. No plan to address Dreamers. Still in Afghanistan. Hate crimes quadrupled. No sensible gun legislation in the face of mass shootings. Have I mentioned Impeachment?...nope Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Still Not Enough?

What I don't get is that regardless of what this man does, the Republicans don't see him as an existential threat. One day he'll be gone and where will the party be? Left as the representatives of indecency, immorality, racism and injustice? Is that what they want? Imagine a KasichHaley2020 ticket where they ran on Conservatism and Decency. Wavering Republicans, angry and embarrassed would vote for that ticket. The party would be saved. And still, they won't. I hope they stick by this cancer they have enabled, this filthy inhuman indecent thug. Stick by him Republicans, I beg you. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Un Constitution Moscow Mitch Style

It is crystal clear in the Constitution that Congress legislates and the Executive enforces. It is also clear that a President does not ever have the final word on law. NEVER. Our past greatness has always come from debate, disagreement and compromise. According to "Moscow Mitch" McConnell, these rules and realities need not apply. It is profoundly incorrect to hold up legislating because of what a President thinks. For that reason, Congress has override authority. People are getting killed by guns at alarming levels and the most vociferous 2nd amendment advocates want this debate to be in the open and supportive of sensible measures. McConnell's refusal to move forward by using the excuse that the President won't support it, is not only a dereliction of duty, but an insult to the founding principles of our nation. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Sick Children

The new policy from the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania avenue is to deport children of immigrants of questionable status, who are receiving life saving medical care. These are children, sick children, who will die. The greatness of America? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Garbage

When the current occupant of the White House ran for President, he ran against America. He said everything Obama touched turned to garbage. Today he criticizes his opponents for calling America garbage when in actuality that's a lie, they didnt, but who cares, right? The best way to express love for America is by debate, disagreement and free and fair elections. By this standard, trump hates America. Who stinks of the garbage? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Sad Truth

Every time I watch the pundits after each trump action of hatred, I listen to them say "it's not who we are". Well folks, it is who we are. We elected him and may do so again. Until we eject him from power and hear decent elected officials call him out from his own party, this is America. We are the country that has brought him to power and nurtured his racism. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Air and Water

For six months this blog has been heading to the graveyard of blogs. It didn't quite make it. Its near death experience was precipitated by my deep sadness and despair over what has happened to my country. It is easy to scapegoat the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. whose name I cannot utter without a peristaltic rage. There are others. A majority leader whose corruption mirrors the reckless cabinet of which his spouse is funneling money to his home state. A man who defies the will of the people by blocking every substantive piece of legislation coming from the People's House. Perhaps we should include the feckless cowardice of Mitt Romney or the hypocrisy of Susan Collins, or the abject fraudulence of Lindsay Graham or the news network that enables lies and promotes bigotry in the name of the President. All candidates for barnacles that feast on the muck and mire at the bottom of the sea. The daily lies, the prejudice and racism, the narcissistic and hateful vengeance, the denial of facts, science and truth, the self aggrandizement, the daily drumbeat of self congratulations, the incompetence and dangers coming from his aids and advisers, all weights upon my desire for expression. My psyche has been harmed, injured, battled and put on life support. BUT, it has not died. Not yet. What has brought it to life? Very simple. Air and Water. If you put everything aside about the man in the White House, everything, didn't follow politics at all, didn't care much about DC., but knew your air and water were under attack, you might say, maybe I should pay attention? For the first time in 40 years, the scientific community has issued non partisan reports that say our air and water are less safe and more polluted. The President's response in typical rally like fashion was that our air and water are the safest they have ever been under his Presidency. A lie, but who listens anymore? His further response due to his obsession with all things Obama, was to deregulate coal and end the Clean Energy initiatives of his predecessor adding to the dangers of drinking our water and breathing our air. This is what has caused this blog to arise from its near death experience. Perhaps next, we should care about Nazi marches in the streets of Florida when the polluter in chief held his re election rally. Just sayin. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

A very bad ,sick, evil man.

"He was impatient, overly aggressive, overly dramatic. He acted on impulse. He tended to sensationalize the evidence he had. He would neglect to do the important homework and consequently would, on occasion, make challengeable statements" Roy Cohn. This is the same Roy Cohn who was a lawyer to the trump family. In the quote just cited, most relatively smart people, might think he was describing our current President. He was not, but he could have been. Instead, he was describing one of the most indecent, lying, dishonest, hateful thugs in American politics, Joseph McCarthy who better than most, could use lies, fear and demagoguery to seize upon the hate in the hearts of the ignorant and use to his political advantage. He had no match, until now. Donald trump, our President, is a darkly disturbed, evil manipulator of the truth, an ignorant fear mongering narcissist that cares not a hoot for our country or its people, other than those who blindly support him. He gladly supports policies that separate children from their parents in the name of security. He supports and fawns over obvious dictators who have no restraint from a free press and no concern for human dignity. He blames every dangerous situation of his own creation on others. He gladly supports the taking away of health care in the name of personal hatred of his predecessor. He gladly supports shuttering our government just to hang on to a campaign promise neither needed nor truthfully expressed. I can go on with similarly evil and mean spirited examples but the point has been made. Donald trump is simply an evil, bad, sick and darkly disturbed man. We either hold him accountable for his criminality, his mean spiritedness his indecency, or we don't. If we don't, we cease being the beacon of hope for all who value freedom, we disgrace our founding principles and we dishonor ourselves. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?