Middle image is of the old Havana watertower. We spent some time walking the river front. This little town is doing an amazing job of building up their park along the river. Beautiful day spent with my wife.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Spring
Middle image is of the old Havana watertower. We spent some time walking the river front. This little town is doing an amazing job of building up their park along the river. Beautiful day spent with my wife.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Emiquon
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Leadership
"I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, so that the Lord may carry out His promise which he spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.' (I Kings 2: 2-4)
1. show yourself a man
2. walk in the ways of the Lord
3. keep the commandments of the Lord
4. keep His ordinances
5. keep His testimonies
6. base these items off His Word and success will follow.
I watch the events unfold in Wisconsin and around the world and pray for leaders who will focus on these six characteristics of leadership. Leaders must focus with unwavering concentration on each of these and then, move forward with ideas that demonstrate the fiscal restraint necessary but that also demonstrate compassion toward those who will suffer the consequences.
It is interesting how the Greeks failed to set up accountability in the democratic process and then the Romans followed suit as they moved to a republic. Ultimately the voter is to blame, I guess, though in this age of incumbent advantage they are difficult to defeat. Finding truth in our day and age is also nearly impossible. It is, once again, time for the term limit discussion or the idea of a lottery. The possibility that all high school graduates, free of criminal records, would be eligible to serve as a legislator for a two year term and then they are done. No consulting, no living in the vicinity of the seat of government, no contact whatsoever. Serve, vote, and leave. Whatever their salary was, that is what they get paid for the two years. A rotation system would be set up so one group leaves on even number years and the other leaves on odd.
They don't understand government? They don't know Roberts Rules of Order? Good, that has not helped us much. Failure to rule wisely results in a fine. Failure to "be a man" in times of crisis (are you paying attention Mr. President) and submitting a fiscally irresponsible budget, failing to make one hard decision all because you fear getting thrown out of office after one term. Amazing. What a total disappointment to those who voted for you, who believed you had a plan. I am unable to find one of the six characteristics in our leaders, what does that mean for our future?
Slow and steady progress toward fiscal responsibility must guide all decisions. Do I believe taxes must go up? I believe taxes on those people earning $500,000 per year and up must be raised. Minimum tax of 45%. The percentage goes up 5% per additional $500,000 to a maximum of 70%. Bill Gates would have lived just fine on 30% of his income. This is based upon gross and not net income. No shuffling of money, no funky accounting, its a return to JFK era income tax. The rich will pay and the middle class will grow again. Spare me the whining about the richest already paying most of the income tax, everyone earning above $20,000 will pay something.
The Social Security surplus could never be touched except for Social Security purposes. Federal funding would be frozen (wages included) for five years, budget increases would only be allowed based upon cpi. The increased tax revenue, by federal statute would go toward balancing the budget first and paying down debt second (they are entirely different). Those with retirement incomes of over $100,000 would not receive any Social Security increases and in Illinois, would pay state income tax. Retirement income would be based upon gross and not net. Every program added must be accompanied by an equal spending cut. Every law passed has a seven year sunset, no time to build a bureaucracy around it so that you can't get rid or it or even discuss it (think war on drugs). Leadership, the time for someone to step forward is now.
1. show yourself a man
2. walk in the ways of the Lord
3. keep the commandments of the Lord
4. keep His ordinances
5. keep His testimonies
6. base these items off His Word and success will follow.
I watch the events unfold in Wisconsin and around the world and pray for leaders who will focus on these six characteristics of leadership. Leaders must focus with unwavering concentration on each of these and then, move forward with ideas that demonstrate the fiscal restraint necessary but that also demonstrate compassion toward those who will suffer the consequences.
It is interesting how the Greeks failed to set up accountability in the democratic process and then the Romans followed suit as they moved to a republic. Ultimately the voter is to blame, I guess, though in this age of incumbent advantage they are difficult to defeat. Finding truth in our day and age is also nearly impossible. It is, once again, time for the term limit discussion or the idea of a lottery. The possibility that all high school graduates, free of criminal records, would be eligible to serve as a legislator for a two year term and then they are done. No consulting, no living in the vicinity of the seat of government, no contact whatsoever. Serve, vote, and leave. Whatever their salary was, that is what they get paid for the two years. A rotation system would be set up so one group leaves on even number years and the other leaves on odd.
They don't understand government? They don't know Roberts Rules of Order? Good, that has not helped us much. Failure to rule wisely results in a fine. Failure to "be a man" in times of crisis (are you paying attention Mr. President) and submitting a fiscally irresponsible budget, failing to make one hard decision all because you fear getting thrown out of office after one term. Amazing. What a total disappointment to those who voted for you, who believed you had a plan. I am unable to find one of the six characteristics in our leaders, what does that mean for our future?
Slow and steady progress toward fiscal responsibility must guide all decisions. Do I believe taxes must go up? I believe taxes on those people earning $500,000 per year and up must be raised. Minimum tax of 45%. The percentage goes up 5% per additional $500,000 to a maximum of 70%. Bill Gates would have lived just fine on 30% of his income. This is based upon gross and not net income. No shuffling of money, no funky accounting, its a return to JFK era income tax. The rich will pay and the middle class will grow again. Spare me the whining about the richest already paying most of the income tax, everyone earning above $20,000 will pay something.
The Social Security surplus could never be touched except for Social Security purposes. Federal funding would be frozen (wages included) for five years, budget increases would only be allowed based upon cpi. The increased tax revenue, by federal statute would go toward balancing the budget first and paying down debt second (they are entirely different). Those with retirement incomes of over $100,000 would not receive any Social Security increases and in Illinois, would pay state income tax. Retirement income would be based upon gross and not net. Every program added must be accompanied by an equal spending cut. Every law passed has a seven year sunset, no time to build a bureaucracy around it so that you can't get rid or it or even discuss it (think war on drugs). Leadership, the time for someone to step forward is now.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Bike Ride
Over 40 and sun was shining. Truly a great day to get out on the bike. Spotted another rider as I was going over I 155 and being the person I am. . . the chase is on. Doesn't matter that I have not been out riding consistently; it's someone to try and catch. I forget I'm not 50 any more and this is only my sixth day of riding this year. I don't like the rider to know I'm chasing them and this particular rider made sure they stayed three bikes ahead but it was still great motivation.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Main Street looking north
Short video of the snow. View is looking north on main-street in Tremont. We missed three days of school due to a 15" snowfall. Our power was out for just about twenty-four hours. Previous video shows Vicki and I eating a backpacking meal cooked on our camping stove. The adventures continue.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Focus
Just started reading Focus, Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning by Mike Schmoker. Tomorrow is a department meeting and I need to apologize for wasting five months of the school year on initiatives that will not impact student success. I knew this in August but didn't have any "data" to support my thoughts. The further into the school year the more apparent it was that we had too many initiatives and no focus. I fell into line attempting to be the good employee and department leader. I knew we were heading in the wrong direction but didn't have the courage to lead in what my "gut" told me was the proper direction.
At our meeting tomorrow we will discuss a "new" direction. We can begin to discuss change that will impact students. What amazes me is that it isn't new, it is information most educators know but don't have time to practice. The hint is in the title of this post. "What" we teach and "how" we teach are the bottom line essentials. We can study data all day (and data is important) but at the end of the day, what we are teaching and how we are teaching it will make the real impact. Too many teachers are totally distracted by the latest technology initiative (that was probably implemented without a long-range plan or goal), whether to move to CCS (common core standards) now or wait, or following up on a group of students (in addition to my current classes) to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to do in their classes.
At the end of the day it boils down to what is taught and how it is taught that will engage our students and prepare them for their future. This is where the "bang for the invested buck" will be found.
At our meeting tomorrow we will discuss a "new" direction. We can begin to discuss change that will impact students. What amazes me is that it isn't new, it is information most educators know but don't have time to practice. The hint is in the title of this post. "What" we teach and "how" we teach are the bottom line essentials. We can study data all day (and data is important) but at the end of the day, what we are teaching and how we are teaching it will make the real impact. Too many teachers are totally distracted by the latest technology initiative (that was probably implemented without a long-range plan or goal), whether to move to CCS (common core standards) now or wait, or following up on a group of students (in addition to my current classes) to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to do in their classes.
At the end of the day it boils down to what is taught and how it is taught that will engage our students and prepare them for their future. This is where the "bang for the invested buck" will be found.
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