This is no time to panic, unless you flew to Hawaii with public funds

Union Leader ^ | August 12 2002 | JOE McQUAID

[2Trievers]

I HEARD IT AGAIN the other day on TV. Someone in a position of authority was saying it was not time to panic. I believe this was in regards to the West Nile virus, which had been found in a dead crow in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Manchester.

Just having "virus" and "dead crow" and "cemetery" in the same sentence was enough to put me on edge. Adding "panic" to the mix was nearly unbearable, even if the authority figure was saying this wasn't the time for it.

When is it going to be time to panic? It must be appropriate at some point, because I sometimes hear the TV quoting various official-looking officials as saying there is "no reason" to panic. I infer from this that panic is called for when sufficient reason exists. But this only causes me more stress because, truth be known, I don't even know how to panic.

Some day, they are going to come on TV or swoop low overhead in the Snoopy Blimp with a big sign and it's going to say, "OK, everyone. We've found a reason. It's time to panic! Please panic now!"

And everyone but me is going to go to their panic place and get out their pre-packaged panic bag, with the special panic button, and they are going to push the button and panic to the high heavens while I just run around like a chicken with its head cut off not knowing what to do. I am going to look so stupid.

Is "Panic 101" now offered in our schools? I'll bet it is. It may even be a required course. It probably took the place of history or science or some other drivel.

It was probably one of the things that all the Raymond school officials were taught how to teach when they went to Hawaii, at public expense, last month.

I'll bet those Raymond teachers were taught all about panic so that when they came home and all the local folk who had been sitting out a heat wave, while still holding down two jobs each, found out where they had been, the teachers could say, "Our trip to Hawaii at taxpayer expense is no reason to panic."

They could say this after the taxpayers found out that the teachers and school officials were "working" at the Hawaii seminar in the mornings only and that, after 1:30 p.m. every day, it was play time on the sands of Waikiki.

"This is no time to panic," they could say, after realizing that their first line of defense was not working (the superintendent said, Hey, Hawaii is where they were teaching the seminar); and the taxpayers were approaching them with a menacing look in their eye.

I recently asked my company to consider sending me to Hawaii to learn Panic 101. I told them it is the least they can do for me, seeing as how I have failed to come even close to that Tyco company boss who allegedly had his company give him loans, then wipe them out, and then pay for his yacht and yacht instructor and personal doctor and fitness trainer and chef.

My company's accountants sent me a note in reply. It said, "This is no time to panic. But can you come in on Monday for a little chat? Please bring your expense records."

[2Trievers]

Nice to know SOMEone notices this stuff. &;-)

[Movemout]

Noticing is nice but would be even nicer is if someone would do something about it. I admire teachers who are motivated to teach in the face of many obstacles and low pay but spending public money to send them to Hawaii for half day sessions borders on the criminal. I want my tax money back.

[Miss Marple]

LOL!

[2Trievers]

If the public saw HALF of the WASTE in the system ... oh don't get me started ..

Here's a "for starters" ... eliminate ALL administrative positions in public schools. Forget it! It is so broken ... just get rid of the WHOLE DANG THING! &;-)

[Movemout]

I know you are a teacher in a less than friendly area. What do you think is the tooth to tail ratio of public dollars spent on teaching?--- Tooth being the teaching and tail being the "admin support."

[2Trievers]

With administrators (in my system) making $90 - 110K (and we have TONS of them) ... probably 10 -15% of the dollars allocated goes to text books, supplies and actual programs that the teacher sees. Dismal food chain. I'm depressed now ... thanks Movemout! &;-)

[Movemout]

Sorry to depress you my friend but this is how the program needs to be attacked. The best tooth to tail ratios, in large organizations, I have experienced is 60-40, sixty being the teeth. More commonly, 50-50 is acceptable. If ever there was a politician who wanted to make his bones with the voters on an issue, this is it. Go after the waste, fraud, and abuse in one of the most expensive burdens placed on the back of the taxpayer. Do it right and write your own ticket!

[Movemout]

BTW, I know it might be hard to believe but I was a member of a federal organization with a budget of $2B a year, thats right BILLION, which had a tooth to tail of 65-35. It can be done!

[2Trievers]

I'm out in 2 years ... retiring early to the wilderness (like you?)... where NATURE will be my classroom ... my only fight, whether to have regular or flavored coffee while I FReep. &;-)

But you are right, unless the sheeple "see" the systems will remain broken. But the electorate is so apathetic ... a cure is remote. &;-(

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

It wasn't necessarily teachers who went, it was school "officials". If it walks like a boondoogle and ...

[sinclair]

"I want my tax money back."

Whew, that was a good one.

[Movemout]

"I'm out in 2 years ... retiring early to the wilderness (like you?)... "

I am not in a wilderness. I tried to quit last year and my wife will not allow it. I wish you peace of mind for you have, no doubt, earned it. The wilderness is the present situation in our schools. They have reviled reason in favor of "feelgoodness" and I wish it were not so. I will wriggle on the line with a hook in my mouth as long as I am able.

[Movemout]

Do Sinclair gas stations still exist? I remember getting a box of laundry detergent with a drinking glass inside just for gassing up at Sinclair. You might think it funny to demand a return on your tax dollars. I do not. I think it is egregious to allow public officials to squander our money on pork without accountability. I wish more thought the same.

[2Trievers]

Thanks FRiend ... no doubt I am burned out ... and once refreshed become politically active for school reform again. &;-)

You'll LOVE this one ... "my union" (AFT/AFL/CIO) just sent me a letter, asking ME to contribute $100. to their political campaign organization! LOL

[2Trievers]

I should hastily add ... "Moi," who stood before the union leaders at the last annual meeting, and armed with Mark "The Great One" Levin/Landmark Legal's info, grilled the officers about their use of union dues for political campaigns. Being booed down by 2,500 people is quite an experience. Got a portion of my dues back though ... hehe. &;-)

[alfa6]

Well the Sinclair name is still around, I live about a mile from a Sinclair Marketing distibution center. Gas trucks are coming and going at all hours of the day. I suspect though that the stations them selves are gome and Sinclair sells to independents and convience stores and that sort of thing. There were Sinclair gas stations here in Kansas City a few years ago and yes I to remember the gas station promotions such as you mentioned.

Regards

alfa6 ;>)

[Movemout]

" Got a portion of my dues back though ... hehe. &;-)"

If you never accomplish any significant thing for the rest of yout life you have accomplished this. I salute your accomplishment!

[sinclair]

"You might think it funny to demand a return on your tax dollars. I do not."

What I thought was funny was that you even voiced that opinion. If you were to get money back it wouldn't amount to anything more than the $300.00 you received last year, and believe me that isn't at all likely. Miniscule compared to the amount they steal annually from you and me. Yes it is stealing. Three quarters of the federal taxes collected are Constitutionally unlawful.

No Sinclair stations left. Company no longer exixts. Freeper Sabertooth turned me on to the logo and I just thought it appropriate.

[2Trievers]

LOL ... My "accomplishment" was due ENTIRELY to Landmark Legal's carefully crafted materials ... I was merely the messenger. &;-)

[Movemout]

I like you Mr. Sinclair. You have a fine appreciation for what is theft. Too bad that Sinclair bit the dust.