I cannot believe how difficult it is for people to accept change. What about the Health Care bill now law is so difficult to understand and embrace? Are people really so afraid of government ruling the country? Why? No one said "boo" when the Bush Administration basically did what it wanted -- including changing the definition of the word torture -- to push their agenda forward. Why, then, do we as a country have so much difficulty understanding that health care helps all people in the country.

When students are healthy, they can learn better. when students learn better they become more intelligent. When the people of a country are more intelligent, the decisions they make are better considered. When children are healthy, the likelihood that they maintain health into old age is greater.

Do we need to punish those who are unfortunate enough to be ill by removing their insurance?

I went on yet another interview today. This was for one of four leave replacement positions in the Byram Hills School District (located in Armonk, NY). When I was initially contacted by the head of the English department, he indicated that the interest was to find an experienced teacher who could handle the NYS ELA test. While I am fully capable, I did not want to have my time and energy wasted. So, I graciously said that while I know the test well, I have no experience scoring it. I added that I recognized that they needed to hire what they needed to hire, but if the scoring was a deal breaker, let's part ways before anyone wasted time. He was quite nice about it and said if I were hired they'd get me training. The interview went well.

I've come to the point where I will not beg for a job. I am very good at what I do and shine better when I am me. If they don't want to hire me, so be it, but at least I won't be selling myself short. Life is too short to jump through other people's hoops. Besides, how can I show myself in the best light if I don't provide my own lighting? I am who I am.

In the meanwhile, I am waiting for a non-teaching job to become available in Rod's department -- with the same pay as Rod. While I will not have summers off, the commute is the cat's meow. Wouldn't it be weird to have two offers at the same time? Aren't I a dreamer?

What's on Your List?

I just finished reading "The Next Thing on My List" by Jill Smolinski and it got me thinking about having a list of accomplishments I would like to have to my name. Sure, I want to be a better, nicer person, but I'd also like to do something with my life. Make a mark. So, I started a list:

1. be a runner. as in run a 5K (yes, the character in the book did this too, but still...)

2. get back down to 115 and stay there.

3. become a doctor - in language, literacy and learning

4. calm down

5. remember that others have troubles too. what looks good doesn't always mean life is grand.

6. write every day -- maybe even publish a book.

7. volunteer in an organization I feel strongly about.

So, it's a start.

Health Care Reform

The tax on soda got a friend of mine talking on facebook. The comments that followed had remarks about the health care reform bill which made me want to scream. This anti-Obama attitude is making me crazy, yet I recognize that others are entitled to their opinion. I wanted to make a remark to the anti health care reform people, but I first decided to do some real research into what the health care reform bill means.

First, it takes the problems in health care and tries to address them. The biggest problems are: high cost, not all are covered, those with coverage get denied benefits when they become sick. I personally believe we can all agree that these are problems that need fixing. The trouble is, the Republican party doesn't want to pay for the fixing (or their campaigns are paid for by the insurance companies that over-charge for insurance). I understand that but I don't believe the majority of the people in this country don't want to fix the problems in health care.

The Obama bill calls for all to be insured. In essence, he will be forcing the American people to buy health care. The idea of forcing the population to do anything would make it bristle, but consider the fact that no one is complaining about having to have auto insurance or having to pay taxes for social security or medicare. What's the difference?

It is a slippery slope when you propose a bill that may cost taxpayers money. However, let's consider the costs we already carry due to an unhealthy body of people. Schools do not meet the standards because students are not healthy. When kids fail in school, they will become a burden on society down the road. They will be unable to find a meaningful job thus creating a scenario where a criminal life offers more for them. What we pay up front could really save us money down the road.

But I am an Obama supporter.

Really, though, can we not get together on this. Health care needs reform. Let's do it so we can be a better society. One worth fighting for.

Hazing

I just read an article about hazing in high and middle schools. My initial reaction to the title of the article was "hazing is bad" though as I read more, I realized I don't fully understand the whole scope of the situation.

My first understanding of hazing came when I saw The Lords of Discipline. Rod's time at the Citadel made me further aware albeit after the fact, that hazing was ever present in a military environment. Sadly, I witnessed hazing without even knowing it when I was in high school. What's worse, I wanted to be included in the humiliating process.

Why did my high school have sororities? What purpose did they serve? What did those girls even do? Still, I was hurt when all the cool kids were inducted and of course I was not. I remember Jan Sheldon having to sing "I Love to Love you baby" to a trash can on the smokers patio in an outfit fit for the 50s. Rhonda Kaplan had to kiss 500 sheets of tissue paper (red lipstick necessary) and collect a lock of Hank Erbe's hair. Really, what was this all about?

Flash forward to the present, and I was sort of stunned to realize my own daughter's lacrosse team had its own form of hazing. Making the freshman girls collect the equipment from the field is apparently hazing.

The biggest problems are : people want to be included in something and will do almost anything to garner that inclusion.

we don't really know when to say when. Gathering equipment from the field after practice seems harmless; injuring the newbies on the soccer team as they stand in a goal with no shirts as other players make free kicks to the goal.

Can this be stopped? Not without the masses coming to agreement about appropriate behavior and ensuring the safety of the whistle blower. So, I guess it's unlikely.