Based on new this information, and since he acted alone in this decision according to the district, he did an enormous disservice to our students in his sole decision to allow a 30 minute pass for students to leave the campus to VIEW the address OFF CAMPUS provided they bring a signed permission slip with them. This was very disturbing to me first and foremost to place the burden on those who wished to view it, instead of placing the burden on those whose parents were in opposition and did not wish their children to view it. There is something very amiss with that in and of itself fundamentally speaking. Mr. McCullough did not convene with the Board of Trustees or the Principles. He placed himself in a very precarious position in that his actions could be misconstrued as personal political bias on his part, which in that case, compromises the integrity of his position as superintendent. Without the accountability afforded in a group decision, it is possible that he did not separate his own personal feelings politically from his position, which, if that is the case, brings up ethical concerns. Of course, discovery of Mr. McCullough's intent must be the next step from those who have to power to make a decision regarding his remaining as Superintendent. I hope that the governing body that has the authorization to do so, takes the appropriate steps to move forward transparently in that discovery and upon deliberation, will make a decision, and communicate that decision to the community. I believe that this action, will quell the hearts of people like me who entrust their children's education to this district. I believe that will begin the process of healing for those that have been hurt by his choices. As I had stated in previously, McCullough's decision:
If the Arlington district truly wants to build healthy, productive, mindful, responsible, law-abiding citizens that value personal responsibility and above all, have high regard for our leaders from parents, teachers, local governing bodies, all the way up to the President, we must set the bar at the top. We must demand and uphold the superintendent to be mindful of his position for the children that he is to be looking out for and hold him accountable to the decisions that he makes. Especially those decisions that he acts upon alone. These are fundamental principles that must not waiver. These children are watching our every move, thinking for themselves and forming opinions of what they see. We must be mindful of that. They will act accordingly. I would like this district to uphold what is best for the children first and foremost, and will act upon what is right for them. I would like to see this district send a clear message to the kids and the community- that this situation will be addressed appropriately. I would like this district to serve as a model to our children, faculty, and community that all choices, good or bad, have consequences. I would like this district to find a way to resolve this issue swiftly and carefully so that this our children can get back to the business of learning. I would like this district to find a creative way to make this situation, an opportunity to them to learn. Let's give these children the credit that they deserve, and show them respect by validating them through open involvement and clear communication. It is what we do in adversity, that our character shines through. To sweep this under the rug, with a pat on the hand is not enough, and that too, sends a clear message to the students, parents, faculty, community, and the nation. Because of the national attention that we have received as a district, our response will show everyone what we are truly made of. We must be mindful of that as well, for they will act accordingly. |
Sunday, September 13, 2009
I went to the Fort Worth Star-telegram to read Mr. McCullough's apology, however it was at that time, I was made aware, that the prompting of his apology came not from the burden he created on the students to actually VIEW the address, but of the backlash he was receiving from citizens regarding his decision to authorize a half-day's pass to 5th graders to go the Dallas Cowboy's Stadium to hear a George W. Bush lecture. This added insult to injury.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Hello. My last two posts were my reactions to the observations of behavior of individuals that I feel behaved irresponsibly. These two politicians that I made reference to have led me to become quite passionate about speaking my mind as well as creating new ideas to develop solutions to help the president. The president had three main points on his political campaign.
1. Renewable energy to be more environmentally friendly.
2. Affordable Healthcare for all.
3. Education for each person in this country to realize their talents and skills and put their best foot forward to make a contribution to themselves as well as their country.
Now, I try to keep it real, and everyone can see that we have many other issues going on besides the three that are presented here. But, I believe that the President addressing his primary campaign issues are guided by the basic principles of personal responsiblity and justice for all. Last night, the president ended his speech about the character of this country. Our moral obligation to humanity. Granted, the economy is not stable, and measures have been taken to assemble some return to that financial security, but I believe that the reasons that we came to that point of financial devastation has been born out of core problems that come from inhumane practices by big business and a desire to obtain the highest profits without regard to human cost. Focusing on profit margins instead of people have led us down that road.
The president, at least from my point of view is trying to reach into the hearts and passions of every American (young and old) to bring us back to a place that involves matters of the heart. Compassion and concern for the earth, other humans, as well as our future (children) are what he is attempintg to revitalize.
The demands for accountability from all walks of life, all sectors, young and old, big business, parents, educators, children, and legislators that will help to shape the new policies based on principles of the fundamentals of character and integrity. Those include doing the right thing for people, regardless of color or socioeconomic status, or level of education.
In a diverse society, with people practicing different religions, we must work together through one common thread. This common thread is humanity. A concern for the welfare of ourselves and for others. All businesses that have sustained successful profits and have been responsible in regards to human well-being make provisions for its employees including providing health care as well as opportunities for continuing education, and taking adequate paid time off to be with families and friends and provide some framework for the balance of work/rest/play.
Exploiting people by reducing benefits, cutting back on vacation time, not providing educational opportunities for personal growth through ongoing job training or credits for college, and a bottom line approach has led us down the road of not seeing people any more at all. Something is lost when you do that-our hearts for the welfare and well being of humanity as a whole.
The time has come to demand that all employers, to some extent be held accountable to its employees in terms of providing those provisions. Many times, the employers approach is to have the highest profits, and provide the least amount of provisions as allowed by law. Employers need to take into consideration other needs of employees. Employers need to be held accountable to do the right thing. Character and obligation to doing what is right for humanity should be the guiding principle behind decisions that affect people in regards to healthcare and other benefits that are essential. An example might be if your profiting 10%, maybe its time to reinvest the 5% percent back into your empolyees, and keep the remaining for themselves. Giving to organizations for tax incentives is not the kind of reinvestment that I am talking about and should not be a substitute for doing the right thing for employees. A healthcare option keeps employers accountable and gives people a sense of security. It puts pressure on the people who have the power to exploit, to do the right thing, or deal with a consequence. We cannot blindly accept that all businesses are going to do the right thing. The temptation to earn the largest profit is too strong and needs to be in check.
Now you may be saying that those are different issues all together and that one does not intertwine with the other, but I disagree. Employees are people. Not robots. People have needs to be healthy emotionally and physically. It is the human condition. We have a need to take care of ourselves on basic levels-shelter, food, and clothing. We also need to be healthy, and preserve our health through preventative efforts. People going to emergency rooms for cuts and scrapes and infections are not what emergency services are there for. If a person does not seek medical attention by going to the doctor early on, it is much more expensive to be reactive to an illness or disease that has progressed to an emergency level. To pay employees just enough to make ends meet is not enough. People need additional benefits that make life worth living. Money to put their kids in dance, or money to go on a trip. Money to pay for tuition to improve themselves. To just meet the status quo, without providing for people's health, happiness, and security is a recipe for disaster. Look at the way things are NOW. A solution must be made or these problems will continue to spiral out of control. Please show support to President Obama's healthcare reform so that legislators can work to compromise and negotiate to put this new policy into action.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hcsignon/?returnlink=false
On a side note, addressing the Presidents Address to the nation's children I wanted to comment on this. Upon research, I found a youtube link regarding the letter that was written by the President to his daughters about what has driven him in his life, as well as the reasons that he decided to become the president. This letter I believe, written to his children comes from the heart. I do not believe in any way that this letter was written for political gain. The reason, I believe it was shared with the country was intended to communicate who President Obama is as a father and a person. For those children without fathers who care, it could have been written to them as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NEAMm95qC4
It was a video showing other children reading his inspirational words. This president has set out to deal with our country on the brink of financial disaster. He has also set out to deal with the fundamental problems associated with character surrounding doing the right thing for people. If you can, put all of your biases aside and just listen to him at face value. This will be the biggest challenge to those who are in opposition of him. The equation is simple. When two people/parties disagree on a topic, the only way to coming to a solution that is good for both parties is a decision/effort to genuinely work together to negotiate and compromise through respectful and healthy dialogue.
The President of the UNITED states of America, Barack Obama, was initially asking for children to write a letter to themselves on how they were going to contribute their talents and skills and dreams to make the country a better place. The accusations of indoctrination of political cult-like Marxism from right winged opposition was a sad barrier and the children did not get to hear him ask them to do that. As a matter of fact, my teenage daughter who attends a public school here in the state of TEXAS did not get to see that at the school because of parents creating such a disturbing outcry. I sat down with my child and we watched it after school because I believe in the Presidents cause. As a student, I asked myself that same question at 41 years of age. What can I do to help this president? I have been doing a lot of thinking and realize that I want to take action now. Not later.
Right now, in an effort to help the president to his cause, I have created a dream. It is to form a committee of professionals and non-professionals to innovate, develop and implement a life-skills program for the US Public Education system for grades K-12. I believe so strongly that education is the key to our social ills in all areas of life. Rather than having reactive policies that deal with poverty, oppression, and disadvantaged populations that struggle, I believe a more proactive approach to empower those people would help save time, money, and lives. My dream is to be apart of the process of innovating, developing and implementing this essential life-skills program for children early on in the education system to help them to develop emotionally, intellectually, rationally, and driven to become productive and responsible citizens of the United States of America. Not only is this the job of parents, it is the job of all educators.
1. Renewable energy to be more environmentally friendly.
2. Affordable Healthcare for all.
3. Education for each person in this country to realize their talents and skills and put their best foot forward to make a contribution to themselves as well as their country.
Now, I try to keep it real, and everyone can see that we have many other issues going on besides the three that are presented here. But, I believe that the President addressing his primary campaign issues are guided by the basic principles of personal responsiblity and justice for all. Last night, the president ended his speech about the character of this country. Our moral obligation to humanity. Granted, the economy is not stable, and measures have been taken to assemble some return to that financial security, but I believe that the reasons that we came to that point of financial devastation has been born out of core problems that come from inhumane practices by big business and a desire to obtain the highest profits without regard to human cost. Focusing on profit margins instead of people have led us down that road.
The president, at least from my point of view is trying to reach into the hearts and passions of every American (young and old) to bring us back to a place that involves matters of the heart. Compassion and concern for the earth, other humans, as well as our future (children) are what he is attempintg to revitalize.
The demands for accountability from all walks of life, all sectors, young and old, big business, parents, educators, children, and legislators that will help to shape the new policies based on principles of the fundamentals of character and integrity. Those include doing the right thing for people, regardless of color or socioeconomic status, or level of education.
In a diverse society, with people practicing different religions, we must work together through one common thread. This common thread is humanity. A concern for the welfare of ourselves and for others. All businesses that have sustained successful profits and have been responsible in regards to human well-being make provisions for its employees including providing health care as well as opportunities for continuing education, and taking adequate paid time off to be with families and friends and provide some framework for the balance of work/rest/play.
Exploiting people by reducing benefits, cutting back on vacation time, not providing educational opportunities for personal growth through ongoing job training or credits for college, and a bottom line approach has led us down the road of not seeing people any more at all. Something is lost when you do that-our hearts for the welfare and well being of humanity as a whole.
The time has come to demand that all employers, to some extent be held accountable to its employees in terms of providing those provisions. Many times, the employers approach is to have the highest profits, and provide the least amount of provisions as allowed by law. Employers need to take into consideration other needs of employees. Employers need to be held accountable to do the right thing. Character and obligation to doing what is right for humanity should be the guiding principle behind decisions that affect people in regards to healthcare and other benefits that are essential. An example might be if your profiting 10%, maybe its time to reinvest the 5% percent back into your empolyees, and keep the remaining for themselves. Giving to organizations for tax incentives is not the kind of reinvestment that I am talking about and should not be a substitute for doing the right thing for employees. A healthcare option keeps employers accountable and gives people a sense of security. It puts pressure on the people who have the power to exploit, to do the right thing, or deal with a consequence. We cannot blindly accept that all businesses are going to do the right thing. The temptation to earn the largest profit is too strong and needs to be in check.
Now you may be saying that those are different issues all together and that one does not intertwine with the other, but I disagree. Employees are people. Not robots. People have needs to be healthy emotionally and physically. It is the human condition. We have a need to take care of ourselves on basic levels-shelter, food, and clothing. We also need to be healthy, and preserve our health through preventative efforts. People going to emergency rooms for cuts and scrapes and infections are not what emergency services are there for. If a person does not seek medical attention by going to the doctor early on, it is much more expensive to be reactive to an illness or disease that has progressed to an emergency level. To pay employees just enough to make ends meet is not enough. People need additional benefits that make life worth living. Money to put their kids in dance, or money to go on a trip. Money to pay for tuition to improve themselves. To just meet the status quo, without providing for people's health, happiness, and security is a recipe for disaster. Look at the way things are NOW. A solution must be made or these problems will continue to spiral out of control. Please show support to President Obama's healthcare reform so that legislators can work to compromise and negotiate to put this new policy into action.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hcsignon/?returnlink=false
On a side note, addressing the Presidents Address to the nation's children I wanted to comment on this. Upon research, I found a youtube link regarding the letter that was written by the President to his daughters about what has driven him in his life, as well as the reasons that he decided to become the president. This letter I believe, written to his children comes from the heart. I do not believe in any way that this letter was written for political gain. The reason, I believe it was shared with the country was intended to communicate who President Obama is as a father and a person. For those children without fathers who care, it could have been written to them as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NEAMm95qC4
It was a video showing other children reading his inspirational words. This president has set out to deal with our country on the brink of financial disaster. He has also set out to deal with the fundamental problems associated with character surrounding doing the right thing for people. If you can, put all of your biases aside and just listen to him at face value. This will be the biggest challenge to those who are in opposition of him. The equation is simple. When two people/parties disagree on a topic, the only way to coming to a solution that is good for both parties is a decision/effort to genuinely work together to negotiate and compromise through respectful and healthy dialogue.
The President of the UNITED states of America, Barack Obama, was initially asking for children to write a letter to themselves on how they were going to contribute their talents and skills and dreams to make the country a better place. The accusations of indoctrination of political cult-like Marxism from right winged opposition was a sad barrier and the children did not get to hear him ask them to do that. As a matter of fact, my teenage daughter who attends a public school here in the state of TEXAS did not get to see that at the school because of parents creating such a disturbing outcry. I sat down with my child and we watched it after school because I believe in the Presidents cause. As a student, I asked myself that same question at 41 years of age. What can I do to help this president? I have been doing a lot of thinking and realize that I want to take action now. Not later.
Right now, in an effort to help the president to his cause, I have created a dream. It is to form a committee of professionals and non-professionals to innovate, develop and implement a life-skills program for the US Public Education system for grades K-12. I believe so strongly that education is the key to our social ills in all areas of life. Rather than having reactive policies that deal with poverty, oppression, and disadvantaged populations that struggle, I believe a more proactive approach to empower those people would help save time, money, and lives. My dream is to be apart of the process of innovating, developing and implementing this essential life-skills program for children early on in the education system to help them to develop emotionally, intellectually, rationally, and driven to become productive and responsible citizens of the United States of America. Not only is this the job of parents, it is the job of all educators.
I watched the president address the nation regarding health care last night. Some of the things he said were simply wonderful. I also watched the address to the nations children on you tube. Once again, it was a wonderful thing to hear. I am simply baffled with the reactions of people. It was a shame to see the behavior of uncivilized educated people last night. It is a shame to watch the media (FOX news) convey to the general public messages that are not factual and definitely biased. These public officials are role models and for the country to witness such demonstrative behavior indicative of ignorance is a dangerous situation indeed. The president has always been an inspiration to me. His speech last night along with the speech to America's children were wonderful. Unfortunately, that emotional turmoil based out of fear blinds people. It is too bad that their behavior is an example of the American public, and is being viewed by the entire world. They are also role models for our children. In the end, President Obama will win the respect and trust a skeptical general public. This will take time, and we must endure and encourage others to think critically and not give up on ourselves as a unified country. Here is a link to support the president. Please pass it along to all that you know and post it on your Facebook page if you wish. We must begin to show president Obama our support.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hcsignon/?returnlink=false
http://my.barackobama.com/
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