WHY?

Please, tell me...
Why is the express line, not very "express?"  Why is over-night delivery always 2nd day?  Why do yellow lights make people see red?  Why is urgent rarely important?

Why do we expect politicians to lie to us, and then get upset when they do?  Why do we complain about the quality and direction of government, then refuse to vote?  Why do we ask government to lower our taxes then complain when they reduce our services?  Why does everyone think they can do a better job teaching than our teachers, but make so little effort at educating our children?

Why do we make vows we don't really intend to honor?  Why do we "honor" people we often don't respect?  Why are love and heartbreak two sides of the same coin?  Why do we swear on a book we don't revere?

Why are teachers accountable, but parents aren't?  Why do we need a license to marry, but not to parent? Why can a 15 year old get an abortion, but not a divers license?  Why do we mandate an education for "students" who won't try, don't care and refuse to cooperate?

Why do we feel sympathy for those with great need and outrage for those with great privilege?  Why is the Humane Society only about animals?  Why do we pretend everyone should be treated the same way. when we know that's not the way life really works?  Why do we act like everyone is born with the same set of genes, when we know that's just not true?

Why does the right to privacy trump the right to life?  Why is profile a dirty concept when, if applied appropriately, it can save innocent life? Why does our Constitution work harder for criminals than for good citizens?  Why are some lives more valuable that others?

Why is justice such a fleeting ideal?
Tell me, please...

AWOL

Education in America...and educators... are in trouble.  I don't know why we tolerate it; but I do know we, our culture, have lowered our expectations for parents and embraced unrealistic expectations for our teachers.  By any reasonable measure, what we are asking our educators to do is unreasonable.  The result: the implosion of the system.

It's happening right now, this year, this month, TODAY.  Entire teaching staffs being reassigned; schools closed and teachers fired.  Educators chasing the holy grail--passing scores on standardized tests.  Under pressure to achieve a "passing grade" administrators have dumbed the system down by teaching to the lowest common denominator.  The result...a brain drain of gargantuan proportions.

Effective education is a partnership.  Parents and teachers working together. Problem...too many parents are AWOL.  Parents from every demographic...busy parents, tired parents, distracted parents, ambitious parents...selfish parents.  Unless and until parents see parenting as a worthy vocation, a selfless vocation and we can build some sort of accountability into the system for PARENTS, as well as teachers, our system will continue to breakdown.

For some reason, it's just not politically correct.   It's always easier to blame someone else.  Meanwhile, another generation slips away and gets left behind.

Credit, where credit is due...

Say this about President Obama.  He is courageous.  Regardless of core values; this man has convction about the ideas he has embraced.  That's a good thing.  Leaders need to "lead boldly."   Unfortunately, for many of us, he is leading/leaning the wrong direction.

But...if in the course of this presidency, this President is persuaded--it's possible--to tack back toward the middle, his courage in leading, his charisma and his intellect will make him a very formidable politician--in terms of what he might be able to accomplish during his tenure as the leader of the free world; the most powerful person on the planet. 

The key...to courageosly face down those on the extreme left.   If he, when he, finally embraces the fact that he's not simply reperesenting the South Siders of Chitown...but "we the people"...I believe his presidency could be salvaged and become something more than simply a watershed "moment" when America came to grips with her diversity--then moved on. 

I believe it can happen.

Perplexed...and amused.

Yesterday, President Obama reminded us, again, that the election is over.  Mr. President, when does the governing part start?   Please, Mr. President,  keep the main thing, our economy and jobs, the main thing.

Not to be outdone, Vice President Joe Biden, made an interesting assessment of his role in leading our nation.  "Being Vice President is...easy."  Laura, my wife, commented this morning at breakfast..."This must be what candidate Obama meant in his campaign promise to bring a 'new transparency' to Washington."

She is so clever.

Finding rest...

Last week Home taking care of my soul mate.

This week breathless trying to catch up.

From stress to distress.

Last week Gentle servant, loving husband,

best friend, chief cook, bottle washer, caretaker.

This week Solving problems, answering questions,

consulting, advocate, agent, sales pro.

From stress to distress.

Then it occurs to me...

"Come unto me all you who are weary

and burdened and I will give you rest...

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and

my burden is light."

Peace.