Are We Watering Down the Importance of Graduation?

At the end of the school year, one of our granddaughters was finishing 8th grade, moving on up to the high school in the fall.  The middle school, in a very good public school system, was holding a graduation ceremony for the 8th graders.  I wondered at the time if having an 8th grade graduation (complete with caps and gowns), was diluting the recognition of those who made it through 12 or 13 years of education when they graduate from high school (yes, one does graduate FROM high school, not "graduate high school").

I remember my high school graduation very well.  I ordered my cap and gown, complete with tassel, and tried it on at least twice before the big day.  I was conservative so did not partake in the silliness of wearing shorts (or nothing) under the gown.  Others were less conservative and could not wait to moon the audience at the right time.  Personally, I was offended that this rite of passage could be taken so lightly.

When I graduated from the university at age 47 (long story), I was not going to be denied my chance to walk across the stage to receive my diploma.  I ordered the cap and gown and tried it on at least twice before the ceremony.  My wife, my mother, and my sisters were in the audience and I wanted to look great.  I did, of course, gray beard and all.

Then finally, I went on for my Master's degree, and through much hard work, I finished in a year and at age 48, I again was not going to forgo the walk across the stage, so once again ordered my cap and gown.  Only this time, I got a Master's hood.  Cool.  It was a big deal, and truth be told, I tried it all on about 4 or 5 times, constantly adjusting the hood that always seemed twisted.

I found, as most do I believe, that graduation from high school and college is a big deal -- a recognition of major accomplishments.

Because it was my lovely granddaughter, I came around to seeing this 8th grade "graduation" in a less cynical light.  It was cute and she was moving on to the Big House populated by grades with names and not just numbers.  She would be a freshman, the lowliest being in the high school.  That would be a change for sure.

I still decided to draw the line at 8th grade.  In the last few weeks, I read about graduations from Kindergarten, and can you believe, from pre-school?  What's next?  Graduation from potty training?

Well, that is a major milestone, so maybe another exception is in order.

Traitor or Hero? Are You Really Asking That?

I am still thinking about the ramifications of the NSA and other leaks perpetrated by Edward Snowden.  I am puzzled how a person without a high school education gets such a sensitive job.  I am amazed that there are so many non-governmental employees with top-secret security clearances.  Clearly, there needs to be a review of all this deep, dark world of espionage.

I do not believe that we, as Americans, should be told everything about what the country is doing to thwart terrorist activity.  That would certainly be counter-productive.  My ideas are evolving about some of the things the government has done in our name to protect us (e.g., phone records).  Part of me wants to be incensed at the intrusion in our free society.  Part of me, probably the cop part, says that if you aren't doing anything illegal, who cares if they collect this data?  I have not resolved that yet.

What I have resolved, however, is the Mr. Snowden is not a hero.  He certainly swore an oath when he got his security clearance to hold the secrets of the USA close to his chest.  He could have left his employment, not deigning to stick with such a horrific job if he was upset at what he was learning.  But no, he kept his (high-paying) job, in Hawaii I might add, until he seemed to have come to the conclusion that he should be the savior of the nation and let fly with all sorts of classified information.

He has done real harm to our security - that is clear to anyone watching the news.  He has put our clandestine services in harm's way needlessly.  Mr. Snowden is nothing but a traitor to his country and to the pledge that he took before he worked for our spy network.  He needs to be caught, charged, tried, and dealt with...severely.

Where Will it End? Some Suggestions

The Sandy Hook School tragedy is beyond comprehension, let alone words.  It is, of course, made all the worse by the thought that most of the victims were not just innocent, but were very young children.  So first, we must all keep those affected families in our prayers.  That may seem trite to say because we are saying it so much these days, with all the carnage left by shooters in Oregon, Aurora, Oak Creek, and unfortunately, on and on.

We ask over and over how this could keep happening in our country and the answer is not simple.   It is not just a matter of more gun control.  It is not just a better handle on those with mental health issues.  It is not just a matter of increased security.  The answer, as so many are, is complex and needs a multi-faceted focus.  I offer a few humble suggestions here for anyone to ponder.

1.  We need to assess why the U.S. has so many of these kinds of shootings.  Do other countries have fewer per capita killings such as these?  If so, what is the difference?  Is it our culture, our level of freedom, our wild west heritage, our 2nd Amendment?
2.  We need to look at our mental health system and put in place an "early warning" system where patient confidentiality (or the protection of the confessional) is trumped by real concerns for the safety of the person and others.  I know it is easy to second guess after the fact; it is easy to point out the "signs" of problems before these horrific acts.  Yet, we must have some sort of screening system, that professionals as well as friends and relatives can access to report their concerns.
3.  We need to assess our security, particularly in schools.  Locked outside doors, cameras, and even security guards might deter a potential shooter.  Of course, with those things in place, we will never know what didn't happen.
4.  Finally, but surely not the last idea, is that the U.S. must address reasonable gun control.  We will never be able to ban ownership of all guns as is the case in many countries.  We are too far beyond that, with our constitutional freedoms, or self-sufficiency heritage, and many other reasons.  However, there can be some compromises made that still allow for the "right to bear arms."  Every answer had its pitfalls, but surely someone can craft a series of compromises that gives us room on both sides.  I suggest a few here; there are surely many more that can be generated in a good discussion.
A.  Ban all assault weapons for civilian ownership, the same with high capacity clips.  There is no legitimate reason for these other than for killing people in great numbers.  These are tools of war or law enforcement.
B.  Require all guns be registered in a national database (or shared state databases).  This still allows for hunting weapons, handguns for personal protection or sport, and nearly anything else you need a gun for.  Limit gun ownership to a reasonable number, say 12 guns per person.  This, of course, allows the determined gun buyer to purchase guns in the names of his or her spouse, children, cousins, etc, but still requires all gun to be registered.   Concealed carry is now allowed in 49 states, so continue to refine the training requirements with a minimum standard set by the federal government. 
C.  Require a comprehensive background check for all gun owners and set parameters for denial of registration (e.g., mental illness, criminal background, and the like).

With a combination of good policy in all of the suggestions above, we will never stop everyone who is set on horrific massacres, but will save untold numbers from the possible threat of maiming or killing.  

We have to start somewhere.  We have to have this discussion now.  We have to agree that we do not want to see more tragedies like Sandy Hook, Aurora, Columbine, Virginia Tech, and on and on.

Besides Congress, We the People Need to Compromise

The Presidential Election brought out more comments about the people's desire for bipartisanship between the parties in Congress and the White House.  Most read the election as keeping Obama to work on bridging the divide.  At least the majority wanted to not "change horses in the middle of the stream."  There are many other interpretations as well; just read some of the nasty Twitter comments (Trump needs to get a hobby).

I believe, however, that we got what we got - that's how democracy works.  But in addition to writing, emailing, and calling our representatives to do their jobs, we also can be mindful of how we treat our fellow citizens.  At the grocery the other days, I notice some of the bumper stickers on cars in the lot.

I was unhappy to see a Romney-Ryan sticker which had been defaced with an "F-you" in black marker across the sticker.  Deriding others legitimate choices, even those opposite of your own, is not democratic and certainly adds nothing to the discussion.  Spirited debate is good, but it should be out in the open and not a cowardly defacement of a sign.

My hopes were buoyed as I saw another another car with a couple of interesting bumper stickers.  On one side was the usual Obama-Biden sticker (not defaced), but on the other side was an NRA sticker.  So it seems that one can have differing views on topics and not just entertain an all-or-nothing dogma.

Youth is Wasted on the Young

George Bernard Shaw’s little quip was cute when I was younger but now hits closer to home as one ages.  The meaning, of course, is that young folk don’t use their youthful vigor to do the things they may not be able to do later in life.

TO WIT: Diana and I decided to leave for our winter home in Mesa early this year and check off one more thing on our bucket list: See Yellowstone National Park.  Notice I said “See”, not “Visit.”  Doing some quick research, I found that the temperatures in the high country of Yellowstone begin to drop to below freezing in September, with a touch of snow possible.  Diana hates anything below 60° Fahrenheit, so we had to hustle to get to Wyoming before the white stuff.

On the road we stayed in Lincoln, NE and Cheyenne, WY, before we found our B & B in Jackson Hole.  The Bentwood Inn is an eight bedroom classic log home, with all the amenities including two gracious Innkeepers, Scott and Susie.  They do not allow pets, which we knew, so our 19-year-old cat, Toddy, had to make do with her suite in the car.

On the first full day we had scheduled a wildlife tour at sunset, so took off in the morning for a little sightseeing on our own.  We entered Grand Teton National Park, stopped at the Visitor Center, and then may a half-day tour of the area, profoundly amazed at the beauty of the mountains.  Unfortunately, the wildfires in the area left the mountains in a purple haze denying us and others the crisp views we had hoped for.  The park maps showed us a driving route with many trailheads from which to park and hike to see even more of nature close up.  Here is where we wished we could have used a little of our wasted youth.

Now of Medicare age, we find we cannot hike the 10 mile loops around the many lakes and pine woods (oh, let’s be honest – anything over a mile is a challenge).   We no longer could climb the rolling hills without gasping for air while trying to keep a lookout for bear or moose.  We managed a few strolls to the shore of Jenny Lake, but envied the Birkenstock crowd who foraged off into parts unknown with their hiking boots, granola, and a do-rag.  Our meager attempts to commune with nature did not get us into the interior where, surely, we would have met a Grizzly on the trail, or seen a moose in rut.  It is this kind of trek we were too late for, except in Discovery Channel documentaries.

So the lesson, if I may, is to tell the younger folk to make these fantastic trips earlier.  Take your children to see not only Old Faithful, but to see what lies over the next hill, without wheezing and attracting a crowd of wolves, who are hoping to thin the herd of its weakest members.  Leave the museums and car tours for later in life and make the more athletic choices while you still can. “See,” not just “Visit.”

However, do not dismay if you already passed the point of climbing even small hills, because these National Parks are breathtaking from any vantage point.  The roads twist and turn to take you to scenic overlooks that do not leave you disappointed.  It’s just that the young are already so lost in electronics that maybe a hike in the mountains does not appeal to them, at least not without a cell signal.

Beyond the Expiration Date....Don't Take a Chance!

I pay close attention to food expiration dates, especially for meat and milk, recalling even 50 years later that I once took a swig from the milk carton only to have sour and solid material flow into my mouth. For drugs I pay less attention, but still occasionally check to see if the Aleve has gone too far past.

The other day I had another experience burned into my mind when I pulled a new tube of toothpaste from below the bathroom sink. It was some special “whiteness” brand in a stand-up tube that I like because it looks (and works) better than a crinkly tube that I squeeze from the middle.

I proceeded to open the cap, squeeze out a smidgen to see what I was getting, and a clear gel emerged onto my toothbrush. Looks good, I thought, and started my brushing routine. Barely started, I mean. I could not get the nasty stuff out of my mouth fast enough, slurping copious glasses of water to rinse and expectorate.

The taste was something between used motor oil and saccharine sweetener. Once I recovered and felt my mouth would survive the ordeal, I picked up the white tube and searched for an expiration date. I found it; stamped on the crimped edge of the tube was Sept3X1982. Yup, thirty year old toothpaste.

I stifled my gag reflex and to get rid of the lingering taste, I swiped my wife’s personal toothpaste tube (I don’t know why we just don’t share) and brushed vigorously enough to make my dentist smile. Finally, the minty freshness took over the oily sweetness.

I marveled at how we could have 30 year old toothpaste, especially since we had moved about four times over that time. My wife came home and when I told her the story, and asked how this could have happened, she replied, “I think we got that at the swap meet in Arizona last year.”

Now I love the swap meet in Mesa – it’s not really a swap meet, but more of a discounted overstock meet. Most items are new and we never leave spending less than $100. But why we would buy toothpaste, or anything else that might be ingested for that matter, is a puzzlement.

Never again. Thirty year old toothpaste is bad enough, but those cookies I was eyeing at the swap meet last time didn’t even have an expiration date. I wonder that those ladies are trying to hide?

They Are Not Listening to "We the People..."

I keep talking, along with many others, and no one is listening. Seriously, the editorial pages of all the major newspapers are touting the same message. Essentially, in many ways, those op-editors along with zillions of citizens are pushing, cajoling, shaming, and threatening our Senators and Representatives in Congress to work together and get something done. The product of the current Congress is shameful in its dearth. The old joke about the less Congress does, the better off we are, is not funny anymore.

We are fast approaching the so-called “fiscal cliff” which means that unless Congress does something to fund the government beyond the short term, cut the budget and the debt, plan for the future, and solve our many other problems, the outlook is bleak.

We have been bleak before I suppose, but this picture is one of the most portentous we have ever known. After dithering last year, the USA took a hit in our credit rating costing untold billions of dollars. I doubt we can take another such hit, yet no one seems to want to work together. The constant drivel pouring from the mouths of both sides would be comical if not so deadly serious.

John Boehner and Harry Reid are some of the worst, and they are the leaders, for God’s sake. They are no longer doing the people’s business. We know that there are many different views among the electorate. We depend on these “representatives” of the people to take in all the information and then put it all together with some obvious compromise. No one gets all they want except in dictatorships and other tyrannical governments. Truly, half a loaf is better than none, especially since no one is like to bring home the whole loaf.

When reading the US Constitution on archives.gov, I noticed a line worth quoting in the commentary. Speaking of creating the Constitution, a colossal task, it was finally crafted with many competing constituencies. “The work of many minds, the Constitution stands as a model of cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise.” Oh, for the good old days.