FEELING PRESIDENTIAL ON THIS HOLIDAY MONDAY, WHILE THE ‘LITTLE SCHOLARS’ GO ASTRAY
By DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, FEB 16, 2015) — Hey, guess what. THE PLANET has President’s Day reserved in celebration, holiday style.
Whenever we fire up a new column blank, we are sorely tempted to peel off ribbons of commentary of a multitude of issues. For example, why are the Pittsfield Public Schools — with all the time missed because of snow and with the 10 built-in half days counting on the record as full days (bet you didn’t know that) — not cutting short or eliminating this week’s vacation as some other districts have done? Why aren’t the little scholars in the classroom? We all know that the make-up days they stick on the calendar at the end of June are the greatest joke since Bob Hope last entertained the troops. The only thing that takes place is the baby sitting done by the teachers, the hooky played by the administrators, and the mugging of “smart” phones by students.
THE PLANET could bring up a host of such items — but no.
How about a couple presidential jokes, instead?
— How does the Obama Administration change a light bulb? It doesn’t. It denies the light bulb needs to be changed.
— How did both Bush Administrations change a light bulb? They didn’t. They attacked the patriotism of anyone who pointed out that the room was dark.
Or as George W. Bush once said, “They misunderestimated me.”
Here are some other “W” quotes (and yes, the man actually said them!):
- I think war is a dangerous place.
- We must focus on building an Iran that is capable of resisting Iranian influence.
- The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the – the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice.
- You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror.
- I understand small business growth. I was one.
- Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN’s [Obstetrician/Gynaecologist] aren’t able to practice their love with women all across the country.
- Will the highways on the internet become more few?
- Information is moving. You know, nightly news is one way, of course, but it’s also moving through the blogosphere and through the Internets.
- I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.
- That’s George Washington, the first president, of course. The interesting thing about him is that I read three – three or four books about him last year. Isn’t that interesting.
- All I can tell you is when the governor calls, I answer his phone.
- I’ll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office.
OK, ladies and gents. Enjoy the day.
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“With three plays and only one timeout, I wanted to waste a play on second down.” — Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, explaining his rationale for throwing on 2nd and goal from inside the one with the best running back in the NFL salivating for the ball. As we all know, Carroll’s strategy succeeded. He wasted the play in the greatest possible way. Interception by Malcolm Butler. Patriots win!
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
The Teachers and Administrators have to take their Disney Vacations. … they cry, kick and scream if you dare mention giving up their entitled time. I have advocated forever giving up the February break for this very reason of snow days. They bark back that it is needed to break the “FLU”. Yeah. Right.
Once again disappointed in the snow removal. Hills were not sanded. This was not a blockbuster storm. Is anyone in this city govt accountable for anything?
Newell Street in Pittsfield still an icy dangerous drive. This is an Epic Fail in this City. Accountable? This again falls at the top of the heap.
SPAGIRL
THE PLANET has received a massive number of complaints regarding the lousy job done by the city in snow handling. We won’t call it “removal.” As “HAPPY” points out, the mayor has spent huge sums of money on bogus projects, but when winter arrived, the city didn’t have the resources to make streets safe for citizens. We shall run a Letter to the Editor tomorrow on this point. Citizens should direct their ire to the mayor’s office and to city councilors. Councilors, particularly, should call a special hearing and get the responsible city officials in for public testimony, under oath. That’s what would happen in a well-managed city. Actually, we take that back. A well-managed city wouldn’t have to undertake a probe, because it would have had a competent mayor.
Dalton public schools have given up their week off this week…instead they had Friday and today off…pay attention PPS
This is Pittsfield…. the land of …….We don’t have to……cuz…..there is No Accountability. We are in Charge.
Pps has had fewer snow days than other local districts. Not many, but a few. Central berkshire closes at nothing due to the hill towns. Many times people arrived at school nearly dying on the road hating the admins for not cancelling like the rest of the state. Ever seen a group of kids almost hit by a sliding bus? I have…recently. They will more than likely lose april vacation. Half days count as full days because the teachers are there for the full day
My child goes to Central Berk – your statement about them ‘closing at nothing’ simply is not true. And I don’t believe for a minute that teachers work full days on those in service days. And if teachers need more training (need to brush up on 1st grade math I guess?) why aren’t they taking it during their 14 weeks off a year?
“There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on, shame on you. Fool me, you can’t get fooled again.”
– George W. Bush
We’ll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song
I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and PRAY
WE DON’T GET FOOLED AGAIN
The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that’s all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain’t changed
‘Cause the banners, they are flown in the next war
I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
No, no!
I’ll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half alive
I’ll get all my papers and smile at the sky
Though I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do ya?
There’s nothing in the streets
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Are now parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight
I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
Don’t get fooled again
No, no!
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss
– The Who/ WHOs NEXT
The kids aren’t going to learn anything from more classroom time anyway, schools should have started to transition about 10 years ago to online and real world based training. If the parents need daycare centers to warehouse the kids they can pay for it
”Nearly all men stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” – – Abraham Lincoln
Nice one “tickles” both Lincoln (Feb 12) and Washington share Febuary as their birth months. Today feb 16 (Presidents’ Day) is Washington’s Birthday!
City roads need sanding….FAST
The February vacation should be eliminated. No need for that much vacation in such a short period. Due you realize that so far from December 23rd, this is their 3rd week off and don’t forget the April vacation and the half days. Too late, it has been negotiated with the teacher’s union. Hard to undo but we can always try.
No politician would touch it. Afraid they would loss votes.
I enjoy every day my child doesn’t have school. He’s off all week but he will still be learning. Today he made a couple bucks shoveling snow and we will be doing some painting at grandmas then hopefully some skiing to wrap up the week. More days in the classroom do nothing for children who don’t respond to it and parents who don’t gave the time to teach/instill values themselves.
Scott,
You like having you child home from school? I’m sure all parents do, but people have to work to paid bills. You either don’t work or have enough money. Of course parenting is the most important factor in your child’s education. At home you install and teach values. The academic achievement is left for the professionals and it’s crucial to work closely with them so that your child can succeed and became productive adults. School is very important.
Education IS very important! One thing I’m very fortunate for is I have plenty of time AND money. Life is great! “Professionals” huh? Ha, ha teachers only impart a fraction of education. The rest is up to the individual.
I am for February vacation. Everyone deserves a vacation. Most countries have more leisure time than ours. Life is short. Take time to smell the flowers!
I don’t understand you, first you criticize the fact that teachers take too much time off. Now you said that you’re up for February vacation. As much as I believe on taking a vacation, the kids get too many of them. In that case spread them through the school year.
One of the first things for a real mayor, one with balls, to do, renegotiate the plum PSD contracts. Start with cutting administrative ranks in half.
The Mayor spent a ron of money not replacing the carpets at city hall and recontructing his own office.
He gave away over $100,000.00 for a methadone clinic to avoid a lawsuit the city was winning.
He just gave away over $150,000.00 to Mr. Monteroso after being on the job only 3 months and accusations of sexual harrassment.
All city departments got huge raise not dependant on their performance.
Taxpayers are the hook for over $500.000.00 in moving the city inspectors offices to a rented building without city council approval.
A whole fleet of school buses we didn’t need and are still on the hook to pay for the older ones we don’t have anymore.
Yet there is no money to clear the streets and make them safe for the citizens of Pittsfield.
There won’t be any money come Spring to fix potholes either.
Axe the people what they would rather see their hard earned tax dollars spent on.
Great post, HPD.
A very great post happy. Don’t forget what the Mayor and Collingwood are both earning in salaries. This is a flagrant fail in Pittsfield.
“ton” of money
I laugh at the people that want extend the school day. Let’s start by giving the children there FULL 180 days. Let’s also stop the mid term crap in the high school’s, where they go home after 1 test.
Exactly my point. Negotiating with the unions very hard. Negotiating with teacher’s union even harder.
You are correct, GW. It IS hard. But you know what? That makes it all the more necessary. Without give-backs and reopeners, the city is financially doomed.
THE PLANET agrees fully with your take on the “mid-term” nonsense.