PS... A Column

on Things

By Paul E. Schindler Jr.

Some things are impossible to know, but it is impossible to know these things.

I have a day job. So every word of this is my opinion, not that of my employer. This offer IS void in Wisconsin. Except, of course, that some material in this column comes from incoming e-mail; such material is usually reproduced in the Sans Serif type font to distinguish it from the (somewhat) original material.


To Pay For This Column Voluntarily
Tales of Teaching 2004
Tales of Teaching 2005

May 16, 2005: P.S. A Column On Things

May 16, 2005 Vol. 7, No. 19

Table of Contents:

General News

  • Life
  • A Retiring Teacher
  • Political Notes

Computer Industry News

  • Craig Reynolds' Technobriefs

Humor

  • None

Movies

  • None

Letters

  • Techno-journalist wanted, Dan Grobstein File

General News

Life

Life really is what happens to you while you are making other plans. Rae has returned and will be here until we leave for a family trip to France at the end of June; then she will spend the summer in a program in Montpellier France. She taught all of us in this family never to say we are "killing time." At worst, we are spending time. Never kill time. It is all we have.

I spent a lot of time this week, in and out of the classroom. Not always wisely, but I spent it. Rae and I saw Sin City (first for her, second for me). I think she'd have preferred her first choice, "A Lot Like Love." I found the movie even more enjoyable the second time; she loathed nearly every minute of it.

One of the students I taught during my student teaching days at Miramonte had a special presentation of a term project; I was honored to be mentioned and honored to attend.

I am still worried about the person I am becoming in class, who isn't someone I like. But maybe the third year of teaching will be better still.

A Retiring Teacher

Kent Peterman was never retiring in the classroom, that's for sure. But after 40 years of teaching, he's moving to a new phase of his life. In keeping with his personality, he took a moment to congratulate his fellow teachers in his farewell column in the district newsletter. I don't teach in Lafayette, but I think he means me, and by extension, all of us who hear the noble calling:

Our teachers are the best. You are dedicated, innovative, and caring. You make the magic happen 180 days a year in your classrooms. And you toil for low pay. You work hours and hours outside of class. You deal with parents who you wish would move to Mars and you do it with grace and style. You work with children who are easier to work with. You work with children who require the patience of Job, children who try your patience in every possible way. And yet you come back day after day to make a difference in their lives. It may not seem like it now, but they appreciate you and they'll remember you and what you did for them.

He's right. It may not seem like it now. But I have faith. Without it, I couldn't teach.

Political Notes

We saw a clear display of his gross contempt for maintaining the national security of the United States. George Bush appeared driving a foreign car one-handed accompanied by a former intelligence officer of a foreign espionage service in a picture on the front page of The New York Times on Monday, May 9, 2005.

Our children will provide the next generation(s) of fighters necessary to continue the invasion of Iraq. To the extent they are killed or injured (or kill or injure others) in traffic accidents while driving one-handed, George Bush will share some of the responsibility.

Bush undercut our economic security. As Defense Secretary Charlie Wilson once said: "What's good for General Motors is good for America." GM is having financial difficulties, it's bonds were just downgraded to junk bond status and along comes George Bush driving a foreign car. How anti-American can, how un-American, how unpatriotic can you get?

Finally, many brave covert American intelligence officers gave their lives in battle with the KGB so George Bush could live in freedom along with his daughters who have not yet enlisted to fight in Iraq. How does he show his gratitude? By taking a joyride in a foreign car with an ex-KGB officer (Vladimir Putin) who was part of an organization dedicated to murdering Americans and destroying our way of life and our democracy.

Briefs

Dave Methvin's PC Pitstop