Tom Neeson

Insight into the financial crisis with regard to teachers

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:02:26 -0500

This is an excerpt from a comment on an article about budget shortages and layoffs in a small-town school district. The district has had to cut 30-40 teaching positions because of budget shortfalls and cuts, and the general tone of the comments has been one of hostility and resentment toward teachers for “making so much money” and “not working hard enough.” User “Station Island” wrote on Dec 4, 2009 9:33 PM:

What is additionally distressing is that some citizens feel that the news of these possible lay-offs are a pretext to trash our teachers. Some writers deride teacher’s wages and health benefits, while others echo the old tired complaint that teachers only work ten months of the year.

Why should our teachers not be paid adequately? Why should they not earn benefits for educating our children? These professionals not only are obligated by law to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees, but they must also have the proper certification and licensing. This process can take as much as six years, during which time the teacher must either pay or borrow money to earn his or her degrees and credentials. Then when all those requirements are satisfied there is no guarantee whatsoever that a job will be waiting for them. This is something that people maybe wise to recall when idle talk turns to trashing teachers. And they should also remember that while teachers were in college they were earning no paychecks. Their degrees therefore cost them years of their lives and over a $100,000 in tuition, expenses and lost wages. Our professionals should be adequately compensated for their work and sacrifices; for their costs of education and for all the skills they bring to the classroom. No one should admonish them for enjoying the fruits of their labors after they have made such a large and uncertain investment.

This really hits home for me and many people I know, and is worth the read.

(via randominternet)

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:02:35 -0400

(via randominternet)

tuneage: WWTB? This week may not have much, but there’s still...

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:54:26 -0400

The Dodos - Time to Die

Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3

Muse - The Resistance

A Sunny Day In Glasgow - Ashes Grammar

tuneage:

WWTB?

This week may not have much, but there’s still stuff worth buying.

The Dodos - Time to Die (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)

Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3 (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)

Muse - The Resistance (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)

A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Ashes Grammar (buy the CD/buy the MP3s)

Owen- New Leaves comes out 9/22

http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/store/index.php?id=912

Weird dream

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:42:34 -0400

I dreamed I was being chased by a zombie. In an effort to kill it, I broke a glass over its head. Turns out it wasn’t a zombie, but a person just walking slowly and moaning. This person then died of the head wound I inflicted and became a zombie.

I’m probably just as confused as you are.

(via ringoknowsbest)

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:32:38 -0400

(via ringoknowsbest)

G#min7add9

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:57:53 -0400

The greatest feeling in the world is working on a song for months, then at 2 in the morning when you haven’t picked up the guitar in days out of frustration, that one chord you were missing comes to you. I love music.

This is what happens when I’m disgruntled and have access...

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:50:22 -0400

This is what happens when I’m disgruntled and have access to Photoshop at the same times.

gastrohub: Freaky Food Friday: Squab I know this is somewhat of...

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:39:13 -0400

gastrohub:

Freaky Food Friday: Squab

I know this is somewhat of a cop-out, but I just can’t get over the whole “squab = pigeon” dynamic. I’ve never had squab, but I would like to try it just to see what, you know, flying rats taste like. This dish looks pretty good, and I think it would be a good taste test of the ultimate street food. I’ll give you three guesses who’s behind this dish, and the first two don’t count.

[Image source]

Fun Fact: The pigeon was actually brought to America by the French and English, who raised them like they would chickens or ducks for food.

"Music is everybody’s possession. It’s only publishers who think that people own it."

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:24:20 -0400

“Music is everybody’s possession. It’s only publishers who think that people own it.”

- John (via ringoknowsbest)

What is the big deal with In The Heights?

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:30:05 -0400

I don’t understand what all the hype about this show is. To me, it sounds like Rent and West Side Story (the Puerto Rican cast, that is) had a retarded baby. Maybe it’s that I’ve been inundated with the music because my brother is playing the soundtrack FUCKING INCESSANTLY, but I’m getting very sick of hearing about this show nonstop.

I have the day off and 3 seasons of the West Wing on DVD

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:33:13 -0400

Fuck-all is getting done today. I hope you’re happy, Aaron Sorkin.

RAWWWWWWK

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:48:19 -0400

RAWWWWWWK

Help stop internet suppression and censorship in Iran by setting up an anonymous proxy server

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:36:25 -0400

http://extrafuture.com/2009/06/15/how-to-set-up-an-anonymous-proxy-for-iranians-using-squid-on-mac-os-x/

Go to that link and follow the instructions. It takes only a few minutes.

I'm never drinking Amp again

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:50:10 -0400

I’m still tired, only now I can’t sit still.

Seriously, that is awful. gastrohub: That…is...

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:54:36 -0400

Seriously, that is awful.

gastrohub:

That…is disgusting.

thisiswhyyourefat:

Domino’s Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese Pasta Bread Bowl

(submitted by Kerri)

om nom nom nom nom

Thu, 21 May 2009 19:07:44 -0400

om nom nom nom nom

thisiswhyyourefat: The Humdinger A corn-roll tamale in a hot...

Tue, 19 May 2009 16:57:07 -0400

thisiswhyyourefat:

The Humdinger

A corn-roll tamale in a hot dog bun covered with chili and topped with onions, peppers and cheese.

(submitted by Goliano via lthforum)

This is actually called a Mother-In-Law.

"Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans, are a persistent irritant to any..."

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:56:56 -0400

“Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans, are a persistent irritant to any chef worth a damn. To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living”

- Anthony Bourdain (via thelastmeal)

Photo

Sun, 03 May 2009 19:16:16 -0400

This is what I do when I should be doing homework.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:28:35 -0400

This is what I do when I should be doing homework.