December 15, 2012

Call me a cynic, but....

people will forget about it like all the other horrible mass murders. I mentioned the Oregon mall shooting today and it had already been forgotten by those I was talking with. Who remembers the other school shootings that took place after Columbine?

Nothing will get done, nothing will change, and another horrific shooting will happen again someday..... It will be all talk and no action once again.

. . . . . . . . . .

If not NOW, when???

December 15, 2012

I was also thinking about how traumatic it will be for them to reenter that building.

I'm sure it will be closed until after the holiday break... but what then? They can have the maintenance crew busily patching and cleaning over break, but those horrific memories will take a long time to overcome.

Just imagine seeing six new teachers/personnel instead of the ones they were used to seeing and those twenty empty little desks. Heartbreaking.

December 15, 2012

I blame reagan for all that is wrong and evil in this country.

his election began the downward spiral. (capitals not used on purpose.)

December 15, 2012

What I want to know is how he got into the building?

Has anyone reported on that?

I'm also a teacher and have participated in lockdowns and drills. We had a lockdown today and a different dismissal procedure.... buses lined up so the kids couldn't be seen leaving the building. We have a safety review first thing Monday morning. We will probably have more drills right after the holiday.

I don't think about blockading my classroom though. I think the odds of something happening are very remote especially since I travel to four different buildings. I don't even have a key for two of my classrooms. (Even though I have reported that and requested them multiple times.)

I worry more about being out on the playground. There are way too many guns around here and the playgrounds are out in the open. That is where we should have the safety drills.

November 28, 2012

First democrat to announce candidacy for governor: John Hanger.

Former state DEP Secretary Hanger to run for governor

November 26, 2012 4:21 pm
By Laura Olson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

HARRISBURG -- Former state Department of Environmental Protection secretary John Hanger said today that he will announce a bid for governor later this week.
Mr. Hanger's announcement -- with events planned in Philadelphia and Harrisburg on Wednesday and in Pittsburgh on Thursday -- will make him the first of an handful of Democrats who will challenge Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.

>snip<

"I'm looking forward to the race and to discussing the critical issues," he said. "We're certainly getting going early."

Mr. Hanger, a Harrisburg attorney, served as DEP secretary under Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell and was a commissioner on the state Public Utility Commission for five years. He also was president of Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, an environmental advocacy group.

In addition to Mr. Hanger, a number of other Democrats have been mentioned as potential candidates for the 2014 governor's race. Those include York businessman Tom Wolf, former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak of Delaware County, Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox, and state Treasurer Rob McCord.

Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/politics-state/former-state-dep-secretary-hanger-to-run-for-governor-663733/

November 15, 2012

Fellow "veteran" teacher here.....

I don't have that many years behind me though, because I found a full-time position when I was already in my 40s.

I am really tired of those whipper-snappers asking me if I'm going to retire. It's none of their damn business. I feel like hanging in there just to piss everyone off.

I feel totally unappreciated at work, no matter how hard I work. It's frustrating and I can totally understand what you are saying.

November 12, 2012

My grandfather was also a WWI veteran.

He died when I was 9. All I know about him is that he was gassed in the trenches. He came home from the war and raised 7 daughters and two sons. One of the sons was killed in WWII. They barely survived the Depression. I don't know if he was ever able to work after the war. I only remember him as being old and sickly.

We went to visit him in the VA hospital once. Those men went to hell and back. Bless them all.

November 11, 2012

Hamsters?

Hello fellow pet lovers,

I just got a free hamster for my classroom. Couple of questions for experience hamster owners:

1. Could he be left in school over the weekend if he has enough food and water? I would bring him home for longer breaks.

2. What "toys" are safe for hamsters? I bought some stuff at the pet store, but saw willow balls and little twigs... Seems like a shame to buy stuff like that when I have trees in my yard. I know about paper towel tubes.

3. How often should I change the litter? Is a week OK? (Assuming it isn't stinky by then.)

Thank you for your replies. femmocrat

November 6, 2012

Well, I got hassled for an ID in Westmoreland County!

When asked, I replied, "I have an ID but I'm not required to show it."
She told me to take one of those handouts about the voter ID law. I refused.
The lady asked what my objection was.
I replied, "It's voter suppression. It prevents blacks and elderly who don't have IDs from voting." (But I should have said, "I'm not required to give a reason.&quot
She got huffy and said, "Everyone has an opinion. You'll need it in the spring."
I replied, "I will show it when I am required to." She repeated, "You'll need it in the spring."

She gave me a nasty look. The other ladies waved me through to the machine.

This is a very tiny precinct (only three machines). I vote every damn election... haven't missed one in the 27 years I have lived here. They know me by name. Unbelievable. I felt like calling that number for voting problems -- but I came here to vent instead! LOL

I wonder if she was getting arguments all day. I voted after work; there were only three people ahead of me. I took my good old time filling out the ballot and double-checking everything though! Did anyone else encounter any problems?

November 6, 2012

You are not alone.

The memories of 2000 and 2004 still haunt me, I guess. I wouldn't put anything past romney. Those voting machines in OH and the long lines in FL both worry me.

I guess some of us are just worriers, while others are cool, calm and collected! LOL