"It Was a Close Run Thing"

So said the Duke of Wellington describing his victory over Napoleon Bonaparte at the battle of Waterloo. This also describes Craig's speech contest last Thursday. Alas in this case, Craig was more Napoleon than the Duke of Wellington. Despite a valiant effort on his part he did not make first place this time. Not one to be discouraged Craig vows to compete again next year. Several of the judges commented on his bearing and dignity. I was astounded to learn that the other competitors had coaches for the competition and in one case the coach accompanied the girl to the speech night. Did they do warm up exercises in the parking lot before the event? Did she get a 'Rocky' type speech from the coach in the ladies room before the match? I was dismayed at the direction that the other competitors went in their speeches. The topic was "Water - Will California be Left High and Dry?" Speaking as a disinterested observer, Craig had the best content and the most positive tone in his speech. The other two competitors (self described environmental activists) blamed California's water problems on corporations and greedy capitalists and essentially felt that not only is California but the entire world is doomed to a certain thirsty death. I realize that teens can be naive but the left-leaning, doomer attitude is depressing to hear from our youth. How did these teen-agers become indoctrinated with this drivel?


So, there I was in the middle of a protest march on Friday. I wasn't a participant however. The local teachers were protesting impending job reductions and were swarming the intersection that I needed to make my way through to get home. I was trying to ride my bike but ended up pushing it through the crowd of chanting, sign waving teachers. At least they were obeying the walk/don't walk signals as they crossed through the intersection. It would be dismaying for their students to see the teachers acting out. I contemplated all of this while thinking that Mary teaches at a Catholic school, makes half of what these union teachers make, with no benefits (except for 3 personal days) and still has a class that performs a grade level higher than the public schools. Maybe if the public schools did as well as the church schools with the same level of funding that they get (I'm guessing about 25% of an equivalent Santa Clarita city school ) then perhaps the state wouldn't be cutting funding now and everyone would be keeping their jobs. Aren't unions wonderful?



Mary and I had a romantic weekend in the San Luis Obispo area.



It was great but we almost had a bang-up time! But, more to follow on that tomorrow.