Humpday Happenings...

It's the final Wednesday for this first month of the new year.
In some ways, this month seemed to fly by, while some days dragged on.
Curious how that seems.
Our Hoosierland weather for today will see us with partly cloudy (or partly cloudy, depending on your preference) skies, and temps hovering around the freezing (32 degrees F) mark, with some stiff breezes. Seems were in a bit of a rut when it comes to the forecast. Still, we move forward, if for no other reason than the fact that we're bound to time in a LINEAR fashion.
So let's get our warm and soothing morning drinks poured as we take a look at what's been going on elsewhere.
*** First off of the sofa is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark."
I think in a world full of the dumbing down of our educational system to accommodate a few while hurting the others, and the rampant mediocrity at every level of government and occupations, this quote squarely hits the ten-ring. So WHO said that?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back in St. Peter's Basilica...
*** Next up, we have our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
January 27 -
---Today is NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CAKE DAY

(funny thing, Wifey and I JUST finished the one I baked over a week ago last night for dessert, so we've had this one covered for the last ten days)
And we've only got that one thing for today, kids.
*** Next up, let's see what some of the local morons have been up to in our fair city.
--The first story has to do with a "parking issue", and, as can be deduced, a picture IS worth a thousand words. At least we know the person involved was a black guy.

Helluva park job

But, here's the link with the caption:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Driver-of-crashed-car-sought-11155395
--The second story deals with a robbery, then a pursuit, then a crash into a house on the city's NE side.
Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2016/01/27/high-speed-chase-ends-after-car-crashes-into-home/

Took parking lessons from the first guy.

As can be expected, the FWPD has released FEW details about the incident, like the suspect descriptions, or whether items stolen from a Lassus gas station located at 7405 Maplecrest Rd were found in the vehicle, or even the description OF the vehicle.
It's not said if even the men are being charged or why they fled from police.
The pursuit ended with a crash into a tree and then a house on the 6200 block of Vance Ave.
All this technology and less information provided...that doesn't seem right or fair to the tax-paying public, does it?
Remember, "An uninformed public is a malleable public".
You may quote me.
*** Next up, and speaking of EDUCATION, here are a couple stories about just that:
--The first story is about how the A-F grades for our schools (here) are improving).
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/A-F-grades-improve-for-13-schools-in-area-11151445

South Side HS - Wifey's alma mater

Naturally, FWCS spokesperson (for life), Krista Stockman would not speak to that issue, just how South Side has improved over the last several years.
--The second story is about how there is a plan being put in place to do away with the problematic ISTEP+ tests in Indiana. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/Panel-OKs-2017-end-for-ISTEP--11152061

And long overdue, too.

They are looking for a new test, and hopefully, THAT one will not be laced with all the issues this last one had, AND be a better barometer as to ACTUAL achievement, and not lay the weight of such things heavily upon the teachers.
--The third story is about how a rally for school choice is being "touted"....(really?)
Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/Rally-touts-Indiana-s-school-choice-option-11155637

Vouchers are screwing up public schools

Anyone ever stop to realize that decades ago, many cities shot themselves in the foot when they CHOSE to do away with MANY of the "neighborhood schools" in lieu of this busing BS (many times across town).
The expenditures alone for such an endeavor far outweighed the "progress" many students were expected to achieve, and the educational system has been stick in "catch-up mode" ever since.
Now, they push school CHOICE rather than fix what's broken with the public schools, making them (once again) the bastions of learning that MY generation attended...and graduated from with much higher rates than any you see today.

The parameters of learning.

It would seem the best way to extricate ourselves from being mired down in this mud puddle of mediocrity, would be to back up a tad in order to go forward and get out of the rut...right? Works well enough for vehicles.
One aspect not really mentioned is how OUR area schools basically outperform most all OTHER areas in the entire STATE...didn't hear about that one, did we?
We're better than Indy, Gary , South Bend, Muncie...you name it.
With the exclusion of very small areas with smaller schools and private schools, we top the damn list.
And we beat every other area with larger minority student populations, so whatever programs the other area schools have as far as diversity and all the other BS they wasted money on, we're doing BETTER than they are, Not hearing a word about THAT, ar we?
*** Last back to the comfy chair...there are always those who remind us to "never look back", but be more forward-thinking.

That's all well and good, as long as people don't forget where they came from and what used to work for us in the past.
You'll often hear me say that "I miss that", referring to times from the past that demonstrated without a doubt that we HAD the wherewithal to accomplish so much, and how we seemed to have misplaced that ideal in our lives and our society.

When we condone mediocrity and all but hold THAT in higher esteem than true accomplishment, there is something dreadfully wrong.
When we cater to a handful while neglecting the masses, we hurt everyone.
When we look to education not as actual achievement, but rather dollars and cents, without regard  to what it all is actually COSTING our children in the long run, we harm our very future in ways we've yet to realize.

I say we NEED to look to the past...to history, and the things we have learned from it, whether they were positive or negative, because a failure to do so NOW, will indeed produce a greater failure in decades to come. The future is not to be toyed with, for all of us will be spending a LOT of time there, won't we?

And failure is something this nation should never become comfortable with, and definitely not something we need to embrace as anything approaching a "new normal".
We are better than that, and we need to start believing it and showing it.
Therein lies the lesson for today.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.