THE DIESEL SHACK

Wow, been a while!

2007-05-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's only been about 8 months since my last post. Been busy teaching, coaching, etc. Leaving the Willamette Valley soon and moving to the Columbia Gorge. Picked up some new hobbies since my last post. Stated fly fishing.

It's more fun than politics and illegal immigration and such. When you realize you can't do anything about politics, and the politicians don't care about illegal immigration, you come to the epiphany that you really only have one choice...

Go fishing...

Nice way to spend a Sunday....

2006-09-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

Coffin Mountain. A moderate hike, only about 2.5 miles from the trail head. Awesome views of mtns. Jefferson, Hood, Washington, 3 Sisters, etc. So close to Mt. Jefferson it feels like you could skip a rock off the top of it. Highly recommended trip to help get away from the lunacy of the world. Too bad tomorrow is Monday...

Voter ID rant

2006-09-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Orbusmax for this heads up, website that always find something irksome out there...

Pelosi: Voter ID Bill Is an Attempt to Suppress the Votes of Millions of American Citizens

There really isn't too much to say about this that isn't already COMMON SENSE. We need a photo ID to drive a car, to cash a check, to get our own money out of the bank, to fly across the country, to use my own credit cards, etc. Why would you NOT need a photo ID to vote? In Marion County, I had to send in a photocopy of my driver's license to get my voter registration changed. Has that been struck down yet because it suppresses my right to vote?

At least in Marion & Polk counties here in Oregon, everyone gets a voter registration card when they register. If I simply put my picture on it, does that suppress my right to vote?

PELOSI, ARE YOU FREAKING NUTS? Who elects these nut jobs to represent them? Is this the BEST that California can put out to represent them?

Merit Pay: Addendum

2006-09-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Of course, in my haste, I forgot to make my biggest point. The whole idea behind merit pay makes one HUGE false assumption, and I was guilty of it as well in my post below. The merit pay idea assumes that all teachers have chosen this career because of the high monetary compensation. Well, teachers don't make that much (especially young ones!). There must be some other motivating factor as towhy people choose the teaching profession. I'll leave that one open for discussion...

...with one caveat: There is already a disproportionate number of older teachers to younger teachers in the United States (i.e. lots of Baby Boomer teachers, fewer younger ones). There is NO DOUBT that there is an anti-teacher politcal climate in the state of Oregon. Teachers (even young ones) are smart people. they will leave the profession, or never enter it to begin with! The adage that "those who can, do, and those who can't, teach" is ridiculous. Step into a classroom and tell me that.

Like I said before, each teacher does a different job (even though they may teach right next to each other), so it's impossible and not really fair to judge them all by the same criteria. For example should this teacher be paid more because she saved a student's life? And don't say that is one incident. Google "teacher saves life" and see what you come up with. Or read what a student wrote to this teacher. How do you fairly compensate that?

How much is saving a life worth these days? Should we pay police based on the amount of crimes they stop? Or firemen based on the amount of fires they put out?

Enough ranting...it's Sunday, and I've got school work to do.

Issues with Merit Pay for Teachers (from a teacher)

2006-09-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

As requested (and promised), here is a short (hopefully) and by-no -means complete, discussion about why I think merit pay stinks. Actually, let me re-phrase that. Merit pay in theory is a great idea. Where it begins to break down is in how it actually works in reality, a reality that the Chalkboard Project even recognizes. Again, this is not a complete argument, and is based purely on my observations as a second-year teacher.

Taken at face value, "merit pay" suggests that if (for example) you have two teachers and one teacher's class does better on a standardized test than the other teacher's class, the first teacher should be given a bonus (merit pay). If that isn't the basic argument, then someone correct me, and stop reading here because the rest of this discussion is based on that basic assumption.

Problems:
1) Teachers don't all teach the same classes or the same kids. For example, should an AP History teacher get paid more because his kids will do better on the "end of year" exams than a "regular" History class teacher? According to merit pay, yes!

2) Kids come into school with differing levels of prior knowledge. It's common knowledge that children from more affluent familes tend to have more educational opportunities (interpret that however you want to in order to make it politically correct) than kids from lower socioeconomic level families. What if teacher 'A' has more 'poor kids' than teacher 'B'. Teacher 'B's kids will most likely perform better on standardized tests because those students came in with more previous educational opportunities before they even arrived at school. If that needs more clarification, let me know. For example, comparing two (2) school districts high schools...why has Lake Oswego HS gotten an "Exceptional" report card rating the past couple years, while only one high school (Lincoln HS, out of ten or so others) in the entire Portland School District gotten an "Exceptional" rating? In fact, a number of PPS high schools were rated "Low". I mean really, are the Lake Oswego teachers all that much better than all but one PPS high school? Would anyone really argue that nearly all the teachers in PPS district should be paid less than the Lake Oswego teachers?

3) If the above scenario is accurate (correct me if it is not), then the Lake Oswego teachers should be paid more than the Portland Public School District teachers. This doesn't even include cost of living factors, as I'm not going to waste time with the obvious distinctions between school districts. So let's assume I'm a new teacher (not too big of a jump for me), looking for a teaching job. Why in the world would I want to go to the Portland School District if I can get a job at Lake Oswego? Why would I want to go to a district where I would have to work twice as hard to get the students to achieve half as much as Lake Oswego students, when the Lake O teachers are working half as much and getting twice the results...and teachers are making MORE MONEY because their students are doing better on standardized tests.

4) Something that maybe should have been talked about before, but that is the issue of "standardized tests". So, in order for teacher 'A' to be "judged" against his peer teachers (for compensation purposes), his students have to take the same standardized test as teacher 'B'. Because that's how we measure "learning", right? Hopefully teacher 'A' doesn't have more kids on IEP's (individual education plans), because those kids often times aren't held to the same standards as other kids. Also, all of teacher 'A's students better have scored just as well as teacher 'B' students in their tests the previous year. If not, is it really fair to judge the two teachers against each other? They are basically doing different jobs (or at least starting at different places/levels).

5) The Chalkboard Project HAS recognized some of these issues, and in recognizing those issues they have given school districts an 'out'. They want to make "alternative compensation reforms" (read: Merit Pay) "voluntary". They recognize that different school districts will or will not be able to implement merit pay, because it would choke the life out of the teachers in the district. Example: If one district uses merit pay, and another doesn't, why would I want to teach in the merit pay district? Again, that doesn't include living issues (living in Salem vs. living in Harney County).

Ok, this is all I have time for right now, and it's barely scratching the surface. Please, take issue with any or all of the above, and I'll try to address the questions to the best of my ability and experience. For more info, and an interesting read, check out the Chalkboard Project and specifically these two PDF's about their action plans:

Pay for Performance
Working Group Fact Sheet

Since Mr. Saxton is quoting the Chalkboard Project specifically, we might as well all be looking at the same info. If you want more info (pro and con merit pay), just Google it. Hopefully this can be a continuing discussion, but I make no promises about being able to blog more. I'll be teaching, after all...

Working with "Migrants"...

2006-09-17T09:55:00.000-07:00

Never got the chance to mention this, but I spent the last week in August working with a bunch of hispanic gentlemen during the bartlett pear harvest in Hood River. It's nice to get out in the fresh air just below Mt. Hood for that last week of freedom before heading back to school for 9 months. I do have some general comments about what has lately become an annual tradition:

1) Harvesting fruit is not an easy job. I wasn't even picking the fruit, I was just driving a tractor throught the rows of trees...moving or hauling away bins of pears (see picture). Would I want to do this job full-time? No way.

2) The pay isn't very good. Now, I was working for my father-in-law, so I was getting "other-than-usual" perks. However, the hourly rate I was getting from him was only 40% of the hourly rate I make as a teacher. Plus, I came back with bruises, scrapes, lumps, and a sun-burn (95 degree days, 10 hours a day in the sun). Now the guys who were picking the fruit...they made less than I did, and they were working much harder. Hauling a 30 lb. bag of fruit up and down ladders for 10 hours is no easy task. Now compared to last year, these guys were slow pickers. The best of them made about $9-$10 an hour.

3) For me, communication was nearly impossible. Luckily, I'm used to working with 9th graders who don't understand normal english either (some of my students think "LOL" and "IMHO" can be used in essays). I was the only white guy, and only the other tractor driver spoke passable english. Basic hand signals was the mode of communication. In fact, my father-in-law mentioned to me that a couple neighbors drove by and asked him, "Who's the white guy working for you?" Funny stuff.

Commentary:There's a reason (or 10) why "American's won't do this job". It's sucks, and the pay isn't good. There are good things about it (fresh Mt. Hood air). For the pickers, my father-in-law provides FREE HOUSING (including electricity, water, garbage, maintenance). But they don't get insurance (pity, huh?). Even talking to him, he's assumes that a majority of the workers he has are not legal residents. Sure, they have all the right paperwork and documents, or he wouldn't hire them. But he can't do anything if he sees something suspicious.

Recently, he told me he's been having a hard time finding workers. There just aren't any, which he attributes to the tighter security on the border. It's a situation that has put me on the fence. If there aren't enough workers, "market forces" suggest that 1) There just isn't a labor pool, or 2) The wages are not high enough to attract workers, or 3) Something else?

My theory is this: There is a shortage in the labor pool because migrant workers (legal or not) are leaving the agriculture industry becuse it doesn't pay as well (or have working conditions as good as) the construction or service industries. I think that when the housing boom levels off (as we've heard it is) or dies off, the demand for these workers will decrease. Migrant workers will return to where the demand is (ag jobs). According to census numbers, the hispanic population is higher than it has ever been in the United States (and it's growing). Why aren't there enough fruit pickers, then? If the fruit harvest is a job that "American's won't do", doesn't that mean that the problem is not that "white people" won't do that job, it's that once people (White or black or brown or whatever) are here and are prosperous or educated enough, the job of harvesting fruit is really "beneath" their education or standard of living levels.

The biggest problem with my theory (which I'm sure is not an original one), is that there is too much COMMON SENSE involved in it. Either the AG Industry must change to reflect a changing economy, or the economy must change. I'm guessing both will have to change to some degree, if either will survive.

~Diesel

Another politcal season...

2006-09-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

Is it that time of year again? Oh yes, I was so busy doing my job that I forgot my job was turning out to be a political football once again. Yeah, I'm a teacher. I'm also pretty much anti-union, an independent-conservative, and I vote pretty much Republican in each election.

NOT THIS YEAR!

I've been voting now for a whopping 8 years. For my two presidential elections, I've been faithful to my roots, and scared of what the Democrat party offered for candidates (Gore & Kerry). I've been a faithful Bush-backer, even when he's made mistakes (we can't impeach every president that makes a mistake, silly Dems).

Yet every gubernatorial election in Oregon, I've voted with the Dems. Kitzhaber ('98), Kulongoski ('02), and now....? Kulongoski hasn't done anything worth voting for, yet he's still the "lesser of two evils" this year.

Anyone that thinks Ron Saxton has the right ideas is off their rocker. My biggest reason for not voting for Saxton (or maybe against him) is his complete endoresement of the Chalkboard Project's merit-pay "musings". (more on this to come)

Who am I voting for this election season? NONE OF THE ABOVE.

WHY CAN'T OREGON FIELD A GOOD REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR???????

3 months later...

2006-08-06T22:42:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a vacation, of sorts. Getting married is not a vacation at all. Even the honeymoon is no vacation...trying to do lots of fun stuff and cram in all the good things to do in only 10 days. It was actually quite frustrating. I'm so glad to be home!

But then I got home to a mountian of mail, dead front and back yards, flower beds, etc. Been trying to spend the last two days getting the homestead back together.

Oh by the way, don't ever try to get married while you're also looking for a new job! What a nightmare! Changing schools isn't a blast, but I'm really excited about where I am going (just across town), and I was super excited to get the job hunt over with before the wedding.

Oh by the way, don't get married on the hotttest, most humid day of the year! (July 22) We weren't even in tuxes, but me and the groomsmen were sweating like you wouldn't believe! I'm talking a river of sweat on your upper lip when you swoop in to do the big kiss. It wasn't pretty!

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer! I gotta get back into the blogging habit! Too much going on (no, I'm not going to talk about Israel/Lebanon/Hezbollah, although I think Israel should kick a$$ and take some names).

Almost Back...Election Wrap-Up

2006-05-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been away from the Diesel Shack for far too long. I've got plenty to hollar about, but we still have a couple weeks of school left, a couple weeks of the track season left, and it's just a busy time. But while I'm at it...

I'm sincerely sorry that Sen. Atkinson didn't pull through on Tuesday night. I can't say that I really expected the Senator to pull out this major upset, and I'm am encouraged by the 23% he did achieve against such enormous odds. That being said, I'd like to say to Sen. Atkinson or anyone from his campaign that actually might read these blogs... Even though you didn't "win", you made a lot of people believe again. You ran what I saw as an "Abraham Lincoln" style campaign. Most candidates claim to run a "grassroots" campaign, but you REALLY DID! You got beat by money, pure and simple, which is one of the reasons I think a lot of people voted for you. Your principles guided your campaign, not other peoples pocketbooks. I really hope there is a "next time" in your future. Congratulations on laying the groundwork for Oregon's future, and thank you for restoring hope back in Oregon politics

What are we protesting again?

2006-04-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

Students Protest (insert cause here) in Salem

Well, I teach at one of the high schools in Salem where there was a "walkout" staged. I could count the students that left on one hand (out of 125 I see everyday). Today, when those students returned to class, I asked them to clarify for me what they were protesting. Of those that actually could give me an answer, most said they were protesting the way white people hate Mexicans, and that they were demanding a way to become citizens, because they had " right to be here" (These students were born in California, go figure). Some said that they were protesting the Congressional House bill that "makes immigrants criminals" (their words). Today we had a small discussion about defining the debate, and that, depending on on how the debate is defined, the issue at the heart of the debate is seen completely differently. When I aksed if the debate was about immigration, or about illegal immigration, most students told me there was no difference.

What did I learn today? This "protest" was organized by some "Mexicans from California" (their words, not mine). Using kids to get their message out? My kids today compared themselves to the kids MLK used in the Birmingham marches for civil rights (which we studied back in November). I'm just glad they at least learned something :)

Party Affiliations

2006-03-26T13:53:00.000-08:00

The saga continues...

Here's the deal gang: I'm not switching my party affiliation just to be able to vote in the primaries. Both the major parties in Oregon have concluded that they DON'T WANT my vote in the primary. If they did, they would push for an open primary. The trade-off? I have to hope that the candidate I want makes it through the May primary and that I get the chance to vote for him in the fall.

None of the political parties in Oregon accurately reflects my views. One does more so than others, and that is why I tend to vote in their favor most of the time. If you don't vote the party line each and every time, the members are ready to tar and feather you. To quote a fellow blogger(RINO Watch):

Once they're a RINO they are not our "own".They have already strayed so you can have 'em.Least we have the integrity on this site to call a spade a spade.

Switching parties just to vote in the primary is, in my opinion, sleazy. Good luck in May Sen. Atkinson. Your sticker is on my car!

More help...

2006-03-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

After reading more posts from the "Atkinson Blog Network" (see sidebar on the right) about the Dorchester Conference, I was really curious to hear some news from blogs supporting the other GOP candidates. Can someone point me to the "Bloggers for Mannix", or the "Saxton Blogosphere"? For some reason, I can't find them...

Need some help here...

2006-03-06T21:34:00.000-08:00

Ok, after reading a number of posts and news reports on the recent Dorchester Conference in Seaside, I'm seeing a lot of that good old term "RINO" pop up. For those uneducated folks, this term stands for "Republican In Name Only". To my knowledge, this stands for folks that lean have declared their support for the GOP, yet still have a mind to vote for themselves and take issues as they come. This may be a reason its hard for me to hop off the fence and put that little (R) next to my name. The "if you're not with us, you're against us" mentality.

So please, I'm asking for some help here from my fellow bloggers; educate me on what exactly a RINO is. Those of you who've followed my posts please tell me if you think I would fall under that category, should I ever drop my Non-Affiliated label.

5 Reasons Why I Will Sign for Ben Westlund...

2006-02-22T20:47:00.000-08:00

Ore. candidate's signature drive raises questions

#1) Consider it a protest against the legislation that is attempting to keep him off of the November ballot.

#2) Consider it a protest against a two-party system that doesn't represent me.

#3) Consider it a protest against anything that Bill Bradbury stands for.

#4) Consider it me standing up for an independent.

#5) As an Independent voter, I can't vote (in the primary) for the candidate I'd really like to vote for (JASON ATKINSON).

Will I vote for Westlund in the general election come November? Not a chance. Would I vote for Westlund, should the choice come between he and Kevin Mannix or Ron Saxton? For sure. Westlund should be able to get his name on the ballot, ESPECIALLLY if he can get both Republicans and Democrats to vote for him.

Senator Sheehan?

2006-01-29T21:10:00.000-08:00

Cindy Sheehan Considering Senate Run

This whole thing really has me confused. It's like an episode of "The Twilight Zone". On one hand, you've got incumbent Sen. Diane Feinstein, who is in her own right a California whack job. One the other side, you've the grieving mother and Hugo Chavez supporter Cindy Sheehan, who is considering running for Feinstein's Senate seat. Sheehan even goes so far as to claim that Feinstein is "out of touch with Californians". Well, if Feinstein is out of touch with Californians, and Sheehan is clearly out of touch with reality, who's left to save California? Gov. Schwarzenegger? Cue the music for Twilight Zone...

Yeah, this is why political parties aren't good...

2006-01-23T10:24:00.000-08:00

No Party? Good Luck Getting On the Ballot

Again, this is just another example of turning potential voters AND candidates off from participating in the democratic process. Yet another reason why I choose to keep that "I", or in Oregon "NA" (Non-affiliated) next to my name. But apparently the two main political parties in Oregon would rather have the "NA" mean "Not Applicable".

Where is big bad Sec. of State Bill Bradbury when this type of "disenfranchisement" of voters/candidates happens? Why is he only worried about making sure non-citizens get to vote, but he doesn't care about actual citizens' votes or nominations getting "invalidated"?

Also, since when does signing a petition count as a vote? Signing a petition to allow an independent candidate to run for office, and then voting in the Republican primary race are two completely separate actions with different intentions.

THIS IS BAD LEGISLATION!

Holy Crap Kobe!

2006-01-22T22:00:00.000-08:00

Kobe's 81-point game second only to Wilt

Ok, if the Seahawks hadn't made it to SuperBowl XL today, this story would have to be the sports story of the year. As a current high school basketball coach who wasn't even alive while Wilt Chamberlain was playing, Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points for the (hated) L.A. Lakers is an unbelievable feat. Not even MJ ever accomplished that. If you don't know who "MJ" is, close your browser window right now, and then use your keyboard to repeatedly bang yourself in the head. (No, it's not Mary Jane, you Spiderman geeks)

More (semi) Entertainment - SupremeCourtWatch.org

2006-01-14T11:07:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'm pretty new to listening to podcasts, but it's actually quite entertaining. There are a bevy of left-wing podcasters out there, and the one I've actually gotten the most laughs from this week is SupremeCourtWatch.org This is (what sounds like) a bunch of young politico-lawyer types, but they may just be a bunch of stuttering, bumbling law students. One or two of them are actually able to put together a coherent sentence without 10-12 "uhhh's" or stuttering through every other word. Their motto very altuistically states "Democracy in the Balance", but it is absurdedly that in reality they oppose every thought that resembles non-liberalism. Instead of being in favor of an independent thinking judge, these bumblers at SupremeCourtWatch oppose anyone that doesn't have "I support Roe v. Wade" tatooed on their forehead. In their "Whaddaya Got?" segment every night, the only people who get mentioned are (and predictably, undeniably worshipped): Ted Kennedy, Chucky Schumer, Patricky Leahy, and Diane Feinstein, along with anyone else who opposes Alito's nomination.

I recommend listening to one or two of their half-hour shows. It's like watching ComedyCentral, but without the humorous images. :)

20/20 Tonight- Stupid in America

2006-01-13T23:50:00.000-08:00

This was good entertainment. I only caught the last 30 minutes, but it was still very entertaining. There were a lot of things I agreed with Stoessel on, but also a lot of things that were pretty sketchy.

Agreements:
1. Unions are bad for schools. (I also think they are a ripoff...$50 a month for dues!)
2. Competition is good.
3. Firing "bad" teachers is way too ridiculously hard.
4. There are more things...can't remember them at midnight.

Disagreements: (Things Stoessel left out because they didn't serve his purpose)
1. There weren't any parents or kids in that show that "didn't care", which is unrealistic.
2. 6.5 hours is only "student contact" time. Doesn't take into account grading time, staff meetings, parent conferences, yada yada yada. Teachers should "volunteer" for those things, right?
3. Students calling teachers on cell phones at "all hours of the night?" PUUULEEEASE!!! Oh yeah, and those teachers with cell phones had the same cell phone. Coincidence, or school bought cell phones? What Oregon voter is going to ok that one? Again, unrealistic. Actually, more "out of this world".
4. What actually makes a "bad teacher" (all sex offenders aside)? What makes a "good teacher"? Those two things are nearly impossible to quantify objectively, thus the baffoon on 20/20 saying "Prove it! Prove it!". Jackass....
5. Crazy how Stoessel could only find (or only show) public school kids that said that their teachers were, 1) Only in teaching for the benefits, 2) drunk at school, 3) or just didn't care. Not one kid who had a good teacher in a public school? Yet, those charter school teachers who get paid more (and earn bonuses), who have kids that are very well behaved, who listen, who actually come to class (and the boys all wear ties at school!)...those teachers love to teach at private (or charter) schools. HOLY FREAKING NEWS FLASH BATMAN! GOOD KIDS ARE FUN TO TEACH!!!

Ok, enough cynicism...I really like Stoessel and his programs, and I often use them in class as learning aids. This just happened to be one I took (some) issue with. He chose his facts well enough to show what he wanted to show....realistic or not. It was just hard to pay attention at 10pm...yeah, that's when I got home from school tonight.

~Diesel

PLO Terrorist Outraged! (Who cares?)

2005-12-29T12:56:00.000-08:00

Spielberg Outrages Terrorist

EXCERPTS:

The Palestinian mastermind of the Munich Olympics terrorist attack, which killed 11 Israeli athletes, says he is outraged at not being consulted for the Steven Spielberg thriller Munich.

He also accused the director of pandering to the Jewish state and said the new film about the incident would not deliver reconciliation.

This whole story is almost laughable. Favorite contradiction in this story:

"We did not target Israeli civilians," he said.

YET:

"Some of them [the athletes] had taken part in wars and killed many Palestinians. Whether a pianist or an athlete, any Israeli is a soldier."

Future stories of "Outraged Terrorists":

Saddam, Martha Stewart Spar over "101 Ways to Decorate a Spider Hole"?

Timothy McVeigh Unhappy with Casting of DiCaprio as Bombing Mastermind?

"Unabomber", Nike to market new version of Hooded Sweatshirt?

Nothing to write about?

2005-12-15T21:40:00.000-08:00

Now that I have returned to blogging, I'm suddenly at a loss for words. There is really nothing out there that has picqued my interest enough to write about. As with everyone else, I'm a bit annoyed by the anti-"Christmas" nature of the holidays this winter. My fiance, who is a 2nd grade teacher, invited me to attend her school's winter program. I was pretty excited about this, as I hadn't been to a school Christmas program since my neice was a little kid. When I asked what the "Christmas program" (which is what it was always called when I was a kid) was about, she informed me that it wasn't a Christmas program at all, and that it was instead a "winter program" that involved cats and dogs learning to live peacefully together.

Now, I'm not asking that the kids should be singing "Silent Night" or "We Three Kings of Orient Are", but it seems like the kids should be able to sing some "Jingle Bells", "Winter Wonderland", or "Frosty the Snowman"....right? Christmas is a federal holiday, recognized by the State of Oregon and United States of America. I know for a fact that the school's principal (who is Jewish) comes into the classes every year to teach about Jewish customs, holidays, and beliefs. What's the difference?

Back to 'e-life"

2005-12-13T22:38:00.000-08:00

I have returned.

Was able to get my little bro's computer (from Texas), and I am now "plugged in" again, and hope to return to blogging as usual. Incidentally, also just got an email letting me know that my laptop and it's new owner (mi hermano) are safe and sound in Kuwait, and awaiting deployment to Al Iskandariyah (southeast of Baghdad).

Today's Rant: Salem Fire Dept.

2005-11-25T11:56:00.000-08:00

Scene: "Black Friday", Lancaster Drive, Salem , OR

As I'm driving to take my fiance to the dentist for emergency pain relief (dry socket after wisdom teeth removal), we're heading down Lancaster Drive (where 1/3 to 1/2 of all of Salem's stores are) in wall to wall traffic. It's "Black Friday", and stupid drivers are everywhere. At the intersection of Center St. and Lancaster Dr., there is some sort of hold up and traffic is getting through very slowly. Up ahead, I see firemen in their turnouts, so I assume it was some sort of accident. By the time I get up to where the hold up is, I see that I am mistaken. Instead of an accident, the firemen are walking up and down the lanes of traffic, asking for donations for muscular dystrophy (for "Jerry's Kids").

Now, for the most part, I have no problem with this. When cars are stopped, sure, go ahead and get out there with your boot and ask for money. But no, these firemen are walking in and out of cars as they are moving. They were even getting people to stop as they were making left-hand turns through the intersection, nearly causing a couple people to rear-end other mornons who actually stopped in the intersection while making left-hand turns. Who's at fault? Well, the morons who stopped in the middle of making a left-hand turn. But also, shouldn't the firemen, OF ALL PEOPLE, know that this is just not a good idea?

Going offline...

2005-11-20T15:19:00.000-08:00

Well, this may be my last post for awhile. My laptop is going to be making the trip overseas to Iraq with my little brother, who is deploying from Ft. Hood, TX in the next couple weeks. My laptop will making the trip to Texas with my parents this weekend, who will enjoy Thanksgiving with my little brother before he leaves. He's taking my laptop in the hopes the he will be able to communicate with us better, as well as while away any hours of downtime that he will have.

But it also gives the excuse (and the hopes of convincing my fiance to let me...) to buy a new computer.

I Hate Deciduous Trees...

2005-11-20T14:33:00.000-08:00

My next home will have nary a deciduos tree on the lot. The fall/winter season has many good things: football, basketball, and even skiing. But it also has the cold, rain, and of course, falling leaves. My front yard has a crazy huge tree that has a ridiculous amount of leaves, plus one other much much smaller tree that has much much larger leaves. It makes for about 2 months worth of raking, every single weekend. This is the 2nd fall/winter we have been in this house. Last year, I was too busy to going to school to keep up on the yard work. As a result, my front lawn was decimated. This year, I've made the commitment to keep up on the leaves. The problem is, my "yard debris" bin can't keep up with the flow. So every weekend I give up precious football-watching-time, and toil away at the leaves. And then just as I get the grass free of leaves...God decides that the wind should pick up. In the first picture, there is another planter that completely covered by leaves. This is after filling up my debris bin for the week. This is what it looks like every week!

And of course, the crazy huge tree in the front is only about halfway done shedding it's lovely flora onto my grass...

However, the fall does make for some good pictures...

BlueOregon May be Right...

2005-11-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I'm not one to usually agree with the folks over at BlueOregon, but for change, I think they may be on to something with their discussion about raising the pay for legislators. Yes, I will probably catch hell from the hard-line conservatives for this, but it seems to be common sense that by making the pay at least reasonable, Oregon will have a wider pool of candidates to choose from for the legislature.

On the other hand, does that mean more incompetent people will consider running for office, and we will end up with ballots of 20-30 names in the primaries? Possibly. Actually, I think we should just re-instate the requirement that you have to be a "land owner" in order to be eligible to run for office (or vote, for that matter!). That would at least wipe out the eligibility for all the "condo owners" in Portland.

To My Readers: Sorry, I'm trying to get away from the "teacher" posts. They're starting to get depressing :)

Teachers Get Paid too Much?

2005-11-15T15:36:00.000-08:00

Are you kidding me?

Ok, last week the spring on my garage door busted. From the little bit of research I did on how to fix this, I learned that because the tension is so great on these springs, it is best to hire a "professional" to fix them. I'm not one to argue with that. So I called SALEM GARAGE DOOR company to come out and fix it. The repairman was very prompt, and did excellent work. In fact, he was so good at his job he finished in 18 minutes.

Now comes the good part, the bill. Just as quickly as he fixed my garage door spring, he handed me a bill for $129. Now this is in the range I expected, so I wasn't complaining about the total, at first. The break down for the bill was: Parts - $53; Labor - $76. FOR EIGHTEEN MINUTES OF WORK! $76!!!!! That equates to $250 an hour!

Now I'm not complaining about the quality of work, or the time it took to get it done. I guarranty this guy didn't have to get a Master's degree in order to do his job (or a Bachelor's for that matter!). I wonder how many college credits he has to take ever year in order to maintain his license? Anybody know? I get it, he doesn't have PERS. Wait, new teachers don't get those great benefits either. That must be the difference. I wonder how much work he takes home with him every night? Does he have to call his customers at night (interrupting their dinner) to check on his newly installed garage door springs?

Surely there must be some way to justify making $250 an hour. Someone please educate me.

Anyone still complaining about how much teachers make should be flogged.

Now who are we supposed to believe?

2005-11-11T14:25:00.000-08:00

Oregon Trail District Rejects Governor's Offer

Disclaimer: I'M A TEACHER!

So the Gov tries to end the strike by apparently compromising, the teacher's union accepts the deal, and the District strikes it down. The District claims the deal is "too expensive for the district to maintain over the life of the contract". Fair enough. What confuses me is why would the Governor's staff (I'm sure he didn't do it himself) try to broker a deal that would so obviously not be possible. There is only so much money available, and to structure a contract that is just not possible would be stupid. So that makes me question 1) The Gov's staff, because they CAN'T be that stupid, and 2) The District officials who claim that the deal is unsustainable. Something is fishy there.

The union said while it too had some issues with Kulongoski's compromise, it was
willing to accept the plan to get a deal done and end the strike.
"As the governor said, neither side will like his proposal altogether," noted union
spokesman Steve Kenney. "We believe, however, that both the teachers and the
Board should swallow the parts of the governor's proposal that they find
difficult, placing the needs of students above their difficulties."
On Friday though, the school board's Isbell questioned Kulongoski's motives in bringing his proposal to the mediator.
"He may be thinking about his re-election next year and knows that the state teachers union will be a major player if his ambition is to come to fruition," Isbell told kgw.com. "I do not believe this is a conspiracy, just quite obvious."

Is "Sleepy Ted" just trying to get votes from the teacher's union? Maybe. But there is no way the bulk of the teachers (and for sure not the various teachers' unions) will contribute to ANY Republican candidate. Kulongoski already has the teacher's unions in his back pocket. Would he expend this much clout just to win the primary election? I doubt it. This doesn't really make a lot of sense as a politcal move. And when does the Isbell come up for re-election? The same could be said about him, yeah?

As a biased person (because I'm a teacher), this is my knee-jerk reaction to this situation: The Gov steppped in to ty and help (politcal move or not), made concessions to both sides (according to the KGW article), a deal was accepted by the teachers and rejected by a hard-line school board. A deal that adds school days back in tells me that the union is willing to get this strike over with and get back in the classroom. I haven't figured out the motives of the school board yet.

Moral conundrums....

2005-11-10T15:26:00.000-08:00

What a day this has been! Twice today I was forced to bite my tongue, put aside my own beliefs, and follow the "politically correct" path. While teaching today the following situations occurred:

1) I'm finishing up showing the movie "13 Days", which dramatizes the days of the Cuban Missile Crisis within the Kennendy administration. In one of my social studies classes, I "borrow" a science classroom for a period. I don't have my own classroom, as my school doesn't have enough space to accomodate the teachers and students (another discussion, entirely!). So, the teacher who's class I am borrowing is there watching the movie, and towards the end of the class (while I'm cleaning up, getting ready to go back to another room I borrow) the teacher makes a crack, "I wonder how the current administration would handle that situation. I'm sure we'd all be dead now if the Bushies were in power". Now, this teacher only said this to me, out of earshot of the rest of my students (to my knowledge). What could I say? As a "conservative" teacher, I just kind of nodded my head and gave the, "Mmmm-hmmm" response.

2) After school I was grading papers and getting ready for basketball practice, when the door opened and two female students walked in. I have one the girls in class. She asks me, "Mr. ____, is it ok if we post this sign on your bulletin board?" Looking at the flyer, it was an ad for students to attend a meeting of the school's "Gay-Straight Alliance" group. Again, what to say? So once again, after stammering for a second, I just nodded my head and acquiesce. I'd hate to be labeled a "biggot" if I don't agree with the nature of the group. Oh well. Another day in public education.

Oregon Trail Teachers Strike

2005-11-01T23:47:00.000-08:00

Bargaining Update (10/28) (pdf)

District's Contract FAQ (pdf)

Ok, instead of just saying "teacher's are greedy", like a number of my fellow bloggers (and a talk show radio host or two), I'm attempting to try and understand what the hang up is. Again, I'm a teacher, albeit a first-year teacher, so I do have some biases here. Then again, as a first-year teacher, I don't believe I've been corrupted by the unions yet, but I also have already experienced that Oregonians need to move into the "real world" when it comes to their kids' education. Here's my take on the "Major Unresolved Issues" from the link posted above. Again, I'm no lawyer, not a negotiator, not a "labor" expert, contract expert, etc. Just a 25-year old social studies teacher. Again, I've done my own paraphrasing of the language in the document, so I may be wrong on a number of accounts here. Also, the numbers/language I'm using comes from the District's website. That information may not be the same that the union is providing to the teachers. Also, is the "East County Bargaining Council" the bargaining team for the union? If not, this whole post is worthless. But here goes:

1. Paid Leaves: The teachers want to accept the district's offer, plus additional language that includes time off for the death of a family friend. I don't I think a "family friend's" death should qualify anybody for PAID time off. If you need the time, take it. Don't expect the taxpayers to pay for it. It's a family friend, not a family member.

2. Transfers and Vacancies: The District wants to be able to move a teacher from school to school each year in order to fill vacancies. The teachers want its one move every 5 years. I know in my district, that could change a commute from being 2 minutes to 25 minutes. As there are 5 elementary schools in the Oregon Trail District, anyone can see that possibly being in 5 different schools in 5 years is not cool. Also, it would impossible to be a good teacher if you are in a new school every year. You don't get to know the kids or their parents, or your colleagues (or your bosses). Then again, if you just want a "factory" that cranks out "educated" students, do what you want.

3. Evaluations: The teachers' UNION wants the final say in how teachers are evaluated, and the actual evaluations. That's bogus. What's the job of the administrator(s) then? Do they even need to ever talk to the teachers? Should the administrators be involved in hiring then? The union gets a thumbs down on that one from me.

4. Working Conditions: I don't get the hang up here. It seems as if the teachers want the current contract language (not specified), and the district wants the same thing, but also the ability to change to a block schedule. In my experience, a block schedule adds prep time and decreases student contact time. Again, not sure what the hang up is.

5. Reduction in Force: Teachers want a new definition of "teacher competence" that apparently doesn't comply with state laws. District wants a definition that complies with state laws. Sorry teachers, gotta go with the state on this one. It appears that the District's hand SHOULD be tied on this one, but I don't really know.

6. Medical benefits: Everyone's insurance rates are going up. It sucks. If you're a "professional" doctor or a lawyer, maybe a CPA, etc...you can just charge higher rates. If you're a "professional" teacher, you can't. This argument could go both ways. No clear winner either way.

7. Salary: District appears to offer 9% over 4 years, and the teachers want 7% over 3 years, with the 4th year being tied to the Consumer Price Index (I think). I don't know much about the flux of the CPI, so I'm scratchin my head on this one. All of this is in addition to the current normal step increases that each teacher gets every year (dependent upon experience/additional college classes taken). So the teachers ALREADY get an increase each year. This is normal in every district I have ever seen. They are asking for 2% COLA each year (3% in the final year).

Did I analyze that right? I have no clue. That's looking at it at 11:30pm, and not having ANY background in bargaining or contract negotiations. Again, my opinions are my own, and reflect the honest visions of a tax-paying high school teacher. Happy bargaining to both sides.

Cultural Competency?

2005-11-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

There was a "cultural competency committee" meeting today at my school. I almost went to it just to find out what the heck it means to be "culturally competent" but, alas, I had papers to grade. Can someone please enlighten me on what this is? I'd hate to be fired from my teaching job because I held all my students to the same standards, regardless of what their culture is.

I don't really like to see that The Diesel Shack has become a "bitch and moan" session about teaching, but it appears to be that way recently. Please, use the comments section to give me something else to hollar about. Aside from what you might read here, there are some moments, every once in a while, when I actually really like my job :)

"Conservative Teacher" Apparently is an Oxymoron (look it up!)

2005-10-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

Conservative WSU Student Fights To Stay In College Of Education

My Rant: This is why you can't be a conservative and go into education. You will be railroaded right out of town (or college). I can't tell you how many classmates that I went through my education program with that felt exactly like this guy did, but were cowed into stifiling their (our) opinions because this same thing would have happened to us. Yes, this same thing happens at WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY! The professors spend weeks telling the students (future teachers) how "bad" they are if they are white, how unfair the world is if you're not white, and (if you're white) you don't deserve anything you have received. Oh yeah, and if you are a white, heterosexual, male....well, you might as well jump off a cliff because you are the root of all that is evil in the world. These types of classes are more racially divisive than racially inclusive. I know, I've been through them!

For example, this is required reading for people that will be teaching YOUR CHILDREN!

Think this is a small issue, taught by a few liberal arts schools? Think again. Do a Google search for "white privilege", and see what you come up with. I dare you. But don't say I didn't warn you. This is one reason why I (a public school teacher) will probably put my kids in a private school. Thankfully, since I don't have kids yet, there may be time for change!

Conflicting Reports: Are Oregon Schools Good or Bad?

2005-10-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

State, Fed data at odds on Ore. school performance

Excerpts:

State Superintendent Susan Castillo said overall that students in Oregon have set records in reading, writing, math and science, with some of the highest SAT scores in the nation.

But according to the federal government, the state's schools are headed in the opposite direction, losing ground on getting all students, regardless of their background or ethnicity, to perform at grade level on reading and math tests.

According to the newly released state data for the 2004-2005 school year, 137 schools earned an “exceptional” rating, based on their testing performance, attendance levels, dropout rates and student improvement, compared to 130 the year before. And 30 more schools earned the “strong” rating, jumping from 360 to 390.

By the federal government's calculations -- which were released over the summer -- 811 of the state's 1,234 schools performed up to expectations in the 2004-2005 school year, down from 847 the year before.

The differences come because of what is measured. In the federal government's rankings, if a certain percentage of a single subgroup of children -- those who are in special education classes, perhaps, or those who don't speak English -- fail to perform at grade level, an entire school can be classified as "needing improvement."

What's the problem here? I have some ideas...but it's late, and I have to be at school early tomorrow!

What's not to like about this guy?

2005-10-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

Oregonian: Atkinson Walks Different Party Line

Excepts:

"He's a passionate outdoorsman," says Sen. Charlie Ringo, D-Beaverton, who donated $100 to Atkinson's campaign. Ringo, considered one of the most ardent environmentalists at the Legislature, doesn't often support Republican candidates. He made an exception, he says, because Atkinson "feels very strongly about protecting the environment."

Support from Democrats!

Jason Atkinson, who counsels business and foundation clients on how to improve their bottom lines, says he's offering himself as a young, energetic alternative for Republicans. He says he will appeal to those weary of the grip "special interests and lobbyists" hold on the party, and of the party's 20-year history of losing most statewide elections to Democrats.

"I'm part of a new generation with a new way of doing things," Atkinson says

The more I hear/read about Atkinson, the more firmly I stand in his corner. Count me as an "Independent" voter for Atkinson in 2006!

Apologize for what!?!?!?

2005-10-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

Sprague High School’s assistant principal for discipline will apologize to parents and students for remarks at assembly

What exactly should Mr. Tomlin be apologizing for? Those of you who missed the first story in the Salem's Statesman Journal should check it out. Personally, I believe it is the Statesman Journal who should be offering an apology to Vice Principal Tomlin for clearly choosing the WRONG SIDE to back. The first article stated:

Parents say that Don Tomlin called sophomores out of class Sept. 29 and told them that they were the worst class he had ever dealt with.

"During Mr. Tomlin's rant, the girls were called 'whores' and the boys were called 'dicks,'" parent Samantha Demchak said.

The second article quotes students who were actually in attendence at the assemly (i.e. not called out of class to be berated):

Meanwhile, some Sprague sophomores are calling the complaints overblown.

They say Tomlin’s alleged remarks about girls being “whores” were in the context of encouraging them to be more modest.

“He did tell us to cover up, that we’re not selling anything. He told us we needed to stop dressing inappropriately, that we’re not whores,” sophomore Kayla Lomax said.

“He told us not to take it offensively and not to go home and tell our mom and dad that we were whores,” Lomax said.

Some parents said complaints that Tomlin called boys “dicks” were inaccurate. They said their children said Tomlin told boys not to call each other “dicks.”

It is my belief that is part of the "Anti-Teacher" political climate created by Oregon 's faulty PERS system, the moronic ,donkey-supporting OEA (teacher's union), and folks like Lars. I usually agree with 95% of what Mr. Larson says, but can't agree with his stance on teachers.

Ok, off to school and my .83 FTE teaching job. P.S. that means getting a little less than a full time teacher for being at school working for 9-10 a day. Fun, huh?

The year of natural disasters?

2005-10-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

First there was the earthquake/tsunami in south east Asia.... hundreds of thousands killed...

Then hurricane Katrina...1000 killed...

Then Rita...Not many killed...

Now another earthquake in the Middle East...30,000 possibly killed...

Is this one Bush's fault too? Where is Cindy Sheehan to enlighten us all about how this Administration has figured out another way of causing natural disasters? This latest disaster makes me wonder: If Katrina had hit a less developed nation, such as the area of southeast Asia, what might the death toll have been?

One more reason to be thankful for where we live.

In case you needed another reason to vote for Atkinson...

2005-09-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

Just perused Sen. Jason Atkinson gubernatorial campaign website, and found this quote, which I could not help but post...

I am running because I believe in the common sense, good will and sound judgment of real Oregonians whose voices are too often silenced by entrenched special interests in the Oregon Legislature.

Needless to say, I'm now firmly in the Atkinson backcourt. If you believe in COMMON SENSE governing Oregon, visist Atkinson's website and get involved!

Back to School.... (and social promotion)

2005-09-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, sorry! I have been busy since school started back up, and so blogging took a back seat. And now back to our regularly scheduled social commentary....

After 3 weeks back in our K-12 education system, I have once again found need to question the liberal ideology of "social promotion". I have in my classes a number of kids that CAN'T READ! Juniors, in high school, that can't read. There is no excuse for a teacher passing these kids on through school. I really could care less if it hurts their feelings. These kids are the most apathetic kids I have ever seen, and they've gotten that way because their parents and their teachers haven't given two cents worth of COMMON SENSE thinking about them. If these kids cannot even get through k-12 education, which is not really all that hard, they will not succeed in life. Period. They will be a burden on society, costing everyone (but themselves, of course) more money.

Being a conservative teacher is a ridiculous challenge. I should get hazard pay for working in a "hostile environment"!

Thoughts on education...

2005-09-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks. With school starting, and me being at a new school this year, blogging had taken a back seat. Tonight was "Back to School Night", and for those of you with kids, you know that once kids get into high school their parents aren't quite as interested in their kids' education or who their teachers are. Parents are way more interested in their child's education in the primary years and middle years. The problem is that many students are able to slip through the cracks, clear up to their high school years. Of the 100+ students that I have, the parents of only about 15 kids showed up to talk to their teachers, and of course, those kids are the students that are excellent students. The kids who's parents I hoped to see never materialized.

The lesson to be learned: Parents have way more influence over their children's education that any teacher ever will.

PARENTS: Read to your kids. Meet their teachers. Take an interest in their education, even when you think they are "old enough" to take care of it themselves.

Roberts Confirmation Opening Statements...

2005-09-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

Wow! Today was such an I opener for me! It was like the proverbial light bulb going off. Today I caught what I could of the opening statements of Judge John Roberts confirmation hearings. Both before and after I went to school today, I was able to listen to Sens. Ted Kennedy (D), Charles Schumer (D), Lindsey Graham (R), and John Cornyn(R). Honestly, I'm getting old now (at 25!) I miss the days when I could watch cartoons before and after school and be totally happy. Now I watch CSPAN. Sad....

Anyway, as I listened to these four senators speak, I couldn't believe the consistency with which I disagreed so much with both Kennedy and Schumer, while nearly completely agreeing with Graham and Cornyn. As all four of these gentlemen neatly walked the party-line, it became clear to me that I just do not trust these DNC senators. And it wasn't that I just don't like Kennedy or Schumer, which really, I don't, but that wasn't the issue. It was the reality in the differences in philosphy (judicial philosophy to be more precise) that, while not exactly making me want to run out and change my registration to Republican, firmly placed me on the GOP side.

When Sen. Schumer stated (in more words) that he needed to know whether Roberts was mainstream or "extreme", my first thought was, "Who's view of mainstream is he using?" If any of my readers are from the New York (which I doubt), I'll tell you that "mainstream" in NYC is not mainstream in Oregon (not even in Portland!). Schumer also claimed that he wanted to make sure that Roberts was not an ideologue and that he was "mainstream" (again), I nearly jumped out of my socks. I guess Schumer, as a legislator and not a jurist, can be an ideologue and that's ok. A jurist should not be an ideologue. In my opinion, Schumer is an ideologue. As such, how can he possibly know what is "mainstream"? Schumer also stated that it was his opinion (DNC judicial philosophy?) that the committee must know all of Roberts' views on the court cases that have come before the court in the past. I disagree. In many cases, yes, precedent can be used to decided a court case. But society has a way of evolving that can change the way the Court may see a case, or an issue. For example, the Dred Scott decision and it's eventual reversal. For a more entertaining example, whatch the movie "Gideon's Trumpet", with Henry Fonda (excellent "teaching" movie), about the right to counsel during a trial.

After reading the testimony of Sen. Diane Feinstein (D), it was clear that her message was, "Think like me or don't get my vote". Clearly, Sen. Feinstein does not believe in judicial impartiality.

Consistently, as Sens. Graham and Cornyn spoke to Roberts and the committee, the message was clear. Sen Cornyn spoke the words that resounded most to me:

“Let me close on an issue that several Senators have mentioned today: your obligation to answer our questions. Of course, my colleagues and I have the right to ask you whatever questions we would like – and, truth be told, I guess, all of us are curious to know how you might rule on issues that are likely to come before you in a future case.

“But just because we are curious does not mean that our curiosity should be satisfied. You have no obligation to tell us how you will rule on any issue that might come before you if you sit on the Supreme Court.

“It boils down to a question of impartiality and fairness. One characteristic of good judges is that they keep an open-mind on issues that are likely to come before them. If you pledge today to rule a certain way on an issue, how can parties to future cases ever believe they have had a fair day in court?

I encourage you to read his full remarks (link above).

Lastly, two quotes:

Judge Roberts: "I have no platform. Judges are not politicians, who promise to do certain things for votes."

Sen. Schumer:"Judge Roberts must to do two things in order for me to vote for him..."

'Nuff said?

Democracy at work...

2005-09-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Basic Rights Oregon to "Oust Minnis"

Excerpt:

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Gay marriage advocates lost a court battle before voters defeated a measure which would have legalized same-sex marriage. This summer, they failed to win approval for civil unions in the Legislature.

Now, after dusting themselves off, the state's gay rights advocates are regrouping, galvanized by a new goal: Ousting House Speaker Karen Minnis.

Basic Rights Oregon, the state's largest gay advocacy group, has singled out Minnis as enemy No. 1.

In Portland last week, the group hosted a "Stick It to Minnis" event to raise funds to oust the Republican from Wood Village.

You know I have to admit that if I were House Speaker Minnis, I would've just let SB 1000 come up for a vote. Then, after it was voted down, we wouldn't have to deal with all of this junk. An excerpt from the "Stick it to Minnis" website:

Can ONE person really overrule the will of the Senate, the Governor, the House and the Majority of Oregonians? Speaker of the House Karen Minnis thinks so. This legislative session, she alone stopped democracy in its tracks and blocked SB 1000 from becoming the law. Let�s make sure she regrets defending discrimination when she runs for reelection in 2006.

The work of the Basic Rights Oregon Equality PAC, which works to elect openly GLBT candidates and those who will advocate for GLBT rights to elected office, has never been more important in our struggle for full equality. Help us kick off our 2006 Candidate Campaign when we�ll �Stick it to Minnis� and make sure that fairminded officials, who WILL vote the right way and won�t stand in the way of democracy, are elected statewide.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I coulc have sworn that a "majority of Oregonians" voted against gay marriage. I really don't remember a vote on civil unions. Did I miss that election? How can they claim that a "majority of Oregonians" support them, when the only concrete evidence of public sentiment are the results of Measure 36? Oh, and for the Basic Rights folks, yes, one person CAN overrule the other branches of government. It's called a veto. And really, aren't the Basic Rights folks "stopping democracy" by trying to side-step the will of the people? I am encouraged by Sen. Kate Brown's public comments, calling Basic Rights' actions "deplorable", but I would venture a guess that she is secretly supporting their actions. Hey Basic Rights, politics sucks when it stabs you in the back, yeah?

Looking for change? Look to Atkinson in 2006!

2005-09-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

I’m a small town guy that would like Oregon to maintain at least some semblance of its small town roots. I’m an “Independent” voter. I’m not beholden to vote for either of the major political parties in Oregon. I voted for Governor Kulongoski, and then for President Bush (twice!). I vote on issues, and pick a candidate based on what he believes and how in-line those beliefs are with my own. Additionally, and maybe most importantly, I try to pick a candidate who I trust to make decisions. I don’t want to know every little detail about every vote that comes up. I don’t want mass amount of referendums thrown at the people to decide. I vote for candidates I trust to make those decisions for me. One of the most important functions of the Governor is to improve the state’s economy. Oregon hasn’t been what you would call a “model” state with regards to the economy in a long time, if ever. Looking at unemployment rates, Oregon has had one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates for a number of years. Now the last time we had a big drop in the unemployment rate (from 10% to 5% in one year!), there were Republicans in both the Oval Office and Mahonia Hall. Oregon hasn’t had a Republican governor in nearly 20 years, not since I was 6 years old! I’m willing to give a Republican another chance to do right by Oregon.

Let me tell you why I’m backing Sen. Jason Atkinson for Governor of the state of Oregon in 2008.

1) Sen. Jason Atkinson is a fresh face, with plenty of experience. Before running for office, Jason was a business consultant, a radio producer, farm laborer, and ski instructor. He's been elected to both the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon Senate, holding positions of leadership within both.

2) Sen. Atkinson is an Oregon native, one who stuck around, went to college in Oregon (Southern Oregon University & Willamette), and now is raising his family here. He knows the issues here, and he has a personal stake in making sure his home state and the people here prosper.

3)Sen. Atkinson is a guy that I think I could run into (or ski into) at Mt. Hood Meadows, and actually sit down and have a chat with him on anything from environmental policies effecting Mt. Hood to how the SOU Raiders played last Saturday (hopefully they just lost to WOU!). I could bump into him while fishing or rafting on any river in Oregon, and I think he might agree with my beliefs on River Use vs. Ownership. I think Jason knows what we value here, and why we value it, and he’ll fight to uphold those values.

4) I’m a guy that doesn’t think Portland should decide everything for the rest of the state, but majority rules, and I’ll live with it. Atkinson isn’t from Portland, so I think he would be a good balance for the rest of the state. Ron Saxton, while a supposed “moderate” candidate, is from Portland. ‘Nuff said. Kevin Mannix is an Oregon transplant, even though he’s been here for many years. The problem with Mannix is that many people (like me) just can’t get behind his hard-line policies. Governor Kulongoski has had his shot, and it appears that even his own political party can’t get behind him, and may be looking at Sen. Vicki Walker or Comm. Peter Sorenson (both from Eugene). Well, I disagree with Eugene’s politics just about as much as I disagree with Portland’s.

Atkinson Quotes:

JASON ATKINSON on LOWER TAXES:

"Families like ours know better than the government how to spend, save and invest our hard earned dollars. I will work to return all kicker dollars and will work to reduce the size of state government. I believe there are areas of the state government that can be operated more efficiently or privatized. I believe Salem should do more with less, not families!"

JASON ATKINSON on EDUCATION:

"Excellence in education is the key to the future for children and for Oregon. I believe education decisions must be closer to parents and education dollars closer to students. I believe in accountability between Salem and our local classrooms. I support exploring options in competitive education, tax credits and charter schools. In addition, I believe Oregon's higher education must remain affordable for Oregon residents and nationally competitive."

JASON ATKINSON on the ECONOMY:

"We can not simultaneously grow the size of state government and Oregon's economy. A strong economy is based on lower taxes, less regulation, family wage jobs and our ability to grow small business."

JASON ATKINSON on CRIME:

"Crime is the biggest threat to our quality of life. I believe in tough laws to keep drug dealers off our streets and criminals behind bars. I support community intervention programs and local youth outreach programs. Strong families who build strong communities are the first step to detour crime."

In short, Sen. Jason Atkinson isn’t the “other candidate” running for Governor of Oregon in 2008. He’s my candidate.

UPDATE: Candidate Atkinson Meets With Local Bloggers, Discusses Issues

Atheists Want Bush to Stop Praying

2005-09-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

Atheists: No prayer for disaster victims
U.S. group says president violating Constitution by urging pleas to God

Excerpts:

The American Atheists organization says President Bush should stop urging prayer for Hurricane Katrina victims because it violates the Constitution.

Ellen Johnson, president of the group said Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and Bush "should not be violating the Constitution by telling people to pray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. It's unconstitutional for government officials to be promoting religion; and besides, judging from the speed of some relief efforts, officials should be busy working instead of preaching."...
..."We're getting reports of how some religion-based 'aid' groups are trying to fly evangelists into the stricken areas and how U.S. Army Chaplains are carrying Bibles – not food or water – to 'comfort' people at the New Orleans Superdome," she said. "People need material aid, medical care and economic support – not prayers and preaching."

"It appears that despite all of the outbursts of public religiosity and prayer, 'God' was once again asleep at the wheel," he said. "Only human beings can deal with the calamities of the natural world. God doesn't seem to be much help when it comes to rushing food, water, or antibiotics when people are suffering."

Ok, now I don't pretend to be the most religious person in the ranks. Heck, I haven't been to church since I was 15 and got a weekend job. But something about this group bugs me. On one hand, they claim that the President is wrong ("violating the Constitution") by asking people to pray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Well, by my reading, the Constitution of the United States states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free excercise thereof..."

Is this group claiming that President Bush, by asking people to pray for hurricane victims, is somehow making a "law" that people must pray for the victims? Not in my eyes. Or instead, is this group suggesting that the President should not be allowed the "free excercise" of his own religion? It appears to me that this atheist group is the only perpetrator who is violating the principles of the Constitution.

It's about the people?

2005-09-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

Haven't quite figured out what these people are smoking. Here is a classic case of a liberal "conundrum", or maybe even that word they are so fond of using, a "quagmire" (I'm really tired of hearing that "talking point" word being thrown around like it is a part of Democrats' everyday speech).

Courtesy of OrbusMax:

Ken Schram (Seattle PI): It's About People, Not Politics

Blogger "DemGurl": I did not stop to help a *[Bush] supporter today.

I don't get why the blame is being put on the President for not "saving the people" of New Orleans? Jesse Jackson claims it is racism. Kanye West claims the President "doesn't care about black people."

You know who I blame for the destruction? Mother Nature. It's hard not to look at the problems these people are facing and say, well, you knew it was coming. The President asked for a "mandatory evacuation" of New Orleans BEFORE the hurricane hit. He was ignored. I'm surprised that Cindy Sheehan hasn't blamed the President for the this disaster. Oh wait, she did...

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan , who was camped outside President Bush's Texas ranch for the past few weeks, says Hurricane Katrina is all President Bush's fault, insisting that the president is "[now] heading to Louisiana to see the devastation that his environmental policies and his killing policies have caused."

Oh, right. It's not about politics.

UPDATE: Writer John Carlson uses COMMON SENSE in Bush Blame Game! Excellent article.

So You're a Conservative . . . You Must Be a Nazi!

2005-08-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

This article by Rabbi Aryeh Spero ties in nicely to a number of my latest posts and some (anonymous cowards) who have left comments. Read on.

Exerpts:

What could possibly be Nazi-like, capo-like, in simply expressing a sentiment that buttresses the opinions of families who've lost children yet still support the war? Actually, nothing! What such name-calling may show is a pre-dispositional belief, from upbringing, within a core of the liberal/progressive community that white, Southern Christians -- majority American types -- are inchoate Nazis.

Almost every policy advancing the cause of American nationalism is seen as grounds for using the N-word, Nazi, reminiscent of leftist race-baiters who stand ready to spring the R-word, Racist, on anyone who has an honest disagreement with their views on such issues as affirmative action.

It has become a conditioned response, a form of "gotcha-ism," that verifies nothing but a paranoid fantasy. It is a disposition in search of facts upon which to hang its attitudinal hat. It has come to this: what is a Nazi? Anyone who disagrees with the political opinions of a New York liberal. Who is a racist? Anyone who disagrees with the latest power-grabbing, social engineering scheme of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton or the NAACP.

Flood Waters Rising in New Orleans

2005-08-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

After living through the Hurricane Katrina, these poor people now have to face increasing flooding. Be thankful for the moderate climate of the Pacific Northwest, and keep these people in your thoughts and prayers.

Hopefully, the USA sees the same kind of outpouring of help from the the world that was shown during the tsunami in southwest Asia.

UPDATE: Ok, just read about the looting and martial law being declared in New Orleans. That makes me sick! As a community, all of those people suffered TOGETHER. Now, a few people are tossing aside those bonds and becoming criminals. I was disgusted to see men and women running out of stores with football jerseys and shorts. What a bunch of pigs!

Dallas, TX requires School Administrators to Learn Spanish, Or Else...

2005-08-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

Tough call here. I'm against it, as I see it as a slippery slope down the wrong side of the mountain. Assuming this stands up to any legal challenges, there are some big problems with this new rule.

1) Requiring a principal to learn spanish, while requiring nothing of the parents (i.e. to learn English). It seems to me that providing a program to help parents learn English would be much more benficial in the long run for the parents. We aren't doing them any favors by not helping them learn english.

2)Preferring to have administrators that speak spanish is one thing, requiring it is another. We should just require spanish speakers to learn english. Period.

3) Depending on which news source you read, it appears that msot are saying that these principals will be fired if they don't learn the language in 3 years. That differs with comments found here, by the Dallas School Board President.

4)While I was getting my master's in teaching, we were often told that it takes 7 years for someone to fully learn a new language. Requiring principals to do it in less than half that time seems a bit unfair, if not impossible.

5) The Liberty Post article notes the following:

Dallas' proposal is noteworthy for who it excludes. While Dallas County ranks 138th in the nation in the percentage of residents who speak Spanish at home, it is ninth in the concentration of Vietnamese speakers, eighth in the concentration of Urdu speakers, and 14th in the concentration of Korean speakers. In all, 123,000, or six percent of Dallas County residents, speak a language other than English or Spanish at home. The "outreach" program makes no attempt to reach other immigrant families.

Why no effort for these other groups? In reality, I'm sure that there is some effort being made to teach english to those parents/students. In my education classes though, I was also taught that spanish is much easier to learn than english. If so, why not just teach the Vietnamese spanish?

Looking up the "official language" of the United States of America on wikipedia, one can learn (if you didn't already know) that the USA has no federal official language. This online encyclopedia states that our "de facto" language is english. Does that mean it is only the official language until the majority begin speaking spanish?

6) My last point may be far fetched, but it is on that slippery slope that I mentioned before. Hypothetically, we are requiring administrators to learn spanish in order to communicate and understand better their "patrons", their spanish speaking students and their parents. When will the time come that we require public representatives to have the religion of the majority of their constituents? Do we do that already? Like I said, far fetched...but maybe not.

Perspective from the Pear Farm...

2005-08-29T14:53:00.000-07:00

Howdy folks! After a week-long sabbatical (from other summer jobs) working for my future father-in-law (a.k.a. The Boss) on a Pear/Apple orchard in Hood River, Oregon, I have returned. In short, I had a blast. It was good work, good scenery, and good company. The pics are 1) me on a tractor with bins of pears, and 2) Mt. Hood at about 7:00am from the orchard (about 15 miles away, as the crow flies)

S0, if you're a normal reader of the DieselShack, then you know about my stance on illegal immigration. Well, that hasn't changed. But I have gained a few insights, that maybe some of you already have acquired, and maybe not. Maybe they weren't even insights, just affirmations. Read on at your own peril...

At the forefront, I want to say that all of the guys that I worked with were essentially "good guys." Friendly, hard working, sociable guys. Well, sociable if you speak espanol. With my basic high school spanish education and the little more that I've picked up from my fiance (a bilingual elementary school teacher), I struggled to communicate at even the basic level with these guys. Rudimentary sign language was the most efficent way for me to communicate. I have to give these guys credit though for only ribbing me a little bit (in spanish, of course, so I probably missed a bunch of critical comments), because as the new guy with no tractor experience and poor spanish speaking skills, I was not as fast as they needed me to be. So they were patient, and I'll give 'em credit for that. For a "sort-of" comparison glimpse at what I was doing, read this story by the Hood River News.

Now, after working with these guys for a week, my employer (future father-in-law) and I were discussing illegal immigration over dinner (after watching a news story on it). He told me that he thinks that about 75% of the guys he hires are illegals. Now, he only had like 10-12 guys working for him, and that included "the white guy", as I was called, and a Japanese foreign exchange student there for the "experience". So of the ten, he thought 7 were illegals. However, he showed me the process he has to go through to verify them as legal, which only includes having the guys fill out an I-9 form and checking two pieces of ID, usually a SSN card and a driver's license. Basically, the same process we all go through at every new job (I've had enough of the lately to know!).

Now, I was really surprised that the numbers were that high. Seven out of ten. And his is a pretty small scale operation (about 50 acres or so of fruit). He knows it is a huge problem, but there is also no way for him to correct it. There is no verification system for him to use, and if he does, he won't have any workers. Catch 22. The guys all have legal papers and ID, but the boss knows that much of the documentation is purchased on the black market. Now, The Boss is a big lib. Great guy, but we just think differently. He is, however, adamant about wanting a guest-worker program. When I asked him what to do about the 10 million of illegals already in the country, he (like everyone else) was at a loss for what to do. I can't say that I have any feasible ideas either. Amnesty can't be the answer, as pointed out by the Center for Immigration Studies.

Some of these guys are blatantly illegal, though. For example, I was talking to The Boss one day about something, and one of the workers asked to get another ladder for his little brother, who was helping him pick. This kid looked to be between 18-21 years old, but he had not signed up to be a regular employee. The Boss said he had to see some papers on the kid, because worker's comp restrictions and whatnot. The older brother immediately retracted his request, stating (in broken english) that the younger brother had no papers. The education level of a large number of these guys is pretty much zilch. Most struggled to print their names on tickets (for their bins of fruit). After talking to The Boss, he said that education is a non-issue for these guys. Most don't want it, aren't interested in it.

For his workers, he supplies (out of his pocket) housing, water, sewer, and, garbage, and electricity. He also pays these guys well. Most were making about $132 a day (pre-tax), whereas I was only making about $80 a day (pre-tax). They were paid based on how much they fruit they picked, whereas I was paid hourly.

Again, I want to point out that these guys were mostly "good guys", just trying to make some hard-earned money. These aren't the "criminals" (other than breaking immigration laws) that we here about on the news everyday.

Word Verification

2005-08-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry y'all, but had to add the word verification stuff for the comments. Spammers, like liberals, suck. If I could have word verification just for spammers and libs (maybe just Portland folks), then I would. But I can't, and thus, we all have to suffer for it. I'm sure there is a book out there titled, "Spamming is a Mental Disorder", but I haven't found it yet.

I head back to Hood River tonight (meeting with a wedding photographer, oh joy!), so I'll be gone until Sunday.

~Diesel

Alas, another Hiatus...

2005-08-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

I'm heading to Hood River for a couple weeks to help with the pear harvest (starting Sunday). Should be fun driving tractor for the future father-in-law. So, I'll be busy, not keeping up with the news, and only rarely have a dial-up connection. I'll try and post as I get the chance. Those of you with the Diesel Shack's email address can still reach me, as the emails go to my cell (which, oddly, gets good reception in the Hood River Valley...yay Verizon).

Peace,

~Diesel

Weird Coincidence?

2005-08-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, this could be just a weird coincidence, as I really have no proof, just circumstantial evidence. It was just something that made me stop and think for a moment.

So my fiance kicked me out of the house tonight so that she could have 20 girls over for a "Cookie Lee" party. If you know what that is, don't tell me, because I don't want to have to admit that I know what it is. So I decided to head out to my parent's pad out in Aumsville, and I figured I'd take the back roads (sorta) to get there. As I'm heading east on Lancaster Drive, I go right by the new Migrant Worker Housing featured in the Statesman Journal and on Daniel's website. As I used to live right next to this place (before it was built), it caught my attention. Well anyway, as I'm driving by, I was surprised to see two cars pull out of the place (in front of me). The first was a pretty new white BMW, and the second was a really nice silver and chrome Benz. I mean "nice" like it makes you do a double-take when it goes by you. My first thought was, "Wow, nice rides." My second thought was, "Are these guys living in those new apartments for migrant workers?"

This obviously made me question the relevance of the CITY SUBSIDIZED housing complex, which the city of Salem chipped in over a quarter of a million in tax dollars.

THEN, as I was pondering all this, I also noticed that both cars had Washington license plates. This lead me to my next thought, which was "Hmmm...these guys don't even pay Oregon licensing fees." Now, I believe (with no proof, though) that Washington's licensing fees are worse than Oregon's, so I'm going to give these guys the benefit of the doubt about being smart.

Again, I make no claims that these guys acually lived in government subsidized housing and drive Mercedes cars. But it did look a little fishy...

~Diesel

Statesman Journal Endorses Illegal Immigration

2005-08-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Memo to folks upset about illegal immigration: Don't talk with your mouth full. Sure, illegal means against the law. Undocumented workers and their children drive up costs for schools, hospitals and other services. The United States can't sustain its current standard of living if everyone in the world insists on sharing it.

But: This country relies on undocumented workers to produce much of its food. Unless Americans plan to start growing their own -- and canning, freezing and butchering it -- there is no way to root out all illegal immigrants and send them to where they came from.

That's especially true in Oregon, where agriculture has hit a record-high value of $4.1 billion per year. The U.S. Labor Department estimates that undocumented workers make up more than half the nation's agricultural work force. California growers put the figure closer to 90 percent in some areas. Either way, the Western agricultural economy depends on labor from "illegals."

I am not really surprised by the stance coming from the Journal. I thought they might have some common sense though. If farm workers can't find pickers, they need to figure out a way to do it. Oh, and I mean LEGAL WORKERS. Every other industry has to compete for workers, the farmers should be no different.

The Cindy Sheehan Spectacle

2005-08-14T19:56:00.000-07:00

I think this woman has a perverted sense of reality, and I'm not really willing to spend a bunch of time ranting about her "flip-flopping" comments, her disrespect to her son's memory, or the way the anti-war crowd is pimping her out for their own agenda.

I will, however, post this letter from Iraq The Model to Cindy.
UPDATE: Another letter/post to Cindy, c/o Karl from Issaquah.

If any libs cared to read it, and had the cahones to admit it, the little voice in their head might make them simmer down for a minute or two.

~Diesel

NCAA Bans Use of Indian Mascots, Names

2005-08-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS - Fed up with what it considers “hostile” and “abusive” American Indian nicknames, the NCAA announced Friday it would shut those words and images out of postseason tournaments, a move that left some school officials angry and threatening legal action.

Starting in February, any school with a nickname or logo considered racially or ethnically “hostile” or “abusive” by the NCAA would be prohibited from using them in postseason events. Mascots will not be allowed to perform at tournament games, and band members and cheerleaders will also be barred from using American Indians on their uniforms beginning in 2008.

So instead, these schools will now be forced to use as their mascot the term, "Really Good Student-Athletes".

“We believe hostile or abusive nicknames are troubling to us and it can’t continue,” committee chairman Walter Harrison said. “We’re trying to send a message, very strongly, saying that these mascots are not appropriate for NCAA championships.”

However, mascots such as the "Vikings", "Fighting Irish", "Cornhusker", etc, were systematically ignored.

Let's just look at how this type of ruling would effect Oregon high schools if it were to be applied across the board, and not just an attempt to appease LIBERAL MORONS:

Crook County HS Cowboys (offensive, if ever a mascot was! They abuse horses and cows, dontcha' know)

Pendleton HS Buckaroos (think of all those poor offended cowboys, they ride horses you know!)
The Dalles-Wahtonka HS Indians (Too obvious)

Aloha HS Warriors (you know that "warriors" means "oppressed indigent people of North America who hate to be sports mascots" in Liberal-Speak, didn't you?)

Hilsboro HS Spartans (The Spartans kicked the crap out of the Messeneans in 600 B.C., and thus all Messeneans should be offended that a high school would want to embody the spirit of such tyrants!)

Salem High Schools:

Sprague Olympians
McNary Celtics
South Salem Saxons
North Salem Vikings
West Salem Titans
McKay Royal Scots

WHERE IS THE OUTCRY FROM ALL THE OPPRESSED ANGLOS IN SALEM???? THIS IS ATTROCIUS!!!

Get my drift?

Entering Fantasy Mode...

2005-08-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, I must apologize. I haven't been able to post so much lately because, alas, football season is almost upon us. Thus, "Draft Day" for my Fantasy Football league is almost here. Plus, I'm joining a new league this year, with a bunch of guys (a number of my old high school buddies) that take this stuff way too seriously. But, if done correctly (and with a little bit of luck), there is the possibility to win as much as $1000. Therefore, I have had my nose buried in Fantasy magazines, mock drafts, mounds of statistics, etc etc.

For those that don't do Fantasy Football, I ask for your patience. For those that do participate, you already know...

~Diesel

Gas Hits $2.51 in Salem

2005-08-08T23:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's officially time to do something about gas prices. When it was $2.59 in Hawaii for Spring Break, I thought "ok, this is Hawaii". But now, it's $2.51 at my neighborhood "cheap gas" station. Crude oil prices hit $64 a barrel today, and I heard a news broadcast saying prices were expected to hit $70 a barrel before it starts going down again. I'm not a smart enough guy to know what has to be done to get prices back down to "manageable", but somebody, somewhere, is! Make it happen!

~Diesel

Worst camping trip ever...

2005-08-05T23:37:00.000-07:00

Why? Because we couldn't camp anywhere! 6 hours and nearly 300 miles of driving - round trip from Salem to Eugene to Florence, and then north all the way to Lincoln City and then back to Salem. We went through or past 20 or so campgrounds, and we could not find EVEN ONE campsite that wasn't taken, not one! Just some little patch of dirt to plop a tent down, nothing! From here on out, I won't be heading to the coast to camp...I'm going back home to the mountains!

~Diesel

The Coast Beckons...

2005-08-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

With the warm temps, the sand dunes of Florence calls to me (and fiance and the dog). Hopefully the news of the world will wait for me, and that all my (2,3, maybe 4) faithful readers will be able to get thru the whole weekend without my help.

Enjoy the weekend y'all!

~Diesel

No News is Good News (except in blogging)

2005-08-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, here's the deal. The world (and Oregon) has been boring me lately. Yeah, there is stuff going on. Bolton's nomination, Ephedrine in Oregon, The Space Shuttle problems, etc etc. The problem is, none of it has sparked me. I check the various blogs every day or so, and most of them just haven't really struck a chord with me lately. Anyway, here's some very brief thoughts on recent events:

1) Bolton's Nomination to U.N.: I think this is great. Bolton gets 17 months to prove the Dems that he can do the job and make some improvements at the U.N. Bush gets his guy, the "junkyard dog" in, and the Dems are worried he might rock the boat. If he does a good job, he should get an up or down vote, AT LEAST, at the end of the 17 months. To the Dems: The guy deserved a vote, either way. If you don't like him, don't vote for him. If the majority votes him in, TOUGH! This is the United States of America. When the Dems win elections, they can put who they want in. To the victors, the spoils.

2) Oregon Legislature votes to put ephedrine under the "prescription only" label: This is dumb on so many levels, and good on, well, none. It's dumb. Great intentions, bad policy, because it won't do a thing to prevent meth use/manufacture in Oregon. It just makes it harder for me to get Sudafed for my cold. On the bright side, without Ephedrine to take, think of all those hard working teachers (like me) who will have to call in sick because they can't get cold medicine to control their symptoms.

3) Space Shuttle Discovery: Great story about return to space travel for Americans. But you know what, the news stations barely cover it, unless "something goes wrong". Space flight isn't prime-time news anymore, and that's why kids don't get excited about it anymore. There's no sex, money, drugs, or politics (not very much, at least) involved with NASA, so the major networks won't cover it, won't hype it up, and the space program will (or has) suffer(ed) for it. Remember a year (or more?) when President Bush announced "we're going to Mars", and the media hype around that? Well, that lasted for about 10 minutes.

4) Recently stumbled onto a website for Oregon bloggers, to which I added "The Diesel Shack". I've started perusing a number of the various Oregon blogs, but I will probably stop doing that fairly soon, as I've come to realize that either, 1) Oregon liberals are insane people, really! 2) Oregon conservatives are just smarter than the libs. I hate to say to in such plain speech, but it really is obvious to me. I consider myself a pretty moderate, in the middle, kind of guy. I go back and forth, depending on the issue. But the liberal Oregon population really depresses me. I just don't understand the politics of obstruction. That's all they seem to be able to accomplish. For example, this person, like many other libs (yes, and Savage)I've heard since yesterday, are complaining because the President is "on vacation". You know what, I don't think the President takes vacations like I take vacations. For example, this weekend, I hope to be in a tent on the Oregon coast, with my cell shut off, no laptop, no newspapers. Just my fiance and my dog and the beach. Think the President does that? Is he ever out-of-contact with THE ENTIRE WORLD? (and the General than carries "the football") I mean, really? I bet President Bush has one of those Dick Tracy wrist watch communicators that connects him directly with the entire security council, and Tony Blair (yeah, and the First Lady too). I bet his Dick Tracy watch even plays mp3's. :)

~Diesel

Good Blog, Smart cookie...

2005-07-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

Blogger: Duckwriter

For those of you that haven't checked this blogging Duck out yet, I recommend it. The writings are a little long-winded, but they are worth the time. Smart, well thought-out comments, and he's a conservative-Duck. That's an oddity in itself.

Why people don't take teachers seriously...

2005-07-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

Let's ban the word 'fail', teachers suggest

This is pure idiocy! Granted, this is in the UK, but still! This is one of the problems in education (and the US in general), that nbody has any responsibility anymore. If a kid is failing, hold him/her back until they can pass the class. Social promotion is crap, but it is rampant in schools today. We aren't supposed to "hurt their feelings" by holding them back; we're supposed to (to quote Savage) seeeeensitive.

Just found out that my old high school (Go Wolverines) is getting rid of the 'D' grade. A kid either passes with a 'C', or fails. Kudos to the high school leadership (and small town values!).

Hate to say I told ya so...

2005-07-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

Caught bits and pieces of Lars' show today, and caught a few callers ringing in about teacher's retirement/PERS problems. To quote one gentleman, "Lars, I've been in the construction union for a long time, and now I am completely against the teachers." Am I the only one that sees that the Oregonian's expose on PERS is actually going to be detrimental to Oregon education in the long run?

PERS has been changed, fixed, whatever you want to call it. New teachers coming into the system will not have the benefits that the old teachers have. Those old teachers were offered generous contracts by the district, and they took 'em. Who wouldn't? Here's the rub. As those older teachers retire and move out of the education field, most people will continue to believe that teachers are getting some crazy-awesome deal, and those people will continue to foster the anti-teacher mentality, which will filter down to their children, which will doom education in Oregon. Kids won't respect their teachers because their parents don't, and teachers will just flat out leave Oregon (especially the good teachers!).

Wake up Oregon!

Good Movie...

2005-07-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

"Dirty War"

This is a pretty good flick, done by HBO Films, about the possibility of a dirty bomb being set off in London. The movie was made before 7/7, so it makes the recent happenings seem extremely chilling. The movie is not too long, but seems entirely too realistic, especially given the recent bombings. This movie brings home the reality, and the simplicity, of terrorists being able to smuggle in bombs and/or bomb making materials, and detonating them within an urban setting.

Good movie, I suggest you rent it. ~Diesel

Moral Issues...

2005-07-21T21:58:00.000-07:00

Heard today (thanks Lars) that Sen. Kate Brown (a self-described bi-sexual, correct?) has attempted to halt the business of the Oregon Legislature until the House votes on SB1000, a bill to grant civil unions to gays, lesbians, trannys, pedos, kissing cousins, polys, etc, etc. You know what I say? Rep. Minnis, take the vote. Why not vote, unless there is something to lose? In my wildest dreams I can't imagine the House passing this bill, so what can it hurt? All of the House members of the GOP can stand up and be counted, and that will be the end of it. Is it really a "moral victory" for the gay rights groups just to get a vote in the House? Personally, I don't get it.

Does gay marriage or civil unions affect me directly? No, not in any way that I can see. Why am I against it then? For two reasons: 1) I believe that being a homosexual, tranny, etc (see list above) is a life style choice, and not a genetic issue. Popular belief is that pedophilia is a mental disorder, and I equate homosexuality in the same category. I know about the fruit flies. If you want to be a fruit fly, whatever, that's your choice. Gay people, when they choose to be gay, do so knowing that society cannot support gay people, because gay people cannot really support society (I'm going on the reproduction issue here. I know, they could all be "entertainers", or something useful).

If being gay is genetic, why doesn't that gene die out? Two gay peple can't reproduce together, then the gene should die off, right? If it only happens every once in a while, then shouldn't that be a "defect" or "disease", something along those lines?

I know I'm throwing out a lot of grenades here, but someone jump on one of them and explain this issue to me.

Funny Guy...

2005-07-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, not 10 minutes after watching the President appoint his nominee to the Supreme Court, my door bell rings. Who is on my "stoop" (as I like to call it)? I open the door and there is a tall, gangly, "skater" looking guy with a hydration backpack on (Yeah, it's hot in Oregon). This is what he says to me, word for word: "Hi, I'm with the AFL-CIO and we're a group that is trying to save your Social Security from President Bush", and he tries to hand me a petition to sign. I politely say, "No thank you, you probably won't get me to sign that." He responds, "Oh, but we're NON-PARTISAN." Again, I smile and say, "No thank you, I'm in favor of the personal retirement savings accounts. I think I'm better able to plan for my own retirement than the government is." With a confounded look on his face, he says, "Ok then, you have a good night." I wished him luck on his "rounds", knowing full well that I live in a very conservative (read: GOP) neighborhood in Salem.

Why this is funny:
1) For him to actually claim that the AFL-CIO is non-partisan is a blatant lie, for which I should have been much more rude to him.
2) For him to state that he was trying to "save my Social Security from President Bush", and then claim to be non-partisan, the door should have been slammed shut immediately.
3) I had just watched the President's nomination speech, as well as posted on the subject, so my conservative-blood was still pumping.
4) Lastly, for the "confounded" look he gave me was, as MasterCard puts it, "Priceless".

Who is Judge John Roberts?

2005-07-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

This seems to be the big question of the week. A judge with only two years of experience on the bench, a former lawyer, a dad, a Hoosier, a Haaaavard grad. Is he a conservative? The President says he is basically a "strict constructionist", which means he is kind of against the whole "living document" business. But is that all we know about Judge Roberts?

We do know what he is not: We know he isn't a Liberal. He's not a woman, a minority, or an old fuddy-duddy that is going to need replacing in 10 years. The President said Roberts will not "legislate from the bench", but does that mean the same thing to everyone who heard it? What else do we not know about President Bush's nominee?

Note: After watching Sens. Leahy and Schumer after the nomination, the following philosophical question hit me. Is it the job of the Senate (during judicial confirmation hearings) to determine, 1) that a nominee is simply "qualified" to be seated on the Supreme Court, or 2) to make sure that the said nominee is "ideologically" acceptable?

Clarified, does the Senate really need to know where Judge Roberts stands on abortion, gay marriage, downloading mp3s, sodomy, Mets vs. Yankees, Blue M&Ms (yea or nay?), etc etc. You get the idea. I mean, if we know exactly the way he is going to vote BEFORE he hears any cases, what is the point of having him on the court? This goes for all the current Justices as well. It is my understanding that Justice Ginsberg refused to answer any questions (during confirmation hearings) about possible cases that might come before her. And she was confimed by a ridiculously large margin...even though she was once the head of the ACLU! Will Judge John Roberts be afforded the same treatment as Justice Ginsberg?

My guess: No. Why? Because the Party of the Obstructionist Jackass absolutely HATES the President and all that he stands for. Common sense, right?

Hiatus...

2005-07-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks! With weddings and starting a new summer job as a "landscaper" (one of those jobs "White people won't do") I haven't been able to post much, or worse, even keep up with the news. I'm working on it though, so stay tuned! ~Diesel

Riddikulus!

2005-07-14T16:04:00.000-07:00

Pope Ratzinger Hates Potter

In a letter sent two years before becoming pope, Benedict XVI expressed concern that the Harry Potter books "erode Christianity in the soul" of young people, a German writer says.

"It is good that you are throwing light on Harry Potter, because these are subtle seductions that work imperceptibly, and because of that deeply, and erode Christianity in the soul before it can even grow properly," the letter added."

I'm a big Harry Potter fan. I own and have read all of the books at least twice (some more), own all the movies, and even have a Harry action figure (it was a gift!). The fact that there is magic included in these books does nothing to "erode my soul". I love the Potter books, but they don't make me believe in magic, or witches, or wizards. They are just fictional stories. Does that make me a person with an "evil soul?" No, it just makes me a big Harry Potter-loving nerd!

If the Pope really wants to attack magic, I do hope that he will make as much of a stink about those horrible classics such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Cinderella, Fantasia, Jack and the Beanstalk, etc. Hell, Disney's Magical Kingdom would cease to exist!

He Said What?

2005-07-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

FAIR: Former Mexican Foreign Minister Demands Open Border for Migrants in Exchange for Cooperation on Security at Congressional Hearing; Members of U.S. Congress Offer No Reaction to Blackmail

Former Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing that "No border security is possible without Mexican cooperation" and that "there can be no cooperation [from the Mexican government] without some sort of immigration reform package." Castaneda, now a professor at New York University, went on to describe immigration reform as amnesty for all Mexicans living illegally in the U.S., the admission of some 5 million additional Mexican citizens to the U.S. over the next ten years, and massive increases in U.S. aid to that country.

In exchange for the admission and legalization of millions of Mexicans, and billions of dollars in U.S. assistance, Castaneda said that Mexico would offer "tough" but "non-coercive" assistance in the effort to prevent terrorists from entering the U.S. via Mexico. Castaneda conceded that Mexico has lost control of its own southern border, and cannot verify the true identities of people to whom it has issued ID documents.

First Reaction: Is this Mexico's foreign policy, or the U.S. foreign policy? Who's calling the shots here? This is too ludicrous to be believable. The guy admitted that Mexico cannot even control its own southern border, so how will Mexico be able to help with ours? This is so wrong, on so many levels. NOTE: Castaneda said that Mexico will offer "non-coercive" assistance in keeping "terrorists" from crossing the border, but not it's own citizens, meth manufacturers, or human smugglers.

Not to get your hopes up, but...

2005-07-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

Iraq PM: Foreign Troops May Exit Some Cities

This is hopeful news, as my little brother is on his way to Iraq/Afghanistan in early September.

Shocking News!

2005-07-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

Benefits Story Enrages Readers

Hold the presses! Teachers get ticked off when you attack them! Parents get ticked off when their kids get screwed! Taxpayers get ticked off when they pay taxes!

Is this actually a surprise to anyone? Again, the big problem I have with this article is that it AGAIN does not make the point that all teachers are not in the big payoff-tier of PERS. If this type of benefits package is so horrendous, why did the powers-that-be ever let it get off the ground? Does the teachers union have that much power that they can "run the state of Oregon into the ground?" I mean really, there are only 30,000 teachers in Oregon.

Are benefits too high for retiring teachers? Yeah, teachers shouldnt be making more in retirement than they did while working. THIS IS COMMON SENSE! But Oregon, you brewed this pot for 30 years, and now you have to drink it, for 30 more years, until those retirees move on to holier places.

Joe-taxpayer is now completely anti-teacher. DON'T expect new teachers to come to Oregon. EXPECT those that get trained in Oregon to leave.

Some stats from the Heritage Foundation:

Oregon SAT Ranking (2001): 2nd of 24 states + D.C. (Where are the other 26 states?)
ALEC Academic Achievement Ranking: 9th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia

An interesting read is a report from Citizen's for Oregon's Future, about Per-Student Spending in Oregon (.pdf)

I don't know the politics of Citiens for Oregon's Future, but if they are objective, then their findings are an important part of this discussion.

Teachers in Oregon = Greedy Buggers...

2005-07-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

Benefits Eat Schools Cash

Ok, I didn't want to get into this debate, but it's all that everyone is talking about since the Oregonian published the latest report stating that teachers are the reason schools in Oregon suck. Yeah, this article strikes a little to close to home for me be objective.

The deal is, I'm a first year teacher. I'm not ever going to get the benefits that the PERS program (which was set up before I was born!) are piling on today's retirees. I'm tired of being lumped in with those teachers. Are they greedy, bad people hell bent on screwing the kids of Oregon and the taxpayer? NO! Are you kidding me?

1) Those teachers also have kids that are in the school system who are getting less than the best education money can buy.

2)Those teachers are also tax payers paying the same taxes that everyone else is.

Here's what I think: If you want cheap, crappy teachers, that's ok. Just make it cheap and easy to become a teacher. Right now, I've shelled out about $80k in order to become a teacher and become "highly qualified".

This debate is so much bigger than what can fit in a readable blog. There are many, many reasons why education is so expensive these days. Just to start: Healthcare, Pensions, Parents, NCLB, IEPs, 504s, etc, etc, etc.

One in Ten U.S. Births are to Illegal Immigrants!

2005-07-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

9.7% of the births in Oregon are to ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!

Holy Crap! No wonder the schools in Oregon are strapped for cash. NOTE: An article with the above title by Doug Abrahms for Gannett News Service appeared on the front page of Saturday's Statesman Journal, but was not included in their online addition. Wonder why?

However, here is the link to the study.

Representative Philosophy

2005-07-07T17:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a question I pose to my American Government students; someone please answer it for me!

We live in a Representative Democracy, in which we elect people to office as "representatives of the people." Here is the question: After we put those people into office, do we want them to simply reflect the will of the people, or do we put the person into office because we believe in that person's ability to make wise decisions? In other words, do elect the person to do what we tell them we want done, or to exercise their own judgement on matters that concern everyone (because we believe "in them")?

Someone, anyone, please enlighten me!

The Basic Question...

2005-07-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

To be or not to be...conservative or liberal, that is. The basic question that has been haunting me since I turned 21 or so. Now, I'm only 25 (ok, almost 25), so it hasn't been a haunting question for all that long, but the question remains.

The case for being a...

Conservative: I'm a small-town kid. I grew up in smallville, with fairly conservative parents, going to church, etc. Small towns, small minds, right? Maybe. I'm not going to totally discount that. I went off to college in a small town, and got my head pumped full of rants and raves from my liberal professors, and I while I was an undergrad I really BELIEVED that Michael Moore was awesome (from "Roger & Me"). But, I spent 5 months as an intern for a Republican Legislator in the Oregon House, and was criticized by my co-workers for "sitting on the fence".

And then I graduated...

And I became a teacher...

Liberal: Ehh, pretty much, I'm a pro-choice guy. If that isn't enough to take me out of the conservative-slot in most people's eyes, I don't know what is. Again, I'm a teacher. Teacher's are typically pro-union, very liberal, yada yada yada. You know, I don't totally agree with President Bush's education plan. NCLB has some Grand Canyon-sized holes in it, like having kids held to the same standard whether they grow up in Lake Oswego or in meth house in the "Canyon" (you'll here more about the Canyon later). That's just dumb.

Issue by issue, I'll fall on the conservative side 75% of the time. RINO? Maybe, maybe not. But what sucks about Oregon is that if you don't register with a political party, you basically don't get to vote for anything important in Primary Elections. Is that a big deal? Sure it is. Especially when you're young. Young folks, espcially those that actually vote, usually have very little in common (voting/issue-wise) with older voters. While I may be on the conservative side, politically, that doesn't mean I'll vote the same way as an older conservative voter might vote.

Again, this is only common sense...

River Use vs. Land Ownership...

2005-07-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, this has been bugging me for a year...

What would happen to water recreation in Oregon if the Oregon State Legislature were to start charging fees for human-powered watercraft on Oregon's rivers?

Read this: http://www.blueoregon.com/2005/05/newcomers_to_or.html
And this: http://www.oregonstatelands.us/whoownsthewaterways.htm
One more: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/article/131/

Basically, the good State of Oregon wants to start charging people like me to be able to float down any and every river. I'm a rafter. I enjoy being able to get together with a group of buddies and float down the river in our little 5-man rafts or 2-man kayaks. We've done it since we were in high school, and will continue to do it. Why is a REPUBLICAN lawmaker (Sen. Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day) attempting to take away the rights that the people of Oregon have had since statehood?

Does Sen. Ferrioli own a nice big house on the John Day River? Does he not like to see rafters and kayakers and fisherman floating down "his river"? This argument has boiled down to the right of the reacreationists to use the river (and the banks of the river, like 10-15 feet in-land) vs. the right of the river-front property owners to enjoy their view.

The Oregon State Constitution has declared the waterways in Oregon as "public highways". Scenario: You're driving down I-5 and your tire blows and you veer off the road (20ft?) Luckily, you're not hurt and you've made it out of your car safe and sound. You'd like to change the tire and be on your way, but no. A gun waving lunatic runs out of his house and threatens you with trespassing, kindly informing you that he has already called the police. You're arrested for trespassing and destruction of property (you left a tire mark in the grass), and charged $100 bail. Sound ridiculous?

The same scenario on a river: You pull into a boat ramp (just a park with a trail to the river) and see a sign charging you $2 per foot of your boat to use the river. You've got a 10 foot boat that cost you $60 at BiMart, that'll be $20 per trip down the river. You pay it, grudingly. You're floating the river in an inflatable boat (I like my Rogue Tahiti canoe) and you catch a rock and you're dumped over the side, along with your belongings. Luckily, you manage to hang on to your boat and paddle, and you swim for shore in order to dump the water out of your capsized boat, collect yourself, and be on your way. Instead, gun-waving lunatic (see above) again threatens you with trespassing and destruction of property because you bent some grass when you trudged out of the water. In a few minutes, a well-dressed State Policeman arrives and hauls you and your boat to the road and writes you a ticket for $100 bail. Why so much, you kindly ask the officer. "Someone has to pay my salary," he responds.

Ridiculous? Yes Sen. Ferrioli, it is.