24 Hours Late
In My Bloodstream: Lisinopril, Amlodopine, Omeprazole, Tamsulosin
On The Stereo: There Will Come A Day: Faith Hill
On The Stereo: There Will Come A Day: Faith Hill
Hugs
I will not be the first to say the law is an ass. Trust me. It is. Charles Dickens might have been the first, and I probably won't be the last.
But today, I would like to discuss a pet peeve of mine. It has been on my mind for a long time. Today, it requires my attention. Rules and laws.
Laws, and rules, in general, are enacted to serve the greater good. Or so they were meant to do. At this point in our history, our cup overflows with laws. From our federal, state, county, city, regional, communities and clubs, more and more are enacted every day. Few are ever removed.
Hugs. The object of my attention today is hugs. Good, honest, love-filled, much needed, warm and honest hugs. Why, in the name of all things under heaven, would hugs and the law be at all acquainted.
Somewhere, sometime, in some school, some teacher gave some child a hug. Likely more than a hug. Most likely the gesture was totally intended for the gratification of the teacher, and not the child. There are, sadly, people of questionable character. And they, in turn, might well do objectionable acts. A scattering of them might even be educators. And they might be capable of performing inappropriate, or even despicable deeds. That is the truth. Sadly.
That would most likely be followed by a hearing, a dismissal, a lawsuit, and much money spent, mostly to the gain of a slew of lawyers. To ensure that such a contemptible thing never happens again, we made a rule. At least somebody did. In a typically knee-jerk reaction to an inappropriate behavior, we decided that no teacher would ever again be allowed to touch a child. Let that sink in for a second. The school board, our bastion of learning and seekers of truth, decided that no child would be comforted, physically, for concern of litigation. Fear of the law takes precedence over the love of a child.
If a six year old slips and bruises a knee, and cries, that child cannot be touched. If a nine year old is living in a hell hole with uncaring parents, and asks for a hug, that request must be ignored. We have come to a crazy place. 99.99% of teachers would always do the right thing, without any rules.
But we chose to put a rule in place, quickly, to show our seriousness in ensuring we can respond to an unfortunate incident. And how responsible we can be in the management of a horrible situation. A law which is supposed to preclude that one sick person that does not understand or is not capable of doing the proper thing. Some person with issues. Serious issues. Laws do not address the real problem. Mental illness. Some people cannot stop themselves from doing harm. Rules and laws will not be abided.
But, in the collateral damage, we leave children, who need a reassuring hug, and teachers, who care, to fend for themselves.
Good teachers will always do the right thing. Thank God. Despite fear of being fired, or being sued by overly zealous, litigious parents, good people, in general, will always do the right thing. When the situation calls for comfort, we all will step in to share someone's pain. Most everyone I know would provide a child with a level of love and protection. For that exact purpose, a hug would be an appropriate solution. In times of sickness or sadness, who of us would not benefit from a hug. Surely, some poor child would, even more so.
There is no imminent or ulterior motive driving me to discuss this today. Some time ago, I looked at Kath's contract, when she was hired by the company in charge of temporary teachers in this area. One of the rules of conduct for a hire, expressly forbids the touching of a child, under any circumstances.
Who in their right mind would hire anyone to care for a child, who would not, or could not, demonstrate empathy, when the situation demands? Personally, I want my children loved. To know that their caretaker (teacher) would provide them a similar level of care as they would receive at home. I would expect it. We should deal with that occasional person who violates that trust, on an individual basis. We should stop creating rules which prohibit good people from doing good things.
Unfortunately, school boards and companies, enact these rules to distance themselves from the costs of litigation. By doing so, they are doing a great disservice to the very people they should wholly support. Teachers.
We have many friends involved in the teaching profession, some who, for good reason, may have a different view than mine, and any comments are welcome. Pro or con.
I have said, half-jokingly, for years, that rules are for fools. Intelligent folks can figure out the right path. I have reconsidered. The people that continue to enact laws for many, to curb the behavior of a singular culprit - they are the fools. Good old-fashioned common sense is required. Usually works. Hopefully there is still some around.
I am glad to be finished with that. I have stewed for some time on the lack of support, contractually provided by Kath's employer, and it is now off my chest.
Moving On
The doldrums, in sailing terms, is a place where there is no wind. It is unusual on the ocean. But it does happen, and while there, your boat does not move forward. It just bobs around, going nowhere, at the mercy of your environment. Purposeless. The rocking motion combined with the lack of any forward progress can make you seasick. Sick.
That was this past week, for me. My surgical wounds from Jan. 8 are still far from healed. Without bandages, a few of them ooze blood, unrelentingly. Every movement keeps the scabs from growing over. I sleep well, but, if not bandaged, I leave a mess on the bed. I have gone through at least one additional shirt a day, if I leave the wounds open. I have a sensitivity to adhesive, and I form an irritating rash around the site when bandages are left on for too long. Nothing is ever simple. Or so it seems.
So, much of my time has been spent in the doldrums. Any physical activity prolongs the healing process. Thank goodness for golf and presidential impeachments, on television. They have given me opportunity for some outflow of emotions. Beating Kat at canasta also has helped squander my time. This inactivity must improve. My brain has begun to puddle.
Speaking of my bride, her new medication is supposed to arrive this Wednesday. The debate is underway on whether she should take her first injection on that day or wait until the weekend. I am on the immediate side, whereas she is concerned over any possible side effects, and wants to ensure she will not miss any teaching time, because of them. I have watched her and shared her pain for a long time now, and want her to find relief. The battle will soon be resolved. I will let you know that I won, next week.
And winter came. It lasted two days and our temperatures plummeted into the 40's. Furnaces were brought into action. Oh, the horror.
Winter's worst
24
Lastly, Kobe is gone. And sadly, so too, are eight others. Several were teenagers, who have lost their opportunities to experience all this world holds. Our hearts go out to their families. Those who are left behind will need to be hugged.
For obvious reasons, the media has had a massive outpouring of coverage of #24 and his daughter. All the others who also died should be remembered as well. They were not celebrities. Their lives were no less valuable and they, too, have families and friends who will mourn their passing. Far too early. Far too sad.
Be good to each other.
Love from our house to yours.
Any comments, suggestions, questions or hugs are welcome, as always.
Thank you.
But today, I would like to discuss a pet peeve of mine. It has been on my mind for a long time. Today, it requires my attention. Rules and laws.
Laws, and rules, in general, are enacted to serve the greater good. Or so they were meant to do. At this point in our history, our cup overflows with laws. From our federal, state, county, city, regional, communities and clubs, more and more are enacted every day. Few are ever removed.
Hugs. The object of my attention today is hugs. Good, honest, love-filled, much needed, warm and honest hugs. Why, in the name of all things under heaven, would hugs and the law be at all acquainted.
Somewhere, sometime, in some school, some teacher gave some child a hug. Likely more than a hug. Most likely the gesture was totally intended for the gratification of the teacher, and not the child. There are, sadly, people of questionable character. And they, in turn, might well do objectionable acts. A scattering of them might even be educators. And they might be capable of performing inappropriate, or even despicable deeds. That is the truth. Sadly.
That would most likely be followed by a hearing, a dismissal, a lawsuit, and much money spent, mostly to the gain of a slew of lawyers. To ensure that such a contemptible thing never happens again, we made a rule. At least somebody did. In a typically knee-jerk reaction to an inappropriate behavior, we decided that no teacher would ever again be allowed to touch a child. Let that sink in for a second. The school board, our bastion of learning and seekers of truth, decided that no child would be comforted, physically, for concern of litigation. Fear of the law takes precedence over the love of a child.
If a six year old slips and bruises a knee, and cries, that child cannot be touched. If a nine year old is living in a hell hole with uncaring parents, and asks for a hug, that request must be ignored. We have come to a crazy place. 99.99% of teachers would always do the right thing, without any rules.
But we chose to put a rule in place, quickly, to show our seriousness in ensuring we can respond to an unfortunate incident. And how responsible we can be in the management of a horrible situation. A law which is supposed to preclude that one sick person that does not understand or is not capable of doing the proper thing. Some person with issues. Serious issues. Laws do not address the real problem. Mental illness. Some people cannot stop themselves from doing harm. Rules and laws will not be abided.
But, in the collateral damage, we leave children, who need a reassuring hug, and teachers, who care, to fend for themselves.
Good teachers will always do the right thing. Thank God. Despite fear of being fired, or being sued by overly zealous, litigious parents, good people, in general, will always do the right thing. When the situation calls for comfort, we all will step in to share someone's pain. Most everyone I know would provide a child with a level of love and protection. For that exact purpose, a hug would be an appropriate solution. In times of sickness or sadness, who of us would not benefit from a hug. Surely, some poor child would, even more so.
There is no imminent or ulterior motive driving me to discuss this today. Some time ago, I looked at Kath's contract, when she was hired by the company in charge of temporary teachers in this area. One of the rules of conduct for a hire, expressly forbids the touching of a child, under any circumstances.
Who in their right mind would hire anyone to care for a child, who would not, or could not, demonstrate empathy, when the situation demands? Personally, I want my children loved. To know that their caretaker (teacher) would provide them a similar level of care as they would receive at home. I would expect it. We should deal with that occasional person who violates that trust, on an individual basis. We should stop creating rules which prohibit good people from doing good things.
Unfortunately, school boards and companies, enact these rules to distance themselves from the costs of litigation. By doing so, they are doing a great disservice to the very people they should wholly support. Teachers.
We have many friends involved in the teaching profession, some who, for good reason, may have a different view than mine, and any comments are welcome. Pro or con.
I have said, half-jokingly, for years, that rules are for fools. Intelligent folks can figure out the right path. I have reconsidered. The people that continue to enact laws for many, to curb the behavior of a singular culprit - they are the fools. Good old-fashioned common sense is required. Usually works. Hopefully there is still some around.
I am glad to be finished with that. I have stewed for some time on the lack of support, contractually provided by Kath's employer, and it is now off my chest.
Moving On
The doldrums, in sailing terms, is a place where there is no wind. It is unusual on the ocean. But it does happen, and while there, your boat does not move forward. It just bobs around, going nowhere, at the mercy of your environment. Purposeless. The rocking motion combined with the lack of any forward progress can make you seasick. Sick.
That was this past week, for me. My surgical wounds from Jan. 8 are still far from healed. Without bandages, a few of them ooze blood, unrelentingly. Every movement keeps the scabs from growing over. I sleep well, but, if not bandaged, I leave a mess on the bed. I have gone through at least one additional shirt a day, if I leave the wounds open. I have a sensitivity to adhesive, and I form an irritating rash around the site when bandages are left on for too long. Nothing is ever simple. Or so it seems.
So, much of my time has been spent in the doldrums. Any physical activity prolongs the healing process. Thank goodness for golf and presidential impeachments, on television. They have given me opportunity for some outflow of emotions. Beating Kat at canasta also has helped squander my time. This inactivity must improve. My brain has begun to puddle.
Speaking of my bride, her new medication is supposed to arrive this Wednesday. The debate is underway on whether she should take her first injection on that day or wait until the weekend. I am on the immediate side, whereas she is concerned over any possible side effects, and wants to ensure she will not miss any teaching time, because of them. I have watched her and shared her pain for a long time now, and want her to find relief. The battle will soon be resolved. I will let you know that I won, next week.
And winter came. It lasted two days and our temperatures plummeted into the 40's. Furnaces were brought into action. Oh, the horror.
24
Lastly, Kobe is gone. And sadly, so too, are eight others. Several were teenagers, who have lost their opportunities to experience all this world holds. Our hearts go out to their families. Those who are left behind will need to be hugged.
For obvious reasons, the media has had a massive outpouring of coverage of #24 and his daughter. All the others who also died should be remembered as well. They were not celebrities. Their lives were no less valuable and they, too, have families and friends who will mourn their passing. Far too early. Far too sad.
Be good to each other.
Love from our house to yours.
Any comments, suggestions, questions or hugs are welcome, as always.
Thank you.
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