“Website Diagnosis”

If you thought the president went too far in firing the CEO of General Motors, wait until you hear this…

After the fallout from yesterday’s firing (well, the White House said he “stepped down”) of Rick Wagoner by the president’s handpicked guy (but the White House clarified that General Motors made the announcement) from the Automotive Task Force, there is a new web site that people “need” (I don’t remember the vox populi crying out for this) from the government.

Since the economy is still in the dumps, people are still losing their jobs and unemployment is creeping up near record levels, people are concerned.  They’re more than concerned; they’re worried about their finances and their future.  When worry becomes overwhelming, people can feel a sadness that consumes them.  This is called depression. 

And President Obama wants you to know that he cares… 

Not only does he care about your physical well-being, but he also cares about your mental health as well.  As of midnight last night, you may go online and a government designed and executed website will diagnose if you’re crying or sadness is related to your finances.   In fact, it will help you figure out if there are any red flags to your sadness or crying or worrying about your job or how you’re going to pay your rent or your bills.  If you have excessive anxiety or fatigue because of economic indicators like the stock market going down every time Tim Geithner speaks, this web site will tell you.

The site’s title (again, no joke here) is: Getting Through Tough Economic Times and you may find it at http://www.samhsa.gov/economy.

The good news is when I checked out the website, I found that my anxiety about the economy is justified.

The bad news is I still don’t know whether I should laugh or cry at a government funded website that’s actually designed to tell me how I should feel during this recession. 
 

Mac

“Schools should stop trying to reinvent the wheel”
 
Schools all over America are trying to come up with new and improved ways to teach your children.  Let’s go over the latest brilliant ideas from the not so brilliant minds of those running our schools…

Many states are in the process of passing bills that would create a virtual classroom for students where children would go online for lessons.  We’re talking 4th graders to high school kids.  Schoolteachers would use computers to assist in their instruction; they would give lessons live over the Internet to students in their own homes.  A certified teacher would work with students and communicate with them through e-mail and telephone conversations.  The lessons would take place over the computer and both the student and teacher could have the ability to use the web cam and see one another…

Bad idea junior!!  You go to school for two reasons: (1) to learn, and (2) to socialize with other children.  Kids need to learn to co-exist with other kids; they need to learn to share and play with each other.  Kids also need to learn to deal with the school bully.  Sitting at home in front of a computer accomplishes none of that! 

I don’t believe kids can learn like this.  There are too many distractions at home.  The dog is barking – the cat is tearing up the couch – the phone is ringing – the student has other windows open on the computer, looking at other web sites while he is getting “a lesson” – the TV is on – a younger sibling is running around the house playing “pretend” – dad has his girlfriend in the back room – mom is chilling with the pool boy outside – grandpa is snoring away on the coach – grandma is baking a pie and complaining that grandpa drools when he sleeps! 

Many parents want these virtual classrooms so they can keep their kids out of the real world.  I guess this is similar to home schooling.  I have never been a fan of home schooling.  Have you ever seen the National Spelling Bee on ABC/ESPN??  Those kids are all home schooled, and what a pack of nerds!!
Getting an education is great…but if you don’t know how to hang out and co-exist with other kids, how important and fulfilling is that ‘A’ you just received in your on-line English class??

Gaydos

“Compassion and Law”

Yesterday afternoon we talked about an NFL player, running back Ryan Moats of the Houston Texans, being prevented from visiting his Mother-In-Law moments before her passing. While rushing to the hospital to visit his Mother-In-Law, Moats ran a red light – an extremely dangerous maneuver. Officers flashed their sirens and followed Moats. Eventually, Moats (and his wife) arrived at the hospital where the officers became extremely confrontational. Not only did they drive through a red light, but they refused to pull over. I think the officer, Robert Powell, escalated the event to an unnecessary point however, causing Moats to miss a once in a lifetime opportunity

As the officer screamed at Moats and his wife to put their hands on the car, Moats’s wife Tamishia ignored his order and ran into the hospital to visit her mother. Ryan however, was still outside arguing with the officer. What choice did he have? The officer had his gun drawn! No matter what Ryan Moats said, “My Mother is dying!” or “She’s dying right NOW!” the officer would not only not let him visit her, but shouted back with things like “Shut your mouth!” and “Your attitude sucks.” This really shouldn’t have been the case. Sure the officer has probably heard similar stories, but they were at the hospital! Nurses pleaded with the officer to let Moats go. Another officer pleaded with Powell to let Moats go. To no avail; Ryan Moats missed a once in a lifetime opportunity to say goodbye to his Mother-In-Law before she passed

Should Moats be punished for running the red light? Absolutely. However, is this the appropriate punishment? No. The officer could have easily escorted Moats into the hospital, verified his story, allowed him to say goodbye, then cite him a ticket. Instead, the officer decided to treat Moats like a 2nd class citizen.

Although Police Chief David Kunkle apologized to Ryan Moats and his family saying, “His (the officer’s) behavior, in my opinion, did not exhibit the common sense, the discretion, the compassion that we expect our officers to exhibit,” it doesn’t allow Moats to say goodbye. The officer acted very irresponsible, and compassionless. So for once, an athlete did not get preferential treatment, and for once, I’m sorry he didn’t.

Producer SEAN

 The SWEET 16 of Mac and Gaydos’ great moments… VOTE BELOW!

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Obama does away with “Global War on Terror” and other “terror” catch-phrases

Also, a 911 operator over-steps his bounds with a kidnapping call

And how many times have you wished you could have taken back an e-mail sent?

 

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