Wiston Papers

Will new gun laws make a difference?

The slaughter of 20 school children in Newtown, Connecticut by a madman firing a sporting rifle, has  ignited the almost annual ritual debate about the need for gun control legislation.

The mass murder of children all under the age of seven happened December 14.  And there were immediate cries that something needed to be done immediately--before this latest moment began to fade.

A lame-duck Congress has expired.  The new Congress reconvenes January 03. But with new members in both chambers, votes on possible leadership changes, and legislators consumed with the so-call “fiscal cliff,” there will be no action on gun proposals any time soon.

Should there be meaningful gun-control laws?  Yes. Will they be strong enough to prevent another gun massacre? No.

California Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein will introduce in the new Congress a bill that would “ban the sale, transfer, importation or manufacture...” of a wide range of firearms.  The legislation would cover the most powerful assault weapons as well as firearms that can “accept more than 10 rounds” of ammunition.

No matter how well intentioned, the proposal will not work.

FACT:      The population of the United States is 315 million; there are 310 millions guns of all types in America.  That’s nearly one gun for every man, woman and child. More than enough for future killings.  

The Feinstein Bill won’t prevent gun deaths from existing weapons.

SALES BAN:       Gun ownership in America is a Constitutional right.   The vast majority of guns are purchased legally.  That was true of  the rifle Adam Lanza took into the classrooms of Sandy Hook Elementary School.  His mother was the owner.

The Feinstein Bill won’t prevent  legally bought guns from getting into the wrong hands...the hands of the next Adam Lanza.

Even if the Feinstein proposal were to become law, some provisions most likely would fail a Constitutional challenge.

TRANSFER:    How would you control this?  You could embed tracking devices in every firearm that’s sold.  That may work for new weapons, but how do you install them in existing guns and rifles already in circulation---many already in wrong hands?   

The Feinstein Bill provides a “grandfather” exemption for current gun owners, for nearly 1,000 specific types of guns, and for antique or disabled guns.

Will all these gun owners voluntarily turn in their firearms for registration and GPS tracking?  No.

IMPORTATION:        The United States is incapable of stopping drug smuggling and illegal immigration.  Why would attempts to stop firearms from crossing our borders be any more effective?

MANUFACTURE:    There are more than 5,000 gun manufacturers in the United States with tens of thousands of employees--a legal industry.   

Regardless of every effort to supervise firearm manufacturing and sales, some employees inevitability will steal and sell firearms.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco reports the loss or theft of more than 74,000  firearms from licensed manufacturers and dealers in its latest reporting period.  And employee theft has resulted in shooting deaths.

Furthermore, 3D printers now make it possible to duplicate any number of products with moving parts--including guns.  Once 3D printers become economically affordable for home use, there’s no stopping the illegal manufacture of firearms.

Yes.  I hope Congress and the state legislatures move aggressively to tighten gun control laws.  But I’m a realist.

Until this nation learns how to keep bad people and guns apart, we’ll continue to have more rampage.   We must identify people who are potential killers...find them and treat them long before they act.

Steve Coon

December 27, 2012

Wiston Papers

Lest we forget...we really are blessed.

This holiday season I rejoice in the essential goodness of people. And how blessed we are to be surrounded by fellow human beings who place the welfare of family, friends and neighbors ahead of self.

Yes, it’s been a challenge this year.  We were subjected to a protracted, bitter, negative presidential campaign that was more often mean spirited than positive and uplifting.  

But I never doubted the sincerity of either candidate’s love of nation and desire for good.  

Yes, tumultuous weather battered all regions of America--testing our endurance, faith and survival.  We faced fires in the West, drought in the Midwest, hurricanes in the East, suffocating heat across broad patches of the nation followed by bone-chilling blizzards.  

But in virtually every instance we prevailed through spirit and resolve.  

Yes, too many fellow Americans died this year--victims of war, accidents, disease, disasters and violence.  Some deaths were preventable; others were inevitable.  

But everytime and everywhere our neighbors stood up to console the living and help repair the damage.

I admit to moments of despair when I see all-too-frequent moments of evil and insanity in our world. But I take solace in the knowledge that thousands of persons perform daily, untold heroic deeds.

These gestures of kindness rarely make headlines. But they should.  

We should remember that  a police officer buys shoes for a homeless man.  

We should remember the doctors and nurses who donate their skills for free to the disadvantaged.

We should remember those Americans who travel thousands of miles to help the victims of Storm Sandy and other disasters. 

We all know people in our communities who make a difference.  Who remind us that that--despite our flaws--we are essentially good.   They may not make news, but they make a difference.

Let’s embrace that thought as we hug our family, friends and other loved ones this season.

We are blessed indeed.

Steve Coon

December 23, 2012

Wiston Papers

Another mass murder in America.  Will this finally be the tipping point?

How can we express the shock, outrage and grief that surround the newest mass shooting in America?  The latest insanity took the lives of at least 27 persons at an elementary school in Connecticut--including 20 children between the ages of 5 and 10.

Senseless killings of innocents are always tragic.  Especially when the latest victims are so young.  Their deaths come at the start of a holiday season that should be a time of joy and celebration for Christians, Jews, Muslims--and all other persons who believe that December is month to remember and celebrate the essential goodness of humanity.  

Instead we awoke yesterday morning to another horrible story of a lone gunman who brought guns to a school, business or public venue with evil intent.

President Obama was correct when he said that our nation needs to “come together to take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this.”

Yes, we should. There will be the usual demands for gun control, of course, and I join that chorus.  But it won’t happen regardless of how many or how loud the voices.

America has a centuries-old affection for guns.  A passion protected by the Constitution. Yesterday’s tragedy--as with previous ones--won’t change that.  I’m a realist.  

We’ve gone down this path too many times.. In the last generation--dating back 30 years--nearly 400 hundred Americans have been gunned down in at least 61 separate shootings.  This year alone 84 of our neighbors have died from gunfire on 15 occasions.  That’s nearly one shooting rampage every month.

Between 1982 and the end of 2012, disgruntled employees have executed their anger on fellow workers at 21 separate job sites...147 deaths.

Between 1982 and the end of 2012, gun carrying killers have shot to death 121 people in malls, restaurants and other public sites.

Between 1982 and  today, crazed assassins have brought their hatred and weapons to schools and extinguished the lives of young people there who had dreams and hope about their future.  

Yes, I am a realist.  The deaths of 20 small children yesterday still won’t tip the balance in favor of effective gun control...no matter how desirable such legislation may be.  In fact, gun control really isn’t the answer.  There is only one realistic solution to prevent future mass killings and save the innocents.  

Even as we mourn yesterday’s deaths, we must realize that tomorrow’s killers walk among us.  Some are even young children--the same ages as the students who perished in Sandy Hook Elementary School. Some who perhaps were even sitting in those same classrooms in Newtown.

Who are they; where are they; how can we find them and stop them?  Mass murderers are troubled people.  They suffer from many multiple or distinct disorders and exhibit early warning signs that we should recognize.  It will take years before their evil emerges full bloom.  But the early warning signs are often obvious.  They give us time to act.

Often these killers are loners or outsiders.  Persons who don’t fit well with others either because of undeveloped social skills, victims of domestic violence or school bullying. Most have mental disorders that spell trouble if not detected early and treated effectively.

This tragedy should spur the debate on mental health and the lack of treatment and specialists who could really help with drugs and therapy. But our country has a way of marginalizing those who are "different" or "troubled".  It starts at home, but some of these kids have no control over their illnesses.  They are like a cancer waiting for the right age or right circumstances to erupt and strike the victims.

No one wants to admit to mental illness. They are discriminated against more than any other group in this country. Care is scary, difficult and almost impossible when the states are cutting back on mental health facilities and  physicians.  They are some of the lowest paid doctors in the world and many think there is nothing to mental illness other than giving the kid tough love, kicking them out of the house to live on their own.  

Unfortunately until our population stops bullying these troubled victims, and instead hires them or trains them for something worthwhile, and they receive the treatment they desperately need, we will continue to sit in front of our TVs and count the bodies of the mass killings.

Please reach out to people who may be in trouble. Be involved in their lives.  Get in their faces whether they like it or not. Don’t worry if your efforts offend someone.  Temporary bad feelings are a fair exchange for saving lives.

Yesterday’s Sandy Hook Massacre won’t result in gun control and those death’s won’t be the last mass murders.  But if we really care about our neighbors, if we really believe in the essential goodness of mankind, if we really want to stop this evil, we must work early to identify and help people who may be walking the wrong bath.  Before they pick up that gun.

In the spirit of this blessed holiday season, please resolve to make a difference.   Support those causes whose aim is to save lives.  This is a campaign where we can come together...and it can work.

Elizabeth Coon provided additional content.

Steve Coon

December 15, 2012

Wiston Papers

Who's to blame for the deaths in London and New York City?

Two events last week resulted in avoidable deaths and have revived the debate over media ethics, security and personal responsibility.  

PRANK HOSPITAL CALL

Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, the pregnant wife of  British Prince William, was admitted to Edward VII hospital in London December 03 with severe morning sickness.

During her stay, two Australia radio disc jockeys pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and her son Prince Charles, called the hospital asking about the condition of the Duchess.  

An unsuspecting nurse, Jacintha Saldanha, transferred the prank call to a second nurse, who in turn revealed information about Middleton’s health.  Both phone calls were recorded and broadcast.

Only hours after the hoax was uncovered, Ms. Saldanha committed suicide.  

The fallout has resulted in public outrage and condemnation.  The Australia radio personalities have apologized and been taken off the air.  Spokespersons for the hospital, the Duchess and Prince, as well as Queen Elizabeth herself have all expressed sadness over the death of Ms. Saldanha.

SUBWAY FATALITY

In New York City December 03, a man was pushed off a subway platform following an argument and was killed by an oncoming train.  A freelance photographer, R. Umar Abbasi, at the scene snapped pictures of the victim, Ki-Suck Han,  clinging helplessly to the platform edge only seconds before the train struck and killed him.

The photograph subsequently appeared on the front page of the New York Post.  Ensuing news coverage has focused the debate on the role of Mr. Abbasi and why nobody tried to save Mr. Han.

REACTION AND QUESTIONS:

There is little doubt that Australia radio personalities Mel Greig and Michael Christian exhibited poor taste and judgment in perpetrating the telephone hoax.  Given the nature of contemporary broadcast media, however, their actions--no matter how repugnant--are not surprising.

There seems little restraint by many stations and their on-air personalities today in their pursuit of ratings.  As more stations compete for the ever dwindling share of listeners and viewers, broadcast operations have become increasingly more aggressive in ways to attract an audience.

Their actions have consequences and in this instance they were tragic.

However, the prank telephone call and aftermath raise additional questions.  First, it’s curious why Ms. Saldanha would have committed suicide following the telephone call.  She spoke for only a few seconds with the Australians before she transferred the call to a second nurse who actually was more of a victim that Saldanha.  The second nurse had a longer conversation.

There have to be additional reasons for her death than  the brief bogus call.  However, we can't get inside her mind so we'll never know.

Second, didn’t  Edward VII hospital have in place security precautions to avoid just such a possible hoax?  The presence of such a high-profile patient as the Duchess of Cambridge and assorted royalty certainly is cause for extraordinary measures to assure their treatment and security.

A simple verification code agreed upon by the Royal Family and the hospital would have been sufficient to avoid unwanted intrusion from outsiders.  Why wasn’t that in place?  If such procedures had been established, why weren’t the nurses aware of it?  If the nurses did know of such protocol, did Ms. Saldanha ignore it?  

Furthermore, in this day of ubiquitous cell phones, does anyone seriously believe that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles would have called the hospital main switchboard?  Wouldn’t St. James Palace have a direct line available to the cell phone of a key hospital administrator or head of nursing?  

How about just calling the Duchess or Prince Williams directly?  Surely Elizabeth and Charles have their phone numbers on speed dial.

None of this mitigates the tragedy of Saldanha’s death or the role of the two radio DJs.  But Edward VII hospital administrators must assume some responsibility for the errors leading to her death.

The New York City subway fatality is the most recent iteration of two common scenarios:

First is the journalist at the scene of a news story faced with the decision whether to grab the story or save a life.  This has happened so frequently over the decades that it is now a basic question in every journalism ethics class.

Second is the “bystander effect.”  This is a psychologial phenomenon that became the focus of much academic research following the death of Kitty Genovese in 1964.

More than 30 persons watched as Miss Genovese was stabbed to death.  None of the bystanders tried to save her.  Why?

Subsequent studies have shown that witnesses to violence are less likely to lend aid if they are surrounded by others than if they are alone.  We take our cues from people around us.  The more persons the less likely anyone is to act.  Someone else surely will step forward.  

This apparently was the case in the seconds before Mr. Han died.  Several bystanders saw the argument and push that resulted in his death.  Photographer Abbasi was not alone on the platform.  He was one of several witnesses.  The “bystander effect” helps to partially explain why--surrounded by other people--he was inclined to shoot pictures and expect that other witnesses would save Mr. Han.

It is unclear whether there was time or space for anyone on the platform to grab Mr. Han and pull him to safety before he was hit.  But the “bystander effect” helps us understand how it happened and how the photograph made front page news.

The incidents in London and New York City are different case studies of human behavior and illustrate their potential consequences.  In one case a woman died allegedly because of the irresponsible actions of two media personalities.  In the second instance a man died because persons failed  their responsibility to act.  

The explanations above help us understand what happened.  But they do not excuse the actions or inactions of the participants.  Although the media were involved in both stories, they alone are not to blame.

Steve Coon

December 08, 2012

Wiston Papers

The fiscal cliff is coming?  I don't think so.

If current news stories are to be believed, the United States will tumble over a “fiscal cliff” at the end of this month.  

As most of us know,  “fiscal cliff” is a phrase coined by some observers in the media and government to sensationalize the potentially negative impact if the Budget Control Act of 2011 takes effect  after New Years Eve.  That law is the latest legislative iteration designed to keep America’s budgetary house in order, which began with the so-called Gramm-Rudman-Hollings of 1985.

CHALLENGE

The “fiscal cliff” is also a metaphor for the ideological divide that separates Democrats who stand on one edge and Republicans poised on the opposite side.

The word cliff implies an immediate catastrophic collapse of the U.S. economy unless the Congress and the President agree on what to do by midnight December 31.  Yes, there are some possible serious consequences, but they will not come to pass overnight.  A better term would be something like “fiscal erosion” or “fiscal terrace.”

Further complicating any serious, meaningful solution is the intense pressure on members of Congress from their constituents and equally persistent lobbying from well-oiled interest groups.  Everyone wants to protect their own interests, but expect others to sacrifice.

Compounding the sense of urgency  is the failure last year by the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (JSC) to hammer out a deficit agreement.  This bipartisan “Super Committee” virtually guaranteed the current budgetary impasse by elevating partisan discord that--in turn--widened the ideological chasm instead of bridging the gap through cohesive compromise.  

News reports have oversimplified the differences between Democrats and Republicans on how to avoid the fiscal cliff.  The media portray Democrats as wanting to raise taxes to fund existing social programs; the GOP is said to favor reduced government spending to avoid higher taxes.

Before we disappear into the threatened abyss, let’s step back, take a breath and examine what most likely will happen before and after December 31.

TAXES

First, the Budget Control Act mandates simultaneous increases of some taxes and decreases of some government spending.  The goal is to balance the federal budget and control the national deficit.

However, if taxes go up and spending goes down, the negative consequences for the nation’s anemic economy could be significant.

American businesses are already reluctant to hire more workers due to the nation’s slow economic growth. Higher taxes on companies could narrow profit margins and force them to trim their existing workforce, thus raising the number of unemployed and reducing already sluggish consumer spending.

Higher household taxes means that Americans will have less disposable money to purchase goods and services.  In a tight economy that’s not good.

Any significant tax increases, some argue, threaten our national economic recovery and could even plunge  us into another recession.  Perhaps, but it won’t be an immediate collapse.  Even if Congress does not act this month, the tax collector won’t come calling until later in the year.

SPENDING

Second, government spending is the other half of the calculation.  It involves both mandatory and discretionary options.  Discretionary spending refers to those areas of the budget where Washington has more flexibility to act quickly and easily. Although discretionary spending constitutes only 40 percent of the budget,   reductions here still would affect a broad range of programs spread across health, education, national security, science, business, agriculture and social security.   Cuts in these programs would further reduce money that now flows through and helps stimulate the economy.  But you won’t notice much of a difference in January.

Mandatory spending is the government’s obligation to fund a variety of social programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Unemployment Compensation and Student Loans. These consume 60 percent of the national budget and they are the most politically controversial categories.  

Any change in funding levels for these current mandatory expenditures will require collective political fortitude to reach consensus in making unpopular decisions.  As Washington has demonstrated repeatedly, courage to do the right thing is in short supply in that town.

Any significant spending cuts, some argue, threaten to shred our social safety net and could also plunge  us into another recession.  Even if Congress fails to act before January, the impact won’t be felt immediately.  You won't have to go begging with hat in hand on New Year's Day.

SOLUTION

Given the track record of our elected leaders, I predict that they will sidestep meaningful and necessary measures required to resolve this fiscal crisis.  No significant decisions will be made on Capitol Hill by December 31.

Congress will adopt a series of stopgap measures to avoid the hard decisions required to reform Medicare and Medicaid.  The debates will continue into 2013

Temporary steps will allow our lawmakers to again postpone restructuring Social Security.  No hard decisions until next year...or later.

Capitol Hill will shy away from requiring Americans to face the necessary sacrifices we must all endure if we’re serious about curing our economic ills.

Remember, these are the same persons who brought us to the fiscal cliff in the first place and we re-elected them in November.  

Don’t be surprised if they kick this can down the road again.

Steve Coon

December 01, 2012

Wiston Papers

It's that time again.  And the champion is...

“I think you should try our Ethiopia Washed Yirgacheffe Aroma Roast,” waitress Beverly advised looking at John.

Glancing my way she suggested, “And a Bourban Variety of Arabica woud be just your cup of tea.”

“Aren’t we mixing metaphors?” I wondered.

“I’ve crunched the numbers and they all work out,” John announced.

“And these would be numbers for what?”  I asked cautiously.

“The big game of course,” John looked at me surprisingly.  “The BCS championship game in college football.”

“Oh, yes, the Bogus Championship Series,” I grunted.

“Not Bogus...Bowl Championship...it’s Bowl Championship,” John corrected.

“It should be the Bull.... Championshp Series because it’s always Alabama,” I complained.

“Well, ‘Bama did play last year...” John admitted.

“Yeah, they played a team  they lost to earlier in the regular season.  How dumb is that?” I argued.  “And they’ve already lost a game this year.  So it’s dumb and dumber.”

“Uh...OK...but...”

“The Broken Championship Series doesn’t consider any other teams with similar records.  Nope, it’s always got to be the Crimson Tide,”  I raised my voice, took a big swallow of Arabica, and glared.

“I know that it seems like that, but...”

“Let’s count the other one-loss teams,” I began.  “There’s Kansas State, but they won’t play for the Braindead Championship Series national title because they’re not Alabama (MAKING THE QUOTE SIGN WITH MY HANDS).”

“True, but...”

“And the Blunderhead Championship Series won’t consider Oregon because they’re not Alabama (MAKING THE QUOTE SIGN WITH MY HANDS).”

"It could be..."

“Florida has only one loss, but the Blockheaded Championship Series won’t choose them because they’re not Alabama (MAKING THE QUOTE SIGN WITH MY HANDS).”

“I think the reason for that is...”

Kent State is 11-1 but the Befuddled Championship Series won’t pick them because they’re not Alabama (MAKING THE QUOTE SIGN WITH MY HANDS).”

“Um...maybe it's...”

“What about Northern Illinois?” I challenged.  “It has only a single loss.  But the Bewildered Championship Series wouldn’t dare choose them because they’re not Alabama (MAKING THE QUOTE SIGN WITH MY HANDS).”

“But their conference is not as...”

“Yes, yes, I know.  The Division 1 football conferences,” I began.  “You have the Big 12 but it has only 8 teams.  The name represents more hope than achievement.”

“You have to understand that...”

“And you’re a fan of the Big 10 and it’s soon-to-be 14 teams.  But the name reflects the average intellectual level of the schools...none can count higher than 10.”

“Wait a minute,...”

“The Pac-12 actually has 12 members.  But probably because one of its schools, Stanford, has more Nobel Laureats that all the other conferences combined.  The Nobel winners probably helped the league  count its universities and then rename the conference accordingly.”

“Look,” John tried to counter “the national championship is really just...”

“A beauty contest is the phrase you’re looking for,” I interrupted.  Until the Bland Championship Series is really serious and has a playoff system, it’s always going to be just a mythical title.”

“In fact, they are,” John brightened.  “Next year there will be a four-team playoff and...”

“Four teams you say.  And the Boorish Championship Series will make sure that one of them is Alabama,” I criticized.

“Well, you two certainly had a lively conversation.  It must have been the coffee specials,” Beverly guessed as she refilled our cups a final time and dropped the bill on the table.

“Yes, my Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Aroma Roast was delicious,” John agreed.

“My Bourbon Arabica had an oddly familiar flavor that I can’t quite place,” I puzzled.

“Oh, I thought you’d like it.  It’s a domestic blend...from Alabama.”

Steve Coon

November 26, 2012

Wiston Papers

Happy Thanksgiving Day 2012

I’ve worked and lived in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America during my professional career.  And I enjoy the travel, exposure to different cultures, and interaction with a variety of wonderful people. I understand why people around the world are proud of their homelands.   Here are a few reasons I'm thankful for mine.

I’m thankful for the abundance of natural resources that fuel our economic growth, feed our citizens, clothe our children, and provide housing and safe shelter.

I’m thankful for our democracy that can survive the acrimony of protracted partisan political debates with  a peaceful transition between governments and elected officials.

I’m thankful for our  military men and women who endure physical and psychological hardships for long periods away from home in order to keep America safe for the rest of us.

I’m thankful for the quality and availability of health care--especially for our elderly and most desperately ill.

I’m thankful for our schools and the teachers who spend long hours with little pay trying to inspire the next generation of Americans with the social values and intellectual skills necessary to maintain this nation’s preeminence.

I’m thankful for our police officers, fire fighters and other emergency personnel who sacrifice their holidays and weekends to protect our lives and property.

I’m thankful for the countless Americans who are willingly volunteer to travel thousands of miles to help their fellow residents who are suffering from the catastrophes of natural and man-made disasters like 9/11, Katrina and Sandy.

As we give thanks this year for all blessings, let’s remember all those Americans who are hard at work on this holiday to make sure that the rest of us can enjoy the day.  

America is a great nation for many reasons.  Not the least of which is the spirit of our families, friends and neighbors.

These a few of the reasons I’m thankful.  I know each of you has your own list.

Steve Coon

November 21, 2012

Wiston Papers

A new role for public education

Each year tens of thousands of American children are lost.  Young people are disappearing at an alarming rate and there appears to be little sense of urgency by our leaders to rescue them.  

Unless we take immediate resolute steps, we will lose our future, too.  

This nation has abandoned millions  of potentially productive citizens to a life of despair, poverty and dependence.  And every year thousands of young people join their number.

As a former university professor, I am proud that I spent the majority of my career preparing young people for professional lives.  I was buoyed by their enthusiasm, energy, and creativity.  

It’s easy to work with such people when they come to you ready to learn, optimistic about their future, and confident upon graduation  to take the helm of America in coming years.

But our elementary and secondary schools are failing the grade.  Too many children are at risk--especially in large cities--to the pernicious daily threats of drugs, violence, and dysfunctional families.  

I often see the smiling faces of young children in television news stories about early grade school education.  But fast forward only a few years and those smiles are gone, the initial excitement for learning is supplanted by emotionless expressions of resignation, apathy and cynicism.  Why?

It’s time for educators and politicians to step up.  Now is the hour to reinvent public education in America.  I have some suggestions for our elected leaders and school administrators:

First, when making tough budgetary decisions, government should not trim programs that affect education, food, health or employment.  All other areas are on the chopping block.

Second, let’s expand the mission of our public schools.  In addition to teaching the three Rs, teachers should inculcate the  societal values of morality, honesty, public service, discipline, and aspiration.  

Third, our schools can and should help rebuild blighted American neighborhoods.  Just as churches once were viewed as sanctuaries for the downtrodden, today’s public schools should be a beaon for hope and achievement.  Let’s turn on the lights and open the schoolroom doors 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  

As midnight basketball has helped get young men and women off dangerous streets, 24/7 classrooms can provide safety and nurturing for young children who desperately need help and protection.

Four, let’s invest money and talent in the nation’s poorest schools.  Provide financial incentives for America’s best teachers to spend at least two years in the worst neighborhoods.  

Hire America’s returning servicemen and women to provide security both at the school door, in classes, and in the hallways/bathrooms of our schools.

Equip every school in every poor neighborhood with the  best educational hardware and software.  

Link poor schools with their wealthier counterparts via teleconferences and online classrooms.

Five, involve the parents in their children’s education  through adult remedial courses and skills training.  At-risk children often come from dysfunctional families where a culture of and respect for education is absent.  

We can reverse that by making our schools social- and community-based environments as well as learning centers.

If we’re serious about education in this country, we need our schools to become the center of our communities.  They should represent safe harbors for families and play a wider role in the lives of the neighborhood than simply teaching basic skills of reading writing and arithmetic.  

Once we see public education as an opportunity rather than an obligation, we can begin to save our children before they are lost.   

To those who ask where do we find the money?  How can we afford this?   I say simply.  Don’t raise obstacles; open paths of opportunities. If we’re serious about education in America, we can find the resources.  The commitment comes first.   

Steve Coon

November 15, 2012

Wiston Papers

What to make of such despicable behavior?

John plopped unhappily into his chair for our weekly coffee and I awaited his opening salvo.

“Boys, we have two fine specials today,” waitress Beverly cheerfully promoted.  “Guatemala Antigua and Kenya Double-A.  What can I do you for?”

“The Guatemala sounds inviting,” I replied.

“I’ll go with the African brew after this week’s public disgrace,” grumbled John.

“I agree completely, John.  It was despicable.”

“Absolute betrayal of public confidence.”

“Truly outrageous,” I concurred but somewhat consoled by the pleasant flavor of my Guatemala Antigua.

“How do men like that think they can get away with such actions?”

“Good question.  It will always catch up to them,” I shook my head.

“There’s simply no acceptable excuse.”

“It’s disgraceful and unforgivable,” I agreed but enjoying the exquisite sensation on my tongue.

“How can they face their wives?”

“They always seem to stand by their man,” I wondered.

“We have such high expectations of these guys and then they fail us,”  John shook his head and sipped his Kenya coffee slowly.

“There must be some answer,” I hoped.

“You’re right.  What an embarrassment.”

“The blatant disrespect for us is insulting,” I mustered outrage.

“We should clean house and start over from scratch.”

“Well, we had our chance last week but blew it,” I now complained.

“What do you mean?” John stopped in mid-swallow and looked at me.

“The election last week, of course,” I clarified.  “We could have elected a new Congress, President and people who would not have appointed cheaters like CIA Director David Petraeus.”

“What are you talking about?” puzzled John.

“Petraeus, of course.  He admitted he had an extra-marital affair and resigned as CIA director,”  I stared at John.  “What were you talking about?”

“I didn’t know about Petraeus,” admitted John.  “I’m complaining about the pitiful loss by the Chicago Bears to the Houston Texans in Sunday’ Night’s NFL football game.”

“What?”  as my jaw dropped open.  “You’re outraged by a...a...a football game instead of a possible breach of national security and betrayal of public trust?”

“Well, the breach in the Bears defensive line was certainly a betrayal,”  John groaned.

“Men will be men,” Beverly said as she dropped off the check and refilled our cups for the final time.  “They always dissappoint.”

“But...but...,”  We both attempted to interject.

“They should man up,” argued Beverly. “You fellas can show a good example by improving your behavior right now by slapping down a decent tip for a change.”

Steve Coon

November 13, 2012