On a National Energy Policy

August 1, 2014

August 1, 2014
What about the need to develop a meaningful and comprehensive national energy policy that addresses all energy-related concerns and is also dynamic enough to last into the future? Although some will claim that an energy policy is already in place and being implemented, this statement is based on a host of state initiatives (New York State is but one example) that effectively keys on conservation and attempts to move the nation from a coal economy to a natural gas economy. Unfortunately, these policies vary from state to state, sometimes from region to region within a state, and from industry to industry. Perhaps the main objective of these policies is to reduce and/or eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2) discharges into the atmosphere from fossil fuel conversion processes. And, because of these questionable environmental concerns, the importance of maximizing the economic well-being of the nation has been essentially totally ignored.

This year, I published a book entitled “energy Resources: Availability, Management, and Environmental Impacts,” ISBN#978-1-4665-1740-0. It was coauthored with Ken Skipka, Principal at RTP Environmental Associates, Inc. in Westbury, and published by CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group. The main thrust of the book is to not only detail the need for a national energy policy but also propose a policy that would reduce/eliminate current energy problems. What specifically is needed is an unbiased assessment of the energy resources of the nation, the current and future demands, multimedia impacts associated with that demand–including conversion processes and its distribution, the socioeconomic costs and benefits of available alternatives, maximizing economic profits from energy resources, and the multimedia residuals that are part of the energy cycle. And only this type of analysis will provide the best approach to achieving energy independence. So, yes, there definitely is a need to propose and implement a true national energy policy as opposed to the disjointed and disruptive policies of option scatter diagrams of yesterday and today. What follows is material adapted from our book.

Energy is the keystone of life and prosperity. Adequate energy supplies and a satisfactory living environment are goals of overriding importance to every individual. There is no question that as energy is made available, the quality of life improves. In addition to the need for a constant and adequate supply of energy in both the near term and the future, environmental, economic, and national stability must also be maintained. Recent developments provide evidence that the discourse on all of these aspects will continue and be the prime determinants of domestic and foreign policy for many years to come.

Over the past 40+ years, there has arisen among informed leaders of indus¬try, governments, and the environmental movement an acute awareness of energy as an issue of critical importance to everyone’s well-being and sur¬vival. An energy crisis–or problem, or dilemma, as it has been called – was created by the continually increasing demand for energy at the international level. This demand has resulted in the three aforementioned issues becoming critical concerns of the entire international community, i.e.
1. The adequate, reliable supply of all forms of energy.
2. The environmental con¬sequences of producing energy.
3. The social ramifications associated with the accompanying financial expenditures and/or profits associated with meeting the energy demand.
To complicate matters, these three issues are also interrelated.

The solutions to the problems that arise from energy demand may simply be conservation and the development of new, less expensive energy forms. Energy conservation can sharply reduce the waste of resources that has been at the very heart of many environmental problems. Moreover, an extensive conservation program can be implemented in a very short period of time. Such an effort can play a major role both in slowing the growth in the demand for energy and in causing energy to be used more efficiently. At the same time, new sources of energy must be developed to ensure the availability of adequate, inexpensive, long-term energy supplies. The commercialization of solar power, wind, tidal, geothermal, fusion, and other less traditional sources of energy must continue to be investigated and expanded.

The facts on present-day energy consumption are universally accepted. Even the projections for the raw material reserves of oil, coal, gas, and uranium cause little argument. But, consensus on all other aspects of energy policy is essentially non-existent. In the broadest sense, many cannot agree whether there is presently a crisis or a problem. To better appraise the magnitude of these measures, one must set short-term and long-term goals, both of which are discussed next.

It is critical that short-term conservation steps be initiated. But the United States also needs a long-term policy ….. now. A comprehensive coordinated national energy policy must be formulated and implemented in a fair and equitable manner. This policy should be subject to continuing review and adjusted to address such needs as depleting resources, new technological breakthroughs, the aforementioned conservation measures, etc. In short, the policy should cover the following (baker’s dozen) categories:
1. Set up a comprehensive cabinet-level agency dealing with all forms of energy.
2. Systematize and refine air and water pollution guidelines, and estab¬lish land utilization policies to ease the siting of refineries, power plants, and petrochemical operations.
3. Stimulate increases in domestic oil and gas production by deregulat¬ing gas prices or regulating them with realistic price guidelines.
4. Stimulate increases in domestic oil and gas production by increasing the size of offshore leases as well as the frequency of lease sales.
5. Change guidelines to favor exploration in the U.S. rather than favoring international exploration and pro¬duction abroad by allowing royalties paid to foreign governments to be written off against federal tax owed the U.S. government.
6. Foster research on improved coal mining and new reclamation techniques.
7. Sponsor, fund, and encourage coal gasification projects to a degree that would lead to possible commercialization of the process within this and the next decade.
8. Foster additional research on alternative energy sources (solar, nuclear, tidal, wind, biofuel, and geothermal energy).
9. Provide regulations and/or incentives to allow the use of coal as a petroleum substitute in certain industrial operations.
10. Accelerate and systematize the environmental review process of proposed energy projects.
11. Coordinate all energy research to take advantage of breakthrough technologies with the end goal of not only becoming energy independent but also optimizing economic benefits.
12. Foster additional research on the environmental problems involved in the production of nuclear energy.
13. Analyze and implement the aforementioned energy conservation measures whenever such a need arises.

Many years ago, during my professional career, I developed a calculational procedure for allowing a technical individual to quantify a decision-requiring process that is a function of numerous, difficult to evaluate variables. This procedure was applied to three applications: fly ash control options for coal-fired utility boilers, pollution prevention options, and wastewater sludge management. The application of this procedure to energy resources is described in the book for the U.S., developed countries, and underdeveloped countries. The purpose of these analyses is to provide quantitative information that might allow one to select what one could describe as the “optimum” energy policy.

The above procedure was applied to the following energy resource categories:

Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Shale
Tar sands
Solar
Nuclear (fusion)
Hydroelectric
Wind
Geothermal
Hydrogen
Bioenergy
Other

Each of these categories were evaluated relative to the following parameters:

Resource quantity (RQ) 8
Resource availability (RA) 8
Energy quality (EQ) 5
Economics concerns (EC) 7
Conversion requirements (CR) 3
Transportation requirements (TR) 3
Delivery requirements (DR) 3
Operation and maintenance (OM) 2
Regulatory issues (RI) 7
Environmental concerns (EN) 6
Consumer experience (CE) 4
Public acceptance (PA) 4

Weighting factors (within the number range of 1-10) were assigned to each of the above parameters. This magnitude depends on the significance or importance attached to each parameter. Because the relative importance of the parameter under study can change from month to month or from year to year or location to location, and because parameters must often be added or deleted, these weighting factors should be periodically updated and adjusted for continuous use of this type of analysis for a specific parameter.

At the heart of the matter is the quantitative analysis of energy management options, a main impetus for writing the aforementioned book. An outline of the methods of quantitative analysis was briefly discussed in the preceding paragraph. Establishing a decision-driven process with quantitative results will allow the appropriate evaluation and weighting of the numerous variables that are part of every management system. Extensive details on this evaluation process are provided in our book.

One cannot conduct or manage any system, including a national energy policy, without a full understanding of the various roles to be played by the individuals involved. As many are aware, the best intentions often lead to disappointment because of one or more individuals not completing their roles as planned. To be successful, an energy policy must be able to identify the individual roles to be played and to assure that all players are committed to the same goal. Recognizing that there will be winners and losers, the ultimate goal will be to design the policy as a win-win proposition by applying incentives to allow a smooth transition as the energy management policy evolves. This process is intended to be in contrast to standard intense competitions that are the norm for today’s societal and individual interactions. Unless there is cooperation, the best policy plans can be easily undermined. In an attempt to address this issue, the roles of the major players was discussed in the book; this dictated having each individual responsible for the consequences of his or her actions and for the cost of correcting the undesirable consequences of these actions. Although these goals appear to be out of the current grasp of many, several active programs are, in fact, already in place to perform these exact functions.

What good should come from an effective national energy policy? First, one should recognize that without a properly designed and executed policy, the difficulties experienced in recent years, particularly those associated with environmental concerns, will continue and almost certainly escalate. The challenges going forward appear to be even more difficult as certain energy resources become scarcer, the possibility that the theorized impacts of climate change are proven, and developing countries desire the benefits gained by the problems of abundant energy. Sustainability will ultimately not be possible because of these considerations but nations should continue to strive for sustainability as long as possible. By delaying policy development, other potential solutions to energy independence will not be aggressively researched and implemented, thereby causing disruptions of current and future energy supplies and strains on socioeconomics.

In the final analysis, the goal of a national energy policy must be to develop and apply energy resources in a manner that is protective of the environment, services the energy needs of industry and society, is economically viable, and is defensible from a cost-effective perspective. Such a policy is needed because the current approach of haphazardly jumping from one energy form to another, blind to the various consequences, has proven to be both very costly, resulting in a continually changing course of action. For example, just a few years ago, the phase “peak oil” was popular while today, the maximum utilization of natural gas resources for energy production and the “ditching” of coal is the stated goal without really analyzing all costs/benefits associated with this massive displacement in direction. Many energy policies in the past have been prepared typically to serve the current interests of those in control. Rarely, if ever, have energy policies taken a truly unbiased approach to evaluating available and potential resources and formulating an effective dynamic set of policy objectives that focus on a goal of energy abundance, independence, sustainability, economic benefit and environmental preservation.

It’s time to take action!

Lou Theodore

NEXT POSTINGS: (tentative)

SEPTEMBER 1: On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXI
OCTOBER 1: On Barack Hussein Obama Update IV
NOVEMBER 1: On Paying Student-Athletes II
DECEMBER 1: On Hofstra Men’s Basketball: 2014-15 Season
JANUARY 1: On Football Boxes
FEBRUARY 1: On Great Eats

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On Tenure

June 21, 2014

July 1, 2014

The word tenure has come to mean different things to different people at various points in time in the history of civilization. A thousand years ago, tenure related to the law of property in feudal England and the manner in which a person held or owned property. Under feudalism, the king owned all of the land, and his vassals, as tenants, were entitled to hold only those portions of the land allotted by him and only under conditions he imposed. This feudal control by the overlord of transfers of property by tenants, was ended in 1290 by the Statute of Quia Emplores. In recent years, tenure has taken on a different meaning for many people, particularly those in education. Webster presently defines tenure as “the status of holding one’s position on a permanent basis, granted to teachers, civil servant personnel, etc., on the fulfillment of specified requirements.”

This article examines the role and the effect tenure has had on both educators and the education process. Unfortunately, for some teachers – and perhaps more rather than some for teachers at the East Williston School District – tenure has come to represent a job with no accountability.

I’m a chemical engineer and proud of it. I practiced my trade primarily in the classroom for 50 years. Educating youngsters for a career in engineering and training engineers/scientists in order to enhance their careers became my signature professional purpose. I did this in part because I believe engineering, more than any other profession, has contributed significantly to improving the quality of life for society. Along the way, I was tenured for the last 43 years.

My experiences as a tenured faculty member at my institution were interesting. Most of my colleagues were reasonably dedicated and rarely missed class, but I would describe only a few as hardworking. For what it’s worth, I missed one day (in the hospital) in 50 years. Overall, most of my guys did an acceptable job. But there were some, perhaps one out of every five, who milked the system for their own aggrandizement at the expense of the students. And nearly every one of those extortive individuals viewed themselves as God’s gift to education.

The situation at the EWSD is particularly disconcerting. The Board, PTO, and Superintendent have chosen not to allow opposing voices to be heard. FOIL requests are routinely effectively ignored (they once responded to one of my FOILS by providing me with reams of paper that were impossible to decipher). Some parents are too frightened to speak out, as with the teacher who retaliated against a 6-year old because her mother had the courage to speak the truth. It is for this reason that I always advise parents who have considered speaking out to remain anonymous. I have repeatedly made the above claims, and yet, no one – including the PTO hierarchy and the Superintendent – have ever dared to challenge my accusations. The FACT that the Superintendent misrepresented herself on the application for the position has also never been challenged.

What do we have at the EWSD? Based on my information, most of the EWSD teachers, and particularly those at Wheatley High School, approach their job as teachers in a manner quite different from what I would describe as a dedicated educator. The end result has been a precipitous drop in the school’s ranking, significant absenteeism, a failure of some (or is it many?) students to be admitted into the college/university of their choice, and poor student writing skills. Why is this occurring? I have placed the blame on numerous occasions on the incompetent past School Board President, Susan Bergtraum, and the former parasitic School Union President, David Israel (I still have a copy of the contract where Israel sold his membership short in order to gain a personal giveaway from the District). They set a process in motion that has resulted in the decline of quality education and teacher abuse in the EWSD.

Although much of the above will be viewed by the enemy as rhetoric, one needs to examine teachers’ salaries relative to others. As with some other professions, e.g., medicine, I believe it is disproportionate relative to the rest of the work force. Present-day salaries simply cannot be justified, particularly for those whose salaries are at $150,000/year. When one considers the salary, perks, health benefits, abbreviated workdays, extensive vacation periods, work ethics, etc., of the suburban teacher, it is hard not to conclude that these individuals have it made. Make no mistake about it, they have it made! I ought to know, because I was part of a similar system – only at another level.

And then there is job security. Today, most taxpayers no longer have the luxury of job security. In the old days, one might receive at any time a DCM – as it was called curing the depression era – Don’t Come Monday. Being tenured means not having to worry about losing your job. What is this worth? When I was growing up, it was worth enough that teachers who earned significantly less than the rest of the workforce were grateful for their job. I knew when I accepted a teaching position in 1960 for $6,000 a year, a salary substantially below what my colleagues were accepting in industry and business, I did so for two reasons: the desire to teach and the benefits mentioned above.

The bottom line is that tenure has unquestionably produced tenured teachers who are pampered, underworked, overpaid, lazy and indifferent to the needs of their students. All of them? NO! But many of them? YES! The tenure process has led to the aforementioned disproportionate wages and benefits relative to the rest of the workforce plus a lifetime of job security. As I’ve said on numerous occasions: we teachers have jobs, the rest work for a living.

Will tenure survive in its present form? I doubt it. Nor should it. The Ivy schools have all but eliminated tenure. I can say in no uncertain terms that tenure was appreciated and probably helped me from an academic and professional perspective. But the abuses that I witnessed and the present abuses at places like the EWSD need to be reduced, if not eliminated. There needs to be accountability if the educational process is to return to what we had in earlier times. Perhaps five-year tenure appointments with periodic evaluations might help.

For tenured teachers, it is time to give thanks. It is also time to reverse the trend and provide tax relief and start putting money into scholastic programs, not teachers’ salaries. For the tenured teachers, it is payback time.

Lou Theodore

PREVIOUS POSTINGS:
APRIL 1: On the Barack Hussein Obama Update III
MAY 1: On the East Williston School District Budget Vote
JUNE 1: On the Interview Process
JULY 1: On Tenure

NEXT POSTINGS (tentative):
AUGUST 1: On a National Energy Policy
SEPTEMBER 1: On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXI
OCTOBER 1: On Barack Hussein Obama Update IV
NOVEMBER 1: On Paying Student-Athletes II
DECEMBER 1: On Hofstra Men’s Basketball: 2014-15 Season
JANUARY 1: On Football Boxes
FEBRUARY 1: On Great Eats

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On the East Williston School District Budget Vote

April 30, 2014

May 1, 2014

East Williston School District (EWSD) residents are annually requested to vote on a school budget and this year is no exception. Each voting member of the community will have an opportunity to either vote for or against the budget. Every parent, every senior, every taxpayer, and every youngster of voting age should consider what limited facts have been made available to them.

As many of you already know, I will vote NO on the budget. Why? I simply need to, once again, provide the readers with an earlier (2012) note delivered to Superintendent Kanas. Here is that unedited note:

Dear Dr. Kanas,

I believe that the following current problems are adversely affecting the East Williston School District (EWSD).

1. The per capita student cost is $30,000+/yr.
2. The student/teacher ratio is 9.75:1.0
3. The EWSD employs 21 secretaries.
4. There is rampant teacher absenteeism.
5. The failure of some students to attend the college/university of their choice.
6. The EWSD national ranking is in free-fall.
7. The school tax burden continues to increase despite reduced enrollment.
8. The lack of preparedness of some of the students for their post high school education.
9. The failure of the previous administration to, in accordance with the law, act on FOIL requests.

As a taxpayer and member of the EWSD community, I am requesting your assessment of the above nine problems, plus what steps you intend to take to either remove or reduce these problems. If a response is not received by October 1, 2012, I shall assume that you have concluded that there is no reason for concern. If you do respond, I would then appreciate a follow-up notification on the success/failure of your actions on or before December 31, 2012.

I await your response.

Guess what? Two years have passed, and I’m still waiting for a response.
One simple question: Do I deserve a response? Both Kanas and the present Board have chosen to ignore my request. Yet, unlike Kanas and the Board members, I’ve dedicated my life to education, serving as not only a professor and administrator at the College level but also as a member of the Admissions Committee. I also continue to provide free advice to those senior students requesting guidance (apparently there is little to no meaningful guidance presently available) on university and career choices.

A recent 4/7/14 article in Newsday reported that the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) voted in a new president who immediately commented on their “enemies.” I can’t figure out who she was talking about. Perhaps it was the schoolchildren and/or their parents. One member commented “This election has provided a great voice for the needs of members across the Island.” Naturally, there was no expression of concern about the needs of the schoolchildren.

You want more? Here’s a real beauty out of Newsday on the same day. The headline read:
EX-TEACHER KEEFE HONORED BY NYSUT. Here is the unedited article:

“David Keefe, a former eighth-grade social studies teacher who has devoted much of his retirement time to union activities, was honored Friday evening in Manhattan as New York State United Teachers Retiree Member of the Year. Following his 2004 retirement after a 37-year teaching career in Hempstead Public Schools, Keefe, 73, of Mineola, was elected to the board of trustees of the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System, for which he also serves as vice president.
For more than 20 years he was president of the Hempstead Classroom Teachers Association, assuming leadership positions for the retiree association for Hempstead educators following his own retirement.
Keefe’s work “is an extension of his lifelong commitment to serving union members,” said Kathleen Donahue, vice president of the state teachers union.”

For the uninformed, Keefe is a member of the EWSD Board. Anybody really think he’s there to represent the community? I can remember him laughing at me when I questioned him regarding his conduct, particularly securing full-time employment for his daughter. Appointments for Karen Love (Keefe’s daughter) made by the board since Keefe became a board member are listed below (he abstained from voting…apparently, that’s as far as his ethics go). Our remaining four elected Board members went right along with the appointments. In their infinite wisdom, they concluded that there was no conflict of interest and that Keefe’s conduct was serving the best interests of the community. All four appointments were made within a five-month period!!!

Sept. 19, 2011: Board Meeting. Agenda Item #32
School Monitor Part-time Substitute

Oct. 24, 2011: Board Meeting. Agenda Item #43
Cleaner Part-time Substitute

Jan. 18, 2012: Board Meeting. Agenda Item #33
Substitute Teacher

Feb. 13, 2012: Board Meeting. Agenda Item #37
Part-time School Monitor. (No longer a substitute!)

Who knows if she was given any other appointments in the last two years? Sometimes the agenda just refers to “list as submitted by” (either superintendent/principal/etc.) and names of those being appointed are not mentioned. One can only wonder what her pension will be!?!?!? Hopefully, some of the diehard supporters for the status quo will finally realize how Kamberg and his crew operate. In any event, an honorable man would have definitely disqualified himself from serving on the Board based on ethical and professional grounds.

Guess what? The Newsday article never mentioned that Keefe is a school Board member. This got me thinking. I checked his bio on the NYSRTS site where he serves as an appointed board member helping to insure that the best interests of the teachers are served. Guess what again? No mention of his involvement with the EWSD Board. Could he be hiding something? I wouldn’t put anything past him. There appears to be, understandably, a conflict of interest relative to his involvement with the EWSD board. His serving is like having David Israel (the architect of the demise of our District) on the Board. I am presently looking into not only the ethics but also the legality of Keefe’s conduct. Like I questioned earlier, does anybody really think he’s there to serve the best interests of the community, particularly when it comes to pensions?

One needs to also comment on a Friday, April 14th Newsday article that reported the U.S. News & World Report ranking of Long Island schools. I preface what follows by reminding the readers that I have served as a reviewer for the USN&WR . . . and I can tell you that the ranking is primarily based on school name recognition. Nonetheless, three points need to be made:

1. The EWSD ranking has now approached 200, the increase indicating a further decline during Kanas’ tenure.
2. The EWSD did not make the top 200 schools in the most important categories–Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. A truly sad commentary.
3. The ranking assessment process does not reflect the increasing number of EWSD parents who are opting to send their children to private schools to insure they receive a quality education.

The bottom line is that all of the concerns in my earlier note to Kanas still apply. They have been conveniently ignored, the result of which has eroded the quality of education in the EWSD. But there are four other factors that most – if not all – of the voters should consider.
1. Dr. Kanas misrepresented herself when she applied for the position of Superintendent of the EWSD. I repeatedly brought this FACT to the attention of both the Board and PTO. And, guess what? Both ignored the comments regarding Kanas. Other individuals in sports, education, business, etc., are automatically dismissed for this conduct. You’d think that if Kanas had my professional pride, she would offer some response. But I know she can’t defend her earlier behavior.
2. State financial aid has been reduced. Pension costs continue to increase and is now approaching a near out-of-control situation. What have Kanas and the Board done about this? You already know the answer.
3. CONNED!!! That’s what has happened to the EWSD parents and taxpayers (refer to an earlier paragraph on Keefe). They have been sold a bridge on the quality of education and the dedication of the teachers. They have simply been duped.
4. The turnaround will come when the community comes to realize that Board members – in almost every instance – are there for self-serving purposes. If they really cared about the kids, they would not move on once they have graduated. Think about past Board members who were so vociferous and outspoken about defending the status quo … a status quo that has resulted in higher taxes and a decrease in the quality of education.

On to the budget vote. Only two school districts in Nassau County will impose a higher tax levy than EWSD. Below is a comparison to our “neighboring/top” school districts:

School District 13-14 tax levy 14-15 tax levy % change

East Williston $50,969,855 $52,455,091 2.91

Carle Place 41,716,434 42,334.699 1.48

Garden City 96,859,458 98,392,677 1.58

Jericho 106,811,992 108,100,000 1.21

Manhasset 79,374,951 80,839,173 1.84

Mineola 77,906,690 79,045,241 1.46

Roslyn 91,050,882 92,975,619 2.11

Syosset 187,798,923 190,410,716 1.39

All other school districts in Nassau County were below the East Williston 2.91% increase–most of them below a 2% increase–except the following two school districts:

Baldwin 3.25% increase

Long Beach 3.75% increase

These numbers indicate that the EWSD is over the County average by well over 100%. This was definitely a year when school taxes could have been reduced given the current massive waste that still exists.

The bottom line: it’s OK to vote NO on the budget. Don’t be a glutton for punishment. Stop being taken for a fool. Stop being an enabler for the EXPOITERS. And finally, stop Kanas’ incompetence and indifference.

Lou Theodore

EPILOGUE

No doubt parents that I would classify as either fools or cowards will help carry the YES vote on the budget. As in the past, this will then be followed with large elaborate signs prominently displayed on the front lawn of each school reading: “EWSD Budget Passes—Thank you!!! This is obviously a direct insult to all the taxpayers who voted against the budget. I have repeatedly asked in the past for information (even FOILed it) on who paid for the signs and who allowed it to occur. I have yet to receive a response. Why? Because this is the way they operate, and it has become a way of life with them. Interestingly, they will not allow me to post a sign at each school that reads: “EWSD Budget Passes. We Apologize to Both Taxpayers and Schoolchildren.”

NEXT POSTINGS: (tentative)

JUNE 1: On the Interview Process
JULY 1: On Tenure
AUGUST 1: On a National Energy Policy
SEPTEMBER 1: On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXI
OCTOBER 1: On Barack Hussein Obama Update IV
NOVEMBER 1: On Paying Student-Athletes II
DECEMBER 1: On Hofstra Men’s Basketball: 2014-15 Season
JANUARY 1: On Football Boxes
FEBRUARY 1: On Great Eats

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HOFSTRA MEN’S BASKETBALL 2013 – 14: THERE IS HOPE, I THINK

February 16, 2014

February 15, 2014

The Hofstra men’s basketball season is better than 2/3 over, so it’s time to revisit an earlier article entitled, “….Is There Hope on the Horizon?” Their current record is 8-17 overall, and 4-6 in the Colonial Athletic Association (CCAA), including a thrilling come-from-behind (15 point) victory this past Saturday over UNCW. So, is there hope? The answer is a qualified “yes.” Here is the basis for this assessment.

The team’s record is not a true measure of the capability of the team. Remember, this is/was supposed to be a “recovery” and/or “rebuilding” year under new coach Joe Mihalich. It also turns out that several of the losses could have gone the other way; here’s my call on why they didn’t.

1. There has been a commitment to an 8-man rotation that primarily involves 6 players. Injuries to two starters – Nesmeth and Allen (still out) – has exasperated the rotation scheme.
2. There was an inability to effectively stop the inside offensive game of several of their opponents. Hofstra’s three big men have done an adequate job but have been outmanned during a few of the games.
3. An inability to stop the premier point guard of some of their opponents added to the team’s woes. Last year, Stevie Mejia (the best defensive point guard I’ve ever seen) put Machado of Iona College and Massenat of Drexel in his hip pocket. Machado had a field day this year that resulted in a loss. Perhaps a box-and-one or a triangle-and-two would help at crunch time.
4. There was a failure to get back on defense to prevent (easy) fast-break points during several games. This effectively provides the opponents with layup practice. As I’ve always said: you can’t beat taking layups. Players need to understand the need to run back – not walk or jog – when there is a change of possession.
5. An occasional porous defense existed when playing zone. Although there are times when a zone is the defense of choice, I’ve always maintained that your grandmother can guard you in a zone. Since one can relax defensively in a zone, coach Mihalich may have opted for some zone because of his short bench.

Overall, coach Mihalich has done an excellent job with the hand he has been dealt. In addition, the team has played with intensity on both offense and defense. Seniors Upshaw (perhaps the most outstanding player in the CAA) and Nesmith are the team’s two best players. Freshman Jamall Robinson has been Rookie of the Week on several occasions and will no doubt emerge as the team’s star the next three years.

Finally, I need to pass judgment on the upcoming CAA Tournament Championship during March 7-10. It is a 4-game playoff over 4 days where anything can happen. And, the winner of the CAA Tournament gets an automatic invitation to the NCAA Tournament starting in mid-March. Hofstra’s only hope to land in the NCAA field is to win the tournament outright. But, winning the tournament – which is not totally out of reach because of the present parity in the CAA – will require playing and winning games on four consecutive days. That probability will be reduced because of a strained manpower that will arise playing with a 7-man rotation. Nevertheless…..anything can happen.

As noted on numerous times in the past, attending Hofstra games still remains the best sports buy in the New York Metropolitan area. There is ample free parking, the concession stands are not a rip-off, there isn’t a bad seat in the house and its $5 for seniors and children. Three home games remain: Delaware, 2/19, 7:00PM, Drexel 2/22, 7:00PM, and James Madison (homecoming), 3/1, 7:00PM.

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ON THE NEW YORK TIMES

January 31, 2014

February 1, 2014

Is the media biased from a political perspective? Is it biased relative to Barack Hussein Obama (BHO)? In particular, is the New York Times (NYT) biased? Most of my liberal friends (I really don’t have too many through no fault of my own) have vehemently argued that the media is fair, balanced and objective. Many others (including your author) believe the media has enabled BHO not to be transparent (as he had promised) while allowing him to lie unchallenged. Here is my take on the above questions relative to the NYT.

My main source of news information is the O’Reilly Factor, and to a lesser degree, some of the other FOX NEWS programs. I refuse to read any papers or watch the traditional TV news programs. However, our household subscribes (not my choice) to the NYT. And every day, I have the opportunity to check their news headlines, as O’Reilly has often suggested. And most of the time, I get disgusted with the aforementioned headlines. And, the headlines are consistently biased.

With the above in mind, I started a NYT file two months ago. Listed below are some of the headlines appearing in the paper during this period. The date, headline and my comments follow. Note also that I have italicized certain words in the headlines.

Date: Sunday; October 6, 2013
Headline: “A CRISIS MONTH IN THE PLANNING: CONSERVATIVES FOCUSED ON BUDGET AS HEALTH LAW WEAPON”
Comment: Note the choice of words.

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2013
Headline: “BOEHNER URGES G.O.P. SOLIDARITY IN EPIC BATTLE: RIVALS AND ALLIES SAY SPEAKER HAS NO PLAN TO RESOLVE CRISIS”
Comment: In addition to the comment begin incorrect and/or a lie, it was BHO who had no plan.

Date: Monday, October 7, 2013
Headline: “BOEHNER FIRM ON SHUTDOWN”
Comment: Draw your own conclusions.

Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Headline: “LIFT ‘THREATS’ OBAMA INSISTS”
Comment: According to my files, it was only BHO, Reid and Pelosi who did the threatening.

Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Headline: “MANY IN G.O.P. OFFER THEORY: DEFAULT WOULDN’T BE THAT BAD”
Comment: They referred to only one member.

Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Headline: “TALKS IN DISARRAY AS HOUSE BALKS OVER DEBT PLAN”
Comment: Of course Reid and the Senate, as well as BHO, didn’t balk at any of the House’s plans.

Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Headline: “WITH G.O.P. BADLY DIVIDED, BOEHNER IS LEFT ‘HERDING CATS’”
Comment: What did Pelosi do when she got Obamacare passed?

Date: Thursday, October 17, 2013
Headline: “REPUBLICANS BACK DOWN, ENDING BUDGET CRISIS”
Comment: Of course – Reid, Pelosi and BHO had nothing to do with the crisis.

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2013
Headline: “STATES ARE FOCUS OF EFFORT TO FOIL HEALTH CARE LAW”
Comment: Note the choice of the word foil – not the attempt to reduce the negative impact on the economy.

Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Headline: “OBAMA ADMITS WEBSITE FLAWS ON HEALTH LAW”
Comment: This admission came one week after the site was launched and he took no responsibility. In addition, the site wasn’t flawed – it was a total disaster.

Date: Sunday, October 27, 2013
Headline: “THE MALFUNCTION OF HEALTHCARE.GOV COULD POSE A THREAT TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S AGENDA, WHICH EXTOLS A POLICY OF ‘EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT’”
Comment: Please! “Effective government” is an oxymoron. Face it, it is impossible for the government to be effective.

Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 – Thursday, October 31, 2013
Headline: There was not one word on either the chaos associated with Obamacare or the hearings about the debacle on Benghazi.
Comment: Thursday’s paper did have a photograph of Sebelius, referring the reader to Page A17.

Date: Friday, November 1, 2013
Headline: “SENATE REPUBLICANS THWARTED THE CONFIRMATION OF TWO OF PRESIDENT OBAMA’S NOMINEES…”
Comment: Note the choice of the word thwarted.

Date: Sunday, November 10, 2013
Headline: “CON MEN PREY ON CONFUSION OVER CARE ACT”
Comment: There was essentially no mention of the Act being responsible for the fraud.

Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Non-Headline: “WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE GOOD ON BHO’S PROMISE THAT AMERICANS CAN KEEP THEIR INSURANCE COVERAGE…”
Comment: At this point in time, essentially everyone and the media were referring to BHO’s “promise” as a lie. There was not one word regarding his deceit.

Date: Friday, November 15, 2013
Headline: “IN A REVERSAL, OBAMA MOVES TO AVERT THE CANCELLATION OF HEALTH POLICIES”
Comment: Nothing about the ACA debacle. Instead there was this: “Obama is battling Republican opposition that has refused to open the door to any legislative fixes…and has blocked him at virtually every turn.” Interestingly, the NYT never mentioned what was being blocked.

Date: Week of November 17th
Headline: None (not one) comment about the “knockout” games being perpetrated by black youths on unsuspecting white women and seniors.
Comment: Imagine if white gangs were attacking unsuspecting blacks.

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2013
Headline: “G.O.P. MAPS OUT WAVES OF ATTACKS OVER HEALTH PLAN”
Comment: Here is part of the story “closed-door strategy sessions…increasing organized attack of the ACA…a multilayered sequenced assault.” Note the choice of words.

Date: Thursday (Thanksgiving), November 28, 2013
Headline: “ANOTHER DELAY FOR HEALTH LAW AS SNAGS PERSIST – FUEL FOR G.O.P. CRITICS”
Comment: You get the drift of it all. You’re not allowed to criticize, and if you do, you are “fueling” problems.

Date: Saturday, November 30, 2013
Headline: “HEALTHCARE SITE RUSHING TO MAKE FIX BY SUNDAY; HARDWARE IS UPGRADED”
Comment: Not a word about the site’s disaster and BHO and his administration’s responsibility for the impact it has had on working Americans.

Date: Monday, December 2, 2013
Headline: “INSURERS CLAIM HEALTH WEBSITE IS STILL FLAWED; WHITE HOUSE PRAISES SOFTWARE UPGRADE”
Comment: Who would you believe? And BHO still hasn’t provided any accounting for the debacle. There just isn’t any accountability.

During this period, there was little to nothing relative to BHO in the NYT on:

1. The rampant conflicts of interest.
2. How things happened, i.e., in terms of accountability.
3. Failure to appoint/hire the right people.
4. The demand for Sebelius to resign.
5. BHO’s inability to think on his feet without the aid of a teleprompter.
6. BHO’s repeated failure to appear presidentially.
7. BHO’s inability to provide a one-line answer to a question, e.g., “yes, we deserted our people in Benghazi”.
8. BHO’s lying.
9. The deceit perpetrated on an unsuspecting public by both BHO, Lehrner, Sebelius, etc.
10. BHO unable to attend the 150th anniversary of the Lincoln Gettysburg address due to “attending to the ACA website” but was able to attend two days of fundraising three days later. Like I said, lying is a way of life for this guy.

Finally, remember when BHO promised to reduce the terror threat in 2007-8 and later claimed in 2012 that Al-Qaida was on the run? Well, here is what the flaming liberal Senator Dianne Feinstein had to say at the end of November: “There are more terrorist groups than ever, with more sophisticated, hard-to-detect bombs…there is a huge malevolence out there.” Republican representative Mike Rogers added: “…Al-Qaida is changing, with more affiliates around the world.” As one would expect, the NYT never reported the House and Senate Intelligence Committee findings. Did BHO? Of course not. Continuing on Monday, December 30, the NYT had the audacity to claim that the terrorist attack on Benghazi (over a year earlier) was really not a terrorist attack; they effectively re-initiated the lies and deceit set forth earlier by the BHO Administration. This was followed two days later with a headline that read “Million Gaining Health Coverage Today Under Law”; there was absolutely no mention of those (5 times as many) who had lost coverage.

What a newspaper!

Lou Theodore

NEXT POSTINGS:
February 15: On Hofstra Men’s Basketball; there is Hope
March 1: On Chaste, Pristine, and Random Thoughts XX
April 1: On the Barack Hussein Obama Update III

Please note that the February 15 article is a new posting.

1 Comment | Barack Obama, East Williston, Economics, Education, Politics | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

ON THE EAST WILLISTON SCHOOL DISTRICT II

December 30, 2013

January 1, 2014

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. First and foremost, I need to thank those who have continued to provide support and encouragement during this past year. The last article of this year concerns the East Williston School District (EWSD). The following paragraph is an edited and updated version of material written approximately one year ago.

“The EWSD is presently in decline with its national ranking having plummeted, and there is rampant teacher absenteeism, a present superintendent that is both unqualified and incompetent plus an embarrassment to the District, difficulty in placing Wheatley seniors in the school of their choice, $150,000+ annual teacher salaries plus massive additional benefits and (unfortunately) job security, $30,000+ annual cost per student, a 9.75:1 student to teacher ratio that continues to decline, a policy of refusing to eliminate waste, and the self-serving policies of …….” The end result is that EWSD residents pay the highest average school taxes in Nassau County (because of the massive waste), the economic effect of which has been to unnecessarily depress property values. And, guess what? My effort and activities to implement reform have produced change. Unfortunately, the change has produced a situation that has worsened.

A question we engineers often ask when evaluating a scheme, proposal, contract, etc., is as follows: Is it cost-effective and is there sufficient accountability? When applied to our District, this school board, these school administrators, and these teachers have conveniently avoided answering this question. In fact, these individuals continue to try to convince concerned and angry taxpayers that taxes need to be raised further if our children are to receive a quality education.

What about the EWSD Superintendent, Dr. Elaine Kanas? I had two meetings with Kanas. I first met Kanas a few weeks after she arrived in August 2012. At that time, I presented her with a list of particulars detailing the shortcomings of our District and a call for reform. A copy of that note follows.

“Dear Dr. Kanas,

I believe that the following current problems are adversely affecting the East Williston School District (EWSD).
1. The per capita student cost is $30,000+/yr.
2. The student/teacher ratio is 9.75:1.0
3. The EWSD employs 21 secretaries.
4. There is rampant teacher absenteeism.
5. The failure of some students to attend the college/university of their choice.
6. The EWSD national ranking is in free-fall.
7. The school tax burden continues to increase despite reduced enrollment.
8. The lack of preparedness of some of the students for their post high school education.
9. The failure of the previous administration to, in accordance with the law, act on FOIL requests.

As a taxpayer and member of the EWSD community, I am requesting your assessment of the above nine problems, plus details on what steps you intend to take to either remove or reduce
these problems. If a response is not received by October 1, 2012, I shall assume that you have concluded that there is no reason for concern. If you do respond, I would then appreciate a follow-up notification on the success/failure of your actions on or before December 31, 2012.

I await your response.”

Every member of our community, and in particular, every parent, should read and reread the concerns I raised and ask yourself if these issues need to be address. Instead of expressing dismay at my description of the current state of the District, Kanas indicated that there wasn’t enough proof to validate my statements and claims, and indicated that a committee would look into it in the near future. I explained to the Superintendent that you didn’t need a Ph.D. to divide one number by another in order to verify my claims. I also explained that committees don’t get things done and that any meaningful recommendations for reform by whatever committee would be ignored by both the corrupt Board and equally corrupt teachers and their union. I became convinced that nothing meaningful would occur with Kanas as Superintendent…and my concerns have been confirmed at this point in time.

Two of Kanas’ favorite terms during our discussions were strategic and comprehensive, two popular Madison Avenue clichés. Any time I hear someone using either or both of these words, that individual gets tuned out since I know from past experience that the individual is either clueless or trying to con me, or both. Kanas appears to be in this category. In any event, Kanas never took action on my note.

More than six months have elapsed since I tried to get to the bottom of class sizes and teacher absenteeism. Thanks to Assistant Superintendent Fitzpatrick, I still don’t have the necessary background information and data to perform a meaningful analysis of both these problems. She has successfully stalled the process. The bottom line is that my repeated calls for Fitzpatrick to go (and not be replaced) have been ignored. Thank you Kanas.

Can Kanas turn things around in the EWSD? I doubt it, given the past conduct of the EXPLOITERS, i.e., Kamberg, the present Board, earlier Boards, plus the teachers and their union. The District needs a strong Superintendent who will stand up to the self-serving EXPLOITERS in our community. Unfortunately, Kanas has not even remotely demonstrated either the willingness and/or capability to do so. My present thought: Kanas may turn out to be a worse nightmare than the EXPLOITER’S earlier favorite – the incompetent and unqualified Lorna Lewis.

I’ve not heard from Kanas since our earlier meetings. Despite the drop in enrollment, the student cost is now projected to be nearly $32,000 and I was informed the student/teacher ratio has worsened. Kanas promised to take action and I was willing to give her a pass even though she misrepresented herself both on her application and during the Superintendent’s position review process. Apparently, nobody cares even though this is grounds for dismissal. I guess Kamberg and his crew feel they can control Kanas and have her under their thumb. And, on her part, Kanas has come to feel comfortable with this arrangement where she can ignore being accountable to the taxpayers and the students.

Only a fool doesn’t understand that the EXPLOITERS, i.e., the teachers and their union, in cooperation with Kanas, Kamberg, his Board, the PTO leadership and some of its members, are destroying our school district and ripping off the taxpayer. The present system is simply unsustainable; everyone – except some voters – knows it. Unfortunately, most of the PTO members continue to be successfully brainwashed every year. No opposing voice is allowed. Even Wheatley seniors receive the usual lectures from the teachers that all will be lost if the budget is defeated. As I have repeatedly stated, the District’s ranking and reputation is in a freefall decline, the student:teacher ratio is 9.75:1.0…. Wheatley seniors are having difficulty getting into the school of their choice, and some seniors lack college preparedness. The teachers are teaching less, their indifference has increased, and the teacher role model is a thing of the past. Astonishingly, the parents have come to accept this. The ax is certain to fall when the younger children reach graduation age. Yet, the parents in our District appear not to be concerned.

What does all this mean? The EXPLOITERS have sacrificed the best interests of the schoolchildren (and the taxpayers) in order to (perhaps?) gain an advantage for their kids with teachers and administrators, all at the expense of the children of other parents. And, if the other parents don’t believe this statement, I’ve got a bridge to sell them. Simply put, parents have and continue to be duped.

A word on Sean Feeney, Wheatley’s principal. An 11/4/13 article in Newsday referred to “The Wheatley School as one of the highest rated schools on Long Island” and that “Feeney does not believe his own negative job evaluations reflect that rating.” Unfortunately, Wheatley no longer is one of the elite schools, no doubt reflected in his poor evaluation. Come on! Would he have complained if he got good/excellent reviews? I checked the criteria employed in the evaluation process (something I have been involved with in the past) and it looked fairly reasonable to me. Four words come to mind when I think of most of his (the Wheatley) teachers: indifference, mean-spirited, greedy, and parasitic. In the meantime, his graduates continue to complain about the quality of education they are receiving (details available on request). In any event, he appears next in line for the Superintendent’s job when and if Kanas is dumped or if she moves on (ala Lewis).

Keep in mind that despite the aforementioned enrollment decrease in excess of 10%, more teachers and administrators have been hired, the school budget continues to spiral upward, and the quality of education is decreasing monotonously. Thank you Kanas for allowing the waste and the quality of education to decline unabated. She really has turned out to be as bad as Lewis.

The reality is that the EWSD community has reached a point where the majority of residents – including many parents – simply don’t care about what’s going on. There is significant apathy and disinterest, with large numbers of voters ignoring their duty to vote. No doubt change will come, but it will take time.

I also need to include a few of the letters from the EWSD mailbox.

“I am sure Dr. Kanas will destroy programs and lives just as she did in Valley Stream 30. She brings in tons of programs with no follow-through and is only concerned with improving her own resume.”
Name Withheld

“Dear Dr. Theodore, Facts again seem to be right on the money. You have mentioned more than once that ‘facts and information’ are being hidden. Your only alternative is to try to use the freedom of information act. The things you mention should come under the heading of public information which should enable you to use this law. I also think that in many respects you are ‘beating a dead horse’ which must be very frustrating. However, knowing you as I do, I know you will continue the ‘good fight’.”
Bob S.

“…… aside from that, I loved this letter because none of it surprised me…which made me feel like I know you fairly well. On a separate thought, I’d love to see you do an article on how many EW School District families choose to send their children to private school. I met a family recently. They live on William Street in EW and have 4 children. They send all 4 to private schools. They don’t seem to know a soul in EW. Just around the corner is another family with 5 children. All 5 are in private school. It would be a wakeup call for EW families who think our school is so great to find out that a large percentage don’t think the district is even good enough to send their children there. Have a great weekend Professor.”
Name Withheld

“Nicely said. Sir, I was wondering…Have you ever done an analysis of how many (or what proportion) of our EWSD eligible students are utilizing other venues for education? I’m curious how many of our district’s students attend private schools or are home-schooled. Thanks for sharing.”
Name Withheld

Is there a reasonable solution that can accommodate the best interests of both the taxpayers and schoolchildren, and at the same time, be fair to the teachers? Of course! My approach has been ignored. But I believe that something other than a weak-kneed Superintendent could pull it off. In the meantime, EWSD readers should take whatever steps are necessary to help put a stop to the EXPLOITERS’ conduct regarding school and financial matters.

Readers: Don’t be a glutton for punishment. Stop being taken for a fool, and stop being an enabler for the EXPLOITERS.

Lou Theodore

NEXT POSTINGS:

February 1: On the New York Times
March 1: On Chaste, Pristine, and Random Thoughts XX
April 1: On the Barack Hussein Obama Update III

Leave a Comment » | East Williston, Economics, Education, School Board, Uncategorized | Permalink
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2013-14 HOFSTRA MEN’S BASKETBALL: IS THERE HOPE ON THE HORIZON?

December 1, 2013

December 1, 2013

December has essentially arrived. That can only mean one thing: it’s time for Hofstra men’s basketball. Gone is their once-in-a-lifetime superstar Charles Jenkins. Gone are Mike Moore and shot blocker Greg Washington. Gone are Mo Cassera and several of his recruits. What’s left? Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway told me that this is supposed to be a rebuilding year for Hofstra. Let’s find out about the present squad.

First, and perhaps foremost, is the new coach, Joe Mihalich (former Hofstra great Speedy Claxton will serve as one of Joe’s assistant coaches). I have always and consistently ranked Davidson’s Bob McKillop (of Lutheran High fame) as the top coach in the country. But, given Joe’s credentials and past performance at Niagara, he may be the second best. I need to note that several of my colleagues claim that these comments are based on the fact that these are the only two coaches who talk to me.

Landing Joe has to be Athletic Director’s Jeff Hathaway’s major coup. Joe brings an awful lot to the table, including a great sense of humor. At one of the press conferences, Joe indicated that Louisville might be favored in their upcoming game, and then reminisced how his Niagara team had lost to Kansas in the NCAA Tournament at the buzzer by 40 points.

Regarding the team, the key returnees are forward Jordan Allen, and forward/centers Moussa Kone and Steve Nwankoni. I expect a big year from Allen, a multifaceted underrated soph, to play an important role. The new additions include Chris Jenkins (no relation to Charles), and transfers Dion Nesmith and Zeke Upshaw (both terrific finds). Freshman Jamell Robinson and walk-on Adam Savion appear to be pleasant additions. Allen, Kone, and Nesmith are presently starters.

The team is off to a 2-4 start, with losses to Monmouth, Louisville, Richmond and Belmont. However, the team’s record is certain to improve as they go deeper into the season and Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play begins.

The team may have to reinvent themselves before moving toward the next level, and that will not happen overnight. With some many new faces, team chemistry will take time. The biggest question mark will no doubt center on finding a consistent scoring threat who may turn out to be Upshaw. I think there may also be a lot of building for the future. But, the building blocks are in place, with two outstanding transfers who are ineligible this season.

Entering the 2013-14 season, the team will be looking to turn the page on last season’s disasters. The Pride will welcome back just four players who saw action last season so Joe may rely heavily on the aforementioned newcomers (Upshore’s 37 vs. Louisville and Nesmith’s 27 vs. Hartford), including players that sat out last season.

I believe this year represents an excellent opportunity for the team. It’s a young team with a lot of new players, a new coach, and a group that should get better as the season goes on. Remember, there 9 teams left in their conference – the CAA. If they are playing above-average by the end of the season, things may change – and only for the better. Anything can happen. And, the winner of the CAA Tournament in early March gets an automatic invitation to the Big Dance.

The bottom line: I offer this to the fans in the reading audience relative to the question raised in the title to this piece. There may be hope for this season. Only time will tell whether the hope is real or whether it is indeed just an adjustment year.

Finally, folks do yourselves a favor and attend one of the games. The past enthusiastic support of the Hofstra student body at the games is contagious. For me, attending Hofstra games still remains the best sports buy in the New York Metropolitan area; it’s even cheaper than going to the movies. There is ample free parking, easy access in and out of the Sports Complex, the concession stands are not a rip-off ($3.25 for a dog, $1.50 for a soda, etc.), and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Did I mention that its $5 for seniors and children, and the whole exciting atmosphere is conducive to family attendance? Share it with someone you care about. I guarantee you won’t regret it.

Lou Theodore

Earlier articles:

June 1: On the School Budget Results
July 1: On the New New York Racing Association
August 1: On the New Cooper Union
September 1: On Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XIX
October 1: On the Barack Hussein Obama Legacy II
November 1: On the OHI Day
December 1: 2013-14 Hofstra Basketball: Is There Hope on the Horizon?

On the Calendar:

January 1: Revisiting the East Williston School District
February 1: On the New York Times
March 1: On Chaste, Pristine, and Random Thoughts XX
April 1: On the Barack Hussein Obama Update III

MAILBOX:
Hi Lou,
I just got a computer and learned how to congratulate you for a splendid OHI reminder to readers of the Garden City News. Good work as always. You are and always will be tops in my memory as will Greece and all Greeks.
Corrinne

1 Comment | Basketball, East Williston, Sports | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

On The OHI Day III

October 28, 2013

November 1, 2013

It’s been 8 years since I penned my first article on the OHI day (much of which is reported below). This is a special day in Greek history as it regards Greece’s heroic involvement in WWII. My recent read of Winston Churchill’s biography “The Last Lion” was yet another reminder of this day.

My ancestors have a long history of battling and suffering with evil elements and oppression. Flash back over 2500 years ago when King Leonidas and 300 brave Spartans stalled 10,000 Persians at Thermopylae, a pass between the mountains and the sea leading to Athens. The defenders from Sparta (my father’s birthplace) delayed the Persians long enough for the Athenian fleet to ready a trap at Salamis, where it defeated the invaders, who then high-tailed it. History was to repeat itself in 1939, as documented below.

The media-novels, movies, television (particularly the History Channel), documentaries, etc., have done a superb job of educating the younger generation about the background and struggles of World War II. The battle for Britain and the defense of Stalingrad are two examples that come to mind, as well as the continuing repetitive and perhaps overdone coverage of the horrors of the holocaust. But there has been little to nothing about the role Greece played on the events and final outcome of the war.

On to the theme of the article. The 73rd anniversary of the repulsion of fascist forces by the Greek Armed Forces was recently celebrated several days ago on October 28. As in the past, the day came and went without a whimper here in the United States. The Greeks refer to this as the OHI (no!) Day. OHI was Prime Minister Metaxa’s response to Hitler’s order to peacefully surrender. What followed Metaxa’s response to Hitler was 219 days of fierce battles. That in turn was following by intense guerrilla warfare that resulted in a brutal occupation that included executions, sufferings, and severe famine. The rest is not history for some people but history for all Greeks.

For comparison purposes, the days of resistance of the various combatants to the Nazi-Fascist invasion are listed below:
1. Belgium 18
2. Czechoslovakia 0
3. Demark 0
4. France 43 (the supposed superpower of that time)
5. Greece 219 (13,696 Greek soldiers died)
6. Luxembourg 0
7. Norway 7
8. Poland 30
9. The Netherlands 4
10. Yugoslavia 3
The total number of human losses in percentage of total population are also listed below:
1. Belgium 1.5%
2. France 2.0%
3. Greece 10.0% (750,000)
4. Poland 1.8%
5. Soviet Union 2.8%
6. The Netherlands 2.2%
7. Yugoslavia 1.7%

Here is what some of the more important players of that time had to say (citations available on request) about the heroic Greek accomplishments against the armies of not only Germany but also the armies of Italy, Bulgaria and Albania.

Adolf Hitler: “As a matter of historical truth, I must ascertain that only the Hellenes, of all the adversaries that confronted me, fought with daring courage and the highest disregard for death…”

Sir Robert Anthony Eden: “Regardless what historians will say in the future, what we can say now is that Hellas gave a memorable lesson to Mussolini, that she was the reason of the resistance in Yugoslavia, that she kept the Germans on the soil of Ipiros and Crete for 6 weeks, that she changed the chronological order of all of the German Major Generals’ plans and, thus, brought about a general alteration in the entire war’s journey…”

Sir Winston Churchill: “The word heroism, I’m afraid, does not reflect in the least the Hellenes’ acts of self-sacrifice that were the defining factors of the victorious ending of all the nations’ common struggle during the 2nd WW for human freedom and dignity.”
“If it were not for the bravery of the Hellenes and their courageous hearts, the ending of the 2nd WW would not have been clear.”
“Until now we were saying that Hellenes fight like heroes. Now we will say heroes fight like Hellenes.”
“The Hellenes fighting against the common enemy will share with us in the prosperity of peace.”

Charles DeGaulle: “I fail to give the most needed gratitude that I feel for the heroic resistance of the people and the leaders of Hellas.”

Maurice Schumann (French Minister of Foreign Affairs): “Hellas is the symbol of martyric enslaved, bleeding, but live Europe. Never has a defeat been so honorable for those who underwent it.”

Josef Stalin: “I’m sad because I’m getting old and I will not live much longer to express my gratitude to the Hellenic people whose resistance determined the 2nd WW.”

Moscow Radio Station: “You fought without weapons and you won, being small before the great ones. We owe you gratitude, because you brought time and, thus, we could arm ourselves. As Russians and as fellow humans, we thank you.”

Georgy Zhukov (Marshal of the Soviet Army): “If the Russian people managed to raise resistance before the gates of Moscow to contain and reverse the German hurricane, they owe it to the Hellenic people who delayed the German divisions that could have beaten us. The gigantic battle of Crete was the peak of the Hellenic contribution.”

In effect, Heller’s decision to vent his rage against a small country that, unlike the other countries on Europe’s mainland had dared to defy him, was unquestionably the most catastrophic military decision of WWII. As with Napoleon centuries earlier, unless Russia was defeated by November, Hitler’s most feared enemy would extract its toll on the battlefield: WINTER!

OHI day serves as another tribute to all Greeks, including Greek Americans. Following the War of Independence in 1812 when the brutal uncivilized Turks were defeated, the immigration of Greeks to America began in earnest (the Turks has pillaged, looted, persecuted, and enslaved the Greeks for centuries). Nearly one tenth of the total population (including both of my parents) immigrated to our country during the period 1821 – 1934.

Through it all, Greece has remained the fountainhead of culture and democracy throughout the free world. Despite lacking the political and media clout of other ethnic groups, Greek-Americans have evolved into a success story that has become a best-kept secret. They have contributed mightily to our great nation. They rank second only to the American Jews in per capita wealth but first in percent who have earned doctoral degrees.

Yep, I still get that special feeling when someone refers to me as a Greek-American.

Note: Thanks are due to my first cousins Helen Lake Anton and Harry Lake, aka Apostolakos, for providing some of the background material for this article. Helen was stationed in Greece during part of her CIA career. Harry serves on the National Board of Directors and was Finance Chairman of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association).

Lou Theodore

Here is what is on tap in the coming months:

December 1: 2013-14 Hofstra Basketball: Is There Hope on the Horizon?
January 1: Revisiting the East Williston School District
February 1: On the New York Times
March 1: On Chaste, Pristine, and Random Thoughts XX
April 1: On the Barack Hussein Obama Update III

Leave a Comment » | East Williston, Education, Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

On Purely Chaste, Pristine, and Random Thoughts XIX

September 1, 2013

September 1, 2013

In the mailbox: see end of article.

No one – including CBS, NBC, ABC, Hannity, Greta, Geraldo, and Billyboy – has recently requested my thoughts on life in general. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true; notwithstanding this embarrassing dilemma, I am forging ahead with the following 20 points of potential interest to the Theodore Newsletter readers.
• I no longer use the word “romantic” with the word “war”,
• Why can’t more politicians be like Maureen O’Connell?
• The holidays will arrive in four months. I suggest you send either hand-written or computer-generated greeting cards/notes. In your message, remember that you can’t negotiate with time.
• The three main jobs of an educator are to instill the value of scholarship, athletics, and intellectual honesty in his students.
• What unrenowned educator/author said: “Contrary to what many believe, I was something less than a mediocre student in college with a GPA of 2.4/4.0” (answer at end of article).
• Looks, height, sex (women have the upper hand here), personality, ethnicity, being a “doer”, and abilities to communicate verbally and in writing are the main predictors of an individual’s future success.
• Prior to marriage and becoming a father, I never gave a second thought to where my life, education, and professional world would take me. My education and early career decisions were (fortunately?) made by others. However, I did learn in my mid-teens that physical labor was not for me.
• One of the important keys to success for those who work for industry, business, education or government is to make oneself indispensible on the job.
• I believe most doctors start out dedicated to serving their patients, but then greed sets in. Speaking of doctors, I still remember my first encounter with mine who I called and informed him that I’d just broken my leg in two places. “What should I do?” I asked. He paused and then replied: “Don’t go back to those two places”.
• Someone once said that 80% of life is just showing up. Modern technology has reduced that to somewhere in the 20-30% range.
• Relatively speaking, and family commitments aside, I never let my education or job get in the way of having a good time.
• I dedicated one of my books to Bill O’Reilly. I sent him a copy. He never acknowledged receiving it. I requested the book be returned. I’m still waiting.
• I never had a one year, five year, ten year, etc. plan in my adult life. NEVER. Daily or weekly plans – yes. I don’t believe in long-term plans work – they hinder originality and can create unnecessary problems and stress. The technology explosion revolution has all but eliminated long-range plans.
• I have been involved in a lot of different “outside” activities. But, W-2 forms were received from the same organization for 50 consecutive years. Conclusion: I never had the guts to leave.
• Why can’t caring parents tell their kids that they need to read, write, etc. in order to succeed in life?
• I was a Depression baby.
• The Great Depression affected many. Despite growing up in the slums of Hell’s Kitchen, it wasn’t until the mid-50s that I became aware there had been a depression. I wasn’t rich, was never a big spender, but can’t ever remember not having something I wanted or needed during that era.
• I’m proud to say that my parents never said a negative thing about any race or religion.
• For those of you my age, I still remember Gabriel Heater and The Lone Ranger radio programs.
• I still pal-around and vacation with approximately two dozen friends of 50+ years. One of them was recently observed arguing with a stop sign.

The unrenowned educator author is none other than Mr. Modesty himself, Lou Theodore.

Visit the author at
http://www.theodorenewsletter.com
And refer your friends, colleagues, enemies, etc., to the site.
Lou Theodore
Here is what is on tap in the coming months:
October 1: On the Barack Hussein Obama Legacy
November 1: The OHI Day III
December 1: Play Ball
January 1: Revisiting the East Williston School District

Mailbox (re: The New Cooper Union)
Sad what has happened to Cooper Union and to America. With 51% of Americans voting for this Muslim/Communist, it will take decades, if ever, to overcome his purposeful destruction of America.
Name Withheld

Mr. Theodore: I loved the Cooper article! I hadn’t known a lot about the institution but I really liked your perspective. You also asked for my comments on the NYRA article. Candidly, you do seem a little bitter in the article and it wasn’t my favorite but, in fairness, I think I’ve put NYRA in my rearview mirror and it’s no longer interesting to me. I’ve lost hope that my children will be able to enjoy a “Day at the Races” with their families and/or friends 20 years from now. I think NYS has ruined the Sport of Kings.
B.

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THE EAST WILLISTON SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET VOTE RESULTS

May 29, 2013

June 1, 2013

Last month’s “THE BUDGET VOTE” article generated responses that keyed on Kanas’ survey requesting community input and an exchange with one of the readers. The readers’ mailbox comments follow.

1 – “A true survey would NOT request a name to be entered on the form. Some people do not like to put their name on anything going to the board and administration (especially parents who fear the repercussions to their kids). And if a survey (or any other issue) is submitted without names, it is usually disregarded! This has happened in the past. So IF they really wanted a true response, it should have been an anonymous survey.” I should have picked up on this based on the Kanas’ survey (particularly since I have conducted numerous surveys) given the fanatical conduct of the teachers in the past. It is possible that Kanas is not savvy enough to appreciate how vindictive some of the teachers are. Keep in mind that it was Kansas (our new Superintendent) who misrepresented herself during the interview process.

2 – “If our tax dollars are used to send out surveys such as this, it’s not wasteful spending. Providing educational decisions would be a group decision made by the community…and we could therefore ELIMINATE the Superintendent position.” I don’t agree with this reader. We need a strong, intelligent and dedicated Superintendent. Unfortunately, most of us now feel that Kanas does not fit that description.

3 – From one out-of-town reader (when informed of the budget results): “How sick are the voters? Sell your house, get away from these asses, and come move to Florida.” Wow!

4 – My response to an earlier email from one of the most respected and influential members of our community: “Looks like you’re getting your two cents in. I’m not sure if that is good from your perspective given the vindictive conduct of the teachers. I wouldn’t place too much credence in anything from either Feeney or Kanas. Feeney is looking to explain away the sorrowful conduct of his teachers and the poor quality of education at the high school. Kanas is simply out of her league and turning into a disaster. I offer the following regarding Whelan’s 5/23 article:

1. Does anyone think Feeney or Kanas would be criticizing the education methodology if our ranking either increased or improved?

2. I’m not sure what was meant by the words “taking ownership of our own rankings.” The teachers and administrators couldn’t possibly be objective since we know they are both unethical and unprofessional. Any evaluation must be conducted by an impartial group. What makes more sense is your recommendation to evaluate student performance after graduation from “year to year.” I think information garnered in this manner would verify my contention that the high school is failing in its responsibility and not doing its job.”

The latest response to my (the above) email:

“A few thoughts.

I tend to believe that an internal ranking system is needed and can be developed and published in a transparent manner. I have no reason to believe that the school would intentionally misrepresent the data. And folks like myself would be all over them if they did that. However, I have no issues if an external party or group prepared and monitored the results. I even think one of the Board Committee could help in this capacity.

In the article there is an admission by Kanas that the SAT scores are declining. In addition, in the attached report (slide 13) Feeney does highlight that Jericho has improved their index value by 25%.

I think it’s important to recognize that while we continue to be a top ranked school, we appear to be losing ground to our peer schools in terms of academic performance. Rather than simply criticize, I’d like to engage with our school administration and Board in an open way about what actions can be taken to address these issues. Or simply, learn from other districts that are doing better.

Many parents, like myself are starting to become aware of these issues. I’d like to build on the momentum and continue to raise awareness and request action.
So far, Dr. Kanas has recognized the SAT issue, and is modifying the curriculum to address. I believe this is a good start but more review and action is needed.
Just my thoughts and I appreciate your point of view on these issues.”

There were, of course, other comments. Your input and continued support are appreciated.

* * *

Let’s get right to it. The budget passed. Unbelievable! Embarrassing! Frightening! How out-of-it can some of the voters be? And, how uncaring and selfish can some of the other voters be? As I have repeatedly indicated, the 9.75 and $32,000 figures speak for themselves. (Interestingly, Manhasset voters rejected their budget; this community is apparently smart enough to realize what’s happening.) The bond issue passed, giving the Board permission to effectively spend money without accountability and without requiring a budget vote. Finally, the self-servicing Keefe (and former teacher union president) and the devoid-of-qualifications Sloan were again voted into office.

Here is what our intelligent and informed District members voted for. The state tax cap limit is 3.30%. The EWSD tax levy is presently 3.21%. Anyone in the reading audience believe that the EXPLOITERS ever gave some thought to freezing or reducing the tax levy? They obviously set out to work around the 3.30% increase. They would have never attempted anything else, for if they could have eliminated any waste and/or programs, it would have gone into increasing teacher salaries and benefits and/or reducing their already soft workload. Thank you EXPLOITERS.

Only a fool doesn’t understand that the EXPLOITERS, i.e., the teachers and their union, in cooperation with Kanas, Kamberg, his Board, the PTO leadership, and some of its members, are destroying our school district and ripping off the taxpayer. The present system is simply unsustainable; everyone – except the aforementioned voters – knows it. Here is what Newsday reported on 5/1/13: “School spending and tax proposals are rising across Long Island, fueled by pension costs and other staff benefits.” What they didn’t report, unfortunately, is that no one is doing anything about it. The EXPLOITERS are tickled pink to either maintain the status quo or further exploit the community. The powers to be in the Village of East Williston have settled on the sidelines and stay above the fray even though the school taxes are destroying property values and the quality of life in the Village. I also talked to the County; they claim it’s not their business even though school taxes are destroying the County. The State? With Cuomo… forget about it.

Here is what Newsday reported (5/19) regarding EWSD budgetary matters: “District officials declined to provide information on increases in teacher salaries or possible reductions to teachers or other staff under the proposed budget. They also would not specify whether any district programs would be cut or restored.” In other words, it’s not only me they want to keep in the dark, but everyone in the District. Now, that is what I call transparency. And, why do they get away with it? Many, but not all, of the voters – particularly the parents – are too dumb to know better.

Probably all in the reading audience have invested in the stock market (or the equivalent). You can win… or you can lose. But not our teachers. Our corrupt state officials, fearful of being labeled anti-education by the Teachers’ Union (the most powerful lobbying entity in the state) have guaranteed that the teachers’ pensions will not only be profitable but also cannot be reduced, altered or rescinded. And the teachers and their union are still not happy or satisfied. Gouging the taxpayer is the name of their game and the EXPLOITERS (including Kanas) are there to make sure it stays that way.

There is, of course, more. Gov. Cuomo has said: “the numbers speak for themselves –the pension system, as we know it, is unsustainable.” Gov. Christie has said: “At some point, there has to be parity between what is happening in the real world and what is happening in the public-sector world.” Under the present system, taxes will go up every year and no one can stop them unless you, the taxpayer, vote these bloated budgets down. Concessions must be made if anyone truly wants to enact change. But, don’t count on the EXPLOITERS for cooperation since it does not serve their best interests. And, it really is sad that Kanas has already joined the non-reformist forces.

Well, there’s more. Last year, someone or some organization posted signs on school grounds that read:
EWSD BUDGET PASSED
THANK YOU

I called and requested permission to put a sign on school grounds that I had prepared. It was not only denied but they also refused to indicate who paid for the sign and who approved the posting of the sign. (Two months later, the PTO was credited for this in a one-sentence statement buried in the minutes.) If the PTO is a 501C organization, i.e., a non-profit one, they are strictly forbidden to support any political issue.) Same posting this year. I called Kanas’ office and requested an explanation. No explanation was provided. (Incidentally, the signs came down the next day.)Thank you, Kanas, for confirming, at least in my eyes, that you are a perfect addition to the EXPLOITER group.

You want even more? This is another example of the EXPLOITERS at work. Here are part of the contents (not taken out of context) recently forwarded by the PTO to select parents and taxpayers:

“Please Join Concerned Residents and Teachers on June 8th in Albany at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. You are invited to attend a rally to express your support for our public schools and frustrations with the direction our children’s education is taking:
1. Too many tests
2. Not enough funding
3. A broken tax system
The Teacher’s Union is generous to provide free bus service as well as lunch to those who wish to attend this rally.”
Obviously, the most powerful lobbying entity in Albany – the teachers’ union – is attempting to, once again, intimidate our elected officials into providing increased salaries/reduce workloads and eliminating accountability for teachers. I’m still trying to find out if any taxpayer funds were used to support this “project.” Naturally, nobody knows anything. I can’t even find out how many taxpayers are dumb enough to consider supporting this scam.

The EXPLOITERS obviously are having it their way. But now, there is a new player — the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC). Their long awaited report and power point presentation is available on our school’s website. All taxpayers and parents should carefully examine it. Here are three important points that should be noted. The FAC’s charges from the EXPLOITERS include the following:

1. “FAC recommendations are not binding on the school board. However, the Board will consider the recommendations of the FAC in its deliberations regarding the ongoing fiscal operations of the District.” In other words, any meaningful recommendations regarding reform that is not in the best interests of the EXPLOITERS will be (as in the past) ignored. I’ve got a bridge to sell any FAC member who believes otherwise.

2. “Continue to advocate and demonstrate commitment to school reform.” There has NEVER been a commitment to correct the abuses, implement reform, and/or eliminate waste.

3. “The current budget, as presently recommended, represents a 3.15% increase year over year.” Thus, the 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14 budget increases are 1.92%, 2.49% and 3’15%, respectively. In effect, the budget continues to increase despite the fact that enrollment continues to decrease. Since the value of our houses is inversely proportioned to school taxes, the impossible-to-justify tax increases have also resulted in decreased house values. Did we need any other justification to vote NO on the budget?

No doubt many of you read (Newsday, 5/9/12) that our District’s ranking continues to freefall and is currently 246, down again from 55 last year. In addition, the student:teacher ratio in the top four schools on Long Island is 12, 13, 14 and 16 — as compared to our 9.75. Stuyvesant (my alma mater) is at 21. The figures simply don’t lie: the EXPLOITERS are destroying our District with the waste and indifference. We are now officially an also-ran. Even Governor Cuomo has described the school systems as “ineffective, wasteful, and bureaucratic,” and the most recent budget vote officially insures that it will stay that way.

In effect, the battle for reform has been lost. Sigi Huhn and John O’Kelly attempted valiantly to correct the corruption associated with the EXPLOITERS but both were run out of town by this group. And now, we can add Superintendent Kanas to the EXPLOITERS. Other than this newsletter, the voice of reform, representing the majority of the community, has been successfully squashed and eliminated. Most of the PTO members continue to be successfully brainwashed with every year. No opposing voice is allowed. Wheatley seniors of voting age are receiving the usual lectures from the teachers that all will be lost if the budget is defeated. The voices of reform have never — repeat the word NEVER — been allowed to discuss the budget vote and provide another perspective with these youngsters. Keep in mind that the EXPLOITERS (and those who came earlier) never approached any of the proponents of reform. This is the same group that bragged about their ability to reach out and work with the ENTIRE community. The bottom line is that they oppose any type of reform; excessive waste is the order of the day for them.

A reasonable question to ask is: why would reasonably intelligent and caring people not take action to correct the aforementioned financial abuses? The District needs to wake up; the 9.75 and $32,000 numbers speak for themselves. The answer is simply that most are not caring; they only care for their own needs irrespective of the common good…and the community pays for it because they now know that the EXPLOITERS can get away with it. Many of the key players have children (and grandchildren) and relatives working in the EWSD system, and this serves as the driving force to resist any category of reform.
What can be done? Public opinion polls (as reported by Newsday) clearly indicate that 90% of the voters oppose any tax increases. Ordinarily, dedicated and intelligent individuals would respond to a public mandate. Unfortunately, the Board is run by Kamberg, who has refused to accommodate voters, and who I believe has a past history of pursuing his own agenda, irrespective of the effect on both the schoolchildren and I taxpayers. Yes, Kamberg is only out for Kamberg. The PTO officers are only out for themselves. The teachers are only out for themselves. Apparently, Kanas is also out for herself. Add this to the 30 year old Triborough Amendment and you have school systems in place that are broken beyond repair. (The Triborough Amendment requires public employers to maintain all contractual perks for unionized public employees, including automatic “step” increases in pay after the expiration of a collective bargaining agreement; this gives unions an incentive to resist negotiating structural changes to their contracts since the status quo will be preserved even if there is no contract. It guarantees pay increases for teachers, including the requirement to finance automatic pay increases.) This is why approximately 500 applications are often received every time when there is a teacher opening.

Folks, have a great summer.
Lou Theodore

Here is what is on tap in the coming months:

July 1: On the New New York Racing Association (NYRA)
August 1: On the New Cooper Union
September 1: On Chaste, Pristine, and Random Thoughts XIX
October 1: On the Barack Hussein Obama Legacy

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