Glenn's Daily Script » Soapbox

Math and Science in schools

Glenn — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:27:20 +0000

This year I have been thrilled to be involved with Xander (5th grade) and his classes science program. It’s an interesting program that is trying to teach the Scientific Method through simple experiments. Xander’s teacher (Miss Hopper) is doing quite a good job guiding the kids through the curriculum. The amount of science being done is also great with 4 days a week for an hour each day (though we took December off).

It’s not always been so great though. In previous years (including Mitchell’s current 3rd grade year), the curriculum seems to have 3 or 4 short units in science which they only spend 1-2 times per week on. I’ve voiced my concern about this to the Principal and am hopeful based on Xander’s class.

Later this week, I’m also going to a School District meeting on changes to the math curriculum. I’m not sure what to expect though our state (Washington) is not in a good position in relationship to other states and it’s math curriculum. It’s very sad.

The state and local school district have done a great job over the last few decades to increase literacy. The programs around literacy and the way they use other areas (including science and math) to increase literacy is quite phenomenal. The problem though is that they have made all these gains at the cost of science and math.

I hope to see this change over the time my children attend school. Xander and Mitchell both understand how important these subjects are and enjoy both of them quite a bit.

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Math and Science in schools

Dell Customer Service – A Review

Glenn — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:30:53 +0000

As I’ve said in many past posts, I’ve become primarily a Mac user. However, I’m not one of those snobby Mac users that must only buy Apple products. I’m someone who likes to get value for my money where I can. So when I needed a larger monitor for my new Mac Pro (this was a few years ago), I got a Dell 24 inch monitor and have loved it.

Last April, I decided to become a 2 monitor guy and because of such a good experience, I got another Dell 24 inch monitor.

This one though, I’ve had some problems with. The monitor doesn’t wake up from sleep after the computer has gone to sleep consistently. Sometimes it works great and other times, the new monitor wakes up for a second (though not long enough to show anything) and then goes back to sleep (showing a Dell message box saying so). The latter has been happening more and more.

I contacted Dell Technical Support and after an initial hiccup (you better have your original invoice if you are calling them about a peripheral and not a full system!), I got to someone and explained my problem and after about a 20 minute conversation, he authorized a new monitor to be sent to me to replace my defective one.

This is another example of great customer service (see my T-Mobile) comments.

T-Mobile Customer Support Rocks!

Glenn — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:23:53 +0000

A few days ago, Kathy and I went to a local T-Mobile store to look at the new MyTouch 3G which we had seen via a friend (who actually works at T-Mobile). We wanted to play with it a bit longer and really explore the keyboard, browser and ask a few questions around synching.

We had a great time until we tried to buy 2 of them (one for each). We had only completed 17 months on our contract and the store couldn’t find a way to let us buy them unless we were willing to pay double the $199 contract rate (which was only about $80 less than full price). We were very frustrated (me, more than Kathy as she’s a patient person).

Well, I decided to see if I could talk directly to T-Mobile and maybe find a way. I called 611 on my current phone and got to a Customer Care Representative. She was very nice but couldn’t really help me. At least until I indicated that we might look to changing carriers then she said she would transfer me to Customer Retention. Customer Retention immediately said that yes, we could do it and after going through their required hoops, we had the phone ordered.

In the end, it took 2 people and less than 20 minutes. I’d say that it was a great experience and I came out a very satisfied customer.

Health care reform

Glenn — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:18:19 +0000

I just finished listening to Meet the Press and a good portion of the hour was on health care reform.

My problem with the direction that Congress and the President is taking is that they are talking about compromise and secondarily about the ultimate cost.

I, as a voter, don’t care about compromise. I care about a program that works. To me, there should be a way to get health care from the government. It could be some sort of fall back program but it needs to be there as a safety net. Also, a government or one-payer program is likely to cause some sort of price competition amongst the retailers of health care insurance. As a buyer of such programs, they need something that can control costs. I’m not saying that a company shouldn’t make money but when a company can up rates by 40%, that isn’t right. Compromise isn’t going to get us something that works. What it’s likely to do is force Congress into trying some crazy program that is only supported by some crazy theory that has little or no evidence that it works.

I do care about the cost of a program like this but I’d like more thinking going into how this program can affect cost to the tax payer both directly and indirectly. If the above government or one payer program exists, it is likely to spurn competition in the health care insurers and lower cost indirectly through that competition. Also, if this government or one payer program exists, it’s likely to require some control over actual health care costs (such as prescriptions, doctor charges, hospital charges, …) and that would be a more direct cost benefit to me as a tax payer.

Ideology and partisanship is causing the elected officials to forget what they are responsible for and that is producing legislation that works and benefits the tax payer. Right now, I’m not confidant that we will see this instead we are likely to see something that doesn’t work and satisfies no one.

UNDO – May post here

Glenn — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:51:14 +0000

I’ve decided to re enable this blog. I’ve decided that occasionally I want to say things that don’t belong in my woodworking blog (check it out at http://www.thisweekinwood.com).

See you soon.!

Money Discipline

Glenn — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:21:35 +0000

No one would ever mistake me for an ultra frugal person. Most of my life if I saw something I wanted, I bought it (maybe not right away but soon). That is not to say I haven’t bought those things by looking for the best deal because I have. But someone who buys everything they want (ok that’s more than I did but not far off) is not someone truly out to save money.

The current economic situation has me concerned though. Kathy and I decided that spending time with our kids as they grow up was the most important thing. About 6 years ago, we looked at our finances and figured that if we watched our money closely we could make it work so that we both could be at home. The current economic situation means 1 of 2 things for us. One option would be to cut to the bone which drastically changes our lifestyle (I don’t mean to imply a poverty like lifestyle but any drastic change in one’s lifestyle is hard on individuals and families). The second option would be to have one or both of us go back to work which in most ways is also a drastic lifestyle change.

We are waiting a few more months to see how this settles out.

I have notices in my personal behavior though that I am starting to have some modicum of money discipline. I have noticed over the last 4 months or so that when I see something that looks useful, interesting, desirable that I look into it and research it a bit just like I always have. The difference though is that I ask myself the question is do I need it, truly need it. As more time passes, the answer is more and more often no and I close out all my research and forget it.

This behavior change is drastic.

My motivation is many fold. It includes that I’ve grown fond of how life is working for myself but the really big point is the effect that it would have on my family if I needed to change our lifestyle in a radical way (i.e. going back to work). My boys wouldn’t get to have me walk them to school. I probably wouldn’t be able to do projects with them like building skateboards. Many other impacts too numerous to mention too.

The market changes are starting to become smaller but I can’t tell if we are near the �bottom�. I know many people have things worse so I have a lot of empathy for them and hope for all of us that we start leveling out soon.

Taxes

Glenn — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:26:22 +0000

Yes, as an individual I would love to have less taxes. Less taxes give me more spending and saving money which makes life simpler.

In reality though, I am a bit of an altruist. This streak in me makes me want the appropriate amount of taxes for everyone.

I bring this up for 2 reasons.

First, President-Elect Obama has a recovery plan that includes tax cuts and tax credits for most of the citizenry. Yes, money for the lowest income earners could get them to spend a bit but for the middle class it won’t. Those people will spend on mortgages, food, car payments and things they are already spending on. If there is money left, they will save it in our current environment. Obama is doing what politicians always do and giving us something that he thinks will make us happy regardless of the true impact. I think given the current situation, most voters want something that will really fix the problem and not just a sugar pill.

The second reason is that I’ve seen Pelosi bring up the tax cuts that Bush gave the wealthy. She wants them repealed right now. Obama wants to wait until he has the lay of the land. Again, most of the voters want a real solution. My favorite is to get rid of special interest in taxes and just go flat. It may not happen but let’s go do something real and change the tax code to get rid of special interest.

Listen to the people – don’t placate us!

What is Change?

Glenn — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:26:30 +0000

Ok, we’ve just elected someone who defined himself and his candidacy based on change. What is it or really, what should change be?

I’ve heard and read discussion that change is about bringing new approaches to everything. I think these written and spoken conversations define new approaches as something truly new and never been tried.

I think that definition is inadequate. I think this for 2 reasons. First, new approaches that are untried and untested and by those definitions very risky. We want change not failure. Second, the last eight years and to some degree the last 16 (because Clinton exhibited some of these traits too) had an uncooperative legislative and executive branch that not only bordered on hostility but crossed that border often. I think based on that the change we want is something different that these last 8-16 years.

Now, that being said, I do believe that some new approaches that are untried and untested are good additions to a whole and complete approach that includes these new approaches as well as tested and true approaches.

What I’d like to see is a positive and cooperative Washington that looks out for it’s citizens rather than focusing on corporations. What I’d like to see is a Washington that has some strong successes on the issues that are important to the citizens and are not overly compromised on making the results non-useful to it’s citizens.

Change needs to be something that works for our country and it’s citizens.

Dear Mr. Obama

Glenn — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:12:02 +0000

I voted for you.

I saw and heard lots about hope and change. I certainly believe in these times we could use both.

I saw and heard bits and pieces of your policies. Many of them sound smart.

What I hope that you can deliver on though is something else.

I would like to see and hear about integrity. I would like to see and hear that the citizens of this great country are put before the interests of large corporations or the government itself. I would like to see and hear about keeping promises that are made.

Citizens have not been supported by our elected officials for far too long. This includes areas like copyright enforcement to rights to privacy.

When you make a promise, I would like to see you keep it. And when circumstances force compromises that eliminate promises or compromise the intent of the promises, I would like to see you not go the exact direction.

Integrity is difficult when you are in the position of compromising in order to do important work but still, I would like to see you act in the highest integrity. That means not compromising in the wrong areas or compromising too much. It’s a tough balance but as has said about the job you are about to take: �The buck stops here!�

Yes, I hope that you can get our troops home and help unify the world. Yes, I hope that you can solve our financial issues.

But don’t forget that while you take on these challenges, we (Americans) are looking for a rebirth of integrity, honesty and putting our interests ahead of others.

Good luck! Sincerely,
—- Glenn

Guitar Practice

Glenn — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:21:08 +0000

So for the past three years, I have been actively working to learn how to play the guitar. My view on what this means has changed over these three years.

When I first started, I wanted to learn to play chords so I could play campfire songs. My first year or so was with a teacher who taught me exactly that. He would occasionally insert music learning or technique learning but I would resist it and back we would go to songs.

After a while though I realized that my memory of campfire guitar players was clouded. In the beginning, I thought that playing campfire songs was playing the hyper simple versions of any song. I was wrong and realized this when I revisited my memories. Guitar players that were comfortable playing campfire songs were often very skilled yet never in your face about their skills. Yes, they would play simple songs with chords but they would also have complex strumming patterns, finger picking, actual guitar riffs and other elements that made the songs more interesting and fun.

So I changed teachers and began learning technique, music theory, and a more complete view of guitar playing. At first, it was great but after a short time I had an issue. I stopped having a focused practice.

About a month ago, I began the process of refocusing my guitar practices. I defined ahead of time what I was going to work on. I defined the length of time to practice. I either picked a time when my family wasn’t around and asked them to respect my practice time. About 2 weeks ago, it started clicking again and I feel like my progress forward is more definitive rather than haphazard.

It does seem that you can take 10 years to learn something but if you put some mental focus and effort behind it you can greatly shorten that time and be more satisfied with your day to day progress.

Decisions

Glenn — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:16:41 +0000

I’m not the sort that loves to discuss politics (outside of this blog of course) but I also don’t steer away from it.

In my occasional discussions, I find there are a few sorts of people with regards to political discussions.

One type are people that seem to relish talking politics. Sometimes, these people are knowledgeable and sometimes they aren’t. They may be open to different points of view or they may be fixed in their views. Often the passion they have for politics, or more specifically their view point can be very uncomfortable.

Another type are people that will talk politics but clearly don’t seek it out. These folks may be comfortable with their view point but also open to other views – even if those views may work towards changing their own view point. I feel that these people in many ways are the strongest democrats (not party, rather supporters of democracy).

Another type are people who run away from political discussion. I’m sure this category can be further categorized but I fear that the majority of this group is made up of people who are not very knowledgeable, do not desire to know more, and are comfortable with their uninformed view point. I suspect that the majority of the electorate may fit into this group.

I hope guesses on the last group are untrue and instead hope that our electorate is made up of primarily group 2.

FISA, Renewal, and Obama

Glenn — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:42:19 +0000

There have been some negotiations in Congress regarding the FISA renewal.

FISA is the law put into place after 9/11 that gave US Government agencies extraordinary powers to investigate people. To me, the law is not only not necessary but also puts our government on a direct path to a police state. No, it’s not one with this law but once you enable the discardment of individual rights, you will start asking for more invasive and offensive rules.

The renewal is bad enough since we have a Democratically controlled congress. Democrat’s seem to be unable to distance themselves from the tactics of fear that we have seen from Bush’s administration. Yes, we need tools to investigate crimes, terrorism and such but those tools existed before and FISA, for the most part, just eliminated oversight.

Not only is FISA being renewed but they are adding immunity to the Telephone Companies for participating in an illegal activity. Our representatives in political office are finding it impossible to not to take the interests of Corporations over the citizens that elect them. Even candidates that start off talking the talk about citizens and their rights make too many compromises for Corporations.

The most disappointing person to do that recently has been the Democratic presumptive nominee, Barak Obama, who has come out in support of the current FISA Renewal bill which again is bad in what it enables but also includes immunity for the Teleco’s.

When will we get a politician that can be elected, stay elected, and have influence over other politicians and the electorate that will stand up for citizens rights including privacy, fair use, and the multitude of other issues that have been sacrificed to the Corporations?

UPDATE: Ok, here is at least one politician out there doing the right thing. Check out NM Sen. Tom Udall via Daily Kos and here is some of what he said:

The FISA bill we considered today would compromise the constitutionally guaranteed rights that make America a beacon of hope around the world.

UPDATE 2: I just saw that Barak Obama has issued a statement (perhaps to clarify) that he supports the FISA renewal bill but will work to remove the section granting immunity to the Telephone Companies. This is partially good news but again, he’s taking fear pressure and accepting that we need the FISA rules at all.

Obama on Race in America

Glenn — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:36:08 +0000

Today, Barack Obama made an amazing speech on Race in America today (3/18/08) though it was far more personal to him and to anyone who reads it (see the link above) or anyone who watches it (youtube).

I find it hard to say anything about this speech that I haven’t already read. It is worth reading or watching.

More Presidential Race Comments

Glenn — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:23:23 +0000

After yesterday’s comments on Hillary Clinton’s actions and directions, I wanted to add some additional comments to make clear that not everything either candidate in the Democratic party has done has been right or wrong.

I’m not a big believer in negative campaigning but I also don’t want a candidate to be weak. A negative campaign is one where comments are made about the opposing campaign that are predominately negative and often unsubstantiated but more importantly they are unbalanced in that they are not accompanied by the appropriate views from the candidate issuing the negative campaign comments. That is just wrong.

I do support the notion of contrast and compare. Contrast and compare campaigning is one where comments are made about the opposing campaign that may be negative but most importantly are about the opposing campaigns policies and are most definitely substantiated and then followed but supported views from the candidate issuing the contrast and compare campaign comments.

Hillary has done both negative campaigning and contrast and compare campaigning. The negative campaigning has been done through surrogates and some adds. The contrast and compare campaigning has been done through her own speeches, surrogates, and adds. I’d like Hillary to drop the negative campaign strategy elements entirely and move entirely to the contrast and compare. As I described in my other post and given her strategy to date, this may be to big a move for her to make at this late date though.

Obama has not done a lot of negative campaigning or contrast and compare campaigning (at least against Hillary) until recently. I’m glad the reports on negative campaigning have been low and remain low. I’d like to see an increase in the contrast and compare campaign style as this will add additional strength to his campaign yet keep his positive image. He has shown he is capable of this strong approach against McCain so I think he can do it against Clinton.

Hillary Clinton’s Campaign

Glenn — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:51:22 +0000

I’ve seen a lot of posts recently regarding a variety of topics that make me question the integrity of Hillary Clinton and her campaign.

My political leanings could be called fiscally conservative yet socially liberal. This tends to put me in the Democratic camp. With the current candidates, I certainly favor Obama but until recently I figured I would vote for Clinton if Obama didn’t make it as the nominee. That being said, I’m not sure who I would vote for if Obama wasn’t the nominee since I know I couldn’t vote for McCain.

My observations on Hillary Clinton stem from her overall strategy and her approach on her team/delegates.

First, on her strategy she seems to want to win the nomination at all costs including if it kills the Democrats chance at truly winning the White House. She seems to be willing to alienate everyone and anyone that will not get her the nomination. Doesn’t she see that there are a lot of new Democrats that have gotten into this race because they are inspired by Obama? They would stay and support her if they felt their candidate lost to her fair and square but if they felt their candidate lost through dishonest methods then they might stay home and the advantage the Democrats have would suddenly disappear – numbers of voters. It does seem that her husband lost both Houses during his Presidency so maybe it’s a family strategy.

Another strategy I read about is that Clinton is asking her larger supporters to threaten the DNC that they will pull support if they don’t seat the delegates from Florida and Michigan or support a re-vote. This is blackmail. There is no other way to describe it if it is accurate. Also, it is trying to mislead people into thinking that the states primaries were fair when they were not and were in violation of rules and did not have all the candidates listed nor had all the candidates campaigned in the states. Misleading people is just another way of lying. Is this the ethics we want in a President?

Next, when someone on your team misrepresents you or represents you in a way that you feel is wrong and against your beliefs, then you need to shut it down in terms that no one can question. So far, Obama has done that even though it clearly means he has pushed allies aside. When Ferraro started to talk about race in the very ugly way she did (whether or not it was what she meant or not is beside the point it was interpreted and viewed as ugly), Clinton should have immediately shut it down and asked Ferraro to step down.

Some of the press think this might be smart strategy plays by Clinton but I think that is because these press members think that “Joe Public” are stupid. They are wrong!!! The public know and see what is happening. The only people that see this in a different way are avid or rabid Clinton supporters.

I’m still not sure what I will do in the end but Hillary Clinton has chosen a path that has made me doubt whether or not I will support her in the end.