Comments for Idealist Girl!

Comment on Pulling the Plug by Kimberly Christensen

Kimberly Christensen — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:54:12 +0000

Thanks for those insights Brian. I think that governments try to address some of the socio-economic inequalities by providing extra funding to school sin lowe income areas. Which makes me think that they understand that communities without strong parent involvement require more resources – for all the reasons that you identify including lack of volunteers and quality of volunteers. And yet even that funding is woefully inadeqaute. I can’t help imagining a school system where no classroom relied on parents for completing basic tasks, and every classroom had sufficient teachers and aides to provide quality, hands-on instruction. With schools being ubiquitous, we would create millions of jobs, and jobs in every community across the nation. It’s such a nice pipe dream, isn’t it

Comment on Pulling the Plug by Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:32:23 +0000

Your quandry reminds me of a job I used to have in a large inner city public library. Our department head kept coming up with new projects, and adding services, in the hopes that we would get additional staff. We depended on the help of a few volunteers because we just didn’t have enough people. This was the kind of place where the air conditioning hardly ever worked ( library staff were forced to work in temperatures that, if we were horses, we would have been leagally required to stop working). In the winter, the snow came in through a hole in the window. We all worked really hard, and loved our jobs, but it just became too much. We never got any additional staff, and eventually we burned out and left (including the department head).
What I’m trying to say is, you probably won’t get any results by withdrawing your services, but your children’s education will suffer. They are lucky to be in a school where there are so many parents who can and do spend the time and energy to help out. Many children don’t have that luxury. Instead of going on strike, it might be more fruitful to take political action.

Most places I’ve worked have relied on volunteers, they are the unsung heros of many publicly funded and charitable organizations. We couldn’t manage without them.

Comment on Pulling the Plug by Brian J Gonzalez

Brian J Gonzalez — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:32:03 +0000

Your concerns definitely are not unsubstantiated. Your efforts and the efforts of others like you surely do mask the problems with our educational system….to a degree. However, as a parent, you’re obviously acting in the best interest of your children by trying to provide them with the best possible education regardless of the extra cost to yourself. If we look at less affluent communities (I’m assuming your community is upper middle class?) I think the problem becomes more apparent. While there are many other factors to consider as well, one that I think can not be ignored is the army of volunteers you speak of. As we move down the socioeconomic chain I don’t think we find as many volunteers available to help in the day to day activities of schools. There are more families where both parents work and less families that can afford day care allowing a parent to volunteer a few hours a day. Also and maybe more importantly, the quality of volunteers isn’t the same. I’m guessing many of the other volunteers at your school are college educated such as yourself but that just isn’t the case in poorer neighborhoods. Again, there are certainly other factors to consider (cultural, for sure) but I think you make a very valid point, Kim. It is no wonder so many inner-city schools have such abysmal drop-out rates.

I love your idea of the volunteer strike! I agree that it is a pipedream but it brings a smile to my face just the same. Pull that off and I’ll personally erect a statue to your honor.

Comment on Divestment – It’s Time to Shun the Gun by Brian J Gonzalez

Brian J Gonzalez — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 04:26:33 +0000

I definitely agree that open discussion is of the utmost importance if we are to evolve both individually and collectively. Hopefully in the future I can offer you some alternative perspectives with blog posts of my own.

I expect I’ll lose some “friends” over the FB post; especially considering many of my friends are in law enforcement. Some people will see nothing but black and white regarding flashpoint topics but unfortunately the world is gray. One thing I did notice is that aside from one person, the people who liked the post and/or comments were all of Hispanic decent. When it comes to the police, the lines are very cultural. That in itself says something.

Comment on Divestment – It’s Time to Shun the Gun by Kimberly Christensen

Kimberly Christensen — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 03:52:31 +0000

Thanks Brian. It means a lot to me that you read even though you disagree. I think it’s really important to be able to discuss ideas with people that you know. It helps open all of our minds to see things from someone else’s perspective. I read your FB post about racial profiling and I have been thinking about it all day. I can’t imagine having that experience and how that might shape my opinion.

I can hardly believe it’s been 20 years (or more!). It’s a good things our memories aren’t failing us quite yet And even though we weren’t close friends, I am glad we are still in touch!

Comment on All in Favor, Hold Hands by brianjg72

brianjg72 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 02:00:17 +0000

My hands are extended.

Comment on Divestment – It’s Time to Shun the Gun by brianjg72

brianjg72 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 01:50:58 +0000

Very well stated, Kim. I enjoyed reading it very much. I support your (and my) “right to life and the pursuit of happiness” but I disagree with almost everything else. I lack your eloquence so I won’t try to get debate the issue with you, but I just wanted say this is impressive, nonetheless.

I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future.

On another note, it has been over twenty years, hasn’t it? Although we’re never great friends in school, you were always one of the few classmates that I held in high esteem. That hasn’t changed.

Comment on Divestment – It’s Time to Shun the Gun by Kimberly Radtke

Kimberly Radtke — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:39:25 +0000

Great thoughts Kimberly! Thanks so much!

Comment on No Sleigh Required by Rosemary

Rosemary — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 01:15:08 +0000

I love the way you expressed yourself and your beliefs.I am so glad you are content with the way you have chosen to celebrate this time of year. You and Dave are good, thoughtfilled people.

Comment on No Sleigh Required by Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:44:47 +0000

I don’t think it bothered me when I came to the conclusion that Santa was my parents (it upset my parents more when I explained the truth to my younger brother). Even as adults we had gifts from ‘Santa’ often a special treat, but never outrageously expensive (and not always from our parents – we siblings gave our parents or each other gifts anonymously this way). Often it was some treasure gleaned from a flea market or yard sale, hand made, or home baked (shiny & new is boring – anyone can buy that stuff). I stil do this with my family. Every family has their own traditions. I abhore the commercialization of the whole season. On the other hand, I’m glad of the excuse Christmas gives me to think of something useful, fun, or slightly indulgent that I can give to someone I love. It’s a very hard season for people who don’t have any money (been there). It takes courage, creativity, and most of all humility – because people who love you will want to spoil you all the more, and you can’t reciprocate.