Letter to Dad on Owen's Bar Mitzvah

Dad - you missed another wonderful bar mitzvah this weekend. Owen did an amazing job reading Torah and you would have been so proud of him. He persevered through the pandemic extending his studies for 5 more months to give us a perfect day. The day, the service and everything else was as unique as he is. Owen is becoming such a smart capable young man. He is wise beyond his years and possesses an intellectual curiosity that reminds us of you. He is really enjoying being in the Boy Scouts, being outside and learning valuable skills that he will be able to apply for the rest of his life.

Unfortunately you passed away almost 10 years ago now and have missed so much of our lives. Jacob and Mollie have also grown into amazing young adults who are following their own individual paths to find personal fulfillment that will hopefully lead them to years of happiness and joy.

I think I do #Movember because you were taken way too soon and way too young. If I can prevent this from happening to other men, other fathers than I think I will have done something good for all the rest of the sons and daughters out there who have experienced similar loss.

You are a hard act to follow. Your giving, your compassion and your kindness live on in me. I try to live up to the standards you not only taught me but showed me through your everyday actions.

That’s all for now. I wish you were here but have used this experience to try to make myself a better person. It’s an ongoing project that hopefully gives me a lot time to perfect.

Https://mobro.co/herzstache

Remeber the 5th of November, its in our hands and our hands only

So for 10 years, I have used the Guy Fawkes image as a cheeky way to talk about #Movember, but my fellow MoBro Anthony Nater posted this and it really resonated with me and worth sharing

"What ridiculousness aimed to destroy democracy will transpire tomorrow???      🙏🏼.   I finally understand  that we will never have a leader in this great nation that can bring us all together.  No politician will ever be accountable and I feel foolish for always holding that false hope. We will be forced to eventually rise up and come together ourselves to weed out the BS that our broken political system uses to fuel the hatred and fear that divides us further and further apart.   It’s in our hands and our hands only.   If anything this pandemic has taught us, is that we still have the moral ground to come together and support one another in dire times. We need a change that no one person is capable of providing.      I’m tired, very tired ..."

I have been asking friends on both sides, what is the end game for the division we are sowing, and what do we need to do in order to become united again? Continuing to spew hate, and believing the worse of your neighbor,  your fellow citizen is not the path forward.  It is the path to destruction, disunion and no longer the United States as we currently know it. Maybe its better, maybe its not, I don't know.  But I would like to request you think about what you post, as Anthony is right, this in our hands and our hands only.  

Please support the stache:  Https://mobro.co/herzstache  

What do we need to do to put the United back in the United States? - Election 2020 Thoughts and Ruminations

What do we need to do to put the United back in the United States?

That is the thought I have been having all day. I am seeing concern from both sides today which I guess is good and bad depending upon your perspective. I think we need to ask this question repeatedly over the coming weeks thinking about what each one of us can do to unite and not divide.

Regardless of tonight’s outcome we all need to demand and emphasize unity to whomever is elected. They do not just govern for you and what you believe in. They govern all of us in spite of all our warts, hemorrhoids and other various maladies.

Somewhere along the line our elected officials shifted to a my way or the highway approach that has not benefitted us collectively and has driven a chasm between our citizens. We need to push them back to compromise and putting our priorities over their priorities. The political parties have drifted further apart causing a vacuum that sucked everyone out of the middle. I assume most of us reside in the middle ideologically where we want to live in peace, raise our families and chase the American Dream as each of us sees fit.

United we stand divide we fall. If we don’t figure out a way to come together than we will most assuredly fall apart into civil unrest or worse. Is that what you really want? If so please stop reading now and just unfriend me.

We are not the Fascist Republican States of America or Socialists Democratic States of America. We are not red state and blue states we are all hues of purple mountains majesty. We are the UNITED STATES of AMERICA and it’s time that We the People start acting like it.

We are Americans. We all love our country and we all love it differently. We may not agree with how that love is shown but we all want those things guaranteed to all citizens Life Liberty and the Pursuit or Happiness

We have to stop allowing politicians to divide us. We have to stop the media from reporting on this like it’s a sporting event with winners and losers. We all win or we all lose. We have to stop believing that we hate or neighbor or your neighbor hates this country. We have to stop with the name calling and following the empty rhetoric spewed by talking heads and shared on social media.

I honestly don’t know what I can do to prevent what feels like an inevitable train wreck. It’s like watching the Titanic as it steams towards the iceberg unable to turn enough to avoid its frozen fate at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

What are you going to do to unite us? What are you going to do to help, not hurt, your neighbor or your fellow countryman?

Amy Coney Barrett vs Rep Ilhar Omar and Religious extremism

This was posted on a friends facebook page, and I could not stay quiet 

This example is of course non sensical since you are talking about two different things like comparing apples to oranges. Representative Omar was elected by her constituents in Minnesota and they chose to accept her for whatever reasons which we can agree or disagree with, but she is not your representative.  For the record I have no idea, nor do I care anything about Rep Omar religious background or extremity.  She is allowed to believe however she chooses as long as it does not impact or infringe upon my rights.  If you are outraged because she is an extreme Muslim than you should be equally enraged about the extreme Christians being elected in the rest of the country. I find some of those people insane, but they have sold their constituents, so it is what it is. Either you believe in freedom of religion or not. Again, you can’t have it both ways.

If representative Omar was going to be appointed for the rest of her life to the Supreme Court after spending her entire life promoting extremes sharia law (again, not saying she does say this or not, just using this as an example) that conflict with the core principles of our constitution then I too would have an issue with that nomination.

So, to me it is not a question of ACB being Christian or catholic that is an issue it is her extreme views within that ideology that is the issue. I would not support a Hasidic Jewish follower being nominated either. We need jurists who are more focused on their interpretation of law and not on religious extremes. Although I abhor the rights hypocrisy regarding Merrick garland versus this one, I understand they have a right to nominate a candidate. I assume they could have found a less controversial candidate that would most likely have achieved their political agenda. Instead the goal is clearly to divide and continue to fight. Would the left have protested any candidate, absolutely after Garland, but at least they would have less of a leg to stand on and they not nominated a religious zealot

Finally, then I have to go to work we also need to stop catering to the extremes and figure out how we get back to the center where I do believe 40% of the country prefers to be. But maybe I am just old fashioned

Then again, someone pointed out how is the first image different from this one? 

So the president has the COVID - Or does he?

So I wake this morning to see the president claims to have COVID.  This has not been confirmed publicly by any independent medical professional associated with the health of the POTUS, but let’s just assume for now that this is true, because he has been so truthful and has never lied to the American Public so there is no reason to doubt him.  

If true, then I certainly hope he and the first lady get well and are not too severely impacted as I don't want to wish ill on anyone.  If this winds up being false and another distraction, then shame on him.  Unfortunately he has proven that there is no depth that he is willing to sink (slink) in order to keep the media spotlight shining on him.

Update:  The presidents personal physician does confirm the diagnosis, but I have no reason to believe this person is also not tainted, like anyone else in this administration, who is going to say whatever the president tells him to say.  There is no credibility left or rather I have no shits left to give. 

Not surprisingly, I have seen the left gleefully and perhaps ironically laughing at this news.  Now I can completely understand why they may be reacting this way. The president has repeatedly told us that this is not a big deal, in spite of more than 200,000 Americans dead.  He withheld information from the public “to prevent panic” in March.  He has not built a cohesive national strategy to combat the virus allowing states to go it alone causing this to continue to spiral with no apparent end.  He has discouraged the wearing of masks and politicized the science during a global pandemic.  He has downplayed the severity, even ignoring hoping it will go away, while also not lifting a finger to show an ounce of empathy for those 7.3 million who have been sick or shown any sympathy to the families of those who have died.  Finally, he failed to inform the Biden team of these results prior to the public statement.  This simply scratches the surfaces of why they are reveling in this news significantly piercing his armor for the first time.  So yes, there is a karma component to the news this morning and honestly it is rightfully deserved.

Now on the flip side, I am seeing my friends on the right, clutching their pearls shocked that the left would so disrespect the POTUS, and wondering how such a thing can occur.  To those I ask, what reaction be if the shoe were on the other foot?  What would you do if this were Obama or Hilary or Biden?  90% of you would be laughing your asses off calling them snowflakes, saying they deserve it, without seeing one ounce of your hypocrisy in your statements.  And if memory serves, he blasted Hilary in 2016 when she had the pneumonia in October, and claimed she was too feeble to be president, which you all bought into hook, line and sinker.  

The right says you would like to see compassion, but show me where he has shown any compassion for anyone who does not support him?  You say you are appalled by the hate spewing from the left, but yet you say liberalism is a disease and are mentally disabled for supporting the left.  You blame the main stream media (MSM) saying its fake news, but simultaneously spew different lies perpetuated by the propaganda wing of the right.  The left has been told they are unpatriotic because they don’t masturbate over the flag.  The left has been told to leave the country if they don't like what is happening.  How would you like the left react to this?  Do you expect them to simply roll over and simply obey like a dog?  

The hate goes both ways and until both sides stop doing it the chasm will only continue to grow.  

The fact is this president has done nothing to unify the country, he has not made any effort to make those on the left to feel any part of this country.  THAT IS HIS JOB!!   They have been treated by this president as if they are a bug under the shoe of capitalism that deserves to be squished.  

Oh I know, the right will say Obama was the worst president ever. he was coming after our guns, he was invading Texas, he gave everything away to Iran, blah, blah, blah. None of which happened.  These were all fear tactics used and shockingly, none of them came to fruition.  

For the record, Biden is not a patsy about to drop dead, allowing Harris to be president.  The left is not controlled by Bernie Sanders and AOC, and a Biden presidency will not usher a new age of socialism into the United States.  Please read up on Socialism and Fascism, checking your bias at the door, and decide for yourself  which one we are actually closer to right now.  

I am fucking sick of the division, the inability to empathize with the other side, the ease of spewing hate while shredding and eviscerating the other side on social media, without any consideration of who benefits and who profits by the every growing division they are perpetuating   

Color me skeptical but until a real independent medical professional confirms this diagnosis, I am going to assume this is more a political strategy than medical crisis

So let me get this straight

So let me get this straight

Its alright for the police to be judge jury and executioner if you are black and don't comply with their commands?

Its not alright for the public to question the actions of police officers who do act egregiously?

Its alright if the police infringe upon a person rights (by perhaps acting as judge, jury and executioner) if that person has criminal background?

Its alright that victims were murdered because they were out after murder? 

Its alright for unregulated militia to patrol our streets and shoot citizens, who are exercising their 1st amendment rights, without the police stopping or questioning this patrolling?

Its alright for unregulated militia to shoot and kill, while claiming they are defending property that is not their property 

Its alright for the police to not confront a white person armed with an assault rifle, but not alright for a black man to have a knife on the floor of his car? 

Its alright for a white minor, armed with an assault rifle to wave to the police in the middle of a chaotic situation, and the police give the minor a bottle of water? 

Its alright for a minor to cross state lines with an assault rifle, to defend property that is not his own? 

Its alright for a white minor to shoot and kill white protesters, exercising their 1st amendment rights, and then be hailed as a hero?  

Its alright and exonerates a murderer if they spent time doing voluntary community service prior to committing murder? 

Its alright for armed protesters to drive through the streets of a city, spraying mace and shooting paint pellets at innocent bystanders? 

Its alright to use the White House for political purposes in clear violation of the Hatch Act? 

Its alright to flaunt centuries of precedent simply to own the libs?

Its alright to donate millions of dollars to an alleged murderer to help offset his defense costs?  

Why is murder an appropriate response to property damage, but property damage isn't an appropriate response to murder?

What is the End Game?

 What is the End Game? 

Has anyone considered the end game of the upcoming election? No, I am not talking about Thanos snapping his fingers and removing half the country which disagreed with your candidate. 

But seriously, are we prepared and has anyone thought about the path we are headed?

If the toddler-in-chief wins another electoral college victory (legitimately or not) or if it goes to the state legislatures the majority in the left will be very upset to say the least.  The right won’t care about what happens to the left, as all the seem to care about is owning the libs.

 CBS says they care more about this than lowering taxes, controlling covid, and healthcare reform

So, let’s assume that regardless of the partisan makeup of Congress, Trump will continue to drive his own agenda as agreed upon at the RNC and have little or no resistance from his party.  He will continue to push the bounds of ethics, to evade the law, as no one has held him accountable to his oath of office. He will continue to prop up fringe groups, promote conspiracy theories and do anything else to support those who show him the love. So essentially four more years of the same.  Now that is apparently what the right wants.

What do they expect the left to do?  I am sure they are not going to roll over and just accept this minority rule of law, and I am sure they will still try to push their agenda in the states they still control much to the chagrin of 75% of registered republican voters.  Okay, now you are owning the libs, you got what you want, do you expect to crush them under your foot?  Do you expect to deport 50-60% of the citizens since you believe the hate the country?  As the right has no agenda other than to prevent the democratic agenda, and have no desire to effectively govern as they simply want to blow up the existing

As the liar-in-chief refuses to compromise or negotiate with the left, we can expect the ACA to be repealed, we can expect greater tax breaks for corporations with little or no break for individuals, we can expect the military complex to continue to grow, we should expect Social Security and Medicare to go away, more sick and dead from the mismanaged pandemic, and more POC killed in the streets where unregulated militias wander the streets claiming to be patriots charged with restoring order.  If they retain the senate then we can also expect more unqualified judges to be put into lifetime appointments.  They are trying to build a utopia that never existing while ultimately killing the basis of our democracy that has stood for the past 244 years in order to achieve a vision that never existed

Now, let’s assume Biden wins, we already know that some of Trumps most rabid supporters and others are certainly going to call into question the validity of the outcome. I can see anywhere from 30-50% of the country stating Biden is not a legitimate victor and will refuse to accommodate or agree to be led by anyone from the left. I do think Biden will attempt to lead from the middle, and will try to speak for all Americans, but if a large percentage don’t accept this leadership, what is left?  If the Senate remains in Republican control, we can assuredly see another log jam of nothing happening, similar to what the turtle promised during Obama’s inauguration and certainly what we saw with the nomination of Merrick Garland.

So What is the End Game?

Do the rabid supporters want the country to be torn apart since they claim to hate the left?

Do they support minority rulers who can do as they please as long as the system in rigged in their favor, turning the US into an apartheid South Africa circa 1980? 

Is the left justified to attempt secession claiming states’ rights and majority rules (assuming 45 only wins the electoral college and not the popular vote) in order to fracture the union?  

Do we descend into mob rule in order to overthrow a duly elected government? (This can apply to either side)

How do we avoid this?

 

Yesterday I was angry, sad, seriously concerned about the direction of our country

 Yesterday I was angry, sad, seriously concerned about the direction of our country 

We have both parties, as alleged representatives of the population, sniping at each other as the entire country seemingly moves in two opposite directions, while living together in two parallel realities unwilling or unable to understand why the other sees the world as they do.  There is no desire to talk, to compromise, to agree, to find a common understanding. 

We are too quick to paint our neighbor as our enemy, as hate spews forth from our posts, while we remain cordial to each other in our backyards.  We have turned an international pandemic into political squabbling where everyone has become an expert in infectious diseases when most of us barely passed high school science or college stats, but we are still able to find memes and graphs which support what we are being told by those politicians that benefit and honestly don’t care if we get sick or not.

Side note: Wear a fucking mask, what is the downside?

We have another black man shot in the back, in his car, in front of his children in Kenosha WI by the police captured on video.  We are told we cannot believe what we saw with our eyes (hello Orwellian images of 1984).  We have both sides screaming back at each other, not listening to what the other side is saying.  We have one side saying we should have unquestioning faith in their ability to make hard decisions while subsequently taking away the public’s ability to question that judgement.  Who then should hold the police accountable to serve and protect without allowing them to also be the judge, jury and executioner?

We have one side stating pure lies about the other side, with no interest in understanding why they are not true but spreading them simply to support their perspective of demonizing the opposition and reinforcing what they want to believe to be true. People believe these lies without as much questioning the validity of them or wondering about the outlandishness of the claims and then try to paint the other half of the American population as believing those lies to be true. 

Everything is being framed in finite terms, with only black and white world with no shades of grey and no color spectrum what-so-ever, and nothing in the middle.  We have people believing ridiculous conspiracy theories and believing egregious lies, making it easier to hate and demonize the opposition. 

There is no way we can continue down the path we are going without some sort of major collision that will end poorly for us as a country. 

If the toddler in chief wins then the left is furious especially if it is yet another electoral college victory only.  If Biden wins, I assume at least 30% of the country will believe the fix is in (as that is what they have been told). The other problem is if Biden wins, I believe he will attempt to govern the entire country, and those same 30% will refuse to be led by him, driving a larger wedge into our society. How will the progressives react when he pivots rights to appease? Will the turtle try to block all executive agenda points if they retain the senate, like he did with Obama? There is no positive outcome in any of these scenarios. The only question I have is Biden going to be a replay of James Buchanan or Abraham Lincoln (not necessarily rising to the occasion, but as for the precipice of the next Civil War)

What is the end game for either side? I am not sure they care as they are all lining their pockets with the decisiveness.  Everyone gets rewarded by this except those that have the most to lose, We the People.  Until we decide it is enough, and the politicians need to speak for us, not for corporations, not for lobbyists, not for the media, then we will continue moving at light speed awaiting the collision. Maybe a meteor hitting Earth the day before our elections is a good idea, but also a very American centric perspective as it would screw everyone else on the planet too. 

 Do we all support another Civil War?  Are we ready to send our kids to war with our neighbors?  Would we accept a secession of some states similar to what the traitorous Confederacy tried in 1860? I don’t believe the geographic break is as easy as it was then, as we have many states divided, are those going to fracture as well? 

Is this the future?

The Unraveling of America - Rolling Stone

"How can the rest of the world expect America to lead on global threats — climate change, the extinction crisis, pandemics — when the country no longer has a sense of benign purpose, or collective well-being, even within its own national community? Flag-wrapped patriotism is no substitute for compassion; anger and hostility no match for love. Those who flock to beaches, bars, and political rallies, putting their fellow citizens at risk, are not exercising freedom; they are displaying, as one commentator has noted, the weakness of a people who lack both the stoicism to endure the pandemic and the fortitude to defeat it.” –

Quotes from What does it mean to be an American?

Becoming American means following the rules. It means respecting your neighbors, in your own neighborhood. —Francine Sharp, 73, retired teacher in Kansas (born in Kansas)

If you work hard, you get good things in life. —José, college student/roofer; immigrant without legal status in Tulsa, Oklahoma (born in Mexico)

Being American is making a change, and making good changes. Being American is being welcoming, being caring about other people, being proud of the country. And it’s forgiveness. It’s not holding grudges on anything—I mean, where’s that going to get you? —Natalie Villafranca, 14, in Texas (born in Dallas)

Being American means protection by the law. Anyone can say whatever they want and, even if I don’t agree with them, they’re still protected by the law it’s my job to enforce. That’s their freedom. That’s their right. —Sean Larkin, 40, sergeant with Tulsa Police Department’s gang unit in Tulsa, Oklahoma (born in Virginia)

 

Disproving the lies

Author Unknown - Agreement 100%

Just a note for my right-leaning family and friends from my left-leaning self as we near voting day:

They say we want to disband police departments (and that we hate the police): we don’t, that’s a lie. We want to weed out racism and unnecessary police brutality and for those who abuse their power to be held accountable.

They say we want to release all prisoners: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want to weed out racism and ensure the punishments match the crimes and to de-privatize prisons.

They say we want open borders: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want asylum seekers to be given their chance to seek asylum. We want to help people who are coming from unimaginable terror and poverty help to give them the chances we have. We want to ensure children aren’t separated from their parents and that nobody is kept in cages. But we do want proper vetting.

They say we want to take away your guns: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want logical gun control to help prevent mass shootings.

They say we want to wage a war on Christianity and Christian values: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want people of all religions to be able to practice and worship freely.

They say we want to get everything for free: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want to work hard and make sure that healthcare and education are affordable for all.

They say we want a war against traditional marriage: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want people of all sexual orientations to be able to love freely, no matter who you love.

They say we want to destroy or rewrite history: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want to recognize the ugly parts of our past and do everything we can to say “that’s not okay, let’s not honor those aggressors, let’s not let those things happen again.”

They say we want to take away your constitutional rights: we don’t, that’s a lie. We choose to believe science and wear masks and try to prevent the spread of this disease.

They say we hate America: we don’t, that’s a lie. We just recognize our faults and want us to do better, be better.

Stop with the us vs. them. Stop with the straw man arguments. Stop with the fake news. Stop with Fox new. Our position is one of empathy, compassion and logic. Stop believing the hype. Stop with the division. Just because we want equality for all doesn’t mean we want to take anything away from you.

Do they care about anything other than owning the libs?

I am not watching the RNC shitshow this week.  Full disclosure I did not watch the DNC last week either.  My mind is made up and nothing is going to change who I am voting for in November 

If I cared, which I don't, I would be curious about the expectations from the right.

Is this what republicans they want from their convention?

Is the Trump family all that matters? Do you see any parallels between this and a dictatorial dynasty in North Korea? 

Is furthering his unclear and inarticulate agenda more important than having an actual platform, stating what you stand for as a party?

Do they have no interest in hearing from other prominent Republicans?

They have proven they don't care about the lies, since they say everyone lies but is there a limit to the lies or any lie that goes too far?

Does the fear mongering make them feel better or worse about the direction we are heading?

Does it bother them that the toddler-in-chief is running as if he is an outsider and not the person responsible for the past 3 years?

Does it bother them that he "jokes" about 12 more years, trampling on the constitution that along with the flag they always want to masturbate upon as a demonstration of their patriotism?

We already know that 170k dead doesn't bother them, and they are happy to blame the Dem governors for nursing home deaths but is there a limit that is unacceptable?

Do they have any interest in working with the libs as opposed to owning them to work towards unifying the country?

DO they care that Russia put bounties on our soldier and our commander in chief rolls over and does nothing?

Why do you believe a proven con man when everyone else is telling you something else?

Why do you think traditional media is trying to deceive you but the media you watch is not? 

Why do you think the entire country has an agenda that is polar opposite of yours?

Why do you think your fellow American is your enemy?  Hates the country?

If your boy wins in November, do you continue to alienate half the country or perhaps the majority who voted for Biden?  To what end?  Is total destruction of the union you claim to love the only end game? 

Are we not one country?  Why are you alright with the president representing only one part of the country and not working towards uniting the country? 

Why are you alright with federal troops invading cities and states (only democratic run) and not sending the militia to defend your second amendment rights?  

Why are you standing next to the federal troops cheering this police state action?

Why are you alright with arresting citizens off the streets, in clear violation of the 4th amendment?

How can the definition of what it means to be an american has become such a divisive question? 

Why is it you hold up the constitution when it is helpful to your cause, but happily piss upon it when it goes against your interest?

Why do you believe worshiping the flag makes you more patriotic than anyone else?

What every happened to separation of church and state?  This country was founded on the principles of religious freedom, which means you are free to worship as you see fit and I am free to worship as I see fit.  

No Sharia law is not coming to anyplace, but you seem to want to push Christianity and Jesus on all of us, which seems contradictory to me 

Nobody supports live abortion.  Once a baby is born, it is born and no one is killing.  Late term abortions (those happening in the last trimester 

I could go on, but I don't care as I know they are rhetorical and the rabid supporter does not care about any of these?

To Return or Not to University of Delaware in the Fall of 2020

PLEASE think twice (or 3x) before sending your Blue Hen to Newark in the Fall. I see many parents on this board, especially those of incoming freshman now scrambling to find off-campus housing for their incoming students based upon yesterday’s email.  Kudos to Michaela Mayer Conrad for raising issues in Newark around the enforcement of ongoing large gatherings and potential fines and disciplinary actions that may result from large off campus gatherings, which I am sure will continue to happen among those college aged students.  This is certainly a risk our students will face if they return to Newark as it will be hard for many students to ignore the siren song of partying and gathering with friends, but that runs directly against the reason the school decided to move to a mostly online model.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 has not been contained nationally and specifically in Delaware, as it has bounced off and on the Tri State (NY, CT, NJ) banned travel list over the past few weeks.  By sending your Blue Hen back to Newark in the fall, you are increasing the chances that they will be exposed, and that they will spread it to their housemates, bring it home to you, and potentially our parents who are certainly more susceptible. 

Yes, I know they are young, and less likely to get sick,

Yes, I know they want to be independent and want to be on campus with their friends

Yes, I know they would prefer to be anywhere but home. 

Yes, I also know they are less likely to wear a mask and less likely to properly social distancing.

Yes, I know they have already lost many experiences, especially the rising freshman class

Yes, I know our students are now adults, want their independence and should have some say in what they do in the coming months.

However, we the parents, need to be the adults here, we need to make the hard decisions and not allow our students to dictate what they want to do, even though they are now adults.  Honestly, I would prefer my Blue Hen to be in Newark and not here. We need look out for the safety of not just our students, but the wider UD community and perhaps the entire nation.  That means making the hard decisions, and very possibly disappointing our students, which I am sure none of us want to do.

Honestly, I was devastated yesterday when I received the email.  I am heartbroken for my Blue Hen, because my college experience (not at UD) was maybe one of the best 4 years of my life.  I am disappointed that he is missing those academic, social and overall growth experiences that are literally not able to be replicated any other time in their lives.  So I get the frustration and understand why you would want to send your Blue Hen back to Newark, but again I would kindly request that you consider the reason the school made this decision and how your decision will have an bigger impact on just your student.   

I am sure this is going to get me grief and a fair amount of push back from parents who disagree.  After all we are all entitled to our opinion but that is mine.  I just had to share my thoughts here.  

Take it of leave it.  Have a nice day, please stay safe and sanitize.

These are not normal times

Everything about Covid-19 and the situation we currently find ourselves in are not normal.  Our daily lives have been completely upended.  The jobs that teachers are doing has changed and they have adapted to continue to support our city’s students.  We have also come to realize that our schools provide enormous, often unrecognized, value beyond the straight-forward education of our children.  This value has certainly not been recognized or acknowledged by the powers that approve the budgets for the Stamford Public Schools and especially not by those who want to significantly cut the budget now, in the middle of a global pandemic.  As these are not normal times, now is the time to reinvest in our schools and in our children.  Cutting the schools' budget now would be an absolute travesty. 

Now, I realize city revenue is down because of Covid-19 and the economic impact is still unknown and I think it's reasonable to assume it's going to be massive. No one wants tax increases and I commend the various boards who are making tough decisions to try to keep property taxes in line with last year.  However, to drastically cut the school budget is essentially punishing the children, and those who have been bending over backwards for them since March.  The teachers and the schools have done an amazing job of shifting to a Covid-19 distance learning model with only a few days’ notice. While the transition has certainly not been perfect, everyone involved should be commended for their Herculean effort.  These individuals should be rewarded, not punished.

Assuming schools are allowed to open in September, we will most likely see new challenges as we continue to battle this virus.  We must be prepared, both logistically and financially, to adjust. Dr. Lucero and her administration are building multiple contingency plans to prepare for various scenarios. This strategy will allow the administration to move faster when a planned or unplanned challenge arises, to ensure our children are in an environment that is safe and allows for an ongoing solid education plan. 

Meanwhile, what is the city doing to prepare financially for these unknown scenarios?  Right now they appear to be simply reacting to what has already occurred and not focused on what our actual needs are going to be in the coming fiscal year. 

Finally, let’s consider that Stamford has become the economic backbone and the shining star of the state of Connecticut. Stamford has continued to build and grow, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds to our community. This growing population allows all of us to enjoy an immensely diverse community that exposes our children to everything that is great about the world in which we reside. This growth has continued in spite of years of neglect by every elected official who has ignored our failing school infrastructure, turning down capital requests, under-funding much needed repairs, allowing mold to close sections of some schools, and even an entire building.  This discussion was finally highlighted in the fall, when the Stamford Facilities Management Group attempted to address these shortcomings. They put forth proposals to correct these years of neglect. Because the Board of Representatives failed to act, again, these serious issues with the school infrastructure and facilities remain, and our children and their educators remain second-class citizens. 

Slashing the school budget is not an acceptable option.  Now is the time to invest in our schools, and in our educators, so that our children can safely thrive through the pandemic and more importantly when it is finally over.  These are not normal times, and certainly no one planned for this pandemic at last year’s budget-planning sessions. Let’s not treat this year as just another budget-planning session.  This is not normal.