The New Normal

The "new normal" is a phrase often tossed around by politicos on both the left and right.

From the right, the mantra has come to epitomize large government and a grudging acceptance of a stagnant economy coupled with higher-than-normal unemployment rates.

The left sees the "new normal" as capitalism run rampant, where big corporations have replaced the robber-barons of the 19th century.

They control our finances from Wall Street while doling out minimum-wage jobs to vast swaths of our citizenry toiling at Walmart or McDonald's.

Both sides have valid concerns about what we as a nation have come to accept as normal.

But none of that will matter if our future denizens are unable to read, much less write, something as simple as this blog piece.

It's an issue we talk about often-the decline of our nation's public school system.

Here is what the "new normal" looks like from my perspective:

• High school graduates who have never written a term paper.
• Open book tests are the norm rather than the exception.
• Test reviews and "study" guides that basically tell students what will be on each test.
• Absolutely no grammar skills.
• The use of slang and "words" like "gonna" or phrases such as "America is all pissed off and messed up" introduce the theme of an essay.
• Forget calculus. Many high school graduates can't compute the area of a triangle or even a square, nor can they calculate percentages.
• In one class of fifteen students, not a single class member understood the word "mandate."
• Textbooks are never read and are seldom brought to class.
• The vast majority of students I meet have no idea how to use a library, even one "online"--- to research a paper. They freely "cut and paste" from newspapers, Wikipedia or articles they stumble upon via Google with no understanding of what they are 'writing'.
• See the preceding bullet point. They don't understand plagiarism either. 

Go to any college website, especially community colleges or commuter-based four-year institutions and browse the online course catalog for "Developmental" courses.

You will find these courses often comprise the single largest component of the catalog. These courses are generally offered in English, writing, and math and are, quite frankly, geared to what most of them should have been taught before they left middle school.

Because of all of the above, many students must spend their first two or three semesters taking courses that carry no college credit and are offered to bring them up to a skill level their state-issued high school diplomas imply they have already mastered.

What is interesting is that only a few students really complain about the workload in college being "too hard."

If you sit down and converse with these young folks, you'll find many, if not most, are appalled and angry once they attempt to read a text or follow a college lecture and realize, to put it in the vernacular, they've been ripped off by their public school systems.

School systems across the country tout their "test scores", which seems to satisfy voters and justify huge salaries for school system administrators.

Teachers, on the other hand, are still relatively underpaid and contrary to media stereotypes, they are as frustrated as I am with the quality of the product they are turning out.

But their hands are tied. Test scores mean more than critical thinking, discipline, or holding students to even "average" performance standards.

While our public schools wallow in political correctness, standardized tests, and self-interested parents who worry more about material possessions, our kids are suffering the consequences.

In my generation, there was no global economy. I didn't compete with high school graduates from Poland, India, or China for well-paying jobs with companies who operate across international borders.

Our kids will compete in such an environment.

And they aren't ready.

Why our public schools underperform...

High school graduates have never seen a footnote, written a term paper, and are baffled by simple arithmetic such as calculating a percentage or the area of a triangle.

But our school teachers are well versed in free speech (as practiced in authoritarian regimes) and Dr. Phil psychology.

Which is why our family home schools its pets.

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/22050127/suspended-for-wearing-nra-t-shirt

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/suffolk/boy-who-held-pencil-like-gun-suspended

"A pencil is a weapon when it is pointed at someone in a threatening way and gun noises are made," said Bethanne Bradshaw, a spokesperson for Suffolk Public Schools. 


What is really scary is that a Suffolk School system employee not only "thinks" this way, but repeats those inane thoughts in public, and most likely, will never be fired by her employers or feel any pressure from the public.

Boy who held pencil like gun suspended

South Nags Head beaches looking good!

In case you are wondering about the shape of south Nags Head's beaches after this winter's nor'easters. here are pictures looking north and south from about MP 21.

There is more beach beyond where you see the water "meet" the sand in the picture. That is actually the point of a small drop off with enough beach for two or three to walk abreast. The berm will smooth out as wave action diminishes.

As for the beach itself, to give perspective, one could easily drive 4 or more SUV's side by side without coming close to touching.

Before the beach was widened, it would have been difficult to get one SUV on this beach.

Volleyball fans should be happy this summer!

Oh Shoot!

While I would have eventually got around to it, my decision to actually purchase firearms was hastened when members of Congress and the president began to make noises about banning certain types of guns, restricting the size of magazines, and even forcing registration of "bulk" purchases of ammunition.

I won't go into the details of what I own, but I moved quickly to acquire what I thought I needed, whether or not the weapon or accessory was part of any proposed gun legislation.

In the past, I had probably fired about 50 rounds in my entire life--and that covers 56 years.

The first gun I ever fired was the .45 Magnum made famous by Clint Eastwood.

Deep in the woods of rural Pennsylvania a group of about six of us, all college-aged, took the huge handgun into a remote area and shot targets with the menacing device. All of us took a lot of time to acclimate to the gun's "kick".

I remember shooting a rather large limb off a tree with two shots and that was enough for me and guns for a while.

Next weekend I will be sitting for my conceal-carry class and a friend and I went out to the Outer Banks Gun Club so I could practice with various pistols.

I can see the possibility of how one might become addicted to target shooting, but frankly, I wish we had an indoor shooting range here.

Between the wind. the cold, and trying to get an entire range "cold" so folks could set up, check, or remove targets takes more patience than I am willing to give while I am in the learning stages.

Today, even with a half-dozen clothespins, targets were moving and blowing off their frames, making the shooting experience more of a chore than relaxation.

But, it was fun and I found, to my surprise, I shot much better with a larger weapon than the small caliber weapon I thought I would bring to the class.

In case you are wondering, I don't want the permit so I can conceal and carry.

 I don't feel that threatened in Dare County and my past and current work prohibits guns (and knives) on the premises, including vehicles.

But a conceal permit greatly speeds up the purchase of handguns, and now that I own what I consider necessary for personal defense, I plan on looking for collector sidearms--especially those my father and uncle might have used in military service in WWII and Korea.

The conceal-carry will make purchasing those easier in-state, even if I have to order them from out-of-state and have them sent to a local federally licensed dealer.

Otherwise, one must get a "permission to buy" permit from your local sheriff, and they only issue a maximum of five permits per application.

That is more than enough for personal protection, but if you want to collect older automatic sidearms and revolvers, you would need to keep returning to the application process every five purchases.

And yes-if you buy through a private sale, by law, you re supposed to turn over one of those precious certificates to the seller. Most people, I suspect, do not.

The conceal class consists of four hours of class time and then time on the range to demonstrate reasonable knowledge, safety concerns and accuracy of the firing. Once you complete the class, you must still apply through the sheriff's department, get fingerprinted, and have a background check completed on you.

Then you get your conceal permit and it also allows you to purchase guns unfettered, as your permit number is part of the database each time you purchase from a licensed dealer,

We're Back!

I don't know how often I'll post here. I am not sure what the content of this blog will include.

Since 2010 I have been lucky enough to be a co-owner of the Outer Banks Voice with my partner Rob Morris and our advertising partners, Max Radio of the Carolinas. In turn, that brought us their newsperson, Sam Walker, who now promotes the Voice on Max's many radio stations.

Then there are our writers and contributors, Teuta Towler, Cate Kozak, Michelle Wagner, videographer Douglas Kenyon and barrister/surfer/photog Ben Gallop.

But I still have things I want to talk about that doesn't quite fit into the Voice.

First and foremost, there is the issue of national and international politics. I love the stuff and most of those issues just don't fit into the Voice.

And then there are my hobbies, too numerous to name. Of interest to my friends, but not high on the list of the 6,000-8,000 daily visitors to the Voice.

Finally, there's just random stuff that I'd like to chronicle.

Especially things that have changed since I left the world of commercial lending after 30 years and am now hold down two full-time jobs--teaching at a community college (American Government, International Relations, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics) and co-owning the Outer Banks Voice.

We might post a few times a week, once a week, once a month, or even once in a blue moon.

But we will publish.

Stay tuned.

An Evening for Life-Pamlico Jacks-A Relay For Life Event

You asked for it, so here are some previews for "An Evening for Life". There is still time to attend....

Wines from Native Vine to be paired with Pamlico Jack's Tapas:

Ch. D'Or et De Gueles, Rhone; Delas Viognier, Rhone Mas Guiot "Cuvee Alex" Syrah/Cab; Italy Tommasi Rompicollo '07, Tuscany Astoria "9.5" Prosecco Blend; Melini Orvieto; Southern Hemisphere PKNT Carmenere, Chile; Cederberg Bukketraube, S. Africa; Entrada M

albec, Argentina; NC Biltmore Viognier; Owls Eye Chambourc

in; Shelton Riesling North America Meiomi Pinot Noir '08, Calif.; Montefiori Cab/Sangiovese (Baja); Talbott Chardonnay '08k, Calif.

And now a preview of just some of the items for auction:

More Bans From Our Friends In Government

Yesterday was yet another bizarre day in annals of government intervention into free choice. Two bans were imposed by the state of North Carolina, and the one common thread is both have a tie to what many consider to be "sins". This concept is so entrenched that taxes on tobacco and alcohol, especially in the South, have often been referred to as "sin taxes".

The first new prohibition (pun intended) was on legal moonshine, particularly the 190 proof product made by Everclear. Moonshine, especially the illegal variety is ubiquitous in many parts of rural America, and I'd be lying if I said I've never sampled some smooth "applejack" in my day. That said, a libation that is 95% alcohol really holds no appeal to me, and the one "grain" party I attended at UVA back in the 70's was not my cup of tea.

The rationale for the state ABC board banning the product was eerily similar to Kill Devil Hill's smoking ban. Why? Because the action was taken to protect the youth. It all started with the Mecklenburg County ABC Board, according to a stroy on WRAL-TV's website:

WCNC-TV in Charlotte first reported the change after the Mecklenburg County ABC Board found much of the pure grain alcohol was being sold at stores close to college campuses. Mecklenburg board chief executive Paul Stroup calls the product dangerous, with no redeeming social value.

Unless these are grad students, then similar to KDH, we have a case of illegal activities undertaken by underage participants. In this situation, its booze, in KDH it was smoking. So the state jumps in and under ther guise of protecting kids also makes the drink unavailable to a fifty-year old. Strangely, the 151-proof version of Everclear will still be offered. I see little difference in the two products--students, if drinking, will simply consume more of the 151 proof Everclear in order to achieve whatever effect they are seeking from the consumption of grain alcohol. Studies already reveal that "lite" beer drinkers and cigarette smokers merely compensate for the lower alcohol and nicotine content by consuming more of the "lite" product.

The real problem here is underage drinking of any kind. If North Carolina believes a 20- year old can't handle beer, wine, or vodka, the consumption of legal moonshine should be of no greater or lesser concern. And given how easy it is to obtain illegal grain, it seems more reasonable to offer a legal alternative where the purity and contents are known and controlled. College kids are resourceful. They will find homemade versions if the legal product is banned.

And today, a ban goes into effect on video sweepstakes and poker games that operate on the Internet. The games are often played on machines in "Internet Cafes" and in many bars. Unlike online gambling, these are not skill games--the outcomes are predetermined based on mathematical formulas and the player has absolutely no control over the outcome. Governor Perdue signed the law banning the games in July.



With the state operating a lottery, replete with billboards and TV commercials reminding us we "can't win if we don't play", the sheer hypocricy of this bill is alarming. Gambling is either an evil that needs to be illegal, or its a choice available to adults. Operation by the state doesn't remove the moral issues, nor does the accrual of "profits" to government coffers instead of private sector profits. If Perdue really thought these games were bad, she'd abololish the North Carolina lottery, or at the least, curtail the huge ad campaign that encourages poor people to bet on a huge jackpot they have virtually no chance of winning.

The state lottery was born in scandal involving the hiring of a paid lobbyist for one of the companies that supply the lottery hardware--the same company that won the state contract. Add to that the fact that the state has already raided these funds, which were supposed to benefit education exclusively by merely shifting general funds formerly earmarked for education to other programs and substituting the lottery proceeds for the state's contribution to education and one is left with little faith in public sector legalized gambling.

And don't believe this is merely a moral issue for the state. As WRAL reported, Perdue's logic for the ban was revealing.

"I think, if you have video sweepstakes, whether it's video poker or video machines in general, we really do need to have some kind of concentrated, organized, unified system of regulation where they are under a set of standards, rules and regulations where we can be sure no one is profiteering from it," she said.

State lawmakers considered regulation. They even talked about letting the North Carolina Education Lottery take over the games as a way to raise revenue.

"Perdue said as things stand now, the sweepstakes cafes are "uncontrollable."

So, we need to ban 'em for some reason. Unless the state takes them over, where the games will then be free of corruption and "profiteering". Because if the state owns the revenue stream, we all know profits will never be part of the plan!