Category: Culture
The Way Governing Was
Recently, I tweeted that I think it can be argued that a portion, a majority, of the Republicans in the House and Senate want to “reign” rather than “govern.” Given what some Republican Governors have done and are allowing their Republican majority legislatures as well as the way so many have redrawn voting districts to maintain power, I think the case can be made that “reign” is the word that best fits their ideology. It is important to note that I am not labeling my friends and neighbors that consider themselves Republicans. Some of them no doubt have buyers remorse that they cannot voice for fear of what might happen to them. Maybe that’s why I like The Newsroom so much because its main character dares to question what being Republican means and what reporting the news means in the 21st century. It is a post-modern model no matter your political party or religious affiliation.
As we think about the overt language of “hostage taking” that Republican leadership have embraced as messaging and strategy in attempts to defund the Affordable Health Care law it is clear that “hijacking” exactly fits the description of what they are doing to our country’s credit rating. deficit, model of government, and the citizens. Who among the Republican Representatives and Senators are going to stand up like Will McAvoy, the fictitious Republican news anchor from The Newsroom and join in governing on behalf of the nation’s citizens as a strategy for winning the next election. Has the “win at all costs” culture damaged our democracy so that governing really means “reign?”
This observation from Seth Godin about “When to Speak Up” does a good job of framing the issue about governing and what the Republican Party is doing right now. Visit http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog to read the entire post.
When to speak up
“This plane is headed to Dallas. If Dallas isn’t your destination, this would be a great time to deplane.”
After a decision is taken and the organization is moving forward, it’s fun and easy to be the critic, the rogue and the skeptic. Easy because the chances that you will have to actually take responsibility for your alternative view of the future are slim indeed–the plane is already headed somewhere, it can’t go both places and you missed (or bungled) your chance to change the decision.
Examples in Discipline
Here are two stories that caught my attention about how adults discipline, guide, and model responsibility and accountability with the junior high and high school youth in their care. These stores are a bit old, but have a look and you decide.
Utah High School Football Coach Suspends Entire Team Amid Reports Of Cyberbullying
Rebecca Klein | The Huffington Post | Sept 26, 2013
This high school football coach does not tolerate bullying or attitude problems, and he recently showed players in a major way. Utah outlet Deseret News reported that the town of Roosevelt’s Union High School football coach Matt Labrum recently suspended all 80 players from the team due to reports of bullying and academic issues.
Click here to read more.
Ex-NFL star Brian Holloway may be sued by parents of teens who allegedly trashed his upstate NY home
Jaime Uribarri | New York Daily News | September 19, 2013
Several parents are reportedly considering lawsuits against the former NFL star after he posted their children’s names on a website created in the wake of the Labor Day weekend house party.
The website, www.helpmesave300.com, identifies over 100 of the estimated 300 house-crashers who trashed his upstate New York residence, and includes photos and tweets that documented the reckless destruction.
Click here to read more.
And here is one person’s commentary on the New York story.
An Open Letter To The Parents Of The Stephentown 300
Kelly Lynch | The Huffington Post | September 24, 2013
Look, I don’t blame you for what your kids did. Heck, I don’t even really blame them. Teens will be teens, and they do stupid things sometimes. We’ve all been there. It’s not fair to judge parents on the mistakes their kids make. It is how you handle that behavior afterwards that reflects on you as a parent.
Click here to read more.