Comments for John Tusch

Comment on Chardon’s Tragedy… followed by…Tuesday by John Whitbeck

John Whitbeck — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:02:41 +0000

Thank you, John. David, I agree. I was talking with my daughter last night about the general state of discourse in the country. She pointed out that there’s a basic conflict resolution technique in which each side isn’t allowed to start arguing their case until they state the point of view of the other side TO THE OTHER SIDE’S SATISFACTION. We were initially thinking about schoolyard conflicts, but what about congress, or the campaign trail?

What if they could not jump into the trenches about health care, for example, until Ms. Pelosi said “Mr. Boehner, I think you believe that the United States was founded on individual freedom, that all encroachments into individual freedom are suspect, and that this health care plan virtually enslaves doctors, it tells millions of Americans to do things with their money that they would not want to do if left alone, and America would be a better place if people were left free to live their lives as best as they are able.”

And Mr. Boehner said “Ms Pelosi, I think your point of view is that the United States was founded on being a safe haven from tyranny, that we are in danger of replacing the tyranny of kings with the tyranny of institutions run by the rich, that all such institutions are suspect, that health care is a basic human right in jeopardy from these institutions, and that America would be a better place if health care were available to all.”

It’s true that harsh words would soon follow, but at least they started the debate discussing what America is all about, and how best to secure our future.

This would indeed be a good thing for young people to see in their elders. I’m afraid it would have no direct effect on the mentally ill shooters, but a more civil and pleasant interpersonal atmosphere in the schools would make the truly troubled easier to identify and easier to help.

Comment on Chardon’s Tragedy… followed by…Tuesday by John

John — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:24:20 +0000

Well, fair enough to expand the quote, certainly, and by no means do I want to make you sound “simpleminded.” Fellow bloggers, John is a really smart, and really GREAT guy, and a damned sight smarter than I am. That’s for the record.

I don’t see more government regulations as a viable solution, particularly following 20 years as a government employee. Admittedly, I’ve gotten more mouthy about it since defecting to the private sector. That said, I’m on board with anything that helps kids, that’s for sure. Certainly your intent is to keep guns away from kids, and that’s a very good idea.

While I quoted you here, be assured that the vast majority of blogosphere/social media conversations went, almost reflexively, to gun control instead of bullying. The MCC Facebook thread was only one of them.

Comment on Chardon’s Tragedy… followed by…Tuesday by David

David — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:33:39 +0000

John – agreed… there are several factors in play here. One thing I think we could pay attention to is the example we set. When we, as adults, act in a bullying or disrespectful way, why are we surprised when kids take on that same behavior? Can’t help but think about the Republican candidates, and as they “intensified” their efforts – Romney in Florida, for example – such intensification meant the escalation of NEGATIVE ads… vehicles meant to demean and belittle the opponent. And these ads were done by self-professed Christians!!

The general level of public discourse is pretty poor – often disrespectful, quite profane and frequently downright hostile. A good step in the right direction (I think) would be to tone that down.

Comment on Chardon’s Tragedy… followed by…Tuesday by John Whitbeck

John Whitbeck — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:05:52 +0000

Please, John, that one sentence alone makes me sound, well, more simpleminded than I actually am! Here’s the whole quote:

“I agree the problem is complex. It’s only the solution that’s simple.

“Take away the easy access to guns, and we will still have all the medical and sociological issues to deal with. However, most of our patients, and their classmates and teachers, will still be alive when we hear their cry for help.”

Comment on Chardon’s Tragedy… followed by…Tuesday by Johnny

Johnny — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:46:20 +0000

John I could not agree more. Most problems today can be solved by some positive influence with our younger generation. Some obvious, some not so obvious. Recently Governor Malloy proposed an education initiative where more state funds would be funneled towards 30 failing school districts. As an educator I can guarantee that those funds will not bring about an increase in test scores. The issues start at home. WIthout a parent/guardian who values education and is actively involved in their children’s education you cannot expect those children to do any better than they are right now. This goes a step further. These same failing students are the future generation of our “social entitlement” recipients that are currently bankrupting our country. The hard part is how to change. How do you reach a “parent” that doesn’t take an active role? Hopefully it doesn’t take another lost child to make them see.

Comment on Surcari – the real deal, and real fun by Arlene Redmond

Arlene Redmond — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:28:19 +0000

Thanks for all the info, John. Best concert I have gone to for about $5! Also one of the best concerts anyway! They were wonderful.

Comment on The Perfect Wedding by Jackie McGraw

Jackie McGraw — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:59:16 +0000

Fabulous re-cap of the Best Wedding ever

Comment on Occupy Wall Street .com by Bill Stadler

Bill Stadler — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:40:16 +0000

Enlightening times? Interesting times. Scary times. But it could be another piece of getting us to value what’s most important. Maybe?

Comment on Racist bake sale by Johnny

Johnny — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:34:05 +0000

I think that the bake sale is actually pointing out what is still wrong in the quest for racial equality. With any form of racial differences (like affirmative action) you can never have racial equality. Unless I’m mistaken racial equality would occur when people are judged on their actions and qualifications not the color of their skin. How can this occur with affirmative action. For example, would you want to see the doctor who got hired to fill some racial quota or the one who got hired because they were the most qualified candidate?

Comment on Are we focused yet? by Fred

Fred — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:41:05 +0000

Point by point;
Downgrade-If you run up your credit card to its limit, and your solution is to get another card…well, what do you expect? More revenue from the rich? Why not take it all…it’ll run Washington for about a week, tops. Someone needs to explain “opportunity cost” to the Dems. Every dollar pulled from the consumer market is a job opportunity lost. Look up US Debt by year on Wiki. Compare that to when Dems control the House (read “checkbook”). S&P clearly state that Debt/GDP is too high, and raising taxes does not increase GDP to my knowledge. Spending must be reduced below revenue to reduce debt/GDP (ONLY the TEA party had a viable plan). And I said “reduced” not shifted…to your next point;

State Taxes- Hah, see above but on a local scale. Doesn’t anyone remember “rising tide raises all boats”? Get some businesses to hire, raise the revenue by increasing number of workers….Duh. Regarding the unions, I’m reminded of the saying “you f—ed up, you trusted us”…well, it goes both ways. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Look to the states that are growing in the current climate…hmmm, no income taxes, business friendly regulations…surprised?.

President’s economic team??? Huh? Tax cheat Geitner? ’nuff said? Can you trust the nation’s economy to someone who can’t properly file a tax form? Recent Geitner quote-”There’s NO risk of a downgrade” Pull your head out of the sand (being nice) Tim. See point #1 again…stop spending like drunken sailors (no offense to drunken sailors) and release the great economic engine of the US.

Rises…totally related to the economy, in my humble opinion, and to the fact that DOJ seems to be fumbling the ball everywhere they go. (Panthers at polling places, Fast & Furious, KSM in NYC, etc)…

Sigh…I’d better go….I could go on and on…