So You Want To....In 2026????

 First off let me wish all of you a Happy New Year's. 

I keep getting people who want to write their own blog and I encourage them to do so. 

Trouble is, it is more trouble than you know. There are days I literally " Got Nuthin'"......And there are day it almost writes itself. 

Many times I am sent information and those sources well, it often takes years to find ones you trust.  Some, are one time folks I will never use again. 

There are people who won't like what you say, there are people who will talk badly about you. 

You may lose long-time friends, or people you considered long time friends. But were they really?

There will be days you look at the numbers of people who had read the blog and you'll go, "It's time to do something else."

There will be days you will look at the numbers and  say, " Damn, look at that, who would have known, it would be that popular?" 

And the thing is, I never know what will get massive reads, and what will not. On an occasion you will know, but most of the time, you do not. 

I've been writing now, 15 years. Who knew? I certainly didn't. I make literally no money, and while in the old original version of the blog I had a  donation's link, presently do not have one. ( I had an individual give me enough money on it, we ate in Scotland for 2 weeks on the donation. And I don't know, I felt a little bad about it....But, in truth, she thought it was " Wonderful" that I treated St. Debbie to pints, Full Scotch( I got St. Debbie eating haggis. Marry a Coonass, and you need to learn to eat offal.), and the Scotch version of Fish and Chips. ( There is really no difference....fish,chips, mushy peas, curry sauce or gravy.) 

So Santee Clause brought me a nice camera for the computer. I thought it'd be easier than at first.....It is going to take a little time for me to figure it out. 

So, I've got the camera, the microphone and headphones from the old days at KJAS when I zoomed through a grainy, grainy camera. All I need to do is figure out the technical portion..... 

Easier said than done.....And I don't want to bother my expert as they are in the process of moving. 

So, it'll eventually get done, and I will at some point give you a launch date and where the vlogs can be found.  ( I've been asked about it already, thus why I am writing this.)

Again, thank you for reading.  I appreciate your support and as always, Please like if you read the blog. Only about 3% of reading like, hate, whatever on the blogs. Like and it bumps the blog up to the top of Facebook and helps readership. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 3 The Reckoning.....

 Listen once again to Alice in Chains.....Audioslave....and the Salisbury Organist, Ben Maton, yes as you know my musical tastes are fairly eclectic.....All with a orange cat under my feet.....And it's my cat, unless St. Debbie is giving it food, he ignores her, Fred the Cat is following me like a dog. 

I talk to the young folks every once in a while, the Gen Z folks. The Gen Alpha well, they are still cooking, plus, I don't really want to talk to children anymore. Nothing against them, and part of it is, I don't really want to be around children. Too many bad ones and well, the old teacher is too likely to come out.... 

So many young folks are like, " Why?"

A lot are just existing.  No hope for the future and many are just living for the now. Many wonder if they can ever afford marriage, much less a house. 

And I don't know, I just wonder where are we going in this country, where are going worldwide?

So many people are saying, " Nothing has seemed right since 2020." I seriously wonder if it was the virus itself, or the vaccines. I took 3 shots because, well, I am 60+, still got the virus, and wonder, would I have been sicker without the shots? Or not?  And what problems will I have from the vaccines down the line?

I know the Cantillion Effect is presently in the economy, the top 10-15% of the population is doing well, while the bottom 90% is really being effected by inflation. The old traditional "K" shaped theory. 

I'm sorry, things are not better, and I doubt they'll get any better no matter who we elect. 

I know some of you are hoping things in 2026 will be better. 

I'm not. 

I think we are at the end of what history folks will call, " The American Empire." Let's face it, we just can't afford it anymore.  

Maybe when historians look back they'll see that a change was inevitable.  

And the thing is, the rest of the world is seeing it, and while there is still opportunity here, it is rapidly being challenged from places around the world. Asia for example. I was shocked at how much more modern China was, and we were mostly in a 3rd tier city. 

Insurance rates are out the roof. If you've not looked, get ready for insurance shock concerning you health insurance. And car and home insurance isn't much better. 

The dollar is worthless. Last I checked ( yesterday) $1.36 will get you £1 British Pound.  ( A weaker dollar, causes prices to go up, sorry we still buy stuff from all over the world. And it's not going to change.)

I know more and more businesses in this area are closing, either have had enough, or just can't make it anymore economically. And it probably will continue in 2026. 

At one time in my life I was a proponent of university degrees. The cost and worthlessness of many degrees today has me saying, know what you are getting into before you attend college.  And maybe colleges need to shrink, if not close, especially smaller colleges.  

How much is AI going to change us in 2026? How many will lose their jobs because of it? Will at some point the government start handing out checks trying to gain favor with the populace?

I'm sick of the politics. I hate both sides of the aisle at this point in my life. After teaching government for 102 years, I wonder if politics is so bought and paid for, do we need to just start over? And is that even possible without there being some type of total collapse? 

Predictions-( Warning do not follow any of these predictions, especially stocks)

- China is going to start dumping their AI on the world market effecting American and European companies. They can do AI with 50% less electricity used, and thus change 50% less. AI stock in America will draw down. 

-  Robotics is going to grow. The smart robots are not going to look like what you think. In South Korea robots and AI is on another level. 

- Keep an eye on Amazon. They're about to do something that will change commerce. 

- Don't be shocked if there is a bailout of either banks, or the Big Three Automakers. Tech companies? Farmers? 

-  The predictions market will explode. Gaming on elections, deaths of famous folks, sports gambling is now out of control, why not?  Trouble is, states that have legalized "gaming" suicides are up 30%. 

- Movie theaters will start to die at a rapid rate.  They are almost there today. 

- More people will lose their jobs to AI.

- The economy will officially be in a depression/

- More and more teachers will leave the job, as more and more parents will look at alternative education for their kids. 

-  It will be fruit-basket turnover in the Mid-terms. 

- My resolutions? I have one. Live until 2027.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iran

 At one time, there were large numbers of students from Iran studying at Lamar University. They often dressed in full black gear, covered head to toe and protested the Shah in the Setzer Center. I was a lowly undergrad when the Iranian Revolution took place and US State Department workers were held captured in the US Embassy in Tehran. 

After this occurred, the students at Lamar went into protest against the Iranian students on campus. So much so, the Iranians were sent home.  

Later when I was in divinity school in Fort Worth, we lived in a house next door to an Iranian man and his family. His father was career Iranian Navy and saw the revolution coming and got both of his kids out of Iran to America, and because they were not Islamic, the US Government granted them political asylum. 

He became my friend and I learned more about Iran than I ever want to do. 

Quick background on what is going on in Iran.

The Iranian currency is the Rial. It is becoming worthless in the world market. The inflation situation is worldwide and has hit Iran hard. 

Storekeepers started changing prices daily, to changing prices on their good, especially foodstuffs, several times a day.  Always up.

What started in Iran into a protest against the prices, and leading to the resignation of the Chairman of the Bank of Iran has lead to a total revolt against the government.  

This is day two of protests in Iran. 

They are chanting, " Death to the dictator." " This is the year of blood." 

And the thing is Western media is ignoring the event. I am looking at Asian media to get what information I can. 

How will this end? I do not know, but unless the government gets control of the economy, it is going to lead to regime change.  

 

Part 2: School 2026

 I don't know about schools anymore. 

I was looking at the school district and the number of people who now work for the district. And I ask the question....

What the Cornbread feck do these People Actually Do? 

And the people who come in and are supposed to be an Instruction Coach? 

I can just about one trying to tell me how to teach...." Feck you and the clap dripping mule you rode in on."  I've forgotten more about teaching than you'll ever know....

It reminds me of the FDR make work projects during the Great Depression, part of the old New Deal. 

I don't know, perhaps this is part of the plan all along? ( Go deep thinking about what I just wrote....Think DARK...Very Dark....)

And the thing is, if these folks had been hired for the actual classroom, I'd be all for it, fewer kids in each class? Have high school classes look like graduate seminars? Hey, I'm all for that too.... 

And more and more people are in education that really don't have much, if any interaction with students. Heck, I wanted to be with the kids. When they put me with 12th graders, I thought, "It ain't much better than this. "  

For years, the Ole Govteach was a supporter of the Public School. The older I get, the more I wonder if it is accomplishing its purpose anymore?  

The world is changing. Rapidly.  And from this seat, the Public School is not keeping up....And it is going to be so far behind what is needed......And the thing is, Gen Z, Gen Alpha is seeing this.....Many are starting to question, " Do I need this?" And parents are too. 

I see commotion after commotion going on and none of them are being handled well, by anyone. From the School Board on down. It is like the Board is afraid of their jobs. And I hear from patrons who say this all the time.  

Then, I keep thinking there will be a group of candidates who will run for the Board, a group serious about change. A group who will doing something about the tax rate. When I saw a surplus of $2.5 million over the last year, I wondered why not do something about the rate? Instead I see new folks being hired into jobs, again, I am not sure what you actually do?  And why do we need it now? Is this just more bureaucracy? 

I know there is a Board Election in Nov. 2026......I wonder if anyone will run again, or if they will, and why?  

I wonder what actually is going on up there?  

And at the same time say, " Thank you Jesus I am not there." ( I know, cussin' and praying in the same blog....If you have not realized I am more complicated than I look.)

I know today, with today's kids, I couldn't do it. 

There are fewer kids in America. Gen Z is small, Gen Alpha is small. Neither is expected to reproduce at rates needed for schools to grow.  And this part of Texas is not growing. One good bump downward in the oil market and this entire area is in trouble. So, why do our schools need to grow building wise? Buna is probably at the point it is done with growth. It'll always be a 3A school. 

I look at people doing battle with the local school district....Including one going to battle regular on Social Media concerning their child. 

And I wonder if in the end it is a " Lost Cause."

And I am reminded...Lost Causes are the only ones worth fighting for.....

I wonder if there needs to be a complete revamp of what we call " Public Schools?"  The way it is going I wonder if we are really missing the point in 2026? 

How much is AI going to change us in the future? Will there be anyone who wants to teach? How many people didn't have and still are not certified? How long in 2026 can we actually expect these teachers to remain in the profession? I know I owe my nephew a phone call and he's teaching in West Texas. I am going to encourage him to do something else. He is miserable where he is teaching.....And the thing is, I would too.  It is no longer a profession I recommend to people. It is only going to get worse, not better. 

I don't know. I dread the blogs I will write in 2026 concerning the school. I truly do.  I wonder what school will look like in 5.....10.....15 years?

And, I will start to get really dark in my next blog or two..... 

 

 

 

 

Part 1. I am Actually Writing This Part More for Myself than You......

 I generally write these listening to some form of music , as many of you know, and this morning, I let the computer choose, and it picks " She Hates Me" by Puddle of Mudd....Followed by " The Ocean" and " The Immigrant Song" ( The Latter, a history lesson, it's why Danish and Norwegian shows up unexplainably  in a predominately Scottish-English DNA tests) by Led Zep.....Then " Walk Away" by the James Gang......And again, the last three were popular when I was in high school....And I wonder why I couldn't get a date.....

And again, I digress.....

I write this and I wonder if I need to write this blog in more than one part, so I will post Part 1 in the title if there is one. 

America, heck the world is changing quicker than we ever imagined.  

As many of you know, I have spent most of my adult life either reading or keeping up with the Church, especially Church History.  

I wondered for years if it was going to happen in America and well, it took almost 50 years, but it is starting to occur. 

The American Church is dying.  

Quickly.  

The average age of people who attend church on a regular basis is 57. The average age of Americans is 38. And the older folks are dying. 

The church itself is dying and so many people who study such trends are shocked at how rapid it is happening. Covid just sped up the process.. . 

The largest Protestant denomination in America is the Southern Baptist Convention( SBC) is hemorrhaging people like never before, about 10 years ago the membership was 16 million. It is losing 250,000 to 400,000 folks a year. People who study trends and people are saying by the year 2040, they will be down to 8 million people. Most of which who do not attend the church.....The SBC like the Catholic Church keeps you on their rolls whether you are active or not. So, we don't know who is actually still a member, or has dropped out.

And it is not just the SBC. Lutherans, Episcopal, Assembly of God, Catholics etc. Are all losing members. The non-denominational churches, which were growing are now seeing a decrease in attendance.  

As you know, my wife and I often travel to Europe, especially to the United Kingdom.  The church there is dead, as is most Christian religion. And while we attend while there because well, the places we go to are heavy into ritual and Medieval style worship and they are attended is well fair at best on a Sunday. We go to " High Church" that still believe in consubstantiation, and while I don't necessarily support that belief which isn't expressed in the Book of Common Prayer, I prefer their church style. 

All churches in England are that way, and in Scotland, it is even worse. The belief in no God is growing and is the largest group in the North. 

It is here now. 

The church in America is dying. 

And don't tell me that here at XYZ Church we are having great attendance. How many people in your community are not going? 

And that is all over America. 

And it is the youth that is leading the no church. 

Say what you want it is them who are being failed. 

The politics in the church today is hurting. Not everyone agrees with the is being said from the pulpit. Too much now social issues, who to vote for, why XYZ is great for America.....Well the church has gotten away from the Gospel. 

And it is both from conservative and liberal churches.  

Then, youth are looking at the church is often becoming an industry, a worship industry and while it attracts some to the doors, many question it.    The celebrity pastor is often the problem, he or she is replacing the Bible. 

The tithe. For years as a Baptist the tithe was beaten into our head. Years later reading the verses from Malachi and doing a dive into it you find out there entire passage they are teaching is pretty much a lie. ( Read the entire book)Yet, the Baptists and other denominations cling to that 10%. ( I need to do a historical review of the tithe. )

Today, Gen Z, Millennials are barely making it.  They question why their pastor is doing well, yet they are struggling.

And the South, which has been the Bible Belt for years is starting to crack. In the last years, church doors have closed in the South at a rapid rate, and many more are just barely hanging on.  The church in New England is dead, California is dying and in the South, we are quickly catching up. 

From 2000 to 2024, 1000 members of the clergy have quit, each month, each year.. The number in 2025 is expected to be that or even more. 

They are saying 15,000 churches will have closed in America in 2025.  

Possibly more in 2026.  

I know, the writer of this blog has not been in  church attendance in well, I was in Wales, the last time I darkened a church door. Not lost my faith, just hate going, the sermons are not "feeding me." Too many services have a repetition.  

And you must remember, I am an alumni of a seminary. I should be one who should be attending.

But, I am not.  And am happier. 

Then, there is the young men not going to church, in truth, a large number of men not attending. I may write on that in 2026.  

Okay, I am going to end Part 1 today. Done with my thesis on the church in America.....

Will try to write more for you. And yes, will write on school in one of these blogs.... And yes, I am going really dark over the next few blogs. 

I am going to try and pull this together later this week as I go along.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And By Tradition....

 Traditionally this week is a slow week here at the Govteach Part Deaux. 

School is out. It is a slow week at most people's work.  I know police, fire, hospital, etc have to work tomorrow, and remember them tomorrow. 

Will blog as needed over the next couple of weeks. 

Again, I thank you for reading. Was looking at the numbers and it was perhaps the large blog numbers ever. 

Enjoy Christmas, the holidays, heck New Year's. 

You only get so many....

Merry Christmas! 

 

 

Buna Schools....The Holidays.....Gripes......

 It's the day before Festivus, so I thought I would write a blog with grievances. 

Sometimes it is good to get gripes out of your system. That way you are good for a few months....

There has always been a commotion concerning the the school district. But I don't know, it seems like it is a now a constant commotion. Just no one happy. 

Leadership down to the teachers, to the kids, to the patrons. Just a constant roar of unhappiness. I get stuff all the time from people concerning what is going on. 

It's gotten so bad, I have stepped away to try and get my own bearings.  Let it rest. The negativity is effecting my mental health, and well, I am retired. I do this as a side project.

Normally during the holidays, there is a break, but I was receiving stories as of yesterday evening.( Sunday after school has let out for the holidays.)  I literally can no longer keep up. I couldn't watch the Cowboys suck. And man do they suck....

So, I am letting it rest for a bit. 

I may write a blog in a few weeks to make everyone mad.  Just everyone. 

-  The Cowboys suck. 

The Dallas Cowboys have not won a Super Bowl in 30 years effective, this year. They were my team since the 1960s. I was just about switched to the old Houston Oilers and that piece of crap Bud Adams moved them to Tennessee. 

I just can't get on board with the Texans. Too old, remember the old Oilers abandonment, whatever. 

And don't say, you need to switch to X...Y....or Z..... At age 68 I am not going to switch teams. 

Maybe I need to watch the English Premiere League  like an Englishman. I do follow a couple of teams across the pond already. Maybe I need to go " Whole Hog" into following them? Quit American football altogether. I figure it is about to have a gambling scandal that will make baseball and basketball look like " Ned in the 3rd grade reader." 

Too much gambling in bed with sports in 2026.  

-  There are people all upset about the teacher on " A Christmas Story" being too mean . Taking away the kid's fake teeth.....You know the movie, with Ralphie and the Red Rider BB Gun. 

Come on, that's the way teacher's were in the 1960s.....Heck, it was the way I was.....You have to maintain control of the class or it'll get out of hand.  

I am telling you, I couldn't do it today....

- I am still not all Christmasy, in spite of me having a few holiday gathers I must attend over the next few weeks. 

Could be, I am getting old and really no longer enjoy going to people's houses to disrupt their peace and quiet. 

Oh, they say they are glad to see us....and then you know they are even happier when you leave. I had not planned to stay that long. But the people I was with lingered too damn long....

- Will post later this week.....