I Blame Old White People.....Election Epiloge

 I can do that because, well, I am an old White Person.....

Say what you want, the Texas GOP became too arrogant...Heck, the national GOP did too. 

Call it the economy, Trump 2.0 which is totally different than the 2016 to 2024 Trump. Do not tell it isn't. 

The promises of 2024 campaign were not even tried to be accomplished.

We are in now what looks like a never ending war we are not winning, no matter what they tell you. 

The economy is going to pot. Gas is up, diesel is unbelievable, food is up, insurance prices are ridiculous, and who can really afford a new car without going into debt. 

The promise of a good job to young people " If they only go to college" no longer is true and the debt now incurred is keeping young people from marrying, from buying a house, from buying a new car. 

The Texas GOP has just gotten arrogant an insider ( Not Perry) told me. They just lost the will of the average Texan. Especially the young people. The Republicans lost what Texans really want. They cared more about the super rich than the average Texan. 

As Tyesha Renfro said, “ Listen, they called the youth to come vote, and them babies said bet.” ( The youth went to the polls)

 And why do you blame the old people Kerry, Mr. Thomas, Kerry Don, Govteach?  They do not see or understand what is going on. The world is changing so damn fast, the economy is changing so fast, and they think something that worked for them in 1977 will work for today's youth, and it does not. And don't tell them get a trade job, what happens when those jobs become saturated? And they will. 

The youth know they are going to be competing with AI, AI robots, AI whatever in the future.....In 5, 10, 15 years, it will be shocking what is " Now AI."  And who knows how it will be used to watch us? 

Then the GOP again ran people so arrogant they thought they could do and say anything.....The GOP US Senate candidate was a crooked, impeached, adulterer. The Attorney General candidate was a religious fanatic who wants a theocracy. 

We had a Railroad Commission candidate upset by the Asian students at the University of Texas.... Fuck you, you Sumofabitch, I got one of those Asians in my household, and she has an MBA from A&M.....and she starts her emails by saying " Howdy."

Governor was wanting a 4th term and sometimes, enough is enough......The Lt. Governor hates teachers, and makes us out like we are the Devil, like we were doing sex change operations during our lunch hour, like your economics's teacher was a socialist, yeah, sure. Some of us are running dog capitalists.His stand against THC while taking PAC money from the liquor industry. And some of us have to use gummies, plus prescription meds to keep them from literally deciding, it is time to call it a day. 4 back surgeries will do that. ( You got to remember Dannie Goeb, his real name, the other name was his radio name.....Like I changed my radio name from Kerry Thomas....To Kerry Thomas.....I'm not ashamed of my name.)

Then, there was the vouchers. It doesn't help the average Texan. It was set up for taxpayers to pay for the rich kids to go to private school and everyone else pay for it.  I worked with a group in S. Jasper County trying to establish a school, and economically, it was hard to be done without rich parents helping in areas other than tuition. ( Tax write off)

ICE and their acts caused the Latino vote to change, in 2024, they voted for Trump. They swung very hard against the GOP. US Citizens of Latino heritage, especially in the Valley and Texas/Mexico border felt ICE's wrath.  They were being stopped, harassed simply for being brown. Never mind many have been in Texas, long before there was even a Texas. 

I told you years ago Texas GOP had to work to recruit Latino voters in this state. THEY are the growing demographic. And they want to be conservative.....GOP, you blew it. 

The Democrats ran a discipline campaign. The economy, make public schools among the best in the state. The last thing I worry about is if my neighbor's kids are trans or not.....BTW I have had trans kids in my class at Buna. I had a girl that it took me a month to figure out if they were male or female. The class roll had omitted the sex that period. 

GOP don't give up hope. The next two years the Democrats will have to deliver, or they will be voted out. 

As I said previously, every 2-4-6 years there is a new election,  and Texans can make a change....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

God and Man at The Buna Independent School District.......

 Sorry, I borrowed most of the title from William F. Buckley Jr's. 1951 book, " God and Man at Yale." I read it back in the 1970s. In typical Buckley fashion, wordy and a bit about himself. 

I appreciate it when I am sent information about the Buna Schools and this one, while on the surface appears like it might be alright, well, I wonder.  

Allegedly, there are 3 churches that are meeting with the Buna ISD Supt. of Schools every week and the story is, they are according to my source, " Meeting to discuss prayer needs."

Now, as many of you know, I get up and pray every morning at 4AM. I have a prayer list and if you ask, or if I pray for you, I am letting you know. 

Often, more than you know, I am asked not to pray for them, and most if not all,  are not even on the list. And of course, I honor their wishes. 

This however, is a government entity, meeting supposedly during school/business hours, with church leaders, allegedly, at a taxpayers school building, to discuss matters of faith. 

Again, as most of you know, I am a theological school alumni, I am ordained in a form of Presbyterianism/Reform denomination, and while I had to let my future employer know I had been educated at a theological school( You have to let schools know what schools you have attended.) I never let you know I was ordained, nor had I served on church staffs.....

Let me remind you......

School districts in the State of Texas are government entities.....

They have elected officials. 

They normally have the highest taxes of any local government entity in every county in the State if Texas...

And I know some of you have a poor history background, and I need to discuss this fact later, but this is why, in many cases, our ancestors left " The Old Country" "across the pond." To get away from the state( the government) from having influence on the church, and vice versa..... 

It is why there are so many Baptists of every type of flavor in America. Most left England to worship without state interference. ( Not including " Independent" Baptists, there are 27 different denominations of Baptists in America alone.)

In America we have the Separation of Church and State- The legal and philosophical clause that keep government and religion district.  

In the U.S., the concept is rooted in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which features two key clauses: 

 The Establishment Clause-Prohibits the government from establishing an official state religion, favoring one religion over another, or excessively entangling itself with religious bodies.

 The Free Exercise Clause-  Protects citizens' rights to practice their religion freely without government interference.

I do not think you understand, if this is true, my question is this, do the parents know this is occurring? 

There are more people than you know, who have no religious affiliation in Buna than you know. And, they do not want to be associated with any religion. 

When I was told about the denominations represented, I did not hear the names Pentecostal, Assembly of God, Church of Christ, Roman Catholic, LDS, or other churches, including smaller Baptist Churches....

I got questions-

If these meeting are true, has the school board been made aware?

Do parents know? And while most would be okay with it, there are many who are not, and they don't want unknown clergy praying for them, their family, as I had a parent years ago tell me, " Do we really know what that minister is asking Jesus? For them to convert from their own beliefs to another form of faith?" One more favorable, in the eyes of the minister.

It is typical Buna, just doing whatever they want....

 You know, a Jane/John Doe lawsuit against the school district in Federal Court might answer some questions.   

 

 

Buna, I'll Do This and Hope I Don't Mess it Up.....

 It literally has been years since I have done one of these, perhaps it is because at this point in my life, I have either advised or actually have worked in campaigns and if Jesus is good to me, I have one last in 2028. 

I am hesitant because I can be so wrong and fairly right in doing these political predictions.  You really do not know how the turnout will be tomorrow ( Nov. 3) for the election.......So many questions...

>How many Republicans will vote late in America and especially Texas? 

>Will there be a turnout of Republicans disgusted with how the GOP is doing they'll vote Blue just to let the sitting candidates "We are watching them? "

>Will tomorrow's weather effect the turnout? Big rains are expected over East and Southeast Texas, including the Houston area.  The NWS is saying an 80% chance of rain tomorrow. 

>How right or how wrong will all the polls be? I have seen some wild swings in some of them and between today and tomorrow, well, 24 Hours is a lifetime in a campaign.  

Again, these are written Monday morning, early, as always, these are based on polls, and somewhat on America's and Texas' mood. As I said above in 25 hours, everything can be different. 

And as always, " Please, no wagering." Don't be going on Kalshi and placing the mortgage on the Lt. Governor's race in Delaware.  

>Texas

- Governor: Abbott. It is going to be close and I know internal GOP polling has it as so close it could go ANY  direction.

-Lt. Governor: Patrick.   Again, close, a lot of people are upset about his stand on THC, his  rich people's stand on schooling, but the Democratic candidate is too much of an unknown. 

It would not shock me, if either race turns out to switch parties, but I do not think we are there quite yet. 

-US Senate Texas: Talarico. He is running against a bad candidate, in a bad year for Republicans. Going to be close. Again, would not be shocked at who actually wins.  You have Elon who has given $200 million alone to the Republican US Senate campaign in Texas alone. 

>US National Predictions

-US Governor's Race. Democrats and GOP will  split and the US Governors will be 25/25. 

-US House. Democrats will hold 235 to 245 seats. You need 218 to control the US House. 

-US Senate. Democrats will control Senate with 51-49. 

It may be several days before we learn the outcome of all races. States like Maine and Alaska are slow counting states as they have rural areas difficult to access. And Alaska has that odd-ball ranking system of voting.  

 Again, I can be way off on these predicts....Or I may be fairly close. I am doing this as I said, 24 hours out and as I will reiterate, 24 hours is an eternity in election. Trust me, I have seen some goofy stuff working in elections.  

 

 

 

Huntsville...Angola...San Quentin...Attica...Raiford...Folson..Buna High School....

 Never would I think I would write a blog in which, I title it with some of the most notorious prisons in America. 

I have heard this from several people. 

It seems that the student body at Buna High School refers to the institution as a "Prison." 

Especially the Senior Class. 

I am still not past the 3 minutes to change classes rule. Hell, as a teacher I need the extra 2 minutes, to at least use the bathroom. And the older you get, the more important the bathroom and where the restroom is located is.....This is especially true if I have had an adult beverage on a flight, on Asian based airline, I always try the beer made in that country. If you ever fly Singapore Airline, try the Tiger beer. You Baptists off backsliding can thank me later. ( My favourite airlines....Singapore Air, Cathay Pacific out of Hong Kong, and Turkish Airlines. )

And I digress. Once again. 

If you listen to high school students, while there is a lot of baloney talking about certain situations, there is often a good bit of truth, for them to actually feel that way.  

If you had me in class, I was fairly strict, some of you may think it was worse than the term " fairly." 

And there is a fine line between being strict and people hating you. Trust me, I walked that line. You got to understand how to do it. You need somehow show the kids that you actually give a damn about their future, hell, just them. The kids themselves. And apparently, the kids do not see any purpose in what all the rules are about.  

Yes, I had the infamous " Cuss Porch" which was more a place I could talk to a kid discipline, some trouble they were having, why they can't make it to government/economics on time, but mostly, it was to talk to you about grades, and if you will graduate or not, and at the same time,  not be heard by anyone, and at the same time literally for my protection, be seen through giant plate glass windows, literally for everyone's safety.....And yes, when I took young men out, there might have been a few choice adjectives used.  You must remember, my students were literally adults. 

But apparently, there are so many rules and regulations at the school that the kids are either wanting to hurry and graduate, or in many cases, let's try another district. Or, more and more parents are looking at homeschooling for their kids.  

I don't know. I worry about the kids and wonder if there is someone who actually advocates for them? I know I often to go through back channels which would lead to be getting into trouble sometimes, bad trouble, almost fistfight trouble.  

I don't know. In 5 years, what will the district look like. Will it get smaller and smaller with people looking at Buna and going, " Nope, my kid ain't going there....." And trust me people outside the district in other ISDs know Buna just ain't what it was in the past.  

 

What the Shakespeare is Going on Buna ISD?

 Hope this one is better than the last one, sometimes you get humbled and the Lord knows sometimes I need it.....

Yes, the title of the blog was "borrowed" from Dr. Who. Yes, I am that big of a nerd/geek..... Try as I may to be "cool."

Question- Is it me, or does it seem like the Buna Schools are awful quiet?  

Too quiet?

Or have we become numb to this present administration? Or are we just waiting for the other shoe to drop? 

Are we that jaded? Or is so much else going on worldwide and nationwide, heck, the economic situation, the school is the least of our concerns?  

I know the district's propaganda machine is working overtime, posting " All the good the district is doing" and is it just me, but does every couple of weeks, there is some sort of "Twerp Week" activities. It is like kids have to be entertained now.......All the time.....The last one I saw was senior ballplayers handing out jerseys to teachers they like to wear to the game. I could just about imagine how happy I'd be to have class interrupted. Especially government class. I was doing everything to cover in what should be a full year in one semester. 

It could be because even though it is a bit off, the holiday days are coming, and I am not going to lie, I loved the Christmas Break more than any other holiday. Spring Break to me was like, " Can we just get this over so we can get out for Summer, then again, after Spring Break, Seniorites was rampant. The seniors were ready to be gone, and I was ready for them to be gone.....

Quiet folks.....Too quiet....Makes me wonder what they are up to?  

( And everyone needs an Orange Tomcat. Fred is laying on the table with the computer supervising me blog. Like he's reading the blog.) 

 

 

 

I Hope You Remember This From My Gubmint Class.

 Yeah, I still will call it govmint, because, that's about how 75% of us in East Texas pronounce  the word " government."

Milton, and I hope he reads this, said this from my class, and I know I must have said it hundreds of times in my teaching career......" If you don't vote, don't gripe." 

The polls will be open for early voting from today until Friday Oct. 30th. The election is next Tuesday, Nov. 3rd, with the normal polls open 7am to 7pm.  

I plan on this being my last blog, this cycle, on getting out the vote. 

Remember if your candidate doesn't win this go round, there is always an election in 2, 4, 6 years.  

Address to Buna ISD Faculty and Staff-

 It's like a British hoodlum music reunion this morning at the Compound, as it's Oasis, The Verve, The Clash playing here in Lemonville. It makes me wonder how the computer decides what I need to listen to in the morning.....

Yes Buna teachers and staff, I still worry about you. And yes, it seems like I may get a little gripey with you, and I know, most of you are doing the best you can do, often going above what is expected of you. 

Trouble is once you go there, you are expected to go all out, and it is often a recipe for disaster for the teacher. Teacher " Burn-out" is real. I know, I reached it the year I retired. Mentally, and too a less extent physically I was done.  

I keep hearing stories of the district being short teachers for certain positions and teachers and paraprofessionals, thus people being assigned to teach at positions often not on the campus they applied at. 

I know they signed a contract saying pretty much " Wherever you are needed in the school district."  But, I could just about see me being assigned to teach say 3rd graders. I'd have them balling their eyes out for a 2 weeks, thinking that Beelzebub his-self has been sent to grade 3. 

But I had no business in classes with little kids. 

Then, there is the question of people being actually certified in the new positions to which they have been assigned.  

And while parents are supposed to be notified about their kids supposedly being taught be instructors without certification, do you actually know who? 

Parents, if you really want to know, you can look up on the Texas Education Agency's website if a teacher holds a certificate, Follow this link/   ( If you want to check and see if you are doing it right, look me up, I still have a " valid" certificate. ( Thomas, Kerry, Don)

I know my last year I taught a World History class. Never had I done so before in 31 years of teaching. AP European, yes, but World History, no. 

As I have said before, that first phone call from a parent complaining about me teaching about Egyptian, Roman, Middle Eastern religions convinced me, " Kerry , ole son, it is time to call it a career. "  

Teachers, hang in there.......It is 4 weeks before you get a week off for Thanksgiving........And after that it is 3 weeks before you are off 2 weeks for the Christmas Break.

We will worry about January when it gets here......Just remember, and I am serious about this, I am praying every morning for the teachers in Buna Schools. 

Faculty, hate it at Buna ISD, get out, there are actually better districts. Do everything you know how, to get out. Buna is not what it once was, I will get blow-back, but if you are honest with yourself, you just know it is not.