And You Hear Things Out of Buna....I Answer Requests...And Other Rants.....

Listening to the soundtrack from the movie " Dazed and Confused" set in 1976 a year after the ole Govteach graduated from HS, the music was pretty much what we listen to. That said, by 76-77, I had switched to more " Cosmic Cowboy" music, was wearing Hawaiian shirts and cowboy boots, a softball sized dip of Copenhagen....A heck of a look for a history major......BTW time I met my wife, my look had changed to a little more " Preppy." 

First, I want to thank you for reading the blog. 

I checked the numbers and was shocked at how many people read this publication.  Literally it makes you wonder sometimes if I am doing right or not, and then, I get messages from folks and well, I am hitting the bullseye for them and it makes you keep going.

We heard from teachers concerning the last blog. They are not happy. Many want out, and some wonder if they move, with today's geopolitical/geoeconomic situation, what kind of drive they would have and what kind of  money would they have to pay for gasoline? ( I am telling you, you Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Subaru Legacy/Impreza drivers are going to happy with your vehicle. )  

Some of the teachers I've heard from were even wondering as I eluded to yesterday are concerned it is no better at Lumberton or PNG, or LCM......"Do I even want to stay teaching?"  

 - Secondly, I have been approached by a couple of people concerning the stock market and investments to store their retirement, liquidity. 

I probably can pick you a list of stocks I would consider, but you know, right now, I probably would pick a bunch of losers and  because of that, wouldn't dream of telling you a suggestion.  Especially with the economic situation that is coming. 

And besides, if I pick you a couple of stinker investments, how mad are you going to be at me?  ( The only investments for sure might be bags of dry beans, flour, sugar, cornmeal....)

I was asked by someone if they should get cash and silver and bury it in a mayonnaise jar under the house? And the thought of that has crossed my mind.... 

Please don't ask me for financial advise. I am not a CFA, I look at economics, and it is mostly study of the finances of the whole....

-  Finally, prepare yourself mentally. Hope for the best, get ready for the worst. 

The economics looks bad, really bad. The hard times are not here as of yet. I figure by May people will really start to react. 

Be glad what you have, yes, it might not be the same as it was in the past, but you could be in a nation that is much worse off than the one you are living in. 

I may write more concerning economics over the  next few, well, months, years, however long this mess lasts. 

( Came close to a sermon on here this morning using the Book of Lamentations as my source....But I spared you...That theological school training sometimes tries to come out.....)

 

 

BBC.......................Yes, it Involves Buna....

 Buna Back to Class........

Bunch of you thought something else.....I got to be more serious, or change my ways or something......

The old Govteach hated today. The Monday after Spring Break was the worst day of the school year. Teach high school seniors for 127 years, you know those bunch of 12th graders are coming back done, just done. 

Seniorities is real. Seniorteacherites is also real. I had a bad case a couple of years. I literally almost called Teacher Retirement System of Texas( TRS) in April and told them, " I am done....." Literally almost went to the office cussed out some folks along the long stroll, walked out the door and left everything....  

I was in a meeting with a teacher a few years earlier than the year I retired when he received a phone call on his cellular device and he remarked....." I got to take this." He steps into the hall and a few minutes later he steps  back in the meeting and says. " That was teacher retirement, they told me I could retire. " 

He leaves, gets in his car and goes home. Even leaves his sandwich/chips he had planned to eat for lunch in his desk./  

 This was shortly after we came back from Spring Break..........I understood. 

Morale at the Buna Schools ain't that good. Not just because we are in the " Home stretch" of the school year, and the kids are done, never mind there are state exams coming....

Many are looking for an " Out." be it quit teaching/education altogether. Some are looking hard at new school districts, and in this day and age of most people not wanting to put up with the nightmare that is teaching in 2026, they should be fairly easily be able to find another position.  

And afterward, the next few weeks, many will seriously start to say to themselves, " Man, I cannot do this anymore."  

Already, a professional within the district cleaned out their office over the weekend, and left a note literally saying...." I'm Done."  

And this will not be the only one who leaves the Buna District. They see no hope and well, who can blame them if they can find a better position, especially one that pays better?

There are long term employees who are trying to make it one more year, two more years so they can cash in that pension from TRS but they look at another year, another two and say to themselves, are telling others, they " May not make it."

 Things are that bad. 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Yes, I Know, I Know, But Not ALL of Buna Knows....

 No, not the swingers of South Jasper County.....( By the way, I heard of a couple that were involved in swapping wives and I am not going to lie, even jaded me was somewhat shocked at who they were....Apparently SHE is both poly and bi.....And suggested swinging at first with another couple, and well, it gets out of control is what I was told.....) ( You know, sometimes, there are things I would be better off not knowing.)

I am telling you, I could put up a paywall on a site and name it...." Nekkid in Gist" " Slippin' Through the Slough" " Sneaking Down 1004" " Cougar Country Confidential" and make a damn killing.  

Just when you think everyone knows about the blog, well, you get new readers. 

And one had the nerve, the damn nerve to write me all upset about the blog and said, " It's not worth the price of admission." 

Well, heck, I don't charge you nothing now....What do you expect?  

At one time I had a Pay Pal app on the blog, but even it was removed.  

Look, people were upset yesterday because I told them things and well, it scared a couple of them, and the thing is, I did not talk about what the bad part of the future MAY bring.....

And the thing is, most of us expect things to get pretty awful. 

The computer must be reading the blogs. It is playing the Pixies, and " I know it's Over" by The Smiths....Man, I may need to double up on my "Happy Pills" and " Gummies" just to make the morning....Now, someone will preach at me because I believe in " Better living through chemistry." ( New readers, I have a very eclectic music taste, so don't be shocked at what my computer picks for me to listen to. It might be a Wagnerian Opera tomorrow....)   

This is my blog. I write on whatever strikes my fancy. Yes, I often cover Buna Schools, yes, I may talk about local politics, but, I may do economics, or history, or theology, whatever I want to when I sit down at the keyboard, yes, even gossip.  

Again, welcome to newbies.

As  always, if you have something of interest concerning Jasper County, the school district, etc., let me know. There is a real chance I may write a blog concerning it./ 

As always, all information is kept anonymous.  I never reveal sources. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm Going to be an A$$hole This AM.......

 I write this as I listen to a Russian cover band out perform Blood Sweat and Tear's. " You Make Me So Very Happy."

But I digress. 

And the ole Govteach ain't very happy..... 

I got to quit looking at the economic charts. Get ready folks, it is about to get bad. 

Already they are talking about 4.2% inflation. If it is being announce at that number, how high is it in reality?  

We are in stagflation, don't care what you call it. High inflation, and no jobs, or wages not keeping up with inflation. 

In Germany diesel is already selling for about $8 a gallon......Austria, closer to $9.  

They are out of petrol, or gasoline in Australia.  And they do not know when they will receive fuel. 

They are rationing fuel in Southeast Asia, Philippines and Pakistan/India. 

In South Korea, you can only drive certain days of the week.  

I don't even want to think what the collapse of the Petrodollar is going to do to the US. Other countries with oil have been using the dollar to buy US securities, bonds to keep the American Government afloat.  

The price of oil may lead to lock-downs. Things like 4 day work weeks, more people working from home. The US Post Office is adding a fuel charge to packages that you ship.  Don't be shocked if at some point we go back to remote schools to save fuel. 

They are talking about food shortages, mainly due to a large amount of fertilizer product not being shipped out of the Persian Gulf.  Also, the cost to grow and transport will increase. And expect shortages. 

I speculated last night about where this might lead, and  I cannot seem to see anything good coming in economics in the next weeks, months, years.....I can even see UBI coming out of this situation.  Conspiracy and preppers are already saying that we need to be "Aware of forced energy lockdowns in America." " That COVID was just a practice run."

Going to say this, and take it for what it is worth....If there is something you want, or really need, you might want to get it now..... 

And to quote an old Chinese saying....

" May you live in interesting times." 

Man, I did not want it this interesting.... If you are a praying sort of person, you may want to start praying extra hard.

And BTW, I didn't go total "Debbie Downer"( And my Deborah is not a downer, many of you know her) in this blog. I've been looking at economic charts and models and well, I am sort of holding back in this blog, it ain't looking good for any economy.  

 

 

This Week in Buna Schools.....

 It is Spring Break in Buna ISD....I don't know, this week long break, well, I just did not really get all excited about. Yes, I was happy to be out of school, yes, I generally took a small road trip, but Spring Break was always like, " Why are we stopping going to school now? If we just kept going, we could be out of school sometime in the middle of May for Summer. 

Spring semesters always were horrible to me. Always something going on, damn UIL Academics, the damn prom, the damn state exams, the damn graduation ceremony.  Something going on in which there is the possibility of someone knowing better and screwing up, and it come back on the Govteach.. 

I am still amazed at the number of people who have ties to Buna that are doing everything they can to get their children out of Buna ISD.  We are often talking about people whose families have been in the Buna community for decades, literally generations. Heck, even school board member's kids are moving their kids out, mostly to Evadale.  Who knew Evadale ISD would be so attractive? 

Then, I've been asked about why there appears to be two new administrators at the elementary school for calendar year 26-27.  Including one supposedly becoming a literary specialist within the district. ( Hell, I need me one of those jobs, make me an English Literature specialist.....I'll stand in the hall and quote  Shakespeare, Tennyson, , the Bronte Sisters,  Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens, by memory. In truth, if I am at school, I want to be in the classroom, with kids, it is why I went into the business. )

We also have people who are looking at new churches, or just stop attending services altogether. The ties between the school and church has just turned them off. Plus, there are people who have stopped going because of the tithe. 

I know in the past of high school teachers who stopped going to Buna churches for several reasons, including politics, and the fact some parents wanting to hold " parent conferences" with their kid's teachers either before, or during, or after Sunday School, or even in the parking lot after church.  I know that some of the teachers literally left the county to attend church either in Silsbee or down towards Little Cypress.Many just stopped going altogether.  

Okay, I hope I made at least one reader happy with this style of writing. They hate when I just write one sentence and then write one more in a what they call paragraphs. And this person ain't an English teacher.....The trouble is, when I write paragraph, I start looking for where I can put a footnote. History graduate and theological graduate schools make you want to be all academic sometimes. ....I probably will go back to my old style in the next blog.... 

 

 

Ain't Going to Lie, It was the First Thing I Thought

 I know I should not be surprised. 

And I have lived in this part of the world, the majority of my life. 

But when Valero in Port Arthur had an explosion, the first thing I thought was terrorists, and in truth, would they even tell us if it was? 

Unless the politicians had ulterior reasons to do so.... 

But, we must remember, they are "cooking" petroleum products at these plants and well, sometimes, they for whatever reason, "blow-up."  

Again, I have lived down here and know this thing happens, and the plant jobs, well, as I have said in the past, they are dangerous.  

I have to be careful sometimes when talking about politicians, my brother is one...I've worked in his campaigns. 

But, the ole Govteach  ain't a politician. Just like he isn't a full time preacher. He is hoping for a technically to keep out of Hell now. 

I am like William Tecumseh Sherman concerning politics. 

" If nominated, I shall not run......If elected, I shall not serve."  

I Know Buna, I Owe You a Blog, But.......

 I keep watching the damn war. 

And I need to write on the fact that Buna Elementary is looking for two administrators. Both Principal and Asst. Principal.  

- Bombing Iran's nuclear plant, so they Iran shoots missiles at Israel's.

- The US President threatens to shut down all the electrical plants in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened up, and you know, Iran will start shooting missiles at Israeli power plants, and those in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, etc..... Or water desalination plants, which most depend on for drinking water in the Middle East. 

- Meanwhile we have a US Marine Expeditionary Force sailing towards " Harms Way."  Perhaps, what the plans are for these Marines worries me more than anything. I know the 82nd Airborne out of Ft. Bragg will probably be involved, but we can't really know where they are, whereas the Marines set sail from Japan on xyz date,  which means they will be in the Middle East sometime in the coming week. 

Both the Marines and 82nd have been in my prayers this morning....

-Then, there are people talking about this spinning into WW3.  

We may be already there. Ukraine and Russia are at war, most Gulf States , Iran, Israel are involved, the who knows how much armament the US Air Force has dropped on the Persians. 

- Then, it was discovered that Iran can now strike Europe, including London, England with long range missiles.  And it was the major talk on British newspapers because, the British do not have air defenses to knock down missiles. 

The US and every other country did not find out the distance Iran's missiles can travel, until yesterday when the Iranians shot missiles at Diego Garcia, a British Island base used by America in the middle of the Indian Ocean.  

To prove we are going to Hell, do not pass go, do not collect $200,  a British newspaper's headline was what Bonnie Blue would do during WW3.......And if you do not know who she is, good for you....

Debbie and Kerry are re-thinking a trip to Scotland..... 

- Then, there is the report that unknown drones were flying over Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport. 

Barksdale of course is home of a fleet of B-52 nuclear bombers./ ( Don't think there are not sleeper cells here in the US.)

- I need to write on the economics that are part of this............Especially the agricultural fertilizer and fewer crops, high prices/inflation effect.  

 

 

 

 

Even More Mail From Buna ISD Patrons......Some Families Are Fighting Over it....

 Then again, there were families shooting at one another during the American Civil War....Why would today be any different?

 - Again, I am shocked at the numbers of people who are upset with the Buna ISD. 

All pretty much saying the same thing in a way I will paraphrase....

" What has happened to our district?"  

As a long time teacher and Buna graduate told me......" I like the district I am teaching in right now......Why would I move to be disrespected? And I have heard from people asking about me moving....I literally would have to be nuts to move to Buna right now." ( They have a much needed (a couple of three  )  Texas Teacher's Certificates that are much sought after. They can apply in pretty much any district and get hired. )

- And I keep hearing the same theme from parents......

" Bullying" 

And this concerns me. 

Let's face it, I was rough on y'all as I have said in previous publications.....But I have tried to be " Equally rough on everyone....I wanted Buna kids to be the best person in the college classroom, or on that job site." 

I don't know if you have noticed, but I check on y'all fairly often.....And while some of you have had missteps, which is to be expected, most of you who have fouled up, have got, up, brushed yourselves off, found work, and are trying to become meaningful  members of society. And I am damn proud of you. 

But, in the tradition of the blog, I digress. 

This bullying is something else. 

It is like there is one treatment for one set of kids, and another for another group......And it is oblivious.... 

And like I have said, if you can, homeschool.....Get your kid into another district,  I don't know. I keep hearing rumblings of parents consulting legal counsel,  but nothing solid yet. So many parents are afraid of ramifications coming back on their children. 

Then, there are some who keep saying " If XYZ can just graduate..." 

Trouble is, that doesn't help the next group of kids coming through.... 

There is also the inevitable time in which I will stop writing this publication. I'll get up and say...." Not today Satan.....Never again, God is pointing me in another direction.And that day is closer than even I know....."    

But for now, you need to just vent, send me your troubles, especially concerning the ISD.  I will keep it in my prayers, in my thought, possibly more than you know.  There are times I lie in bed at night and can't sleep worrying about the school district. 

 

 

 

 

I Received More Mail than Normal on the Buna Schools!!!

 Generally I get " Jumped on" by an apologist for the district. Apologist does not necessarily mean supporting the religious tradition they follow.....Comes from the Greek, apologia( supporting speech). Thus, the association with religion. 

But not this time. It was surprisingly quiet.  

I often wonder if my blogs are doing " any good" but sometimes, something you have written surprises even yourself. 

 Perhaps this message I receive described it the best....This from a long time employee who held several positions within the district. And this is from a person who knows. 

" The longer I am retired from the Buna Independent School District, the more I realize just how messed up it was and still is..... "

Then, there were those who are a growing voice concerning the district. 

" I thought the new school board would be better, but I am disappointed."  

" I am thinking about running....But I happened(spelling) got a dog's chance."  ( Run, you never know)

And they are not alone. People are disappointed with the board...As one put it....

" They've become just another politician." " Afraid to make waves."

Then, there was this.....

" I got no hope" ( In the school board.)

Then there were letters concerning bullying.....

" I am so glad my kids are now in LCM." " I don't understand what is going on concerning them ( Buna) it is like they do it for us to leave. " 

And there were those like these....

" The Taucer, Tady( Tandy), and you days are gone. There are so many teachers who are there for the 20th only." ( The 20th is payday each month in the Buna ISD. It is earlier if you direct deposit, paper cheques are on the 20th.) 

" Like you have said, just what the fuck do some of these people do?" ( I think I said " cornbread feck.")

" I hope the clique is happy with what they got." 

Then, I received more of these than any other....

" We stay silent. We are afraid for our children." 

Finally this.... 

" Did you hear about the cat?"

Yes, and I am upset about this one. I may write a blog on this one..... Is there a video? I keep hearing rumors, if so, send it to me. Surely the story isn't true.....

Again, if I was unhappy, I would homeschool, figure out a way to move. And if you are looking to move back, my question is " Why?" There are really good districts in the area that are close to grandma and grandpa's. Look, some of the best and brightest teachers are leaving for better districts and it isn't just the money other districts are paying.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please Buna Folks.....And I Got(s) Questions about BISD.....

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” 

-Aristotle 

“The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.” 

- C. S. Lewis 

I spent a large part of my week speaking to folks about getting their children out of the Buna Public Schools.  

Many of them were asking about homeschooling their children. More than you know, and the question keeps coming up, and I paraphrase here. 

"Am I smart enough to teach my kids at home?" 

For most of you, my answer is...." Grades k-8, yes." When they get to high school well, that was where it splits.....Do you want your kid to go to college and study in a STEM program? For some of you, yes, for some of you, well it depends. 

The depends is, are you have the will to learn enough to teach say pre-cal? Or find someone to tutor the child in maths (as the British call it)? Same with many of the sciences?  Economics? Heck, might even go into some of the other programs.....

But where there is a will, there is a way. 

To be honest I don't trust a lot of the curriculum programs being used in Texas right now, case in point, the Bluebonnet Curriculum has 4,000 mistakes. 

It's why I wrote my own Gov/Eco curriculum. Yes, it followed the TEKS, but the curriculum's that were offered, well, they sucked. Sucked bad/  

A brain-damaged squirrel could have written a better curriculum for economics. And I am pretty sure it was done that way on purpose. 

Then, there was a community person who is dead serious about setting up a private school of some sort in the South Jasper County area. Picked my brain so much this week, I am thinking about sending them a dun for a consultation fee.  They hinted at me teaching a couple of the upper level classes and I said " No." I am through. I am too far away from the classroom to come back and I love not having to go anyplace in the morning.....I am telling you, retirement is the best job I have ever had.....

- Then, I am trying to figure out the " Whys?" on the Mock STAAR  EXAM being added to the grades without or is my understanding without there being some sort of adjustment or curve like the test itself has......

I had a student of mine who is brighter than me....Yes, there are several of you smarter than me. Especially with the mathematical formulation within microeconomics.  Hell, I took a 439 Microeconomics course from Dr. Smithson at LU and he had PhD in Agricultural Microeconomics from the Univ. of Minnesota and he got off in the math and had to come in the next class, and tell us he messed up and started over. ( It actually was a sort of fun class. Hard, but I enjoyed the agricultural part of the course.)

I don't know. 

There is so much micromanagement going on now in the school business. 

Most of you would have failed Gov/Eco. And I know there are people still mad at me for failing my class, but do you really understand how hard it was to flunk my class and even then, I literally lost more sleep than you know before I gave you an " F." And trust me, you earned it. I was pissed off at you for putting me in that spot.  

As much as I loved the Buna ISD in the past, if you are unhappy, and can do so, get your kids out. I don't know how many of the faculty today puts their necks out for the kids like was done. I know what I did for some of y'all, and well, I liked doing it because it pissed off certain people, however, you know me, I am a bit " different." But there were upper level teachers retired or now gone to greener pastures, you need to thank for what they did for you. I do not think you know how some teachers risked their careers for some of you. You need to buy them breakfast sometime, or at least thank them when you see them in the store , they seriously would be thrilled.  

 

 

Alright You Sorry-a$$ Sumofab*tch.....

^" There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

-Paul- Galatians 3:28

I swear Buna is " Vidor North." 

And trust me, I know Vidorians. ( Vidor High School - Class of 1975)

Do not tell me otherwise, I thought at one time you were better, but you are not. 

Lately on Facebook, I have seen posts that look like they come right out of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan handbook. 

Some who refer to me as a " friend" and they often post Facebook comments on my blogs. 

I seriously wonder if you remember that I have a Chinese daughter-in-law? They are apparently trying and if I have grandkids, they will be half Chinese and they plan to have the child in China, that way they'll have duel citizenship. US and Chinese. And in this day and age, they may need to get the hell out of here. I know I am keeping my Chinese Family Visa up to date in case we have to leave. Don't plan to, and may need to fight and die in the streets of America at some point, but the way stuff is, well, you never know. I really do not think many of you understand how modern 2026 China is. I too was shocked when we visited. We have lost the plot here in this nation.Don't tell yourself otherwise. We are not leaving it better for the next generations. And the younger people know it. 

Or how long it'll be before the Chinese will be included in their posts? 

Many of you claim that you you are a follower of Christ, yet, some of your hatred well, it is 1950s Vidor.  

And the Lord knows I have sins....But some of you are not even trying.  

Some of you may need to unfriend me.  

 

What is Going on in Iran?

 "The first casualty when war comes is the truth."

-Sen Hiram Johnson 

Things to remember and think about concerning this war.... 

-Always keep this in mind like all wars in history, this is a religious war, and an economic one. It became a religious one when the Supreme Leader was killed. When that occurs, all bets are off.....There are those who preach Dispensationalism who want this war to bring thinking it will bring back Jesus. 

-There is a real possibility Israel may use nuclear weapons in the war.   If this happens, anything might occur.

-Do not be shocked if there are American troops sent into Iran. Already there is talk about " Boots on the Ground." 

If US troops are sent in, the question is how will they be resupplied? Has that even been considered? 

Then, there is already talk that the draft may need to be brought back. I remember my relatives being brought back in body bags from Vietnam. Deb's dad being seriously wounded on a patrol boat in the Mekong River. Feck that shat. I have several nephews age 18-25. I don't want them fighting for the Knesset.  

 -Rumors already abound that the US Army 82nd Airborne is being mobilized.  (Perhaps sent into Azerbaijan? Or 3-4 other spots)

- If Iran starts hitting desalinization plants in Saudi,  Kuwait, UAE, etc, they are in trouble. They do not have enough water. 

-If Iran starts hitting the oil fields in Arab nations.....I don't even want to think about the price of oil. 

-At 5;30am today, oil was $102 a barrel for West Texas Intermediate.  The US economy is already in trouble, this won't help. Inflation is really about the ramp up. 

The counties most effected by the oil being capped off  are India, S. Korea, Japan, China, and while S. Korea and China have large stockpiles, this will eventually run out. And China needs energy and may get desperate. 

Remember fertilizer depends upon petroleum to be manufactured. Oil for transportation, oil for farming, gas for a lot of electricity production, the economics spooks me alone.   

- Iran has finally picked a new Supreme Leader. 

- Remember, Iran is said to be able to manufacture 500 drones a day. 

- There was talk if Tehran falls, Iran will fall. This is why you study history. In the last 7000 years, Iran/Persia has had 77 different capitals.  

- If you think bombing Iran into submission will be easy, get out your maps and take a look at the size of Iran.  

-  The family who rules Bahrain may fall, trouble is, who might replace them? 

- Stagflation is scaring the hell out of economists. Price/inflation rising and there being no jobs.  

Remember this, we do not know how far prices are going to go up. 

- We do not know how long this war will last. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin said it would last 3-4 days.....We are now into year 4.   You must remember, Iran has been preparing for this exact thing for 20+ years. 

 

 

 

Again, For My Ex-Students....

 There are times I get out and about. I know the original hermit/monk, who probably could have made it in a monastery, has been going places....Which would make me a friar, not a monk....

Quick lesson....

Monks- Stay in and chant.

Friar- Get out and about. 

But, I've had appointments, have gone in an actual store that didn't say hardware or dollar in it's name.  Have been seen in a restaurant. 

In the past, I have taught a lot of people. A lot. 30 years of high school kids add up. 

Most of you, I know. And will call you by your last name. 

Trouble is, if you are female, I will call you by your maiden name. And sometimes, husbands get upset when I do so. Like I know the boy from Adam. Unless I the male spouse, I either taught, or is from Buna, I probably don't know the boy. ( I know some, I performed your wedding)....But most no...

And time to time, the boy gets all bent out of shape when I call their wife by the maiden name.....Which makes me wonder seriously about the psychological make-up of the spouse. ( I've been to Deb's PNG Reunion before and what does everyone call her? " Debbie Britain." And I expect them to and in truth, I do not care....Why should I, it was her name for years....) And the boy who gets upset seems to be in the same profession.....And it ain't teachers, professors, lawyers, etc......

Sometimes, I will know you, and won't recall the name. Help the old man out. But most of you, I will know your name. 

And we have done this before. 

You don't have to call me " Mr. Thomas." 

I know people like Tara Laramore will, she has told me " I feel funny calling you something else." 

But, Kerry is fine...Hell, if I was teaching with you, in a meeting, in the teacher's study, I would want you to call me " Kerry." 

And besides, most of you are well, you're getting old. I see the grey hair.  

My nephews are 22 and 18 and long ago, they dropped the " Uncle" when they call my name. It's Kerry or Kerry Don, the addition of " Don" is a family thing, and well, if you add the " Don" well, I do not mind. Hell,  it's my name. 

Anyway, from time to time, I feel the need to go over this, especially when I see a former student and they stumble. fumble what they are going to call me.  

Debating writing a  blog over the war we are now involved in, and it may not be what you want to hear....

 

 

 

Bullies at Buna ISD?

 I am hesitant to go here. 

The world has changed since I long ago darkened the doors of Buna High School. 

And the Lord knows I gave y'all Hell when I was the Gov/Eco teacher at Buna. And I tried to spread out giving you Hell evenly. 

But I know I gave some of you more Hell than others, and to be honest, I saw lost potential in some I rode like a $2 Mule. 

I know I was giving a girl in my class a fit one year and looked in her eyes and thought she was going to " tune-up" and bawl her eyes out.....So I just left her alone. 

A week later she came by during lunch and asked me...." Mr. Thomas are you mad at me?" " You've stopped saying anything to me."   

But, the theme of bullying keeps coming up on social media. Yesterday, bullying at Buna Schools was discussed on a Jasper page. And there were several who added their two cents, most agreeing with the fact that a form of bullying is going on, mostly from other students, but many included faculty and administration in their complaints.  

I know my first year in college band I was hazed like you would not believe. It was just a 
"right of passage" in the 1970s. I gave the Fish Hell my next year, but by the time I was a senior, well, I wound up dating Freshman in the section. And I saw myself as a leader my senior year, and tried to take care of my "Fish." ( To paraphrase Boone from "Animal House" " Hey, you can't abuse that Freshman in my section, that's my Fish to abuse.") 

Again, The Govteach could not teach school today. I could not. As I had a couple I taught tell me " Their kids would literally come home despondent the first day in my class, and would be all downhill from there. "

I am sure I will receive bullying examples and I am hoping I do.....  

Dammit to Hell Lamar Jean!

 When I was in college, that was my friend group's saying when something did not go according to plan.....

I can't just stay watching this war mess. We are in day 4 and I am burned out watching. I literally can't keep up with the news. 

And yesterday alone, I looked and I have been watching about 70 different sites, podcasts, news, streams, etc on the war situation. 

- I threw a fit about the school this morning. Should not have, but I did, and this is with me eating "Happy Pills."  

- Went out to see the " Blood Moon." Saw nothing but clouds and pine trees. 

- Every now and again, Fred will look at me like, " Let me gain a couple of extra pounds and I think I can take him." Just not quite use to having a cat. 

- Saw a sandwich made with a quarter inch of creamy peanut butter,  crunched up sour cream and chives Lay's, BBQ sauce on top of the chips, on a slice of pita bread folded in half. Does not sound like it works, but apparently it does. I have it all but the sour cream chips here, may go and acquire the chips later, just to experiment. 

- That said, I am wanting sloppy joes soon for some reason.... 

- Talking about 15 minutes of fame, whatever happened to the Hawk-Tuah girl? After her crypto misadventure, she just disappeared. I figure she'd be a " Mattress Actress" by now. 

-Was told recently that our next trip would not be to Europe/England, Scotland like I had hoped,  apparently, I need to plan on a trip to Shanghai. The New "Regime" is planning a trip.  The way things are going....Maybe not?

-Stock market is down -800 before opening trading. 

- If you've not, go to the polls. It is Election Day...... 

- Got a few ugly messages about my blog on Iran yesterday. You just can't make everyone happy. 

 

Wars and Rumors of Wars.....

 And ye shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 

Matthew 24:6- Geneva 1599 Bible

The 1599 Geneva Bible was the one purported carried by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower... 

- I don't know if I will be talking about " The War" on a regular basis, or just this once.  

Yesterday, I had to stop watching......Just too much..... 

Let's talk a little about what is going on.

The British press is talking about "several" US jets crashing in Kuwait. They even have one distressed in a video.  

The British are even taking about evacuating 90,000-100,000 of their citizens from the Gulf Region. Should be interesting unless they call a cease fire to stop Iran, there will be drones and missiles shot at the British Air Force planes.  ( There are no plans as of yet for US evacuations)

The are rumors Iran has been offered a deal , but has turned it down. ABC News is saying the Iranians are saying, " No Negotiation."

As reported yesterday, 3 US Troops were killed, 5 badly injured. There will be more reports like this in the coming days, sadly. ( Iran is claiming 500+ US killed......)

There are some US Navy ships in the Persian Gulf, and they may not be able to get out.  

A British base was attacked by drone on the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean.  If they can get to Cyprus, there are other parts of Europe they probably can reach. 

The Israeli Army/Air Force has opened a second front against Hezbollah in Lebanon.  

The Saudi Aramco refinery has been hit by a suicide drone. 

As of 4am CT, the price of West Texas Intermediate( WTI) Oil is up 8%, about plus $5. And is rising.  Brent Sea Oil is at $80 a barrel. 

Also at 4am CT, the Dow has dropped -600 on stock futures. 

Gold is at $5400 at ounce. 

 ( Going to watch Tom Keen on Bloomberg Radio live stream at 6am to see what he says.)

I may write on this as it continues. I really want to write on economics right now, and am working on another Buna School blog.( Buna School blogs are sometimes difficult to write.)