new era

Well, 2009 is just about here. In the linear world, this mark of time matters. In the grand scheme of things, it is just the infinite universe. But since we are unwilling to figure out how to use our 10 dimensions and the full power of our brains, we are comforted by the man-made phenomenon that we call time. So in honor of our superstitious rites, I thought I would consider what I am looking forward to in 2009.

The inaugural of the new President can't come soon enough. I'm looking forward to the country working together to address our financial, ecological, and personal issues. kum-bay-ah and all that.

Wouldn't it be great if the election of Obama and the presence of our new first family gave hope to millions of African-Americans in our country? A friend and I were discussing how things will ever change in the glacially slow evolution of our race relations. We settled on the notion that hope is an underrated salve for our interpersonal warfare. If we continue to give meaning to difference, then race will forever be an issue that divides us v. them and enabling the question who is better than the other. By demystifying racial differences and putting meaning on success instead of competition based on race - well, we might make some progress.

Related to demystifying racial differences is the acceleration of educational achievement for kids in the worst performing schools. How can we continue to let generation after generation of young minds go to waste because we refuse to change our educational process to actually ensure that children learn. I'm so tired of teachers complaining that they can't be social workers and teachers too. I'm sick of hearing that there is no money for schools. It is a national nightmare that we place more emphasis on standardized test results than we do on actually producing well educated people. These issues have been plaguing our education system for many years. Get over it and get on with the important work we must do. Teach, educate, and ensure that learning goes on. You know what the characteristics of the students are, what conditions you will have, and what needs to be taught - so get on with it and figure out how to get it done. Enough with the excuses. I don't care if it takes one teacher for every student - do it.

Having a community organizer as our head of state, hopefully will produce attention to our urban ills. We have learned much since our last serious national effort at urban revitalization - see the Jimmy Carter administration... Let's hope our new prez puts his sklz to good use and sends some new options to cities. If we have to keep tweaking the margins, we will never see any significant improvement. I'll be sitting by the phone in case the administration needs some advise.

On a more personal front, I am looking forward to another Gator championship in football, rooting for the Cubs to actually succeed in post season, and enjoying all the benefits of powerfully living a life I love. Check out landmark education to experience what I enjoy every day. I look forward to continuing to put my virtual pen to virtual paper on this blog and contributing to a better world. See you in 2009.