Play Nice or Not at All

Some recent replies calling me ‘evil’ from a local blogger on my post on Tony Palmeri and his opposition to Dave Omachinski reminded me of how I describe what I do to folks not in higher education.

Way back when, in meeting neighbors or individuals in social situations, the subject of employment inevitably would come up. When mine was discussed, the reaction always was along the line of ‘you teach college’. I’d always explain that I’m not a teacher but rather, I facilitate learning at a university. Young children are taught. Don’t touch the stove because it is hot and it will burn you, etc. They remember lessons by rote.

It isn’t until later, that children begin to learn by making discoveries and thus at the post secondary level, we don’t teach our students but we learn ‘em. I present topics and ideas, and students research and form opinions and come to formulate their own ideas in my area.

Often times at this level, our learning ‘em improves on the rote learning of their youth. Finally, I’m getting to make my point.

As a child, one is taught to not call others bad names; it is not nice. As the child grows and matures the child learns, hopefully, that calling names also isn’t productive to rational discourse. Calling someone a derogatory name or assigning them uncomplimentary character traits isn’t a way to win an argument. So as I make my point (see first paragraph) on the postings of “working to make a living” I’m guessing that as a child he/she wasn’t taught as a child not to call others names and as a young adult, he/she hasn’t yet learned that name calling doesn’t lead to swaying the opinions of others.

So, play nice and post nice is my motto. Rational discourse is good, name calling is bad. I ask “working to make a living” to save the name calling for the street rallies ‘cause if you do it again, I got the big ol’ delete key ready and waiting.

Right on Schedule?

I dropped in last week to get my parking permit and I learned that the much awaited parking ramp won't be done until mid October. I'm wondering why it isn't on schedule and if there are any contract penalties that will be paid be the general contractor as it was supposed to be done prior to the start of the semester. I'm not bothered by the delay as I don't park down there but still........

I look at my email today and see that the new Rec Center will be $360 per year and oh yeah, I can't bring my wife. I guess we are keeping the Y membership! PS, it isn't on schedule either!

A Mistake

Last late night one of our own, Tony Palmeri, blocked one of our own, David Omachinski (Foundation Board, Alumn, Guest Lecturer) from a position on the Oshkosh Redevelopment Board. That crux of the argument to block the appointment was that Oshkosh Bgosh outsourced jobs to third world countries and that third world countries labor standards are not very good.

Right church, wrong pew.

Yes, there is no denial that third world labor practices are below those of developed countries. Often, compared to the practices in the US, these practices are abhorrent. There is no dispute here. However, one of the comebacks to the labor practices is that by having some jobs over no jobs, it will allow the third world to develop better economies. Economic historians bolster this argument by showing how the textile trade left the UK in the late 1800's and early 1900's for India and arguably now, India has one of the faster growing economies world wide and is one of the world's largest secular democracies. True, there are still major problems in India but economic historians will point out the growth and changes to bolster their argument.

But back to Mr Omachinski. I know Dave, I've worked with Dave and Tony you were wrong to block him. Should Dave had not outsourced Oshkosh and gone bankrupt? Would that have been a better outcome for the entire company to fold? Is it better for all to perish in outside the lifeboat if you can't fit everyone in? Is this your point?

To argue that the Authority needs someone representing organized labor on there is an interesting concept. Let someone from organized labor who has Dave's background (successful CEO of a public traded company, board member of others, and civic/philanthropic participation) step to the plate. To argue that the Authority needs organized labor representation is a hollow argument: the Authority needs competent membership not special interest group representation. If you've got someone out there equal or better to Dave from organized labor, please let us see it. You knew about the opening, did you present some candidates to Mayor Tower?

Don't just grab someone because of organized labor. Job creation and economic expansion starts with ideas and not with protecting the buggywhip industry.

Morning Walk

I had the occasion this morning to need to go downtown-yes there still are reasons to go down town-and rather than driving, I walked from my campus office.

It brought back memories as I walked by the many churches and remembered several weddings I attended. The memories that surprised me while walking were as I walked by the Salvation Army across from the Courthouse. Way back when, some 2 decades ago, I was a social worker before my quest landed me working and teaching in higher education.

A saw mothers going into the Salvation Army with children in tow. I thought how hard it was to reconcile the mission of the SA with our mission of higher education and how just 2 blocks away from each other, they appear to conflict. We are turning out educated students who should have bright futures and the SA is trying to keep young adults just hanging on.

My memories of working as a social worker, being a naive youth armed with BA degree, were how could this be happening with young women-girls actually-having babies and not wanting an education or anything more in life such as a career? I had several client families that were 3 generations of women living on welfare with no desire to go further. As a professional I felt helpless at times. I remember one young mother of about 18 or 19 who wanted to learn to read so she could read to her baby. As much as I tried as a professional to help this young woman, I thought how the baby was still lost

I saw that today. Young women with children going to the SA, the children growing up not wanting or expecting to succeed based upon the situations in which they are being raised.

As I embark on a new academic year I want to remember to encourage my students to remember that higher education will give them the tools to succeed and when they succeed that they need to make damn sure they give back and that they instill the drive and passion for success in others who may not have it.