Tekkie Dan's Blog

Sean Penn - YES!

2009-02-23T11:00:00.004-05:00

Mega congratulations for Sean Penn who did a tremendous job playing Harvey Milk in Milk.

"You commie, homo-loving sons of guns," Penn began in accepting the prize. "I did not expect this and I want it to be very clear that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me often."

"How did he do it?" fellow Oscar winner Robert De Niro wondered in introducing Penn. "How for so many years did he get all those jobs playing straight men?"

Milk was the first openly gay man elected to major public office in the United States when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. The following year, he was shot to death along with Mayor George Moscone by board colleague Dan White. But during his life, he inspired gays and lesbians to stand up and come out, helped turn the Castro neighborhood into the gay Mecca it would become and roused crowds with impassioned speeches that often began with the words, "My name is Harvey Milk and I am here to recruit you."

In wrapping up his own speech, Penn mentioned the protesters who lined the streets of Hollywood near the Oscar festivities, holding anti-gay signs: "We've got to have equal rights for everyone," he said.

Backstage, when asked what he would tell those protesters if he could speak to them, Penn responded: "I'd tell them to turn in their hate card and find their better self."

Oscar

2009-02-22T21:25:00.004-05:00

I've loved Hugh Jackman for some time and am really enjoying him in the Academy Awards tonight. The opening number was quite alot of fun.

I've been most touched by Dustin Lance Black, winner for Original Screen Play of Milk. It's an incredible movie about an incredible man but Dustin's remarks were very moving...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mv35SN3ctU

"When I was 13 my beatiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Texas to California, and I heard the story of Harvey Milk and it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life. It gave me the hope one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married. I want to thank my mom who has always loved me even where there was pressure not to, but most of all if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago I think he'd want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told they are less than by their churches and or by the government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you , God does love you and that very soon I promise you, you will have equal rights federally across this great nation of ours. Thank you and thank you God for giving us Harvey Milk."

A-men

$790 Billion Deal: School And State Aid Saved, Tax Credit Cut

2009-02-11T14:38:00.001-05:00

AP DAVID ESPO February 11, 2009 at 02:28 PM WASHINGTON —
Moving with remarkable speed, key lawmakers and the White House reached for final agreement Wednesday on a $789 billion economic stimulus measure designed to create millions of jobs in a nation reeling from recession.
"Time's getting short," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, one of a handful of Senate moderates whose votes are crucial to the bill's passage.

The winds of change

2008-11-04T23:07:00.005-05:00

I am ecstatic that we have a new President to guide our nation and our people. A man who knows how to excite people to rally behind our nation instead of dividing us.

I pray that we continue toward unity. Solutions for the economy will not be easy and will take time but I believe we can do it. Like others, I believe that in times of distress, a real leader needs to call us to give of ourselves. Franklin Roosevelt rallied the people to make sacrifices and the people did so.

Central Florida has also sent the riff raff packing from Congressional Districts 8 and 24. Ric Keller (8) can hit the road and Jack Abramoff's buddy, Tom Feeney (24) in his own words "got licked"! Thank goodness!

My only sadness on this otherwise historic night is that 62% of the people of Florida chose to put outright discrimination into the Constitution of the State of Florida. For several years it has been statute that "marriage is between one man and one woman" but those who perpetuated Amendment 2 decided that it should be part of the constitution. I do hold out hope that President Obama will be able to further push toward "liberty and justice for all" in our country.

dg

FCAT (Florida's Conspiracy Against Teachers) (and children)

2008-05-21T22:37:00.002-04:00

I received this today and must share it...

Date: May 21, 2008 3:46:55 AM EDT

Subject: 3rd Grade FCAT Scores Today

The day of the 2008 release of the third-grader’s Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) scores is a good time to step back and take stock of what has simply come to be known as the test in the Sunshine State.

Looking back, the FCAT appeared in the public schools for the first time in the final year of Governor Lawton Chiles’ term in office. But Jeb Bush is married to the FCAT in the minds of most Floridians. And he seems to embrace that idea. Bush often cites the test as the cornerstone of his legacy as the self-proclaimed “education governor” and he did raise the FCAT stakes to point that it now hangs over the state’s public school landscape like a dense fog.

The now former Governor Jeb Bush is the scion of a dynastic American family of incomparable political power and great wealth. The Bush family boasts two President’s of the United States! The family enjoys a huge fortune based on its dealings across the financial spectrum from the Rockefellers to the Saudi royal family. There can be no argument, an extremely powerful man made the FCAT his baby and guided the State of Florida to this system of public school accountability.

For those unfamiliar with the FCAT, it makes children accountable for tested reading skills when they reach the age of eight or 9-years-old. If a child fails to meet the test standards—that child is severely punished. The child is publically humiliated! The child is forced to repeat the third grade while classmates move ahead to the forth grade. The architects of the FCAT believe that holding these children up to shame and ridicule will become an incentive to master the tested reading skills and there is little doubt the approach does increase the pressure on the little ones. There are widespread reports of children becoming physically sick on test days—throwing up on the test, urinating on themselves.

Several years now of administering the test indicate that children living in poverty feel the lion’s share of the FCAT ‘s punitive force. Because a disproportionate number of poor children are African-American and Hispanic and recent immigrants, something the educational bureaucracy calls “the achievement gap” is now all the rage. However, those bureaucrats are adamant that poverty will not be used as an excuse. The children must be punished, they must be held accountable! It is worth noting here that Florida’s white children living in poverty, in rural Jefferson County for instance, do not fare well with the FCAT either.

For a while, a couple of years ago, South Florida had a precious little FCAT success story named Sherdavia Jenkins. She came from the heart of Miami-Dade’s Liberty City and gave the test a whoppin’ worthy of Muhammad Ali in his prime. Ali was someone, by the way, who would have had great difficulty with the FCAT as a child but he did ultimately lecture at Harvard University several times as a grown man and recorded some success in life. Anyway, Sherdavia earned the best FCAT score at Lillie C. Evans Elementary. The justifiable pride Sherdavia must have felt lasted just a few weeks before the violence endemic in her depressed neighborhood claimed her life. She was shot and killed outside her home.

The whole tragedy raises certain questions. Who was ready to step up and be accountable for the all too brief life and violent death of the FCAT whiz? Should Sherdavia have packed up and gotten out of Liberty City? Maybe, but it’s hard out there for a nine-year-old on your own. FCAT supporters often mention the importance of parental accountability. And we may have to settle for blaming Sherdavia’s mother and father for allowing her onto the front porch to play with her dolls. Because not one of Florida’s most powerful and influential public figures even acknowledged that Sherdavia Jenkins’ death was a problem that needed their attention.

Although the level of public school funding and graduation rates in Florida rest at or near the bottom of the national barrel, another layer of FCAT accountability lands on youngsters if they survive into and through high school. This year 26,997 high school seniors who dutifully completed their coursework, did their community service, and fought off all the negative influences toward dropping out will be punished for the sake of FCAT skills. At their upcoming graduation ceremonies, some of these students will pretend to their classmates to be receiving a diploma. But they will walk across that stage to be lashed by their FCAT masters and handed a worthless piece of paper.

At the conclusion of the movie Spiderman, Peter Parker comes to terms with his superhero status and he remembers his uncle saying, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” The creators and the administrators of the FCAT live by another rule. For them it seems to come down to, “With great power, comes great impunity.” Under the FCAT regimen, all the accountability is heaped on the shoulders of children living in deprivation and adults living in comfort accept none.

Jeb Bush had the means to keep his own children in private schools and he always did. The private schools are a haven from incessant testing because parents like Jeb and Columba Bush want their children truly educated and prepared for the future. Yet Gov. Bush, as a matter of public policy, always held that the FCAT was good for the public schools. And to prove it Bush used his power to retain tens of thousands of children in the third grade, he withheld high school diplomas from thousands more, he used the test to stigmatize the schools that serve children living in poverty as failing schools.

But while he was governor, Jeb Bush never ever held himself accountable for anything. In 2002, the state’s short-term investment and pension funds lost $334 million as Enron collapsed, three times the loss of any other fund in the nation. Jeb Bush invested Florida in Edison charter schools when the stock was valued at $37 and got out when it was worth 14 cents. Another $500 million of the public’s money was lost to enable his other corporate adventures.

Former Gov. Bush still doesn’t believe in accountability except for public school children. It has been reported that after leaving office Bush got a new job with Lehman Brothers. The Wall Street investment banking firm paid him over $400,000 to take a seat on their board of directors. Shortly thereafter, Florida’s Local Government Investment Pool and the Florida Retirement System purchased $842 million in bad investments from Lehman Brothers.

At ceremonies as Rep. Marco Rubio was ascending to Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Jeb Bush gave Rubio a sword. The gift was a sign that Rubio was pledged to defend the Bush legacy, including the FCAT. And Speaker Rubio has been faithful to his mentor’s charge, seeing to it that the burdens of accountability remain squarely and exclusively on children and off powerful men like him. A recent news report has Speaker Rubio’s Miami-Dade home inexplicably increasing in value a month after he bought it. Another story describes a home equity loan to Rubio from a bank run by politically connected allies. Then Rubio was accused of slipping language into legislation that allowed Max Alvarez, who describes Rubio as “like a son”, to keep a multi-million dollar turnpike fuel contract.

Even with Marco Rubio presiding in the House, the Florida Legislature did make changes to the FCAT. Sadly these changes turned out to be among the most cravenly self-serving “FCAT reforms” imaginable. This powerful governing body left untouched all the FCAT punishments for children after gutting public school funding by $2.3 billion. They went on to reduce the weight given to FCAT test scores when grading the schools, likely raising grades that have reflected badly on Legislators and the Florida Department of Education. It has all become almost impossible to fathom.

Paul A. Moore

Even the Communists...

2008-05-12T21:00:00.007-04:00

What is wrong with this picture? The president of the United States spends his time, energy, and taxpayer money fighting for marriage between one man, one woman while the government of Communist Cuba...

Raul Castro's daughter spearheads anti-homophobia drive
Monday May 12, 11:54 AM
Source: Agence France-Presse
HAVANA (AFP) - President Raul Castro's daughter, Mariela, is organizing Cuba's second anti-homophobia festival this week to boost public awareness of the country's long-marginalized gay community, this time with the approval of her dad's government. "There's political support for this educational strategy. It's the best thing that's happened to us," Mariela Castro said about the backing the National Center for Sexual Education (CENESEX) she heads is receiving from Cuba's Communist Party.(snip) For as long as Cuba's communist revolution began nearly 50 years ago, Mariela and her mother have been busy trying to whittle away at the country's machismo tradition. The week-long festival in Havana and six of Cuba's 14 provinces, aims to increase public awareness about gay rights through television programs, movies, theater, debates and book fairs, culminating with the International Day Against Homophobia, on May 17. Besides the educational efforts, Mariela's group is also busy reforming Cuba's Family Code and has proposed in parliament a bill on freedom of gender -- the right to choose one's gender, and the right to "legal union" for gays. The legal union issue is an effort to sidestep the Catholic Church's determined opposition to gay marriage rights.

========================================================

Maybe someday our Commie hating country will provide all her citizens with the same non-homophobic legislation.

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T13:00:00.004-04:00

It's Mother's Day... not only a special day for my mom but also for her friends and those who love her. Yep Mom, it's a more special day this year because you're healthy and celebrating with us. Your January surgery was very successful. In March, just six weeks later no signs of the cancer. Yes, today is a special day! We love you Mom.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

dan

Where has the month gone?

2008-05-04T14:44:00.006-04:00

Good grief. How can it be that I haven't written in a month?! Is that right?!??! Man, Spring Break was just beginning and now it's done and gone. What happened to April? It's May already!

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon, 86F and I'm sitting here doing nothing instead of FINALLY finishing the bathroom I've been working on half my life... at least so it seems.

At school we had our first Day of Silence observance on April 24th. It went well and the message "was delivered" across many parts of our campus and our community.

We're 1/2 way through the 4th Quarter at school. Graduation is only 4 weeks from yesterday!

Went to see Spamalot and Wicked in the past month. Loved 'em both even if the Bob Carr has horrendous acoustics and the rows from hell! Maybe the new PAC will actually be done in this lifetime!

The Florida Legislative Session ended Friday and the Republicans have decimated education and our social programs but managed, of course, to leave all the exemptions in tact for their buddies! Our school district is facing a $30million cut. The legislature CUT the per pupil funding (FTE) for the first time in years when it has NEVER been large enough to begin with!

Go figure.

dg

Our good friend Chris.

2008-04-02T18:00:00.012-04:00

Our friend Chris Becker died today.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/article443767.ece

Chris is one of those special friends who, though I only saw him a few times a year, had a special place in our hearts. Chris was a teacher of young children who made learning fun and significant. His kids found him to be a special person too. On Sunday those whom he taught many years before, lined up with others to say hello to him at the Hospice Center.

Ralph, Bennie, and I were able to spend a few minutes with Chris Monday. Few have ever seen him without his strong energy but even in his weakened condition he continued to tell me, "I'm gonna beat this!"

Chris, a baby boomer, due to celebrate his 50th birthday this summer cared deeply about public education, his community, and his country. George Bush made him crazy. Jeb made him livid over the way he treated our students and our teachers.

Chris worked very hard to keep our freedom of speech.

Chris, we miss you now and will have a hole in our hearts at the NEA RA this summer when we work to raise awareness of the needs of our schools. There is no one who can coerce money from us for kids as well as you! Memories of you will, however, do the trick!

dg

Finally!

2008-03-28T20:19:00.000-04:00

It's been six weeks since 15 year old Lawrence King was murdered in his 8th grade classroom in Oxnard, California and the media seems to finally be getting a CLUE that there is some merit to the story of this boy's brutal murder.

TODAY, March 28, the AP Wire Service writes...

Gay California student’s slaying sparks outcry

Activists demand that middle schools do more to teach tolerance

Gee... do ya think it's about time?
It's a good article and I must say that I am very glad to see it even if it took this long to make mainstream media. Please read it. dan

The Associated Press

updated 4:06 p.m. ET, Fri., March. 28, 2008

OXNARD, Calif. - Larry King was a gay eighth-grader who used to come to school in makeup, high heels and earrings. And when the other boys made fun of him, he would boldly tease them right back by flirting with them.

That may have been what got him killed.

On Feb. 12, another student, Brandon McInerney, 14, shot him twice in the head at the back of the computer lab at their junior high school, police say.

The slaying of the 15-year-old boy has alarmed gay rights activists and led to demands that middle schools do more to educate youngsters about discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Police would not discuss McInerney's motive. But the day before the shooting, King told McInerney he liked him, eighth-grader Eduardo Segure told the Ventura County Star.

If King had flirted with the other boy, "that can be very threatening to someone's ego and their sense of identity," said Jaana Juvonen, a psychology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Hate-crime allegation
McInerney was jailed on $770,000 bail on an adult murder charge that could put him behind bars for life. Prosecutors also filed a hate-crime enhancement, which could bring three more years if McInerney is found to have acted on the basis of the victim's race, religion, nationality or sexual orientation.

The shooting has galvanized Oxnard, a city of nearly 200,000 people about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Several vigils for King have been held, including a march that drew about 1,000 people to this strawberry-growing section of Ventura County.

Like the killings of some other gay students — such as Matthew Shepard in Wyoming and Brandon Teena, the Nebraska transsexual whose story was the subject of the movie "Boys Don't Cry" — King's death has drawn national attention and outraged many gays.

Comic Ellen DeGeneres, who is a lesbian, said on her talk show Feb. 28: "Larry was not a second-class citizen. I'm not a second-class citizen. It is OK if you are gay."

'He wasn't afraid'
Students at E.O. Green Junior High said the other kids used to taunt King, call him names and throw wet paper towels at him in the boys' restroom, and he would bravely fire back by flirting with them and chasing them.

"He didn't like people insulting him," said his friend Miriam Lopez, 13. "Larry was brave enough to bring high heels and makeup to school and he wasn't afraid of anything."

Jerry Dannenberg, superintendent of the Hueneme School District, would not discuss details of what went on between King and McInerney but said students are encouraged to come forward if they have been threatened.

He also said that King was free to wear women's accessories with his uniform of white shirt and dark pants because the dress code prohibits only those items that could be a safety threat, such as steel-toed shoes.

"If girls are wearing jewelry, you can't stop boys from wearing it, too," he said. "Each gender has the right to wear what the other does."

The school system said that it has tolerance programs in its middle schools, but that sexual orientation is often not dealt with until high school. Since the killing, school officials have been meeting with gay leaders about changing the program.

"With young people coming out at younger ages, our schools — especially our junior highs and middle schools — need to be proactive about teaching respect for diversity based on sexual orientation and gender identity," said Carolyn Laub, executive director of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network. "The tragic death of Larry King is a wake-up call for our schools to better protect students from harassment at school."

Abuse and harassment
A 2005 survey by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network found that more than 64 percent of gay and lesbian students report verbal, sexual or physical harassment at school, and 29 percent said they missed at least a day of school in the previous month out of fear for their safety. The group is holding its annual "Day of Silence" in memory of King on April 25.

The families of both boys have refused to comment. An e-mail message left for McInerney's attorney was not immediately returned.

Both teens have been described as good kids.

King and his mother crocheted hundreds of scarves that were shipped to U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. The avid singer planned to belt out the national anthem at his brother's opening-day baseball game this spring.

"He had an amazing voice and was always singing," said Averi Laskey, 13, a friend since elementary school. "He would stick up for you no matter what. Larry was the best kind of person you could meet."

McInerney was described as the typical eighth-grader, goofy and fun to be around. He trained to be a lifeguard and took martial arts. He also enrolled in the Young Marines, a group similar to the Army's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

Rough upbringings
The two had at least one thing in common: rough upbringings.

King had been in foster care at a center for abused and neglected children since November, said Steve Elson, the facility's chief executive. Confidentiality laws prevented him from saying why.

McInerney's parents accused each other of domestic violence and filed dueling restraining orders, according to court records. Several months before McInerney was born, his father was accused of shooting his mother in the elbow. Kendra McInerney told a local paper she struggled with drug addiction for many years. The couple divorced in 2002.

Jay Smith, director of the Ventura County Rainbow Alliance, a gay rights organization, questioned whether teachers have enough training to deal with gay teens.

"Those of us being out remember being bullied and we don't want to see that happen to another kid," he said.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23847511/

Logo PSA

2008-03-14T22:46:00.001-04:00

Mar 10, 2008

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is honored to partner with Logo on a new public service announcement campaign denouncing hate in the wake of junior high student Lawrence King’s murder.

I am writing to Logo to learn how we may rebroadcast this one minute PSA at our schools. I will keep you posted on what I learn.

Logo PSA

dg

from the mouths of babes...

2008-03-14T10:31:00.005-04:00

The following is a letter from a young man in Oklahoma in response to Representative Kern's speech.
dan
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A letter to Sally Kern from a senior in high school in Oklahoma.
*******
Today my nephew attempted to deliver a letter to Sally Kern but was stopped by a highway patrol man. With his permission I am distributing the letter to all news stations and thought I would include it here.
Maybe we can all stand to learn a listen from this smart, loving, young man. He more than most has reason to hate. He lost his mother, my sister, in the Murrah Building bombing.
Elizabeth ( by way News9 Comment Section at http://www.topix.net/forum/sou...
Letter From Tucker
Rep Kern:
On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not had the chicken pox that day, the body count would've likely have included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day and many of those still suffer through their permanent wounds.
That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in Islam. He was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a body count. He held his beliefs and made those who didn't live up to them pay with their lives.
As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the homosexual agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly tell you through my own experience that is not true. I am sure there are many people in your voting district that laid a loved one to death after the terrorist attack on Oklahoma City. I kind of doubt you'll find one of them that will agree with you.
I was five years old when my mother died. I remember what a beautiful, wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your harsh words and misguided beliefs brought me to tears, because you told me that my mother's killer was a better person than a group of people that are seeking safety and tolerance for themselves.
As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to you very clearly you are absolutely wrong.
You represent a district in Oklahoma City and you very coldly express a lack of love, sympathy or understanding for what they've been through. Can I ask if you might have chosen wiser words were you a real Oklahoman that was here to share the suffering with Oklahoma City? Might your heart be a bit less cold had you been around to see the small bodies of children being pulled out of rubble and carried away by weeping firemen?
I've spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have I had anyone try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen, however, many gay students beat up and there's never a day in school that has went by when I haven't heard the word **** slung at someone. I've been called gay slurs many times and they hurt and I am not even gay so I can just imagine how a real gay person feels. You were a school teacher and you have seen those things too. How could you care so little about the suffering of some of your students?
Let me tell you the result of your words in my school. Every openly gay and suspected gay in the school were having to walk together Monday for protection. They looked scared. They've already experienced enough hate and now your words gave other students even more motivation to sneer at them and call them names. Afterall, you are a teacher and a lawmaker, many young people have taken your words to heart. That happens when you assume a role of responsibility in your community. I seriously think before this week ends that some kids here will be going home bruised and bloody because of what you said.
I wish you could've met my mom. Maybe she could've guided you in how a real Christian should be acting and speaking.
I have not had a mother for nearly 13 years now and wonder if there were fewer people like you around, people with more love and tolerance in their hearts instead of strife, if my mom would be here to watch me graduate from high school this spring. Now she won't be there. So I'll be packing my things and leaving Oklahoma to go to college elsewhere and one day be a writer and I have no intentions to ever return here. I have no doubt that people like you will incite crazy people to build more bombs and kill more people again. I don't want to be here for that. I just can't go through that again.
You may just see me as a kid, but let me try to teach you something. The old saying is sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Well, your words hurt me. Your words disrespected the memory of my mom. Your words can cause others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt others.
Sincerely
Tucker

Deluded State Representative Sally Kern (R), Oklahoma

2008-03-14T10:15:00.003-04:00

Please click the title link for this message and take a few minutes to listen to Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern's speech to a group of fellow Republicans where she proclaims that gays are a bigger threat to American society than terrorists on Saturday.
"I honestly think it's the biggest threat even that our nation has," the lawmaker said. "Even more so than terrorists or Islam, which I think is a big threat."

I am amazed at the things she says.

An incredible day...

2008-02-26T12:56:00.002-05:00

I am incredibly proud of my students at Poinciana High School in Kissimmee, Florida. We held a vigil for Lawrence King this hour at our Memorial Garden. On this busy day at PHS we had over 100 students, staff, and our principal gathered in our courtyard to memorialize this young man whom none of us knew. We broke the silence as we spoke of acceptance and understanding for each other. The PHS GSA sponsored the event, the first of its kind at our school and one of only two Florida events listed on http://www.rememberinglawrence.org/ .

I am honored that NEA has trained me to work with teachers and students throughout the US to further the cause for Safe Schools. Ms Schaedel and I remarked how proud we are to teach at PHS. Our principal, Dr. Peter Straker, truly cares about our students and staff. In his first year as a principal, he is an exemplary leader and model for our students.

A very different blog today...

2008-02-16T17:51:00.012-05:00

Moving on to some other writings, I feel compelled to write of my sadness and outrage over the murder of a 15 year old boy in Oxnard, California this week by a classmate. I am furious that national media seem to have chosen to ignore this murder because, or so it seems, this murder is due to a controversial subject. This young man, Lawrence King, was gay and accounts report, did not hide this at school. Bullying and teasing was apparently not enough for the young man who decided to take a gun to school and walk up to Lawrence on Tuesday morning and shoot him in the head at point-blank range!

KNBC TV in Los Angeles reported...Police said a handgun was used in the attack, which occurred with more than 20 other students in the room. About three-quarters of the junior high's 1,150 student body showed up Wednesday for school, where psychologists held counseling sessions, Hueneme School District Superintendent Jerry Dannenberg said. "We're trying to get the children back into their normal routines as quickly as possible," he said. The school is in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles. "He was just an innocent little boy who was trying to live his life," a student told KNBC. King had been under the care of the Ventura County foster care system and lived at Casa Pacifica, a nearby center for abused and neglected children, said Steve Elson, the facility's chief executive. "We're are all stunned and it's just an unspeakable tragedy," Elson said. "This is a very big traumatic experience for all of us." King had been receiving help from school support staff, Dannenberg said. He had no details on the type of assistance the teen needed. "He was seeing a number of people trying to help him deal with his own personal issues," he said.

This is so very sad to me. WHY is there no national attention?

I am a certified trainer on School Safety and Anti-bullying for the National Education Association (NEA) and have trained in Boston, D.C., San Francisco, and Orlando. The research shows extraordinary numbers of students are bullied in our schools... many are gay. It sickened me this evening to read the following comment in an online forum for ABC News... Finally some kid steps up and takes care of a kid acting all fruity. Good Job!!!
Posted by: AztecEd2000 12:20 AM Posted at...http://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/comments?type=story&id=4292447

I am grateful to be a member of the NEA training cadre. If you are interested in hosting training for educators in your area... http://www.nea-glbtc.org/training_flyer_pg.html

Doing very well

2008-02-16T17:41:00.004-05:00

Mom is doing tremendously well. It's hard to believe that surgery was only 16 days ago and that she has already been home more than a week! Linn and I talk to her everyday and Linn has been over several times. I finally made it over on my day off yesterday (Rodeo Day).

Yes, Rodeo Day! In my school district the Rodeo has been a significant tradition since 1944! When Presidents' Day was created a short time ago (1971) the small community of Osceola County with its tiny towns of Kissimmee and St. Cloud continued it's already 27 year old tradition of Rodeo Day.

It was a beautiful sunny day with the temperature in the high 70's. Mom and I took a walk to the mailbox station down the block and then spent some time visiting on her porch on this lovely day.

Home Sweet Home

2008-02-07T22:00:00.000-05:00

Mom spent her first night at home. She's doing well. I'm going to cut back on my blog for now.

Again... thank you all and thank God for making Mom a Cancer Survivor for 7 days already!

Please consider supporting a cancer charity.

LiveStrong

Free At Last

2008-02-07T21:55:00.001-05:00

Mom was discharged Wednesday afternoon and taken to her home by Linn. Linn stayed there with Mom into the early evening to insure that she had what she needed and was feeling comfortable being back home and able to be safe and take care of herself. Mom insisted that she was ready to stay home alone... especially since her neighbor was willing and able to help out if needed.

Super Tuesday

2008-02-05T21:17:00.001-05:00

The presidential candidates think today is all about them but actually it was Super Tuesday for Mom. She had a terrific day. The IV was removed, got more food than she could eat, has been up and about by herself... several great steps.

She is scheduled to be discharged tomorrow. The doctor says her only restriction after discharge is she is not to lift anything for a while.

Linn and I both spent some time with her this evening.

Yeah Mom!

Monday - Even Better

2008-02-04T21:14:00.000-05:00

Today was a very good day for Mom. The doctors saw great improvement. At noon she was given clear liquids then again at 6:00PM. She said the doctor asked if she ate her food and she said she tasted it (didn't like it) and he told her, "It's hospital food. It isn't good but you need to eat!" LOL

Linn and I both worked today. She got to the hospital for the late afternoon and I was there for the evening. We chatted, walked, watched Dr. Phil! She's doing extremely well.

Then at 7:45 a complete meal with REAL food was brought in... grilled chicken, baked potato, pudding, the works! We were so shocked that I went and asked the nurse to make sure it wasn't a mistake that could kill her! LOL The nurse said the doctor had reordered a meal for her! SO... first real food since Wednesday evening. She was grateful and ate a fair amount. I ate the chocolate pudding and the milk! :-) Surprised? No comment!

Although all is going well she's just not "into" having outside company.

Sunday

2008-02-03T12:48:00.000-05:00

Great News!

About an hour ago, the on-call doctor came in to examine Mom and said that the biopsy did confirm that the tumor was cancerous BUT that it had not spread to any other part of the body! We are grateful to EVERYONE for your prayers and uplifting thoughts for Mom. We are most thankful to God for hearing them and continuing the healing process.

Other exciting news... He told the nurse to begin stepping down the IV medications to transition her to going home.

The nurse came in a few minutes ago saying, "The doctor told us we need to get you ready to go home."

My immediate expression was, "Today?!?" She then explained the stepdown process with the meds.

We were both watching the original version of the movie Hairspray but the nurse wanted Mom to use her PCA (pain control administration) button again before they remove it. They are transitioning to oral meds. The PCA knocked her out again for now so the movie is on pause! LOL

Again... thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your personal prayers and prayer circles!

Saturday - 2

2008-02-02T19:54:00.000-05:00

Gee, I just remembered it's Ground Hog Day. I hear the northerners have had some pretty bad weather again. Well, today was a perfect day. Beautiful sunshine and 77.

Went to see Michael C and he's doing great with his new pacemaker/defibrillator.

I was at the hospital till 3:30PM. Linn had gotten there about 2:30. While I was there Mom still wasn't feeling very well today. Later this afternoon Linn says that Mom was in and out of the bed a few times, in the upright chair and took a walk! Sooooo... the day got better!

When her exercising ended she told Linn that she doesn't need to stay and watch her sleep and that I should not come back this evening. SO... she's on her own tonight but I'll be back in the morning whether she likes it or not! :-)

View of Downtown

2008-02-02T14:18:00.001-05:00

Can you tell I'm getting bored? I'm out taking pix. My camera and laptop keep me somewhat occupied.

This is a view of the growing Downtown Orlando area from the hospital which is south of the downtown core. Clicking on the photo will display a larger view. There are quite a few condo highrises (10-15 stories is a skyscraper here!) that are nearly complete with construction and now real estate is BUST. There's a very large one in the left of this pic under the crane that is in bankruptcy and it's essentially only a shell at this point.
Pic of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center that I took today. I learned that the Cancer Center just celebrated its fifth anniversary last week.

X-ray

2008-02-02T13:44:00.000-05:00

Abdominal x-ray ordered by the doctor - taken at 1:40PM.

Saturday Morning

2008-02-02T12:21:00.000-05:00

Got home about 11:00PM last night. Had made sure the nurses had my cell phone.

Got back here at 9:30 this morning. She says she had a restful night but unfortunately she had been waiting over an hour to try to take a walk but the staff was busy doing rounds and dispensing morning meds. By the time they got here to help her out of bed she was too tired to walk. She did sit in the chair for awhile which is better than staying in the bed.

I think she is trying hard to do what the doctor has asked but becomes exasperated when the staff is unable to help her. Maybe we can get their "schedules" to synchronize soon. She's also concerned that she is sleeping too much but we're trying to have her realize that the rest is also healing.

Today is the second full day since surgery and she says she feels like it is the most uncomfortable. It sounds like the same thing as when doing a hard job or workout... the day after is not a problem but by the second day the muscles are exhibiting the pain.

It's such a beautiful day today with sunny skies and temps in the low 70's, it's too bad we're not yet ready to get outside.

Later Friday

2008-02-01T21:04:00.000-05:00

Linn stayed with Mom through the afternoon. The internist came by and spoke with Mom and Linn then the surgeon came by around 5:30PM. Dr. H. continues to prohibit food and water intake until the bowels regain function.

Linn left at 6:00 for a church function. I've been visiting with Mom and sharing expressions of care that we've been receiving.

Linn and the medical team here had Mom up and walking a few times today which is excellent. I'm sitting here watching Spiderman 3 while Mom is sleeping.

I'm going home tonight since I live so close. I can be here in 5-7 minutes if need be.

Nap O'Clock

2008-02-01T11:45:00.001-05:00

Last night when I was returning to the hospital I ran into two old friends entering the hospital. It turns out that my friend of many years, Michael C, is in from a heart attack on Sunday night. His partner, Carl, and friend Fred were on their way up to see him.

I went over to ORMC this morning to visit Michael who is getting a defibrillator implant this afternoon. I said, "Oh, just like Dick Cheney!" We both laughed and rolled our eyes... but alas, that's another story for another day. Michael, I'm grateful you are doing well and praying for your success with your procedure today.

Linn got back to the hospital while I was visiting Michael. When I got back to Mom's room they had just moved her to the chair in her room and was getting over the pain that accompanied that move. She is going to be in the chair for a bit. I told Linn that I need to get home to look after my animals and get a nap.

My buddy Ralph's favorite expression when tired is that "It's nap o'clock," so I find it very apropos.

Mornin'!

2008-02-01T08:47:00.000-05:00

The night went well. Around 3:00AM Mom called my name out. She awoke startled that she needed to use the toilet. The nurse reminded her that she had a catheter. I guess it's a unique experience that she was somewhat disoriented about. We got back to sleep shortly after that.

Mom's biggest complaint has been that she is completely parched and the only thing she is allowed to have, even at this time this morning, is swabbing of lips and sipping from the sponge swab.

The nurse was in at 4:00 to check vitals. Around 6:00 the pain IV unit set off an alarm that there was air in the line. Got that taken care of then more sleep till 7:30AM. Then it was time for the crew change. Mom was looking amazingly better this morning. It's a miracle to me that such a big change can take place so quickly. They removed the catheter around 7:30. This step, of course, leads to the need to get out of bed to use the toilet if possible. Movement is high on the agenda.

Back to sleep for a bit then both of us were up and chatting a bit!!

She was awake for about half an hour then said she was sleepy. She fell back asleep and is resting well again.

I didn't even realize until now that they took the oxygen out of her nose. I knew they were stepping it down but didn't realize they had taken it out. Hmmmm... maybe I was half asleep too.

It's a cloudy day here this morning but we have a nice view from the ninth floor.

Sound Asleep

2008-01-31T23:25:00.000-05:00

Well... it's 11:25 and Mom has slept without interuption for nearly two straight hours. Isn't that great?!

I know she's going to be feeling stronger already when tomorrow comes.

I'm pretty beat now and gonna pull out the Murphy and see if I can get some rest too.

Bless you all again for your prayers. They're working! :-)

Beginning of Recovery

2008-01-31T21:48:00.000-05:00

Well, it's now nearly 10:00PM. Mom left the recovery room around 6:30PM and settled into her private room in the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center portion of this large hospital campus http://www.orlandoregional.org/mdanderson/index.aspx. It's in Downtown Orlando and only about two miles from my house. Linn and I went to eat around 5:30 at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies which is a few short blocks from here. It's a very unique facility in look and mission. We heard they had better food :-). It was pretty good.

We got back shortly after she was given her room. Mom was awake when we came in and we spoke a bit. She feels as one might expect after major surgery. She was experiencing pain and discomfort but has a personal control button for the pain medication. She said she wanted to sleep. The nurse gave us an "orientation" of the room and some care procedures. We learned that there is a Murphy bed in the room so I decided I wanted to spend the night and Linn should go home and get some rest. Hopefully my snoring and mom's won't get us evicted.

I went home to take care of my kids (KC and Lance... cat & dog), changed clothes and came back. For those of you who are freezing... it's in the 70's tonight and I came back wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

Linn's coming back in the morning. Mom, in her usual style, said there is no need for anyone to stay. We felt it important to be her on her first night post op.

About 9:30PM Mom woke again saying she wanted to get off her back. I tried to relieve her a bit and had her pull herself with her arms against my arms. The doctor wants her to get any and all muscles moving again as soon as possible. While we were talking she was feeling more nauseous from the anesthesia. I called the nurse who came and gave her some IV medication to help relieve that discomfort. The nurse and assistant then enabled Mom to be able to be partially turned and propped with a pillow for more comfort sleeping. The meds also induced more drowsiness and she is sleeping quite well at this time.

The nurse said that if she continued having the nausea she would give her some Zofran. Whatcha think Cheryl P? :-O

I'm here watching closed caption Apprentice. It's even MORE boring than it has been with the sound!

The hospital computer servers are only letting me receive mail so I am unable to send updates from my usual mail account. Please check here periodically as I am finding it the most efficient way for me to stay in touch.

I have to tell you... before Mom dozed off this time she said, "This place is pretty nice, I might have to stay awhile!" I laughed and said, "I don't think so."

She's gonna shoot me for telling you but she's sawing some pretty good logs right now. God bless her!

OH, by the way... I can't remember if I said this already but for the next few days Mom's cell phone will be forwarded to my phone or Linn's. Leave a message if we don't pickup and we'll do our best to get back to you. The cell coverage is very good in this building.

Out of surgery

2008-01-31T16:48:00.001-05:00

Mom went into recovery at 4:30PM. Dr. Hunter came to speak with us a few minutes later. He said the procedure went very well. It took longer than anticipated because some instruments that were needed had to be obtained and brought into that O.R. Apparently different hospitals do things differently and don't bring in some of the tools until they're needed. Of course this then prolongs the surgery. He's a great person. I was remarking earlier how some of the doctors come into this large room with 30 people in it and stand there telling all the details of surgeries with family members while others are much more private and discrete. Dr. Hunter walked with us to the hallway and went over everything.

The vertical incision was in the front a couple inches above the navel and the size of his fist where he was able to reach in and extract the kidney. This was the anticipated procedure. We won't know anything about the pathology of the tumor for about three days.

We expect to go to her room before long. The doctor said that he wants Mom to sit up for a few seconds as soon as she is able and then stand and take a few steps, etc. This will probably occur tomorrow. Other movement... minor as it may be, will cause the organs and muscles to again get used to movement. She is expected to be here until Monday or Tuesday.

We are grateful to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. When I created my mailing list for this experience in our lives it was very heartening to realize the great number of friends, family, and colleagues that we may count on. Thank you all!

dan, linn, and Mom (Donna)

Pre-op Visit

2008-01-31T13:51:00.000-05:00

About 12:20 they came to get us so we could visit with Mom. She was groggy but coherent and able to speak. She said they she felt OK except that she is so hungry, as expected, since she has not eaten since midnight. We talked a bit and Linn said a prayer for Mom and the team that will be operating.

They came to get her at about 12:35 so things are right on schedule. The surgery is anticipated to last two hours.

I called Ann G, Barb, and Patty. Left a message on Cheryl's v-mail.

I'll post more as soon as we know something.

Hospital Check-in

2008-01-31T11:44:00.000-05:00

Got to the hospital (Orlando Regional Medical Center) at 10:30 and within ten minutes the surgical nurse had come to get Mom for pre-op. We'supposed to be able to visit before they take her into surgery.

The waiting room was quite crowded when we arrived but it has thinned out. Seems like the crowd must have been here for early morning surgeries. Linn and I are in the Family Waiting Room. She's reading... I've been doing school work.

Linn and I are not anxious as we have faith that all will go well and Mom will soon be on the road to recovery.

Wednesday Night

2008-01-31T01:02:00.000-05:00

Linn is spending the evening/night with Mom. They are coming by here in the morning then it's only a couple miles to the hospital. Check-in time is 10:30.

Mom's Surgery

2008-01-29T23:03:00.000-05:00

Some of you know that my Mom was diagnosed in early December… on her birthday unfortunately, with Renal Cell Carcinoma. She has a tumor on her right kidney that was discovered during a routine exam. Fortunately, a urinary infection that was not being resolved with antibiotics led her primary physician to further investigate. An ultrasound and follow-up CT Scan revealed the tumor. Mom’s constant comment has been she doesn’t feel sick. Her oncologist told us on the first visit, “that’s a GOOD thing,” because it means the tumor has been discovered early.

In spite of the seeming desires of the insurance company and the doctor’s office/hospital bureaucracy to stress out Mom, Linn, and me, Mom’s spirits are good! I say this because they have run her through the wringer with yes, no, maybe, date changes, and the like but things seem to finally be ironed out.

Surgery for removal of the right kidney is scheduled for Thursday (Jan. 31) here in Orlando at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center which is part of Orlando Regional Medical Center. The anticipated procedure is that the doctor will go in near the front which is supposedly less invasive than approaching from the back. The doctor anticipates 4-6 days in the hospital. We’re optimistic that all will go well and Mom will be on the road to recovery soon.

I hope that you will keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers. The surgery is scheduled for 1:00PM.

For those of you who do not know my wonderful mom… her name is Donna.

Thank you all for caring.

I will keep you apprised.

Love…

Dan

PS I called the hospital today and found that they have wireless access for visitors so I’ll be there with laptop in hand taking care of work and staying in touch while Mom’s in surgery and in recovery.