So there I was yesterday afternoon at Planet Fitness, PIPin’ out (Pedaling in Place), working up a sweat and feeling good for having gone vegetarian the past few days (thanks to my niece with whom I stayed), and gazing up at the multiple TV screens arrayed before me. There was Dr. OZ, the health guru created by the female Big “O”, expounding on the dangers of fat, while right next to Dr. Oz on the adjacent screen, was a bright, colorful commercial touting the wonderfulness of a Papa John’s Pizza.
Mixed messages! Aaarghh! And we’re smack dab in the middle of the most mixed message season of the year – pre-election posturing by folks who seemingly will to say anything to get or keep their jobs. What to do?
One can only hope and pray that the male Big “O” means it when he acknowledges that our public education system is broken. Hopefully more than the first president Bush (# “41”) meant it when he said he wanted to be known as the “Education President”… or when #42 touted “Education Reform” by investing more in schools and demanding more from them, or when #43 pushed to insure that No child would be Left Behind.”
“The world cares very little about what a man or woman knows; it is what the man or woman is able to do that counts.” Booker T. said that a century ago, and it’s as true today.
Experience shows that the best intentions of politicians of every stripe tend to go nowhere. Those in power may “point with pride” while those out of power may “view with alarm.” But at bottom, not much will happen until the individual accepts and embraces the sparks of encouragement tendered by those who care to be better. Ultimately, he or she must take charge of his or her own character, education, and opportunity.
A Day In the Life
Thursday, October 28th, 2010It’s been a productive and interesting day, for sure.
I woke up, as usual, in a darkened parking lot, this time, not far from a MacDonald’s.
At the other end was Planet Fitness, my “shower, shave and workout” location of choice.
Off to Starbucks to recharge the batteries in my Macbook, iPhone and me.
Then to a library to work on paperwork and avail myself of their printer before going off to speak with middle school administrators to talk about Booker T. Clubs.
An enjoyable lunch at the Columbia West Rotary Club provided me with an opportunity to share my mission with a couple of members who kindly pointed me int the directions of “folks I need to meet”.
So off to meet the Pastor at Brookland Baptist Church, a 4,500 member congregation.
He was not in, but with the initial contact made, I’ll follow up later.
Next, to visit with Earl Brown, Jr., the Deputy District Director (and Rotarian) of a US Congressman.
It turned out, he was associated with the Booker T. Washington Foundation of Columbia SC!
These are the remaining members of Columbia’s BTW HS.
Years ago, it was absorbed by the University of South Carolina when it expanded and was ultimately torn down. He informed me its bricks were re-used (BTW would have been proud!) to form a “Horseshoe” and special walkways at USC.
He was especially proud that the BTW HS trained so many in industrial arts, and instilled character in all.
He promised to put me in touch with the Foundation’s leaders so that to further explore their forming a Chapter of the BTW Society.
But my day wasn’t done.
At Applebee’s I joined folks at the bar for some good natured banter and… lo and behold!
A person I had met three days earlier at MacDonald’s walked up and introduced me to his family! He will introduce me to his daughter’s middle school principal today.
Last note: Before I left, Jennifer mentioned I would find several lovely ladies along the way.
Well, she was right! Here’s me with Chico Power’s youngest daughter.
It doesn’t get any better than this!
Best, Ron
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