. . . you’ve got to make that change . . . *  As each of us look in the mirror, what do we see?  Is it the best presentation of who we really are?  What we really believe and feel?

Today, I found a website that everyone of us (globally) should know about.  It is Change.org.  Its creator, chief organizer and strength comes from Ben Rattray. At age 31 Ben has created a place where we can all “start” something.  What’s your passion?  Gay rights, abortion, social security, housing, immigration, states vs federal rights, courts, safety, insurance or Veterans. It matters to you.  On this site you can begin the change necessary to move an idea forward.

As I reviewed the site, I found that there are some issues with ten’s of thousands of supporters and some with only 1 or possibly 2.

I did a search for Veterans. To my surprise, there were only 10 issues surrounding Veterans.  That’s it.  What was even worse is that there were a total of 1,932 people that had signed one or several of these petitions.  Why?

My wife and I just finished a relaxing mini-stacation and over that brief period of time, we discussed Veterans issues and my own service (Vietnam era) at least three times.  In the span of any individual week, I’m discussing Veterans issues at least once a day.  Am I the exception?  Personally, I don’t think so.  What do you think?

It bothers me that everyone talks about Freedom as though the price had already been paid.  That our Freedom is now FREE.  It isn’t.  It’s not FREE and it will never be so.  The price of Freedom is paid daily by our military, police, homeland security, FBI and CIA personnel.  These people are specifically tasked with maintaining our Freedom as a nation.  Unless you’re a first generation immigrant from almost anywhere, we don’t fully appreciate the freedoms that we all enjoy.

On 60 minutes Sunday the 13th of May, 2012 they did a piece about Gary Sinise, the Actor.  He has the Lieutenant (lt.) Dan Band, named for the character he played in the movie Forrest Gump. The interview discussed his support and that of his band to build homes for double, triple and quadruple amputee veterans.  These men and women that didn’t just give some, they nearly gave all.  There are others that have limbs, at least parts of their limbs, some with little or very little facial features.  His point, in the interview is that they need our help.  Why? First, they don’t have any benefits from the U.S. government that says they’ll be helped or the Veterans Administration. Second, we need a comprehensive support system for Veterans.

Consider this, if you work for the non-military part of the government and you lose a limb, suffer severe burns or become incapacitated, there’s insurance that will insure you get the best care for as long as you need it and it will also pay to help re-adjust to your new circumstances or whatever’s needed.  If you don’t get it, you can sue under the Federal Workers’ Compensation Act (OSHA) and get compensation.  The U.S. Military is exempt from this law.  They cannot sue their employer.  Their response, “you knew what you were getting yourself into at the time you enlisted!”

What do you think needs to be done to bring our Veterans to the forefront of our American consciousness?

Please let me know.

* From the Michael Jackson hit: Man in the Mirror

A tribute to our Veterans:

One of our Partners is Benchmark Industries.  Their objective is to make affordable industrialized housing.  These are not trailers.  These are apartment or condominiums that can be as tall as three stories and are especially well suited for Seniors, migrant workers and lower income housing.  All these types of homes are needed and the need continues to grow in spite of or perhaps because of our current economy.  Although, the need for senior housing with memory care and onsite care management is expected to grow well past 2020.

The Chairman and CEO of Benchmark Industries is Dan Riedel an Alumni of Michigan State University (MSU).  Recently he was asked to speak to the subject of Leadership.  It occurred to us that many would benefit from Dan’s thoughts.  We’d love to have your input as well.  He has given us permission to share a small portion of the speech he recently gave at the MSU 2012 Leadership Awards.

Here are Dan’s thoughts on Leadership Qualities.

2012 Student Leadership Awards

Michigan State University

Remarks by: Dan Riedel

Leadership Qualities

This following list of leadership qualities is general, and in no particular order. However, each item is important, and lacking one or more of these can make the difference between a poor leader and a great one:

• Passion; love what you do, and never waver from its pursuit.

• Organization; no one will follow a disorganized leader

• Communication; communicate and sell your ideas to motivate

• Courage; willingness to try and fail

• Integrity; keep your word at all costs

• Ownership and Responsibility; freely admit when you are wrong

• Listen; listen, learn and always gain a consensus

• People Skills and Like-ability

• Be a Good Example

• Never, Never, Never, Never Give Up

Our founding fathers realized that there must be separation of church and state.  While we allow any religion to be present in America, I don’t agree that ANY religion should be able to have it’s tenants taught in our schools, at least in the way that’s mentioned in this video.  Yes, we want our children to know that there are muslims, jews, christians and even atheists but we’ve made it clear via the Supreme Court that the tenants of any religion must not be TAUGHT in our public schools, colleges and universities.

The issues I’m agreeing with in this video concerns what we’re teaching our children.  The rest of her views are a bit extreme but I absolutely believe she has the right and the privilege to state them in America.  God Bless America and God Bless us All.

This will be another issue upon which at least one candidate will be questioned about before we all vote in November.  Should we have a President that doesn’t believe we’re exceptional among nations?  Really.  If we’re not exceptional, why do so many other nations depend on us (US citizens) for help?

We may be at a real crossroad in our pursuit as a nation.  We’re losing our identity.  Do the younger generations even understand what Liberty is, why we defend America or why we even defend democracy?  Those of us that love America need to speak up.

Dennis Prager has been on my personal radar screen for some time now. While I don’t always agree with him, he does make excellent points. On April 24th, 2012 he’ll have a new book out called, “Still the Best Hope.”.  I’ve already ordered my advance copy.  Even if you don’t agree with him (always), he does make us think about what it means to U.S. to be an American.

As a member, I’ve just found out that he’ll be lecturing and signing books. If you’re interested, please click here.

Earl Warren was a man of principal and integrity. He became a Mason in 1919 after Law School and the U.S. Army. He served California well as its States’ Attorney General and Governor for three terms.

He was staunchly in favor of equal education. “I am convinced that the hope of the future lies in the education of our youth,” he said, “not of some children but of all children – not according to so-called classes of society . . .” Some two decades later in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, he sealed this enduring principle by ensuring that there would be no racial segregation in public schools. The Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.

Today, some would argue that while we have (in most instances) achieved racial equality, we have not provided an equal education to all. Some schools have more money than others and money is today’s advantage. What if that could change.

There are two entities that seek to change that idea.

First is the Kahn Academy. They offer “a FREE world class education for anyone, anywhere.” The subjects he teaches were once math only and are now moving out into other areas of education. They are using technology to help kids learn. Using the Internet, the kids learn at home at night using a computer and at their own speed. The next day in school, they practice (and apply) the lesson(s) they have learned. Teachers have more time to spend with those that need help and less time with everyone. Education then is no longer a one size fits all approach such as no children left behind espouses.

Revolutionary Education Solution Technologies (REST) Their technology is currently being used in several countries. It is a software driven solution that identifies a child’s needs and then presents a customized course (over the Internet) demonstrating and teaching what the child is lacking in their education.

In my view, this is the other half of the Kahn Academy. Both are technology based. Both insure that the child fully understands the topic at hand.

While the Kahn academy works well for new instruction, a class of students just learning a subject; or for students that are self motivated and driven internally or externally; REST is different. It’s focus is on what Kahn calls the “swiss cheese education.” We all learn math, history and science, but not everyone learns or even remembers the same lessons. This creates holes in our education and knowledge base. In trying to move forward, the child eventually has too many holes so that they might even ask, “who moved the cheese?” What’s being taught doesn’t align with anything they think they know about a subject.

The REST software helps a child and his or her parents to understand what’s missing in their education. With a customized training program the child can “catchup” and develop “understanding and knowledge” very quickly.

The downside of not helping our kids.
Many of you that read my blog know that when I was growing up I was homeless for awhile. Living in the inner city of San Diego I was acquainted first hand with others of my circumstance that had literally given up because their teachers and others had as well. The only people that didn’t judge them were their peers on the street. They didn’t care. It was easier to hang around with others that didn’t care than it was to understand how to learn what they clearly didn’t know.

Today, some schools only teach to the “Test” standards. They don’t have time for anything but that. If they knew what the kids didn’t know, then it would save them time, improve test scores and allow the school to get back to teaching a more well rounded program of education.

Kahn and REST are both working with technology to achieve what Earl Warren declared so many years ago. “. . . the future lies in the education of our youth . . .not of some children but of all children – [and] not according to so-called classes of society . . .”

What are your thoughts?

Note: The Kahn Academy and the REST logos are copyrighted by each organization and presented here for reference purposes only.

DOING

It’s not the wanting, hoping or wishing.  It is the visualizing and then as Nike said, “Just Do It.”

A friend sent me this at the start of the new year.  One of her friends sent it to her.  Perhaps you’ll be inclined to share this with one of your friends.  We all need to keep this in mind:

The way to achieve is not to try. The way to achieve is to do.

The difference between trying and doing is all in your perspective. That difference makes all the difference in the world.

When you see yourself as trying, you are burdening yourself with the expectation of failure. Instead, put all your energy and focus into doing your very best, and into expecting the best results.

Merely trying is itself an excuse, and it gives you permission to make all sorts of other excuses. Doing, on the other hand, gets results.

If you’re going to make the effort, then make it count. Let go of any thoughts that you’re just trying, and embrace the most positive expectations.

You are absolutely capable of making a real and valuable difference. So forget about trying, and with well-deserved confidence, go ahead and get it done.

What do you think?

Every year at Christmas we decorate inside and out.  We move approximately 170 Rubbermaid containers that are stored in two off site locations plus our outside yard displays to our home.  We begin on the inside (first) in the first week in November.  Our goal: to finish by Thanksgiving Day.  This year we finished exactly one month from the date we started in November.  What you’re about to see is the end result.  We haven’t shown it all, but there’s enough for the viewer to enjoy.  We hope you do.

We wish you a Merry Christmas.  Happy Holidays to all.

What do you think?

I agree with others. Gene Simmons and KISS got this one perfectly. Thank you KISS. Most of all as a Veteran, a Father and Grandfather I want to than the men and women serving now for the freedom my family and I enjoy. It was not free.

God bless all of you and your families.

DR Rawson