In an almost unprecedented two posts in a row I am congratulating political actions in Utah. Governor Huntsman appeared in an ad with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Montana’s Governor discussing the need for action on Climate change. This is good stuff.
I am very happy to see the defeat of school vouchers. I see it as a way to prohibit the privatization of education in our State. I strongly believe in the ability of the public schools in Utah to educate our children. Key to the success of public or private schools is the involvement of a child’s parents. It is for that reason that the Utah public schools are able to achieve so much from while being so poorly funded.
I found this excerpt from Wednesday’s Salt Lake Tribune interesting:
Voucher supporter Overstock.com chief executive Patrick Byrne – who bankrolled the voucher effort – called the referendum a “statewide IQ test” that Utahns failed.
“They don’t care enough about their kids. They care an awful lot about this system, this bureaucracy, but they don’t care enough about their kids to think outside the box,” Byrne said.
I say this to Mr. Byrne: The people of Utah care deeply about their kids. As a member of the majority of the state who does not support vouchers I can honestly say that I voted that way because I care deeply about my child. I want my daughter to go to the highest quality public school. If for some reason I feel compelled to place my daughter in private school I am willing to do so of my own expense, without asking a cashed strapped system for some sort of welfare check. Mr Byrne: show me compelling evidence that the people of this state don’t care about their children.
Mandy and I are getting ready to go to a LAN party tonight. In preparation for the party I am installing Windows XP on an additional hard drive on my main Ubuntu computer. For all of those who say that running windows is easier than linux: Compare and installation of Ubuntu Gutsy and Windows XP. Without a doubt Ubuntu is the clear winner.
I am still trying to figure out where and what I want to do with myself. I am starting to dream again, which is always a good thing. Sometimes dreaming is all that can keep you sane.
I sense a lot of change in the life and times of Paul Dayton are coming up. While it may be too early to discuss these changes in an online forum, I believe good times will ensue.
Did you know that Jake Waters loves to eat the cake that Jerry bakes?
Utah beat a ranked team. It was awesome.
I am so glad that August is over. Gone is the month where Starla broke her cast. Gone is a month of sickness and Doctor visits. It is all gone.
I really found this past week that I am capable of doing anything. I think I am rediscovering the science of people. This science is also an art that I once knew, but now I am rediscovering the way I used to appreciate it.
For all of those Romney fans who feel super cool about the win in Iowa consider the following:
The three top contenders in the race, Giuliani, McCain, and Thompson chose not to participate. Romney was competing with the likes of Huckabee and Brownback, names that garner a couple percentage points each in national polls.
Romney outspent his nearest competitor by 10-1. Add on top of that the fact that this was a vote at a Republican fundraiser, not a vote of all Republicans.
Romney’s victory doesn’t seem that great to me.
Mandy and I are in Las Vegas at the Star Trek Convention. I know it is geeky, but we are having a good time. Yesterday we got our pictures with Brent Spiner. Today we will get to see Nimoy and Shatner. Check out Mandy’s comments on the convention.