I’m So Proud
WAY TO GO KRISTEN!!!
WOOO-HOOO!
I feel safer already!
You know-even though with my history it would have hurt to see a WM-she’d make one hell of a Marine.
Posted by Annoying Little Twerp
07/08/2005 at 06:57 PM
OUTSTANDING!!
Best news I’ve gotten all week.
I didn’t have the pleasure to meet her, but I feel as proud as the rest of you. This is great, and I hope her dad keeps everyone informed about her progress.
Posted by Phoenix
07/08/2005 at 08:06 PM
Awesome! Congratulations!
If she goes rotary wing we could put a helo deck abaft the mizzen.
Congrats to Kristen.
I take it the officers you served under were REMF‘s, right Skipper?
Gongrats to the Ferret!
Doesn’t look like public school hurt her any.
Best of luck!
Posted by MAJ Mike
07/09/2005 at 12:29 AM
From another old Navy Guy...Best of luck and “Fair Winds and Following Seas”, as you begin this new chapter in your life!
Cool, glad to hear it.
Maj Mike, she may have persevered in spite of public school! I feel positive her upbringing and own determination saw her through. I’m sure her family is proud!
Kirstens Dad?, please tell Kirsten that we are proud for and of her! Go Kirsten! Go Blue!
*tosses pom-poms up in the air* 
Posted by imp
07/09/2005 at 09:56 AM
imp—
My public school with an enrollment of nearly 3000, usually graduates 10 or more service academy candidates every year—this doesn’t count those entering college ROTC and those entering the services who may later gain a commission via OCS or OTC. Several of my students have also enteres West Point via the West Point Prep School route. A rather prestigous local private military institute this year had no service academy entrants.
All of the public school teachers I know are dedicated, hard-working folks who work seemingly endless hours to provide the best possible education for our students. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tar all public schools and school teachers with the same brush.
Most of the real asshats are out of the schoolroom and in the administration (care to guess why?), leaving those of us who believe in our students to do the dirty work of education.
Yes, high achieving students will achieve most anywhere. But they still can’t do it without dedicated teaching professionals. Even high achievers need direction. I dare say most every member of this blog society is a product of a public school education—doesnn’t look like it hurt any of you.
If public education is a screwed up as many of you believe, then why don’t you get involved, be a tutor, run for the local School Board and fix things.
Meanwhile, I’ll continue to work 7 days a week (yes, 7) during the school year to provide my students with a quality education. I’ll continue to teach them things they won’t learn in other venues—much less private or charter schools—while preparing them for the state-mandated exit tests in my academic field.
Posted by MAJ Mike
07/09/2005 at 11:13 AM
MAJ Mike: It depends on where you are. I don’t tar the entire education establishment, just 90% of it. The problem is threefold: (1) the NEA is dictating ridiculous demands through their lobbying organization, (2) parents are just no longer involved as they used to be, and (3) public school administration has become a political football in most towns.
My sons are both grown and out of the system but when they were in publc school I was involved. I had many a fine argument with teachers and administrators over curriculum and textbooks and if my boys got into trouble at school, the school wouldn’t discipline them but when they got home they knew I’d be there to make up for it with a belt across their backside and a stern lecture.
In addition, I have also taught myself. Undergraduate computer science for three years (adjunct faculty, not tenured). I despised the attitudes of the tenured professors with good reason and still do. One day, when I “retire” I plan to go back and teach at some small college somewhere.
Finally, in the course of my everyday work, I tutor young programmers every day. Most of whom got a lousy education somewhere. I am trying my best to give them a fighting chance but for most the damage has already been done. What really chaps my ass about the education system today is the constant lowering of standards and there isn’t much a parent can do about that except teach the child what he/she needs at home. Like I did.
Maj,
You are right about public school administrators. They are people who could not make it in the classroom and people who could not make it in the business world.
You and the Captain are both right. I don’t think I’ve seen harder working people than dedicated teachers - I know, I was one...and there were many days I didn’t think I could walk to my car after school without falling down from exhaustion. But, for sure, there are a lot of fools pretending to teach.
God, don’t get me started. I could go on about both the good and the bad and still be talking next week.
Cheers for the good among us.
Posted by Phoenix
07/09/2005 at 01:23 PM
And cheers for the Ferret. Well done, Kristen. Keep up the good work, and the public diseducation system be hanged.
Go Kristen - make us proud!!
Posted by Dottie
07/09/2005 at 05:16 PM
I sure didn’t intend to cause a firestorm with my comment.
As i said “ She MAY have persevered...”. I would venture to say that this young woman had some good, a few that she may even describe as excellent, teachers through her years of education. And i feel certain she will have more in furthering her education. I do not tar with the broadest of brushes, but it is a wide brush, yes.
I watched the school system carefully until my child was in the third grade. Because of problems that were continuing to rise, my husband and i decided that it would become far too expensive in the long run, (at the expense of our child), for me to further my career at that time. I became a “stay at home” mom.
I was president of the PTO several years running. I was a “room” mother, volunteerd in the school libraries, was in parent leadership positions and programs for 4-H and FFA and other school/community activities, and yes, i was a tutor as well. To further help me understand some problems that i did not have to face directly, i joined the group for parents of “learning disabled” students. I ran for and was elected to the school board two terms. I was by no means a super-woman who went around saving the day. I just did my small part. I have absolutely no regrets and make no appologies for my decisions. I do, however, feel just a tad qualified to state an opinion.
I understand how some boards of education work (go along to get along), i understand how some administrations work (it’s not what you know but who you know), and i also understand that the “dumbing down” of curriculum (don’t want anyones self esteem bruised or gawd forbid we challenge our children), or lowering the standards and in some cases doing away with the basics are hurting children and in turn this country.
Again, this is only my opinion from my observations.
Having said that,,,,, Maj. Mike, the statistics you gave from your school are absolutely wonderful and you have every right too feel that pride of your school and your contributions to it. I do not attempt to take from you that which is not mine to take. I have two family members who are teachers. One is a long time teacher, who most of the time brews and bubbles with excitement over her chosen profession. The thrill, exuberance, humor and exitement she takes to her students each and every day (not to mention the weekends she spends grading papers and preparing for the next weeks assignments) have won her “Teacher of the Year” awards up to the state level! How thrilled i am for her. She will be eligible to retire next year and she is really not relishing making that decision. The second family member states that she does no more than is absolutely required of her due to the restrictions, politics and PC of the beauracrats involved. I find that sad. I don’t know how long she will last in the profession. She has only been in a short 5 yrs.
In closing of this rant, (sorry folks), i would like to offer a HUGE heartfelt thank you and respectful tip of hat in gratitude to all very good and excellent teachers out there. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, keep up the great jobs you are doing? I sadly fear you are a rare and possibly endangerd species. You know who you are!
The rest....well...ummm..something about a stump.
Posted by imp
07/09/2005 at 07:39 PM
Excellent rant, Imp.
Nice to know you are female.
Posted by Phoenix
07/09/2005 at 07:59 PM
Thanks Pheonix, just didn’t want him to take it as a direct insult, so thought i best expand a bit on the opinion...but then..as they say...opinions are like assholes…
Now, it looks like i may have to try and make a concerted effort to get a “true” pic/av. ACKKKKK and sheesh! I sure hate to do that to all you good folks.
Has been a long day, so will wait till my leisurely sunday morning to check out all the new goodies.
AND *whines* n’ *stomps muh feet*, if you get a top hat, cape, and a smicter??? AND red shoes!?! .... then *whines* you need to appoint me ya deputy PM so i can prance around when your outta pocket!
Posted by imp
07/09/2005 at 08:28 PM
Imp,
Aha. You are now my Deputy Prime Minister. But as deputy, you realize you don’t get to have a ‘smicter’. Whatever the hell that is. Sounds like some shit on your shoe. It is really a ‘scimitar’ - a grisly looking curved blade of a sword. You get to have a Swiss Army Knife. And the cape, though not lined in red as mine will be. You do get the hat and most excellent, you get the A T T I T U D E befitting a PM. We shall wreak havoc doncha know. When these boys get out of control, we shall reign them in.
I don’t think the Captain will allow us little red shoes, though. Perhaps Sir Tanny and Kindness Stinkster will make us red shoes. What say you, my most precious boys? Imp and I need little red shoes. With stilleto heels, of course. :}
Posted by Phoenix
07/09/2005 at 09:43 PM
Stiletto maybe? As in:
She cuts you once
she cuts you twice
But still you believe
The wound’s so fresh you can taste the blood
But you don’t have strength to leave
Yeah, right, Stin. Darn it… what is that song??? Gotta be Dylan.
Posted by Phoenix
07/09/2005 at 09:56 PM
Queen Jane Approximately?
Posted by Phoenix
07/09/2005 at 09:57 PM
It’s Billy Joel - Stiletto
Dylan had his own problems… Always a Woman was only one of ‘em.
She Belongs To Me was another
You will start out standing, proud to steal her anything she sees
You will start out standing, proud to steal her anything she sees
But you will wind up peeking through a key hole
Down upon your knees
Hey Tann-
Lose the “stache” and you could play Napoleon.
*ducks and runs*Posted by Annoying Little Twerp
07/09/2005 at 10:06 PM
Imp-
I knew you were “flemale"-as my ex-husband would say.
Now there are four wild “conservabitches"/conservababes to keep the guys in line.
woo-HOO!!!Posted by Annoying Little Twerp
07/09/2005 at 10:09 PM
Gladly, if I can find an appropriate Marie Walewska....
Twerp,
I annoint you DPM. We’ll get the boys to add one more pair of red stilettos. We have to get Dottie now. You already got the A T T I T U D E so you’re in good shape.
Posted by Phoenix
07/09/2005 at 10:15 PM
They sat together in the park
As the evening sky grew dark,
She looked at him and he felt a spark tingle to his bones.
‘Twas then he felt alone and wished that he’d gone straight
And watched out for a simple twist of fate.Dylan had NO problems, Stin.
I LOVE this song.
Posted by Phoenix
07/09/2005 at 10:18 PM
He was sometime bitter though: Like a Rolling Stone
Damn there’s another one I’m trying to think of....
Yeah, I read part of his latest book and put it down. Much too bitter. Doesn’t matter. He gave us all permission to think on our own with LIKE A ROLLINGSTONE coming out when we were all singing “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” and doing just what our parents scripted for us. Then Jim Morrison came out with FIRE and the revolution went into full swing.
Posted by Phoenix
07/09/2005 at 10:49 PM
HEY.... We need Severa to join our ranks, girls. One more pair of red stilettos. Boys, you’ve got your leather and tacks cut out for you tonight.
In absentia: I annoint Severa DPM.
Posted by Phoenix
07/09/2005 at 10:51 PM
Good on ya, Kristen. Hang tough, and you will be a great air(wo)man. Boot camp sucks, trust me, but when crunch time comes and you really want it, you will get it; if there was one lesson I learned in basic training and AIT (where I learned to do my job in the Army), that was it.
Oh geeze, do you have any idea of what those damn stilettos will do to the teak on the main deck? I’m out there every sunday with the damn holy stone working it down under the gimlet gaze of
Captain Blighour dear Skipper.You’ll get a heel alright...I do like the shape of a lovely leg, but it might be a bit wider to take the
weightdownward pressure and not punch holes in my teak.You’re right, U2, bootcamp sucks. Although I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it when we went to (Navy) firefighting training.
Once you see that you can go into a burning building with two hose teams and bring a fire under control it’ll convince you that you can do stuff you might have thought was impossible. We were our own fire department out on the briny deep so we had to have that training and, most of all, the confidence to do it.
Damage control was a hoot too. Tons of water flowing in, soaked to the bone, climbing a ladder through a hatch in the deck (floor) of a compartment (room) with 3 feet of water in it must be something like climbing up the pipe of a flushing toilet.
The aim is the same; to show you what you can do. The bullshit marching up and down I could do without, though.
Hahaha! “..sounds like some shit on your shoe.”
As one in a promising posistion of possible power, I suppose i should have looked scimitar up, but dayum, i was too pooped. But now that i know what it is, i just dont see how the DPMs can be very affective with friggin’ swiss army knives. How ‘bout i fashion floggers and crops that can be tapped against the thigh, in a menacing way of course, as we stroll the decks to keep the rogues in line? I’ll leave the chopping to you and your scimitar. Oh, and I’ll forgo the hat, thank ya very much (hat hair, dont ya know).Kind Stin? Iffen’s we must have the clunky heels (for the preservation of the main deck AND your back), might you fashion the shoes with high ankle straps please? Should make the shoes a bit more fashionable. Very kind of ya, thank ya very much.
Hey! I could get into this DPM shit!
Posted by imp
07/10/2005 at 06:11 AM
OOOoooooooo, ankle straps. I believe I like that idea. I’ll get right on it. All in the effort to save the teak, of course. I’ll let you know when they’re ready for the first fitting.
07/08/2005 at 07:38 PM
