A Civics Lesson for the Times Daily

Some time ago this space offered a a simple piece suggesting that newspapers should engage in something I like to call "responsible" journalism. Sometimes the editors seem have an unseen agenda. Sometimes they are just ignorant of the facts. Sometimes they don't seem to respect either.

The pretense tirade of that particular day was about the Times Daily editorializing (making fun of) on the city of Russellville questioning fluoride expense in the drinking water. The question on the table was "Is this the highest and best use of the city tax dollars in today's world". (And yes, your utility bill is a tax). But the story was never about water. It was about misuse of a powerful force. The misuse of editorial space. The Times Daily bullied the local council into making an expensive, if not outright mistaken, decision.

This column was offended most recently when the local paper wasted forty-four column inches suggesting that the city should make sure they get the highest dollar amount for some old country club land in a penny wise and pound foolish manner. Further suggesting that the city was being irresponsible by offering the land at lower than the appraisal price to, of all things, to the University of North Alabama.

But in the considered opinion of this author, Florence should give the land outright to UNA. After all without Florence Teachers College, the City would have been Leighton-West a hundred and thirty nine years ago. With the same economic impact today that Leighton has today. {No offense intended to my loyal reader and epicurean friend in Leighton}

But to bring my gentle reader back to the point of this short essay. "With great power comes great responsibility". At least that is what Peter Parker espouses. Sometimes I think maybe the powers of the pulp don't realize the impact of putting a few words on paper. Whack out a few lines on the old Underwood and go back to pleasant slumbers. In the Russellville case the Times Daily actually caused well meaning city fathers, who were reporting facts and giving solid budgetary advice, to be laughed out of the room. In the country club case the paper took a position against the source blood for all Lauderdale County, much to the detriment of the people just for what? To sell papers? Yellow journalism at it's best?

The City of Florence should follow the lead of Muscle Shoals who has no problem with spending money to make money.

As they did on the Zaxby's deal.

But that is another story.

A regressive education policy

Education is a luxury.

Always has been.

A few years ago I convinced myself that we had moved beyond the idea that education was only for the well bred and comfortably situated. That we had gone from the basis of public education of a specialty item to education for the masses. I had convinced myself that education had gone from a privilege in the 1800's to a right in the 20th century and to a responsibility in the modern age. Unfortunately, as a popular radio host points out weekly, no matter what we do, half the people are still below average.

Unfortunately as well truth exists independently of my opinion.

Education, it seems, has always been a luxury. In the days of the cave man education was only available after the escape from the ever present predator and after the stomach was full. Then stories could be told, paintings could be made, songs could be sung.

A luxury.

Presently in Alabama we have a shortfall of cash. And as usual in my home town where there were three businesses the shortfall is made up by increasing taxes. Now there are two.

Statewide the Republican Legislature (albeit with a pay raise amid a COLA freeze for all the rest of the State employees.) are doing things to cut spending instead of raising taxes. As one of my friends said "How do you like your Republican buddies now?" Well actually I like them pretty well. I know the cuts are hard and many of them like arrows in the dark, fall much wide of the mark, but at least they are not succumbing to the knee jerk of turning the constituency upside down and shaking out his pants as has been done by the Democratic legislature for the past 100 years.

Teachers are looking at a $1000 pay cut. Again unfortunate, but in my business - the business of teaching early thirtysomethings how to get a job and keep a job - I see workers who once expected to start at $800 a week with a two year degree settling for six or even four. We ain't in Kansas any more Dorothy.

Education is a luxury. Our spring break has its roots in the roots of last years crop that had to be turned under in preparation for the planting. A time when kids just couldn't be spared for school. Most old folks remember when fall break was called cotton pickin and summer was out for work not play.

Somehow we have turned our economy on its head educating kids with a mandatory school age on both ends. Actually passing laws that keep kids from learning how to work until they are 16. The result is 47% of our population on the dole one way or another because our education policy doesn't include teaching kids how to work.

Don't get me wrong, I am in the business of stomping out ignorance day by day. It is just that like swords or plowshares in an economic downturn we have to decide if we want our paper mills geared to turn out books or toilet paper.

Which is more important to you?