Regarding "Charter schools sue over state funding inequities": The Oklahoma Public Charter School Association (OPCSA) is suing the State Board of Education and by extension, Oklahoma taxpayers - over inequities in how "corporate" charters are funded in comparison with traditional (conservative) public schools. The OPCSA is made up of thirty charter schools, most of which are managed by out-of-state and foreign corporate executives... who call themselves "board members". An example of the "inequities" claimed by the foreign "for profit" CEO's is - "they are trying to convince the public and the courts that charters are being shortchanged when it comes to the aquisition of state and local tax dollars. In fact, however, corporate charter schools in Oklahoma receive more state aid than traditional public schools, and here's how: A traditional public school with 2000 students may be entitled to $5,000,000 in state aid, but "chargeables" such as oil and gas (gross production) tax, vehicle tax, county tax, state land leases, and a portion of local property tax are reduced from that $5,000,000 to total much less. If the traditional school receives $200,000 in gross production, $200,000 in vehicle tax, $200,000 in land lease money, $200,000 in county tax, and $200,000 in chargeable property tax... the total state aid received by the school is only $4,000,000. A corporate charter with 2000 students receives the full $5,000,000, with no reduction. So, the OPCSA is suing Oklahoma taxpayers through the State Board of Education - for their share of the pie, plus traditional public schools' share (in the name of shareholder profits). It is doubtful if the corporate management groups can prevail in their taxpayer lawsuit, but they have several powerful Oklahoma corporate lawmakers on their side, so who really knows? For the sake of our traditional public schools, Oklahomans must hope not...
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Friday, July 28, 2017
Corporate Charter School Management Firms: "We want our pie, as well as your pie"
Out-of-state corporate charter school companies, through the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association (OPCSA) - are suing local taxpayers for a bigger piece of the pie (local tax dollars). The out-of-state and foreign charter organizations clamoring for more local tax dollars include 1) the Turkish based Fethullah Gulen (Muslim Clerc) chain of charter schools. Its school board members reside in Turkey. 2) Connections Academy, based out of Baltimore and the United Kingdom; 3) EPIC Virtual Charter Schools, which the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation investigated in 2014 for enrollment fraud (falsifying attendance records). EPIC drew the attention of the OSBI for claiming 100% student attendance. Student attendance and enrollment is how "public schools" such as EPIC receive state funding. Now, visualize EPIC's school board members running out of a dark tunnel as CO2 gas boils up under their feet as they're introduced: "JOSH MILBURG!, President, who holds a Masters in Business Administration with concentrations in Strategy and Finance from the Yale School of Management. Josh serves as the Director of Technology Strategy at Allstate Insurance; Holding a BBA degree in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School is Vice-President AARON O'DONNELL! From New Orleans, and current Chair of the Academic Committee of North Lawndale College Prep Charter High School in Chicago (the hometown of former U.S. Sec. of Education Arne Duncan) - CARRIE STEWART! These board members really know how to swindle local taxpayers out of $millions! The local yocal taxpayers and local school board members will never see this shelacking coming!"
I hope this post lends a degree of levity to an otherwise dire situation for our rural local schools and local taxpayers. The public school funding formula is complicated, but the board members mentioned above have figured it out, as they are very intelligent. They know, if successful in their lawsuit, they will be receiving local tax dollars that our rural public schools do not receive. This is how their "get rich quick" scheme works: Currently, our local public schools receive state aid, ad valorem (property tax), county tax, oil and gas production tax, vehicle tax, land lease tax, etc... The corporate charter school companies in our state only receive state aid. Hypothetically, if a local public school receives $100,000 in state aid, $6,000 in local ad valorem revenue, $2000 in county 4-mil, $2,000 in gross production tax, $1,000 in vehicle tax, and $1,000 in land leases - the total for our public schools would be $112,000. However, $9,000 is deducted by the legislature since these extra taxes are chargeable to state aid, leaving the school with $103,000.Charter school executives like the ones introduced earlier are suing our local taxpayers for not only their $100,000 state aid, but the additional $12,000 which our public schools DO NOT RECEIVE. They want their pie, as well as the local tax dollars, which will choke our local public schools as well as Oklahoma taxpayers! These corporate school management firms have a lot of legislative support as they've bought and paid for several state lawmakers, so they could be successful in their lawsuit... Let's hope not...
I hope this post lends a degree of levity to an otherwise dire situation for our rural local schools and local taxpayers. The public school funding formula is complicated, but the board members mentioned above have figured it out, as they are very intelligent. They know, if successful in their lawsuit, they will be receiving local tax dollars that our rural public schools do not receive. This is how their "get rich quick" scheme works: Currently, our local public schools receive state aid, ad valorem (property tax), county tax, oil and gas production tax, vehicle tax, land lease tax, etc... The corporate charter school companies in our state only receive state aid. Hypothetically, if a local public school receives $100,000 in state aid, $6,000 in local ad valorem revenue, $2000 in county 4-mil, $2,000 in gross production tax, $1,000 in vehicle tax, and $1,000 in land leases - the total for our public schools would be $112,000. However, $9,000 is deducted by the legislature since these extra taxes are chargeable to state aid, leaving the school with $103,000.Charter school executives like the ones introduced earlier are suing our local taxpayers for not only their $100,000 state aid, but the additional $12,000 which our public schools DO NOT RECEIVE. They want their pie, as well as the local tax dollars, which will choke our local public schools as well as Oklahoma taxpayers! These corporate school management firms have a lot of legislative support as they've bought and paid for several state lawmakers, so they could be successful in their lawsuit... Let's hope not...
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Corporate Charter Group Sues Local Taxpayers for MORE MONEY
The Oklahoma Public Charter School Association (OPCSA) is suing the State for more money. Not content with only state appropriated dollars which it now receives, the OPCSA (made up of 30 corporate charter schools) believes it is entitled to local tax dollars - in the form of property taxes, gross production tax, vehicle tax, and even county taxes, which our local public schools now receive. The OPCSA is supported and partially funded by the American Federation for Children Support Fund (is that redundant?) of which Betsy DeVos, the new Secretary of Education and billionaire heiress, is the former CEO. I truly hope DeVos is fired by President Trump, just as many of his other cabinet members have been axed. But I digress... The OPCSA has thirty members, including the Fethullah Gulen's (Muslim Clerc) four Oklahoma schools, Janet Barresi's charter school, and several rural and virtual charter schools. Most of them have one thing in common, they are managed by out-of-state or foreign corporations. I understand that many rural communities would like their public school managed by a foreign corporation (according to voucher proponents), but I believe that most would not. Two possible scenarios: If the OPCSA is successful in accessing local property taxation, oil and gas production tax, vehicle tax, and local county taxes, look for these local taxes to rise exponentially over the next several years - for local tax payers. If the OPCSA is successful in accessing local property tax our local public schools could be choked out of existence. If you are a social conservative who believes in retaining our traditional public schools, either one of these scenarios should scare the hell out of you. If you are a fiscal conservative who believes in low government spending, then the OPCSA is not for you..
The OPCSA must have Legislator support in order to be successful in accessing local tax dollars, and I believe some have been identified. Those elected Senators and Representatives who've received $hundreds of thousands in campaign support from the corporate voucher groups and are members of the secret organization ALEC are key in identifying them. We have seen the enemy, and he is us - They would be Ex-Rep. Dan Kirby, Republican; Ex-Senator Ralph Shortey, Republican; Ex-Senator Kyle Loveless, Republican; Ex-Senator Dan Newberry, Republican; Senator Julie Daniels, Republican; Representative Elise Hall, Republican; and Representative Tim Downing, Republican..
Of course there are many more corporatists in the Legislature than the ones listed above, but this is a start in identifying them. Organizations such as ALEC keep their members anonymous, so it's difficult to identify all. Oklahoma taxpayers have excellent legal support, so I believe the lawsuit will be unsuccessful. We must hope so...
The OPCSA must have Legislator support in order to be successful in accessing local tax dollars, and I believe some have been identified. Those elected Senators and Representatives who've received $hundreds of thousands in campaign support from the corporate voucher groups and are members of the secret organization ALEC are key in identifying them. We have seen the enemy, and he is us - They would be Ex-Rep. Dan Kirby, Republican; Ex-Senator Ralph Shortey, Republican; Ex-Senator Kyle Loveless, Republican; Ex-Senator Dan Newberry, Republican; Senator Julie Daniels, Republican; Representative Elise Hall, Republican; and Representative Tim Downing, Republican..
Of course there are many more corporatists in the Legislature than the ones listed above, but this is a start in identifying them. Organizations such as ALEC keep their members anonymous, so it's difficult to identify all. Oklahoma taxpayers have excellent legal support, so I believe the lawsuit will be unsuccessful. We must hope so...
All Oklahoma Taxpayers Sued by Charter Organization!
A Message to Oklahoma Conservative Republicans, Conservative Democrats, Libertarians, Progressives, and Independents... or Every Oklahoma Voter:
A clandestine group calling itself the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association (OPCSA) has filed a lawsuit against Oklahoma taxpayers "in hopes of increasing charter schools' share of state and local education funding" (Oklahoma Watch, 2017). There are currently 30 Charter Oklahoma members in this organization, including Carlton Landing Academy (the Seminole charter school managed by a Texas company), Harding Charter Prep High School (the OKC charter school started by Janet Barresi), and the Dove Science Academies (the OKC and Tulsa charter schools managed by the Turkish based Islamic Clerc, Fethullah Gulen), among several more out-of-state charter organizations. Many consider the OPCSA clandestine, because its funding supporters are not for public consumption (unknown). I'd be willing to bet, however, that it receives support from organizations such as the American Federation for Children Action Fund (Vouchers) and other American Legislative Exchange Council groups. If the OCPSA is successful in its lawsuit, our local public schools and local taxpayers will be forced to pick up the charter school tab in the form of higher property taxes! To be continued...
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Superintendent's School Goals
When I started my high school coaching career in 1980, the Duncan H.S. football program had already been very successful - winning state titles in 1977 and 1978, and boasting of many all-state players. Head Coach Ray Hall, hired in 1976, had won back-to-back Titles at Broken Bow in 1972 and 1973. Ray Hall left Duncan in 1979 after a down year. During his time at both schools, however, Coach Hall always had three team goals at the beginning of each season - 1) Win the first game, 2) Win District, and 3) Win State.
When Ray Hall left Duncan, his top assistant Charley Lynch became the new head coach, beginning in 1980. Coach Lynch then hired three new assistant coaches, including me, to complete his staff. Coach Lynch kept the same three team goals Hall had used, as he believed they contributed to team success. Duncan started slowly, ending its season in 1980 with 9 wins and 4 losses, losing in the state semi-finals to Mustang. They built up steam during the next couple of years before winning state titles in 1983 and 1984, and winning 27 straight games at one point which was a class 4A record at the time. Duncan went on to appear in three more title games in 1987, 1992, and 1994. At least part of their success was attributable to having team goals. The secret is to have very few, attainable goals, which are easily measured.
My "education goals", as superintendent of Blanchard Public Schools, are few, easily measured, and certainly attainable, for teachers and staff. I believe staff must be internally motivated to achieve goals, and the motivation usually comes from competition, just as it is in athletics. So, I'll compare student test scores at Blanchard to two other similar schools, in order to set the goals.
Goal one: Improve student test scores
Blanchard Elementary
Reading Index 77% School B 85% School C 81% Goal - 81%
Math Index 77% School B 83% School C 75% Goal - 80%
Science Index 62% School B*** School C 69% Goal - 66%
S. Studies Index 83% School B*** School C 75% Goal - 85%
Blanchard Intermediate (3-5) - Subject goals are the same as the elementary.
Blanchard Middle School
Reading Index 90% School B 83% School C 91% Goal 92%
Math Index 84% School B 83% School C 86% Goal 86%
Science Index 78% School B 81% School C 72% Goal 81%
S. Studies Index 78% School B 75% School C 74% Goal 80%
Blanchard High School
English Index 88% School B 88% School C 92% Goal 90%
Algebra Index 80% School B 87% School C 93% Goal 85%
Biology Index 54% School B 45% School C 70% Goal 70%
US History Index 70% School B 79% School C 81% Goal 79%
Graduation Rate 83% School B 88% School C 93% Goal 88%
Goal two: Improve and add student facilities
Goal three: Make hiring recommendations of only top teachers (in order to achieve goal one)
Goal four: Increase student funding from the current $3042 per student to $3291.30 by 2020.
When Ray Hall left Duncan, his top assistant Charley Lynch became the new head coach, beginning in 1980. Coach Lynch then hired three new assistant coaches, including me, to complete his staff. Coach Lynch kept the same three team goals Hall had used, as he believed they contributed to team success. Duncan started slowly, ending its season in 1980 with 9 wins and 4 losses, losing in the state semi-finals to Mustang. They built up steam during the next couple of years before winning state titles in 1983 and 1984, and winning 27 straight games at one point which was a class 4A record at the time. Duncan went on to appear in three more title games in 1987, 1992, and 1994. At least part of their success was attributable to having team goals. The secret is to have very few, attainable goals, which are easily measured.
My "education goals", as superintendent of Blanchard Public Schools, are few, easily measured, and certainly attainable, for teachers and staff. I believe staff must be internally motivated to achieve goals, and the motivation usually comes from competition, just as it is in athletics. So, I'll compare student test scores at Blanchard to two other similar schools, in order to set the goals.
Goal one: Improve student test scores
Blanchard Elementary
Reading Index 77% School B 85% School C 81% Goal - 81%
Math Index 77% School B 83% School C 75% Goal - 80%
Science Index 62% School B*** School C 69% Goal - 66%
S. Studies Index 83% School B*** School C 75% Goal - 85%
Blanchard Intermediate (3-5) - Subject goals are the same as the elementary.
Blanchard Middle School
Reading Index 90% School B 83% School C 91% Goal 92%
Math Index 84% School B 83% School C 86% Goal 86%
Science Index 78% School B 81% School C 72% Goal 81%
S. Studies Index 78% School B 75% School C 74% Goal 80%
Blanchard High School
English Index 88% School B 88% School C 92% Goal 90%
Algebra Index 80% School B 87% School C 93% Goal 85%
Biology Index 54% School B 45% School C 70% Goal 70%
US History Index 70% School B 79% School C 81% Goal 79%
Graduation Rate 83% School B 88% School C 93% Goal 88%
Goal two: Improve and add student facilities
Goal three: Make hiring recommendations of only top teachers (in order to achieve goal one)
Goal four: Increase student funding from the current $3042 per student to $3291.30 by 2020.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Disclaimer: The following column is a parody of only some of our Republican State Representatives and Senators. Any resemblance of any Republican lawmakers to the real Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is intentional, but you may judge for yourself.
According to Wikipedia - The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are described in the last book of the New Testament of the Bible, called the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ to John of Patmos, at 6:1-8. The chapter tells of the Lamb of God opening four seals, which summons four beings that ride out on white, red, black, and pale horses. The four riders are often seen as symbolizing Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. "Pestilence", riding the white horse, is often associated with bringing infectious disease and plague to the people. Riding the red horse, "War" is often pictured holding a sword upwards as though ready for battle or mass slaughter of the people. The black horse carries "Famine", the destruction of crops and food sources, and starvation of the people. "Death" rides the pale horse and represents the final result carried by the first three horses.
None of the Four Horsemen bring anything good to the people, only death and destruction - and none of the republican horsemen in the legislature brings anything good to their constituents. A quick look at the "Dozen or More Horsemen" of the State Legislature (could be more) reveals uncanny similarities to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Naming names, the Dozen or More Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Legislature) are: Pestilence - Civilian Ralph Shortey who represents infectious disease and plague for being accused of child prostitution in offering to pay a boy for sex. Also riding the white horse of pestilence is Civilian Dan Kirby, who a special House committee expelled from the House of Representatives after investigating sexual harassment charges. Sitting aboard a slick black stallion is Civilian Kyle Loveless (Famine) who embezzled his own campaign funds by spending more than $100,000 in constituent funds, for personal items. By doing so, Famine contributed to "breaking" the State of Oklahoma. Riding up on another white horse, Senator Bryce Marlatt was stripped of three leadership positions this month pending the outcome of a police sex crimes investigation after a complaint made by a (male or female) Uber driver. Representing War and riding the red horse is House Speaker Chuck McCall, who used his mighty sword to slash Representative Leslie Osborn from the Chairmanship of the House Appropriations and Budgeting Committee. He did this as a retaliation for her speaking out about the lack of funding for the DHS. War (McCall) had previously blamed the funding short-fall on the Department of Human Services itself, not the Legislature. Adolph Hitler executed some of his top Generals before and during World War II, for not being "on board" and a "team player" - and was one of the original Red Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The next rider, Death, sporting a "pale horse", is represented by a plethora of Representatives and Senators, but Representative Tim Downing is the first one in the saddle. Like all the previously mentioned riders plus several more, Rep. Downing has solicited and received "dark money" in order to cause the death of our public schools. Of course, accepting dark campaign money is not a crime, but highly unethical in the opinion of many. Representative Downing and other similar lawmakers have accepted $thousands in campaign donations and support from such groups as the Washington D.C. based American Federation for Children/Vouchers. The goal of the AFC is to convince state lawmakers to direct public tax dollars to out-of-state corporate and private schools such as the Turkish based Gulen Charters, which drains our public schools of resources and funding. The AFC contributed over $40,000 in support to the campaign of Tim Downing, and hundreds of thousands more to the campaigns' of other Red Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Update: Former state Sen. Ralph Shortey (R) has now been charged with four federal child sex crimes by a federal grand jury. If convicted, he would have to serve a minimum 15 year prison sentence. In addition, state senator Bryce Marlatt (R) was charged Wednesday, September 6 with sexual battery and is also one of the Four Horse Horsemen of the Oklahoma State Legislature, as is Shortey. I was chastised recently for "painting the Horsemen with too broad a brush" by saying I'm embarrassed and ashamed to be associated by membership to the Republican Party since all of the Horsemen mentioned are Republicans. I'm now rejecting my membership to the (R) Party, not only because of its association to the thugs and lawbreakers in the Oklahoma Legislature, but because the (R) Party formerly rejected me as a Candidate for elected office. I rejected the National (R) Party Platform tenet of "school vouchers" (Legislator's Choice of Directing Local Tax Dollars to Private and Corporate Schools), so was attacked and vilified by Republican pro-voucher groups. Those who criticized my labeling of most lawbreakers in the state Legislature as Republicans are misguided, because they are Republicans! One critic even said he would not vote for me... LOL, that hurt.
None of the Four Horsemen bring anything good to the people, only death and destruction - and none of the republican horsemen in the legislature brings anything good to their constituents. A quick look at the "Dozen or More Horsemen" of the State Legislature (could be more) reveals uncanny similarities to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Naming names, the Dozen or More Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Legislature) are: Pestilence - Civilian Ralph Shortey who represents infectious disease and plague for being accused of child prostitution in offering to pay a boy for sex. Also riding the white horse of pestilence is Civilian Dan Kirby, who a special House committee expelled from the House of Representatives after investigating sexual harassment charges. Sitting aboard a slick black stallion is Civilian Kyle Loveless (Famine) who embezzled his own campaign funds by spending more than $100,000 in constituent funds, for personal items. By doing so, Famine contributed to "breaking" the State of Oklahoma. Riding up on another white horse, Senator Bryce Marlatt was stripped of three leadership positions this month pending the outcome of a police sex crimes investigation after a complaint made by a (male or female) Uber driver. Representing War and riding the red horse is House Speaker Chuck McCall, who used his mighty sword to slash Representative Leslie Osborn from the Chairmanship of the House Appropriations and Budgeting Committee. He did this as a retaliation for her speaking out about the lack of funding for the DHS. War (McCall) had previously blamed the funding short-fall on the Department of Human Services itself, not the Legislature. Adolph Hitler executed some of his top Generals before and during World War II, for not being "on board" and a "team player" - and was one of the original Red Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The next rider, Death, sporting a "pale horse", is represented by a plethora of Representatives and Senators, but Representative Tim Downing is the first one in the saddle. Like all the previously mentioned riders plus several more, Rep. Downing has solicited and received "dark money" in order to cause the death of our public schools. Of course, accepting dark campaign money is not a crime, but highly unethical in the opinion of many. Representative Downing and other similar lawmakers have accepted $thousands in campaign donations and support from such groups as the Washington D.C. based American Federation for Children/Vouchers. The goal of the AFC is to convince state lawmakers to direct public tax dollars to out-of-state corporate and private schools such as the Turkish based Gulen Charters, which drains our public schools of resources and funding. The AFC contributed over $40,000 in support to the campaign of Tim Downing, and hundreds of thousands more to the campaigns' of other Red Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Update: Former state Sen. Ralph Shortey (R) has now been charged with four federal child sex crimes by a federal grand jury. If convicted, he would have to serve a minimum 15 year prison sentence. In addition, state senator Bryce Marlatt (R) was charged Wednesday, September 6 with sexual battery and is also one of the Four Horse Horsemen of the Oklahoma State Legislature, as is Shortey. I was chastised recently for "painting the Horsemen with too broad a brush" by saying I'm embarrassed and ashamed to be associated by membership to the Republican Party since all of the Horsemen mentioned are Republicans. I'm now rejecting my membership to the (R) Party, not only because of its association to the thugs and lawbreakers in the Oklahoma Legislature, but because the (R) Party formerly rejected me as a Candidate for elected office. I rejected the National (R) Party Platform tenet of "school vouchers" (Legislator's Choice of Directing Local Tax Dollars to Private and Corporate Schools), so was attacked and vilified by Republican pro-voucher groups. Those who criticized my labeling of most lawbreakers in the state Legislature as Republicans are misguided, because they are Republicans! One critic even said he would not vote for me... LOL, that hurt.
Friday, July 21, 2017
Schools Are Rolling in Dough
Headlines in today's newspapers read: State returns cash to agencies, leading readers to believe that our Oklahoma state agencies, whose funding was taken by the Oklahoma Legislature in February, will now be flush with revenue. State agencies such as the Department of Human Services and the Department of public education may receive $4.2 million and $7.2 million back, respectively. Many readers of this news may believe that our legislator gutted state agencies are now rolling in dough, and should not be cutting services to stay afloat. For our public schools and DHS, however, this is exactly what those who wish to see an end to public education (voucher and privatization proponents) want them to believe.
Schools may receive approximately $10 per student back, which was already budgeted when it was taken away. If and when schools receive this windfall, they'll use it to pay bills, some of which have been due since February, - or use it for next year's textbooks and other student supplies. Many voucher and privatization proponents in the legislature will say that schools now have enough money to provide teacher pay raises. This is, however, just one more scheme to drive a wedge between our teachers and the public schools where they work...
Schools may receive approximately $10 per student back, which was already budgeted when it was taken away. If and when schools receive this windfall, they'll use it to pay bills, some of which have been due since February, - or use it for next year's textbooks and other student supplies. Many voucher and privatization proponents in the legislature will say that schools now have enough money to provide teacher pay raises. This is, however, just one more scheme to drive a wedge between our teachers and the public schools where they work...
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Animal House II - Frat Party 2017
Question: What do Representative Will Fourkiller, former Representative Dan Kirby, former Senator Ralph Shorty, former Senator Kyle Loveless, and Senator Bryce Marlett have in common? If you said they all have been investigated (for) or committed sex crimes, you'd be wrong. Former Senator Kyle Loveless was found guilty of excessive greed. If you said they're all Republicans, you'd be wrong. Representative Will Fourkiller is a Democrat. But if you said they all are egocentric, wanna-be millionaires who only answer to their corporate bosses, not constituents - you probably are right. Many political experts believe there are two categories of democrats, liberal and conservative.. Yes, many democrats were conservative "back in the day", but have evolved into a more liberal, corporate philosophy in recent years. Former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan are good examples of neo-liberals (corporate liberals). The same political pundits also believe there may be two types of republicans, conservative and corporate. Of course, traditionally conservative republicans believe in retaining traditionally successful social institutions such as our public schools. They believe in less government spending and low tax rates. And they believe the U.S. Constitution as well as the State Constitution should be the Law of the land. Many are also Christian and use the Bible as their life guidebook. Corporate republicans are the opposite of conservatives. They believe in progressing past our public schools to corporate charter and privatization of schools by directing public tax dollars to these educational institutions. They believe in corporate welfare, but not individual (constituent) welfare. And they believe Constitutional Laws were made to be broken or changed when it fits their personal agenda.
Many political science experts believe the "magnificent five" mentioned above are all corporatists (having corporate bosses, not constituents). But how can one truly determine if a lawmaker or former lawmaker is a corporatist who only cares about his corporate boss and cares nothing about his voting public? It's really very easy. One way is to check the lawmaker's voting record. If he always votes for bills (legislation) which support his corporate bosses and not his constituents, then he's a corporatist. If he has accepted large campaign donations from multi-national, out-of-state corporations and out-of-state non-profit organizations - then he's a corporatist. For example, the National non-profit Stand for Children, a Washington D.C. based school voucher organization donated $ hundreds of thousands to several state candidates over the years. Betsy Devos, the new U.S. Secretary of Education and billionaire heiress, was once the CEO of Stand for Children. Of course, other than the " five musketeers" there are several more corporatists in the Oklahoma Legislature. If they are attending the annual American Legislative and Corporate Exchange Council (ALCEC) convention in Denver next week, then he must be a corporatist. At this convention, corporations exchange legislative bills they've written for handsome campaign donations ($$$). A corporate non-profit or corporation simply hands the bill to a state lawmaker along with a "$ brown envelope". The lawmaker then takes the bill back to his home state and proposes it during the legislative session. The bill is definitely not for his constituents, but for the corporate bottom line.. money! It's amazing that practically no voters who voted for the above-mentioned lawmakers the first time, would vote for them again. These voters say that they are now "educated" about these lawmakers, and would not make the same mistake twice. Many political experts say "Educate yourself, and don't make the first mistake - it's easy." All it takes is a little research and a few questions...
Many political science experts believe the "magnificent five" mentioned above are all corporatists (having corporate bosses, not constituents). But how can one truly determine if a lawmaker or former lawmaker is a corporatist who only cares about his corporate boss and cares nothing about his voting public? It's really very easy. One way is to check the lawmaker's voting record. If he always votes for bills (legislation) which support his corporate bosses and not his constituents, then he's a corporatist. If he has accepted large campaign donations from multi-national, out-of-state corporations and out-of-state non-profit organizations - then he's a corporatist. For example, the National non-profit Stand for Children, a Washington D.C. based school voucher organization donated $ hundreds of thousands to several state candidates over the years. Betsy Devos, the new U.S. Secretary of Education and billionaire heiress, was once the CEO of Stand for Children. Of course, other than the " five musketeers" there are several more corporatists in the Oklahoma Legislature. If they are attending the annual American Legislative and Corporate Exchange Council (ALCEC) convention in Denver next week, then he must be a corporatist. At this convention, corporations exchange legislative bills they've written for handsome campaign donations ($$$). A corporate non-profit or corporation simply hands the bill to a state lawmaker along with a "$ brown envelope". The lawmaker then takes the bill back to his home state and proposes it during the legislative session. The bill is definitely not for his constituents, but for the corporate bottom line.. money! It's amazing that practically no voters who voted for the above-mentioned lawmakers the first time, would vote for them again. These voters say that they are now "educated" about these lawmakers, and would not make the same mistake twice. Many political experts say "Educate yourself, and don't make the first mistake - it's easy." All it takes is a little research and a few questions...
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Corporatist Lawmakers
Corporatist Senators and Representatives across Oklahoma are feverishly pouring sugar on what has been described as the most scandalous and failure of a legislative session in state history. Even Governor Fallin stated: "Good luck if you think they're going to fix some of these hard issues" when referring to the legislature's ability and motivation to "fix" the state budget. Those corporatist lawmakers have received marching orders from their corporate bosses, so are publishing cookie cutter columns to local newspapers - detailing the giant effort they made to balance the budget... and the miracles they performed to actually increase funding to schools.
Many Oklahoma citizens have asked hard questions about the corporatist claims, but received evasive, politically rhetorical answers in return - the same misleading facts as they've written in their newspaper columns. Many people believe, as do I, that a misleading fact is only a half-truth, but many others have the opinion that a misleading fact (quote) is nothing but a bald-faced lie. These half-truths and lies are often used by (corporate) politicians, not republican or democrat, in their news columns.
As an example of political rhetoric, lies, or half-truths, a political column in the Purcell Register appeared only last week which touted "the important measures" approved by the Legislature. The author, a rookie lawmaker but experienced politician, starts out: Education is always a priority. This statement is copied from the corporatist playbook... verbatim, and has been used over and over to convince the public that politicans really do care about our public schools. It means that even though our Legislature has cut public school funding by 26.9% since 2009 and more than double the next worst state, Georgia, and even though our State teachers are the worst paid in the nation, and even though our State funding per pupil at $3004 is the worst in the nation... EDUCATION IS ALWAYS A PRIORITY! This statement seals the deal. Many will believe this lawmaker really does care about our teachers and students, simply because he said he does.
The author goes on to say "As I mentioned before, the FY '18 budget provided nearly $22 million more for schools than the original FY'17 budget. While most state agencies received nearly 5% cuts to their budgets, our schools received additional funding, which was extremely difficult given the $1 billion revenue shortfall. The facts tell a little bit different story - Fact one: the original FY '17 budget provided schools $3046 per weighted student. Fact two: By the end of FY'17, the state appropriated student funding had been slashed and burned by the legislature to $3005.60 per student. Fact three: The initial FY'18 budget has provided $3042.40 per student. Fact four (for the mathematically challenged lawmakers): $3042.40 < (is less than) $3046.
But the author is not entirely void of mathematical skills, but is probably very skilled at manipulating half-truths, so that the public only sees his truth. He calls "complying with the law" - "fulfilling an obligation" in the next line: The budget also fulfilled the state's obligation to cover 100% of the health insurance costs of teachers and school support staff by providing an additional $20.6 million. For example, when someone is driving the posted speed limit now, he can say he is fulfilling an obligation, instead of complying with the law. If he exceeds the posted speed limit, he could receive a ticket or a court summons. The reason many people comply with the law is because they could be penalized, if they don't. It's the same thing with the provided $20.6 million increase for teachers' health insurance - many lawmakers supported it, because it was illegal not to, not because of generosity as the author implies. It's the same thing with the $22 million increase - it is a legislative obligation, and wasn't provided out of the goodness of their hearts, but out of fear of ridicule and penalty. Although the author touts the increase as working a miracle, the increase actually resulted in a decrease as noted above. So the author evidently views a half-truth as the whole truth, while many citizens view a half-truth as a whole lie. The lesson taught to corporatist lawmakers (by their corporate bosses) is "It's always better to tell a half-truth, if you can get everyone to believe you". And if someone calls your hand on it, lie and say you just did not know the whole truth...
Next week: Corporate scandals in the Legislature
Many Oklahoma citizens have asked hard questions about the corporatist claims, but received evasive, politically rhetorical answers in return - the same misleading facts as they've written in their newspaper columns. Many people believe, as do I, that a misleading fact is only a half-truth, but many others have the opinion that a misleading fact (quote) is nothing but a bald-faced lie. These half-truths and lies are often used by (corporate) politicians, not republican or democrat, in their news columns.
As an example of political rhetoric, lies, or half-truths, a political column in the Purcell Register appeared only last week which touted "the important measures" approved by the Legislature. The author, a rookie lawmaker but experienced politician, starts out: Education is always a priority. This statement is copied from the corporatist playbook... verbatim, and has been used over and over to convince the public that politicans really do care about our public schools. It means that even though our Legislature has cut public school funding by 26.9% since 2009 and more than double the next worst state, Georgia, and even though our State teachers are the worst paid in the nation, and even though our State funding per pupil at $3004 is the worst in the nation... EDUCATION IS ALWAYS A PRIORITY! This statement seals the deal. Many will believe this lawmaker really does care about our teachers and students, simply because he said he does.
The author goes on to say "As I mentioned before, the FY '18 budget provided nearly $22 million more for schools than the original FY'17 budget. While most state agencies received nearly 5% cuts to their budgets, our schools received additional funding, which was extremely difficult given the $1 billion revenue shortfall. The facts tell a little bit different story - Fact one: the original FY '17 budget provided schools $3046 per weighted student. Fact two: By the end of FY'17, the state appropriated student funding had been slashed and burned by the legislature to $3005.60 per student. Fact three: The initial FY'18 budget has provided $3042.40 per student. Fact four (for the mathematically challenged lawmakers): $3042.40 < (is less than) $3046.
But the author is not entirely void of mathematical skills, but is probably very skilled at manipulating half-truths, so that the public only sees his truth. He calls "complying with the law" - "fulfilling an obligation" in the next line: The budget also fulfilled the state's obligation to cover 100% of the health insurance costs of teachers and school support staff by providing an additional $20.6 million. For example, when someone is driving the posted speed limit now, he can say he is fulfilling an obligation, instead of complying with the law. If he exceeds the posted speed limit, he could receive a ticket or a court summons. The reason many people comply with the law is because they could be penalized, if they don't. It's the same thing with the provided $20.6 million increase for teachers' health insurance - many lawmakers supported it, because it was illegal not to, not because of generosity as the author implies. It's the same thing with the $22 million increase - it is a legislative obligation, and wasn't provided out of the goodness of their hearts, but out of fear of ridicule and penalty. Although the author touts the increase as working a miracle, the increase actually resulted in a decrease as noted above. So the author evidently views a half-truth as the whole truth, while many citizens view a half-truth as a whole lie. The lesson taught to corporatist lawmakers (by their corporate bosses) is "It's always better to tell a half-truth, if you can get everyone to believe you". And if someone calls your hand on it, lie and say you just did not know the whole truth...
Next week: Corporate scandals in the Legislature
Monday, July 17, 2017
Blanchard Public Schools Student Success
At the end of the school year I bragged about the success that Blanchard students have achieved during the past year, mentioning several high school athletes. But there are many more who have eclipsed the "ordinary" success level and moved into the "extra-ordinary" realm of achievement. As mentioned earlier this year, Mackinzie Matray and Megan Musick were named as Oklahoma All-State cheerleaders and will be participating in July's all-state games. In addition, Mackenzie Matray just made the O.U. Cheer squad, so we'll be seeing her on the sidelines during Sooner football, basketball, and wrestling competion. She is an official member of the Sooner Nation.
A relatively new activity for Blanchard High School is Pom, but Blanchard students have also excelled in this young "sport". As a matter of fact, Casadi Kelsie will be seen at Oklahoma State University football games this fall performing for Cowboy fans (and Sooner fans). Casidi was chosen from among hundreds to be a member of the Cowboy Pom team.
There are many reasons for this unparalleled student success at Blanchard Public Schools, but only one factor stands out as the predominant reason - the parents of these students. The parents have guided and taught these kids, and instilled the ethical and moral values which are so important in a child's life. Blanchard Public Schools are lucky to have these students, and even more lucky to have the parents who support them.
A relatively new activity for Blanchard High School is Pom, but Blanchard students have also excelled in this young "sport". As a matter of fact, Casadi Kelsie will be seen at Oklahoma State University football games this fall performing for Cowboy fans (and Sooner fans). Casidi was chosen from among hundreds to be a member of the Cowboy Pom team.
There are many reasons for this unparalleled student success at Blanchard Public Schools, but only one factor stands out as the predominant reason - the parents of these students. The parents have guided and taught these kids, and instilled the ethical and moral values which are so important in a child's life. Blanchard Public Schools are lucky to have these students, and even more lucky to have the parents who support them.
Friday, July 14, 2017
Darrel - The Boy Who Never Gave Up
Many columns and posts are dedicated to the kids I taught and coached while a teacher, from 1980 thru 1994 at Duncan High School. The best, most satisfying part of my professional life were the fourteen years I spent as a classroom teacher and high school athletic coach, primarily because of our students. I would have done the job voluntarily if I had to, because what I received from the kids was worth far more than any pay check. As a matter of fact, it was a very emotional experience for me when I left coaching altogether in 1995... because of the kids. The 23 professional years since 1995 have not made nearly the impact on my life as the "coaching" years did. I experienced many unforgettable characters (kids) during my "short" tenure as a high school coach, but none so unforgettable as Darrel.
I first got to know Darrel in 1984 as a ninth grader at Duncan High School. He was an athlete, participating in both football and wrestling, but was not physically imposing nor particularly gifted. When he graduated in 1988, he barely stood 5'8'' and weighed 150 lbs..., soaking wet. Darrel had deceptive speed (was slower than he looked), but had about 140 lbs. of heart in that 150 lb. frame. He had more courage and commitment to a cause than any kid I ever knew. What separated Darrel from most people with a cause - was his commitment... not just "dedication" to the job at hand. Many people believe, as do I, that the difference between dedication and commitment is like the "bacon and egg" breakfast: While the chicken only dedicates the eggs, the pig is committed to the breakfast. The pig sacrifices its well-being and resources, so that we have a tasty meal.
Darrel Martin was truly a committed athlete and friend to those he trusted as he went through Duncan Public Schools. When I first saw him in 1984, no one could have told me that he would be a starter on one of the best high school football teams in the state in 1987, and an all-state wrestler for the Duncan Demons in that same year. But it was inevitable, as Darrel was all heart. In 1987, the Duncan Demons were preparing to play for the class 4A football state championship in Stillwater, against the Tulsa McLain Scots. The Demons were made up of a rag-tag bunch, who were small and slow... and led by Darrel Martin (strong safety and fullback). The Scots, led by several high school football all-Americans, were big and fast - and had literally slaughtered their first three playoff opponents. As a matter of fact, the week previous in the semi-finals - Tulsa McLain had destroyed the previously unbeaten and number one ranked McAlester Buffaloes, 24 to 7. The Demons were already warming up in what is now Boone Pickens Stadium, when the Scots took the field. As they entered the playing field, they jogged slowly through the Demon warm-up lines (an intimidation technique), where an "impressive looking" player looked down at Darrel and said: "Boy, they're a bunch of little ole ants" to his team-mate. Darrel simply looked up from his stretching exercises and said "We'll see", which was quite funny to the Scots.
But I digress... back to Darrel's public school athletic career: Darrel Martin sustained several injuries during his athletic tenure at Duncan High School as well as Arizona State University (where he wrestled after high school), which proved he had a high level of mental and physical toughness. Two football injuries come to mind which had an impact on his teammates and coaches. The first was a knee injury in which his patella was dislocated to the side, almost to the bottom of the joint. He was hit going out of bounds, so the injury was readily apparent to his coaches. Darrel looked up at one coach and said calmly: "I think there is something wrong with my leg, coach". The coach said: "Yeah, your kneecap is dislocated", at which Darrel replied: "Well, put it back in place, so I can get back in there..." At this time, we were loading Darrel onto a stretcher to be transported to Duncan Regional Hospital for evaluation, since there were no volunteers to replace the kneecap. I don't know what happened next at the hospital, but I suspect the medical staff moved the patella back in place (with no pain medication), and Darrel checked out against medical advice. He was back at practice on Monday. The second injury was a little more serious - Darrel came to the sideline during another game and said: "Coach, I think I broke my arm". The bone near the wrist appeared "crooked as a dog's hind leg", so Darrel was carted off in an ambulance again. Medical staff fixed the break by installing two pins on either side of the break through the bone but under the flesh. According to Darrel - No pain, no gain. Anyway, after missing two games (maybe only one) Darrel was back at practice. The first game he played in following the injury went well... until the last quarter. Superman (the name his coaches were now calling him) came jogging to the sideline and said he was having another problem with his arm. Both pins were now protruding through the flesh from the bone. Darrel said: "It doesn't hurt" and started heading back out on the field, at which time a coach stopped him and said "Maybe so, but we've still got to get the blood covered up" and slapped several strips of tape on the exposed pins. He continued playing and wasn't the least bit concerned that he could be doing more injury to the arm.
The third injury I remember was a career-ender for Darrel. He was in his freshman year at ASU wrestling. I may be a little hazy on the facts, but this is what I heard from those present: Darrel was living in the dorm with other athletes when some horse play was initiated by others. He had gone out on the 4th floor patio overlooking the campus, when a couple of his friends decided to prevent him from re-entering the room by holding the door shut. Of course Darrel thought he could overpower his friends, so he gave the door a hard jerk... just about the time his friends released their grip. You can guess what happened next. The balcony was encircled by a 4 ft. restraining fence, but he tumbled backwards and upside down over the rail. A few weeks later, Darrel told me the last thing he remembered seeing was the top of a tree as he plummeted downward. He ended up breaking his leg in three places and suffered multiple contusions. He claimed he would be wrestling again in no time, but for Darrel Martin, this was the career ending injury.
The Duncan Demons 1987 Football Season: The first game of the '87 season pitted the Demons against the Lawton High Wolverines, which resulted in a lop-sided loss (28-7) for the smaller and slower Demons. The Wolverines had future All-Americans and All-Staters such as quarterback Kelly Stinnett, who went on to play for the New York Mets baseball team; running back Dewell Brewer, a state champion sprinter in track and player for the University of Oklahoma; James Trapp, who played for the Oakland Raiders of the NFL and ran in the 1992 Olympic Trials as a sprinter; and Will Shields, an offensive lineman who played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Kansas City Chiefs. Lawton High went on to win the 1987 State Title in Class-6A, so must be considered a very good football team. We, as a coaching staff, noticed that the Wolverines had the word El Deguello printed across the side of their football helmets. El Deguello is a bugle call used as a march by the Mexican army buglers during the 1836 siege of the Alamo and annihilation of the Americans. It was later used by the Americans fighting the Mexicans as a motivation. The Demons tried to re-group after that first demoralizing loss, but lost four more games before ending the regular season with five wins and five losses. Duncan lost the last regular season game to Altus in four overtimes, but still qualified for the playoffs by finishing a very mediocre 4th in the district. As a team, the Demons remembered that motivational phrase El Deguello used by Lawton High, and decided they needed something extra to motivate success during the playoffs. One of the coaches, a history teacher, suggested the phrase Never, Never, Never Give Up which came from a speech Winston Churchill gave in England as Adolph Hitler and the Nazis were sweeping across Europe. What Churchill meant was "when all hope appears lost, don't give up, as anything can happen". The Demons would not print it across the helmets, but print it on their T-shirts underneath the shoulder pads.
Since Duncan finished 4th in their district, they were matched against the state number one ranked and undefeated Carl Albert Titans. Carl Albert's players were bigger and faster than Duncan's and had averaged 40 points per game offensively, while allowing only 6 points. The Demons knew, however, if they could keep it close going into the 4th quarter... Never, Never, Never Give Up could maybe inspire them to victory. Carl Albert led 6-3 at halftime (It was close), but the Demons never stopped "clawing and scratching" for every yard. Still trailing, with only a few minutes left in the game, the Demons got the ball back and began driving the field. The Duncan fans then began to chant Never Give Up, as their team began its march to the endzone. Six plays later, the Demons were on the Titan's one yard line, as the inevitable but impossible was about to happen... Steve Hale, Duncan quarterback, scored the game's only touchdown - ensuring the 9-6 victory.
The Demons went on to win their second playoff game 7-0 and their third 7-6, both in the 4th quarter, but faced the Class-4A favorite Tulsa McLain Scots at 2 PM on Saturday, December 5 - as mentioned above. A quote from Melvin Driver, the Scots head coach, before kickoff said it all: "If they (the Demons) stay close for three quarters, we'll be in for the fight of our lives." He could not have been more right. The newspaper which quoted Driver began that column with "Today's Class 4A state championship football game looks like a mismatch on paper", and then revealed the offensive and defensive team statistics which backed up that claim. The news column stated that Tulsa McLain had moved down from class 5A to 4A two years ago, and had promptly won the 4A state title, so this would be their 2nd championship in a row - provided they won. The article ended with "But let's not get ahead of ourselves. After all, games aren't won on paper".
The Tulsa McLain Scots had their own motivational and intimidating "battle cry". Toward the end of the pre-game warm-up, the Scots would line up on the 50 yard line facing their opponent and begin chanting We Will Rock You, while pointing at them (with emphasis). The line is from the song recorded by Queen in 1977. The Demon coaching staff had provided this information to the team, and told them to be prepared and not be intimidated. It was probably something that Darrel Martin and his teammates didn't need to hear, as by now it was clear they weren't intimidated by such nonsense. As the pre-game warm-up period ended, the Duncan coaches and players were expecting the McLain intimidation chant to begin... but instead, the Duncan fans (nearly 5000) began chanting We will, we will rock you... and pointing to the opposite side of the stadium, as the band played the sports anthem. The Scots then cancelled their chant.
McLain took the opening kickoff and marched 72 yards for the games first score, and many in attendance thought "that's all she wrote" - as it was probably going to be another route. As Mike Baldwin of the Daily Oklahoman wrote after the game "(The Scots) were never heard from again". Long story short: The Demons gradually took over, driving the ball 73 yards in 13 plays to score with 8 minutes remaining. The Demons elected to go for a two point conversion for the win, but still trailed 7-6 when a pass was ruled controversially incomplete. They kicked off to the Scots and held, forcing a punt, and getting the ball back with 2:39 left. Duncan marched to the McLain 11 yard line and called timeout with 10 seconds remaining in the game. The Duncan kicker, Danny David, who had made several clutch field goals over the season, was then called on. The 27 yard field goal attempt appeared good from the sidelines, but was ruled "no good" by the official. The Demons had lost the championship, 7-6. Head coach Charley Lynch told a teary-eyed locker room, minutes after the game "Everybody thought we were out-athleted, but we weren't out-hearted. You deserved to win. Anybody who saw the game knows who had the best team today. It was us." McLain coach Melvin Driver only had one thing to say to the sports reporter: "I'm sick about this..."
Darrel Martin and the 1987 Duncan Demons are truly high school students who never gave up and were committed to Duncan. They sacrificed their time, resources, and even well-being for their school, and the reason most teachers are committed to our public schools.
I first got to know Darrel in 1984 as a ninth grader at Duncan High School. He was an athlete, participating in both football and wrestling, but was not physically imposing nor particularly gifted. When he graduated in 1988, he barely stood 5'8'' and weighed 150 lbs..., soaking wet. Darrel had deceptive speed (was slower than he looked), but had about 140 lbs. of heart in that 150 lb. frame. He had more courage and commitment to a cause than any kid I ever knew. What separated Darrel from most people with a cause - was his commitment... not just "dedication" to the job at hand. Many people believe, as do I, that the difference between dedication and commitment is like the "bacon and egg" breakfast: While the chicken only dedicates the eggs, the pig is committed to the breakfast. The pig sacrifices its well-being and resources, so that we have a tasty meal.
Darrel Martin was truly a committed athlete and friend to those he trusted as he went through Duncan Public Schools. When I first saw him in 1984, no one could have told me that he would be a starter on one of the best high school football teams in the state in 1987, and an all-state wrestler for the Duncan Demons in that same year. But it was inevitable, as Darrel was all heart. In 1987, the Duncan Demons were preparing to play for the class 4A football state championship in Stillwater, against the Tulsa McLain Scots. The Demons were made up of a rag-tag bunch, who were small and slow... and led by Darrel Martin (strong safety and fullback). The Scots, led by several high school football all-Americans, were big and fast - and had literally slaughtered their first three playoff opponents. As a matter of fact, the week previous in the semi-finals - Tulsa McLain had destroyed the previously unbeaten and number one ranked McAlester Buffaloes, 24 to 7. The Demons were already warming up in what is now Boone Pickens Stadium, when the Scots took the field. As they entered the playing field, they jogged slowly through the Demon warm-up lines (an intimidation technique), where an "impressive looking" player looked down at Darrel and said: "Boy, they're a bunch of little ole ants" to his team-mate. Darrel simply looked up from his stretching exercises and said "We'll see", which was quite funny to the Scots.
But I digress... back to Darrel's public school athletic career: Darrel Martin sustained several injuries during his athletic tenure at Duncan High School as well as Arizona State University (where he wrestled after high school), which proved he had a high level of mental and physical toughness. Two football injuries come to mind which had an impact on his teammates and coaches. The first was a knee injury in which his patella was dislocated to the side, almost to the bottom of the joint. He was hit going out of bounds, so the injury was readily apparent to his coaches. Darrel looked up at one coach and said calmly: "I think there is something wrong with my leg, coach". The coach said: "Yeah, your kneecap is dislocated", at which Darrel replied: "Well, put it back in place, so I can get back in there..." At this time, we were loading Darrel onto a stretcher to be transported to Duncan Regional Hospital for evaluation, since there were no volunteers to replace the kneecap. I don't know what happened next at the hospital, but I suspect the medical staff moved the patella back in place (with no pain medication), and Darrel checked out against medical advice. He was back at practice on Monday. The second injury was a little more serious - Darrel came to the sideline during another game and said: "Coach, I think I broke my arm". The bone near the wrist appeared "crooked as a dog's hind leg", so Darrel was carted off in an ambulance again. Medical staff fixed the break by installing two pins on either side of the break through the bone but under the flesh. According to Darrel - No pain, no gain. Anyway, after missing two games (maybe only one) Darrel was back at practice. The first game he played in following the injury went well... until the last quarter. Superman (the name his coaches were now calling him) came jogging to the sideline and said he was having another problem with his arm. Both pins were now protruding through the flesh from the bone. Darrel said: "It doesn't hurt" and started heading back out on the field, at which time a coach stopped him and said "Maybe so, but we've still got to get the blood covered up" and slapped several strips of tape on the exposed pins. He continued playing and wasn't the least bit concerned that he could be doing more injury to the arm.
The third injury I remember was a career-ender for Darrel. He was in his freshman year at ASU wrestling. I may be a little hazy on the facts, but this is what I heard from those present: Darrel was living in the dorm with other athletes when some horse play was initiated by others. He had gone out on the 4th floor patio overlooking the campus, when a couple of his friends decided to prevent him from re-entering the room by holding the door shut. Of course Darrel thought he could overpower his friends, so he gave the door a hard jerk... just about the time his friends released their grip. You can guess what happened next. The balcony was encircled by a 4 ft. restraining fence, but he tumbled backwards and upside down over the rail. A few weeks later, Darrel told me the last thing he remembered seeing was the top of a tree as he plummeted downward. He ended up breaking his leg in three places and suffered multiple contusions. He claimed he would be wrestling again in no time, but for Darrel Martin, this was the career ending injury.
The Duncan Demons 1987 Football Season: The first game of the '87 season pitted the Demons against the Lawton High Wolverines, which resulted in a lop-sided loss (28-7) for the smaller and slower Demons. The Wolverines had future All-Americans and All-Staters such as quarterback Kelly Stinnett, who went on to play for the New York Mets baseball team; running back Dewell Brewer, a state champion sprinter in track and player for the University of Oklahoma; James Trapp, who played for the Oakland Raiders of the NFL and ran in the 1992 Olympic Trials as a sprinter; and Will Shields, an offensive lineman who played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Kansas City Chiefs. Lawton High went on to win the 1987 State Title in Class-6A, so must be considered a very good football team. We, as a coaching staff, noticed that the Wolverines had the word El Deguello printed across the side of their football helmets. El Deguello is a bugle call used as a march by the Mexican army buglers during the 1836 siege of the Alamo and annihilation of the Americans. It was later used by the Americans fighting the Mexicans as a motivation. The Demons tried to re-group after that first demoralizing loss, but lost four more games before ending the regular season with five wins and five losses. Duncan lost the last regular season game to Altus in four overtimes, but still qualified for the playoffs by finishing a very mediocre 4th in the district. As a team, the Demons remembered that motivational phrase El Deguello used by Lawton High, and decided they needed something extra to motivate success during the playoffs. One of the coaches, a history teacher, suggested the phrase Never, Never, Never Give Up which came from a speech Winston Churchill gave in England as Adolph Hitler and the Nazis were sweeping across Europe. What Churchill meant was "when all hope appears lost, don't give up, as anything can happen". The Demons would not print it across the helmets, but print it on their T-shirts underneath the shoulder pads.
Since Duncan finished 4th in their district, they were matched against the state number one ranked and undefeated Carl Albert Titans. Carl Albert's players were bigger and faster than Duncan's and had averaged 40 points per game offensively, while allowing only 6 points. The Demons knew, however, if they could keep it close going into the 4th quarter... Never, Never, Never Give Up could maybe inspire them to victory. Carl Albert led 6-3 at halftime (It was close), but the Demons never stopped "clawing and scratching" for every yard. Still trailing, with only a few minutes left in the game, the Demons got the ball back and began driving the field. The Duncan fans then began to chant Never Give Up, as their team began its march to the endzone. Six plays later, the Demons were on the Titan's one yard line, as the inevitable but impossible was about to happen... Steve Hale, Duncan quarterback, scored the game's only touchdown - ensuring the 9-6 victory.
The Demons went on to win their second playoff game 7-0 and their third 7-6, both in the 4th quarter, but faced the Class-4A favorite Tulsa McLain Scots at 2 PM on Saturday, December 5 - as mentioned above. A quote from Melvin Driver, the Scots head coach, before kickoff said it all: "If they (the Demons) stay close for three quarters, we'll be in for the fight of our lives." He could not have been more right. The newspaper which quoted Driver began that column with "Today's Class 4A state championship football game looks like a mismatch on paper", and then revealed the offensive and defensive team statistics which backed up that claim. The news column stated that Tulsa McLain had moved down from class 5A to 4A two years ago, and had promptly won the 4A state title, so this would be their 2nd championship in a row - provided they won. The article ended with "But let's not get ahead of ourselves. After all, games aren't won on paper".
The Tulsa McLain Scots had their own motivational and intimidating "battle cry". Toward the end of the pre-game warm-up, the Scots would line up on the 50 yard line facing their opponent and begin chanting We Will Rock You, while pointing at them (with emphasis). The line is from the song recorded by Queen in 1977. The Demon coaching staff had provided this information to the team, and told them to be prepared and not be intimidated. It was probably something that Darrel Martin and his teammates didn't need to hear, as by now it was clear they weren't intimidated by such nonsense. As the pre-game warm-up period ended, the Duncan coaches and players were expecting the McLain intimidation chant to begin... but instead, the Duncan fans (nearly 5000) began chanting We will, we will rock you... and pointing to the opposite side of the stadium, as the band played the sports anthem. The Scots then cancelled their chant.
McLain took the opening kickoff and marched 72 yards for the games first score, and many in attendance thought "that's all she wrote" - as it was probably going to be another route. As Mike Baldwin of the Daily Oklahoman wrote after the game "(The Scots) were never heard from again". Long story short: The Demons gradually took over, driving the ball 73 yards in 13 plays to score with 8 minutes remaining. The Demons elected to go for a two point conversion for the win, but still trailed 7-6 when a pass was ruled controversially incomplete. They kicked off to the Scots and held, forcing a punt, and getting the ball back with 2:39 left. Duncan marched to the McLain 11 yard line and called timeout with 10 seconds remaining in the game. The Duncan kicker, Danny David, who had made several clutch field goals over the season, was then called on. The 27 yard field goal attempt appeared good from the sidelines, but was ruled "no good" by the official. The Demons had lost the championship, 7-6. Head coach Charley Lynch told a teary-eyed locker room, minutes after the game "Everybody thought we were out-athleted, but we weren't out-hearted. You deserved to win. Anybody who saw the game knows who had the best team today. It was us." McLain coach Melvin Driver only had one thing to say to the sports reporter: "I'm sick about this..."
Darrel Martin and the 1987 Duncan Demons are truly high school students who never gave up and were committed to Duncan. They sacrificed their time, resources, and even well-being for their school, and the reason most teachers are committed to our public schools.
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Cal Hobson: They Are "Gutless Wonders"..
A few weeks ago, after the Oklahoma legislature adjourned for the year, a couple of area representatives wrote in local newspapers - that this past session was probably the hardest ever. Tim Downing of District 42 opined that he had worked long and hard for his constituents, but not much was accomplished - as his friends told him it was the most arduous session ever. While reading his column, one could almost hear violins echoing the sadness of the grueling legislative session.
This, almost pleading for forgiveness, Downing column, drew the ire of a former Oklahoma Senator and Representative, Cal Hobson. Mr. Hobson spent 28 years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Senate, and felt compelled to answer Downing's explanation of failure that "the job was just too hard". Mr. Downing seemed to be especially proud of his "Herculean effort" to balance the state budget, according to Hobson. Many people know by now though, that the budget is probably unconstitutional and unlawful, so lawmakers will probably be called back to the capitol to try again. It is good news to attorneys like Downing, who will be earning overtime pay, as it will cost taxpayers about $50,000 a day to raise their own taxes. So, it's a win win for Downing, as he will increase his take home pay by increasing taxes for the rest of us.
Cal Hobson, angered by Downing and others' explanation of their failures (the job was just too hard), challenged him to debate the most important constituent issues, such as balancing the state budget, allocating appropriate funding to state roads, corrections reform, funding our state hospitals and health care, and supporting our public schools. After the first public challenge two weeks ago in the Purcell Register and Norman Transcript, Mr. Hobson heard nothing but crickets chirping. Hobson shouldn't have wasted the challenge, as I could have told him that Downing wouldn't reply - as he will not discuss important issues publically. Downing, in fact, turned down several invitations to debate the issues when campaigning for the House District 42 seat in 2015.
Cal Hobson has now invited Mr. Downing and others to answer constituent questions (not a scary debate) a second time, at any local Purcell eating establishment, during the months of July or August. Mr. Hobson has even offered to pay for coffey for everyone who shows up to ask questions. Mr Hobson is likely to hear only crickets answering again, as he knows the issues, and Downing doesn't.
Unlike Cal Hobson, I'm not a former senator or representative and not even a politician, but just a Tim Downing constituent, so I'll issue my own public challenge to debate - or just answer questions about the last session, and issues important to McLain and Garvin County citizens. So, here's the challenge, Mr. Downing: I'll meet you anytime, during the months of July or August, at any Blanchard or Lindsay eating establishment (your choice), to discuss any issues important to your constituents. Just answer this challenge (in your column) in the Lindsay News or the Blanchard News. Like Cal Hobson, I'll probably only hear crickets chirping from Tim Downing...
This, almost pleading for forgiveness, Downing column, drew the ire of a former Oklahoma Senator and Representative, Cal Hobson. Mr. Hobson spent 28 years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Senate, and felt compelled to answer Downing's explanation of failure that "the job was just too hard". Mr. Downing seemed to be especially proud of his "Herculean effort" to balance the state budget, according to Hobson. Many people know by now though, that the budget is probably unconstitutional and unlawful, so lawmakers will probably be called back to the capitol to try again. It is good news to attorneys like Downing, who will be earning overtime pay, as it will cost taxpayers about $50,000 a day to raise their own taxes. So, it's a win win for Downing, as he will increase his take home pay by increasing taxes for the rest of us.
Cal Hobson, angered by Downing and others' explanation of their failures (the job was just too hard), challenged him to debate the most important constituent issues, such as balancing the state budget, allocating appropriate funding to state roads, corrections reform, funding our state hospitals and health care, and supporting our public schools. After the first public challenge two weeks ago in the Purcell Register and Norman Transcript, Mr. Hobson heard nothing but crickets chirping. Hobson shouldn't have wasted the challenge, as I could have told him that Downing wouldn't reply - as he will not discuss important issues publically. Downing, in fact, turned down several invitations to debate the issues when campaigning for the House District 42 seat in 2015.
Cal Hobson has now invited Mr. Downing and others to answer constituent questions (not a scary debate) a second time, at any local Purcell eating establishment, during the months of July or August. Mr. Hobson has even offered to pay for coffey for everyone who shows up to ask questions. Mr Hobson is likely to hear only crickets answering again, as he knows the issues, and Downing doesn't.
Unlike Cal Hobson, I'm not a former senator or representative and not even a politician, but just a Tim Downing constituent, so I'll issue my own public challenge to debate - or just answer questions about the last session, and issues important to McLain and Garvin County citizens. So, here's the challenge, Mr. Downing: I'll meet you anytime, during the months of July or August, at any Blanchard or Lindsay eating establishment (your choice), to discuss any issues important to your constituents. Just answer this challenge (in your column) in the Lindsay News or the Blanchard News. Like Cal Hobson, I'll probably only hear crickets chirping from Tim Downing...
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