Daily Kos: Some miscellaneous thoughts:
by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)
that have been floating around my mind over the past few days, especially at moments when I watch my wife sleeping in her hospital bed and do not have my focus solely on her.
After watching (with her) some of the inanity in the questioning of Chuck Hagel, I really find it hard not to be very judgmental on what I see of Republicans in Congress on both sides of the Hill. The pandering for political positioning is gross and disgusting and does little to advance sensible discussion of policies on which one could legitimately have a different point of view. It is one reason why I wish Reid had been far more forceful in advancing filibuster reform. In fact it reminds me why I do not like the idea of one person negotiating and excluding other voices until after the deal is done. Even if I like Joe Biden a lot, I think it violates good government principles to have him the only one negotiating whether it is with Mitch McConnell or anyone else. It is important to have more than one set of ears and one set of perceptions so that commitments do not exclude points of views and concerns that are otherwise ignore.
Some more below the cheese-doodle.
Former Teach For America corps member Gary Rubinstein, who has become a serious critic of the organization for years, wrote an open letter to TFA founder Wendy Kopp, published on Rubinstein’s website, Teach For Us, along with other open letters toschool reformers. He first met Kopp in 1991, when he spoke to her the year he joined TFA. In 1996, he asked her for permission to publish his essays about teaching and she said yes; that collection became his 1999 book “Reluctant Disciplinarian,” which he sent to Kopp. She told him she liked it, and the two have exchanged some emails over the years.
As we come to the end of the 2013 National Lutheran Schools Week, we look back on a week of activities, spirit days, service projects, and excitement to realize that one of the great things about Lutheran schools is that we know how to have fun. It was evident that the students here at Central Lutheran School enjoyed letting loose and having a good time the last five days. Our students were able to enjoy a popcorn party, service projects, crazy dress days, and the popular 8th grade vs. teachers volleyball game. Whether it is in the classroom, on the playing field, at a musical event, or any other activity, Lutheran schools are able to provide an environment where 
