What a morning to be without a computer!

First let me sing the praises of NYSUT’s Info Tech department. They are great and responsive. They swapped out my computer Friday because (drum roll please) the new photo editor starts Monday, May 9!

My new computer was installed this morning. Of course there are all those minor things, like passwords and favorites (like logging into this blog) that take longer because it’s the first time on this computer. So what a morning to be disconnected. I don’t know what I think about bin Laden. For me it brings back memories of:

• impact the attacks had on school children,
• and on the workers,
• members donating $500,000 to help those who had suffered a loss,
• thoughts and prayers for those still dealing with the impact of the attacks and my gratitude that there are unions fighting for people,
• gratitude for those who serve our county as reservists who were called from their classrooms across the state to active duty in lower Manhattan, and
• Elliott Sarlo, an autistic boy we profiled to tell the story of travel trainers in New York City.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since the attacks on the Twin Towers. This essay is a perfect transition from attacks on our country to attacks on the teaching profession. This opinion piece in the New York Times is about improving the teaching corps. I love it’s opening statement.

WHEN we don’t get the results we want in our military endeavors, we don’t blame the soldiers. We don’t say, “It’s these lazy soldiers and their bloated benefits plans! That’s why we haven’t done better in Afghanistan!” No, if the results aren’t there, we blame the planners. We blame the generals, the secretary of defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff. No one contemplates blaming the men and women fighting every day in the trenches for little pay and scant recognition.

Then there’s also the attacks on public education. I guess the state realtors’ association is supporting an ill-conceived and damaging tax cap proposal. Here’s NYSUT’s response and I hope you can take the time to support it. We need everyone to point out the problems with tax caps that wreak havoc on public services.

It’s also one week before the vigil around the Capitol. Plans are still for marching to begin by 8 p.m. NYSUT has ordered 2,000 glowsticks. Speeches will begin at 8:30 p.m. at the west side park. I’m still looking for any photos or images of the impact of budget cuts in your classroom, district or community. E-mail the photos to bsandber@nysutmail.org as soon as you can.