Sickness in the Public Schools Conspiracy

I had convinced myself that it was too late in the season to cover this blog's topic, but now believe this is most timely due to the H1N1 frenzy. Have you ever considered why you are rarely ill during the summer months? Life experiences have led me to believe this is mostly due to public schools being out of session. Children are not as careful as adults to avoid the obvious (keeping your hands away from your mouth & nose), and wind up as the unsuspecting living targets of "The Sickness in Public Schools Conspiracy". Let me illustrate with the following diagram:

1. Doctor Joe experiences less income in the summer months due to schools being out of session. Joe hobnobs with Charlie Lobbyist during a backyard cookout, and influence$ his decision to lobby for more school days at the next congressional session. Year round calendar? Sure, why not.

2. The plan pa$$e$ with flying colors, and the School Board is informed that in order to receive full funding for the new school year, it had better comply with the required attendance increase.

3. Johnny now has little more than two months of summer vacation, and is exposed to nearly ten months of the finest germs available in the Public School System.

4. More trips for Johnny to see Doctor Joe, a good return on investment.

And here is the real proof of the whole conspiracy: the Public School System charges Johnny with an unexcused absence unless he has an official note from.... Doctor Joe!

Seriously, though - I would support and be relieved to have the school year terminated earlier this year to reduce the spread of the H1N1 virus.

John Michael Johnson

Today's entry is dedicated to the memory of my uncle, John Michael Johnson, who passed away April 5, 2009 at the age of 45.

John was the youngest of four siblings of my mother's parents. He lived almost all of his life in the South Bend, Indiana area. John and I were close growing up, as he was just 2-1/2 years older than me. He would come visit our family along with his parents, so we had plenty of good times together. I looked up to him like an older brother.

John's life was the theater. As a young teen, he learned to play piano and developed a beautiful voice. In his late teens, he sang and danced in musicals around the South Bend area. This love of theater eventually led him to directing numerous productions in the South Bend and Elkhart Civic Theatres.

Most anyone who knew John would tell you of his kind and caring spirit. Out of genuine concern he would ask how things were going, and how you felt about life.

I was fortunate to have had a nice visit with John in the hospital the weekend before his death. I thank God that my mother and I were granted this last time together with John. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

On Good Friday, April 10 2009, my hometown Murfrees- boro Tennessee was struck by an F-4 tornado. The picture attached is from my in-law's back yard in the Blackman community. We are grateful that our family and friends are safe. There were two casualties in town - a mother and 9-week old daughter. Please pray for this family.

Many caring people have already pitched in to help clean up - church groups, high school athletic teams, college students, Boys and Girls Scouts, and the Red Cross. It will take many weeks to clear all of the debris and start to rebuild.

Time Change

First off, let us quickly dispel any belief that we are actually saving daylight by simply shifting our timepieces forward one hour this coming weekend. It would be nice to have this kind of power, but the truth is we are granted only a finite amount of daylight each day by the Lord Almighty. We can certainly waste daylight, but we cannot save it. It is our responsibility to use it wisely.

I personally favor the time change, as it gives me an extra hour after my workday for outdoor activities. Why not keep it year round? Come December and DST is a distant memory, there are many days when I leave for work in the dark and return to find similar conditions. I would love to have just one hour of evening daylight on those days!