Kim_Murphy's Blog

Honestly, there's no rhyme or reason for the things I think about before I turn in at night.

Last night, I started thinking about Milwaukee public schools. Well, the middle schools.

MPS really does have a number of  great elementary schools. I can tell you about Gaenslen, 95th Street, Congress, Elm Creative Arts schools.  They are terrific!!!!

I've had the chance to visit all of them at one time or another.  And my experience in every one, the minute you walk in--you feel like you're family. The teachers and staff ? Dedicated. The principals pumped. The kids excited to share with those same principals this accomplishment or that in the classroom.

But, then I started thinking about our middle schools. Are there the same kind of standouts at that level?  Or, does the attention drop off at that level and resume at the highschool level.

It's an extremely tough job. So many schools and only so many dollars.  But, I think we are losing many of our students in middle school.  Their bodies may be in the classroom but only until 9th grade.

I say all of this, admittedly, as someone on the outside looking in.

I'd like to hear from MPS parents and teachers.

Are there middle school standouts?

For weeks, I've struggled with how to say this. How to urge people to talk about  this election. Get passionate, but leave each other standing.

Please follow this link to an article I think says it pretty well.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0919/p09s01-coop.html

O.K. tell me someone else has wondered this too?

The nun on cable. 

Who is she and how old are those shows? I never actually watch her. But as I'm flipping through the channels-- I see her long enough to know she's on all the time.

I've also wondered about the lady who plays the piano.

Tell me you know the one. It's just her, the piano and she's having a hallelujah good time singing off key!

The two of them have got to have the longest running shows on television!

I'm ready for resolution in the Brett Favre drama, as well.

If it's possible, I respect all sides.

I can understand Brett second-guessing a major life decision. Who wouldn't?

I understand Mike McCarthy's task to "get the train moving."  And talk about handling a situation with so much class.

With that said, though--there are many people who are finding themselves "moved" toward retirement.

And they don't have millions, or future endorsements, or book deals or anchor gigs to fall back on.

 I suppose I never thought about it this way.

Maybe the lines on parking lots are "suggestions only?"

I'm not the best parker. For that reason, I try to avoid parallell parking and parking next to pillars in garages.

But, c'mon. What's so hard about parking in a normal, outdoor parking lot?

The other day I come out to my car and the person next to me has parked so close--I CAN'T GET IN MY CAR!

I do some pacing, hoping the owner will be right back. No chance.

So, I am forced to crawl into my car from the passenger side.

Picture a giraffe trying to get into a car.

The emphasis on "we."

As we hear more about the moves to shore up mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, I can't help but say we have a problem.

And maybe part of the reason our problem has reached such fearful proportions, is because too often we've said, "it's not my problem."

So, early on when people were losing their homes. I heard it alot. Maybe you did, too?  "It's not my problem."

As recently as last week, former Texas Senator Phil Gramm said  "we've become a nation of whiners."

Well, that doesn't sound like the many first-time homeowners who didn't understand the implications of an adjustable rate mortgage. Most weren't trying to get rich quick. Just didn't have the financial literacy.

The lenders knew, though. Made risky loan after risky loan.

But, wait. Wait, Wait.  You're still unswayed.

It's the foreclosed upon homeowner's problem, right?

When the two companies that own or guarantee half of the country's mortgages need rescue...ummm, "we" have a problem.

We've heard alot of about personal responsibility, but was that just a distraction while someone--and not you or I--got fat?

Or is it the "fixer-up"?

Friend calls and says, "I have this friend. He's really nice."

Stop.

I say, "what's wrong with him?"

It's a funny little story and one we probably share.

But, it leaves me with this question: Is a good thing for a guy/girl to come with a recommendation? Or, is the guy/girl better trying things on his/her own?

I quickly tried to find where Emily writes about this. I know she must.

But, what's with all the spitting??????

Why do people spit? You're at a stop light. You look over and some kid is hauling off and spittng!

Even though, truthfully, I've see grown men do it too.

But, why?

Besides the fact that spitting screams a lack of manners, why do people find it necessary to spit?

I've never had the urge, need or whatever to spit.

What's even more--we've lost our social graces so much so, people don't even realize they're doing anything wrong!

This is a quick post.

I'll keep searching for more support for my point from Emily.

But, I'm positive. Spitting is a "no-no"

I don't encourage it.

I don't start up the conversation.

But somehow, it just happens.

The global warming talk or more like the conspirarcy theory.

I've found either people believe there is global warming or they think it's a big crock.

I hear the Ice Age and dinosaur argument alot.

I nod. O.K. ,O.K.  I hear ya and I really do.

And maybe my reasoning is too simple. But it seems with more plastic, more cars, more of everything--it'd have some effect. You would think.

Did I just bring up global warming?

I guess I did. This time.

But, mostly someone else does.

So, it would seem people must want to talk about it.

What are your thoughts on it?

It's a small thing, I'll admit.

But for 9 weeks and counting,  I've been sidelines and forced to wear flat shoes.

I hurt my back and until things get better--no heels. no wegdes. no nothing.

This is the part where my mom tells me,  "I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."

She's right, of course.

But, the world is flat  :)

I have to give it  to guys.

It's gotta be tough to walk up to a woman. Take your chances. Ask for her number.

(Yes,  women do it, too.)

But, here's my story.

I'm speed shopping for a few groceries. Guy makes eye contact.

I stop and ask, "do I know you?"  It's possible because, given my career, I meet alot of people.

He responds, "No, but I always told myself if I met you I'd ask if you are married."

SOUND THE BUZZER! (strike 1)

A line if I've ever heard one.

And really, what happened after that I tuned out.

Who says, " are you married?",  the first time you meet and then move on to asking for your number.

Talk to me!

I want to hear your thoughts.

This week, Senate Republicans will ask  the EPA to reconsider a law requiring a five-fold increase in U. S. ethanol production by 2022.   The reason? The skyrocketing food prices at the grocery store.

Let's see, if you reserve more corn production for ethanol than for food--think that's going to have an effect?

How is it our lawmakers--the ones we send to Washington--don't think of these things before there's a fallout?

I'm not an economist. Don't pretend to be one on tv, but I do remember something about supply and demand.

Does anyone else want to say "give it a rest, already!"

Miley Cyrus has a layout in Vanity Fair. O.K. in hindsight, maybe the photo of her back exposed was a bit adult.

But, let's consider this.  Anne Leibowitz is the photographer.  She's famous for her artistic eye and finding something different in her photo subjects.  I haven't  paid a whole lot of attention to hear Leibowitz's defense. But maybe her interpretration is just a beautiful young lady coming of age.

One other point--we're talking about Anne Leibowitz, who most recently shot the Queen of England, not to mention any film legend/icon you can think of. And we're talking Vanity Fair, not Cosmo Teen!

Now on to Jamie Lynn Spears. I'm not casting judgement. But she's going to be a teen mom. She' s the star of a teen show. Was her show yanked? Not that I'm aware.  The opposite. 

"Jamie Lynn Spears may be getting engaged." "Jamie Lynn showing baby bump!"  "New mom-to-be Jamie Lynn shopping for clothes."

It's really past time these entertainment mags/rags turn an eye on themselves.

It's the problem that doesn't go away. How do you divide the pie?

You give "this"area a bigger slice at the the expense of  "that."

There is an idea afloat to redirect money from MPS's busing budget  to improve our schools.

What it would mean, as I understand it, hundreds of Milwaukee students who now are bussed to suburban schools would no longer have that choice.(Or at least the transportation)

I am a product of the voluntary intergration program ,Chapter 220. (Although it's no longer called that.)

There are many dedicated, truly wonderful MPS teachers.

But, the experiences I gained by being bussed to a surburban school go well beyond the classroom.

It was there I learned that I have experiences unique to being black.  It was also there I got the chance to learn about other races, religions, cultures, economics.  And those benefits go both ways. My classmates also learned things from me.

Do we lose if we reduce our integration efforts? Do we perpetuate Milwaukee's designation as being one of the most segregated cities around?

We're speeding upon a serious crisis.

I couldn't believe my eyes this morning. $3.59/ reg unleaded?!

How can that not be a hit  to your budget? That's nearly FOUR BUCKS a gallon!

But we really are looking at a regional crisis. We don't have the infrastructure in place for any kind of mass rail.

For years, the growth pattern has been for jobs to move out of the city for the burbs (if not out of state).

Unlike Chicago, D.C. and New York--we don't have an L, Metro or subway. And, we're not anywhere foreseebly close to developing one.

Repeal some of the gas taxes?  Very short-sighted.

How long before another I35W bridge collapse.

Something has got to give.

I have my theories on why Southeastern Wisconsin hasn't developed a rail system.

Everyone wants to be convinced a rail system will benefit their county/city?

Some don't want to be connected?

No one wants to pay.

But, don't you think we're paying now?