It never ceases to amaze me how the universe brings disparate ideas and things together, which leads to the inevitable creation of something new. Take this blog post, for instance.
Recently, it seems, my mind has been pondering two completely unrelated thoughts - or so it seemed to me, anyway. Those thoughts being 1) The epidemic of Common Core in schools throughout Maryland, and 2) the idea of single shooting for a given/specific candidate this election day.
For the uninitiated, "single shooting" means - in those races where you may "vote for no more than three" or whatever the designated number may be, you only vote for one of the numerous candidates listed. You vote for the candidate you most want to see win. You do because the last thing you want is to see your candidate finish 4th when only the top three get elected...and you happened to vote for one or two of the eventual winners, leaving your candidate in the dust, simply because you were told you may vote for "no more than" a given number of candidates. Just because you "may" doesn't mean you must. For the record, I single shoot all the damned time and I will, in fact, do it when I go to vote on November 8th this year, as well.
But, I digress.
The thing, or person, that brought the ideas of "Common Core" and "Single Shooting" together in my mind and is, therefore, responsible for this blog is one Cindy Stickline-Rose, a candidate for the Board of Education from Frederick County.
Ms. Stickline-Rose is certainly no wall flower when it comes to stating her case as to why she doesn't favor Common Core (the thing is, I've yet to run across ANYONE who likes that Common Core crap being served up in schools) - despite the fact that Maryland Governor Larry Hogan had appointed and continues to appoint folks who are pro-Common Core "corporate reformers." When I asked her why she is opposed to Common Core, Mrs. Stickline-Rose cut through all of the crap and got right to the chase:
"Common Core ushered in state and national control." she said. " Prior to Common Core and the privately owned Next Generation Science Standards we had the "Maryland Voluntary State Standards. Counties could adopt standards written at the state level or create their own. One of my main goals (in fighting Common Core) is restoring the local control."
You've got to love it. Cindy Stickline-Rose wants to restore local control to the schools. Good for her - and imagine that!
But, how does Cindy Stickline-Rose's stand in strident opposition to Common Core tie in with "single shooting' for a particular candidate, you ask?
Well, a few days ago on a friend's Facebook page, a snide comment was made about single shooting being "unethical." I call bullshit. There is nothing even remotely unethical about engaging in that practice. The comment was made in relation to Cindy Stickline-Rose's campaign for the Board of Education, where her campaign is urging all of her supporters to single shoot on her behalf.
The only thing that proves is how smart they are.
Whatever, if I lived in Frederick County, Mrs. Stickline-Rose wouldn't have to convince me to single shoot for her. Her stance on Common Core would have already done that.
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