Veterans Day 2010

Originally called Armistice Day, a day to honor the veterans of World War I, which ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day on the 11th month of 1918, has, as of June of 1954, transitioned into Veterans Day; a day where we honor all our veterans; maybe even have a ravioli dinner to honor them.

"The 'Right' Solutions" wishes to thank our veterans, both serving and retired, for their service and their sacrifice in protecting our freedoms and keeping us save. Be sure to take a moment out of your day to thank a veteran. This can be done on any day of the year. We must always remember:

"Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave!"

A Sad Commentary by Konstantin Ravvin

Take a look at the following video of a recent cheating scandal at the University of Central Florida, and be prepared to be sickened.

The above quote by Konstantin Ravvin, University of Central Florida senior, makes me sick to my stomach:

"This is college. Everyone cheats. Everyone cheats in life, in general...they're making a witch hunt out of absolutely nothing as if it were to teach us some kind of moral lesson."

Got a message for you, Konstantin. I have never cheated in life, lied to advance myself or hurt someone to advance myself, so with my personal experience, I strongly disagree with your contention. All with whom I interact have followed a similar path to mine. I find it very sad that this young man's teachers and parents were not a bigger influence on him and would find it an even bigger disgrace if he gets a job fresh out of college before someone else who played by the rules and didn't "cheat in life."

Let's look at this scandal at UCF in a larger context. While I am happy this professor is making all his students re-take the midterm, I disagree with his actions in regard to the cheating students. Every student who participated, confession or no confession, should face larger consequences by the UCF Administration and should not get off easy with an ethics seminar (as those who confess will). These students willingly committed an act of academic dishonesty and knew the consequences before going in, therefore, they should face the consequences. This is a slap in the face to those who don't "cheat in life" and have listened to and accepted the values lesson imparted on to them by their parents and teachers.

As a high school educator, I have always taken a hard line against cheating and/or academic dishonesty. On day one, I teach them about the definitions of the various forms of academic dishonesty, show them how I discover academic dishonesty, I discuss with them the real world consequences of academic dishonesty, and then I explain to them my policy. If I catch them participating in or acting as an accomplice in any form of academic dishonesty, not only do I enforce the school's policy, but they receive a failing grade on the particular assignment and they can never use me as a reference or recommender for participation in any honor society, admission to an institution of higher education or application for a job.

Some administrators or supervisors I have worked under or interviewed with have questioned, challenged or criticized my perspective, stating that I take a hard line. In response I tell them two things:

1) After six years, my policy must be effective because I HAVE NEVER CAUGHT A STUDENT IN MY CLASS ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT ACADEMIC DISHONESTY. This is because I hold them to a standard, tell them why I take this stand, teach them real-world consequences and teach them the proper forms of academic honesty. They know the rules, their parents know the rules, and both know that I have many higher education connections, so they do not attempt to test me.

2) Educators, whether classroom teachers or administrators, must remember they have a cooperative role in teaching tomorrow's leaders who may one day hold positions of influence. To take on this responsibility, they must be properly prepared with not only a strong values system that will facilitate success in life, but we also must realize it is our responsibility to pass these values down to the next generation so they may have the knowledge to do the same. If we, as educators, compromise our values by looking the other way when enforcing academic dishonesty, we are teaching our students that cheating is acceptable in society and thus begins a dangerous cycle detrimental to American society.

Whether educator, parent, or citizen who may interact with young people, I hope you are sickened by the UCF Cheating Scandal, as well as Konstantin Ravvin's comments, and this impacts you in some fashion to take a forceful role in positively preparing these young people to become tomorrow's leaders.

From Concern to Commendation

Now into the first week of November, things have changed among the Giants' faithful. In week three, it seemed like the world was going to end, but since then, the Giants have won 5 straight, with Sunday's thrashing of the Seattle Seahawks. As the new week begins, they are in a tie with the Atlanta Falcons for the best record in the NFC. In the time of concern in September, many were calling for Tom Coughlin's head on a platter. I defended him back then and it is because of Tom Coughlin's leadership that the Giants are where they are today!

He may be the oldest coach in the NFL, but with that age, Tom Coughlin has much experience. I will again make the 2007 comparison. That was his last year in that contract and in the end, the Giants streaked into the playoffs, while becoming the Road Warriors, and beat the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42! Since they were defeated by the Tennessee Titans in week 3 and even though the media was screaming pending disaster, Coughlin went about making changes that brought about this 2010 streak, while calming down players like Brandon Jacobs and Antrell Rolle so they become productive. Tom Coughlin was also wise enough to choose Perry Fewell to run the defense after Bill Sheridan's demise. Fewell has brought the D out of last season's funk, as this squad has been a powerhouse, knocking out 5 quarterbacks so far this season.

Looking ahead, the Giants still have one more game with the hapless, Romo-less Cowboys, who just fired their coach today, and still must face their other divisional opponents. They also have a home game against Jacksonville and away games at Minnesota and Green Bay. Only the away game against the Philadelphia Eagles makes me nervous, but overall, if the Giants continue with their smart and aggressive play, I believe they can win this division while going deep into the playoffs. And in the end, I hope the Tisch/Mara clan will be smart enough to give Tom Coughlin another contract extension as he has earned his place among the elite coaches of not only the New York Giants, but the NFL.

Olbermann's End?

Last Friday, Keith Olbermann, the host of MSNBC's Countdown was suspended for an indefinite amount of time as he gave donations to three Democrat candidates this fall; a move that was not allowed in his contract.

When one has a contract, it must be followed as written, or else there will be ramifications for violations. Olbermann violated his contract, therefore the MSNBC brass suspended him. Although that's not the end of the story.

I think the NBC Brass and Olbermann's agent should not have allowed that stipulation, as Olbermann is an analyst. The differenes were explained here a couple of months ago, so let's do a recap: an analyst gives opinions and commentary (think Sean Hannity or Glenn Beck) whereas a journalist delivers hard news in an unbiased fashion (think Brett Baier or Martha MacCallum). When watching his show, Olbermann gives his opinion, mostly in a bombastic fashion, and asks very leading questions, and as a result, there is not a lack of bias during that 8-9 timeslot. Knowing the background of his show, they also put him on the Election Night newsdesk, where he freely gives his opinions, especially playing and laughing along with Chris Matthews (who is also an analyst, but is called a journalist) when he mocked Michele Bachmann. MSNBC doesn't seem to understand journalism, mistaking these liberal pundits as journalists. Maybe that's a partial explanation of why their rating are so low.

If this is the last we have seen of Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, I'm disappointed that I'll never be named his "Worst Person in the World." I will also miss any future attempts by SNL to spoof his bombast, as they did with Ben Affleck. If Olbermann does come back to the MSNBC Airwaves (not sure if he will, considering that Alan Grayson is going to be looking for a job soon), his agent needs to meet with the NBC Brass to fully define his role and remind them that his client is by far not a journalist, but an analyst.

UPDATE, 11/7: It was leaned that Keith Olbermann will be returning to the airwaves on Tuesday evening. I guess their ratings were really affected...oh wait, they're still #3 in the ratings. Hope is still alive that one day, Olbermann could refer to me as the "Worst Person in the World."

Get Your Popcorn Ready, Part I

Just when we thought she was out, she pulls herself back in.

Soon to be Former Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, will seek the leadership position of Minority Leader of the Democrats. As an organization, if the leader does not succeed in the organization's mission or meeting their objectives, it's time for that leader to be replaced. We see that her insistence of staying in the game will lead to some conflict in the Democrat Party, and we already know the surviving "Blue Dogs," (who were decimated...went from 54 to 26) who were under her thumb, won't be this time as former mediocre quarterback-turned Congressman, Heath Shuler, squeaked by in his campaign by promising to run against Pelosi for the leadership position she seeks. Ms. Pelosi loves her power and her act of seeking it could be detrimental to the Democrats.

Republicans, get your popcorn ready, as this one is going to be fun to watch! If she does pull this out, I wonder what implications her leadership will have in 2012?

Keep Your Eyes on the Ball!!!

The title of this entry is my advice to the GOP Leadership in the House. Looking back at the Midterm Election of 2010, voters backed the Republicans as a repudiation of the Obama agenda; and this includes the Healthcare Reform Act. There was wide-ranging discontent, and it wasn't only among Republicans, especially when one considers how independents heavily broke for the Republicans. It makes Conservatives like myself nervous when we hear about tweaking Healthcare, as opposed to repealing. Doing the former instead of the latter will be a death knell for the Republicans as the majority of the candidates promised their constituencies they would fight for repeal. I am pleased to hear John Boeher go on record about Health Care:



As a result of his interview with Brett Baier, the presumptive speaker's plan is as clear as day:

"Trust me, I'm going to make sure this health care bill is never, ever, ever is implemented!"

Hearing this gives me more confidence in John Boehner, but he must stick by his words. The courts could help, as the cases in Florida and Virginia have been allowed to move forward. Considering that one of these cases in is the Eastern District Court of Virginia, home of the "rocket docket," this could make its way to the Supreme Court quicker than we think. Republicans, however, cannot bank on this and must take a vote on this issue and get the members of the House on record. It won't get past the Senate and the president will likely veto it, but the House vote will give their constituents evidence that they stood by principle.

Standing on principle in the Conservative Movement, is important to the voters, and therefore, should be consistently adhered to by their representatives in Congress.

Many pundits will tell you that Republicans lost the 2006 Midterm Elections as a result of Bush fatigue and Iraq. I have a secret for you: they're wrong! That Midterm was lost because the Republican Party leadership abandoned their Conservative principles of smaller government and federal spending. During the Bush years, spending was out of control! President Bush was always a big spender, but Congress should have stood on their principles and stood up to the president. Because they didn't, voters either stayed home or voted Democrat.

Since 2006, the Republicans were on life support as a result of their repudiation of Conservatism. History has shown us from Nixon, to Reagan, to George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004 that when the Republican Party endorses Conservatism, they win! This is what happened in 2010, as the Tea Party voters and candidates smartly joined in with the Republican Party to bring it back from the dead.

Marco Rubio and other Republicans have said the party is on probation and the voters will be watching. The ball is in their court. Voters will be looking for their representatives to stand on principle and in this political climate, this means they must stand by their principles and do what they promised: repealing health care, lowering taxes and articulating/teaching Conservative ideals. Those battles may not be won, and the voters understand the situation, but will be happy they are fighting the war while standing by their principles.

In an examination of political history and containing a knowledge of their constituents, the path of the Congressional Republicans should be clear. As Rush stated in response to this historic and enormous victory,

"The winners state the terms, the losers compromise."

What Will Sarah Do?

That is the question everybody is asking these days: What will Sarah do? This election season, she has spent a significant amount of time and invested much political capital on the campaign trail, recruiting candidates and stumping for those candidates who aligned with her political preferences of "Common Sense Conservatism." She wasn't shy about announcing it and in the final weeks she had some great speeches and her criss-crossing the country was closely covered. Despite electoral losses with Christine O'Donnell and Sharron Angle, upon which the media is heavily focused, many of them won. Let's name a few: Marco Rubio, Pam Bondi, Allen West, Rick Scott, Nikki Haley, Kelly Ayotte, Kristi Noem, Rand Paul, Jan Brewer. Sarah Palin didn't have to put herself out there, but she did. And as a result of doing it, her stature and stock is continuing to rise. And she is celebrating her candidates' victories pretty visibly



What do those who fear or are threatened by a rising star do? They attack. Cher referred to Palin as a stupid woman in a Vanity Fair piece, and if you read the piece, Cher doesn't necessarily come off as intelligent, so she shouldn't be taken seriously. Politico has particularly gone after her in the past couple of weeks; first trying to create a tiff between she and Glenn Beck as a result of her scheduling, and then saying Mission #1 among "mainstream Republicans" (aka RINOs) will be to defeat Palin. What these folks haven't realized is that attacking her makes her stronger. Her supporters will rally around her and Sarah Palin will respond as she has about the phony Glenn Beck dustup. This woman is fearless and the media and her opponents, by their reaction to and treatment of her, are telling Americans exactly how they feel.

Of course, Sarah Palin is not going anywhere! Her TLC/Discovery Channel documentary/travelogue about Alaska (the media loves to classify it as a "reality show" because it is their attempt at minimizing her) premieres this month and her second book, America by Heart: My Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag; will be released later this month. Big things are happening for Sarah Palin, but the question many have been asking me is, "will she run?"

At this point, I honestly do not know. I think there is a greater chance of Palin throwing her hat in the ring as her candidates have won their respective offices this fall and she may be looking for her candidates' loyalty chits to be cashed in. Remember, many of her candidates come from the early primary states of New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida. Even though, I'm still not convinced she will run. The reason I am unsure is not following along with the conventional thinking in the media, "she's making too much money now." That's another tactic they use to attempt to minimize Sarah Palin; making those who hear it think she's not genuine, "she's in it for the money." I think the people realize, as I do, that the money may be nice, but it's not the top priority for her. Instead, her top priority is seeing that America recovers from its current economic funk and leftward lurch, continuing to be the exceptional nation that she is. Sarah Palin has shown she doesn't need a title to do so. Either way, she will continue read the tea leaves and we'll likely know by the spring if she decides to seek the presidency. Honestly, I'm rooting for her to jump in as she has proven herself to be a strong campaigner, good debater, inspiring speaker, has a loyal following and will not turn her back on her Conservative principles. Sarah Palin's entrance into the race will definitely shake up the Republican Party and if she does run, will again, give her the spotlight, and leave those who oppose her, shaking.