News-Record.com

Oh Doug,

Don't worry about your little squirrels. They are in a little experiment. You see, we didn't have any squirrels over here in North High Point so we sent a bus to go over and pick them all up. Hope you don't mind.

We promise to return them in a few years after we've decided if our little experiment is working.

Doug, got a zillion of them at my house. Will bus them to you if you like.

Keep 'em to yourself, mrp. Too bad they don't eat those scorpions that plague you up there in Polk County.

As for Bullwinkle, thanks for proving the point that ANY topic will lead some people to the same old subject of the HP choice plan.

You're welcome, but it's not really an "old subject" for those subjected to it.

Ga dey mate, we're coming over to your neighborhood later this week. Our show will be studying the existance of 2 rare albino Rhinos named Dot & Susan. I best we can tell they must have escaped from the circus many years ago.

If we have a chance we'll be glad to look into this squirrel issue. I'm afraid Dot & Susan may have eaten them. I heard Susan say they taste like chikin.

Speaking of Rhinos, we'll then be going over to observe real journalists at something called the Rhino Times, are you familiar with it?

Ain't found nothing to eat the dang scorpions but I found a spray that sure works on them.
Went out and asked my squirrels if they'd like to take a vacation and keep you company until you figure out where your's went missing but they politly declined. They prefer the hickory nuts to acorns. Shells are harder but the meat is sweeter according to the spokessquirrel. So guess you will have to wait and see if they turn up again. Maybe they moved over to a part of town where there are more nutz, oooops nuts.

Now, Doug, you know good and well that you have way too many squirrels on your side of town so we had to bus them to N. High Point. I hope they thrive on our side of town. If not, you can have them back!

I am really surprised that the squirrels have gone to North High Point since it seems all the "nuts" are still in Emerywood.

Nut Radar,

Don't you know those are not the right kind of nuts in Emerywood? You have to go to North HP to get the really good ones. It will make everything nice and equal!

I thought that damn school board banned nuts? That's why all the squirrels left town. First the poor little guys get dizzy from being stuck on a bus all day, then their nuts are taken away!

How would you like your nuts taken away?

Dang. What was suppose to be a lighthearted subject on lil critters seems to have turned into more rant on the school situation.
Look folks , you may be mad as bloody hell over this situation and you very well have a right to be but crying out loud give it a rest, ok. Not everyone wants to read your constant mantra. I bet if you folks spent as much time thinking of a way to remedy this situation as you do bitching about it things you might be able to get something done.
Do you not realize that attacking people, yes even the infamous Grier only causes folks to stonewall. You see folks like Grier love it when he can pull your chain. It's part of his powerdom.
When you attack Doug for a stand that his newspaper takes and often times a stand he takes only in an attempt to bring forth some kind of rational thinking instead of the continual vomitus that many of you seem to want to wallow in, it brings nothing of good about.
So lighten up folks, enjoy some laughter , you will live a lot longer, your family will be happier, you will do better on your jobs and in your community as a whole.

Now, Doug back to the squirrel thing and the lack of such. After doing some research it seems that in certain areas at different times the squirrel population will rise and fall due to various factors. One of which is food, the lack of being the largest factor. Also breeding is effected by things varying from climate, to food, to the population already existing. Hmmm do you think perhaps squirrels might have instinct knowing when they are reaching a limit on their population vs food etc?
They right smart lil critters.

Would have wrote sooner Doug, but I didn't think anyone cared. Had to move down to Davidson Co and I'm lovin' it. People are friendly, taxes are great. Wide open spaces. Good schools and the best thing, no politicians telling me how to live. Had to move out of the old neighborhood before I even got more squirrely, which, when you start out as a squirrel, can get pretty bad, pretty fast. Say hi to the folks in the old 'hood for me.

All the best,

Secret

ps come down for a visit some time.

Mr. P,

...just when I was starting to like you. Please tell my children that they need to "give it a rest" about where they will go to High School--wherever the heck THAT might be.

I'm sick of the "vomitus" of folks that seem to be "sick of hearing about this issue." Well just plug your ears please. I'M SICK OF LIVING IT!!!

No one forces you to read the "constant montra". Read your big, print Reader's Digest then. I have a grand idea. Why don't you pick up that little thing called, "The Constitution" and read it.

Posts like yours make me want to scream even louder from the rooftops that this High Point Choice Plan is unethical, illegal and neglectful. So if you're thinking those were powerful words that you just spouted, think again. I will NOT SHUT UP UNTIL THE ILLEGAL FORCED BUSING PLAN IS ABOLISHED. AND I HAVE MANY, MANY BIG-MOUTHED FRIENDS THAT FEEL THE SAME.

So Mr. P, please be a bit more empathetic. Think of our kids as bruised produce, please.

Mr. Produce, I see you like to visit the Spotter site as well, so let me explain how many people treat your comments about moving on.....

Your produce or in this case your comments are just given the Japanese QC inspection routine where it is left on the dock to rot. Better your produce than everyone's children. Enough of the kids are unfortunately coming down with a case of Dot rot as it is.

As you can tell I don't plan on following your advice, but thank you for the gracious offer.

I'll just toot the horn as I go by Doug's house on the way to HPCA every morning; that's how I took the bull by the horn and solved my family's problem.

Mr. Produce,

As I mentioned once before, your posts are usually well-thought-out and on target, but your most recent one here is a misguided and off-target. It's true that many are tired of the continual anquish of those living it have posted about the choice plan, but history has shown that if you stay quiet on a subject, then it will never change. Terry Grier pull your chain? Surely you jest, he does that all day long and in his sleep (when he is actually here on the job and not making big bucks on his second job)whether you say anything or not.

You said "I bet if you folks spent as much time thinking of a way to remedy this situation as you do bitching about it things you might be able to get something done." What makes you think that after almost two years of this miserable plan that these people haven't worked their tails off, not only thinking of ways to remedy the situation, but also trying to do just that? I've been part of that effort, so I know of what I speak. You, sir, do not. Perhaps, you should do as I suggested before, come down to Guilford County and meet with some of the "bitchers" and find out what is going on here. You must have the available time, because you spend as much time blogging here as anyone.

I have seen what this plan has done to families in North High Point. It has exacted a toll that you could never imagine. It has disrupted families and their lives beyond belief, and the damage continues unabated with no relief in sight.

As far as the News-Record and Doug, they have been working since day one in support of this miserable plan. Terry Grier and three board members embarked upon a dog and pony show to sell the plan to the local newspapers long before the plan was ever even introduced to the public. As early as January 2004, the News-Record had an editorial supporting the plan and attacking the white, wealthy people of North High Point. Doug performed the same service for the High Point Enterprise as he was the editor of that newspaper at the time. So, the News Record and Doug are fair game in this fight. They took sides with Terry Grier in this fight before North High Pointers even knew there was a fight. These people tried their dead-level best to politely oppose the plan, using reason, but they were steamrollered and ignored. The plan that was conceived in darkness was installed without regard to any reasonable discussion about its merits.

So, this constant "bitching" as you refer to it will continue until there is some resolution in Guilford County. One day the good people of Guilford County will wake-up and realize that the children, parents and taxpayers of this county are being pillaged and raped by Terry Grier and certain members of the BOE. But, when they do, it will have happened to them as well, and that day may not be very far in the distance. So, as someone once said about Mama, "If Mama ain't happy, no one gonna be happy". And that applies here, Mr. P. Until something changes for the better in the education arena locally, you can expect that the mantra will continue. Maybe when people are tired enough of hearing about it, they'll pay attention and actually do something about it.

And, Mr. P, why don't you come down off the mountain to Guilford and learn for yourself what all of the "bitching" is all about. I'm sure that the North High Point BOE will be glad to meet with you and 'splain it to you. If you don't have a dog in this fight, then please don't insert your uninformed opinion about it to those that do. So, are you willing to be part of the solution or just stay on the sidelines complaining that you don;t want to hear the bitching any more?

Oh Stormy, thank you. The squirrels in my back yard stood on their little hind legs and applauded with their wee little hands as I read them your response.

Now I have to get back to them. We are doing a little experiment. Some live in a little squirrel shack and some live in a little squirrel mansion. We are switching them up to see if their work habits change. I'll let you know what happens.

MUM and Stormy, Cole (who I will just ignore as one who has evidently not read more than one other blog that I have posted on and will forgive the ignorance of the comment)
You all know that I certainly have empathy for your situation and have often expressed such on many of the blogs (which Cole evidently has not read) I understand the situation which you have in you schools. I have offered suggestions and attempted to be at times a voice of reason within the storm. That is exactly what I attempted to do today. I see no reason to take a simple article on lil critters and turn it into an issue on the school situation. There are many other venues for that and I am the first to join you on those as you, MUM and Stormy and I include Barbara Ann in that also, since you all do have knowledge of what I write.
In my post I only attempted to state that this was not the venue for such comments and I will stand by that .
Stormy , you know my feelings for the folks that this effects and having been a resident of the area effected I can only say that I am thankful that I am out of it. You know that I felt it strange that my daughter did not go around the corner, so to speak, to Ragsdale , but went to SW for her time there.
Do I have a dog in the fight, perhaps no longer other than the fact that I have many friends who live there and have kids caught up in the situation and the fact too that I can still offer an opinion on the subject of which I do have knowledge. I earned that right with blood some 35 years ago.
I pray that you all will allow you anger to be turned toward a positive venue rather than one of such bile swelling upinside of you and vileness toward anyone who offers a view different than yours. I stand with you in your battle but see no need in what has been done here today. Thank you for listening(reading).
And Cole, I wish you would look farther than the seemingly closed discussion that occurs on the Spotter( it appears that new folks are ignored) and look farther into other things I have written and comments rendered by others toward what I have written.( Check Chalkboard and archives) It appears that you jumped before you checked to see if your parachute was on. I forgive your lack of knowledge of my other postings. I wish you better in the future.

Mr Produce,

I believe that if someone came in and ripped all your vegetables out by the roots, kicked them to the curb and said, "Sorry Mr. P, but these here fields are gunna be put ta better use. Mr. X from over yonder ain't gotta nice crop so we're just gunna give 'em yer field. K? Really, it's fer the greater good. Now just moooove on over and let him cultivate your land. You'll be fine Mr. P, you'll fend fer yerself, ya always have, we just want MR. X to see what it's like over in these parts. Maybe his taters will grow bigger. It don't matter nohow that his soil was the same as yers...just sumpin 'bout yer field Mr. P....just looks greener from over yonder at Mr. X's place.

Mr. Produce,

I have only one question for you. How do families that have been so devastated by the impact of the premediatated actions of Terry Grier and the BOE become positive? Sure, it's easy to say to just let it go and get over it. That's good advice, but sometimes it is very hard to shake off a low body sucker punch as when you get up, you continue to get pommeled senseless.

I understand that you had a passing acquaintance with the policies of this district before, but I do not believe that you can ever understand the pain that these families have been put through from afar. You see, my daughter's family was caught up in this battle, and I have seen what the policies of this board have done to it, just like the many other NHP families. The tensions and disruptions have caused many problems in this family that just shouldn't have to be endured. Life is tough enough without having to deal with this crap. The choice plan is not the only blow that has been absorbed, it was just the first one. The blows keep coming, and to what end?

I understand that you don't want to hear the wails of the injured here. It's like walking past a horrible car wreck and having to listen to the injured and dying inside the vehicles. You certainly don't want to hear the wails and the cries, because if you listen to them, you may be compelled to actually offer assistance to those that are injured. For some. it's just easier to admonish them to suffer quietly, so as to not disturb the enjoyment of their walk. So, are you going to offer assistance and get involved as I suggested or are you going to just walk on by hoping that the cries of the injured and dying will stop?

Mr. P's point is right on target. There is no reason to hijack EVERY thread that relates even a little bit to High Point. I understand that the school issue is very important to many people and that I don't have any children involved in it, but there are other issues in High Point that merit discussion. It's just not productive to take over every subject. Honestly, at this point it seems like the subject is brought up just so you can flame anyone who supports the plan.

Stormy,
Do not think that I say "get over it", no way Jose.
I do say that directing anger in a malicious manner accomplishes nothing. There is a thing called righteous anger, which is not malicious nor hurting toward any. It is an anger which allows you to see past the wanting to hurt another to seeing a path that can lead through all the hurt and anger and bring change. It's kinda like flying through a storm on VFR and not IFR, ie instruments. Visual, is the hurtful malicious anger and insturments is that righteous anger.
I have never asked you or anyone , but have you all ever spoken to someone in the legal field concerning this?
I talked to a friend in DC who is familiar with some cases involving busing and he suggested that perhaps you do this.
I am not a lawyer but I can see some things in this, just as I am sure you can also, that just plain smell and have a taint of busing in a stealth manner to claim achieving one thing inorder to actually achieve another in order to be in a postion to receive certain funds.(my friend said the same thing)
I'd love to say more but this is not the forum for such. My e mail is not hidden, or at least it is not suppose to be and you may e mail me with your answers and questions.

I think ol' George Bush sent the Black Helicopters to "take out" that lady's squirrels just as soon as they were done blowing the levees in New Orleans so Bush could kill more black people.

At least that's what the voices in my head tell me...

Nice try Mr. Produce, I've caught a draft off of you on other sites as I put you another lap down.

Sounds like Kenny has never been responsible for raising a family.

It's odd the he uses the phrase hijacking because that's what the HP Plan does every day to all the kids that do not want to be at the school they are at.

Kenny, anyone that supports this plan, as your daddy does, should be convicted of child endangerment and neglect.

Please educate yourself on the plan. Don't worry 'bout the squirrels. We won't hurt them.

Mr. Produce,

That's fine. We can wait until the rest of Guilford County catches up with us on this issue. You see, Terry Grier has hired a new chief-of-staff, and no one seems to know what his role here is after several months on the job. But, a little research shows that Mr. Becoats was the choice plan guru at Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. He did get in a little ethics trouble there before he left because he was selling school property for personal gain while he was on the clock. It appears that Mr. Becoats has been working as a choice plan consultant since he left CMS.

Why would GCS need such a high caliber specialist to just maintain the High Point Choice Plan? I think that the answer is that they don't, but they might if their intention was to expand the choice plan throughout the county. I do find it interesting that this choice plan specialist was hired, without obvious portfolio, at the same time that the BOE has undertaken a countywide redistricting effort. Does anyone think that these items correlate in any way? How far does anyone think that the BOE would expand the choice plan? Would they be willing to expand it to middle and elementary schools?

Stormy, attempted to e-mail you with a question and a bit of info but it was returned as unknown.
I would love to be of some help in this mess.

Cole do you ever offer anything of value to a conversation or do you just "Troll" in and out of blogs to attempt to insult folks. Replace your 4 cyl.mind with V8 and perhaps you can then contribute something of value.

Mr. P. let me show you just how nice I can be.

Thank you to all who posted constructive thoughts on this strand. You know who you are, Rocky, Bullwinkle, Croc-Hunter, Stormy, etc.

It's indeed all about the kids. All blogs, all strands all the time.

Wow I feel better already.

Reality check, Cole.

Rocjy, Bullwinkle, Croc-Hunter, Stormy, etc., may be two or three people posting messages under several different names.

That's a common device used by anonymous readers of these blogs to create the appearance of a tide of opinion.

I thank all those who have the courage to use their real names.

I hear the squirrels are scarce in the mountains of West Virginia this year too!

No nuts are being blame on the problem there!

Allow me to borrow a line from Smokey & the Bandit.... "You're too good a man Sheriff, I'm sorry."

Thank you Dan, Becky, Betsy, Stan, James, Sally, Bob, Sheila and anyone whose name I have forgotten. Everything in High Point eventually leads back to education or the lack thereof.

Hey you were right, I feel better all ready.

Dougie,

drone,drone,drone,drone,drone,drone,drone,drone,drone,drone,.........

Bullwinkle -

Sending a child to Andrews or Central is child abuse or neglect? If so, I was neglected for four years. You make these ridiculous accusations behind an anonymous name - boy that is a productive way to change things.

And no, I've never been in charge of raising a family, but I do know that there's a venue for your ranting and a thread about squirrels is not it.

I'm sorry that you don't like the choice plan, but your absolute hatred for anyone who supports it is ridiculous.

I am curious to know if Home Schooling or Private Schools are being considered more as alternate schooling methods for High Point families. Seems like education problem are not limited to just High Point