"Daddy, where were you when the volcano blew?"

Jimmy Buffett wrote a song about Montserrat's Soufriere Hills volcano  in the late 70s. In the song Volcano, he laments not knowing where “Im’a gonna go when the volcano blow”. (By the way, Jimmy was a bit prescient, the volcano would erupt in the 90’s nearly destroying Monserrat’s tourism industry)

Well, I never thought something like that would happen to me but believe it or not, it did. I’ve come up with a lot of inventive excuses for being late, but “...the volcano...” was never part of any of them.

I was supposed to return to SWA on the 16th of April. On the 14th, the completely unpronounceable volcano Eyjafjallajokull decided to rear its ugly little head out from under a glacier where it had sat peacefully for several weeks after a minor eruption on 20 March. The last time this thing got serious was back in the 1800s so who knew?

Having more than a passing interest in the R&R program I was curious to see exactly how the Army would handle this. Perhaps surprisingly, the Atlanta PAP handled it as if volcano’s popped up every day. We were placed in a holding pattern around the USO for a few hours while the echelons above reality developed a work around for the fact that our normal refueling sites in Ireland and Germany were no longer an option. A plan was developed in about 18 hours and the test flight took off with just over a 48 hour delay. Based on what I’ve heard from the other end, there were no glitches enroute.

In the mean time, the Army arranged for the housing, transportation and feeding of 350 incoming soldiers every day, no mean task.  By the time I leave, the backlog will have grown to more than 900 and by mid week, it will be completely gone.

All of this probably sounds like no big deal to most of you but the reality is that it was a minor logistical miracle. Contracts had to be amended, crews moved, country clearances adjusted, a “not through customs” deplaning area for the soldiers had to be set up with basic amenities and on and on – like I said, a minor miracle in 24-48 hours.

Hopefully, I’ll be back in my office on Tuesday to write something better but until then, you’ll just have to enjoy this flash back to the 80's, Jimmy Buffett with hair, shoes and a then new song, Volcano:

Friday, May 8, 1981, ABC's comedy show Fridays,

South Carolina's "Gubamint Edukashun Leedr"

Updated 18 May 2010!  Updated again on 1 July.  Updated one final time on 27 October

27 October - My final thoughts for Nov 2nd on the SC Sooperintendent of Edumicashun race:

Mick Zais is the only real choice; he's a proven leader with demonstrated success at turning a failing educational institution (Newberry College) around. He has taught in the classroom (West Point) and more importantly, he managed large staffs (As a BG and at ...Newberry) with competing agendas. He is a retired Brigadier General and holds a PhD in Social Psychology. You won't see “Zais for the next office” signs appear shortly after he wins like you did with Rex and Tennebaum. You won’t see the political cronyism that has marked our last 12 years – Zais isn’t part of that system. He has a reputation for being somewhat ruthless in dealing with problems - something we've lacked here in "Good Ol #49"*.

His opponent, Frank Holleman, represents more of the “educrat” nonsense that we've suffered from for the last 12 years. His only executive education experience was as Dick "the edumicashun goobenor" Riley's chief of staff while he was screwing up education at the national level. The DOE was under constant criticism for Holleman’s poor management while he was there. He's been on a lot of committees and such but he has no real leadership experience as the top man of a major institution.

* For my out of state friends, “good ol #49“, is a reference to our perennial 49th place in "quality of education measures", we also use “thank God for Mississippi” as a suitable alternative…

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1 July - Folks, this one is real simple: 
If you believe that Inez Tenenbaum and Jim Rex have done a good job for South Carolina as the Superintendent of Education, vote for Frank Holleman. 

If you think it is time for a change, vote for Mick Zais.

If you're not sure, read the rest of this blog and then do your own research. 

Jim Rex has been an abysmal failure.  He started running for governor almost as soon as he was elected to the superintendent job.  Inez did almost exactly the same thing but wisely backed out when she realized she hadn't a prayer of winning.  All indications are that Mr. Holleman is cut from the same mold as Rex and Tenenbaum (and his onetime boss Dick Riley).  He's been the chief of staff and in other bureaucratic flunky positions but he's never been the boss.  This appears to be his foray into elective politics as "the candidate".  If he wins, you can expect to see "Holleman for (fill in next elective office)" signs almost as soon as the votes are counted. Holleman has NO experience running any educational organization, he has tons of experience sitting at the right hand of the bureaucrat in charge.

Dr. Mick Zais on the other hand is a retired brigadier general and the retiring head of Newberry College.  He has taught in the classroom, he took a failing private college and turned it around, doubling the enrollment and endowment while holding tuition costs down.  He's not afraid to say no or to cut failing programs or staff.

Mick Zais is exactly what we need to begin reshaping the educational system in South Carolina. It's time for a change; Mick Zais is that change agent.

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Original Post - It’s Saturday here in the desert – for once it’s quiet so I thought I’d lay out your choices for the SC Superintendent of Education. SC spends roughly $12,000 per student (we're in the top 20 nationally on expenditures per pupil). Depending on whose numbers you trust, something like 45% of that is actually spent on instruction. That's criminal. Utah spends roughly $7,000 per pupil and wears us out on all measures of performance.

Around half of all funds allocated for schools are spent on administration. It is time to cut the bureaucracy and get the bucks into the classroom. Lexington county has five school districts for its 40,000 students – by comparison, Charlotte, NC has one district for its 160,000 students.  I’m not advocating the monstrosity Char-Meck has created but five districts for 40,000 students?  I’m in favor of local control but that may be just a little too local.

Republicans

Kelly Payne
Garnett Spy has covered her fairly well, High School Social Studies Teacher, BA PolySci and M.Ed USC. Published experience is limited to teaching High School. Managerial/executive experience unreported -apparently extensive work with student organizations. Earned Wal-Mart’s Teacher of the Year Award for Lexington/Richland School District 5. Started Alive at 25 program to reduce teen highway fatalities, earned SC National Safety Council's Leadership award for the program.

Mick Zais WON THE PRIMARY AND THE RUNOFF
President of Newberry College, BS Engineering USMA, Masters & PhD Social Psychology, Univ of WA. Experience, retired Army Brigadier General. Lead organizations to the Brigade level (6,000 personnel), served on executive staffs at all levels. Taught organizational behavior and leadership at USMA. President of Newberry since 2000, 2008-09 Newberry named in US News and World Reports America’s Best Colleges. When he started, Newberry was in dire straits, underfunded and losing students – since his tenure began, the endowment has doubled, enrollment has doubled and they have not raised tuition.

Brent Nelsen HAS ENDORSED MICK ZAIS
Was Political Science Department Chair at Furman, PolSci Wheaton College, PhD Univ of WI Madison. Executive/Managerial experience: staff of 21, student population of 270, president of the South Carolina Political Science Association and past president of Christians in Political Science. Teaches Political Science at Furman. On-camera political analyst for WYFF Channel 4. Published author.

Elizabeth Moffly FINISHED SECOND IN THE PRIMARY AND LOST THE RUNOFF
Owner of several small businesses in the low country, Unknown, attended Queens College and College of Chas. Executive/managerial experience: Owner Moffly Construction and other businesses. School Choice Consultant.


Gary Burgess
Researcher, Burgess Research Action Group BA Wofford, M.Ed, Ed.S. Converse, Ed.D USC. Taught High school, served as a principal, professor at Converse and the Citadel, Superintendent Anderson County Schools.

Glen Price (Just Added)
Band Director at Lugoff Elgin High School, BA from ECU.  Taught band for his entire career apparently

Democrats
Frank Holleman EASILY WON THE PRIMARY
SC Attorney Wyche group, BA Furman, JD Harvard, Masters London School of Econ and Pol Sci. Executive/Managerial experience: Chief of staff and Deputy Secretary US Dept of Education for Dick Riley.  No classroom experience. Chairs the Alliance for Quality Education, a nonprofit education reform initiative.

Tommy Thompson  (Just Added)
Chair, Department of Education as SCSU, BA, MEd and PhD from UI.  Staff of about 40, 600 students.  Tremendous amount of educational administrative experience from HS Teacher to College Dean. No political experience.

Here’s my take on this crowd:


Holleman is in it for political experience – he’s a democrat in the Riley vein. Riley's tenure 20 years ago is still part of what’s wrong with schools in SC. Think "educrat" - we can not afford more money, more programs and more failure. He has a lot of campaign money compared to the rest. Hollerman is probably the man to beat but we don't need this "more of the same crap" candidate.

Nelsen is in it for the political experience. You can expect to see him running for something from now on. Very little money, struggles to raise any. No real agenda except to win elective office.

Burgess can’t raise the money to be successful has significant baggage related to a morals charge in Anderson and allegations of abuse of staff. The shame of it is that he has the education and experience to be successful - however, character counts.

Moffly is a curiosity, who ever heard of her? No meaningful education experience, had $350 in her campaign fund last time I checked.

Payne just doesn’t have the executive experience, has some potential baggage regarding her relation with Richard Eckstrom. Struggling to raise money. Supported by people who think we need a teacher to run the Department of Education - most of them don't realize the Rex was a teacher and he's been an unmitigated disaster. We're not hiring a "state teacher", we're hiring a "director of instruction", someone who has run an educational institution well (see Mick Zais)

Zais has been alleged to be ruthless in dealing with staff and faculty, vast experience at all levels of management and significant experience education – his biggest weakness is that he has not worked in the K12 “industry” – that may be a benefit though depending on your perspective. Has some money but not doing great at fund raising. Turned Newberry around. To old to be looking for a political career launching pad. My choice for the record.

The Last Two

Price is a High School Band Teacher, albeit a very good one.  Maybe he ought to just stick to that.

Thompson is your candidate if you must vote Democrat, he has the real experience that will allow him to be successful.  His self stated reason for wanting the job "...I want to be the State's top teacher..." strikes me as a little niave.

Dignified Transfer

If you've read the "about me" piece, you know I'm an Army officer - if you haven't; I'm an Army officer.

The other night I was trying to get from one South West Asian hot spot to another and happened to find myself stranded in Qatar at Al Udeid Air Force Base. I and 153 of my closest friends were well and truly pissed at the Air Force for stranding us. They had promised a tailgate swap. (you walk off one plane and on to another to continue the flight) That was 20 hours earlier. By early evening, we were all tired, dusty, needed a little attention paid to personal hygiene and were generally ready to get the "&^#% out of Dodge".

Just after dark work on the airfield ceased.

Prior to dusk, the "aerial porters", the young airmen assigned to handle the myriad tasks on the runway and taxiway of the air field had been running around seemingly without focus. It seemed without focus, but based on the amount of "stuff" they had shoved into the back of the C-17s, C-130s and the occasional 747 on the runway, they must have known what they were about.

Anyway, all activity ceased.

Pilots, "Aerial Porters" and generic airmen began to assemble on one of the taxiways behind a C-17. They sort of "formed up". I would say they "...got into formation..." but this is the Air Force we're talking about and formations ain't their long suit. After about 10 minutes, four unmarked panel vans pulled up and backed towards the loading ramp of the C-17 and again suddenly the “formation” stopped moving about. Soldiers in the holding area with me were drawn to the strange occurrences on the aircraft ramp and they accumulated along the fence where I was standing.

There appeared to be no rhyme or reason to this new inactivity.

After a minute or so, a small detachment broke off from the "formation" and made its way to the rear of the first panel van. The detachment formed two neat rows and manhandled a box from the rear of the van. As the box came out of the back of the van we could tell it was covered with an American flag. A hush fell over the mob I was standing with. Many of the soldiers moved into a position to better observe the goings on and then without command and apparently all of one accord, we came to attention.

The detachment moved smartly into position and the "formation" came to attention simultaneously. Apparently someone ordered the formation to present arms and surprisingly smartly for the Air Force, the entire formation presented arms. The detachment carefully made their way through the formation, up the ramp and into the hold of the C-17. The formation held their salute but there was no other activity to be seen.

Shortly the formation dropped their salute and the same detachment made their way down the ramp and to the rear of the next panel van. After a moment, the detachment manhandled a second box out of the van, got into position and began to make its way back to the ramp. The formation presented arms again and the process repeated itself three more times. The formation fell apart and the "Aerial Porters" were very quickly back at it, running hither thither and yon, afoot and “aforklift”.

The mob I was a part of fell apart and some when back to smoking and joking while others quietly made their way back into the “passenger terminal” (as the tent we were waiting in was grandly referred to).

I had a little time to think as I reassumed my perch on the steps to the latrine to await the inevitable “we’ve got another problem” song and dance, from the aircraft scheduler who was trying to get my “friends” and I back in the air.

I had just witnessed Airmen, who didn’t know the Soldiers in the “transfer cases” (a euphemism for the temporary coffins we use to move human remains) stop whatever they were doing to pay a final respect to a fellow warrior. They did it with a sense of reverence, not begrudgingly or because it got them out of something they’d rather not be doing, but because it was the right thing to do. There wasn’t a “band” or a “color guard” or even an “honor guard” in the polished and practiced sense of the word, just a bunch of tired Airmen doing their best for four comrades, they didn’t know, who had given their “last full measure of devotion”.

The really curious part to me wasn’t the Airmen though – they sadly perform that ritual many times a week. The curious part was the reaction of the Soldiers I was with. We were far enough away to not be a part of the proceedings but became a part anyway. Because we were not official members of the honor party, we didn’t salute and really weren’t “standing tall at the position of attention” but we were quiet, reverent and reflective. There was a palpable sense of “there but for the Grace of God go I”. When it was over, we went back to “hurrying up and waiting” though far quieter and more introspective than we had been.

A couple of hours later, the Air Force had managed to find some of those big rubber bands they use to power the propellers and we were back on our way to our original destination. We were 154 people, a little more tired, a little more “aromatic” and more than a little pleased to be on the final leg of our journey. We were not the same 154 people though. In some way, that unpolished, unrehearsed ceremony that we had participated in vicariously had touched each one of us.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

The Angel Oak

Reading about one of my favorite subjects (South Carolina) on a blog today, I came across this photo and felt the need to share it.

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The tree is South Carolina's "Angel Oak", a southern live oak and probably the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi. There is another live oak in Mandeville, Louisiana, that is about the same age called "The Seven Sisters" so I use the term "probably" when referring to the Angel Oak's status.

The Angel Oak is somewhere north of 1,400 years old. About the time the Angel Oak sprang up, the Eastern US was in a period archeologist refer to as the "Late Eastern Woodland Culture" - think primitive. In Central America, the Maya were firmly in control. In the Euro-Asian land mass, the Byzantine Empire is in control of the Balkans and the Goths have routed Rome. The Liang Dynasty is coming to power in China and Buddhism has migrated from Korea to Japan.

The Angel Oak survived hurricanes, nomadic American Indian migrations, the first European settlers, the growth of colonies in the "New World", the Revolutionary War, the ship building of the 18th and 19th centuries, the Civil War and finally, the growth of South Carolina's coastal communities on John's Island.

There is some rather significant argument going on today about the future of the Angel Oak's environs. Slowly, Johns Island has encroached on what was once a very wild place. A developer has proposed a "village" that would surround the oak on three sides (the fourth side, across Angel Oak Road, is a private farm). A respected biologist, Jean Everett, PhD a professor in the College of Charleston's Department of Biology, has studied the plans and the tree and believes that the proposed "village" will ultimately lead to the untimely death of the tree though in all honesty she couldn't say when.

I'm not an enviro-wacko by any stretch. I am a Scout Master, I camp, hunt, fish and occasionally just go on "walk about". I can think of nothing more enjoyable than an afternoon spent in a truly wild place afoot or afloat. I don't really see the need for another "village" in Johns Island but I don't live there, I live 150 miles north west in Columbia. I have visited the tree a couple of times; it is remarkable to say the least. The canopy covers about 17,000 square feet - that's bigger than most yards in most neighborhoods at almost half an acre. Even on a hot day, the air is cool under the canopy.

The tree and land are owned by the City of Charleston, Charleston’s Department of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability has approved the developer's plans which include a protective buffer around the site so really, if anything is to be done, it is kind of up to "us” - maybe this is one tree we ought to leave alone.

If you’d like to visit or get involved, here are a couple of links to help you out:

Save the Angel Oak web site

The Tree's Web Site

Googled Map

Famous Last Words - Just For Fun

Famous Last Words

Just so you’ll know, I wasn’t there and can’t prove this is what was actually said.  These are reputed to be the last words of some eloquent men. That said, some of these are classics.

“They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist. . . .”
General John Sedgwick, Union Commander, 1864. He never finished his sentence as he was hit by a confederate marksman.

“Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.”
Oscar Wilde, writer, 1900. Somehow appropriate for a man who wore his hair long and openly scorned so-called "manly" sports, decorated his rooms with peacock feathers, lilies, sunflowers, blue china and other objets d'art – sort of a “Queer Eye from the Dead Guy” kind of thing.

“I've had a hell of a lot of fun and I've enjoyed every minute of it.”
Errol Flynn, 1959. Nothing like a little contrition there Robin Hood. Actually I love old Errol Flynn movies.  Robin Hood is probably the best but Against all Flags and Captain Blood are great.  Errol Flynn is not a role model of any sort - but he's still fun to watch on a cold rainy Saturday afternoon.

“Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something.”
Pancho Villa, 1923. What else Is there to say? 
Depending on who you listen to he might have actually said, "It can't end like this. Tell them I said something good".  It's still pretty funnny either way.

“I see black light.”
Victor Hugo, 1885. Guess we know where he went…Actually, he was a very religious man though vehemently anti-Catholic and extremely unconventional in his religious dogma, "Religions pass away, but God remains" V. Hugo

"I am still alive!"
Gaius Caligula, 41. He said this after he had been stabbed repeatedly by his guards – might have been better to keep his mouth shut since they stuck him a few more times to finish the job.

"That was the best ice-cream soda I ever tasted."
Lou Costello,1959. A man’s got to have his priorities… The picture is from one of the funniest skits of all times, "Who's on First"

Abbott: Oh, I'll tell you their names, but you know it seems to me they give these ball players now-a-days very peculiar names.

Costello: You mean funny names?

Abbott: Strange names, pet names...like Dizzy Dean...

Costello: His brother Daffy.

Abbott: Daffy Dean...

Costello: And their French cousin.

Abbott: French?

Costello: Goofè.

Abbott: Goofè Dean. Well, let's see, we have on the bags, Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third...

Costello: That's what I want to find out.

Abbott: I say Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third.

Costello: Are you the manager?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: You gonna be the coach too?

Abbott: Yes.

Costello: And you don't know the fellows' names?

Abbott: Well I should.

Costello: Well then who's on first?

Abbott: Yes.

“How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?”
P. T. Barnum, 1891. Like I said, “A man’s got to have his priorities…” 

The little guy is "General" Tom Thumb who was 18 at the time this photo was taken.  He was two and a half feet tall.  A distant cousin of Barnum's, he was born Charles Stratton in 1838.  He eventually grew to three feet three inches.  when he died in 1883, 10,000 people attended his funeral.

And finally, how I intend to go out…

In response to his attending physician's attempt to comfort him by saying, "General, I fear the angels are waiting for you."

"Waiting are they? Waiting are they? Well---let 'em wait.”
Ethan Allen, American Patriot and Revolutionary War Hero, 1789.   Interestingly, they were no contemporary paintings of Allen - any image you see of him is largely conjecture.

Post Script

Since I've been talking about a favorite subject lately, namely, T. Jefferson, here are his last words:

"Is it the Fourth?" - it was the Fourth, Jefferson died on July 4th, 1826, just hours before his longtime friend and sometimes competitor, John Adams.  John Adams  last words were "Thomas Jefferson--still survives..." ...and so he does.

South Carolinian Notable Quotables

Okay, I'll start out by admitting that I am an unabashed South Carolinian and actually quite proud of it. I generally couldn't care less about what the effete at Yale have to say about anything, that said, here is Yale's abridged list of notable quotes. The Palmetto State had more than her fair share of representation this year:


The Yale Book of Quotations Most Notable Quotes 2009


First in this list of jewels is the most oxymoronic thing said in this state in years – and that’s saying something! "Keep your government hands off my Medicare." Said an apparently ill informed Simpsonvillite – He and MS Teen SC would make a great debate team!

At number four is the “outrageous outburst”. "You lie!" cried the congressman from the Second District (he was right by the way, but you could pretty much yell “you lie” every ten minutes in the US House of Representatives and be right)





And finally, at number nine, one that is causing me personal consternation. "The governor is hiking the Appalachian Trail." Lied the spokesman for the governor - I’m still trying to explain this one to my Boy Scouts.





My favorite quote by a notable South Carolinian is this one by "Old Strom"; “She walks well, she looks good. Let's see how she kisses.”