I’m proud of my beets.  First good crop I’ve had in recent memory.  They make beautiful plants.   My first title for this post was, “Those Are Some Mighty Fine Beets You’ve Got There, Mister.” Yes. They. Are.

But, I’m wondering how to use growing beets to help advance a discussion of education.  I’m determined to write my book, “Kettering Public Education In The Year 2022,” so, the title of this post relates to a key part of the book — defining the aim and purpose of our system of public education.

I waited this year until past mid May to plant my beets.

In the billions of dollars we spend in public education, only when we have a clear understanding of what we are attempting to accomplish can we begin to evaluate what we are doing.  Only if we have a clear understanding of what we are attempting to accomplish can we make improvement.

The thing about beets, I’ve noticed, is that they really want to grow, they want to be healthy and vital and if given the chance, they will reach their potential.  What is needed is a good environment and an effective gardener.

If public education sought to fully develop the potential of citizens, then such an education would look radically different than the education we have today.

Every progressive community should create a plan to transform its system of public education. The premise of my book, I’m struggling to write, is that in Kettering a community comes together and outlines a long term plan of transformation for their system of public education — based upon a grassroots’ consensus vision of the aim, the purpose of public education.

Robert Reich has joined the chorus of those expressing disappointment in President Obama’s oval office speech, calling it “vapid.”  Says Reich, “His (Obama’s) words hung in the air with all the force of a fundraiser for your local public access TV station.”

Reich believes that “we are approaching a turning point as a nation,” and he is frustrated that Obama is not showing leadership

Says Reich, “The top executives of powerful corporations are pursuing profits in ways that menace the nation. We have not seen the likes since the late nineteenth century when the robber barons of finance, oil, railroads and steel ran roughshod over America. Now, as then, they are using their wealth and influence to buy off legislators and intimidate the regions that depend on them for jobs. Now, as then, they are threatening the safety and security of our people.”

Reich urges, “Our president must tell is like it is — not with rancor but with the passion and conviction of a leader who recognizes what is happening and rallies the nation behind him.”

Reich entitled his blog post: Obama’s Address to the Nation: A Missed Opportunity to Tell It Like It Is

Interesting chart posted on the Oil Drum shows that the U.S. and Canada per capita energy consumption is far greater than that of other countries.