Comments by smurf

Written on MY TURN | Why I oppose the 'bikini barista' stands :

Connie, YOU are in the right here but unfortunately as you can tell by most of the comments you are not in the majority of the kind of people who post comments here.

Written on An Emotional Walk Down the Kitsap Hall for Athlete Inductees:

The fact is that Whitworth College didn't have a pool in 1971--I was there--I remember the day that Coach Pelluer drowned.

Written on LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Sympathy for Bicyclist, Not Driver:

Since cars out number bikes by a lot here I think that rude drivers are also in the majority.
And judging from most of the comments I read--lack of civility is rampant. Yes, there are some rude bike riders, but the ones who have been killed (and others that I know personally who have been injured recently) are careful, signal, wear bright colors, have lighting, etc. AND pay taxes just like everyone else. Let's work for a more bicycle friendly community.

Written on It's All Central Kitsap in the Battle of Bucklin Hill:

Hey, how about teaching sportsmanship instead complaining about how bad the refs are--especially by the WINNING coach?

Written on LARRY LITTLE | Jim Zorn and Difficult Situations:

you were fine until you relayed the story your friend told you about the man on the subway. Unless your friend was Stephen Covey, I don't think this happened to her--that story is directly out of Seven Habits by Covey.

Written on After Transit Cutbacks, Bainbridge Woman Loses Access to Her Church:

what if it was a teenage boy confined to a motorized wheelchair whose family relies on the Access bus for his transportation? No one in the church has a vehicle capable of handling this wheelchair. Do you have more sympathy for him?

Written on Kitsap Education: A Stadium on Old East High Site?:

Every fall hundreds of our kids (boys and girls--from 5 years old to 18) play soccer every Saturday --there IS interest.
I think this idea is terrific. everytime I drive by the boarded up school I pray that someone with vision would create something there to help the community. This idea is a great start--the whole region should get behind it. This idea has life and energy in it--it is a positive.
Or, we could just let it rot and then become more pawn shops, fast food, etc. etc.

Written on LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Culminating Graduation Project Is Waste of Time:

I think the culmunating project is one of the BEST requirements the state has. I have been on the presentation review board for two years and I have had a child go through it. I think this is valuable because it directly translates into the kind of skills that lead to success on the job.--mainly research and presenting a clear case. HOWEVER, for many it has become only a ticket-punching exercise. If parents and others in the community got behind it, instead of fighting it more students would benefit.

as for you Tyler, this time next year when you are in college all of your high school activities will seem very small and very far away. Also, maybe what you are learning is that procrastination doesn't pay.

Written on Groton Won't Give Up ‘Sub Capital' Status:

I think state names are given to the largest ships--like battleships & Trident subs. Most of the Tridents are named for states--except for the Henry M. Jackson--named for Wa. State's late senator.

Written on For Some Seniors, WASL Puts Graduation Hopes on Hold:

people don't go into teaching as a profession so that they can just pass kids on. Most of the teachers that I know are passionate about their subjects and about helping kids learn. What happens? Parents are demanding that kids get passed when they haven't learned. Parents are complaining that the lessons are too hard--. Parents tell their children that it's the teacher's fault . . . etc. IF parents agreed that the bar should be raised--it would be raised.

Written on WASL: Dump Bergeson and the Test:

There is NO test that is going to make our schools better, there is NO test that is going to make our kids learn better. All tests lead us to mediocrity. Stop the testing!
Start teaching! Start valuing learning. Raise the bar in the classroom. Stop dumbing everything down for the test. When I use a word that my daughter doesn't know--I always quip: "I guess that word wasn't on the WASL". She gets the joke. Take the money and time that we are wasting on the tests and use it actually teaching in the manner that teachers are professionally trained to do. If all that's important is the test--then just get some computers and sit our kids in front of them--that would be cheaper.

BTW--Are you signed up to participate on a culminating project board?--it's a great experience. These projects are also a state-wide requirement for Seniors starting this year.

Written on GARRISON KEILLOR: Nobody Loves You Like Mama Does:

I loved this--I read it out loud to my daughter!

Written on Student Accused of Taking Illicit Pictures With Cell Phone:

Just more evidence that we have no moral compass

Written on Seahawks Fan — and Fast Food Cook — Arrested for Spitting on Steeler Fan's Burger:

It's this kind of "news" that puts Kitsap on the map!

Written on Business Spotlight: Rising Foreclosure Rates Begin to Hit Home in Kitsap:

When a story has a face like this one--we do indeed need to have compassion for the people. However, we also need to learn a lesson in this country--I see that lesson as "ALWAYS TRY TO LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS" and that doesn't mean get the biggest mortgage you can just barely afford. It's easy to be smug if we have done that and aren't in the same boat as others. But if we were to tell the truth, I'm sure most of us can relate to a time where we'd be in trouble if we missed just one pay check.--the size of the trouble is the difference. Heaping all the blame on the institutions is wrong--but so is seeing those institutions and the investors as blameless (everyone was trying to make money quickly). I'm not sure what the way out of this mess will be, but I think we will all be paying some price for it.

Written on Costco CEO: Ethics 'Imperative':

Paul Murphey (there is an "e" in his last name) is an excellant teacher--

Written on PAM DZAMA: Education Programs Must Be Accountable:

So, if we introduce public humiliation we'll have better results in school?

Written on SCHOOLS: We Need to Get Back to Basics:

don't get me going on teacher's salaries--if you want smart, talented people to teach your children you surely need to pay them more than minimum wage. Especially since they must have a specialized college degree.
Also, do you know any elementary teachers? Ask them how much money they spend out of their pockets to buy supplies, materials, decorations, etc. It's huge.
I actually taught HS 30+ years ago and my starting salary (in Kitsap Co.) was $8,200 a year. As a single person, with low rent and no real debt, I found it hard to eat well at the end of the month. When I saw the HS football coach working in the summer shelving groceries so his family had enough to live on I realized just how dedicated a teacher needed to be.

There's probably waste in the school system--but the way I see it--it's not in what we pay our teachers.

Written on SCHOOLS: We Need to Get Back to Basics:

WASL is an subjectively graded test--that's one of the reasons that it costs so much--it cannot be graded by a machine that reads little black bubbles on a score sheet--it must be graded by humans, who read each answer and give it varying points (0-2) depending on if the answer is correct and also explained. There's nothing standarized about it.

Oh, and a note to "subkiller": you might want to proofread what you write a little better if you expect us to buy that you are a well-educated person.

Written on Business Spotlight: Area Retailers Welcome Addition of Lowe's to Silverdale:

Go to Google maps and look at the pictures of Silverdale--its almost all parking lot now. This addition will create more parking lot than store. I agree, how can we need stores so close together--I shop at both Home Depot and Bremerton Lowe's without any trouble.

Written on SCHOOLS: We Need to Get Back to Basics:

I agree that the WASL is causing many of our problems. First, it dumbs down subjects, teachers, and most importantly the students. Second, the cost is huge. One cost, unseen to most, --the Juniors and Seniors have two weeks of class wasted each spring while the Sophs take the WASL. My child is in this first grad class requiring the WASL and I've been against it since 2nd grade.

Another culprit, IMHO, is that we (society)have put responsibilty for raising our kids on the school. Families, churches, youth clubs, sports groups, need to band together to teach those "soft skills" so that the schools can have better citizens to teach the "basics" to.

But, this is a complex issue and I'm sure there are more causes than these.

Finally, the reported numbers in the article--how many students didn't graduate BEFORE the WASL was a requirement. I know there is always some number that return to become the "super seniors."

Written on For Many, Five Years Fails to Take the Sting Out of the War in Iraq:

in a discussion of issues and opinions, to attack the poster of a different opinion is to display total disregard for all of the principals upon which our country is founded, personnally, I believe your post should be removed.

Written on County Poised to Clear SK Schools' Use of Howe Farm:

dahl, I'm not sure if you are trying to dis Hillary or me--but yes, I do believe that it takes a whole village to raise a child, I've believed it for a long time, so therefore I'm not in anyway offended by your comment.

Written on HIGHER EDUCATION: Two-Year Schools Should Go to Four:

This process has begun already as OC, with the nursing program.


some posters--Katherine, myself, etc, seem to see schools in a cup-half-full way--there are positive things happening and we try to support our schools in their efforts. Others, like dahl, seem to be very negative towards our schools no matter what they do. I'd like to hear that they (the nay sayers) think the solutions might be.

BTW, I'm not a school teacher, administrator, or school board member.--just a citizen who tries to see all kids as my kids.


I can only assume by your postings that if you were in charge of the schools there'd be no music, art, sports, etc. Just readin, writin' and 'rithmatic. (oh wait, to some people reading is a hobby)

Written on PETS: Spay or Neuter Your Cats:

yeah, well I wish my cats would do their thing outside! As soon as I clean the litter box they come running in and use it! I love them anyway and I've never had a pet that wasn't neutered.


I had another thought when I reread your post. You use the word "hobby" like it is a lesser pursuit than a "real job." My observation of people who lead fulfilling lives is that they've found a way to love what they do--don't most of us pursue hobbies because we find more enjoyment there? It's not immoral to also enjoy your work.


agriculture is much more than a hobby, it is a profession. WSU was a land grant college--established to teach agriculture--and they still do. Many High School students take electives because they have an interest in the subject and that course guides them when they study beyond High School and when they choose a career. If our attitude towards agriculture is that it's a worthless pursuit--a mere hobby, then I'm afraid we may find ourselves with only our words to eat.


YES, it is actually. Have you ever been over to WSU? The land grant colleges attract many students who study agriculture. Plus, there are many professional jobs in agriculture. I don't want to have to by ALL my food grown in foreign countries. Also, just like other programs in school that aren't just the straight 3 Rs students often learn alot of the basics when they get to apply them in a hands-on way.


uh, because . . .? I'm not sure I know where you are headed with your comment about graduation rates or how it applies to this discussion.

Written on EDITORIAL: State Should Fund Study for Local Four-Year Program:

Based on the lack of comment here it seems most citizens don't place a high prioity on the benefits to our community of having a 4-college close by. Yes, it seems like a slow process, but the alternative is to do nothing. I'm all for every step that gets us closer to being a community that puts its money and energy towards creating educated people.

Written on PETS: Dog Owners Should Be Considerate:

I sort people into three categories: 1. Non-pet people (don't have any animals and can't stand to have them around) 2. Pet owners who realize that their pets are animals and that not everyone else wants them around and 3. Pet owners who think their animals are better than humans and don't care if they are making a mess, scaring you, or creating a nuisance. Leashes are required on the Clear Creek trail, I saw owners with leashes but their dogs were not attached. It seems these pet owners don't feel that these laws apply to their precious pets.

Written on MY TURN: Don't Give Discounts to Transponder Users:

There are lots of reasons to cross the bridge other than commuting. Like going to the airport--I've missed a plane in the past because of bridge traffic. There's also shopping and recreational travel. I agree with the poster who says if I'm willing to put my money up front I should get a discount. I haven't quite used up my initial $30.


I'm thrilled that the SKHS students have this opportunity. You would be surprised how many people don't know how our food is grown.

Written on Starting Today, It's a Photo Finish for Bremerton Red-Light Runners:

If you are arguing AGAINST these red-light cameras, hopefully you are not also arguing FOR mandatory drug testing on the blog following the story about the arrest of a Meth user.
My position is just don't run red lights. And, if I might add one of my driver pet peeves--when making a left turn--stay in your lane--don't cut across the corner of the left turn lane that's waiting for the light.

Written on MY TURN: Don't Give Discounts to Transponder Users:

Gunneraoe1, are you referring to the advisory vote of 1998? the actual numbers were Kitsap county: 55% no, 45% yes. The overall vote for the counties were it was held was: 53.21% Yes.
where did you get the 80% against?

I, for one, love the new bridge--I am never held up in traffic there anymore--I think the bridge is beautiful and I loved watching it go up--I felt priviledged to see such a marvel of engineering.

Written on NK Considers Spanish Immersion in Grade School:

knowitall, can I ask why you chose to attack me? Isn't this a discussion about Spanish Immersion?

Written on An Alaskan Odyssey: Port Gamble Woman Lives Iditarod Dream:

This photographer and reporter can be trusted to give us the true story of this musher. So far, I see that she has often won the prize for the best cared-for team of dogs. I applaud her for that. Man has used animals for transportation since the beginning. Some people are cruel but many are not. Laura is definitely one of those who cares for her dogs above all else.

Written on MY TURN: Modest Proposals to Reduce Campus Shootings:

Some posters seem unaware that by the title: "A Modest Proposal" what follows is satire. Jonathon Swift introduced this to us in 1729 when he wrote "A Modest Proposal, For Preventing The Children of Poor People in Ireland
From Being A burden to Their Parents or Country, and For Making Them Beneficial to The Public" What was that proposal? Eat the children.
This literary style is aimed at stating something in such an outrageous way that the reader would see the folly in it. Steve is saying that proposals 1-4 are outrageous ideas. He is, however, for restricting the sale of firearms.
Which is a difficult task.

Written on NK Considers Spanish Immersion in Grade School:

Yeah, why do anything that would make us more in touch with people other than those just like us. That's money wasted--spend it on something worthwhile like football.
(to those who can't read between the lines--this is sarcasm)

Written on SUSAN JACOBY: We're a Nation of Arrogant Dunces:

Norm, I'm having a hard time understanding your point. I think labeling another person and then making judgements about them based on that label is a mistake.
Here are some dictionary definitions that help me:
Conservative: in favor of preserving the status quo and traditional values and customs, and against abrupt change.
Orthodox: following the established or traditional rules of a political or religious belief, a philosophy, or a way of life.

Therefore, I, as an orthodox believer in Reformed theology (meaning I follow the established tenents of a religious tradition), am also politically and socially a liberal (I believe in reforms that promote democracy and distribute wealth).
Neither of these "positions" was determined by any one source--but through a lifetime of learning and rational study of different points-of-view.
That's the point of the columnist--our culture is losing it's intellectual capacity and therefore we are prey to everyone who can promote their agenda with a 15 second commercial.

Written on SUSAN JACOBY: We're a Nation of Arrogant Dunces:

Thanks Jane, but could someone explain why this discussion is now about the word "liberal" when the column was about "Americans are in serious intellectual trouble — in danger of losing their hard-won cultural capital to a virulent mixture of anti-intellectualism, anti-rationalism and low expectations."

Written on NK Considers Spanish Immersion in Grade School:

Other countries do teach children other languages from an early age--I've hosted two exchange students--each was fluent in 3 languages. Luckily for me, one of them was English. My 4 years of High School German never did take. I'm always humbled by people who can switch from one language to another without skipping a beat.--they are usually not Americans. I sat next to two men on a plane to So. Cal. and they were speaking to each other in Spanish while I was reading the latest Harry Potter book. After a couple of hours the man in the middle turned to me and said "I see you've now read several chapters, is this book as good as all the others?" Very humbling to me.
Since English is the language of business almost everywhere in the world--I don't think we need to worry about it going away.

Written on LAND USE: Just Say No to High-Density Housing Plans:

School age populations are dropping EVERYWHERE. There are less babies being born. The Baby boomer wave moved through--the baby boomlet wave moved through. There are just fewer babies being born.

Written on SUSAN JACOBY: We're a Nation of Arrogant Dunces:

it appears that dannavy85 doesn't see HIMSELF in this editorial.

Written on SUSAN JACOBY: We're a Nation of Arrogant Dunces:

Great editorial--very scary. There is no simple fix for this death spiral. However, I believe that everyone who picks up a book and reads it, discusses it, passes on the knowledge gained to someone else is helping to reverse the trend. Everyone who researches a question before they answer is helping. Everyone who turns off the TV for a while is helping. Everyone who supports a teacher when he or she tries to open up a child's mind is helping. The solution is not out there with some "they ought to . . ." it is within the power of every individual who cares about it to do something about it.

Written on Red Apple Market Robbery Determined to Be an Inside Job; Three Arrested:

itsdahling2u asks "Where are the morals that should've been instilled by the parents, who taught them right from wrong?"
I suggest that anyone asking this question should read the postings about the R-rated Espresso stand in Gorst. It seems that most people do not think there are any moral absolutes. If you don't believe something you can't pass it on to your kids.

Written on 2 Employees Bound, Threatened in Red Apple Robbery:

since it turns out that one of the employees was in with the robbers--do you think you just might have rushed too fast to judge the store owner?

Written on ELLEN GOODMAN: A Nation of U-Pick Religion:

My prayer for those who are shopping for the religion that best fits THEM is that the Holy Spirit will lead them to the Bible or to a person or a church that will explain the true gospel to them. That is this: that the God who created the universe also created them in His own image and that HE has been pursuing them ever since. Anything that twists this the other way around is a false religion.