Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for June 30, 2008 GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD...

...I'm off to join the circus.

Strike that!

Joined the circus 39 years ago...can't join if I'm already a member! And...even though I have retired from the classroom, my heart remains with the "performers"...those brave souls who deal daily with the lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh, my!

Back on June 2nd when I was contemplating my "stepping down" day, I indicated that I would most likely start a blog in order to separate "Ron's Rants" from the postings...since I was no longer the CAT President, I could not "speak" for the CATs.

I explored that option, trying to select a proper logo for my new "position".

A brief search of the Internet produced the following possibilities:

I was leaning in the direction of the last one...which actually is more representative of the "cat who ate the canary". My thoughts in "selecting" this logo was that "Cat Got Your Tongue" was actually a misnomer, since it indicates a stifling of speech rather than free expression. In the past, I've actually "bit my tongue" on frequent occasions, exercising a rational concern for the "fallout", make that the probable retaliation against Julie or myself. Thus the suitability of the puffy cheeks. BUT, now that I am retired...

As I "went off" on Julia Steiny yesterday, I was reminded of the impending deadline...TODAY. Starting tomorrow, De De O'Shea officially takes the helm of the good ship CAT!

So, as I bid goodbye...

Nope...strike that!

I'm reminded of a song...a blast from the past...by Eric Burdon and the Animals...partial lyrics go something like this:

It's my life and I'll do what I want
It's my mind and I'll think what I want

And...I'll add a line...

It's MY Web site and I'll say what I want!

In a "Ronnie" moment, I'm reminded of Candidate Reagan at a New Hampshire debate in 1980. When the moderator ordered the sound man to turn off Reagan's microphone, he grabbed said microphone and announced that "I'm paying for this microphone..." and that he would have his say.

Well, by damn, I'm paying for this Web site to the tune of $4.95 per month so I will indeed say what I want!

And, by God (because as Moses, he talked to God), I'm reminded of another of my fellow conservatives. (Okay, this rant is getting totally out of control!) Anyway, Charlton Heston said, and I paraphrase..."You can have my keyboard when you pry it from my cold, dead hands."

In short, beginning on July 1st, the CAT Tracks will continue "as is"...postings selected at the whim of yours truly...and pithy comments when I damned well please!

I hereby issue the following one-time disclaimer...any opinions expressed on CAT Tracks are solely those of Ron Newell and do not necessarily represent the position of the Cairo Association of Teachers.

So, there!