Archive for December, 2006

To whomever sent the unsigned letter to my house yesterday:

If your intent was to hurt, you succeeded. If your intent was to help, you have a grave misunderstanding of the issue and the proper means by which to confront somebody.

Since you are obviously a fan of quoting scripture, let me share one with you:

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
-Matthew 18: 15-17 (NIV)

I’m far from an expert on the matter, but I’m almost positive that when Jesus said “go and show him his fault, just between the two of you” that he did not mean “send an anonymous letter, eliminating the possibility of explanation or discussion.” I’m not sure how that is supposed to win someone over.

I do know that it was hurtful and unfounded, and if you have any backbone whatsoever you will confront the person you’re trying to correct rather than fire off arrows under the protection of anonymity.

By Tom, December 19, 2006, 2:14 pm

Needham High School (Massachusetts) has decided to stop publishing the names of kids who make the honor roll in the local paper. The change was proposed by one of the namby-pamby parents (probably a Red Sox fan) who lived with the daily horror of having only one of his three kids on the honor roll.

Great idea, dad! Let’s spend our energy removing recognition from those that earn it rather than motivating the others to succeed. Viva mediocrity!

I have a better idea. Instead of removing the honor roll, lets start publishing the list of employees at the local McDonalds. Then in a few years all of your kids will have had their names in the paper.

By Tom, December 12, 2006, 10:00 am

Anna the Elf
Abby the Elf

Mad props to Karla for finding this!

By Tom, December 9, 2006, 10:05 am
By Tom, December 6, 2006, 7:57 am
Your Language Arts Grade: 100%

Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know “no” from “know.” Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).
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Props to Karla for finding this.

By Tom, December 1, 2006, 2:44 pm