VIEW FROM THE PORCH

[manape]

It is OK to complain. However, if we sit around and complain all the time, what good does it do? I would like to offer positive suggestions to help our leaders. I'm sure you have a lot of good ideas too. Let's brainstorm ideas here.

BOOK REVIEW

Have you read any good books on leadership? When I get time I would like to read "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way."

Here is a description of the book...

Now you can do more than just deal with the "crisis-du-jour".

Leadership is learnable, and this comprehensive guide will show you how to be proactive, prevent crises, create dreams, push the envelope, and focus on the future instead of just reacting to crises, spending all your time putting out fires, or coping with the current system—whether it works or not. In this updated second edition, best-selling author Robert D. Ramsey gives you just what you need to avoid "simply managing" and to become a true leader instead!

Go the Web site below to learn more.

www.corwinpress.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book227675

[manape]

I thought this is a good idea. In March 7, 2007 Union Sentinel article, there is a part of the article that addresses the drug problem in our schools and what the Rotary Club is doing about it.

Changing Demographics Part 8: Education and growth
By KATHLEEN MCKEVITT Sentinel Writer

The leadership of the county schools are learning about the dangers of methamphetamines, and have been participating in the drug coalition council inaugurated by the Rotary Club. "We are learning how drugs, whether marijuana, prescription, or methamphetamines affects the total community and so we are encouraging community awareness, bringing in speakers and training for the kids,while keeping the teachers and parents informed. We are learning what to watch for."

Go to www.unionsentinel.com/news/2007/0301/Front_Page/003.html for the rest of the article.

[manape]

This is a scary statistic.

From the Porch, March 28, 2007
The monster lurks among us
Dwight Otwell, Editor of the Cherokee Sentinel writes...

As you are motoring down the highway enjoying a beautiful spring day, one out of every 10 people in the traffic around you is probably addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.

With all of this alarming news about substance abuse, there is some good news. The Cherokee County Drug Coalition is compiling data about drug use among youth in the county. They plan to implement drug awareness and education programs.
This is a good effort to tackle a giant of a problem that is destroying many young people and breaking the hearts of their families.

Problems should never be swept under the carpet. It is best to know there is a problem, to identify the problem and then to try various ways to combat it until something succeeds.

Click on the URL below to read the whole article.

www.cherokeesentinel.com/news/2007/0328/Opinion/010.html

[summerose]

People who drink and drive are what scares me about the new resort. Some people don't know or don't care if they have too much to drink, get under the wheel and kill or maim some innocent person and sometimes themselves!

[manape]

Yes, Summerose. I'm scared that 1 of 10 people on the roads are on drugs, too. Alcohol is the most abused drug that exist on the planet. The problem is that anyone addicted to drugs will get their drug of choice anyway. To combat the problem, we need to start by educating our youth about the dangers of drug addiction and help the adults who abuse drugs. Maybe part of the punishment for drug abuse should be having to spend time in a drug abuse program in addition to normal punishments. What do you think would work?

[summerose]

Spending time in a drug abuse program along with punishment sounds like a good idea.

[roundtree]

The drug awareness program is commendable . How many kids will go and pick up a rattlesnake ? Not many because they are taught at home not to . The same should hold true with drugs . Far too many depend on the schools and other types of government to raise their kids . Addiction is addiction whether drugs ,smoking; drinking or whatever . Once a person is hooked ,the best treatment I know is to follow a program based on the twelve steps of A.A. It only took 40 years for me to get sober . Nothing else came close to working for me. My advice is to not start in the first place .

[summerose]

I agree roundtree, it is best to not start using drugs or drinking, but some people just can't resist the temptation!

[manape]

roundtree.

I agree what you have said on this forum. Hang in there.

I just came back from the grocery store. I talked to a young black lady at the checkout counter. She said she is a recovering alcoholic. I admire those who have the courage to tell others about their joinery. You don't have to belong to a club or group. Pray to your Higher Power and ask Him to send someone who will listen. You may save a life by your example.

somerose.
Propensity to drug addiction is the problem. I think you agree that we should try to cure the sin and not condemn the sinner. Continue to be an encouragement wherever you go.

Thank you

[summerose]

You are welcome, Manape.

[manape]

Audio Links:
This link is too long to click, but if you are looking for audio sermons, you may want to cut and paste the following URL:
images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dsword%2Band%2Bspirit%26toggle%3D1%26cop%3Dmss%26ei%3DUTF-8%26qp_p%3Dsword%2Bspirit%26imgsz%3Dall%26fr%3Dyfp-t-501%26b%3D41&w=389&h=292&imgurl=www.mooreschapel.org%2Fpastor%2Faudio_sermons%2F7-sword-of-spirit.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mooreschapel.org%2Fpastor%2Faudio_sermons%2Fspirit-wars-star-wars-using-the-force.html&size=9.2kB&name=7-sword-of-spirit.jpg&p=sword+and+spirit&type=jpeg&no=53&tt=7,881&oid=4bf2dcbdbeeb5d60&ei=UTF-8

[sometimeman]

Ya'll want to lest send Tommy's boy to jail? Suppose that would help with the drugs and all?

[shortcircuit]

It seems like drug abuse is the root of alot of problems. An average teenager can become a thief, liar, and even a murderer when he/she gets desperate for a "fix". Then those people become a product of our criminal system and cost us alot of taxpayer dollars sitting in jails and prisons. Then when they get out of prison in alot of cases they can't get a job because of their ex-con status and they become a product of our welfare system and cost us even more taxpayer dollars. Or they go back to their old drug abusing habits and end up back in prison. I know this is an old topic but I think it would be a good one for us to discuss some more.

[sometimeman]

Crime and purnishment==== delay,delay,delay, people forget- importance wains, nothing happens and nothing is done.