Should Be Doing Homework - All Comments

re: I carry my own books

Ann Murray — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:35:34 GMT

Nice article, Maddie. I'll be sure to show it to my 8th grade daughter. I agree with Karen that you're a great spokesperson. They should compensate you!

re: I carry my own books

Karen Waldkirch — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:35:08 GMT

Maddie - great post and great way to describe DSHA. I'm a graduate of an all-girls' high school (not DS) and for me it was also a wonderful experience. My daughter is having the same terrific experience that you are. It's definitely a choice and definitely not for everyone, but you're a great spokesperson for single-sex eucation.

re: Not a downhill fall

Laura Beyer — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:10:09 GMT

Hello fellow blogger!

I wanted to let you know, that after 20 years, I have returned to college. I do not regret taking time to raise my children, but the fact that you are going upon graduating from high school is such a gift to yourself. It appears to me through your writing that you are intelligent and have made good choices. I enjoy your writing and will continue to be a fan.

Your parents have done a fantastic job and should be proud of you!

Laura Beyer

PS: take as many pictures of family, friends and teachers as you can during this last year and keep a journal. I wish I had.... :)

re: Not a downhill fall

glame — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:50:55 GMT

Welcome to senior year! I found senior year to be the most rewarding year of high school, yet the most challenging. There are indeed many rewards that could potentially lie in front of you, but you will need to work long and hard in order to attain those awards. However, it was during my senior year that I first felt the feeling that I always had something to do (whether it be college apps, scholarships, ACT/SAT prep, AP prep, school, etc.). There was always a project that demand my attention. Unfortunately, that feeling has yet to go away and I do not see it ending in the foreseeable future. So, good luck and have fun because graduation will come sooner than you think.

re: Not a downhill fall

Karen Waldkirch — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:17:49 GMT

Maddie, I too love Fall. (Probably because I also have a Fall birthday!)However, this year I'm a little less excited about the cooler weather thanks to the horrible memories of last winter. Brrrr!

re: Palin and Clinton: Apples and Oranges

Calling it as I see it — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:34:43 GMT

Liberal Democrat women will never vote for a conservative Republican woman. Pundits and bloggers who spout that all HRC women will now vote for McCain because of Palin are being simplistic.

Bloggers and pundits who think that Palin does not offer ANYTHING to an independent, non-political female voter who may have been once interested in Hillary Clinton also do not have a clue.

There are views of feminism not part of the traditional Democrat/NOW axis. online.wsj.com/.../SB122143727571134335.html

Sarah Palin offers a number of qualities to a number of different groups of voters. If she were a one-trick pony designed to pander to one voting block, then there would not be the national interest in her, nor would there be the concerted effort by the media elite and the Obama campaign to tear her down. There is no reason to expend political effort to destroy a one-trick pony.

Since the pick of Palin by McCain, the ticket's support is up among ALL demographics and independent voters and Sen McCain is now surpassed Sen Obama in the latest tracking polls provided by RealClearPolitics...the accepted standard in polling.

re: Palin and Clinton: Apples and Oranges

W.A.M. — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:05:09 GMT

Your right Maddy........you SHOULD be doing your homework. Politics is to mature of a subject for a kid thats really not been around the block at all. Go fly a kite.

re: Palin and Clinton: Apples and Oranges

90th Street Conservative — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:35:46 GMT

I have quite a few friends that are quite pleased Sarah Palin is on the ticket. I also know quite a few Democrats who are sitting this election out. They just can't vote for Obama. They would rather see Hillary run in four years that have Obama in office. Says a lot about their logic.

The Democrats must be worried. Non stop personal attacks on Sarah Palin. Nice. And yes, she does have executive experience. Four out of the last five Presidents were sitting Governors. That's enough executive experience for me.

re: Palin and Clinton: Apples and Oranges

Jennifer101 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:49:08 GMT

One of the differences for me was that I wanted Hillary for President, not Vice-President. Aren't the Republicans trying to vote Palin in as VP? Its like comparing apples to oranges.

You were spot on with the fact that there is a big difference between liberals and conservatives!

re: Palin and Clinton: Apples and Oranges

westside susan — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:32:48 GMT

John McCain was desparate to get some of the Republican Hate crowd fired up quickly before the convention. He succeed in doing that, but I don't think we can win on that. And considering how he did it, even if he did somehow win, we would all lose. Hate only brings you down.

re: Palin and Clinton: Apples and Oranges

Maureen Connors Badding — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:50:14 GMT

Great post, Maddie! Your first paragraph held the answer: "a political analyst on TV..." That's ONE political analyst, and we know how often they get things wrong. My friends are Republicans and Democrats alike (all over 35) and I have yet to find one who thinks Palin is a good idea for the ticket or the country.

re: Palin and Clinton: Apples and Oranges

glame — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:15:42 GMT

The trend toward McCain/Palin is exactly what Obama wants to avoid. There is a chunk of former Clinton voters that are quite dissatisfied with Obama for whatever reason. Thus, there is trend toward McCain, especially in women over 35. With Palin on the ticket, that adds motivation for those ex-Clintoners. Gender is one reason for the shift, however. The American electorate is quite fickle, and hence there are multiple reasons for this shift, including the experience factor, the race card, and the impression that Obama was more liberal than Clinton, thereby pushing away some of the blue dog Democrats. The American electorate rarely, if ever, fits one generalization.

re: Palin and Clinton: Apples and Oranges

nancy — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:27:42 GMT

Well stated. Thanks.

re: Thank you, Father Dennis

Sue Lanser — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:42:38 GMT

You have so beautifully stated how Fr. Dennis has touched your heart and many others. Thanks for spreading the word about this quiet, wonderful man who will be missed by many.

re: Thank you, Father Dennis

Karen Waldkirch — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:23:20 GMT

Maddie, what a beautiful tribute to Fr. Dennis. I'm sure he'd be so proud of your words and especially the fact that you passed his very special message on to so many of us in Tosa. Thanks for sharing this story with all of us. God bless.

re: Neutral is for realtors

Old Tosan — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:25:31 GMT

Ray,

I'm sorry to hear of your diagnoses. I'm grateful for all you have done for Wauwatosa and the preservation of Wauwatosa High School. You'll be in my prayers.

As for your comments to Maddie, I offer the following suggestion:

Dude, chill out.

If your days are numbered, they'll be brighter.

If they're not, what a bonus.

re: Neutral is for realtors

Jeanne — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:57:58 GMT

I think your room looks great, not ridiculous at all, and you totally get the spirit of Randy Pausch's lecture. Anyone who heard it would know that it is about making the most of anything and everything in your life -- everything from how you treat other people to how your decorate your surroundings.

You and your mom wisely took a page from that.

Pausch also said that you have to choose whether you're a Tigger or an Eeyore. I'm betting you're more of a Tigger.

re: Neutral is for realtors

2rottieguy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:30:24 GMT

Nice floor, now all you should do is strip the paint off the woodwork.

re: Neutral is for realtors

Karen Waldkirch — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:41:17 GMT

Maddie, I love it! Very bright and sunny! No doubt it will help you wake up for school early and enthusiastic on those cold winter mornings! ;-)

re: Neutral is for realtors

Maddie McLennon — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:22:30 GMT

Ray Py

I'm really sorry about your diagnosis and I'm sorry if you took this disrespectfully, becaues that's definitely not how I meant it. I gained a lot more from this lecture than just the bit about painting my room and obviously this wasn't the most important part of Dr. Pausch's lecture, but I just decided to focus in on that little part, I guess. I wanted to share the lecture, and I also wanted to make the point that, like he said that he was grateful that his parents allowed him to express himself, I'm grateful that my mom heard his words and saw the importance of creativity when raising children. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear.