Larry Langford’s ‘Get It Done Right Now’
That “$100 laptop” designed for children in developing countries that new Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford wants to give to students are really very interesting machines (though the actual cost is closer to $200). If you have any interest in seeing just how interesting and nifty they are, check out this video from David Pogue for the New York Times.
If you had $3 million to drop on Birmingham schools, is this how you would spend it? Does anyone get a sense that Langford has consulted with people versed in these matters on whether this is the best use of an immediate influx of $3 million into the city’s schools? Perhaps it is, but…
The “hit-the-ground running” manner of the new administration has so-far the feel of Mickey Rooney calling out, “Hey, let’s put on a show.” Lots of activity and enthusiasm but folks want to see competence.
Last Wednesday, Mayor Langford tells the city councilors that he wants a list of projects from their districts, fix-em-ups and capital improvements. Wants it by Friday, two days later. Apparently this is part of the $1 million per council district he has promised. Two days? I like a “get-it-done-right-now” style, but I like a “get-it-done-right” style even better.
Will these things happen? Why does he want the list of projects so fast? What’s the timetable? “I don’t know,” a city insider tells the Parlor. “He doesn’t have anyone [in his administration] working on this. The lists go straight to him.”
This despite the fact that Langford has astounded some by installing three aides making a whopping $160,000 each (a chief of staff, chief of operations, and a political advisor), a source tells the Parlor. The mayor himself makes $65,000.
Some trying to play nice with the new administration say it’s difficult because not only is the new mayor’s team not yet working well with others, they don’t even get along with themselves.
$3 million worth of computers. Bought right now. (Their mass production began only this month.) Perhaps in time for Birmingham’s 1st through 8th graders to have them in January. Is this smart? The best use of money?
I like “get-it-done-right-now.” But I like “get-it-done-right” better.
Related Articles:
(R) Jeff Sessions (1-19)
(D) Vivian Figures (33-1)
(D) Artur Davis (1-49)
(R) Mike Hubbard (13-1)
(?) David Bronner (OFF)
[…] » Music Video Clip, Watch lyrics download wrote an interesting post today!.Here’s a quick excerpt [IMG The XO Laptop]That “$100 laptop” designed for children in developing countries that new Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford wants to give to students are really very interesting machines (though the actual cost is closer to $200). If you have any interest in seeing just how interesting and nifty they are, check out this video from David Pogue for the New York Times. If you had $3 million to drop on Birmingham schools, is this how you would spend it? Does anyone get a sense that Langford has c […]
Pingback by Dinheiro Internet - Blog de Dinheiro » Larry Langford’s ‘Get It Done Right Now’ — November 21, 2007 @ 11:45 am
I see Larry’s working this computer deal with his pal John Katopodis. Aren’t the two of them already under investigation for questionable accounting at one of their “charities” that was supposed to be providing computers for poor children?
Comment by Kathy — November 21, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
The ‘list of projects’ demand isn’t too unreasonable; any city councilor worth their salt should have that list in their back pocket.
Of course, I would prefer a more rigorous process :)
Comment by Reactionary — November 21, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
Yes, the Computer Help for Kids program. Bham Weekly has the best coverage of the whole tangle.
Dumping these things in class rooms with no apparent plan for how to use them means they will wind up as expensive speak and say/flash card replacements. Since they can be charged by hand, there should be an increase in physical fitness. There are a few games too in the bundle so maybe class attendance will increase.
Interesting reading on OLPC’s wiki and this article on the semioffical OLPCnews site.
Comment by walt moffett — November 21, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
Check out www.johnkillian.blogspot.com for a review of Mayor Langford’s first week in office. While there, vote in two polls: one on your Alabama-Auburn prediction and one on the Presidential race.
Comment by John Killian — November 21, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
It is a shame that the good people of Alabama and Birmingham are constantly fooled by such tacky and base hucksters, across political aisles and ancient divisions of race, these characters arise ready for their time at the public trough.
Langford is revealing himself to be a canny showman, but little more than than that. Incompetence and vainglorious are nice terms for him.
Comment by A. Gadfly — November 21, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
How about those $60,000.00 Billboards congratulating teachers?
Comment by Bhmhomeboy — November 22, 2007 @ 10:18 am
How about that $60,000 ventilation system that Langford wants in his office so that he can smoke? And while we’re at it…
How about that brand new 50-inch flat screen LCD television, hard wood floors, new furniture, brand new patio and doorway, and customized wall coverings that Langford wants the taxpayers to put into his office (and has already started work on? How about his new Secret Service wannabes that screen for bugs (not the creepy crawly kind) when you go into his office and will likely be paid on the city’s dime?
$60k is a drop in the bucket for Langford. He’s working his way up to AT LEAST a cool 1/2 million in just over a week. And those are just his personal expenses, which have nothing to do with city functionality. He’s turned into a regular diva.
And I personally LOVE the Birmingham minister who anointed him the “king” of Birmingham.
Comment by ALmod — November 22, 2007 @ 10:44 am
No matter what the press says, I do think that OLPC Birmingham is political grandstanding more than anything else. Just check out the OLPC News discussion about it: http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/usa/olpc_alabama_wintel_blame.html
Comment by Wayan @ OLPC News — November 22, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
How about the 4 BILLION Dollars per month being spent on war without end in Iraq?
Comment by Bhmhomeboy — November 22, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
Yeah, and if you’d do your homework, you’d see I’m not happy about that, either.
So are you saying that if there’s a behavior we don’t like, another politician should model that? Percentage-wise, when you consider the revenue and budget that Birmingham has, Langford is well on his way to leaving George W. in his dust.
Comment by ALmod — November 23, 2007 @ 9:43 am
By the way… On topic here…
OLPC discussion states that they haven’t really guaranteed anything to Birmingham, yet. They’ve merely stated thus far that Birmingham would be considered. It could work out in the end, but either way, I’m a bit hesitant to give laptops to a group of people who can’t even be expected to return textbooks at the end of each year. If Langford’s truly interested in improving the quality of education, I’d recommend starting with attracting better teachers to the district. You only have to look at some of bulletin boards and blogs to know that spell check and grammar check are no substitute for flesh and blood.
Comment by ALmod — November 23, 2007 @ 9:46 am
ALmod, in #12, I’m skeptical OLPC will be able to deliver those laptops at the advertised price. Somewhere on OLPCnews is a quote from the manufacturer that they need a few hundred thousand orders to deliver them at that price. As of yesterday, nobody was yet signed a contract and given a check for that many.
While better teachers would help, I think things would improve if the students had a reason to work hard in school and had something to aspire to more than standing on the corner. While mayors can’t make cultural change, they do have a bully pulpit to use.
Comment by walt moffett — November 23, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Aye. You are correct, Walt. That would be better and more effective than teachers alone. For one thing, parent participation is greatly needed, and it’s been shown that schools with more parent involvement yield better results. It would be nice if Langford could use his “bully pulpit” to get parents to do this.
Comment by ALmod — November 23, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
If Riley really wanted to thank Alabama teachers he could have given them a cash bonus instead of a billboard with his picture on it.
Comment by Bhmhomeboy — November 25, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
I agree. And although a cash bonus would have cost taxpayers significantly more than billboards, tell me what that has to do with Larry Langford. :)
Comment by ALmod — November 26, 2007 @ 8:39 am
Larry Langford should use his Bully Pulpit to get a new State Constitution to address the inequitable education funding.
Comment by bhmhomeboy — November 26, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
How about we work on getting a new state constitution, first…
Comment by ALmod — November 26, 2007 @ 8:21 pm