This Isn't What We Had in Mind When We Chanted the Words, "Yes We Can"

It's really too bad that many of the people who are elected into congress are people who clearly lack and most important qualities that a political leader should possess. This isn't a Democrat or Republican issue; it's an issue about respect. Never once, during George W. Bush's reign of stupidity and mistakes, did a member of congress heckle our nation's President during a speech. Last night, when President Obama tried speaking to both sides of congress, it became clear that some members of congress simply shouldn't be. Yelling out that the President is a liar and wearing signs of protest around their person is not a way for a government leader to behave on Capitol Hill. These men belong out on the streets with the rest of the protesters. This overt disrespect shown to the President bastardizes our entire system of government, and should result in whatever the D.C. equivalent is of a black list.

A Thought On My Chosen Profession

Teaching is changing in front of our eyes. During a time in which vast amounts of free information can be exchanged instantly around the world, the U.S. still struggles to raise literacy rates in its schools. This doesn’t seem right, and it’s clear that the educational system is undergoing a massive overhaul in standards, expectations and accountability. As I enter into the profession, I am drilled with information about the change of demographics, the complexities and different types of learners, and the seemingly endless list of standards that are expected to be met. I consider this, and realize that much like my career, education itself, since the dawn of education, has gone through a long- and i suppose infinite -journey towards what is the perfect formula for educational success. It's a little scary to think about my carrer as an endless journey, but i suppose that's why I want to teach in the first place. I'd rather live in the mystery than to live in the know.

Pretty Basic

This Cartoon Pretty Much Sums it Up

Ten Commandments for the Twenty First Century

In his latest book, The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins presents his own Alternative Ten Commandments. I enjoyed the list so much I wanted to share it here. [Edit: it has been pointed out that this list was not written by Dawkins, but only offered in his book. Whoever wrote it, I think it is a great list of principles.]

1. Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you

2. In all things, strive to cause no harm

3. Treat your fellow human beings, your fellow living things, and the world in general with love, honesty, faithfulness and respect.

4. Do not overlook evil or shrink from administering justice, but always be ready to forgive wrongdoing freely admitted and honestly regretted.

5. Live life with a sense of joy and wonder

6. Always seek to be learning something new

7. Test all things; always check your ideas against the facts, and be ready to discard even a cherished belief if it does not conform to them.

8. Never seek to censor or cut yourself off from dissent; always respect the right of others to disagree with you.

9. Form independent opinions on the basis of your own reason and experience; do not allow yourself to be led blindly by others.

10. Question everything