I know, I haven't been as vigilant about keeping up this blog. It's hard when everything in the news is so depressing lately. But I promise to return shortly. First I wanted to take the opportunity and have you support Kohl's Cares on Facebook. Kohl's is awarding $10 million dollars out to 20 schools, $500,000 to each school. Please take a moment and vote for my school or a school of your choice.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Victim or Terrorist? That's the question.
In light of the recent foiled terrorist attempt in New York City, something dawned on me.
Where has the America I love gone? I now have gained a better appreciation of the words in which Thomas Paine wrote in The Crisis,
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."
- The people who have become outspoken about the direction the government is going, i.e., the Tea Party Movement are still being characterized as "racists," "terrorists," or "right-wing nuts."
- Those who have become outspoken about the new Arizona immigration law, who love their nation and are for immigration...just not illegal immigration. Again are seen as "racists," "terrorists," "violent," and a host of other nasty names. But from what I have seen, the violence from the protesting has come more from the liberals or the counter-protesters. Yet it is the peaceful, protesters who want the Federal Government to uphold the laws that are already on the book are seen as the bad guy.
- Now for recent string of attacks: Fort Hood Shooter (Major Nidal Hasan), Christmas Day Bomber (aka "Fruit of the Loom" Bomber), and Faisal Shahzad (foiled NYC bomber). What drives me crazy is that the media is making these men out as "victims." Case in point, the media has focused on his house being in foreclosure and the conditions of the condo he has been living in. Yet totally ignoring the fact, that Shahzad went to Pakistan to a bomb making training camp and came back to cause physical harm to the nation that welcomed him its doors as a naturalized citizen. For Major Hasan, the focus has been on his alleged mental state. Again not focusing on the reasoning of him contacting the radical Yemeni cleric.
Where has the America I love gone? I now have gained a better appreciation of the words in which Thomas Paine wrote in The Crisis,
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."
Sunday, April 11, 2010
You will be missed...
Today, I just found out that one of my favorite actresses passed away, Dixie Carter. At one time she described herself as "the only Republican in show business," yet her character on Designing Woman leaned more on the liberal-side of the political spectrum. I grew up watching her on Designing Women. What did I learn from watching Julia Sugarbaker in my youth?
1. It's okay to be an independent, thinking woman.
2. Stand up for what I believe in.
3. To support my friends and family.
You will be missed Ms. Carter. There were many great speeches made by Julia Sugarbaker, and below is one of my favorite. Rest in peace.
1. It's okay to be an independent, thinking woman.
2. Stand up for what I believe in.
3. To support my friends and family.
You will be missed Ms. Carter. There were many great speeches made by Julia Sugarbaker, and below is one of my favorite. Rest in peace.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The time is now
One of the biggest issues facing my state right now is its education system. As a teacher, I am just dumbfounded by what I see my elected officials doing to the job I love. I didn't enter the classroom to enter the political game. Yet, it's something I do on a regular basis over the past decade. Instead of focusing on teaching the content of my subject area, I am often too busy doing mindless paperwork, which at times seems to be in triplicate despite technology, or a host of other mindless tasks that again take me away from doing my job. I now find myself in my free time writing letters to my elected officials in the State House to not vote for cutting the education budget more. And I am alarmed that more of my colleagues aren't doing the same.
In fact if the State, passes its current education budget numbers for the upcoming school year, the money per pupil will set the state back to 1995, yet we as teachers will be expected to meet the same demands and expectations placed upon us by these same elected officials, school district personnel, administrators, and parents. To put it frankly, 1995 was not a good year for my state and education. We were ranked toward the bottom in the nation for education. Over the past 15 years the state has taken great strides in improving its education system. Increasing the standards, promoting more critical thinking and process skills in the classroom, more professional development of its teachers, and taking measures to retain educators. Yet every time I turn on the local news, there is a new report of what the State House wants to cut from the education budget. For example, it wants to eliminate the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards incentive. Being a National Board teacher myself, I can honestly say the process to become NBPTS certified was not an easy feat, but through the process it helped me become a better teacher. I am more aware of my students' needs and reflective on my teaching. Thankfully my state has been generous in the past with rewarding its National Board teachers. Why? In hopes to retain us and pray that we don't leave the state, since we're certified to teach in any state. But that won't be the case if National Board funding is cut, there will be an exodus of NBPTS certified teachers leaving the classroom and probably the state.
In fact if the State, passes its current education budget numbers for the upcoming school year, the money per pupil will set the state back to 1995, yet we as teachers will be expected to meet the same demands and expectations placed upon us by these same elected officials, school district personnel, administrators, and parents. To put it frankly, 1995 was not a good year for my state and education. We were ranked toward the bottom in the nation for education. Over the past 15 years the state has taken great strides in improving its education system. Increasing the standards, promoting more critical thinking and process skills in the classroom, more professional development of its teachers, and taking measures to retain educators. Yet every time I turn on the local news, there is a new report of what the State House wants to cut from the education budget. For example, it wants to eliminate the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards incentive. Being a National Board teacher myself, I can honestly say the process to become NBPTS certified was not an easy feat, but through the process it helped me become a better teacher. I am more aware of my students' needs and reflective on my teaching. Thankfully my state has been generous in the past with rewarding its National Board teachers. Why? In hopes to retain us and pray that we don't leave the state, since we're certified to teach in any state. But that won't be the case if National Board funding is cut, there will be an exodus of NBPTS certified teachers leaving the classroom and probably the state.
If the State wants to improve its economy, cutting the education budget is not the answer. No industry, business, or corporation will be want to relocate to our great State if there is no solid education system in place. It wants an education system in which it can draw qualified workers and a system in which its employees will send their children.
At the rate the State is going, I would not be surprised to see many of its best teachers leave the classroom all together or remain in the classroom but do so in another state. Trust me that thought has crossed my mind a time or two over recent years. I'm not going to lie, there are some educational reforms that need to take place (just like with health care), but I don't think government is the solution. But that is another blog...
What's more alarming than going back 15 years funding for education, is the lack of educators who are (1) registered voters (2) registered votes who vote and (3) who contact their elected officials to express their concerns. My call to my fellow educators, we have to be the voice of our students. We must be their advocates when no one else will. We have to be our biggest advocates. We are our biggest hindrance in the process. How can we promote social justice in our classrooms and urge our students to become productive citizens of this great nation, if we, ourselves, are not willing to speak up. The time is now. Speak up, educators, speak up!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Peace...
In the past week, the name calling has begun on the Progressive Liberal left. If you didn't agree with them ramming health care down our throats, you are seen as "unpatriotic," "a fool," "ignorant," and my favorite "a terrorist." Seriously, a terrorist? Even the Majority Whip of the House of Representatives (Jim Clyburn, SC) has said so in a recent interview on MSNBC Wednesday, March 24.
The last time I looked, I am not a "terrorist" because I speak against my government. It's called my First Amendment right. I am not inciting fear and using violence to obtain a goal. I believe it was in 2003 when then Senator Hillary Clinton was openly telling Americans to speak out against the government and the decisions President George W. Bush's administration had done. It was your "patriotic duty" to do so. Hello, why is it now that is "unpatriotic" for me to speak against the actions of this Congress or even President? You can't have it both ways.
Yet, I am alarmed by the increasing number of those in Congress who have claimed to have receive death threats over the past week. I am begging and urging my fellow Americans to not to stoop to their level. The Progressives want you to become violent. That fuels their cause and allows for the government to take away more of our rights. DO NOT BECOME VIOLENT! There are other means to have your voice heard, but threatening violence or committing an act of violence is not acceptable. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. both led revolutions with not violence but with PEACE. It doesn't mean waving the white flag of surrender but do not use violence to fight. The first and most important step is simple, but sometimes the hardest: pray. Yes, pray for our government leaders and our nation. Pray for forgiveness. Pray for direction. Pray for wisdom and guidance. Just pray.
Glenn Beck had a wonderful monologue on his radio show, Wednesday, March 24, that I encourage to either take the time and read the transcript or listen to the audio. Click here for Glenn Beck's Monologue
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "an eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind."
The last time I looked, I am not a "terrorist" because I speak against my government. It's called my First Amendment right. I am not inciting fear and using violence to obtain a goal. I believe it was in 2003 when then Senator Hillary Clinton was openly telling Americans to speak out against the government and the decisions President George W. Bush's administration had done. It was your "patriotic duty" to do so. Hello, why is it now that is "unpatriotic" for me to speak against the actions of this Congress or even President? You can't have it both ways.
Yet, I am alarmed by the increasing number of those in Congress who have claimed to have receive death threats over the past week. I am begging and urging my fellow Americans to not to stoop to their level. The Progressives want you to become violent. That fuels their cause and allows for the government to take away more of our rights. DO NOT BECOME VIOLENT! There are other means to have your voice heard, but threatening violence or committing an act of violence is not acceptable. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. both led revolutions with not violence but with PEACE. It doesn't mean waving the white flag of surrender but do not use violence to fight. The first and most important step is simple, but sometimes the hardest: pray. Yes, pray for our government leaders and our nation. Pray for forgiveness. Pray for direction. Pray for wisdom and guidance. Just pray.
Glenn Beck had a wonderful monologue on his radio show, Wednesday, March 24, that I encourage to either take the time and read the transcript or listen to the audio. Click here for Glenn Beck's Monologue
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "an eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind."
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Next Day...
The morning of September 11, 2001 will be one of the horrible days I will always remember where I was, what I was doing, what I was wearing. I will remember how it was a wonderful fall morning. The sky so bright and blue with not a cloud in sight. I was teaching in my class of freshmen for High School 101. As with most days, at the end of the class period, I allowed the students to use that time as study time. I recall turning on the TV in my classroom to CNN and hearing the anchor just say “A plane has hit the World Trade Center” and as we were all mesmerized by the images that began to stream in to CNN we watched in horror the second plane hit the second tower. In my gut, I knew it was not a freak accident. I knew it was an attack on my beloved nation. Every year I do a special 9-11 lesson, a lesson I wished I didn’t have to do. It is important for me to impress on my students why we cannot forget the events of that tragic day, but to remember the founding principles and values that make our nation great and unique.
About a year ago, I had begun watching Glenn Beck on Fox News. Some days I agree with him, some days I don’t. That is my right as an American. But in that particular show, I realized how much Mr. Beck loves our nation, which is something that is still evident to this day. He began to unveil his new plan for America called the 9-12 project by taking a look at 9 core principles and 12 values that are essential to our nation. I encourage you to take a moment and visit the site (www.the912project.com). I believe it was the start of this project that led to last Spring’s Tea Parties to the Americans asking boldly questions to their elected officials at town hall meetings across the nation. I agree with Mr. Beck with his plan. America needs to reexamine its past, its roots, its founding in order for us to find where we want to go as a nation.
The 9 Principles
1. America Is Good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
God “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” from George Washington’s first Inaugural address.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
Honesty “I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
Marriage/Family “It is in the love of one’s family only that heartfelt happiness is known. By a law of our nature, we cannot be happy without the endearing connections of a family.” Thomas Jefferson
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
Justice “I deem one of the essential principles of our government… equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.” Thomas Jefferson
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
Life, Liberty, & The Pursuit of Happiness “Everyone has a natural right to choose that vocation in life which he thinks most likely to give him comfortable subsistence.” Thomas Jefferson
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
Charity “It is not everyone who asketh that deserveth charity; all however, are worth of the inquiry or the deserving may suffer.” George Washington
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
On your right to disagree “In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude; every man will speak as he thinks, or more properly without thinking.” George Washington
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
Who works for whom? “I consider the people who constitute a society or a nation as the source of all authority in that nation.” Thomas Jefferson
The 12 Values
* Honesty
* Reverence
* Hope
* Thrift
* Humility
* Charity
* Sincerity
* Moderation
* Hard Work
* Courage
* Personal Responsibility
* Gratitude
Take a moment and see if you agree with this 9 principles and 12 values. I know I do. I hope I can instill these into the students I teach and to others I encounter in my daily life.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Dear Congress
Dear Congress,
As an American citizen, I am again alarmed and outraged by what I have seen of my US Congress in the past several months. Congress has seemed to have forgotten who you represent, WE THE PEOPLE! You are not there to represent yourselves or your special interests or your agendas, but WE THE PEOPLE! I would recommend re-reading Article One of the greatest document in our nation: the United States of America Constitution. Go to the National Archives at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue in DC and allow the original Constitution re-inspire you to represent WE THE PEOPLE.
As a US History and Government teacher, it is hard for me to fathom that my representatives are not truly doing their job: REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE! I instruct my students every year that the main job and function of the US Congress is to pass legislation that represents WE THE PEOPLE! Yet, in the past several months, with the passing of the Economic Stimulus, Cap and Trade, and now the Healthcare Reform, I am seeing my US Congress not fulfilling their duties to pass legislation that represents WE THE PEOPLE! It is even harder to impress on my students the importance of doing their assignments and tasks, when they turn on the news or log on to the internet and see the leaders of this great nation not fulfilling their duties. Or thinking I am going to forgive an assignment because they forgot about it, hoping I will “bail them out.” Is it really that hard for those elected into office to read a piece of legislation? Is it that hard to ask for representatives in Congress to simply listen to their constituents and put aside their personal agendas? Is it really that hard to hold each other accountable for ones’ actions? I don’t think so.
How does the US Government plan on paying for these extra expenditures? Our President reassured the American people several times during his campaign to the White House and then again February 24th in a joint session of Congress, “If your family earns less than $250,000 a year -- a quarter million dollars a year -- you will not see your taxes increased a single dime. I repeat: Not one single dime.” Yet who is going to pay for these programs: Small business owners are not to hire people or have the incentive to make more profits. If the cap and trade tax gets passed in the Senate, then those tax increases will be offset to the average American citizen. So, yes, my dear Congress, the average American will be paying more to cover these new taxes and programs. Between the economic stimulus bill and the cap and trade legislation, the average American, who makes less than the $250,000 will be forced to cover these programs. This is killing the system that has made the United States a superpower in the world. Our Founding Fathers were inspired by the father of modern-day capitalism, Adam Smith. Not the socialist ideas of Karl Marx. Let WE THE PEOPLE pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and rebuild our nation back to its greatness.
In these tough economic times, it is hard to fathom that the U.S. Congress wants to pass legislation to INCREASE our taxes. Corporations will just pass this added tax on to us, WE THE PEOPLE, an expense that America cannot afford. A vote to increase our taxes would be a mistake Congress, a huge mistake. Ask yourself, is this something that our Founding Fathers would have approved? I think you know the answer that question, and it is NO! They led a revolution away from a government entrenched in tyranny and high taxes. Many Americans are fed up with the direction our government is headed. Why do you think tens of thousands of Americans took to the streets in April of 2009 in protest? Or why many of you faced strong opposition at your town hall meetings? It was not because WE THE PEOPLE are “unhappy” with President Obama, but WE THE PEOPLE are unhappy about the current tax situation and a fight for our freedoms. It is all common sense, Congress.
We are unhappy because our nation is falling apart. Our nation that once was a beacon and a “shining city on a hill” for the rest of the world is no more. We are tired of legislation being passed with little consideration of WE THE PEOPLE. We are tired of legislation being passed unread. We are tired of legislation that is being rushed to push reform, like the Healthcare Reform bill, when it took the First Family SIX MONTHS to select a dog. Yes, the American healthcare system needs reform, but not the reform that is being pushed upon us by both you and the President. Why not start with tort reform and cap the malpractice suits, which would lower the healthcare costs? Why not assist our physicians in doing what they have been trained to do: treat WE THE PEOPLE?
In the past several months, I do not recognize the nation I love and treasure. I am scared of what has become of it. If I want to live in a “socialistic” nation, I would move to Cuba, the UK, or France. But I love my nation, and I will defend my freedoms in which many fought with valor for me to have. Please do not let future generations not know the wonderful privilege of what it means to be a citizen of the greatest nation on Earth: United States of America. Remember the constituents, who voted you into office, and represent us, WE THE PEOPLE!
Sincerely,
A tired, yet concerned American
As an American citizen, I am again alarmed and outraged by what I have seen of my US Congress in the past several months. Congress has seemed to have forgotten who you represent, WE THE PEOPLE! You are not there to represent yourselves or your special interests or your agendas, but WE THE PEOPLE! I would recommend re-reading Article One of the greatest document in our nation: the United States of America Constitution. Go to the National Archives at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue in DC and allow the original Constitution re-inspire you to represent WE THE PEOPLE.
As a US History and Government teacher, it is hard for me to fathom that my representatives are not truly doing their job: REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE! I instruct my students every year that the main job and function of the US Congress is to pass legislation that represents WE THE PEOPLE! Yet, in the past several months, with the passing of the Economic Stimulus, Cap and Trade, and now the Healthcare Reform, I am seeing my US Congress not fulfilling their duties to pass legislation that represents WE THE PEOPLE! It is even harder to impress on my students the importance of doing their assignments and tasks, when they turn on the news or log on to the internet and see the leaders of this great nation not fulfilling their duties. Or thinking I am going to forgive an assignment because they forgot about it, hoping I will “bail them out.” Is it really that hard for those elected into office to read a piece of legislation? Is it that hard to ask for representatives in Congress to simply listen to their constituents and put aside their personal agendas? Is it really that hard to hold each other accountable for ones’ actions? I don’t think so.
How does the US Government plan on paying for these extra expenditures? Our President reassured the American people several times during his campaign to the White House and then again February 24th in a joint session of Congress, “If your family earns less than $250,000 a year -- a quarter million dollars a year -- you will not see your taxes increased a single dime. I repeat: Not one single dime.” Yet who is going to pay for these programs: Small business owners are not to hire people or have the incentive to make more profits. If the cap and trade tax gets passed in the Senate, then those tax increases will be offset to the average American citizen. So, yes, my dear Congress, the average American will be paying more to cover these new taxes and programs. Between the economic stimulus bill and the cap and trade legislation, the average American, who makes less than the $250,000 will be forced to cover these programs. This is killing the system that has made the United States a superpower in the world. Our Founding Fathers were inspired by the father of modern-day capitalism, Adam Smith. Not the socialist ideas of Karl Marx. Let WE THE PEOPLE pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and rebuild our nation back to its greatness.
In these tough economic times, it is hard to fathom that the U.S. Congress wants to pass legislation to INCREASE our taxes. Corporations will just pass this added tax on to us, WE THE PEOPLE, an expense that America cannot afford. A vote to increase our taxes would be a mistake Congress, a huge mistake. Ask yourself, is this something that our Founding Fathers would have approved? I think you know the answer that question, and it is NO! They led a revolution away from a government entrenched in tyranny and high taxes. Many Americans are fed up with the direction our government is headed. Why do you think tens of thousands of Americans took to the streets in April of 2009 in protest? Or why many of you faced strong opposition at your town hall meetings? It was not because WE THE PEOPLE are “unhappy” with President Obama, but WE THE PEOPLE are unhappy about the current tax situation and a fight for our freedoms. It is all common sense, Congress.
We are unhappy because our nation is falling apart. Our nation that once was a beacon and a “shining city on a hill” for the rest of the world is no more. We are tired of legislation being passed with little consideration of WE THE PEOPLE. We are tired of legislation being passed unread. We are tired of legislation that is being rushed to push reform, like the Healthcare Reform bill, when it took the First Family SIX MONTHS to select a dog. Yes, the American healthcare system needs reform, but not the reform that is being pushed upon us by both you and the President. Why not start with tort reform and cap the malpractice suits, which would lower the healthcare costs? Why not assist our physicians in doing what they have been trained to do: treat WE THE PEOPLE?
In the past several months, I do not recognize the nation I love and treasure. I am scared of what has become of it. If I want to live in a “socialistic” nation, I would move to Cuba, the UK, or France. But I love my nation, and I will defend my freedoms in which many fought with valor for me to have. Please do not let future generations not know the wonderful privilege of what it means to be a citizen of the greatest nation on Earth: United States of America. Remember the constituents, who voted you into office, and represent us, WE THE PEOPLE!
Sincerely,
A tired, yet concerned American
It all started...
...what made me wake up one day and say "JK, it's time to start a blog!" It's a simple and selfish reason: a love of my nation. I am a conservative teacher. Yes, you did read that correctly. We really do exist. Notice I did not "label" myself as a Democrat or Republican but a "conservative." As an American history and government teacher, I am inspired by what our Founding Fathers set into motion on that balmy July day in 1776. Yet, for the past few years I am dishearten to see my beloved nation no longer being as President Ronald Reagan so affectionately called "a shining city on a hill." When did we stop being a government "of the people, by the people, for the people" to a government of "I know what is better for you than you." I am not 100% sure when WE THE PEOPLE gave our government that power. Maybe that is something we can explore in this little blog at a later time.
I had been toying around with the idea of doing a blog for quite sometime, but it seemed like something always stopped me. That is until Sunday, March 21, 2010...a historic day for so many reasons, but for me, it will be the day our nation stopped being a democratic republic and took a leap toward socialism without regret. A day in which our leaders said "heck with the Constitution and the will of the people. We are the Federal government, and we will do as we please." And this history teacher could remain quiet no longer. I love my nation too much to stand by quietly and watch it take this leap. I am pulling on the reigns and hoping maybe you will too in helping me turn this nation back to becoming "a shining city on a hill" once again.
I had been toying around with the idea of doing a blog for quite sometime, but it seemed like something always stopped me. That is until Sunday, March 21, 2010...a historic day for so many reasons, but for me, it will be the day our nation stopped being a democratic republic and took a leap toward socialism without regret. A day in which our leaders said "heck with the Constitution and the will of the people. We are the Federal government, and we will do as we please." And this history teacher could remain quiet no longer. I love my nation too much to stand by quietly and watch it take this leap. I am pulling on the reigns and hoping maybe you will too in helping me turn this nation back to becoming "a shining city on a hill" once again.
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