Election Year Distractions
Auguest 2010 Jackass Award: Xenophobic Hypocritical Citizens
Don’t Detract From Democracy Via Distraction
Can we mix politics, religion and democracy?
Okay, I admit it, that was a bit long for a title and subtitle, and you are probably expecting a really long dissertation to explain it … probably not going to happen; we’ll have to see how it types out. It is really simple, but as you can see, a long, complicated, or confusing title could easily lead into an entire diatribe when some simple dialog will suffice. It seems to never fail, with every major election year, we have to drum up major issues to distract us from real problems that politicians fail to fix.
“We will not forget” is an oft used statement among several organizations, groups and countries, most especially here in the United States; I am reminded not only of that statement, but the commitment with which it comes as well, every day that I display the POW/MIA flag with its similar, somber message, “You Are Not Forgotten”. Both of these terms took on special meaning for the entire world on the morning of September 11, 2001. While the generation a few years before me will always remember where they were, with whom they were with and what they were doing when Jackie was assassinated, when Brother Martin was gunned down, or when Bobby was taken from us too. Similarly this generation will always remember with painful clarity the morning, the moments, and the mourning of 9/11. We could not forget, should not forget, never forget the events of 9/11; but let us not turn the remembrance of those lost into a misguided trip onto distraction drive by politicians who do not have real answers to our real problems.
2010 Election Year Distraction Delegate: Mosque at Ground Zero
The Mosque at Ground Zero, more appropriately should be referred to as the mosque near ground zero, first off. Then again, Newt, Ann and other ranters would not have gotten nearly the press play that they did had they titled their discussions (diatribes really) more appropriately and accurately. While religion is just that and should not be equated to race, that is exactly where detractors and distractions are trying to lead the discussions, to an unjustified question of an us versus them mentality … an attempt to race bait.
While I am personally not in favor or the mosque near ground zero, it has nothing to do with anyone’s religion. Actually, it is my concern, that irrespective of the intention of the Islamic center at this location, it will be a target for heated debated, discussions and potential hotbed for violence by all those whipped up in a frenzy over its existence. We have the opportunity and yes, even the obligation, to show the world that we are truly that beacon on a hill that we have always aspired to be and be the tolerant, respectful and freedom loving people of the American ideal. Blocking the building of a religious center would accomplish what? Blocking the building of the mosque at or near ground zero will only serve to show that we are no more free than the theocratic, oppressive political systems we openly abhor.
Immigration: Clarifying Constitutional Confusion
Newt Gingrich Supports Osama Bin Laden
Gingrich Rhetoric Reinforces bin Laden Statements
Let us briefly consider how former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is spewing the exact xenophobic and prejudicial slandering that completely reinforces the stereotype that radical terrorist Osama bin Laden has used to give synergy and support to rally a small percentage of fellow radicals to blindly follow the unethical, immoral, and ill interpreted ideologies and policies of terrorism against those who do not succumb to their ill conceived ideals of Islam.
Newt Gingrich and Osama bin Laden
| BIN LADEN CLAIMS | GINGRICH SUPPORTS |
| [N]ow that senior U.S. officials have spoken … every Muslim should rush to defend his religion. … They came out to fight this group of people who declared their faith in God and refused to abandon their religion. They came out to fight Islam in the name of terrorism. (Oct. 7, 2001) | One of our biggest mistakes in the aftermath of 9/11 was naming our response to the attacks “the war on terror” instead of accurately identifying radical Islamists (and the underlying ideology of radical Islamism) as the target of our campaign. (July 28, 2010) |
| This war is fundamentally religious. … Those who try to cover this crystal clear fact, which the entire world has admitted, are deceiving the Islamic nation. … It is a question of faith, not a war against terrorism, as Bush and Blair try to depict it. … Fear God, O Muslims and rise to support your religion. (Nov. 3, 2001) | Some radical Islamists use terrorism as a tactic to impose sharia, but others use non-violent methods—a cultural, political, and legal jihad that seeks the same totalitarian goal even while claiming to repudiate violence. Thus, the term “war on terrorism” is far too narrow a framework in which to think about the war in which we are engaged against the radical Islamists.(July 28, 2010) |
| It has become clear that the West in general and America in particular have an unspeakable hatred for Islam. … A few days ago, they … dropped—in what they said was a mistake—a radio-guided bomb on a mosque where ulemas were praying. They targeted the mosque, killing 150 Muslim worshippers. It is the hatred of crusaders. (Dec. 27, 2001) | [T]he Ground Zero mosque is all about conquest and thus an assertion of Islamist triumphalism which we should not tolerate. … It is simply grotesque to erect a mosque at the site of the most visible and powerful symbol of the horrible consequences of radical Islamist ideology. (July 28, 2010) |
| The intentions of the Americans have also been clarified in statements about the need to change the beliefs, curricula, and morals of the Muslims to become more tolerant, as they put it. In clearer terms, it is a religious-economic war. (Jan. 4, 2004) | America is experiencing an Islamist cultural-political offensive designed to undermine and destroy our civilization. Sadly, too many of our elites are the willing apologists for those who would destroy them if they could. No mosque. No self deception. No surrender. (July 21, 2010) |
| The West is incapable of recognizing the rights of others. It will not be able to respect others’ beliefs or feelings. The West still believes in ethnic supremacy and looks down on other nations. … How can we explain France’s stance on the headscarf and the banning on wearing it at schools … This is a Zionist-Crusader war. (April 23, 2006) | [T]hey proposed a 13-story mosque and community center that will extol the glories of Islamic tolerance for people of other faiths, all while overlooking the site where radical Islamists killed almost 3,000 people in a shocking act of hatred. Building this structure on the edge of the battlefield created by radical Islamists is not a celebration of religious pluralism and mutual tolerance; it is a political statement of shocking arrogance and hypocrisy. … [F]or radical Islamists, the mosque would become an icon of triumph, encouraging them in their challenge to our civilization. (July 28, 2010) |
| So what is the sin of the Afghans due to which you are continuing this unjust war against them? Their only sin is that they are Muslims, and this illustrates the extent of the Crusaders’ hatred of Islam and its people. (Nov. 29, 2007) | This is not a war on terrorism. Terrorism is an activity. This is a struggle with radical Islamists in both their militant and their stealth form. … The stealth form believes in using cultural, intellectual and political [power], but their end goal is exactly the same. (July 29, 2010) |
| “O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them.” … Similar are sophistries like “dialogue of religions,” “freedom of opinion,” “freedom of speech,” “peaceful coexistence.” … (March 14, 2009) | President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as our troops were landing in Normandy, went on national radio at 10 o’clock at night and actually led the nation in six and a half minutes of prayer, something very few modern liberals appreciate. This is part of what he said: “Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set up on a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.” This was not a man who was confused about what the stakes were, nor was he confused about what the goal was. (July 29, 2010) |
| So, who stood by America the Christian, and who supported it? Isn’t that Zardari and his government and army? … Obama has walked like his predecessors in increasing hostility towards Muslims. … I encourage my Muslim nation to stand by the side of the mujahideen and support them everywhere. (“Speech to the Pakistani Nation,” June 3, 2009) | President Roosevelt said the following: “We must remember what the collaborative understanding between Communism and Nazism has done to the processes of democracy abroad. Those forces hate democracy and Christianity as two phases of the same civilization. They oppose democracy because it is Christian. They oppose Christianity because it preaches democracy. Their objective is to prevent democracy from becoming strong.” Again, this is hardly a man who’s confused about what’s at stake. Winston Churchill, at the very peak of the Battle of Britain, said, “Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization.” (July 29, 2010) |
| The war which has been taking place on your soil these past years is a war between Islam and the International Crusade. – (“Fight On, Champions of Somalia,” March 19, 2009) | There should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia. The time for double standards that allow Islamists to behave aggressively toward us while they demand our weakness and submission is over. (July 21, 2010) |
Gingrich Should Stifle Himself
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is obviously not as calculated an orator as he would like to believe himself to be. He is not a policy maker who gives objective, calculated, reserved rhetoric to convey, understand, and rally; he is an attention grabbing politician promoting the very ideals that keep us afraid, that invites radical response, and endangers our security, not provide for it.
Gingrich-Bin Laden Alliance
Read and learn more about the Newt Gingrich – Bin Laden Alliance.
US Congress’ Crimes Against Citizens
Composure Disclaimer │ I am Mad
If you are reading this at work, at your place of worship, or other place of potential need for political correctness, please increase the font for the nosy onlookers, and heck why not, bring in the children and grandchildren; time for a lesson in bull[...]t – may as well get use to it now, because we (the adult, kids – it is not your fault, but definitely your fight and your future, so please pay attention, the rest of your life will be a test of it!) bring it on ourselves by continually be allowing dumba[...]s in DC and we apparently have the stomach to keep sending them back. Oh, but Rob, I didn’t vote for so and so … oh, but my friends, they are nearly each and everyone guilty of crimes against common sense, and many more today committed crimes against … dare I say it for fear of being taken out of context or accused of grabbing headlines … yeah – they can defame and denounce all they want … our elected members of the House of Representatives today created crimes against humanity.
Might be a good time to send the kids and grandkids away, I don’t feel like censoring anymore; and of course it might be respectful to not continue reading this if you are in fact in a place of worship.
Congressional Crimes Against Humanity?
Yeah, I said it. Failing to pass a health care bill specifically for 9/11 first responders, our U.S. Congress Committed Crimes Against Humanity! I only apologize to any person or descendant of a person who is or was a victim of the normally associated, violent and oppressive, known meaning and connotation; barring that, nearly every member of the House of Representatives can kiss my ass and own what they have sown and may they never get another dollar, another vote, or any sympathetic ear. Yes, nearly every member, and I’m not talking about a number of Republicans or a number of Democrats, Independents, Libertarians or Librarians … I am only aware of one that might be salvageable … though they will all spin it and spoon-feed it to their bases in any sleazy way possible to justify not averting their eyes from the public should they dare ask for another term.
What About Procedures and Amendments?
There is no nice way to put this to please all, but in case I wasn’t clear – bullshit!
The fact that we continue to spend billions in earmark funds and attach other completely unrelated amendments to bill is a load of crap. But that is the way the system works … I’m sorry, didn’t you hear me – BS!
The system is broke and WE all keep allowing it to be that way. We cannot pass a defense appropriations bill without funding research for how long boiled eggs will stay preserved in space? We cannot get a bill out of committee for dealing with pedophiles because some Representative could not get his amendment attached for a tax break for whiskey distillers in his Congressional District? Think these are bad examples, just do a little research of your own and see what kind of asininity we allow these asses to ascribe unto us all; again, and again, and again.
Well, certainly for an issue as important as taking care of our own, especially for one of the worst tragedies in our history, we could comprehend the necessity for common sense. Hell no! We couldn’t pass a bill to fund health care for victims of 9/11 – sad, sick, impeachable!
Congressional Term Limits
Yep, I’m calling for them; Congressional term limits should be enacted this year! Not by an act of law or an amendment to the Constitution, neither will be expedient enough; we’d just debate to death and fail to act out of apathy. Not by act of treason, terrorism or tyranny; we’re better than that. We can enact them by not re-electing a damned one of them. Nope, yours is no good either, I don’t care what her record is. Mine is no good either, he is a PAC-paid-for-politician too and of no use as he is as compromised as his foe across the aisle. I honestly don’t think anyone could persuade me to pick a single politician that should be protected and re-elected.
Correct Congressional Conduct
You want commonsense back into the fabric of government? You want realistic spending, realistic priorities, realistic budgets, realistic thinking back in OUR congressional halls? Then we need to send realistic people to these hallowed halls who understand commonsense, reality, and priorities. These newly elected officials needn’t have long pedigrees, pockets full of cash, or even political aspirations (none is better); simple Constitutional requirements are necessary, however the ability to balance a checkbook, lack of corporate sponsorship, and not be endorsed by a sitting Member of Congress is a must!
wrmineo notes:
I wrote this a few days ago after the AP wire released the story and I had to write or explode; Grandpa said to never to go to bed angry – it didn’t help much. However, I did let it lay for a day before clicking the publish button and placing it on the ether for the Internet archives to hold forever until death does it part. I decided to change very little – they can all get the hell out of DC and let some common sense citizen run the place for a few years and we’ll see we really didn’t need them anyway, I’m sure of it! I did change some of the earlier, heavier heaving of slurs and cursing, changed the first header to edit/omit the word ‘pissed’ and even added a breakpoint to send kids away, because even though mama said don’t say something if you can’t say it nice, sometime we common-folk just get pissed and no sense letting the pressure backup.
If you were offended reading this article; tough, you could have stopped before now.
Redefining Adult Education
What is Adult Education?
When I returned to college recently, I realized that I was a “non-traditional” student since having well surpassed the age of 30, but I was struck by the over emphasis of the use of the term “Adult Education“. Between terms a few years ago, I took the summer off to do website redesign, development, Internet marketing and website maintenance on a major Ohio university website overhaul project with my Army buddy and business partner, Ryan Sharrer, Level 5 Development Group (L5DG). In preparation for the sales meetings, we both did a lot of research (Internet surfing) of other university website’s to get a good sense of the needs, direction and design for the project. Again and again, I came across the term Adult Education on nearly every single college, university, technical and other post-secondary school and education site.
Adult Learner
Believe me, I understand the marketing base, reasoning, and tactics in catering to adults who already have full-time lives with job, family and other commitments, who feel the need to get further ahead, or even just to set a better example for their own children. However, something still struck me as almost offensive when I was labeled an “Adult Learner” – I drove to the campus just like everyone else, no short bus picked me up along the way to the university.
Defining an Adult Learner
My fill finally came when I was enrolled in an online, upper-level computer information class; our first assignment was to post a discussion on BlackBoard (a CRM specifically designed for higher learning institutions) about, “What does being an ‘Adult Learner’ Mean to You?” I’m enrolled at Western Kentucky University (WKU). Gordon Ford College of Business, Marketing Management degree seeker, taking an online computer course mainly directed at MS Excel that I’ll probably never use (no offense, Mr. Gates – great foundation you and Melinda have by the way) and this instructor wants to know what it means to me to be an Adult Learner?! It finally struck me, I was offended – feeling discriminated against, catered to, all because I was over the age of 22!
College Students are Adult Learners
Nah, I could not be that concerned, conceited or vain about my age, could I? I was only 39. Then it struck me again, just a little harder and square in the face this time – an 18 year old entering college is not considered an adult! Why not? Is not all post-secondary, college and university learning in fact Adult Learning? Were not all college and university students in fact in Adult Education? Are colleges and universities a higher end of boarding schools where parents send their children? Well, in a way I suppose so. However, in college versus boarding school, you are expected to be more responsible, more accountable, more … adult!
College Education is Adult Education
Let’s stop labeling only the “non-traditional” older students at a college as members of Adult Education and members in an Adult Learning category – it’s all adult learning, all adult education, all about preparing for bigger and better things in life … as an Adult! Not picking on one of my own Alma Mater’s necessarily, they just happen to be a realistic, known example to me, but at WKU, as I am sure is a growing trend among major U.S. colleges and universities, incoming freshman are required to take mandatory classes about “life skills” and “higher education” – I am not talking about an orientation class here (they have those too, of course), but full-blown, full semester classes for college credit. In many colleges, freshman, and often higher grades, are required to live on-campus, in dorms, and purchase a meal plan to ensure they eat. Huh? Yep, from the cradle of home to the campus of collegiate coddling.
Preparation for Adult Education as an Adult Learner
Granted, not every student entering into a college or university, is fully prepared to take their educational career to the next level. Granted, it is a tough transition from high school to college for some. Granted, it is incumbent upon colleges and universities to ensure they provide all of the necessary resources for the success of their students – we all want bang for our buck. But do we really need to avoid calling these young adults entering into a world where greater responsibility, greater accountability, and greater results are expected of them, adult learners part of the adult education program and process?
I will not pretend to have the answers, just simply questions that need answering. However, it seems that we need to accomplish a few things as members of society, educators, and parents: protect, provide and prepare – if we do our jobs right, every student entering into college will know that they are an adult learner, part of an adult education process, regardless of age; with that knowledge comes a greater sense and respect for the responsibilities, tasks, and successes expected of them – now, and for the rest of their adult lives.
Safe surfing!