When I first read the news a couple of days ago about 11 missing Egyptian exchange students, I had my doubts regarding their "no threat" status. After all, over half had Muslim names and they all just wandered into our country without checking in to their assigned destination. My response to the reapeated assurances that these men "pose no threat" was "Yeah, whatever." I don't need a 2x4 up side my head to know when something doesn't add up.
This morning, lo and behold, the UK has thwarted a terrorist plot. AND not only that but the threat levels in this country are jacked up to the highest I can recall them being since 9/11. AND not only that but we still have 8 Egyptian men running around our country who haven't checked in to their destination. Of course the government is still telling us that these men "pose no threat." I suppose they want them turned in alive. Then I also hear how two men from Dearborn, MI were arrested this morning in Ohio. Guess what, they had airport itineraries and checkpoint information. They were immediately arrested and charged with money laundering for terroritst organizations. I wonder what else they will add to those charges before all is said and done.
As we ramp up to 9/11 it would be wise for everyone to remember that we are still waged in a battle against evil forces with people who want nothing more than to kill you unless you are willing to embrace their wild-eyed religious beliefs. We are so politically correct in this country, so afraid to lump innocents in with the guilty that we fail to speak out at all. Are we going to continue this fight or are we going to hand over the keys to the Statue of Liberty?
I hope this post makes sense to anyone reading it. I'm getting a little ticked off at the apathy we see today in many of our leaders. After all, war isn't pleasant. If it were fun, it would be a Club Med vacation destination. Instead, many of those who voted for this war are already looking to wimp out. It has taken our enemy thousands of years to achieve their takeover of so many countries, we're tired of the fight after four years.
By the way, this war has claimed lives--all wars do. We have still lost fewer fighting men and women in this war than in many of the battles fought in other wars. Read a history book people. At the very least, do a google search to read battle statistics. Our army is doing an awesome job and I have to say that I have deep respect and love for people who are willing to put their lives on the line for me and my family. God bless you all.
Let us all remember today to pray for our country and for our leaders.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Life Changes
Suddenly I find myself transitioning in several areas of my life. My oldest is off to college in a couple of weeks--that will definitely be different. I will be leaving my teaching job in a small school to teach my own children at home.
I wasn't planning on the second change; it's just how things worked out this year. Due to lack of funds at the school and lack of comprehension of math on my younger daughter's part, I decided to take my childrens education into my own hands.
Thankfully my sister-in-law is a homeschooling "professional" so she has been a great help. I am really excited about all the possibilites. Since neither of my children have real problems in any class, we won't have to struggle with learning issues.
The "lack of comprehension" that my daughter had in math last year had less to do with math and more to do with her teacher. When I voiced my concern to the principal, he told me that my daughter just didn't understand the teacher because 7th grade girls often don't connect with male teachers. I wondered what in the world that had to do with the fact that she was nearly failing in a class that I knew she should be passing. As a teacher, it is my job to make sure that my students understand me. While my daughter is often unmotivated and careless in math, she isn't stupid in math. The teacher never returned papers or even told me he was concerned--and I worked with him every day! Ah well, now her learning is in my hands and I am a strict task master.
Enough about me, I got a kick out of the posting on littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog . They have been tracking down "photoshopped" pictures from the major news agencies. How fun. I can even tell the difference on these poorly worked pieces. What in the world was that guy thinking? In today's high tech world, you have to be pretty good to go undetected by the technically astute among us. My daughter received photoshop on her laptop and she does a better job. Not only that but she told me that this guy needs to hire someone she knows from a website she posts on. She said that he could get much better quality work if he'd just hire some of the people online who do it on a regular basis. I agree.
I wasn't planning on the second change; it's just how things worked out this year. Due to lack of funds at the school and lack of comprehension of math on my younger daughter's part, I decided to take my childrens education into my own hands.
Thankfully my sister-in-law is a homeschooling "professional" so she has been a great help. I am really excited about all the possibilites. Since neither of my children have real problems in any class, we won't have to struggle with learning issues.
The "lack of comprehension" that my daughter had in math last year had less to do with math and more to do with her teacher. When I voiced my concern to the principal, he told me that my daughter just didn't understand the teacher because 7th grade girls often don't connect with male teachers. I wondered what in the world that had to do with the fact that she was nearly failing in a class that I knew she should be passing. As a teacher, it is my job to make sure that my students understand me. While my daughter is often unmotivated and careless in math, she isn't stupid in math. The teacher never returned papers or even told me he was concerned--and I worked with him every day! Ah well, now her learning is in my hands and I am a strict task master.
Enough about me, I got a kick out of the posting on littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog . They have been tracking down "photoshopped" pictures from the major news agencies. How fun. I can even tell the difference on these poorly worked pieces. What in the world was that guy thinking? In today's high tech world, you have to be pretty good to go undetected by the technically astute among us. My daughter received photoshop on her laptop and she does a better job. Not only that but she told me that this guy needs to hire someone she knows from a website she posts on. She said that he could get much better quality work if he'd just hire some of the people online who do it on a regular basis. I agree.
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