education in america

Arne Duncan, the Education Secretary in Obama's Cabinet favors a longer school year to help our students catch up and become/remain competitive with those in foreign countries. His concerns are drop out rates in both high school and college. (http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/27/education.school.year/index.html) I am a teacher, and although I have not been teaching long I can tell you that a longer school year is not going to make us more competitive. Our school systems reflect our culture: students do not face the consequences of their actions and very little is expected of them. Students in other countries know what is expected and they know that one bad choice can effectively change the course of their lives. That is not the case for students in America. I teach in a school that has students from both the low and high ends of the socioeconomic spectrum. Many students refuse to open books at home. They do not study and yet they expect not only to pass their classes but to do so with As and Bs. They do not want to take notes in class, they want open book and open note tests and feel entitled to high grades regardless of their actions. A longer school year will not do anything to change the attitudes of these students, and I think more will drop out. In many European countries high school is a privilege, not a mandate by law. If this were the case in America (which I'm not advocating, but merely making a point) our students would look smarter and more competitive. However, when all of our students are compared with the best of everyone else's, of course we're going to look bad.

I recognize that my high school was a very different environment, although drugs and alcohol and sex were prevalent, the focus was on high grades, good colleges, and the future. Many of the students at my school work jobs simply to help their parents pay the bills. Others are already addicted to drugs or alcohol. And even still, others go home to parents who simply do not care. I agree that changes need to be made. But, a longer school year is not the answer. Higher pay for better test grades is not the answer. No Child Left Behind is not the answer. What is the answer? I don't know exactly. But I do know that it lies in family values, involved parents, and consequences. Without these things, our students will never be able to compete on an international stage. I just hope our leaders will see that before too long; and not only see it but have the guts to do something about it . . .

human rights and their priority

During the Summer Olympics many spectators were concerned about the multiple human rights violations that were going on in China. (Some even called for the US to pull out of the Olympics completely.)

Hillary Clinton, our Secretary of State, is currently in China talking with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao about a variety of things. When I checked www.cnn.com this morning, this is the first thing I saw: "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton broached the issue of human rights with Chinese leaders Saturday, but emphasized that the world economic and other crises are more pressing and immediate priorities. 'Human rights cannot interfere with the global economic crisis, the global climate change crisis and the security crises,' Clinton said in talks with China's foreign minister." (You can read the article here: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/21/clinton.china.asia/index.html)

This statement angers me. Clinton is a representative of the United States and she goes to China and basically says, "We don't like that you're violating human rights but it's okay for now because we are much more concerned with money to worry about it. Maybe once we get all of this other stuff under control . . . "

Are you joking?! In my book, people will ALWAYS be more important than the state of the economy. And it hurts that my country does not believe the same.

I believe that we are called to take care of those who cannot take of themselves, no matter where they live: on the streets in a city, in the hollers of a rural area, or in a slum overseas. I believe that is what God calls us to do.

It's in black and white: "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:34-40)

I can read it again, but I'm pretty sure that doesn't say, "Take care of the least of these brothers of mine after you get the financial sector in line and once greenhouse gases are under control."

I hope that those who love the Lord step up and go their part to stop human rights violations not just in China but all over the world. Me included.

To whom it may concern:

Re: Housing, mortgages, and foreclosures

To whom it may concern:

My husband and I purchased a house in April of 2008. We looked very carefully at our finances and the numbers before even thinking about putting in an offer. We put some money down and now have a mortgage that is manageable. These facts alone put us in the minority. There are many who bought homes with no money down and have monthly payments they cannot afford. And now these individuals will be rewarded for their poor decisions by getting alternatives to foreclosure and options to refinance?! This is exactly what is wrong with our culture: people do not have to face the consequences of their actions. What is this teaching people? If you make poor choices you will get bailed out? I want to know when I will be rewarded for making good choices. Why don't I get some money for being wise with my money? I'll be waiting but I won't be holding my breath.

Sincerely,

A Fiscally Responsible Citizen

I beg to disagree . . .

While I was at work today, I found my way onto www.cnn.com and came across an article based on an interview with Bristol Palin, the Republican VP nominee's daughter. (In case you don't remember, she is the one who got pregnant out of wedlock and had a baby.) This was Bristol's first interview after having her baby. The interviewer basically asked her about birth control and she said that abstinence was the best option but that she didn't think it was "realistic."

Miss Bristol, I beg to disagree.

Remaining abstinent was one of the hardest things I have done in my life. I faced temptations and made mistakes, but I can tell you that it is possible. (And I am not the only one who has made that decision.)

We live in a world where people do what they want whenever they want it. But, as followers of Christ, we are called to be different from those in the world. We are set apart, not just in what we believe, but also in our choices, decisions, and actions.

And that is exactly why we must do things that the world says are "not realistic."

We must love all.

We must care for the least of these.

We must die to ourselves.

We must live for others.

We must remain abstinent.