Before Christmas break at B. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Ranch, New Mexico, teacher, Katrina Guarascio, lost her job over a composition written by one of her students. Ms. Guarascio was a creative English teacher at the high school who allowed her students to think and write outside the box and then their compositions were read and evaluated by a panel of the students' peers.
So, one of the students wrote his composition about Jesus giving pot to the sick and the homeless. I would publish the essay here except the public was not allowed to read the essay. Seems the composition was written and given to the panel for evaluation and one of the young ladies on the panel didn't approve so she went home and told her parents about it and they went to the principal and demanded Ms. Guarascio be fired.
This type of incident seems to happen a lot in our present society.
How are students suppose to learn to think for themselves if our school systems demand that they have to be like everyone else? I'd rather have a teacher like Ms. Guarascio teaching my child how to be an individualist than someone teaching them to follow the crowd. If someone doesn't like what the student wrote then put that in the evaluation and pass it on to the next evaluator. And, what's wrong with Jesus helping the sick and homeless? So, Jessus gave them pot, so what, they can go up to Colorado and buy it now, if they could afford it. And, medical pot is legal now-a-days.
In my opinion, Ms. Guarascio should be promoted, given an award, and patted on the back. She is the kind of teacher this state needs in its schools. New Mexico has some of the worst schools in America and kids have a terrible time in college, those that can get in, because they can't think for themselves let alone write a college-level essay. To Ms. Guarascio, wherever you are now. you are too good for New Mexican schools!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Police Targeting African-Americans??
Since Ferguson African-American friends of mine have been posting on Facebook that police across America have been targeting them. Time for me to weigh in on this subject.
First of all--I do not like the term African-American. We are all Americans unless you are here illegally.
Secondly--The incident of the boy being shot by police because he had a gun at the playground, that turned out to be a toy, was shot because someone called in to 911 and reported that the boy was at the playground with a gun that might be a toy, or might not. This information was not passed on to the police and when they arrived at the playground and saw a gun that was not featuring the orange tag denoting a toy, they shot him. This was not the police targeting an African-American.
The same goes for the man in a Wal-Mart with a toy gun that was shot. Someone called 911 and reported that he was waving a gun around in the store. Police should have taken the time to see if it was a toy gun or not, and in this case they didn't. But again this isn't targeting someone because of race.
Thirdly--Ferguson. This person had just robbed a store and pushed the clerk around because he was big enough to get away with it. Then when stopped by police for the robbery, this person grabbed for the policeman's gun and thought he could get away with wrestling for the policeman's weapon. If you ask me, Michael was asking to get shot and he did. Did the policeman have to shoot Michael so many times? No, the academy teaches a policeman to shoot twice to the chest and once to the head. Michael's parents and the stepparent get on TV and start crying that their son was a good person that wouldn't hurt anyone--bull that's not the image I got from the tapes.
Fourthly--The man who was in a choke hold in NYC. This man should have stood still and let the police frisk him. The policeman who jumped him from behind and put him in the chokehold was way out of line. So, the man shouldn't have resisted police; but, the police shouldn't have used an illegal chokehold and should have stopped once the person said he couldn't breath.
Finallty--Targetting African-Americans. I do not believe that police all over America are targeting African-Americans. I do not believe that African-Americans getting on social media and instagating violence and looting is appropriate either. Taxpayers pay to have police protection and policeman and women have the right to protect themselves as well, if you start violence, no matter what color you are, you are asking for what you will eventually receive.
Grow up people and act appropriately. Getting on social media and demanding revenge for the incidents involving African-Americans is not appropriate.
First of all--I do not like the term African-American. We are all Americans unless you are here illegally.
Secondly--The incident of the boy being shot by police because he had a gun at the playground, that turned out to be a toy, was shot because someone called in to 911 and reported that the boy was at the playground with a gun that might be a toy, or might not. This information was not passed on to the police and when they arrived at the playground and saw a gun that was not featuring the orange tag denoting a toy, they shot him. This was not the police targeting an African-American.
The same goes for the man in a Wal-Mart with a toy gun that was shot. Someone called 911 and reported that he was waving a gun around in the store. Police should have taken the time to see if it was a toy gun or not, and in this case they didn't. But again this isn't targeting someone because of race.
Thirdly--Ferguson. This person had just robbed a store and pushed the clerk around because he was big enough to get away with it. Then when stopped by police for the robbery, this person grabbed for the policeman's gun and thought he could get away with wrestling for the policeman's weapon. If you ask me, Michael was asking to get shot and he did. Did the policeman have to shoot Michael so many times? No, the academy teaches a policeman to shoot twice to the chest and once to the head. Michael's parents and the stepparent get on TV and start crying that their son was a good person that wouldn't hurt anyone--bull that's not the image I got from the tapes.
Fourthly--The man who was in a choke hold in NYC. This man should have stood still and let the police frisk him. The policeman who jumped him from behind and put him in the chokehold was way out of line. So, the man shouldn't have resisted police; but, the police shouldn't have used an illegal chokehold and should have stopped once the person said he couldn't breath.
Finallty--Targetting African-Americans. I do not believe that police all over America are targeting African-Americans. I do not believe that African-Americans getting on social media and instagating violence and looting is appropriate either. Taxpayers pay to have police protection and policeman and women have the right to protect themselves as well, if you start violence, no matter what color you are, you are asking for what you will eventually receive.
Grow up people and act appropriately. Getting on social media and demanding revenge for the incidents involving African-Americans is not appropriate.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Give to Those That Defend Our Country This Holiday
There are many military families who can not afford to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. The soldiers who defend our country, do not make enough money to pay their bills and celebrate American traditions. It's sad that our country doesn't pay the defenders of American freedoms enough to have a happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas.
If you have some extra money this holiday season, give it to the soldiers so that their families can have a good holiday!
If you have some extra money this holiday season, give it to the soldiers so that their families can have a good holiday!
Sunday, November 23, 2014
This is Getting Old
This time it was still light out enough to get a good look. I was driving down the hill to get to the on-ramp of I-25 and glanced over at the little cemetery on the way past. The priest that takes care of the cemetery for the Catholic church had installed flood lights on the old archway. But, there it stood, silent with head pointed at the ground.
This time the passing cars weren't pulling over. This time there were no police cars or gawkers. This time it didn't have an audience.
Just a silent figure in a black hooded robe with it's head receding to the point that nothing could be seen except black, empty space. No wings or anything resembling them on its back. Just the reaper's gathering instrument leaning on it's shoulder.
I know that this specter isn't real in the scense of being the reaper looking for souls to gather; however, I still haven't figured out what it's trying to tell the city of Albuquerque by it's visits to this little cemetery. Hopefully it's just some individual with a sad story to share.
I didn't stop this time. I looked perhaps a moment too long for someone driving in an acceleration lane. But, this time I just felt sad that the world has come to this stage in history. Where even if it isn't the Grim Reaper, I kind of wish it were.
This time the passing cars weren't pulling over. This time there were no police cars or gawkers. This time it didn't have an audience.
Just a silent figure in a black hooded robe with it's head receding to the point that nothing could be seen except black, empty space. No wings or anything resembling them on its back. Just the reaper's gathering instrument leaning on it's shoulder.
I know that this specter isn't real in the scense of being the reaper looking for souls to gather; however, I still haven't figured out what it's trying to tell the city of Albuquerque by it's visits to this little cemetery. Hopefully it's just some individual with a sad story to share.
I didn't stop this time. I looked perhaps a moment too long for someone driving in an acceleration lane. But, this time I just felt sad that the world has come to this stage in history. Where even if it isn't the Grim Reaper, I kind of wish it were.
Monday, October 13, 2014
The Grim Reaper Strikes Again
On October 7th of this year, I worked 30 minutes extra trying to finish some work at the office and as I was finally driving home, it had started to get dark. The on ramp to I-25 has a very old graveyard on the right side. It isn't the fancy headstone kind of graveyard as it's probably been there since Albuquerque was part of the "wild west." It is surrounded by a low, white picket fence and most of the graves are marked by white wooden crosses.
As I approached the on ramp, I saw flashing police lights from two police cars and numerous passenger vehicles pulling off the road, shining their headlights on the old wooden archway to the cemetery. Naturally I slowed down, curious to see what was going on.
There stood the grim reaper. Silent, as if on watch over the grave of some poor soul. How did I know it was the grim reaper? Well, I don't really know for sure. It was the specter shown in the Albuquerque Journal a week or so ago, in a different cemetery.
I put on my turn signal and pulled to the side of the road, with everyone else. And, I focused my gaze on the image standing over the grave in it's flowing black robes. I couldn't see a face, the robe had a black hood and it looked like a black hole surrounded by flowing black material. The specter stood perfectly still, and the wind blew it's robes around it's body and feet; but, the hood didn't move an inch.
I only sat there about 10 minutes when the grim reaper slowly turned and started to exit the cemetery through the old wooden archway from which it appeared. It appeared to be struggling, walking off balance, not at all graceful as it appear standing in silence. I strained to see what could be causing the imbalance and finally decided it must be the rocks and mounds of dirt that had to be negotiated in making an exit.
A couple in a Jeep Cherokee that was parked next to me on the road, turned on their high-beam headlights and moved closer to the cemetary. Negotiating the desert topography didn't seem easy even for their jeep, so I decided to stay put and try to keep my eyes on the image in the graveyard entrance. At that moment, someone in the crowded of spectators yelled, "It has wings, it's having problems walking because of a large pair of black wings."
Since I had lost sight of the grim reaper anyway, I decided it was time to get on the road and go home. Did this spector have wings, I don't know, it had something on its back. But, by this time it was dark in the graveyard and I wasn't in a position to say what it was. And, with all the crazy stuff that happens out here in the desert, nothing surprises me anymore. Not even a grim reaper in the cemetery guarding the dead when it should be out there collecting the souls of those that live here and deserve to be dead, or half dead, somewhere else.
As I approached the on ramp, I saw flashing police lights from two police cars and numerous passenger vehicles pulling off the road, shining their headlights on the old wooden archway to the cemetery. Naturally I slowed down, curious to see what was going on.
There stood the grim reaper. Silent, as if on watch over the grave of some poor soul. How did I know it was the grim reaper? Well, I don't really know for sure. It was the specter shown in the Albuquerque Journal a week or so ago, in a different cemetery.
I put on my turn signal and pulled to the side of the road, with everyone else. And, I focused my gaze on the image standing over the grave in it's flowing black robes. I couldn't see a face, the robe had a black hood and it looked like a black hole surrounded by flowing black material. The specter stood perfectly still, and the wind blew it's robes around it's body and feet; but, the hood didn't move an inch.
I only sat there about 10 minutes when the grim reaper slowly turned and started to exit the cemetery through the old wooden archway from which it appeared. It appeared to be struggling, walking off balance, not at all graceful as it appear standing in silence. I strained to see what could be causing the imbalance and finally decided it must be the rocks and mounds of dirt that had to be negotiated in making an exit.
A couple in a Jeep Cherokee that was parked next to me on the road, turned on their high-beam headlights and moved closer to the cemetary. Negotiating the desert topography didn't seem easy even for their jeep, so I decided to stay put and try to keep my eyes on the image in the graveyard entrance. At that moment, someone in the crowded of spectators yelled, "It has wings, it's having problems walking because of a large pair of black wings."
Since I had lost sight of the grim reaper anyway, I decided it was time to get on the road and go home. Did this spector have wings, I don't know, it had something on its back. But, by this time it was dark in the graveyard and I wasn't in a position to say what it was. And, with all the crazy stuff that happens out here in the desert, nothing surprises me anymore. Not even a grim reaper in the cemetery guarding the dead when it should be out there collecting the souls of those that live here and deserve to be dead, or half dead, somewhere else.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged
This blog is on a personal subject. I'm tired of people who think they have the right to judge; but, no one has the right to judge them.
Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone mis-speaks and says things they didn't mean to say; something that just comes out wrong. No one person in this world is perfect, I don't care what your school, your religion, your family, tells you--No one is perfect!
When the Bible says to honor your mother and your father--that's what it means. Even if your parents are divorced or separated, you should honor both of your parents equally.
The individuals involved in my personal matter know who they are and they know of what I am writing. We have taken care of you and supported you throughout your young life into adulthood. We have listened to your late night phone calls of your dreams and your tribulations. We have financially supported you in good times and in bad. You are welcome in our lives and our home at any time, for any reason.
But, you need to learn that you are not perfect and neither are we. Things are said for many reasons and if you are to survive in the world, as it is today, you'd better grow a tough skin. Just because someone says something that you didn't like for some reason, you do not have the right to judge them because you are so darn great. Because you aren't. Let me make a list of the things you have said or done wrong in your short lifetime and throw it in your face as a reason to dislike you and disrepect you.
Grow up and live the doctrine you profess to believe. Judge not lest ye be judged. Honor thy father and they mother so that you may live long and be happy on this earth.
Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone mis-speaks and says things they didn't mean to say; something that just comes out wrong. No one person in this world is perfect, I don't care what your school, your religion, your family, tells you--No one is perfect!
When the Bible says to honor your mother and your father--that's what it means. Even if your parents are divorced or separated, you should honor both of your parents equally.
The individuals involved in my personal matter know who they are and they know of what I am writing. We have taken care of you and supported you throughout your young life into adulthood. We have listened to your late night phone calls of your dreams and your tribulations. We have financially supported you in good times and in bad. You are welcome in our lives and our home at any time, for any reason.
But, you need to learn that you are not perfect and neither are we. Things are said for many reasons and if you are to survive in the world, as it is today, you'd better grow a tough skin. Just because someone says something that you didn't like for some reason, you do not have the right to judge them because you are so darn great. Because you aren't. Let me make a list of the things you have said or done wrong in your short lifetime and throw it in your face as a reason to dislike you and disrepect you.
Grow up and live the doctrine you profess to believe. Judge not lest ye be judged. Honor thy father and they mother so that you may live long and be happy on this earth.
What's the Difference Folks?
ISIS--an organization that calls itself the new Islamic state; wants to be the modern caliphate in the Middle East; murdering, raping, stealing, plundering it's own people and anyone else that gets in its way.
The Taliban--an organization that calls itself the new Muslim state; wants to be the Islamic caliphate in the entire world; murders, rapes, steals, plunders it's own people and anyone else that gets in their way.
What's the difference folks?
Really not much. They are both radical Muslim groups who want to take over as much area as possible by means of terror. To the extend that they do not care who they terrorize, as long as they get their own way. They both declare they are Muslims trying to make a better world thru the so called peaceful teachings of Mohammad. Well folks, Mohammad was not a peaceful person and neither are any of them.
Both organizations have made tapes and televised beheadings of individuals from different countries who have no connection to the ideology spread by terrorist affiliates; journalists, aid workers, various military members, and even members of religious help organizations. European nations have paid large sums of money to keep their citizens from meeting the fates that recent Americans and British citizens have met. And, yet most countries becry the fact that they do not negotiate with terrorists.
American citizens watch these televised recordings of American in horror and join the national outcry that our government does nothing to stop it. And, some Americans are asking the same questions that I ask. If the Taliban and now ISIS hate Americans, call us names, and behead us, why do they brag of the Americans and British citizens who have joined them in terror? I can't understand why Americans and British would want to join them; but, how do our citizens convince these organizations that they genuinely want to join in their causes and not be taken as spies trying only to infiltrate and destroy the Taliban and ISIS? Do these individuals just walk into the den of iniquity and say hi I'm here to help you out. I've been told that individuals are recruited online line by various other crazy individuals; but, you can't believe things that are posted online and I just can't see volunteering Americans filling out applications online. I'm baffled, truly baffled; or perhaps I am the nieve one.
Today, as I set reading news articles and trying to catch up on the current events, I ran across the article about Mrs. Foley's embarrassment and anger that the American government didn't do more to free her son. I remembered the article in early September about President Obama trading five Guantanamo detainees for Army Sergeant Bowe Berghdahl. And, I wonder, why would our government trade terrorist for a military member who according to his follow soldiers, left his post to join the enemy; but, it refused to do anything to free a journalist who was just doing his job. The whole time cajoling that our government doesn't negotiate with terrorists.
What is the difference folks? Someone out there please enlighten me because I do not see the difference. Isn't it better to save one sinner than to walk with the righteous forever? Set terrorists free that will one day return to kill more Americans, but set back and let terrorists behead innocent citizens and not lift a finger to stop them? What is the difference folks, cause I sure and heck don't get it.
The Taliban--an organization that calls itself the new Muslim state; wants to be the Islamic caliphate in the entire world; murders, rapes, steals, plunders it's own people and anyone else that gets in their way.
What's the difference folks?
Really not much. They are both radical Muslim groups who want to take over as much area as possible by means of terror. To the extend that they do not care who they terrorize, as long as they get their own way. They both declare they are Muslims trying to make a better world thru the so called peaceful teachings of Mohammad. Well folks, Mohammad was not a peaceful person and neither are any of them.
Both organizations have made tapes and televised beheadings of individuals from different countries who have no connection to the ideology spread by terrorist affiliates; journalists, aid workers, various military members, and even members of religious help organizations. European nations have paid large sums of money to keep their citizens from meeting the fates that recent Americans and British citizens have met. And, yet most countries becry the fact that they do not negotiate with terrorists.
American citizens watch these televised recordings of American in horror and join the national outcry that our government does nothing to stop it. And, some Americans are asking the same questions that I ask. If the Taliban and now ISIS hate Americans, call us names, and behead us, why do they brag of the Americans and British citizens who have joined them in terror? I can't understand why Americans and British would want to join them; but, how do our citizens convince these organizations that they genuinely want to join in their causes and not be taken as spies trying only to infiltrate and destroy the Taliban and ISIS? Do these individuals just walk into the den of iniquity and say hi I'm here to help you out. I've been told that individuals are recruited online line by various other crazy individuals; but, you can't believe things that are posted online and I just can't see volunteering Americans filling out applications online. I'm baffled, truly baffled; or perhaps I am the nieve one.
Today, as I set reading news articles and trying to catch up on the current events, I ran across the article about Mrs. Foley's embarrassment and anger that the American government didn't do more to free her son. I remembered the article in early September about President Obama trading five Guantanamo detainees for Army Sergeant Bowe Berghdahl. And, I wonder, why would our government trade terrorist for a military member who according to his follow soldiers, left his post to join the enemy; but, it refused to do anything to free a journalist who was just doing his job. The whole time cajoling that our government doesn't negotiate with terrorists.
What is the difference folks? Someone out there please enlighten me because I do not see the difference. Isn't it better to save one sinner than to walk with the righteous forever? Set terrorists free that will one day return to kill more Americans, but set back and let terrorists behead innocent citizens and not lift a finger to stop them? What is the difference folks, cause I sure and heck don't get it.
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