Our Resolve Will Not Waiver

I was traveling last year on September 11^th when I first heard about the attack on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.  Trust me - it’s unsettling enough to be at the airport on September 11^th, never mind when all the television screens are filled with news about a new attack and the loudspeaker is repeatedly announcing that the airport is on high alert.  Like many other Americans that day, I sat in stunned silence as we gathered around the television trying to hear more information.  It was a sad day that brought back a lot of feelings I had on that same day eleven years before, when four planes disrupted our clear September morning and changed our country forever.

The Benghazi attack killed four people, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and injured ten others.  Although at the time, the motive of the attack seemed to be unclear, a U. S. State Department investigation found the attack to be premeditated and carried out by Islamist militants.

There has been much controversy around how the United States, specifically the Department of State of President Obama responded to the attacks.  A Congressional investigation found more than twelve violent events during six months prior to the attack, and stated in their report that, “these events indicated a clear pattern of security threats that could only be reasonably interpreted to justify increased security at the compound.”  Yet, the Department of State ignored or denied requests from Benghazi for more guards at the compound and a security upgrade.  In addition, President Obama received much criticism regarding how he categorized the attack, with some news stations reporting he said the attack was a spontaneous protest that got out of hand, rather than a premeditated terror attack, while others said he was not forceful enough in denouncing terror.

The investigation as to who knew what and when did they know it, is currently underway.  Some say that foreign diplomats know and understand the risks they are taking when they are posted to embassies in dangerous locations.  In other words, it comes with the job, much like the military.  Others say this is a massive government cover-up that may derail President Obama’s second term.  So my question to you this week involves a little research.  First, spend a little time getting to know more about the attack and the foregoing investigation.  Then tell me, “What do you think about how the U.S. handled it?  Is it a massive cover-up, or is the media making too much of the story?  What should the United States have done differently?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, June 5^th, 2013. 

There's No Place Like Home - Part 2

The plan was to blog this week about the American embassy workers who were killed in attack on our embassy in Benghazi, Libya.  The investigation is currently under way as to who knew what and when they knew it.  Unfortunately, the events in Oklahoma this week have caused me to change topics.  You’ll have to stay tuned for Benghazi next week.

On Monday, a storm President Obama called, “one of the most destructive in history,” swept through Oklahoma, causing what some estimate to be $1 billion in damages.  The storm, which at some point was 2 miles wide and had winds over 200 mph left a 17 mile path of destruction.  As of the time of this writing, 237 people have been injured, 24 are confirmed dead and the numbers may be rising as people continue to sort through the rubble that was left in the storm’s wake.  To donate to the relief effort, or see how you can help, please go to: http://www.redcross.com/

A few weeks ago, we watched the movie The Inconvenient Truth in class and discussed your views on global warming.  I shared my thoughts and views that storms like this and Hurricane Sandy are only going to become more common place.  Here in Indiana it’s easy to get complacent about crazy weather. The sirens go off so much that many times, we tend to just ignore them. So my question to you this week is, “What is your plan for severe weather here in Indiana?  Do you respond to the emergency warnings?  What would have to happen for you to be more cautious?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, May 23^rd, 2013.

This spring has taught me just how deadly these storms can be – and how quickly they can go from bad to worse. It makes me sad to know that people had to lose so much for me to actually pay attention. So, I’m taking a vow. I’m promising to create a “weather kit” including flashlights, batteries, water, first aid and other items I may need in case of severe weather. Even more, I’m promising to start paying more attention to the sirens and actually take cover when they tell me to. A few hours lost by taking cover may just mean a few more lives saved. I hope you will pledge to join me in this endeavor – it’s the very least we can do. To those of you who have lost possessions, homes and loved ones during this storm season, my heart and prayers go out to you. 

P.S.  This weekend, many of us will enjoy a long weekend filled with cook-outs, family, friends and the Indy 500.  May we not forget the soldiers who have sacrificed so much.  Thank you – you are not forgotten.

Fight Like Hell - And Then Some

I don’t come from a family affected much by cancer.  We have heart disease and mental health issues, yes, but not cancer.  Thank God.  Just the word alone scares me.  CANCER.  Whether you choose chemotherapy, radiation, tumor removal or no treatment at all, there’s no doubt about it – if you hear the word cancer – you’ve got a fight on your hands.

According to the American Cancer Society, there are over 1.6 million new cases of cancer and over 580,000 new cases of cancer each year.  That means cancer kills roughly 1,600 people per day, making it the 2^nd most common cause of death in the United States.  What was even more shocking – the probability of developing cancer at some point in your life is 1:2 for men and 1:3 for women.  For men, the most common cancers are lung, prostrate and liver.  For women, the most common cancers are lung, breast and colorectal.

Like everyone else this week, I heard the news about Angelina Jolie coming forward to say she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy.  Jolie’s mother died at the young age of 56, after battling cancer for a decade.  After finding out through testing, that she had inherited a “faulty” gene which increased her breast cancer chances to 87%, Jolie opted for the procedure.  I have to say, it takes a lot of courage to undergo a double mastectomy – especially when there’s no sign you even have the disease yet.  Her openness about the decision and the treatment has no doubt, inspired many.  It got me thinking – what would I do to avoid cancer?  Would I change the way I live?  What I eat?  How I look?

So my question to you this week is, “Would you be willing to sacrifice a body part, if it meant lowering your risk of this dreaded disease?”  We’ve all heard about Race for a Cure, the Livestrong Foundation and the American Cancer Society – “Do you think more should be done to raise awareness about cancer?  Do you make conscience decisions to change your behavior to avoid it?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, May 22^nd, 2013. If you or a loved one has been affected by cancer, my heart and prayers go out to you.  If you feel up to sharing your testimony, please do so – you never know, it could save a life.

 

Kids Having Kids

This past week I read an article about Caitlin Tiller, a North Carolina high school senior whose picture was banned from the yearbook.  The graduating seniors had been invited to include something in the yearbook photo that represented one of their achievements.  Some students included instruments, sports equipment and pets in their photos.  Tiller included her young son.  Her photo was then banned by school administrators, and she was not able to submit a new one in time to make the printing of the yearbook.

Tiller said having her son as a teenager motivated her to not only finish high school, but start college early all while working 30 hours/week and taking care of her son.  The school administrators say the photo promotes and glorifies teen pregnancy. 

Only 50% of U.S. teen moms receive a high school diploma by the age of 22, so Tiller’s accomplishment of graduating on time, with the rest of her class is certainly an accomplishment.  In addition, as of 2011, teen pregnancy in the United States has reached an all-time low, although U.S. pregnancy rates are still twice as high as England or Canada, and eight times higher than the Netherlands and Japan.

You’ve all probably seen or heard of the controversial MTV show, Teen Mom, which follows the lives of four young women who had children while still teenagers in high school.  While some praise the show for depicting the real life struggles teen moms often go through, the show has also received criticism that they too glorify teen pregnancy and make celebrities out of teenagers who made bad decisions.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of Tiller’s case?  Does her photo and shows like Teen Mom promote teen pregnancy?  Our current methods don’t seem to be that effective, so how should we address the issue of pregnancy with teenagers?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, March 15^th, 2013.  Don’t forget – our fundraiser for the Julian Center, a domestic violence shelter here in Indianapolis is still going on.  You can access their wish list here http://www.juliancenter.org/Donate/Wish-List.aspx  and bring any of the items to class during the month of March.

Children Being Left Behind

I come from a family of teachers.  My mother has been a Kindergarten teacher for twenty-six years.  My aunt recently retired after thirty years as a 1^st grade teacher. My sister currently teaches at a public high school right here in Indianapolis, and I of course, teach here at AI.  So I know first-hand what teachers go through.  My sister spends countless unpaid hours grading papers, calling parents, buying her own supplies and attending the games of her students.  Whether is coaching Science Olympiad, chaperoning prom or cheering her students on from the sidelines, she’s a teacher that shows up.  We need more teachers like her – which is why it’s so sad that she’s thinking about quitting her profession.  With students that can’t read or write at the grade level they’re in, parents that don’t seem interested in their child’s learning, and an administration that pressures her to teach only what’s on the standardize test, she feels helpless.  She’s not the only one either.  Recently, a life-long educator posted this resignation letter, in which he comes to the realization that his chosen profession may no longer exist: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/04/06/teachers-resignation-letter-my-profession-no-longer-exists/

Standardized tests are supposed to accurately measure increases in student learning, and national standards are designed to make the United States a leader in education – but are they working?  Consider the following:

• In 2009, the United States ranked #21 out of 26 developed countries for high-school graduation rates.  Just twenty years prior, we were ranked #1.
• 85% of foreign exchange students say their U.S. classes are easier than classes in their native countries.
• In a standardized world assessment, given to students in 74 countries, the United States ranked #31 in Math, #23 in Science and #17 in reading.

There is no doubt that our education system is falling behind many other countries.  Some say more core, national standards are the answer, while others say standardized tests don’t take into account different learning styles.  Teachers now have bonuses and raises tied to how well their students perform – some of which, they have no control over.  Arts and music are being removed from curriculums all across the country and many school systems no longer have the budget for field trips and educational, hands-on experiences.  Parents blame the teachers, teachers blame the administrators and all the while our students suffer and fall farther and farther behind their peers.

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think should be done to fix our education system?  What kind of environment do you think students learn best in?  Do standardized tests help or hurt our education system?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, May 8^th, 2013.  P.S.  Recently, I had a student who specifically requested this topic – I won’t call you out by name, but you know who you are – this one’s for you!