I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than eviltriumphant."
~ Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Right makes might, not vice versa
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Christian Nation?
For decades now, religious right-wingers have been telling us that we need to be a "Christian Nation," and that God is punishing us for permitting abortion and homosexuality. I've always held that America was founded on commerce, specifically mercantilism and imperialism dependent on slavery- not on the Bible or mighty, idealized Christian principles. I also have the philosophy that a "Christian Nation" begins at home- in other words, we all need to work on producing good fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. etc.) rather than trying to impose or legislate a religious morality.
But in the wake of yet another stock market dive and almost daily revelations about CEOs', Madoff, and the Bush Administration's abuses and misuses of money and government- someone said to me that we seem to be a LONG way from being a "Christian Nation," and that we seem to be a society based on greed , lobbying, deregulation, loopholes, off-the books accounting, mortgage-backed securities, schemes, plots, and getting richer quicker without any consideration of the impact on others. And Rush Limbaugh warns that the Democrats will take away our liberties. What he means is that they'll demand accountability and transparency so that the fat cats won't have the liberty to rob the rest of us blind anymore. We've already seen out privacy and Constitutional protections revoked by the Cheney/Bush government who eliminated habeus corpus, tortured and secretly listened to us.
I may sound like a liberal, even a (gasp) "socialist," and people may accuse me of inciting "class warfare," but the Bible I read says that it is "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matt 19:24, Mark 10:25, and Luke 18:25). I think that if we were to truly become a "Christian Nation," we would have to become our brothers' keepers. We should not just return the tax structure to what it was like under Reagan, but pre-Reagan (the middle class grew most robustly between 1932 and 1980). The Obama administration is finally starting to talk about the cost of health care and insurance, and it's high time.
The Republicans had control of all three branches of government under George W. Bush. Supposedly, their "base" are conservative-Christians. Not only did we lose our standing in the world in terms of foreign policy, but the current recession (some suspect depression) created by the supply-side, laissez faire economic faith worshiped so devoutly since Ronald Reagan began deregulating markets and busting unions, rhis recession is pulling the entire world's economics into crisis. This isn't God's divine retribution, but it IS direct result of our collective, corporate sin. The sins, not of homosexuality or abortion, or teaching evolution but the sins of greed, arrogance gluttony and avarice.
Gays and illegal immigrants aren't the problem. Iran and Iraq aren't the problem. Muslims and foreigners and Hollywood and high school and college science teachers aren't the problem. We're losing jobs and homes and insurance and benefits and maybe we want to blame Bernie Madoff or George Bush, but let's face it, as the cartoon character Pogo said back in the 50's, "we have met the enemy and he is us." Matthew 28 is important, Jesus did die for our sins so that we can join Him in Heaven someday, but you know what? Matthew 25 is ALSO important. If we aren't feeding the hungry, healing the sick, visiting those in prison, loving the unloved and unlovable- loving our neighbors and even our enemies- if we aren't caring for the poor, the aliens, the widows and orphans- if we are more intent on protecting our profits and avoiding taxes than sharing the fruit of our labor with others in need, then how DARE we call ourselves Christian, let alone a "Christian Nation."
But in the wake of yet another stock market dive and almost daily revelations about CEOs', Madoff, and the Bush Administration's abuses and misuses of money and government- someone said to me that we seem to be a LONG way from being a "Christian Nation," and that we seem to be a society based on greed , lobbying, deregulation, loopholes, off-the books accounting, mortgage-backed securities, schemes, plots, and getting richer quicker without any consideration of the impact on others. And Rush Limbaugh warns that the Democrats will take away our liberties. What he means is that they'll demand accountability and transparency so that the fat cats won't have the liberty to rob the rest of us blind anymore. We've already seen out privacy and Constitutional protections revoked by the Cheney/Bush government who eliminated habeus corpus, tortured and secretly listened to us.
I may sound like a liberal, even a (gasp) "socialist," and people may accuse me of inciting "class warfare," but the Bible I read says that it is "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matt 19:24, Mark 10:25, and Luke 18:25). I think that if we were to truly become a "Christian Nation," we would have to become our brothers' keepers. We should not just return the tax structure to what it was like under Reagan, but pre-Reagan (the middle class grew most robustly between 1932 and 1980). The Obama administration is finally starting to talk about the cost of health care and insurance, and it's high time.
The Republicans had control of all three branches of government under George W. Bush. Supposedly, their "base" are conservative-Christians. Not only did we lose our standing in the world in terms of foreign policy, but the current recession (some suspect depression) created by the supply-side, laissez faire economic faith worshiped so devoutly since Ronald Reagan began deregulating markets and busting unions, rhis recession is pulling the entire world's economics into crisis. This isn't God's divine retribution, but it IS direct result of our collective, corporate sin. The sins, not of homosexuality or abortion, or teaching evolution but the sins of greed, arrogance gluttony and avarice.
Gays and illegal immigrants aren't the problem. Iran and Iraq aren't the problem. Muslims and foreigners and Hollywood and high school and college science teachers aren't the problem. We're losing jobs and homes and insurance and benefits and maybe we want to blame Bernie Madoff or George Bush, but let's face it, as the cartoon character Pogo said back in the 50's, "we have met the enemy and he is us." Matthew 28 is important, Jesus did die for our sins so that we can join Him in Heaven someday, but you know what? Matthew 25 is ALSO important. If we aren't feeding the hungry, healing the sick, visiting those in prison, loving the unloved and unlovable- loving our neighbors and even our enemies- if we aren't caring for the poor, the aliens, the widows and orphans- if we are more intent on protecting our profits and avoiding taxes than sharing the fruit of our labor with others in need, then how DARE we call ourselves Christian, let alone a "Christian Nation."
"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?" ~James 2:5-7
Thursday, February 19, 2009
One of those Facebook things
Just for fun, fill this out about your years of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be!! REPORT with name of high school and graduating year in the subject box.
1. Did you date someone from your school?
Went out on a few "dates" with few girls, but never "went" with anybody. Too idealistic I guess, the girls I fell for just wanted to be friends and the girls that seemed interested in me, kinda freaked me out.
2. Did you marry someone from your high school?
No, I went to college to pick up an "MRS." degree.
Did you ever hear the one about the Art Major and the farmer's daughter?
3. Did you car pool to School?
Not really- Bike Freshman yr. Walk Sophomore yr.
"Crappy Blue Chevy Nova" Junior & Senior yrs.
4. What kind of car did you have?
A "Crappy Blue Chevy Nova," just like Eddie Murphy in "Beverly Hills Cop."
After two accidents it drove sideways and only the driver's side door would open.
5. What kind of car do you have now.
A 1995 Chevy S-10 pickup with 230,000 miles on it!
The only accident it's been in was with a deer.
6. Its Friday night...where are you in HS?
Cruising Central with Kevin and/or Seth and Mike. Sometimes at the movies with my best friend Dawn, if she didn't have a date with a REAL guy.
7. It is Friday night...where are you now?
Fall/Winter coaching the cheer squad at a FB or BB game.
Spring/Summer with my gorgeous wife and 3 beautiful, silly daughters
8. What kind of job did you have in high school?
Assistant Manager at Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors
9. What kind of job do you do now?
HS Art teacher, YrBk Advisor, Cheer Coach
10. Were you a party animal?
Not so much. I was more the 3-5 people with 2-3 beers or wine coolers type, rather than the 200 people and a bunch of kegs type.
12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
No, but a few lip syncs. Most of my friends were "Band-Fags" and I sat next to the band at football games, does that count?
13. Were you a nerd?
Depends on who you asked. I don't think I had good enough grades to be a nerd, but I don't think I was cool enough to not be.
14. Did you get suspended or expelled?
No, but seems like I remember conversations with the principal and vice principal about the limits of student press rights when I was editor of the school paper
15. Can you sing the alma matter?
It's Shadow Mountain, It's Shadow Mountain
The pride of every Matador
Sing of our honor, sing of our glory
It's Shadow Mountain now we're for.
Now and forever, always endeavor
To battle on to victory
For we will never stop 'til we're on top,
So fight on, Shadow Mountain, FIGHT
16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)?
Journalism Advisors- Knowles and Slye,
Hist.- Mrs. Hillsbeck, & Mr. Casa
Sci guy- Mr. Menke,
Eng- Mrs. Thompson
17. Where did you sit during lunch?
Outside at a table in front of the planters between the locker bay and the Coke machines.
Better yet, at Liberty Belle Pizza on Greenway
18. What was your school's full name?
Shadow Mountain High School
20. What was your school mascot?
Matadors
21. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Somedays, I would get better grades and not stress girls so much
22. Did you have fun at Prom?
Junior year I boycotted, Senior year I had a big crush on my date, but we were going as "just friends" because her boyfriend was in the navy (she got back together with him). The morning of I had a fever of 104 and was throwing up. So I got my friend Chris to taker her because he was on leave from the Marine Military Academy so he had an awesome dress uniform and wouldn't have to rent a tux. So now as a teacher, I loath having to chaperone or even take pictures at stupid, useless, expensive proms.
23. Do you talk to the person you went to Prom with?
(you mean who I was supposed to go to prom with?) Not a lot, but she's constantly poking me on Facebook!
24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion?
If time and money permit, or as they say here in Iowa, "Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise."
25. Do you still talk to people from school?
Just here on Facebook, which has been awesome.
1. Did you date someone from your school?
Went out on a few "dates" with few girls, but never "went" with anybody. Too idealistic I guess, the girls I fell for just wanted to be friends and the girls that seemed interested in me, kinda freaked me out.
2. Did you marry someone from your high school?
No, I went to college to pick up an "MRS." degree.
Did you ever hear the one about the Art Major and the farmer's daughter?
3. Did you car pool to School?
Not really- Bike Freshman yr. Walk Sophomore yr.
"Crappy Blue Chevy Nova" Junior & Senior yrs.
4. What kind of car did you have?
A "Crappy Blue Chevy Nova," just like Eddie Murphy in "Beverly Hills Cop."
After two accidents it drove sideways and only the driver's side door would open.
5. What kind of car do you have now.
A 1995 Chevy S-10 pickup with 230,000 miles on it!
The only accident it's been in was with a deer.
6. Its Friday night...where are you in HS?
Cruising Central with Kevin and/or Seth and Mike. Sometimes at the movies with my best friend Dawn, if she didn't have a date with a REAL guy.
7. It is Friday night...where are you now?
Fall/Winter coaching the cheer squad at a FB or BB game.
Spring/Summer with my gorgeous wife and 3 beautiful, silly daughters
8. What kind of job did you have in high school?
Assistant Manager at Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors
9. What kind of job do you do now?
HS Art teacher, YrBk Advisor, Cheer Coach
10. Were you a party animal?
Not so much. I was more the 3-5 people with 2-3 beers or wine coolers type, rather than the 200 people and a bunch of kegs type.
12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
No, but a few lip syncs. Most of my friends were "Band-Fags" and I sat next to the band at football games, does that count?
13. Were you a nerd?
Depends on who you asked. I don't think I had good enough grades to be a nerd, but I don't think I was cool enough to not be.
14. Did you get suspended or expelled?
No, but seems like I remember conversations with the principal and vice principal about the limits of student press rights when I was editor of the school paper
15. Can you sing the alma matter?
It's Shadow Mountain, It's Shadow Mountain
The pride of every Matador
Sing of our honor, sing of our glory
It's Shadow Mountain now we're for.
Now and forever, always endeavor
To battle on to victory
For we will never stop 'til we're on top,
So fight on, Shadow Mountain, FIGHT
16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)?
Journalism Advisors- Knowles and Slye,
Hist.- Mrs. Hillsbeck, & Mr. Casa
Sci guy- Mr. Menke,
Eng- Mrs. Thompson
17. Where did you sit during lunch?
Outside at a table in front of the planters between the locker bay and the Coke machines.
Better yet, at Liberty Belle Pizza on Greenway
18. What was your school's full name?
Shadow Mountain High School
20. What was your school mascot?
Matadors
21. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Somedays, I would get better grades and not stress girls so much
22. Did you have fun at Prom?
Junior year I boycotted, Senior year I had a big crush on my date, but we were going as "just friends" because her boyfriend was in the navy (she got back together with him). The morning of I had a fever of 104 and was throwing up. So I got my friend Chris to taker her because he was on leave from the Marine Military Academy so he had an awesome dress uniform and wouldn't have to rent a tux. So now as a teacher, I loath having to chaperone or even take pictures at stupid, useless, expensive proms.
23. Do you talk to the person you went to Prom with?
(you mean who I was supposed to go to prom with?) Not a lot, but she's constantly poking me on Facebook!
24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion?
If time and money permit, or as they say here in Iowa, "Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise."
25. Do you still talk to people from school?
Just here on Facebook, which has been awesome.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
25 Random Things; another goofy Facebook Thing
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)
1. This is the third time I've tried this because the first time, Facebook ate what I had written and as a result, the second time I did it I was a surly curmudgeon.
2. I'm nervous because I want to make this a wicked cool as the first one was, but I don't really remember much of what I wrote.
3. I spent the first 18 years of my life in the hot Phoenix sun, consequently, I'm looking forward to the Cardinals playing in the Super Bowl win or lose. I LOVE the Diamondbacks, although there's never going to be another team like 2001 with Johnson, Schilling, Grace, Gonzales, etc. etc.
4. For years I've been campaigning to get people to celebrate Arizona Statehood Day instead of Valentines on Feb. 14 and I love mountains, cacti, coyotes, cowboy movies, country music and Mexican food.
5. I've wanted to be a cartoonist since about 5th grade. I'm still an amateur, but I draw as often as I can and I post them at http://tedstoons.blogspot.com . I started in my high school newspaper and then the college newspaper. My editorial cartoons were published for a couple of years in the Charter Oak-Ute Newspaper, Schleswig Leader and Mapleton PRESS. People can even join my cartoon group here on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=19410678559
6. I struggled since about 8th grade with weather or not to become a pastor, but then a few years ago I read a book by Martin Luther called 'The Babylonian Captivity of the Church' (http://www.lutherdansk.dk/Web-Babylonian%20Captivitate/Martin%20Luther.htm ) where he explains that pastors are just people and I realized that actually it would be a pretty crappy job and actually, God has a lot more things for me to do, including being a dad, husband, teacher, and coach (and amateur cartoonist for that matter)
7. I'd wanted to be a newspaper columnist since Sophomore year of high school when I joined the school newspaper staff as cartoonist and had to write movie reviews and editorials. Later I became Art Director and finally Editor-in-Chief. Then I had a political column in my college newspaper. I did write a weekly column in the Charter Oak-Ute Newspaper, Schleswig Leader and Mapleton PRESS for around six years. My motto was "Sex, politics and religion- not necessarily in that order," and I tried to alternate between humor, faith, and politics, but got a little wound up by what I saw as the hypocrisy and idiocy of Bush, McCain, and Palin in this last election. You can read it all at http://tedscolumn.blogspot.com
8. I got a BSEd at Concordia University in Seward Nebraska, where I majored in 7-12 History and Art. That's were I met my soul mate, Bethany. Ever hear the one about the Art major and the farmer's daughter? She's a Neddermeyer from Charter Oak with a grandma in Ricketts. Find out about that tiny town here- http://rickettsiowa.blogspot.com
9. My freshman year of college I was on the football cheerleading squad.
10. Concordia placed us at Los Angeles Lutheran MS/HS in Sylmar and the first couple of years it felt like God was punishing me for something, but by the third year or so I feel like I'd become an "Angeleno" which someone once said is like a New Yorker, only on dacaf. Love it, miss it, but not enough to move back. Worried about friends in the fire a few months ago.
11. We lost our apartment in the 1994 Northridge 6.8 earthquake. I had post traumatic stress disorder for years afterward. Still don't like to feel like the ground is shaking underneath me. (trains, plane rides, bridges all give me trouble)
12. I taught History, Art, Newspaper and Yearbook at LALHS and became an elder and taught adult Bible Study at our Church. My wife taught MS History and Religion and became Spiritual Life Director (sort of a cross between chaplain and guidance counseling)
13. My wife was overloaded from coaching both MS and Varsity Cheerleading, our principle discovered in my files that I'd cheered in college and decided to have me coach MS Cheer. Eventually I got "promoted" to Varsity when my wife became Spiritual Life Director.
14. When we had our first daughter, Grace, we decided we wanted her to grow up able to play on grass rather than concrete and closer to grandparents and cousins, so we moved back to Iowa. Bethany is a elementary guidance counselor and English teacher in Mapleton- 16 miles North of Charter Oak and I teach Art, Yearbook, Web Design and coach BOTH MS and Varsity Cheerleading at Boyer Valley- 16 miles South of Charter Oak, that's why we live across the street from the high school in Charter Oak
15. I'm the only male cheer coach at the MS/HS levels that I know of, although there are tons of guys who coach college and all-star squads or work for camp/clinic associations- but they're all way better athletes, and better cheerleaders than me. Some days I feel like Tommy Lee Jones in that movie 'Man of the House,' but mostly I enjoy it because over the years I've had the privilege to hopefully be a father figure or mentor for tons of amazing, brilliant, and talented young women (and a few dudes too, but they were all mascots). You can see my squad at- http://www.cheercoach.blogspot.com
16. My first MS Cheer squad back in 1993 called me "Pappa Bear."
17. If you haven't figured out, I'm kind of a blog-a-holic
18. I have three beautiful little girls, ages 3, 7, and 9. The 7 year old wants to be a cheerleader, of course she also wants to be a pop star like Hannah Montana. The 3 year old wants to be a baseball player (not softball, baseball) and the 9 year old wants to be a farmer (but in Hawaii, not Iowa)
19. Sometimes I miss teaching at a Christian school. For a few years my wife and I were the Youth Counselors for our church. We even went to national gatherings in New Orleans and Orlando. Life with 3 little girls got kinda busy for that, so now instead, my wife leads music for PK-8 Sunday School and I teach high school Bible Study (when kids actually show up.) I think my politics are usually too progressive to have ever been a Missouri Synod Lutheran pastor, but I found a vent for my spiritual, theological, and ecumenical rants on my "Pirate's Blog" at- http://malloryprayer.blogspot.com (did I mention that I'm addicted to blogging?)
20. I originally caucused for Bill Richardson (got to meet him & shake his hand once) but I'm very glad that Obama was elected President. I think his inaugural really paralleled FDR's first inaugural in a lot of ways and I hope that he can handle the massive responsibility and expectations we've piled on him.
21. I like jazz, blues, urban Gospel and vintage R&B, but also U2, Billy Joel and George Straight, but my all time favorite kind of music is anything by Jimmy Buffett
22. I dabble in photography and graphic design (comes from working for the newspaper in the summer and the yearbook, school newsletter, and school website all year) you can sample some of my work, especially if you need some freelance work done at- http://mal-com.blogspot.com
23. Sometimes I'll paint a little and I'm always experimenting with my digital camera. You can see some of my "artsy" stuff at http://malloryart.blogspot.com (did I mention I'm addicted to blogging?)
24. Last summer my triglycerides were way too high and my doctor said I was "pre-diabetic." I switched to decaf (I used to down 6-8 cups a day), cut out carbs and tried to eat less and to walk every day. Somehow I lost somewhere between 25-30 pounds, but I've kind of leveled off and wish I could keep losing, but darn it, I like food. I check my blood glucose levels every other day and so far they're where they're supposed to be and my blood pressure's a lot lower too.
25. I can't believe I got this dumb thing done. Hope Facebook doesn't make it disappear again. I want to totally apologize to everyone who thinks this is too long or boring, and your welcome to anyone who feels like it helped you get to know me better (assuming you wanted to, sorry again if you didn't)
(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)
1. This is the third time I've tried this because the first time, Facebook ate what I had written and as a result, the second time I did it I was a surly curmudgeon.
2. I'm nervous because I want to make this a wicked cool as the first one was, but I don't really remember much of what I wrote.
3. I spent the first 18 years of my life in the hot Phoenix sun, consequently, I'm looking forward to the Cardinals playing in the Super Bowl win or lose. I LOVE the Diamondbacks, although there's never going to be another team like 2001 with Johnson, Schilling, Grace, Gonzales, etc. etc.
4. For years I've been campaigning to get people to celebrate Arizona Statehood Day instead of Valentines on Feb. 14 and I love mountains, cacti, coyotes, cowboy movies, country music and Mexican food.
5. I've wanted to be a cartoonist since about 5th grade. I'm still an amateur, but I draw as often as I can and I post them at http://tedstoons.blogspot.
6. I struggled since about 8th grade with weather or not to become a pastor, but then a few years ago I read a book by Martin Luther called 'The Babylonian Captivity of the Church' (http://www.lutherdansk.dk/
7. I'd wanted to be a newspaper columnist since Sophomore year of high school when I joined the school newspaper staff as cartoonist and had to write movie reviews and editorials. Later I became Art Director and finally Editor-in-Chief. Then I had a political column in my college newspaper. I did write a weekly column in the Charter Oak-Ute Newspaper, Schleswig Leader and Mapleton PRESS for around six years. My motto was "Sex, politics and religion- not necessarily in that order," and I tried to alternate between humor, faith, and politics, but got a little wound up by what I saw as the hypocrisy and idiocy of Bush, McCain, and Palin in this last election. You can read it all at http://tedscolumn.blogspot
8. I got a BSEd at Concordia University in Seward Nebraska, where I majored in 7-12 History and Art. That's were I met my soul mate, Bethany. Ever hear the one about the Art major and the farmer's daughter? She's a Neddermeyer from Charter Oak with a grandma in Ricketts. Find out about that tiny town here- http://rickettsiowa.blogsp
9. My freshman year of college I was on the football cheerleading squad.
10. Concordia placed us at Los Angeles Lutheran MS/HS in Sylmar and the first couple of years it felt like God was punishing me for something, but by the third year or so I feel like I'd become an "Angeleno" which someone once said is like a New Yorker, only on dacaf. Love it, miss it, but not enough to move back. Worried about friends in the fire a few months ago.
11. We lost our apartment in the 1994 Northridge 6.8 earthquake. I had post traumatic stress disorder for years afterward. Still don't like to feel like the ground is shaking underneath me. (trains, plane rides, bridges all give me trouble)
12. I taught History, Art, Newspaper and Yearbook at LALHS and became an elder and taught adult Bible Study at our Church. My wife taught MS History and Religion and became Spiritual Life Director (sort of a cross between chaplain and guidance counseling)
13. My wife was overloaded from coaching both MS and Varsity Cheerleading, our principle discovered in my files that I'd cheered in college and decided to have me coach MS Cheer. Eventually I got "promoted" to Varsity when my wife became Spiritual Life Director.
14. When we had our first daughter, Grace, we decided we wanted her to grow up able to play on grass rather than concrete and closer to grandparents and cousins, so we moved back to Iowa. Bethany is a elementary guidance counselor and English teacher in Mapleton- 16 miles North of Charter Oak and I teach Art, Yearbook, Web Design and coach BOTH MS and Varsity Cheerleading at Boyer Valley- 16 miles South of Charter Oak, that's why we live across the street from the high school in Charter Oak
15. I'm the only male cheer coach at the MS/HS levels that I know of, although there are tons of guys who coach college and all-star squads or work for camp/clinic associations- but they're all way better athletes, and better cheerleaders than me. Some days I feel like Tommy Lee Jones in that movie 'Man of the House,' but mostly I enjoy it because over the years I've had the privilege to hopefully be a father figure or mentor for tons of amazing, brilliant, and talented young women (and a few dudes too, but they were all mascots). You can see my squad at- http://www.cheercoach.blog
16. My first MS Cheer squad back in 1993 called me "Pappa Bear."
17. If you haven't figured out, I'm kind of a blog-a-holic
18. I have three beautiful little girls, ages 3, 7, and 9. The 7 year old wants to be a cheerleader, of course she also wants to be a pop star like Hannah Montana. The 3 year old wants to be a baseball player (not softball, baseball) and the 9 year old wants to be a farmer (but in Hawaii, not Iowa)
19. Sometimes I miss teaching at a Christian school. For a few years my wife and I were the Youth Counselors for our church. We even went to national gatherings in New Orleans and Orlando. Life with 3 little girls got kinda busy for that, so now instead, my wife leads music for PK-8 Sunday School and I teach high school Bible Study (when kids actually show up.) I think my politics are usually too progressive to have ever been a Missouri Synod Lutheran pastor, but I found a vent for my spiritual, theological, and ecumenical rants on my "Pirate's Blog" at- http://malloryprayer.blogs
20. I originally caucused for Bill Richardson (got to meet him & shake his hand once) but I'm very glad that Obama was elected President. I think his inaugural really paralleled FDR's first inaugural in a lot of ways and I hope that he can handle the massive responsibility and expectations we've piled on him.
21. I like jazz, blues, urban Gospel and vintage R&B, but also U2, Billy Joel and George Straight, but my all time favorite kind of music is anything by Jimmy Buffett
22. I dabble in photography and graphic design (comes from working for the newspaper in the summer and the yearbook, school newsletter, and school website all year) you can sample some of my work, especially if you need some freelance work done at- http://mal-com.blogspot.co
23. Sometimes I'll paint a little and I'm always experimenting with my digital camera. You can see some of my "artsy" stuff at http://malloryart.blogspot
24. Last summer my triglycerides were way too high and my doctor said I was "pre-diabetic." I switched to decaf (I used to down 6-8 cups a day), cut out carbs and tried to eat less and to walk every day. Somehow I lost somewhere between 25-30 pounds, but I've kind of leveled off and wish I could keep losing, but darn it, I like food. I check my blood glucose levels every other day and so far they're where they're supposed to be and my blood pressure's a lot lower too.
25. I can't believe I got this dumb thing done. Hope Facebook doesn't make it disappear again. I want to totally apologize to everyone who thinks this is too long or boring, and your welcome to anyone who feels like it helped you get to know me better (assuming you wanted to, sorry again if you didn't)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Feel like every Valentines is a Friday the 13th?
If you're looking for an alternative to the cynical, commercial exploitation of Valentine's Day? Then THIS YEAR, celebrate a better day. Spread the word about the better February 14 holiday- Arizona Statehood Day!
Learn how you can help by re-reading some of my annual Arizona Statehood Day columns:
http://tedscolumn.blogspot.com/search/label/Arizona%20Statehood%20Day
MySpace Countdowns
From the "Let's say no" Facebook Group
Subject: Editorial in Thursday's Register
For those of you who didn't see Thursday's editorial in the Register, here it is.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com%2Farticle%2F20090212%2FOPINION03%2F902120348%2F1110
I don't know what they think "quality education" and "prudent" use of taxpayers' money is, but if they're trying to hold up Des Moines Schools or most other large schools in this state as an example, then they're sadly mistaken.
Senator Matt McCoy wants to close rural Iowa's schools. Let's say no.
I encourage all of you to write a letter to the editor or comment on the Register's website for this editorial. Blatant disregard for facts cannot be allowed to go unnoticed.
For my part, I penned a rather lengthy Op Ed (I used to work at a student newspaper in college), the text of which I am posting to the group within the next few minutes. If people would kindly send me the email address of their local newspaper, I would like to get this out to as many publications in the state as possible, in order to attempt to get the facts straight on this issue.
For those of you who didn't see Thursday's editorial in the Register, here it is.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com%2Farticle%2F20090212%2FOPINION03%2F902120348%2F1110
I don't know what they think "quality education" and "prudent" use of taxpayers' money is, but if they're trying to hold up Des Moines Schools or most other large schools in this state as an example, then they're sadly mistaken.
Senator Matt McCoy wants to close rural Iowa's schools. Let's say no.
I encourage all of you to write a letter to the editor or comment on the Register's website for this editorial. Blatant disregard for facts cannot be allowed to go unnoticed.
For my part, I penned a rather lengthy Op Ed (I used to work at a student newspaper in college), the text of which I am posting to the group within the next few minutes. If people would kindly send me the email address of their local newspaper, I would like to get this out to as many publications in the state as possible, in order to attempt to get the facts straight on this issue.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Senator Matt McCoy wants to close rural Iowa's schools. Let's say no.
If you haven't seen, Iowa State Senator Matt McCoy (D-Des Moines), is going to introduce legislation that will force all Iowa schools with an enrollment of less than 750 students to consolidate by 2013. That would involve closing a tremendous number of school districts in this state. Not surprisingly, most of these are in the vast rural areas of this state. Apparently Senator McCoy doesn't quite understand who he's prepared to mess with. From what was said on the news today, he's prepared to consolidate all school districts with fewer than 750 students. The list of schools on the block under this plan is available from the Des Moines Register's website: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090211/NEWS/902110359/1001/NEWS?GID=JXSieveEMdRN5vs/fodlDqD+57rDV0k0LWryRjdRhrQ%3D
Senator McCoy represents the 31st district, a 12-square-mile area in south-central Des Moines (http://www.legis.state.ia.us/GA/83GA/Senate/DistrictInfo/31.pdf). Draw your own conclusions.
Find your legislators:
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/
Contact your legislators:
http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?ch=s&ga=83- state senate
http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?ch=h&ga=83- state house
INVITE YOUR SMALL-SCHOOL FRIENDS!!!
OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE, AND OUR RIGHTS WE SHALL MAINTAIN. -State motto
Email McCoy and complain: matt.mccoy@legis.state.ia.us
Map showing the schools that Senator McCoy proposes to close and consolidate, as well as the extent of his Senate district
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=117206579805872086762.000462a9d0ce83f32268f&ll=41.547131,-93.594246&spn=0.178321,0.44632&z=12
Rural Iowans denounce school-district merger idea
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090211/NEWS02/902110364
Iowa Lawmaker Proposes Forced School Mergers
http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-school-consolidations-021009,0,5465007.story
School Merger Bill To Impact Most Districts
http://www.kcci.com/education/18682071/detail.html
Iowa lawmaker proposes forced school mergers
http://www.myabc5.com/Global/story.asp?S=9819834&nav=menu115_2_5
Legislator wants to force rapid school consolidations
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902100400
The Des Moines Register had a couple of pieces about this in today's paper. What are they THINKING? Schools are a vital part of the economy of small communities. But more importantly, Iowa's once great reputation for excellence in education was due to it's small schools! Individual attention from teachers, accountability, involvement in more activities and sports, tight knit communities... Need I go on?
Please join this Facebook group, even if you're out of school- even if you're not in or from Iowa. We HAVE to make a stand http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=68006796920
Senator McCoy represents the 31st district, a 12-square-mile area in south-central Des Moines (http://www.legis.state.ia.us/GA/83GA/Senate/DistrictInfo/31.pdf). Draw your own conclusions.
Find your legislators:
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/
Contact your legislators:
http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?ch=s&ga=83- state senate
http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?ch=h&ga=83- state house
INVITE YOUR SMALL-SCHOOL FRIENDS!!!
OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE, AND OUR RIGHTS WE SHALL MAINTAIN. -State motto
Email McCoy and complain: matt.mccoy@legis.state.ia.us
Map showing the schools that Senator McCoy proposes to close and consolidate, as well as the extent of his Senate district
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=117206579805872086762.000462a9d0ce83f32268f&ll=41.547131,-93.594246&spn=0.178321,0.44632&z=12
Rural Iowans denounce school-district merger idea
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090211/NEWS02/902110364
Iowa Lawmaker Proposes Forced School Mergers
http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-school-consolidations-021009,0,5465007.story
School Merger Bill To Impact Most Districts
http://www.kcci.com/education/18682071/detail.html
Iowa lawmaker proposes forced school mergers
http://www.myabc5.com/Global/story.asp?S=9819834&nav=menu115_2_5
Legislator wants to force rapid school consolidations
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902100400
The Des Moines Register had a couple of pieces about this in today's paper. What are they THINKING? Schools are a vital part of the economy of small communities. But more importantly, Iowa's once great reputation for excellence in education was due to it's small schools! Individual attention from teachers, accountability, involvement in more activities and sports, tight knit communities... Need I go on?
Please join this Facebook group, even if you're out of school- even if you're not in or from Iowa. We HAVE to make a stand http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=68006796920
Macro studies
I was teaching my photography class about short focal length and macro shots. So, I took some along with them and these are what I got. I think that the shot of the student above reminds me of some of Steiglitz's pictures of Georgia O'Keefe. And of course there are some Christmas Cactus blooms and an aloe, which are a lot like O'Keefe paintings.
King needs history lesson about New Deal
From the Omaha World Herald; MIDLANDS VOICES
Facts are against New Deal’s foes
BY JIM BECHTEL
The writer, of Omaha, teaches at a local community college. He holds a master’s degree in modern American history.
In a Feb. 6 Midlands Voices essay, U.S. Rep. Steve King, (R) Iowa, echoes claims made by Wall Street Journal editors and Public Pulse writers: The New Deal is a bad model for President Barack Obama’s recovery program because it failed. This is untrue.
Historian David McCullough warns that amnesia is as harmful for a country as it is for an individual. Let’s remember the realities.
In the first place, the New Deal consisted of many parts, including bank deposit insurance (there were 4,004 bank failures the year before it began, zero the year after), Social Security, unemployment compensation, accessible Federal Housing Administration mortgages, a minimum wage and the Glass-Steagall Act, which separated risky investment banking from commercial banking. (This was later rescinded, to our current misfortune.) Because it was so successful, the New Deal was overwhelmingly endorsed by Americans the first chance they had. In the 1934 midterm elections, the Republican Party suffered its worst defeat since its founding. Some haven’t gotten over it.
Then, as now, collapse meant private investment had dried up, so public investment had to fill the gap. Public workers built New York City’s Triborough Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel and the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. They went to work on 2,500 hospitals, 45,000 schools, 13,000 parks and playgrounds, 7,800 bridges, 700,000 miles of roads and a thousand airfields.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha has a grand old building, built by the Works Progress Administration, that is still in use three-quarters of a century later. Now called Arts and Sciences Hall, you can see it at the northeast corner of the campus as you drive down Dodge Street.
It’s ironic that the South has become the core of the Republican base. History texts note that the modern South was born as a result of New Deal programs. For example, the Tennessee Valley Authority, championed by Nebraska’s own U.S. Sen. George W. Norris, brought progress to many parts of Appalachia. Cheap electricity from its hydroelectric plants sparked the rebirth of Memphis, Tenn., and Atlanta.
With millions of workers rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, as President Obama proposes doing, the unemployment rate dropped by nearly 43 percent [I had "an average of five perect a year"] from 1933 to 1937! This is a simple fact of record.
Now, unemployment did bounce back up in 1937 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt, listening to conservatives, thought the economy had recovered enough that he could cut social programs. This “turn to the right,” as it has been called, taught him a lesson. He resumed the stimulus programs, and unemployment resumed its steady downward march.
Congressman King claims that the Depression was the “result” of the New Deal. This defies logic: A “result” must, by definition, come after its cause. The New Deal was launched in response to 25 percent unemployment. You can rewrite history, but you can’t make time run backward. As the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan used to say, everyone is entitled to his own opinions, but not to his own facts.
And yet, right-wing publicists like Amity Shlaes persist in claiming the New Deal failed. How do they get away with it? Simple. They say “temporary jobs in emergency programs” don’t count. That is, if your paycheck came from the WPA, then building that grand old structure at UNO was somehow not a “real” job.
Never mind increased pride in being usefully employed or the new shoes for the kids and the food on the kitchen table. Forget the grocer’s smile; ignore the decrease in human suffering. The jobs must be erased from history because they fly in the face of fervently held ideological dogmas about supply-side economics.
It seems like the obstructionists in Congress would rather sacrifice the common good to their “Invisible Hand” mythology and subordinate the public interest to partisanship.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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