Ain't got no learning?

Rating: MS
Why is it that everybody wants (expects) an education, but nobody wants to be educated? Schooling is required in America until one is 16, parents push their children when they are babies to get a head start on learning, finanical advisers help families save for college, and high schools report how many in their graduating class go on to higher education.
With all this education, people are still reluctant to look educated. Don't use big words, don't continue learning, don't make serious talk--small talk, please, etc.
I'm slightly provoked, realizing that there is so much out there that I will never learn.

Bicycle Courtesy

Rating: S
Just a few tips for sharing the trail.
1. If you're on a bicycle/jogging trail and someone wants to pass you, let them pass.
2. Keep it on your side of the trail--that would be the right side here in America.
3. I know you want to walk or ride with your buddy or buddies, but remember that there will be faster people who may pass you, so try not to overlap the middle too much.
4. Don't have your music so loud that you cannot hear people announce that they are passing.
5. Use common sense and courtesy.

Thanks.

Teachers Teaching Teachers

Rating: MS
I was pondering in the shower this morning. (Why is it always in the shower and me without a paper and pencil?) I was thinking how one of my former students is in graduate school and might have a teacher of one of his teachers. Then I thought how I could think of at least one other student of mine who has the possibility of having one of my former teachers as his teacher.
How strange is that? The student I had now having a teacher I once had. . .hm. . .
It is interesting to think that the same people who taught me may now be teaching the students I taught. Usually one doesn't think of it running that way; rather, they think of the students teaching others who teach others and so on.
I wonder what those teachers think of my students. I hope to be a credit to my teachers, and I hope they don't think, "Who taught you this stuff?"; or worse, having them think, "Didn't anybody teach you this?"
Conversely, I hope I can do my teachers the honor of having our mutual student say, "Oh yeah, that sounds like what Mrs. Laun taught me."

We'll Miss You, Thomas

Rating: MS [and a warning that some of the links may be a touch questionable for the faint of heart]

I found out just today that our friend Joe Kudla passed away on August 11, 2008. He was better known as Thomas Snot, the second half of Puke and Snot. These two hilarious, yet off-color (if you can't figure that out from their name), chaps entertained crowds at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. I understand he is being replaced with another actor, but he can never be replaced in our, well, um, nose? At least I have the CD.

My Pick for Prez

Rating: S

I know that the McCain campaign got an immense boost with his announcement of running mate. I've heard it said that people like her better than they like him. Don't get me wrong: I think Sarah Palin was a good option, but I like John McCain too.

Unless something MAJOR happens, I plan on voting for McCain. I was pretty sure, even during the primaries that I was voting for McCain. Why? Well, It goes back to the event I attended. Presidential election years always get one thinking about presidents. I attended this event at which John McCain spoke. I knew at the outset that he did not always toe the party line; he is a bit of a maverick (yes, that word's being tossed about frequently nowadays), but I listened to what he had to say. I don't remember word-for-word exactly all he said, but I did walk away thinking that what he had said was good and that he would make a good president.

Oh, yes, what was this event at which I saw and heard John McCain? The Minnesota State Fair, September 2004--when he was stumping for Bush.

Here are some more pictures of McCain, MN governor Tim Pawlenty, and the mayor of Garage Logic, Joe Soucheray.

A Questionable Vaccine

Rating: S
I’ve seen the commercials for the vaccine, and I know that some of the local doctors are vaccinating teens now—even some of the students at our school have had the vaccination. I don’t like it.
The vaccine is for HPV, the human papilloma virus. Young girls are encouraged to get it so that they can be protected against cervical cancer. The vaccine actually does not protect against cervical cancer, but against HPV, which is known to cause cancer and is a sexually transmitted disease. (Yes, I know hand/feet warts are a form of HPV, but then again, canker sores are a form of herpes, too—these aren’t considered STDs.)
Now, who wouldn’t want to prevent cervical cancer? Not me. I’m all for finding a cure for cancer and encouraging prevention thereof.
The problem is not cancer prevention. The problem is inoculating against HPV. I’m not one of those people you hear of who are anti-vaccine because they are anti-government or feel that vaccines weaken immune systems or something like that. I think children should be protected from contracting polio, smallpox, and the other debilitating disease for which children receive vaccines. No, my objection to the HPV vaccine is that there is a no-cost way to prevent contracting HPV. Don’t have sex before marriage, marry someone who did not have sex before marriage, and remain in a monogamous relationship.
The commercials show vibrant youth who say, “I want to be one less. . .” one less woman to have cervical cancer; then the commercial encourages people to protect their daughters. Protect them? Absolutely! By giving them a shot and saying, “You won’t get HPV now, so just remember to not get pregnant now as you have sex with anyone you choose. . .”? Absolutely not! If we truly want to protect our daughters and granddaughters, we will encourage them to save their bodies for marriage. Additionally, we will persuade our sons and grandsons to do the same. Love waits, not takes before the right time.

Faulty Logic?

Rating: It's a toss-up between S and CNS
So the anti-war protesters are protesting in St. Paul by burning cars and rioting. Um, excuse me, is it just me, or does something seem WRONG there? We're for peace, let's prove it with violence. Why on earth do these people not see their behavior as being in direct conflict with their actions. You know, the "talk the talk and walk the walk"? If you want peace, start by looking in a mirror. When you can sit down and talk calmly and rationally (with a particular emphasis on rationally), then you can expect the leaders to do the same. Until then, practice behaving yourself and maybe we'll take you seriously.