Tag Archives: education

Was It All Bad Parenting?

” There is no such thing as right and wrong, there’ s just popular opinion.” – Twelve Monkeys



I’ld like to make a short observation about something I heard recently. The following line was uttered at my job “…it just figures that you let these people in this country and they take everything while the rest of us who have been here since the beginning don’t get anything…” . Stunned? Probably not. This is the kind of short sighted and bigoted nonsense we’ve come to expect in this country. I expect it to come from some ignorant, WASPish, son-of-a-bitch bread by some uneducated red-necks from ass fuck Tennessee. My surprise when I see the face of a woman of Black ancestry (I’m working on racial definitions using federal and state government guidelines. I’ll save that rant for another time.) . The first sentence that came to mind was, “You ignorant bitch. This country, nevermind this lovely little city you’ve settled in, was built around hard working immigrants. While your ever widening ass sits in an office bitching about how people are taking all your opportunities, the filing and typing you decided is below you is piling up you loud mouth hog.” The rage that builds in me when I hear this crap makes me want to spit. Breathe James… Breathe…..



On the news front, I didn’t even realize that Terry Nichols hadn’t been sentenced yet. For those that do not recall the Oklahoma City bombing, you’ll find a series of links with the article. I tried to wrap my mind around the concept of 161 life sentences. I haven’t developed a full opinion regarding capital punishment in this case (historically I am against it), but if he truly did this crime, and he states he did, how can you not end this man’s existence? One hundred and sixty one people dead by his actions. I shiver when I think of the children in the day care.

Speaking of children, this lovely article regarding youth violence in Japan grabbed my attention. Don’t make the instant judgment that Anime and the internet are to blame. Those of you that watch Cartoon Network, like I do, have seen Japanese Anime in its cutest form. You may also have seen some anime on G4Tech TV in its slightly grittier form. I am a fan of most anime and have seen movies that run up and down the violence gauge. I find this argument parallels a lot of what I hear regarding kids here in the states and television/video games industry. Many people wish to blame a variety of media for the problems and violence of our youth today. Let someone who works on the front lines clear things up… It’s not the media, it is the lack of parenting. When you park a child infront of a device to do what you don’t have the patience to do (namely educate your child), you are at the mercy of whatever image flies across the screen. When you don’t take an interest on wether your child is watching an educational program or Jerry Springer, it is your fault as a parent. If we stopped and looked at what was being done to our children, not by the media, but by we “responsible” parents, I believe we could all be taken to task for our failures.

And so comes the end of my time as your guest blogger. I hope you have enjoyed my baby induced ramblings. If you wish to continue sharing in my insanity, you will be able to find me on my blog, Foggy Recollections. You will excuse it’s very basic look as I’m still in development. Enjoy my brother’s view on the world, but remember… He lives in Amsterdam! The boy has got to be high sometime!







Today’s Music: Ok fine I listened to a Muppet Show CD most of the last 2 days. Back off man!

Bile, Fear, and Depp

“Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony”

– Monty Python and the Holy Grail

I work in Newark, New Jersey. Sound familiar? Maybe you saw an article in a newspaper? Yes, lovely Newark was named as one of the location as a possible target for an attack. Hopefully by now you’ve read the fact that’s the information they received was possibly outdated, however, all I can think about is the building they named. The Prudential Building is a very tall structure situated in the middle of Downtown Newark. Yet another little factoid is, the Newark Board of Education is one block over. My office window faces the Prudential Building and I am close enough that on a very overcast day I can almost see in the building.





These facts didn’t strike me right away. I drove right by the building on my way to work, parked my car in the over-priced parking lot, and proceeded to walk towards my building. My entrance into the lobby was heralded with the following greeting, “Please have your employee IDs ready to be checked as you enter the building.” For the last two years, I have only had to show my ID the first day. Since then, I made it a point to greet every security guard in the building. The wise person knows who the people are who truly have control. I found it tedious yet I showed my Driver’s License and promised to bring in my ID tomorrow (which I did). I got into my office and began to go about my day.





My eyes wandered out my window towards the building in question. It’s so very close. I wondered what would happen to me if something did truly occur. I quickly shoved that thought out of my mind and went about my routine. At the end of the long work day, I got into my car and began my commute home. As I approached the building, I found myself getting anxious that the lights were taking too long to change. I tapped my finger impatiently as I waited at the light directly across from the building. I felt fear in the pit of my stomach. Just the fact that I did not know what was to happen next in this colossal structure was enough to make me want to travel just a little faster down this road to get out of the area and safely towards my destination. What was I allowing these threats to do to me? My thoughts then wander to the poor citizens of war torn countries. The fear they must feel on a daily basis. The courage it must take to walk out of there homes and go to work knowing that the chance are good (much better than in my case) that something may happen to them. I felt shame in my cowardice. I’m not quite sure where I am going with this, I just felt I needed to express it somewhere to get it into the open.



Today’s Music: Lamb – Between Darkness and Wonder (I dunno quite how I feel about it)

Today’s Movie: Once Upon a Time in Mexico (Weird choice for Depp. The movie hasn’t settled well with me. I need a second viewing.)


An Interloper Enters…

Rev. 9:2  And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

 

Greetings to all the readers of the experience that is “Bicyclemark’s Communique”!  As Mark so eloquently introduced me, I’m Big Daddy J (James being my given name) and I am honored to be your guestblogger for the next few postings.  I hope I can maintain the level of integrity and professionalism that this blog is known for.  Enough butt smooching…

 

Who is Big Daddy?  Mark’s introduction was pretty accurate but allow me to differentiate myself from my sibling.  I am a Certified School Social Worker and the placement officer for the Newark NJ school district.  Basically I find classes for special education students and do a variety of state and federal reporting.  I am a registered Independent but I don’t stick to any particular line.  When it comes to politics, I tend to look more locally then globally which I am sure you’ll notice in my postings.  I get my news on-line mostly from Yahoo News which I’m sure I’ll get flack for.  If you have any decent suggestions for other places to get news, I am open to it (first person to point me to NY Times gets the Captain Obvious award).  My other favorite news source is The Daily Show, but that’s just sheer entertainment baby.  I am a computer game addict (Everquest being my drug of choice) and I refuse to quit so back off man!  Music and movies are my other obsessions, so you can expect some of that in my blog posts as well.  Ok, Enough intro…

 

Someone explain to me the kidnappings and bombings currently occurring in Iraq.  Yes its people reacting to a perceived puppet government established by an unlawful invading force.  Yes its a method to achieve change and movement towards their goal.  However, I cannot understand the bloodshed of their own people to achieve this means.  Example, what did this car bombing accomplish?  An insurgent attack against innocent families just trying to survive.  Let’s not remove our focus from Afghanistan either.  Groups just trying to provide aid and support are becoming targets for, what I can only assume, madmen blaming independent service organizations for what has happened in their countries.  What becomes the answer then?  A mass pullout of all armed forces, supplemental service personnel, and independent services groups and contractors?  How do these countries, that have been devastated by our political leaders actions, rebuild without the support of outside agencies and governments?  Do we believe that the daily violence will stop if a United Nations peacekeeping force was in place?  Educate me…

 

Lighter note…  I’ve become a big fan of the Independent Film Channel.  I especially enjoy their short films.  I was touched by a particular short on Monday titled Souvenir Views.  If you can find this anywhere, please give it a good viewing.  The courage and beauty of his trip just made me think of Mark. 

 

I will be continuing the music recommendations (as seen below), but you can also expect some music ranting and raving as well from time to time.

 

Until tomorrow…  Be well John Spartan. 

  

   

Today’s Music: The Cure – The Cure (A glorious return to where they belong)

Presenting Big Daddy J

Good people of the blogosphere, first time visitors, loyalists, friends, Romans.. I give you the guest blogger for the next two weeks: My brother (I mean that both literally and in the “ma brotha” sort of way as well)- Big Daddy J

What can I say about this individual, besides coming from a fabulous family, he’s a professional in the Social Work field within the education system in the city of our birth(s). He’s skilled in the realm of computer games, a connoisseur of adult-swim cartoons, and a bit of a legend in the central Jersey bowling world. He’s tri-lingual and bi-pedal (two-leg walker). He and his wife recently had a son, my nephew, who’s now over two months old. The rest, well, is up to him to share. I simply wanted to properly introduce this guestblogger who will begin blogging on Wednesday. (commence standing-at-your-computer ovation)

If you check my site-stats, you’ll find my blog has gotten big in China. I’m very excited about that, I recently sent my personal envoy “Ed” to Beijing. I don’t suppose he’s spreading the word about blogging, but apparently –as Leonard and the Asia Times have been talking about – blogging in general is growing in China. While I’ve yet to experience it for myself, I think regardless of the thousands of “web police” the Chinese government has, webloggers will find a way. Much like an old dam trying to hold back a swelling river, they will eventually prove too many for the “censors.” The same happened with capitalism and globalization; despite the rhetoric of the governing party, they have allowed an incredible amount of “capitalism” into China, and seemingly – will continue to do so. I’m not saying its a good thing, just inevitable. And hey, I appreciate all those Chinese readers out there — welcome! Feel free to comment and join the often-heated debates.

The UNDP’s (United Nations development Program) 2004 Human development Report came out and according to the report, in terms of quality of life… Or as they put it

“A composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development?a long and healthy life, knowledge and a decent standard of living.”

The Netherlands is number 5 on that list! Just a little reminder of why I chose to move here. I wasn’t so shocked to see Norway as number 1, followed by Sweden, Australia, and Canada – also places I’d consider moving too. The US was 8th, Uk 12th, and just to give you an idea Sierra Leone and Niger were at the bottom. No offense to them. I should add, I would enjoy visiting those countries. I recommend browsing around the report because it’s loaded with good info.

I added Chris Missick to the unfed blogroll, at last. He’s the soldier in Iraq that I’ve previously mentioned, and I enjoy the conversations we have via blog and email. I even noticed – i think – that he refers to me in a recent post! I think I’ll return the compliment with a trackback.

So for now I take my leave, off to Portugal for a much anticipated vacation. Look for me in Lisbon if you’re in the neighborhood. Stay tuned for more fun this week with me and my guestblogger.

Today’s Music: Prince- Rainbow Children (very gospel)

Check Mate

Just as I was about to blog, I looked up from my laptop and there was a Chil?an friend with a very familiar object in front of him – a Mat? cup.

I smiled a familiar smile and before I could even ask, he was already offering to share his mat? with me. I’ve been a amateur mat? drinker for a few years, but this was an education and a half. I had no idea how social of a drink Mat? is. I did know that it has some health benefits and the manner in which it is farmed has been described as very eco-friendly. Wikipedia has tons of excellent facts on mat?, though it comes accross as rather skeptical. All in all it was a lovely hour or so of chatting about mat?, Chil?, Argentina, and anecdotal stories about government officials always drinking mat?. I’m left wondering if at this very moment I’m experiencing the hallucinogenic effects that are rumored to follow.

I was listening to Pacifica’s WBAI alot this week and I heard a reference to the following article written by a piano tuner, about his experiences traveling Iraq just to see things for himself. I think it’s an incredible article and it’s inspiring. Great editor’s note in the beginning:

Editor’s note: New Haven’s Daniel Smith, a piano tuner by trade, likes to vacation in world hot spots to see for himself, without mass-media blinders, how people are faring and what they’re thinking. He traveled to Iraq just as the U.S. nominally handed power over to the country’s own rulers. First stop: northern Iraq.

I hope to someday be able to do similar things – visiting places and experiencing for myself what is really going on there. In general, according to this article.. the situation in Iraq is in fact chaotic. Yet the chaos isn’t all bad, despite the enormous amounts of problems and potential for further trouble in the coming years, there seems to be an underlying good there. I wonder what Chris Missick would say about it. (you out there Chris?)

Update in the stuggle against all things Microsoft (when possible), I am officially announcing my abandoning of crappy Internet Explorer. At long last a new browser has come along that I love, beyond anything that Opera or Netscape ever did. Mozilla’s Firefox is excellent.. in every way.. I love it.. I’m using it now.. I’m giving it the Bicyclemark seal (*art *art… balance a beach ball on my nose) of approval. Strange thing about seals.. they never learn the beachball thing.. they’re just naturally good at it, aren’t they?

Mental note: Next post, bitch about Bill Clinton and what a good wrap he gets because Bush sucks so bad. Him and his bigass, boring, shallow book – I listened to him being interviewed by the Dutch public television channel, he said the same exact things Bush did. I refuse to praise the Clinton years just because the Bush years have been so crappy. Bottom line: I dislike both men,their politics, and their smirking, wrinkly faces.

Today’s Music: Deceberists – Castaways and Cutouts (thanks Bronwyn!)

Lighter Air

The worldwind tour has ended! Yesterday morning I arrived back in A’dam safe and sound. The flight over, usually a glum affair, turned out to be a really fun one thanks to a lovely person from Scotland. Somehow the white wine just kept flowing, there are no rules up there in the sky… they just keep giving to shut you up. Again I’d like to praise the KLM self-service check-in system. Not only did it take 5 minutes to check in, there are no lines because people seem to fear the freedom of it all. They much prefer to stand in long queues and get angry like the good old days. As always I had to practically go through security in my underwear – I STILL HATE AIRLINE SECURITY! I know I’m the minority, but I don’t believe the humiliation is worth the alleged “safety.”

Flying of course means, besides constant refreshments and boxed food, FREE NEWSPAPERS. As I thumbed through the International Herald Tribune a noticed this article about a Gallup-Europe poll which found that:

-Most Americans believe their country is doing more than the European Union to tackle the world’s problems.

-Only 20 percent of Americans correctly said that the 25 nation EU (over 450 million people) has a larger population then the US (290 mil).

– Democrats have a better view of the EU than republicans.

– Most Americans responded that they believed the US government was doing more in the world than the EU to fight poverty and protect the environment.

Although they are quite worthless, this poll caught my eye, especially since I know the EU spends more on foreign aid and environmental protection that the US. But hey, if you don’t receive a quality education, how will you learn that. (the internet?) For more linking pleasure you might want to read past surveys such as this one about the crap image of the US in the world.

Since I mentioned Scotland earlier, and I’m also interested in the proliferation of “Canadian Studies Programs” worldwide, Across the Pond points out that the University of Edinburgh offers such a program. Oooh… Canada.

Today’s Music: Bill Frisell – Intercontinentals