A Brave New World

About two years ago I read Adolfus Huxley's A Brave New World. One of the main topics of the book is about how people are now raised in Hatcheries and Conditioning Centers. No longer do humans have meaningful relationships, they live a life detached from raw emotion. The amazing thing about some of this type of literature (Fahrenheit 451, A Brave New World, 1984, The Giver) is their uncanny ability to predict the future that is now upon us.

I live in Oklahoma, perhaps the reddest of all Republican states and the populace would stand up and scream, "Blasphemy!" if you ever accused them of being socialist. Yet, in this milieu of extreme conservatism I find the most shocking marker of these novels: children raised by the state. Just yesterday, the Oklahoman, our newspaper, lauded the state as 'best in the nation' and committed because Oklahoma pioneered pre-kindergarten. Not just a program for low-income families, this program is funded for all comers regardless of family income level. Now nearly 20,000 students attend this program. How can one of the most conservative states of the 50 endorse this plan? Is it not cradle to grave socialism?

Now our president elect is talking about this topic and making people giddy with delight. 10 billion dollars have already been pledged to make this a reality. Look at the wording in the article...a bit scary. Don't these people read good literature?

Now, am I the only one who sees this as a major step towards societies described in novels such as A Brave New World? No longer are parents and society responsible for raising children, it has now become the job of the state. Maybe we can start assigning these children jobs at birth and start taking them away from their parents before they get a chance to interact with them and contaminate them. If we can get them brainwashed quickly enough we can get rid of crime and creative thinking. They will become flawless citizens ready to contribute to a global economy. Yes, let's get these kids even before age 4. Age 0 if possible.

FYI, all these novels end badly, as will this.

Gandhi and Aragorn ticket

This will be my last political blog (I promise) before the election but I had it rattling around in my head and thought I should get it out.

I read some of a biography of Gandhi this summer. I didn't get to finish it before the new semester started and life got busy but it was a great book...I'll get back to it over Christmas.

I am very impressed by Gandhi. He was a man of action. He believed that understand something and not act on it was strange. For example, he admired Tolstoy, because Tolstoy, in his last days, abandoned a life of wealth for a life of poverty and religious piety. Tolstoy and Gandhi actually exchanged a few letters before Tolstoy's death.

Gandhi was also a man, from all appearances, unaffected by material things. He was concerned once when he was given an expensive gift and set up a kind of charity so that he would not get the gifts, the charity would. If memory serves me right, the charity benefited his newspaper in South Africa and it ran for many years off of those gifts, which were intended for him.All of Gandhi's worldly possessions at the time of his death.

Gandhi also believed in people. While in South Africa, a supporter turned on him. Gandhi refused to hate the man or to take revenge. He said that was the easy and little thing to do. The honorable and great thing to do was to still value the man. Gandhi had even loaned the man money. Later, the man returned to Gandhi and he forgave him.

A few weeks ago I was watching "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring". In the closing scenes of the movie, Boromir comes to Frodo and wants the ring. He realizes his error in the end and dies an honorable death. As Frodo flees from Boromir, he comes upon Aragorn. There is a poignant scene where Frodo offers the ring to Aragorn. Aragorn reaches for Frodo's hand, seemingly to take the ring, then kneels before Frodo. "I would have followed you to Mordor, to the fires of Mt. Doom," says Aragorn, realizing that Frodo is leaving the fellowship and Aragorn will not be with him.

As I consider my home country, the United States, and where we are as a nation, I say we are badly, desperately in need of a Gandhi/Aragorn ticket. We need leaders who see the presidency, not as a prize to be won, nor a power to be wielded at their own whimsy, but a sacred trust given to them by the citizens of this country.

The simple fact that pork barrel projects exist shows how far off the mark we have gotten. Gandhi stood up for the rights of the oppressed. Now we have leaders who just want to make sure they get their fair share (or more) of the pie. And rather than seek the differing opinions of their opponents, they seek to belittle and discredit them.

There is much good to be said about the American political process. The fact that in 2000 the presidency came down to Al Gore deciding to abide by a Supreme Court ruling is amazing. In many countries it would have led to violence and bloodshed.

It is time that we remind the entrenched powers that their power is not a right but a trust from the people. Democrats and Republicans have power because we choose to give it to them. This November, I am voting for a third party in the hope that millions others will do the same. I don't think a third party candidate will win but I hope that these candidates gain a larger percentage of the vote and remind the main two parties they are not the only game in town. If the Democrats and Republicans want to stay on top they had better start serving the people or the people will find better representatives.

Why are teachers masochists?

I have been in the teacher certification program for about 5 months now. Currently I am observing a sixth grade class once a week and have a fabulous supervising teacher. It is one of the highlights of my week. I just love teaching.

Then I go to my university classes. My professors bore me. They can't teach well and yet they are the ones tasked with making me an excellent teacher. One professor brought in an article entitled "Texas's testing system forces higher dropout rates". Guest speakers bemoan the standardized testing system now in place in almost every state. They tell horror stories about parents, alcohol and drug abuse and pregnant teenagers. Other students in my teacher training program complain that their supervising teachers are burned out and just like to deride their pupils.

Why is this? Why are teachers so pessimistic, so masochistic? The first day, in a fit of brilliance that has yet to be equaled, my professor proclaimed that only teachers and the clergy aim to make a person better. Most other professions just aim to keep the status quo. So, here we are training for this noble profession and most of the current teachers can't stop spewing vitriol. I believe that for whatever reason, it has been allowed to become teaching culture. No nurses are given articles on how some patients still die, no architects told that some buildings collapse and the rigidness of building codes are reasons to frown. Sure some nurses hate their jobs and some architects are pessimists but usually it is not so. Teachers are a different breed. This includes my university professors that instead of inspiring hope, inspire fear of a warped educational system.

My take is that there are problems in any profession. Patients do die and building codes are a pain to deal with. But, when I enter that sixth grade class tomorrow morning, I know that there are lives that can be changed, futures to be brightened and interesting lessons to be taught, even about history . :) I thank God that I am blessed with a courageous supervising teacher who doesn't follow the depressing pattern that so many teachers fall into. Doctors restore people to health, teachers change the future everyday.

Memories...of the way we were

A long time ago I did some blogging on a site called the World is Round. If you would like to see those posts you can just click here.

Moth

I love taking macro shots, as you well know and this is one from last Thursday when I went out and about with my mom, granny and brother.

Well now...

I've become a real cynic politically...well, maybe in general. I wrote a blog recently about how Obama and McCain aren't really that different, which I still stand by. The problem is, Republican doesn't mean 'conservative' these days. I found a great quote which illustrates my point.

“I fear the government has passed the point of no return,” said Ron Chernow, a leading American financial historian. “We have the irony of a free-market administration doing things that the most liberal Democratic administration would never have been doing in its wildest dreams.”

This was taken from the New York Times. Basically, we have had a Republican administration violating all the rules of fiscal conservation for the last 8 years. They bailed out failing banks and now AIG to the tune of just over 800 BILLION dollars this year. Now, I am not for paying higher taxes but at least with the Democrats they come out and say they will not be fiscal conservatives (although Clinton was, balancing the budget).

Neither Obama or McCain has a plan for getting the American economy back on track. At least Obama is honest with his taxation plan, I know what it will cost me. So far, for the last 8 years with the Republicans, we have been told it will be cheap but found out it cost many people their house, part of their retirement pension and all of us at the gas pump. Hidden costs are still costs.

What I don't understand is that some people sit and gripe about how Obama is going to raise taxes. Would you rather have higher taxes you know about or watch as the economy spirals into unknown territory and your pension plan, tied to the stock market, bleeds more red than a horror flick? Gosh, don't raise our taxes.

Wilson's Arch

Photos from my trip through Utah, which I drove through on the road trip from Washington to Texas.Wilson's Arch, south of Arches National Park

Come'on, let the sun shine in.

I love the colors of the rocks.

It is a big arch.

There is a hole in the arch, dear Liza, dear Liza, a hole.

Downtown Seattle

I wrote about hanging out in downtown Seattle so I won't bore you with that again, but here are the pictures from that afternoon.

King Street train station and Qwest Field

Train station from the inside

Pike's Place Market, famous for its thrown salmon

Fruits and veggies for sale in Pike's

This used to be called Bank of America Tower but I guess they didn't charge me enough in fees as now it is called Columbia Center

For those scoring at home

Well, I have managed to escape the Texas heat and return to the solace of the Northwest. I flew to Seattle Wednesday, got to spend a bit of time with my second cousin Barbara and her husband Dale. They dropped me in downtown Seattle for to catch the Amtrak to Bellingham but I was 3 hours early, so I killed those hours in downtown Seattle.

I can remember when I first moved to Malaysia how hard it was for me to be in a big city. Now I just love the way the city pulses with life and energy. For most people, their goal is a little place on two acres outside the town but I think a downtown condo is more my choice these days. Ditch the car, walk to the art museum and the grocery store. That is the life!

Today I did two dives with Washington Divers here in Bellingham. We went to the Keystone Ferry Terminal a popular local shore dive (you dive next to the ferry terminal not actually in the terminal). It is amazing how much different diving is here than in tropical waters. You have to wear tons of neoprene and then because of the neoprene lots of weight. These two dives were the last two I needed to finish up my Divemaster course. Now I can make money diving! Hoping to get my Instructor certification next.

Tomorrow about 11 of us are headed for Sun Lakes in Eastern Washington for 4 days of camping. When I get back I'm then headed out with my friend Dave for an overnight backpacking trip. Looking forward to all those hours in nature.

I'll get some pictures up from all these adventures but I didn't bring my laptop so I don't want to download the pics onto a friend's computer. But I promise pictures in the future. See you in a week.

Macro madness

A few months ago I went and took my camera and macro lens to a state park near Bellingham. I just love shooting with a macro lens, probably more than any other lens. Here are a few of the better shots from the afternoon.

The good ole days

My brother thinks you can track a person's age by when they thought Saturday Night Live stopped being funny. It hold pretty true.

However, I would like to posit another idea. I was driving the other day in my parent's car, which has XM radio. They have a channel for just 90's music. As I listened, I thought, "Wow, this is really good music, way better than today's music." Then I froze. Yikes...is that a sign I'm getting old?

I mean, the 90's had the advent of grunge rock, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Weezer, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots. It had New Kids on the Block, Mariah Carey, Madonna, and a host of others. Rap was still young and not vile. MTV actually had some music videos. VH1 had pop up videos. Wayne was in his world and all was right in heaven.

I'm not old, right? Tell me I'm just correct and not getting set in my ways. Ahhh, those dang kids and their new-fangled strawberries and music ring tone. Why I remember when you used to call...

Pictures from New Orleans (Christmas 2007)

Oak Alley Plantation

Houmas House Plantation

Houmas House

Ohhhh and artsy shot

Street performers

Movie Reviews and thoughts

Well, I have been to see three summer movies this year. Here is my review...albeit quick takes.

Hancock: Yawn. Not good at all. If you are on a transpacific flight and it is on, watch it. Otherwise, don't pay to see it.

Dark Knight: Good but overhyped. I liked Batman Begins better. My pet peeve: why does Christian Bale have his stupid Batman voice? It sounds so stupid...like he is trying to act scary.

Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Not very good. They replace Rachel Weiss with Maria Bello. Bello is not even close to the actor Weiss is. Brendan Fraser and Bello have zero chemistry. It was good to see Datuk Michelle Yeoh (from Malaysia) but there is not much good about this movie.

Lastly, a musing about Colin Farrell. Why is he popular? Miami Vice and Alexander were horrid movies. I caught part of SWAT the other day and that was bad. How has he become a big actor? Are looks really that important?

Hike to Oyster Dome

A couple of months ago my friend Amanda and I hiked to the top of what is called the Oyster Dome near Bellingham. It wasn't particularly a great day for wonderful views but you could see some of the San Juan Islands from the top. Definitely a good hike and worth another visit on a clear day.

Well worth your time

I know at times I can be quite cynical and harsh, case in point is my rant on politics a couple of days ago. This is not one of those posts.

A few months ago I read about a professor who gave his "Last Lecture". He was a lecturer at Carnegie-Mellon and diagnosed with cancer and given a few months to live. The university asked him to join their "Last Lecture" series, which was just the idea of what a prof would say if indeed it was their last lecture. For him, it was true. I started watching it on youtube, and even though it is long, I just couldn't stop watching. It was funny, interesting and moving. It was a good reminder that even though there are lots of things to rant about, at the core much is right and good in the world. So, here is the "Last Lecture" if you want to take the time to watch it or parts of it. He passed away this last week. For some reason my embedded video isn't working, so here is the link to it.

Puerto Rico

I'm trying to get back to posting more. This is from my spring break trip to Puerto Rico. Fabulous place...I highly recommend it. I'll try to post a few more pics later.

A blog on politics...take it with a grain of salt. I'm just ranting.

Ok, I’ve had this post rattling in my head for a few days and I just have to get it out or I’ll go crazy.

I can’t really believe the America I have come back to. It is polarized. You are Democrat or Republic. You want Obama or McCain. It is really quite befuddling because neither is what they say they are.

Bush claims to be conservative and is on issues such as abortion. However, if you look at his blank check spending (Iraq War) and you find he is not a conservative at all. Another example would be the growth of debt and the increase of bureaucracy. In reality Bill Clinton was more conservative in his financial policies that Bush.

Now we come to McCain and Obama. They are actually quite similar beliefs in the different packages. The difference is on how the media portrays their policies. Obama rates near the middle of Democrats and McCain to the left (liberal) side of Republicans. See this site for further info.

I had decided not to vote, then I thought, “Well, I should do my civic duty, I’ll just choose a third party candidate.” So, I looked at all the other candidates and decided not to vote. Here is my problem. You are either one or the other and it makes little sense logically. Let me explain.

Conservatives are against abortion. They say that life starts at conception and it is murder to kill a fetus.

Liberals are for a woman’s right to choose. They argue life starts at birth and the mother has a right to end her pregnancy.

Conservatives are for the right to bear arms. They say private citizens should be able to arm themselves and defend themselves against criminals.

Liberals are for gun control. They argue that guns wind up in the hands of criminals and private citizens who prone to use them in ways that cause violence and death.

I don’t understand these positions. You see, conservatives argue life is sacred and shouldn’t be ended in an abortion. I support this. I believe life is sacred and should not be taken away. But, then you come to the gun problem. Conservatives think you should be able to carry around guns and defend yourself. A recent case is where a man shot two unarmed thieves (killing them) he caught robbing his neighbor’s house. How sacred is life? Well, evidently, sacred as a fetus but if I catch you in my house with my DVD player, forget it!

The reverse is true for liberals. Women have the right to choose to end a pregnancy but if you carry a gun and kill a person robbing your house, you criminal! Go to jail! You didn’t have the right to choose to shoot the robber.

(I won’t even include the death penalty in this analysis because it just gets worse.)

For me, human life is sacred. It should not be ended with a gun or by an abortion doctor. Why do I have to choose Democrat or Republican? I can’t because they don’t even come close to putting together a coherent framework of belief I can get behind. Have fun voting in November. I’m moving to Canada.

A face only a mother could love

After months of not updating, I thought I would put up a pic of what happens if you make "pppbbbbfffttt" sounds and then snap a pic. It is also my profile pic at eHarmony. Why am I not getting any profile hits?