tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91333030822421903772023-11-15T23:37:30.215-08:00Deployed TeacherUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-39864665162229012542011-03-14T20:28:00.000-07:002011-03-15T07:39:44.589-07:00And it just keeps getting better!<p style="font-family:arial;">This week, at a hastily assembled meeting, our Superintendent of Schools informed us that the County Probation office may have to potentially close down one-half of our juvenile hall next year due to severe budget cuts, thereby affecting the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">COE</span> (County Office of Education) juvenile hall teaching staff. He handed out pink slips to 22 of 48 teachers to prepare for a "worst case" scenario. It was painful to watch as teacher friends found out their fate that evening.</p><p face="arial">But wait, it gets better! The news just said that global warming may have helped cause the Japan earthquake, so now I feel guilt too! I just knew that using my fireplace, driving my car, eating meat and drinking milk (because cows produce methane), using up my old light bulbs, etc. would come back to hurt the planet. I knew it! My apologies to the earth, Japan, and to you reader, because as we all know, duh!...Mother Nature can be tamed by well intentioned environmentalists, and I'm not doing my part.</p><p style="font-family: arial;">With all the unstable, worldwide events in the news recently, I look inward, Yoda-like, and realize that if I was more of a devout Mexican-American, intrinsically linked to my dark-skinned Mayan ancestors' apocalyptic 2012 calendar, and, believed that guy from history...what's his hyphenated name?... Nostradamus-Perez-Rodriguez? I might think some dark days lie ahead.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">In light of all this, I'm considering a new exercise program, a regimen of extreme flexibility, perhaps yoga; so if the shit hits the fan, I'll be able to bend over, and kiss my ass goodbye! </p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ay</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dios</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">mio</span>!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-57262969508941338202010-12-23T22:41:00.000-08:002010-12-23T22:37:48.011-08:00DADT - Don't Ask Da Taliban<p><span style="font-family:arial;">Now that Congress has repealed the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">military's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">DADT</span> (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) policy of the Clinton era, I'm left wondering, who's left to "come out of the closet"? Emboldened by the change in policy, w<span style="font-size:100%;">hat other </span>category of shadow people are ready to emerge?<br /><br />Let's see, aliens? I'm not talking about your run-of-the-mill illegals<span style="font-size:100%;">, (so </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">blasé</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">). No, I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">talkin'</span> a</span>bout real-deal aliens, you know, extraterrestrials...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Naah</span>! <span style="font-size:-0;">OK,</span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> </span>If not aliens, how about pedophiles? Ouch!... well, maybe. Note: in the interest of PC run amok, I am not equating homosexuality to pedophilia; I am merely posing a question, so relax.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">I pondered my original question, and recalled hearing about the PBS <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Frontline</span> documentary, <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/dancingboys/"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan</span></a>. After watching it, the answer came to me - the Taliban are next to be outed! But <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">shh</span>... <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">DADT</span>, Don't Ask <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Da</span> Taliban, because they certainly won't tell you, and they're likely to kill someone for that insinuation. I just hope it's not me! </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Do I really believe the Taliban are righteously immune to the "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">bacha</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">bazi</span>" practice due to their feigned religious zealotry? Well, maybe as much as I believe that all clergy are immune to extra-marital peccadilloes because they believe in god. Think about it, what are these guys doing for fun in their caves, between planning horrific attacks, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">hmm</span>?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Looking back, I recall seeing the stream of local Afghan workers, men only, walking to and from their jobs at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bagram</span>, as they entered/exited the base. Sometimes, they were holding hands, but I didn't think anything of it, and wrote it off as a cultural trait, kind of like teen girls strolling innocently along holding hands, as girlfriends do in the US.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">When I asked about it, an Afghan interpreter told me that sometimes men, in the absence of their wives or women, relieve their "loneliness" with other men, and it is an accepted practice.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So, what do the Taliban think of our change in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">DADT</span> policy? Outwardly, they are probably disgusted, decrying the decadence of "western culture"</span>. <span style="font-family:arial;">But inwardly, I envision them being as <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no9fpKVXxCc">"thrilled"</a> as Chris Matthews was about candidate Obama, when he was running for the presidency. But be careful, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">DADT</span>, Don't Ask <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Da</span> Taliban, for fear of what you might discover!</span><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-62242973326027171912010-11-22T07:40:00.000-08:002010-11-23T15:40:53.780-08:00What is secret anymore?<span style="font-family:arial;">I thought of the lyrics from the Beatles song, <span style="font-family:arial;">"A Day in the Life", as I read about a USAF satellite launched from Cape Canaveral recently</span>:</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>"I read the news </em></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>today, oh boy..."</em> </span><br /></strong></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/22/tech/main7077593.shtml"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Air Force Launches Massive, Secret Spy Satellite </span></a></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></div></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Why did I flashback to those particular lyrics?</span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em><strong>"...And though the news was rather sad; Well I just had to laugh; I saw the photograph..."</strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Don't know what you think about after reading the headline/article. But for me, I wonder, what qualifies as secret anymore? What exactly does secret mean? Come on! The USAF launches the "largest satellite in the world", described as, "a classified, electronic eavesdropping satellite"; so why are we broadcasting the launch to the world? Why call it secret if you are going to tell the world about it?</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">The word "secret" is like the word "crisis", meaningless! Let's start searching for new superlatives in Webster's online dictionary, as these words are now flaccid.</span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><div align="center"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><em>"...now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall, ...I'd love to turn you on."</em> </strong></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-63104586605000818342010-11-02T13:08:00.000-07:002010-11-02T13:20:41.504-07:00I Vetoed!<span style="font-family:arial;">Today, I vetoed...er I mean voted; but it sure feels like I had a small say in vetoing some agendas harmful to our great country. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I've been looking forward to today for months! Although locally, in CA, I have a feeling I will be disappointed in the results. Nationally, I hope to feel a sense of pride in America tonight.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">How about you, have you vetoed today?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-57013393786125911502009-10-20T21:33:00.000-07:002009-10-20T21:57:47.183-07:00Cell Phone Solution<span style="font-family:arial;">Chalk this one up under "Duh! Why didn't I think of this sooner?". As I passed a car going way too slow for my comfort, I glanced over, only to see the driver using a cell phone, leaning on the center console, looking way too cool; oblivious to the world around them.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />As I turned left, using my finger to steer the car, the crux of the problem struck me! Driving is waaay too easy for all y'all! Being able to manipulate my steering wheel with only a middle finger helped me realize how easy and physically unchallenging driving is, thanks to the advancements in mechanical technology.<br /><br />The drastic solution? Take away power steering from vehicles AND require all cars to have manual transmissions. "What's a manual transmission?", you ask. You heard me! Lets go retro, back to the days when 10 and 2 were not just a factored pair of 20, but were the required hand/clock positions necessary to maneuver a car; or so we were taught.<br /><br />I'm aging myself; but as I look back fondly, those old clunkers we learned to drive, really required some muscle and mental skills to negotiate, even on the straightest of roads. Are you old enough to recall your left thigh and calf muscles bulging because the clutch was so hard to push in? Ever stall your car because your coordination was just a hair off? C'mon, fess up.<br /><br />Do you really think you're a strong enough driver to use a cell phone without the assistance of power-steering? I doubt it. Wait, now that I think about it, this is the potential remedy for our American obesity problem too! Have flabby biceps and triceps? Is your six-pack a twelve-pack? Steer a car on a winding road, without power steering, for an hour or so.<br /><br />So there you have it; I've solved the using a cell phone while driving problem, and found a way for people to exercise and lose weight too. Now, if I can just get President Obama's car czar to read this post, I might win a Nobel!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-19864590343092097642009-10-12T20:53:00.000-07:002010-12-04T21:41:07.729-08:00Doonesbury 10/11/2009<span style="font-family:arial;">After a hiatus from writing based partially on an irrational fear of having nothing of value to post anymore regarding my deployment, I read the Sunday 10/11/2009 <a href="http://postcards.ucomics.com/send/?uc_comic=db&uc_full_date=20091011&site_ref=slate">Doonesbury</a> comic, and the will to write came rushing back. A chance occurrence on my birthday? With Halloween coming up, that's spooky!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">All I know is,</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">after reading the Sunday comic, I felt like "Wow, Trudeau nailed it!". The visual of: the relationship between the CIA/contractor and the Afghan informant, the reference to the 16th century (which I posted on before), the ubiquitous tea while doing business (chai sabz or chai cia?), to the hat, scarf, and appearance of the informant, the reference to a "drug lord", along with alluding to our enormous technology/firepower. It's all there, powerfully packed into eight colorful panels, with the beautiful Afghan mountains lingering in the background. I couldn't get the comic out of my mind. Not that I wanted to, it brought back a lot of memories. The simplicity of how Trudeau depicted the paradox of war, made me think, "Yeah! That's it, that's what we're capable of!" But, is it really?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I thought back to the days spent conversing with my friends, Afghan linguists, whose opinions about culture, and their fellow Afghans, really moved me to consider how THEY see the war; and like the Afghan informant in the comic, they usually posed a variation of the question: "I don't get it, how come you guys are losing?" That really struck me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Since returning, I've followed the news, both good and bad out of Afghanistan. It's really heated up since I left, but that was expected. What comes to mind is how humane we (the US) are perceived to be by the Afghans...most of the time, to a fault and detriment. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Afghans are familiar with tribal justice that may include - the slice of a sword, hurled stones, whippings, and harsh death. They do not understand taking prisoners after a fierce firefight, then treating them humanely (What's the point?). They do not forget what the Talibs (and Russians) have done to their families. For Afghans, brutality rules, and they don't flinch. It's just their way of life. And this was imparted to me by the linguists, who in their own way were saying to me: 'We should be kicking Taliban ass!" It is war after all.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span><strong>Teachers: </strong>Have students look up what "Rules of Engagement" (ROE) are. Researching the Vietnam war might help them understand what consequences the rules can have on war. What are the positive/negative aspects of ROE's? What are some of our current ROE's in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts? </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span>What do your students think about the Doonesbury cartoon? What do they think Trudeau thinks about the war? Have them research his previous comic strips relating to Iraq and Afghanistan, and have them report on what they think he believes. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-49488042878948953552009-06-08T10:19:00.000-07:002009-06-09T10:06:06.230-07:00Never Find a Hookah Here<span style="font-family:arial;">While deployed, I enjoyed going to the weekly bazaar. It was a nice way to break the monotony of the daily routine. At the bazaar: I haggled with vendors (customary/expected), socialized outside of work, found some great deals, and as the days blurred, the bazaar helped indicate that it was Friday, again.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">There was much to be had at the bazaar, depending on your preferences. Beautiful Afghan/Persian rugs, gemstones/jewelry, Afghan clothing, Russian artifacts, antique rifles, and... hookers, oops, excuse me, wrong spelling, I mean hookahs. My apologies to nor-easterners; same pronunciation, different meaning. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hookah">Hookahs,</a> are prevalent in the Middle East, and are used to smoke tobacco, herbs, or marijuana/hashish/opium. It is a culturally and socially acceptable smoking instrument in those parts of the world. Guess I could have bought an authentic Afghan hookah if I really needed one, but I don't smoke. And, I don't think a colorful, multi-user hookah souvenir, prominently displayed, would go over well with our military/educator circle of friends. Never knew anyone who used a hookah, until a few days ago.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Recently, while searching for computer cables in my cable-stash drawer, I happened upon a hookah, apparently hidden. "What's this?" I thought. Had my wife taken up smoking pot to deal with the stress of my absence? Nah! She did well while I was gone. But if not her, who then?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Seems my 18 yr old step-son bought the hookah online while I was gone. Mama found it, and confiscated it amid great consternation. The official story relayed to my wife, according to my step-son/daughter, was that the hookah, a trendy instrument, is used by young adults for smoking "trendy" blocks of tobacco. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Uhhh, after thinking back to high school/college, I paused, contemplating the fable. I paused some more, then proceeded to believe their incredible story (it did smell like tobacco). These kids are just not the type. Tobacco experimentation, yes, marijuana, no.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Nonetheless, the hookah was officially confiscated. They took a hit (so to speak) on their much needed teen <a href="http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=dinero">dinero,</a> it was their money, not tobacco, that went up in smoke. I had to find another place to put it until we decided what to do with it. But where?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">After some thought, using finely honed parental skills. I put it where they'd least likely think to look, a place where teens are notorious for never venturing, hidden in plain sight...Duh! I put it with the cleaning supplies, under the bathroom sink; no chance of discovery there!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>Teachers:</strong> Seriously, the hookah does play a prominent social role in many cultures, and it is not always associated with the use of illicit drugs. Have your students research this centuries old implement, and report on the positive, and negative aspects of how it is used.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-83801231494006082312009-05-24T17:00:00.000-07:002009-05-24T17:04:19.847-07:00From Insurgents to Pre-Emergents<span style="font-family:arial;">It's interesting to observe how life has shifted from one focus to another now that I'm home. An example - for six months, it was all about Afghanistan insurgents. But now, it's crabgrass <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">emergents</span>. So, for peace of mind, I set out to find similarities between the two that might help make my mental transition easier, and more meaningful.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">As I considered a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pre</span>-emergent for the lawn/garden, I found an article from the <a href="http://extension.osu.edu/~news/story.php?id=3585"><span style="font-family:arial;">Ohio State University, Extension</a> entitled: <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pre</span>-Emergent Herbicides Effective for Weed Control</em>. Here are some bullets from the article:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Marestail</span>, giant ragweed and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lambsquarter</span> remain some of the most challenging weeds to control for several reasons:</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><em>• They become more difficult to control with increasing size and age. </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><em>• They are some of the first weeds to emerge in the spring, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">marestail</span> grows quickly in size, making proper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">burndown</span> treatments a must to control them. </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">• Avoid making post-emergence applications during periods of adverse environmental conditions, such as low temperatures, extended cloudy periods, and drought.</span></em> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Here's my take on this useful information, uh,... I mean intelligence:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Taliban insurgents and their radical fundamentalist followers are the most difficult to control for several reasons:</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">• They become more difficult to control with increasing size and rage. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">• They are the first to emerge in the spring/summer, and their numbers grow quickly in size, making appropriate engagement/elimination a must. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">• Avoid engaging insurgents during periods of adverse environmental conditions, such as low temperatures, extended cloudy periods, and drought. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Is it a stretch to equate Taliban insurgency with out of control weeds? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mmmm</span>, you tell me. But if any of you pass by my house and see me vigorously eradicating/eliminating weeds, via airborne or ground assault methods, please consider that my conduct is easily explained by the psychological term - transference.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transference"><span style="font-family:arial;">Transference</a>: "the redirection of feelings and desires; especially of those unconsciously retained from war, toward a new object." (For you psych majors, I replaced the word <em>childhood</em> with <em>war</em>. Sorry, it makes sense.)</span><br /><br /><strong>Teachers</strong>: Have your students make the connection for me - How is an insurgency like weeds? What conclusions can we draw from the similarities? The differences? Are these <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">similes</span>, or metaphors? Discuss the differences between the two, then have students write a paragraph on a topic using <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">similes</span> and metaphors.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-2232332645953400422009-05-20T11:17:00.000-07:002009-05-20T13:12:35.325-07:00A Man's Home is his Depot<span style="font-family:arial;">As we approached our house, I mused, "Ah, a man's home is his castle", relieved to finally return home. According to </span><a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/a-man-s-home-is-his-castle"><span style="font-family:arial;">Answer.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">, this old English saying means - "A proverbial expression that illustrates the principle of individual privacy, which is fundamental to the American system of government".<br /><br />After imparting this age-old proverb of wisdom to my 8 yr old son, he replied without skipping a beat, "No papa, a man's home is his depot" (as in Home Depot). Caught completely off guard, I busted-up laughing. He had never heard the expression before, and thought Home Depot was what I really meant to say. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I lovingly reached over and rubbed his shaggy head, and told him his interpretation was extremely funny, music to my ears, and that Home Depot marketers would probably pay a fortune for his "out of the mouth's of babes" observation. And so started the reunion with my family after a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I've been home for two weeks now and it's time to write. The urge to write again, I'd liken to the anticipation of reuniting with your spouse; a lot of pent up thoughts, words building up, waiting to explode into a, a ... a blog post, so to speak. Who would have known?<br /><br />I've had fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bloggers</span> mention that many soldiers come home from deployments, and for whatever reason, abandon their blogs. That is certainly their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">prerogative</span>, and I completely understand; but I have no such inclination, there is too much to say. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So reader, was it good for you too?<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-74282221930908148142009-04-18T13:31:00.000-07:002009-04-18T21:03:57.224-07:00Number One with an F<span style="font-family:arial;">Sat with linguists at lunch today and an Afghan gentleman stopped by the table. We all did the Salaam <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Alaikum</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">shtick</span>, I mean greeting. Once the pleasantries were exchanged, and the gentleman left, I told my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lunch mates</span> I had met this man a month or so ago, and that he had an interesting background. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When we met, he asked if I could help him get reassigned to another job, because he was not happy with his current position. He worked with detainees. He proceeded to rattle off his resume, and told me that in Afghanistan, he'd worked for the government in the 70's as a young man, before the Russians invaded. His <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">résumé</span> sounded pretty impressive.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When I shared this with my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">lunch mates</span>, they looked at each other knowingly, smiled and said, "Almost all (linguists) claim to have worked with the Afghan Government; they tend to embellish their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">résumé</span> so as to look good". </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">With that, the linguist asked if I had heard one of the reasons why Afghan-Americans think they are the best. I replied, "no". </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">He proceeded to share a story about an older Afghan couple who lived in the US. They purchased a car, something they could never have done in Afghanistan. So the old man drove their car from San Francisco, CA to Vancouver, Canada, to visit relatives.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">After the trip, the wife was bragging amongst Afghan friends, and shared that her husband was a "number one" driver. When asked to explain, she said that on the trip to Canada, people who passed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">their</span> car, constantly raised their middle finger at him, signifying he was "number one", which in their minds was an indication that the husband was a wonderful driver! I choked down my pie, nearly spitting it out! Again, these linguists and their sense of humor! Very solemn, serious and matter-of- fact usually, then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">BAM</span>! out of the blue stuff like this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When I return home to driving, and am on the road, I will henceforth associate the American middle finger "salute" with that old, proud, Afghan driver and his wife. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Teachers:</strong> How many times on your way to work, have you been given the "number one" salute? What a great opportunity to speak with your class about driving habits around the world. The insane vs. the sane. If you are working with HS age students, talk about requirements for driving throughout the world. What age can one start driving? Is there insurance in that country? How much do cars cost? What kinds of cars are there to drive? With the popularity of Social Media, consider having your class track down foreign students in other countries and ask them the above questions. Let your students do the research, and have them report their findings to the class.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-47126403679130588362009-04-11T21:53:00.000-07:002009-04-11T22:45:25.236-07:00NATO Night Fever, Stayin Alive, Stayin Alive<span style="font-family:arial;">Many linguists, hired as contractors, previously held important positions within Afghanistan before their families fled. Some were university professors, some were doctors, others were government officials; it runs the gamut. It's very interesting to hear about their past Afghan lives. From my observations, there is a subculture of linguist hierarchy on US bases, based on their prior Afghan status, and related to their present status. For example, translators who work for Generals, Colonels, or are considered the primary translators for high profile meetings with Afghan Ministers, Governors, etc., hold greater status than other linguists down the food chain. Think in terms of an unofficial military rank, civilian style. Makes sense right?<br /><br />Well, an acquaintance has taken to referring to his fellow Afghan linguists, by nickname. You know, like we use "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bubba</span>" and "Dawg". He has christened three linguists in particular as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SuperZ</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ZZ</span>, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">EZ</span>. Their first names begin with a Z, so I was impressed by his use of humor and creativity in coming up with these nicknames. Each nickname is designated for its own reason that only he is privy to. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We were recently having a discussion of a serious nature, solving the war and all, and talk turned to Afghan linguists. With a serious tone, he said, "You know, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">EZ</span> is a member of NATO". I paused, feeling honored to be let in on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">EZ's</span> status. I've seen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">EZ</span> around so I know who he is.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">EZ</span> is a self assured middle-aged Afghan, who is held in high regard (by fellow Afghans) due to his seniority in theatre and current position. He's like a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">BMOC</span> (Big Man On Campus) at a university, and I gather, is a ladies man. His appearance is akin to a Saturday Night Fever disco character. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">His linguist "uniform" is accentuated by a thick gold chain, satin, unbuttoned pointy collared shirt, and topped off with a black fedora hat, brim turned down - to cover his bald spot? Don't get me wrong, It's perfectly alright to still be living in the 80's back in the US, I see it all the time. But in Afghanistan?<br /><br />Needless to say, beyond EZ's appearance, I was impressed. I expected the linguist to continue, feeding us more details, telling us how <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">EZ</span> travels to Kabul to translate for our NATO partners. We waited for him to go on. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">After a short, well timed pause, he continued..."Yes, EZ's like NATO...all talk, no action"! Those present were so taken aback by his statement, we laughed! But beyond the reference to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">EZ</span>, I took it also as his opinion of NATO, an entity I had never given much thought to while in theatre....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">hmmm</span>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>Teachers:</strong> What is NATO, who can join? Who are our Coalition partners? What are allies? Who are our allies? Can the students relate to nicknames? Research the reasons military pilots use nicknames as their call-signs. These are positive, acceptable nicknames, are there negative nicknames?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-52126266765943158922009-04-08T05:02:00.000-07:002009-04-08T05:58:33.824-07:00Afghan Fishing Redneck Style<span style="font-family:arial;">Call me sentimental, but as I get closer to leaving, I recall my son asking "Can we go fishing when you get back?" I replied, "Sure thing!" </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Mind you, it has been years since I fished and although I would like to go, I worry that my 8 yr old son won't be able to sit still long enough to enjoy the benefits of fishing and nature. From my recollection, fishing is a very serene sport requiring <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LOTs</span> of patience and time. But that won't stop us, we're there!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My father took us fishing when we were kids and I have fond memories, even when we didn't catch anything. It felt good to be out with friends and family members. Those were the days when kids piled into the back of a pickup, and traveled, open air, to dad's favorite fishing hole, many miles away. Try that now...in California. Good luck!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It got me thinking, I had heard of Afghans using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">RPGs</span> and grenades to fish, and lo and behold, here is some footage <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">available</span> for you at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KVyykFS3dY">YouTube</a>. It further got me thinking that this style of fishing would be something worthy of Jeff <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Foxworthy</span> and his Redneck Comedy routine. Googled Redneck fishing, and this is what I came up with for your perusal: </span><a href="http://redneckfishing.net/index.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">view here</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span><a href="http://redneckfishing.net/id3.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">here</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So here's to connecting our Afghan and Redneck brothers together, do ya think I can justify bringing a few grenades or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">RPGs</span> home? Probably easier to teach then baiting a hook!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-35089391629414709722009-04-06T12:29:00.000-07:002009-04-06T13:55:08.468-07:00Taliban Goes Green<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QikSXpQmCkCMrh5qiK33qgWDQrRix7sSPAw2eaWIQ0AI_rdfzI9XzRb5d7AskIBkhwXRsz4lmaF_dTesxcKLs_M87p6O4Dvt-6TNFzOhag3Fhyphenhyphen9ZrT42hNVaO1M1x2sWuSgcFwdNwGg/s1600-h/emeralds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321678052775342034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 137px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 81px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QikSXpQmCkCMrh5qiK33qgWDQrRix7sSPAw2eaWIQ0AI_rdfzI9XzRb5d7AskIBkhwXRsz4lmaF_dTesxcKLs_M87p6O4Dvt-6TNFzOhag3Fhyphenhyphen9ZrT42hNVaO1M1x2sWuSgcFwdNwGg/s400/emeralds.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm not talking US dollar green, nor wearing St Patrick's Day green to avoid being pinched, or in the case of the Taliban, murdered. Murder being the extreme St Paddy's day version of being pinched. They haven't turned wacko environmentalist on us either, unless you consider opium exporters participants in the "green" movement. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />No, the Taliban have gone green, as in... emerald green. Its a beautiful gemstone soldiers and contractors covet and purchase at the base bazaars, in large sized carats, lest they get whacked upside the head with a large skillet upon returning home, for not thinking of the Mrs.<br /><br />Opium must not be as profitable as it once was. As political correctness goes, talibs must know they are viewed as pariahs for pushing dope to the masses, via Afghanistan. Their dilemma? We are good at eradicating their cash crop (wink, wink), but the writing's on the wall, narco-dollars are drying up slowly. They need an alternate cash crop. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Maybe we should consider paying them good ol' fashioned US corporate welfare subsidies to not grow poppies. It's the American way! Regardless, it costs us in the long run, either by continuing to fund various drug reduction programs, or paying those outrageous crop subsidies.<br /><br />But emeralds! You can't mainline or snort them. They're not illegal, in fact they are a natural resource, beautiful in their raw and polished forms. Muslim Khan, the Taliban spokesman in Swat, told <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/5106526/Taliban-jihad-against-West-funded-by-emeralds-from-Pakistan.html">The Sunday Telegraph.</a>, “We know that all the minerals have been created by Allah, the mighty and the merciful, for the benefit of his creatures. We should avail the opportunity.” “We receive one third of the profit, the rest goes to the workers”. How generous!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />What's the upside to all this? Cheaper emeralds? Or, the military might find that emeralds are highly visible through night-vision goggles. Visualize if you will, talibs who have taken to wearing the precious gem. I'd bet that ranking talib commanders sport upwards of 4 carat emerald rings, while their foot soldiers settle for the more paltry 1/2 carat rings, containing inclusions. Imagine the Talibans' luminous green carats radiating at night, thus allowing our forces to easily identify them, engage them, and uhh... kill them. Let's hope the Taliban like to wear the bling they produce.<br /><br />We can only hope it comes to this! Go green!</span><br /><br /></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-78510882274576053932009-04-05T01:56:00.000-07:002009-04-05T02:14:10.438-07:00Small MilBlog Contest<span style="font-family:arial;">Best Milblog You've Never Heard Of Contest: (Do I fit the bill?)<br /><br />Apparently, I've been nominated for this contest by Twitter friend @FlagGazer. Here's what she wrote:<br /><br />"I would like to nominate Deployed Teacher. This is an incredibly thoughtful blog and even gives hints on how to use his posts in a classroom! He is in Afghanistan now...."<br /><br />Thanks @FlagGazer! What the heck; if I fit the bill of a "small guy" milblog and you enjoy reading, or using my posts in your classroom, then go to </span><a href="http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/03/contest-best-milblog-youve-never-heard-of.html#comment-6a00d8341bfadb53ef01156eb86fca970c"><span style="font-family:arial;">BLACKFIVE</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and give me a shout-out. Let's see what happens. If nothing else, you'll find some other interesting milblogs. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks for your support!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-75003124608035043252009-04-01T12:04:00.000-07:002009-04-01T12:52:19.031-07:00An April Fool<span style="font-family:arial;">Who says the Afghans don't have a sense of humor? When I went for my tea fix this afternoon in the translators' office, I scanned their board for the latest news, interpreted from various Afghan Dari/Pashto websites. As I was reading, one of the translators motioned me over to look at his computer screen. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">A Dari language news site was displayed and as usual, he started interpreting, in a serious, somber tone, what the website was</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">reporting. He said the news just came in that there was a coup in Pakistan, and that the Pakistani president was under house arrest! There were two pictures of sinister looking men, and I asked who they were. He stated that one of the men was the new president, the leader of the coup, and the other was a Talib supporter of the new president. Wow!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">This was huge! He and the three other translators proceeded to tell me about what the ramifications would be to Afghanistan and the US. I felt unsettled because I know the situation in Pakistan is tenuous, and the Afghans and Pakistanis, I've come to find out, don't much care for each other. As this late 50 year-old translator continued to explain the news, I wondered whether I should go look for a TV, so I could catch the latest reporting of this incredible coup.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">This speculative discussion went on for a few minutes until, with a serious voice, my friend scrolled down the screen, pointed and said, "See here, in Dari it says, 'April Fool's'!" I looked around the room puzzled, forgetting that today was April 1st, I knew I'd been had. What did we do? We laughed! Hard! It was funny. These old coot friends got the best of me. So we drank our tea, and I reminded them how they have been corrupted by America, resorting to playing out an April Fools joke on an unsuspecting fool.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I think they may have played out this scenario many times today to unsuspecting visitors, I'll find out tomorrow. It is certainly a plausible scenario, and one I fell hook line and sinker for! Gotta love em! I will miss them.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-73060090910552169802009-03-31T00:36:00.000-07:002009-03-31T01:50:33.613-07:00Earth Hour<span style="font-family:arial;">Compiled a list of a few comments I read on various blogs that I felt noteworthy. Certainly worthy of discussion in a classroom.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Re: Earth Hour 2009</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"Its funny, sitting here thinking that Afghans are struggling to survive, while the world is concerned with Earth Hour. Sorry, but its a joke! Participants will feign outrage at their neighbor for not turning off lights, but not a word against an enemy who will happily kill them 'for a cause' " - me via twitter</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"Why do we home school? Could it be because across America, children can't read or do the most basic math or logic problems, but, boy, they sure can re-cycle! Is there so much time on our hands that we can spend all of it "tilting at windmills" (or wind farms)? Heaven help us. Maybe those who die at the hand of Islam are the lucky ones -- the rest of us have to witness the rapid decline of western civilization at the hand of the College Marxists... " - hecowe</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">"When you turn out the lights, you are ... uh, like ... in the dark. Right where libs want everyone to be." - Anonymous</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Teachers: </strong>I know I might lose some of you here, you can see where I stand on this issue. That's alright, I understand. I've presented only one side, you have your opinions too, I respect that. But when it comes to kids in classrooms, we owe it to them to present BOTH sides of an issue. As teachers, we should encourage discussion based on fact (not emotion - for teens, is that possible?), and let students decide for themselves what they believe. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">I think this will help stimulate them into becoming thinking, participative citizens. To do otherwise, is unfair, selfish, and borders on teacher malpractice. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So come on, have a discussion in your classroom. You don't have to know both sides of an issue, just be knowledgeable about how to facilitate a discussion without it getting out of hand. i.e. one speaker at a time, respect for the speaker, strive for facts, not emotion - teach them the difference, etc. Good luck.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-72152073092865891252009-03-26T10:15:00.000-07:002009-03-26T11:09:48.638-07:00Oh Canada<span style="font-family:arial;">Recently, I heard the sad news that <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/world/canada/articles/2009/03/20/4_canadian_soldiers_killed_in_afghanistan_bombings/">four Canadian soldiers</a> were killed in Afghanistan; in two separate IED incidents. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The news brought to mind an email I received a short time ago from a Canadian citizen who follows me on the social networking site, Twitter. From out of the red, white, and blue wrote Garwood: </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;">"On Twitter you asked me what we Canadians think of war. I cannot speak for everyone of course, but the general consensus is that Canadians are pretty humble, docile people, who would prefer peace to war. Of course we have our military but certainly not the power and the might of your armed forces. We don't have a strong feeling about signing up for God and our country like you do in the United States, and I think that is sadly lacking in Canada. We see your love and enthusiasm for your country, your flag, and your military, and we envy that."</span><br /></em><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><em>"As with any war, there are many who do not think we should be in Afghanistan or Iraq (some of our men are posted in Iraq) but our Prime Minister has committed us to the middle of 2011. Our armed forces have been primarily peace keepers until we got involved in Afghanistan and this is all out war. We've lost 113 men over there in the last two years. To you and your military families that isn't very many but every loss of life is a tragedy. We cannot imagine here in Canada what it is like to have the numbers of dead and wounded that your military has sustained since this war began. Our hearts go out to the families of those brave men and women."<br /><br />"My wife and I lost a fellow Winnipeger (that is someone who lives in Winnipeg, our city) in the World Trade Tower collapse on 9/11. My wife and I attended the first memorial service in NYC on 9/11/ 2002. To stand amidst the thousands that gathered at ground zero and talk with them, cry with them, and wave the American Flag with them was an experience I will never forget. Yes, Canada could take lessons on patriotism from the US. My wife and I have travelled throughout your great country and we love it." </em>Garwood<br /><br />As evidenced by the message, not all people dislike Americans, as our biased media, and some fellow citizens would have you believe; fretting at their whine and dine elitist parties about the state we're in. How chic, à la Hollywood style!<br /><br />Quite frankly, I'm not too concerned about those who don't "like" us. So what, who cares? I've always been amazed at those who worry about that sort of thing; our perceived reputation. I've never believed what the media, and others, claimed was a generic distrust/dislike by foreigners towards the US. Garwood helped reaffirm that for me, as I hope it does for you.<br /><br />His message is indicative of what I believe people throughout the world REALLY think of us. Garwood's humble message should be shared, shouted from the rooftops, and spread throughout our schools, so as to foster and instill the love and pride we continue to have for our great nation.<br /><br />I was moved by the above email, and wanted to share it with you. How interesting, to have a Canadian so eloquently say, what most of our politicians won't, about the US as a nation!</span><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-59999990049924775782009-03-22T23:12:00.000-07:002009-03-22T23:12:01.091-07:00Lesson in Fact Finding Too<span style="font-family:arial;">The following story caught my eye, and I thought, hmmm? Let's see what you think, history buffs.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">General "Black Jack" Pershing and Muslim Terrorists in the Philippines before WW I: </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Just before World War I, there were a number of terrorist attacks on United States forces in the Philippines by Muslim extremists. So General Pershing captured 50 terrorists, and had them tied to posts for execution. He then had his men bring in two pigs, and slaughter them in front of the horrified terrorists.<br /><br />Muslims detest pork, because they believe pigs are filthy animals. Some of them simply refuse to eat it, while others won't even touch pigs at all, nor any of their by-products. To them, eating or touching a pig, its meat, its blood, etc., is to be instantly barred from Paradise (and the promised virgins), and doomed to hell. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The soldiers then soaked their bullets in the pigs' blood, and proceeded by firing squad, to execute 49 of the terrorists. The soldiers then dug a big hole, threw in the terrorists' lifeless bodies, and covered them in pig blood, entrails, etc. They let the 50th man go.<br /><br />And for the next 42 years, there was not a single Muslim extremist attack anywhere in the world.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Teachers:</strong> A very interesting, albeit, brutal story; that means your older students should love it! Lots to research here: Who was Gen. Pershing, and why was he famous? Why were we in the Phillipines prior to WWI? Muslims in the Phillipines, whats up with that? Throughout the ages, what were some similar strategies that societies/cultures/armies/tribes used to frighten their enemies away? You get the idea. But be sure to check out, as dear departed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Harvey">Paul Harvey</a> would say, "...the rest of the story" at </span><a href="http://www.snopes.com/rumors/pershing.asp">Snopes</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-60556384482855528702009-03-21T06:02:00.000-07:002009-03-23T05:53:16.596-07:00Happy New Year<span style="font-family:arial;">It's the Afghan New Year today, <a href="http://asia.news.yahoo.com/090321/afp/090321015919top.html">Saturday, March 21, 2009</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">And yet again, the Afghan translators have invited me to their company party (I think I've been officially adopted) to help celebrate the new year, 1388! That's right, 1388.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">One of the younger Afghan translators remarked; </span><span style="font-family:arial;">" Yeah, it's 1388, maybe that's why we're so far behind". We laughed, but in some ways, from what I've seen, he wasn't kidding!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />This brings to mind the words of the artist, formerly known as Prince (or is he Prince again?):<br /><br />"...Yeah, everybody's got a bomb<br />We could all die any day<br />But before I'll let that happen<br />I'll dance my life away<br /><br />They say two thousand zero zero party over<br />Oops, out of time<br />We're runnin' outta time<br />So tonight we gonna, we gonna </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">(Tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999)"<br /><br />Let's see, I guess if I take Prince's advice, and party like its 1999, I would be 611 years ahead of the Afghans! Whoo Hoo! Wonder if they'll be ready for me?</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Wonder if any women will be wearing a burqua, for old times sake? Here I come naan and kabob!<br /></span><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-86526191898946955302009-03-19T10:28:00.000-07:002009-03-19T10:38:22.707-07:00Airman and Teacher<span style="font-family:arial;">When I'm not an Airman, I'm a Special Education teacher in an incarcerated facility, working with juveniles. As I get closer to leaving Afghanistan, my thoughts are slowly turning to teaching again, although, I will probably not be in the classroom until next school year. Once home, am taking the summer off to be with my family, and honor them for THEIR sacrifices. Think we're going to France!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">While deployed, our base chaplain sends out words of encouragement on a daily basis. Although all are thought provoking, the one below, I associate to the students at the court school I'm assigned to. I see it, I live it. I just have to think back to the times I've gone on home visits, and seen the home environment my students are being raised in. Yup, this quote holds lots of meaning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>"THE CURE OF CRIME IS NOT IN THE ELECTRIC CHAIR, BUT IN THE HIGH CHAIR. WHAT DO YOU WANT CHILDREN OF THE WORLD TO LEARN? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN?"</em></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-92123967779389254452009-03-16T23:58:00.000-07:002009-03-19T09:46:11.062-07:00Russian Mined<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxc8BJQ9Hlai-mspts5KjEpX4kQcavUQF3NqPsx_8ESu7P3KfUTghBnpgyref92Kn4dhU4S0X6_uaQw8EjRtidBcxrAIaaDAiciWZpgrUe-63lM0WVq4XA9E9Nx9XNbo7oPWgeuhPfRA/s1600-h/P1010350.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313489474814720546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 295px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxc8BJQ9Hlai-mspts5KjEpX4kQcavUQF3NqPsx_8ESu7P3KfUTghBnpgyref92Kn4dhU4S0X6_uaQw8EjRtidBcxrAIaaDAiciWZpgrUe-63lM0WVq4XA9E9Nx9XNbo7oPWgeuhPfRA/s320/P1010350.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">Today, as I was walking to the office, I came upon familiar LN workers walking towards our building. Lagging behind, was the elder gentleman of the group, limping a bit. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I'd guess him to be around 50-55 yrs. old, hard to tell. In Afghanistan, if born in a village, people generally don't know what their birth date is. When asked for one's age, an Afghan might respond with something like, "I was born when the King died" or "The year the Russians invaded is when I was born". In addition, I'm told, there are only two major ceremonies in their lives: when they're born, and when they die.<br /><br />Mind boggling, huh? Can you imagine all the possibilities if we used that same reference system to answer the question, "When were you born?" Some example responses in the US might be: "When the first car came out", or, "I was born when we landed a man on the moon" or, "When President Clinton denied having sex with that intern, Monica". But I digress!<br /><br />As I approached, I asked the elder why he was limping, like he could understand my impeccable English! Then, I reverted to what I know best, gesticulating, pointing to his leg, and raising my voice like he had a hearing problem, as opposed to a comprehension problem. Now he understood my question!<br /><br />I was stunned by his answer because I knew he spoke little to no English. He stopped, looked down, lifted his pantleg to show me a prosthesis and exclaimed, "F***n' damn Russians mines! F***n' Russian mines!" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Whoa, Polish flashback! I was not sure whether to laugh at his impassioned, totally unexpected outburst, or be disgusted by the reality of the Russian legacy left for Afghanistan. After an awkward pause, I congratulated him on HIS impeccable English, encouraged him to continue expressing his feelings concerning the Russians, and shook hands as we continued our walk silently to the building.<br /><br />I saw this gentleman later in the day, and after having thought about what he'd said, asked if I could take a picture of his prosthetic leg to share with the world. He smiled and obliged. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In hindsight, the "MINES" picture I share with you at the top of my blog, has more meaning than ever to me now, and I will always think of this man, my "I was born when the King died" aged, Afghan friend. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Teachers: </strong>I know we've delved into this a little before. But this puts a face, so to speak, to the story. It is first hand from a real person and the effect it has had. How many mines do they estimate in Afghanistan, rent the movie <em>Kandahar</em>, it is very good but has subtitles. It deals with people who were victims of mines. A real eye opener and depicts life as it is in Afghanistan. Probably better for HS students.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-75834591747296978912009-03-14T23:53:00.000-07:002009-03-14T11:42:13.340-07:00Empower Afghans<span style="font-family:arial;">Somebody brought up a great point about where to draw the line in how much we help Afghanistan and it's citizens. I was having a discussion concerning Afghan children on the other side of the fence, "outside the wire". The translator said "Yes, children typically stand there, with puppy dog eyes, hoping a soldier will throw them some bottled water, candy, etc." S<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">oldiers</span> are torn, because they see their plight, maybe even see their own children in their eyes, and naturally, want to help. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The translator explained, "...that by succumbing to your helpful nature, you are encouraging a potentially harmful social behavior; that begging is rewarded". He continued, "We must be careful not to lull Afghans into a sense of entitlement". "If you go right outside the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ECP,</span> into the village, you will find another world; poor people on donkeys and bikes, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7714735.stm">beggars</a>, unsanitary water, lawlessness; you'll literally be in a third world country!"</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">His point was made; the US must be cautious not to create an Afghan welfare state. Creating and enabling a welfare-like society would be an egregious disservice to Afghanistan. We know what that looks like, and it ain't pretty. Watch how this generation of Afghan children evolves. Will they grow up to embrace self-sufficiency? Or, will they remember begging for water and candy from soldiers, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">expecting</span> entitlements that Americans (and others) have unwittingly bestowed upon them?</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Like pebbles dropped into calm water, the rippling waves move from the center outward. Lets duplicate that rippling effect by enabling, rather than entitling, Afghans to <a href="http://www.dfid.gov.uk/casestudies/files/asia/afghanistan-farmers.asp">farm</a> (crops, not opium poppies), <a href="http://www.dfid.gov.uk/casestudies/files/asia/afghanistan-microfinance.asp">to become self-sufficient</a>, to <a href="http://www.dfid.gov.uk/casestudies/files/asia/afghanistan-education-girls.asp">foster education</a>, etc. in the hope for an empowered Afghanistan.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm not a military or social strategist. I don't suggest the above because it is not being done, it is, in various forms. I don't know how we'll measure Afghan progress outside the Taliban influence. Does progress mean fewer beggars, more stores being opened, more shoppers, a larger workforce, increased literacy? Time will tell.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-5352632091796739022009-03-05T06:49:00.000-08:002009-03-07T10:57:25.565-08:00Symbolism and Cartoons<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdzLVAOnkSIUwJkxjdOdGCXGmTaIDRd6n4Muo0Bb1xq4pFPALHGwgEJuvKuYNs7Ei3sWV1F5-k2O9TJ5d_cQQusGvP7DW3fFmGCE0-4pVZiyNi-1Ra_clNFWyc39b5GZ1ZtiVZqeSmx8/s1600-h/symbolism1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309719478735390050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdzLVAOnkSIUwJkxjdOdGCXGmTaIDRd6n4Muo0Bb1xq4pFPALHGwgEJuvKuYNs7Ei3sWV1F5-k2O9TJ5d_cQQusGvP7DW3fFmGCE0-4pVZiyNi-1Ra_clNFWyc39b5GZ1ZtiVZqeSmx8/s400/symbolism1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Found this editorial cartoon on an Afghan website recently. What do you think? Cartoons are serious business. Some cartoonists have death threats made against them for cartoons they've drawn depicting religious figures or other cultural icons. Do some research, how many cartoonists have been murdered for expressing their views through art? Wonder who's heads those are hanging? And what about that whip? Is this cartoon inflammatory? Would like your opinions.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Just added <a href="http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=82963">this article</a>, relevant to the cartoon.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Teachers</strong>: Discuss what the term </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolism"><span style="font-family:arial;">Symbolism</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> means with your students. Is the artist using symbolism or is he being literal? What does literal mean? What do you suppose the artist's message is? What is the difference between an editorial cartoon and those found on the comics page of a newspaper? Have your students deconstruct the cartoon in groups and have each group report on what they believe the cartoon is saying. After they report out, the discussions generated can lead to further investigation concerning the Taliban, religious teachings, Afghan culture, etc. See where it leads.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-18316288564743754112009-03-02T02:42:00.000-08:002009-03-02T11:16:37.674-08:00The Great American Influence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsRRuHr7Daw3cSQixVe24Eya8gMAupISw8QTfn3lPhO7aXPETLa_xQLjCkepDQjoQt5YefqmnBFvYmgcDlTyjMVYh2aGw6vH_86ksCXmbMgIeGns5I6uppVg_KxwuSwCIWWQ6Fcbm0Qc/s1600-h/baf09+301.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308547103814841586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsRRuHr7Daw3cSQixVe24Eya8gMAupISw8QTfn3lPhO7aXPETLa_xQLjCkepDQjoQt5YefqmnBFvYmgcDlTyjMVYh2aGw6vH_86ksCXmbMgIeGns5I6uppVg_KxwuSwCIWWQ6Fcbm0Qc/s320/baf09+301.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I know I've mentioned my Polish friends before (pic attached). They are based here and maintain the Polish helicopters. Their soldiers are also based in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ghazni</span> where they have a larger presence, along with greater military responsibility for that region. My friends <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Przemec</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Tadek</span> flew to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ghazni</span> to do some work. It has turned out so far to be for 2-3 weeks, as expected. They should be returning soon.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Przemek's</span> email from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ghazni</span> (below) reminded me of being back home at school, working with students who are learning English. It is displayed without editing, except for location:</span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">cześć</span> Mark, thank you for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">wrtting</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gazni</span> is small place bat I thing so it is safety, I would like to come back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Base X</span> how it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">posible</span> , bat My helicopters not flay now. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Im</span> going come back this week, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">TheWeather</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">smotime</span> is good bat not often, The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">acomodation</span> is wore then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">ni</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Base X</span>, is only small gym , bat my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">soliders</span> are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">wery</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">funy</span>. I was too on Mass on Ash Wednesday, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">dont</span> have a lot of work because we heave problem with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">secial</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">fiuel</span> to helicopters. so we stay in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">erth</span>. so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">sory</span> my writing is not good I think co We will meet too, have you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">goot</span> day Mark"</span><br /><br />I am often humored by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Przemek's</span> attempts at spoken English. An example... </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">One evening we were at the AF rec area and I showed them how to play <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">UNO</span>, a card game I play at home with my son. Thought it would be a good game to teach them, because it involves colors, numbers, and words, in English. They enjoyed learning the game, and playing enabled them to practice speaking English. It just so happened that, next to us, was a group of young Army and AF soldiers playing Texas Hold-Em (poker); they were having their own unique experience. The soldiers were boisterous, enjoying themselves, and of course, were using many colorful, descriptive English words (profanities) to express their pleasure/displeasure with their poker hands.<br /><br />So here I am, trying to help my friends learn English, and after a while, out of the blue as we were shuffling the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">UNO</span> cards, ready to start another game, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Prezemec</span> exclaims "I like this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">fokking</span> game, sheet, it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">goot</span> dam game"! The three of us busted up laughing and joined in, exchanging profanities of our own ("Shuffle the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">fokking</span> deck"! "This is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">goot</span> sheet game"!) . A truly Joint Coalition experience! </span></p><span style="font-family:arial;">I realized my Polish friends were keenly aware of the expletive phrases being thrown around by the young soldiers, and thought it would be fun to practice some of their own interpretations of colorful English phrasing. I'm sure they had heard these cuss words before, but in a learning mode, were intrigued by the soldiers' descriptive vocabulary. They proudly wanted to emulate the soldiers' usage of the newly acquired phrases, as if it were an honor to know these terms. I have to admit, they were quick f*#*n learners!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Teachers</strong>: Sorry, you're on your own with this one! Good luck. Just kidding! Have your students write out (individually) what they think my friend was trying to say in English. Then have the class share and compare what they came up with. Are you all able to come to a consensus? If you have an EL class, UNO is a great way to learn colors and numbers and a few select words. I'd skip a discussion on the cussing, unless you want to hear a lot of it coming from your students.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9133303082242190377.post-87289240372537174212009-02-24T11:33:00.000-08:002009-02-25T11:43:01.082-08:00Celebutard is a Cool Word<span style="font-family:arial;">WHAT IS A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CELEBUTARD</span></span>? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ce</span></span> - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">leb</span></span> – u – <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tard</span></span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">suh</span></span> – <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LEB</span></span> – <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">yu</span></span> – <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">tard</span></span>) noun:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1. A famous person with a grandiose notion of his/her own importance and contribution to the known universe. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">2. A human being of sub-par intellect, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">oversized</span></span> ego and colossal bank account, whose existence represents a drag on the food chain, waste of oxygen and severe annoyance. Its habitat is found in the entertainment industry, mansions of trust-fund children, and occasionally in the sports industry.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">3. An egregious moron. (Origin: from the Latin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">celebutardus</span></span> Paris <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Hiltonus</span></span> maximum <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Baldwinus</span></span>)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">For the above definition, a shout-out to author Andrea <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Peyser</span></span>. Here is an excerpt from her just released <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0806531096?ie=UTF8&tag=deploteach-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0806531096"><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Celebutards</span></em></a><em><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=deploteach-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0806531096" width="1" border="0" /></em> </span>which is available for purchase at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0806531096?ie=UTF8&tag=deploteach-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0806531096">Amazon</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=deploteach-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0806531096" width="1" border="0" /> :</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Celebutards</span></span>. They walk among us but they are not of us. They eat, sleep and breed just like ordinary humans. But at some magic moment — between the time, say, a movie script wanders into the hands of a world-class <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">celebutard</span></span> such as George <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Clooney</span></span>, and the words travel through lilting vocal chords to land on unsuspecting ears, something terrible occurs. They start to believe in their own ignorance."</span></em></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><div align="justify"><br /><em>"A dull thinker such as Madonna becomes, in her mind and in the eyes of devoted fans, a self-appointed sage. Veritable moron Rosie O’Donnell transforms from a shrill, gay mom into a rocket scientist. Sean Penn boldly breaks bread with tyrants and enemies of his own country, vapid pop singer Sheryl Crow calls for rationing toilet paper to one sheet per sitting, and earth avenger Al Gore forgets he lost an election. Give a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">celebutard</span></span> a microphone and a little encouragement, and suddenly, without warning, that talented performer says and does things that are really, incredibly, grotesquely dumb."</em></div><div align="justify"><em></em></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Why am I sharing this? First of all, when I saw I the word <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">celbutard</span></span>, I laughed! I knew instantly what it meant, and that doesn't happen often. Secondly, after the Oscars were on, and Sean Penn won an award, I realized that the Oscars were political, not objective and apolitical as they should be. I don't get America <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">bashers</span></span>, and I don't get him. I wonder if his friend Hugo Chavez allows his citizens to speak about Venezuela in such a manner? And, live to tell about it. Don't get me wrong, I support Penn's right to say what he feels he needs to say, but I am not obligated to agree with it. That's just one thing, out of many, that is great about America. By the way, in her book, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Peyser</span></span> skewers Penn, and rightly so.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>Teachers</strong>: Do you strive to provide insight, and a balanced perspective to your students? Do you teach them enough information in matters of government, history and social sciences that allows them to formulate their own opinions? As we are influenced by who we grow up with, ask students what the adults at home discuss, politically or socially. Do they agree with them? Maybe some students would be reluctant to discuss this topic, maybe better as a written assignment.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2