Meet My Chickens

Bush was Warned about Hurricane Katrina

Maher and Moyers on Health Care, Obama and America

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Maher: “Do you think we are still a great nation?

Moyer: “We are a very crippled giant, suffering from self-inflicted wounds that if we do not treat and heal, will in fact bring us to our knees and ultimately, to our doom.”

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I am sad to say, but Obama is becoming a very disappointing leader. Washington is so corrupt and politics is so intertwined with corporate money that it is impossible for our government to work the way it should. It’s very disappointing. Politics in this country, is a sham.

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Here is a really great interview with Bill Maher and Bill Moyers about health care, the corporate co-op of the democratic party, Obama and the future of America.

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RIP Merce Cunningham

Let Us Consider, by Russell Edson

I stumbled on this by accident while doing research for my unit of instruction on modern poetry. It gives me the chills every time.

Another:

Another:

What’s My Age Again?

Today was a random and amusing day.

While waiting at the bus stop downtown, a guy who had thrown his cigarette butt into the landscaped side of a Portland State building started a mini-brush fire. Well, it wasn’t really a fire–not yet anyway. It was more like a gentle smoldering that emitted a lot of smoke.

When I first arrived at the bus stop and noticed the smoke, I went over and tried to stamp it out with my feet. Then the guy who was apparently the cause of the incident, showed up and said, “Yah, don’t worry. I just talked to the firemen down the street. They are going to swing by with a bucket of water,” and then added nonchalantly, “hmm…looks like it could get serious.”

The culprit ended up boarding the number 12 bus with me, leaving behind his potential fire. When we drove by the fire station, I saw the firemen outside, enjoying the sunshine and washing their truck, apparently oblivious to the horrible potential danger down the street from them.

Later that day, Mike and I went to the opening of a new vegan BBQ restaurant. Well, it wasn’t really a restaurant, more like a few picnic tables and a huge grill set up in a once vacant plot of land on Alberta street. While we were gobbling down our  BBQ Tempeh, Spicy Soy Curls Pita Sandwich, and “Mac and No Cheese,” a gentleman came strolling down the street, loudly and proudly singing the lyrics to that classic song, “What’s My Age Again?,” by Blink 182. He had ear-buds in, so he apparently had no idea what he sounded like or how loudly he was singing. It was by far one of the most amusing and entertaining 30 seconds I have ever experienced.

After we got lost at The City of Books, we came home and clipped off the flight feathers of our pet chickens. Have I mentioned lately how much I love Portland???

Oh, and to top it off, I found this:

Naomie Klein on Rachel Maddow

I love Naomi Klein. I saw her speak about her book, “The Shock Doctrine,” in New Orleans. Now here she is speaking about the bailouts:

What’s Your Education Story?

We all have an education story. These stories tell much than details of the drone inside the four walls of a classroom. These stories paint pictures of different phases in our lives. These stories explain who we are today.

Some stumble upon an educational path ridden with thorn bushes and thunderstorms. Some fly into their educational path in an all-expense paid for fighter jet with gilded wings. Some are encouraged, and led onto their educational path being told that their future will be grand and full of success. And unfortunately, some are discouraged from the moment they step into the light of their path. Some are told they are not capable, that theirs is a lost cause.

Bill Maher interviews Elizabeth Warren

Milton Friedman’s economic theories, which have been ruling for the past forty years, are falling apart before our eyes. This model is one of extreme capitalism, upheld as scientific theory. However, the fact is money is not scientific, and the way that money affects people cannot be viewed as such. If we want to progress as a society and survive this turbulent time, we must let go of Friedman’s outdated model and establish one which takes into account the people.
Below is a great video clip from Real Time with Bill Maher. He interviews Elizabeth Warren about the bailouts and the future of our country.

Hobart Shakespearens

Rafe Esquith’s teaching methods for his 5th grade classroom are smart, effective, but intensely time consuming.  He is an inspiration and a good example of what true commitment in the classroom can achieve. He places emphasis on morals and hard work, which are two things important for students’ growth both as young adults and learners.

Esquith is one in a million. 99.9% of the teachers will never be able to reach to his heights, unless they wish to sacrifice their personal lives. I have been warned by many professors about overcommitment as a teacher–it is important to be balanced and to have a life outside the classroom. Esquith really makes me question this–he is changing these children’s lives for the better–but he has sacrificed a lot. What about his wife and kids? How can one sustain a family while working 12 hours a day? Either way, Esquith has great ideas and a firey passion.

Hobart Shakespearen’s Website

His book, which I highly reccomend: Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire