Dogmatic

Open Muse:

It's one thing to have faith. It's even commendable. However, to me, its another thing completely to be so fervent -- to the exclusion of all others' (beliefs, ideas, customs, etc.). Baffling -- how people 40, 50 years of age, who have been practicing (or not) for 10 or 20 years can be so adamant, and narrow, that they would curse people to hell, or "pray for you" to change to their way of believing. Most people have no concept whatsoever of the historical context in which their religion emerged, or what languages, customs or ethnic groups shaped it -- over so many years, events and accidents. Nor do they care. Yet these modern zealots are convinced that the next person is not only errant in their ways, but should be pitied or scorned.

Maybe that's because they are not really convinced?...

Terrorism

When I was a entering high school the only terrorist group I knew of was the IRA (Irish Republican Army). Around the same time I got hip to the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) by way of the press that Yasir Arafat was getting after Camp David. Under President Ronald Reagan we were suppose to loath the Sandinistas because they were communists. On the other hand, we were to support the Contras -- a terrorist organization that was trying to overthrow a democratically elected government in Nicaragua. Our government supported those Central American terrorists by secretly trading with the Iranians who had not long since, well... terrorized our embassy.
Then in the late 1980s a bunch of Middle Eastern terrorist groups became internationally known for terrorizing our military bases. Meanwhile Carlos The Jackal from South America and the Uni-bomber from America were still on the loose. They were terrorists too. At the turn of the 20th century there was a whole class of mostly East-European terrorist with political motives -- known as Anarchist. The Ku Klux Klan was a "home grown" terrorist group/political party that actually fit the description by even today's standards. In the 1990s, living the single life and distracted by indulgence, I was still aware of a long drawn out war in a place called the Balkans; where White Christians in Serbia were terrorizing White Muslims in Croatia. Committing genocide against them. Remember when the ANC (African National Congress) were labeled terrorist by our government because the racist South African government, our allies then, regarded them so? The ANC leads that government now.
Still, September 11, 2001 changed how terrorists would be perceived since. Now terrorism has the face of a Mid-eastern Arab-speaking man in his early to late twenties who prays to the East; and a bunch of old guys in beards telling those terrorist what to do...think.

Books II

I am reading Savage Continent: Europe in the Aftermath of World War II. Whoa!

Books

I decided to take my education anthology home this time. I have been employed by three public school districts as an assistant principal and despite all the talk about applied research, there is seldom any application. Despite all the topics bandied about at workshops and meetings -- mostly intended to impress others in the room -- there is little or no effort attributed to institutional change brought on by academics. So topics on Turn Around Leadership, ISLLC Standards, Learner-centered schools, Small Learning Communities have little real impact on the everyday functioning of most public schools. And particularly those serving indigent communities. The reformers: Senge, Comer, Noguera, Kozol, tend to merit only yawns at staff meetings and "professional development" events -- if they are recognized at all.

And because local politics and job security -- especially in the climate of public-private mergers -- occupy all the strategic thinking of school leaders, progressive instruction for underachieving groups is only given lip-service. Today, administrators in [New Jersey] are too distracted by the seemingly inevitable end of tenure (job security) brought on by the latest evaluation models for principals and teachers. So, I am keeping my books home this time. No longer will they be displayed on my office book shelf for quick reference in case I want to write a persuasive report, or prepare for a presentation. It seems as though no one is even feigning attention. And even though I work in and for communities in poverty, I am going to stop checking for the latest titles from noted advocates and researchers on the subject. Feeble educators suggest that the latest technology is a panacea. Skillful organization posturing and small group maneuvering supersede the best practices in education for needy groups.

I am thinking that the way forward is out...

Ramadan 2013 Day 26

That last several days of Ramadan are upon us. Allahu Akbar! Many Blessings are evident. All Praises Due...

Ramadan Reflections

Half way through the Month of Ramadan...All Praises Due to Allah. So, I was reflecting last night and today on the blessings/benefits of the fast. Because it's probably one of the few decidedly religious things I do as a Muslim, I try to adhere to it closely. I hope this post does not make me appear without humility, but I wanted share fascinating things I am experiencing:

- Hunger can be managed, and the with the added benefits of affirmed will power and self confidence.
- I feel more mentally acute, even when my energy is low.
- I have always been a hyper person, but fasting causes me to experience a natural slow down. As a result, I am less impulsive and forgetful because my actions become more deliberate and efficient.
- I notice an absence of noise at the cellular level, because my body is not constantly digesting
- Fasting in summer brings challenges associated with the long days and high temperatures, but the grass still get mowed!

Genetically Modified Goodness?

I am beginning to rethink my position on genetically modified (GM) foods. Or at least I am now more open to the other side of the debate. Scientist-created foodstuff sounds like cause for immediate suspicion. After all mono-sodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame, and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are good for no one, right? And while what I have read about the capitalist enriching self-terminating seeds promoted and sold by agri-giant Monsanto are alarming, so are the articles I have read about food insecure populations in places like Sub-Saharan Africa. Maybe GM crops have a useful role on our planet after all? I am open to further information.