Dr. Xiarhos
  • Blog: Our World...
  • What's Going On (Archive)

Woonsocket Cross...

4/29/2012

 
William Jolicoeur was a resident of Woonsocket Rhode Island who was killed in France during World War I.  In 1921 the town of Woonsocket dedicated a memorial in his memory... that memorial was a cross with a plaque bearing his name.  In 1953, the monument was rededicated to honor more veterans, this time three brothers who were killed in World War II, Alexandre, Henri, and Louis Gagne's names were added to the monument in 1952.

Flash forward to 2012.  

The Wisconsin based group known as the "Freedom from Religion Foundation" has sent a letter to Woonsocket mayor Leo Fontaine requesting that the memorial, which is on city land, be taken down claiming that because it is on public land, it violates the first amendment; the mayor disagrees.

Over the weekend the mayor and a representative from the foundation appeared on the national Fox News channel in a brief but stern debate.  The foundation has suggested that the cross be moved to private property and a secular memorial be placed on public property.  

The separation of Church and State is one of the most valued components of the United States Constitution, yet it is one of the most misunderstood... while the phrase, "separation of Church and State" never appears in the Constitution, the first amendment certainly addresses religion.

I invite you to Google the Woonsocket monument, check out the debate on Fox News, and read over the First Amendment and try to determine if the monument violates the law... remember, simply because it has been there a long time doesn't really mean anything in the eyes of the law...

So, does the monument violate the law???

Check out the debate below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqHGqXATnSk 

NHL and racism

4/26/2012

 
On Wednesday night, the Boston Bruins' defense of their 2011 Stanley Cup came to an end as they were eliminated by the Washington Capitals in overtime of Game 7 of their series.  As a Bruins fan I was sad, angry, and disappointed that the Bruins wouldn't move on the the next round.  My feelings of anger and disappointment would be nothing compared to how I felt after going through Twitter after the game...

I had gone online in order to vent some frustration and get the fan reaction to the end of the Bruins' season, what I saw instead was a disgusting display of hate and racism by fans from the Boston area.  The goal which ended the season for Boston was scored by Joel Ward, the Toronto born son of immigrant parents from Barbados, and after the game, Joel's race became the subject of taunts and threats all over social media, specifically Twitter.

""Hey Joel Ward!! You [expletive] spear chucking monkey, why don't you actually DO SOMETHING. You're totally irrelevant"

"How the [expletive] did Joel ward get out of my plantation? #WheresMyCotton"

"Warning to Joel Ward. Your one of three black guys in Canada. I will find you…and I will kill you."

Ward has said that growing up in Canada and playing youth hockey he was used to kids making racial comments, but that he had never experienced anything in the NHL... until Wednesday night.  

Way to stay classy Boston... and way to solidify your already ugly reputation as one of the most racist sports towns in the country... I'm not proud to be a fan of the Bruins right now, and that has absolutely nothing to do with the hockey team... 

"OTH" discharge over FaceBook...

4/26/2012

 
Sgt. Gary Stein, a nine year veteran of the United States Marine Corps has received an "Other Than Honorable" discharge by the corps. because of comments he made concerning President Obama on Facebook.  The case pushes the limits on what the First Amendment actually allows people to say or express.

The First Amendment is not absolute... it does have its limits.  For members of the military, who take oaths to protect the Constitution, the nation, and the President, they are limited as to what they can publicly express.  Each member of the military, upon enlistment, must take an oath addressing their rights and responsibilities as members of the armed forces, part of that oath includes,  " I will obey the orders of the President of the United States..." 

The Facebook post which has led to Sgt. Stein's discharge reads as follows, "Screw Obama and I will not follow all orders from him."  Clearly such a statement appears to be in violation of his oath and by extension his responsibilities  as a soldier.  Sgt. Stein said he meant that he would not follow illegal orders and that his comments are protected by the First Amendment.

The decision reached by the Marine Corps. essentially states that while Stein has the right to make such statements, he does not have the right to serve in the corps.... that is a privilege.

Student tormented by teachers...

4/25/2012

 
Earlier this year Stuart Chifetz's 10-year-old son Akian, who suffers from autism, began getting into trouble in school.  Akian's teachers were claiming that the boy was becoming aggressive and appeared to have anger management problems, and that he had even violently attacked his teachers.  His father wrote the following on his personal website:

"I could not understand why this was happening.  I had never witnessed Akian hit anyone, nor could I dream of him lashing out as had been described to me."

After meeting with teachers Stuart sought the help of a behavior therapist, it was decided that the therapist would conduct several classroom visits in order to observe Akian and even try to create a scenario which would push him to lash out in the way described by teachers... despite the instigation, Aikian did nothing. 

Finally, in February Aikan's father decided to place a wire on his son in order to find out what was really happening in that classroom.  The audio from that day is disturbing at best...  Aikan was under constant verbal attack by his teachers. Teachers are on tape screaming at Aikan, threatening him, and having inappropriate conversations while in presence of the students which include adult marital issues, alcohol abuse, and personal opinions of certain students.  

Aikan was not lashing out at people, he was defending himself...   Thus far the teachers are still employed by the school department in New Jersey.

12 felony counts for teacher...

4/23/2012

 
A Virginia teacher named Manuael Ernest Dillow has been charged with 12 counts of felony assault after he forced his students to line up against his classroom wall and pulled a gun on them.  The gun, which fired blanks, looked and sounded like a real gun, and the assault charges step from inciting fear into his students.

According to reports, he pulled the gun from the back waistband of his pants and fired approximately ten shots in the direction of the students.  The 12 assault counts are class 6 felonies and if convicted he could face up to five years in prison for each count.

The courts in Virginia will likely treat Dillow harshly as this incident occurred a few days after the five year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings in which 32 people were shot by a student...

International Food Day...

4/22/2012

 

Today's blog is taken from Srta. Kelly's weekly blog.  Here she discusses the foreign language department's international food day.  
The concept of "breaking bread" or the sharing of foods and drinks has always been an essential aspect of humanity.  Among family, friends, and even enemies, the practice of eating and drinking together has often been documented.  One of the best parts of experiencing another culture is being able to try different foods and prepared dishes and we will be doing that this week!

This Wednesday, April 25th, we will be celebrating our annual International Food Day!!!  Although the tradition of tapas is unique to Spain, the spirit of tapas (or sampling a smaller portion of several different things) is embraced at Pilgrim's International Food Day event.

What will you be bringing for this event?  Are you willing to try EVERYTHING???  If there is something that you really like, would you consider trying to make it at home?  Have you participated in International Food Day before or have you tried some unique foods somewhere else?  Where were you when you tried the most interesting food you have ever had?  Remember, you may not have yet tried what will end up being your favorite food...  Food is fun!  Let's eat! 

Rocket failure...

4/12/2012

 

Defying warnings from the Unites States, Japan, and the United Nations, North Korea launched a long-range missile Friday morning.  The long-range missile program has been a major cause for concern for the United States as North Korea is purported to be developing nuclear weapon technology... that combined with a long-range missile could put the mainland of the United States in very real danger from a country who is openly hostile to it.  The rocket however proved to be a complete failure...

According to reports from Japan as well as top U.S. officials, the launched rocket broke apart before it was able to leave Earth's atmosphere... it eventually crashed into the sea.
It is unclear how the United Nations will respond to North Korea's attempt; an attempt it had condemned and warned the rogue state not to proceed with... now that the rocket failed, the next move by the UN could be very interesting indeed.

Japan's defense ministry stated that it was prepared to shoot the rocket down if it had crossed into Japanese air space... thus far North Korea's most important ally, the People's Republic of China, has kept silent on the issue.

Freedom of Speech???

4/11/2012

 
Last week, Brooke Harris, a literature teacher in Michigan, was fired for supporting some students who planned a "Wear a Hoodie to School Day" in memory of Treyvon Martin.  The idea was similar to when we have our "Hat Day" here at Pilgrim... Students would pay $1 to wear a Hoodie to school and the money raised would be sent to the family of Treyvon Martin.  Just as at Pilgrim where hats are not normally allowed, hoodies are not normally allowed at Pontiac Academy for Excellence Middle School.

Harris claims she did everything "by the book"... she sent a proposal and request to administration, and when it was determined that the fundraising event would cause too much of a distraction the proposal was rejected.  Harris then encouraged students to make their request in person to the superintendent for which she was suspended then quickly fired.

The case raises issues of how much teachers should be allowed to discuss their own personal politics and beliefs in their classroom... an issue I know I struggle with when it comes to topics of politics, religion, and a host of social issues...

In a similar issue concerning free speech, Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen has been suspended for comments he made in support of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.  Guillen was quoted as saying "I respect Fidel Castro. You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that [expletive] is still here."   His comments sparked outrage in the Miami community, which is home to a large Cuban-American population... many of whom risked their lives to escape Castro's Cuba.

Guillen was forced to make a public apology and has been suspended for five games for his comments... comments that are supported by the First Amendment.  The Miami Marlins want it made clear that Guillen's feelings were not representative of the Marlins or anyone else in the organization.  ESPN, sports radio, and new media outlets all over the country have been slamming Guillen and anyone supporting him... 

 Is supporting Guillen's right to make such comments the same as supporting the comments themselves?  

Tulsa Shootings...

4/9/2012

 
Police are investing a series of shootings is Tulsa, Oklahoma which occurred this past Friday.  Yesterday two roommates,  Jake England (19) and Alvin Watts (32) were arrested in connection to the shootings... Police claim they do not know which of the men pulled the trigger, but that both men will be charged.

Five people were shot on the spree, three of whom died.  There does not appear to be any connection between the shooters and the victims, however police believe that the victims could have been targeted because they are black... shortly before the shootings, England had posted that it had been two years since his father was killed by a black man, whom he referred to with a racial slur.

Police released that they were still looking for other motives, but all signs seem to poin

If convicted on the crime, both men could face the death penalty.


Evolution vs. Creationism...

4/4/2012

 

The Tennessee General Assembly is close to enacting a law which would protect teachers who allow students to criticize evolution and other scientific theories, such as global warming.  Republican Governor Bill Haslam said he would likely sign the bill into law. 

The bill itself, according to the State Board of Education and Governor Haslam,  will not change the curriculum... so why the bill?  Lawmakers claim that the law is intended to encourage critical thinking by protecting teachers from discipline if they help students critique "scientific weaknesses." 
Scientists in the district, as well as the American Association for the Advancement of Science are asking the Governor to veto the bill, arguing that evolution is established science, and that it should not be taught as a controversy.

Three members of the National Academy of Sciences, all with doctorate degrees claim that, "what the Tennessee legislature is doing unbelievable: attempting to roll the clock back to 1925 by attempting to insert religious beliefs in the teaching of science..."

<<Previous

    Archives

    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.