Graduation

Graduation is next Friday.  The school will miss you all.  Individually and collectively you bring a unique culture to the school.  Whenever there is a change in the classes, the school mourns.  Don’t get too choked up, when the new school year begins we move on, just as you will, and the school will adjust to the new classes and the new 8^th graders.

But before we move on, we should reflect on the impact you have had on the school and the impact the school has had on you.  Our school is not static.  It changes with each new class and with each new student.  Each class develops its own identity and personality.  That personality may change over the years as students come and go.  The collection of classes makes up the identity and personality of the school.  Even though this school has been around for over a hundred years, it is the students, classes and teachers along with the families and church that determines the cultural personality of the school.

Each of you alone and all of you together have helped shape this school and your influence will be felt for years to come.  I believe in the idea that whenever you enter into something, you should have a goal to leave it better than it was when you started.  I believe you are leaving the school better today than when you started.  For that, we all owe you a thank you.

But just as you have had the opportunity to shape the school, I believe the school has helped to shape who you are.  While it may take years before you are able to fully appreciate the impact the school has had on your lives, I would expect you can look back over the years and find one or two lessons you will carry forward with you.  You may be able to identify one or two teachers which may have helped you to understand yourself as a student.  You may look at the friendships you have developed over the years and realize what a blessing it was to have them in your life.  You may look at the impact of having your Catholic faith as a corner stone of your education and how that has shaped your understanding of all subjects, not just religion.

What impact do you believe you and your class had on the school?  How would you like your class to be remembered?  What are your fondest memories or greatest life lessons are you taking with you from St. Joe’s?

May Day 2012

I typically refrain from giving my opinion about the topics I write about.  I would rather read what you think than have my thoughts and opinions shape your ideas.  While I still hope for that, after reading about some of the lunacy of May 1, 2012, I can no longer hold my tongue.

On May 1^st across the country May Day protests, some tied to the Occupy Wall Street protests, declared this a day to up the public protests against the 1% of the population controlling the wealth of this country.  Great.  It is each person’s choice to stand up for what they believe in and question our society and government in the face of anything which may infringe on our rights and our liberty.  That being said, this constant protest has reached the point of absurdity in many places and with many people.  They have taken this idea of equality and fairness and turned it into a ridiculous rant against the wealthy.  Many have chosen to make their protests violent, disruptive, and chaotic. 

If you read the papers or search the internet you will find multiple stories concerning arrests, disruptive protests, and other gathering coordinated by the Occupy Whatever City groups.  What fascinates and irritates me is, “What do they want?”  They are concerned about the 1% of the population controlling the political and economic systems of our country.  If this is there problem, what is their solution?

Regardless, I am not one of the 1%.  But I do not believe or plan on giving any one group, wealthy or not, the power to decide anything about my life, liberty or my pursuit of happiness.  This country was built on the beliefs of valuing and respecting each individual.  I know this because I can vote.  I know this because I get to choose my profession.  I can be whatever I want to be and so can my children.  They are not held down or limited based on their economic status.

 The United States of America is the greatest country in the world.  For hundreds of years we have been evolving into what we are, but our foundation is still in line with our founding fathers.  That does not mean we do not have problems.  We do.  Giant problems that need to be resolved.  But the idea of redistributing wealth goes against everything our country was based on.  You can do anything you want to if you are willing to work hard and dedicate yourself to your goals.  That to me is the bigger problem in our country. We have lost our will to work hard.  We want things to be given to us and everything to be fair.  All I know is that the things I really have had to work hard for or continue to work hard with are the most precious things in my life.  The hard work is what makes it all worth it.

I am impressed with some of the protestors.  I think they have valid concerns and would like real change.  Unfortunately it is the knuckle head antics that are getting the press.

What in your life have you had to work hard for?  What challenges did you face when trying to achieve your goals?  How did you overcome the obstacles?

Names

How important is your name?  Where did it come from?  What does it say about you?  Would it be hard to believe your life course may be set by your family surname or by the first decision made for you when you were born?  Research has shown based on your name, you may be predisposed to choose a certain profession.

Our names are held sacred.  Being a person with an alternative spelling for my first name, I am hyper-sensitive to people pronouncing and spelling it correctly.  Additionally, I am overcome with embarrassment if I mispronounce or misspell anyone’s name.  It is something we own and something we are proud of.  It is the first thing we are given and it stays with us wherever we go.

Your name can have a significant impact on those you meet even before you open your mouth.  Most often unfairly, you are judged by your name.  Researchers have polled employers on their impressions of potential candidates based solely on their name.  The name “John” for instance, creates the impression of someone who is wholesome and dependable. 

In addition to creating an immediate impression, your name may also indicate your future career choice.  A Wall Street Journal article from June 21, 2011 cites a controversial study conducted by State University of New York in Buffalo which claims people are more likely to choose a profession with names that are similar the their own.  While this may seem preposterous, it is hard to argue with:

Dr. Douglas Hart – cardiologist

Sue Yoo – lawyer

Cory Greathouse – realtor

Patricia Boguslawski – lawyer

Dr. Payne – orthodontist

Even if your name does not have to do with your profession, it may provide you advantages in other ways.  Simply ask Mr. Will Wynn, winner of the Austin, TX mayoral campaign from 2003 through 2009 if you would like additional evidence. 

Where did you get your name?   Based on your name, what would be your ideal profession?  Regardless of name, what do you want to do professionally in the future?

Tax Day

April 15^th of each year is traditionally tax day in the United States.  Since the 15^th fell on a Sunday this year and the 16^th is a holiday in Washington, D.C., the tax day this year is April 17^th.  Regardless of the actual day, Americans from sea to shining sea are asked to account for their income during the prior calendar year and pay Uncle Sam their share. 

Whether it is due to the fact we are in an election year or our obsession with the economic woes of the United States, there are countless articles, blog and other editorials concerning taxes and tax rates.  Articles regarding how much the President paid versus his secretary, how much we all pay as a result of people cheating on their taxes, what effect the Buffett rule will have on all of us are littering the internet.

Taxes are necessary if we are going to live in operate in a civilized democracy.  It is necessary for each of us to pay our fair share to provide for many of the services we take for granted.  Tax dollars pay for schools, emergency services, military services, highways and street systems in addition to countless other programs and services.  The question becomes what is a “fair share”. 

In the United States we employ a progressive tax structure when it comes to individual income tax.  A progressive tax is based on a sliding scale that increases as your income increases.  While this may seem unfair to some, there are many offsets to personal income taxes available to individuals for various reasons.  As a result it is possible for someone with higher income to pay a lower percentage than others based on their exceptions or deductions.

What do you know about the federal income tax system?  What other taxes are you aware of?  How would you determine the “fair share” each family should pay?  

Hunger Games

You convinced me the Hunger Games was a worthy topic to dedicate to my blog.  It has not been unnoticed the number of Hunger Games books carried around the school by our middle school students.  If you are like me the recent release of the movie has inspired me to pick up the book. (Yes, I am reading it as well.)  Discussing the story in greater detail inspired me to spend Saturday reading.  I have about 80 pages left.    

In addition to being a good story, the topic is an interesting perspective on our culture and where we are potentially heading.  As I talked about with the 8^th grade class, there appears to be many elements described in the book which mirror the world we are living in, specifically our fascination with reality media.  Television, YouTube, and Facebook, amongst others, are driving our social awareness and perception of reality.  While we would like to think the Hunger Games is taking reality television to a whole new level, but how far is the stretch from what we watch today. 

“Survivor” takes some number of castaways each season, drops them in some sort of desolate area and forces them to find their own water, food, and shelter.  Although they are initially placed in tribes, eventually they have to pick each other off one by one.  They form alliances, cheat, steal, manipulate their way to victory.  Minus the killing, this sounds oddly familiar. 

We seem to have a fascination with watching “real” people.  It has created an entirely new genre in television and provides us all an opportunity to become famous.  Throw in the internet and if you film “Charlie” biting his brother finger, you can be the most watch video clip of all time with more than 442 million views. 

Why are we fascinated with watching reality media?  What do you watch and why?  What values and morals are promoted?  Where do you think the future of television is heading?

Continued Problems in the Middle East

For more than a year we have heard of continued troubles with governments, protests, civil war, and violations of human rights throughout the Middle East.  Whether it was the transitions of governments in Tunisia and Egypt, the death of Kaddafi in Libya, or now the brink of civil war in Syria, there seems to be no end in sight to the political, social, and economic unrest.

Below is a link to an interactive map from CNN which allows you to review the events of various Middle Eastern nations:

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2011/arab.unrest/index.html

Most recently we have been hearing constant reports from Syria.  For more than a year citizen protesters have been demanding improved economic conditions, protection of personal rights and political change.  Their demands include the removal of the President Bashar al-Assad.  As the conflict has escalated, both sides have committed many acts of violence against their opposition including kidnapping, torture and execution.  Unfortunately, many of the deaths or violence from the government has been committed against civilians.  To date the United Nations is claiming approximately 8,000 civilians have been killed during this conflict.  News reports are unable to confirm reports due to the Syrian government’s severe restrictions placed on journalists from around the world. 

Many members of the United Nations Security Council, including the United States, have been asking for the removal of President al-Assad.  Sadly, the entire United Nations has not been in agreement concerning the course of action.  Russia and China have been the dissenting votes of stronger action against the Syrian government until recently.  Over the weekend, a number of acts of violence including car bombings and a change to the proposal of action by the United Nations have loosened the Russian stance.

The United Nations has agreed to send former U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan into the region with other representatives to attempt to bring the groups together and end the violence and crimes against humanity.  While Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is please to see progress, she and others are not sure these actions will be enough to end the bloodshed.

How much do you know about the numerous events from the Middle East?  Do you think we should know more?  When do you think it is necessary for the United States to get involved?  And how should the United States be involved?

Women's History Month

March has been designated as Women’s History Month.  The Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Park Service and other government agencies have partnered in paying tribute to the past and present women who have done so much to shape and progress our world. 

This year’s theme is “Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment”.  As we have talked in class, education is the key to all future success.  Whether it is developing a nation, building a community or empowering a group of people, with education anything is possible.  Without education life is not only difficult, but obstacles can be immoveable.  Education is the key to freedom from whatever holds you back.  This insight was not always so obvious. 

While women have always made significant contributions to our country, it is not surprising to me that as more women are entering and completing college that we are seeing more and more women in high profile positions.  This is the first generation with more women enrolled in college than men.  This is truly incredible when you consider social bias against higher education for women was dominant until the 1970’s.  Up through the 1970’s college majors and degrees were often limited to your gender, whether that be through actual college requirements or societal pressure.   Today, women are afforded the same opportunities as men. 

Much of the progress can be attributed to Title IX legislation.  Title IX prohibits gender discrimination by any institute receiving federal funds.  Title IX provides equal access to education, facilities, and scholarships to women.  In addition to academics, women’s participation in athletics has increase by 900% in high school and 450% in collegiate activities.  The impact has been incredible. 

What women stand out to you as making significant contributions to our country and why?  What do you think of Title IX and its impact?  In your lifetime, what “firsts” do you think you will see from women?