IF ARMING TEACHERS IS THE ANSWER - WHAT EXACTLY IS THE GOAL?

The gun used at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

This is the advertisement for the Sandy Hook massacre gun.

Do we want educators or good shots?  Do we want to require you have to be a gun carrying, good shot and NRA member to be teachers of our nation's students?  A member of the NRA, but not a member of a teachers union?  Teacher unions are under attack, the misnamed "right to work" raison d'etre (reason to be) is to kill the unions, teacher pensions are under attack,  in many communities, the teachers have not been respected for decades.  And yet, expectations for the education system has soared in more than the areas of subjects that once were the conventional things that we held our schools responsible for teaching our children.

Teachers carry a gun? Where in the classroom would the teacher store her gun? Would she have impunity if a child got access to it?

Have you heard that the solution is that the Principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School should have had a gun in her office?  That all teachers should have guns. If you are or have ever been a teacher in elementary school, middle school or high school, or even on a college campus, you can picture what I am about to explain. 

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Rep. Louie Gohmert argued that if the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School had a gun she could have stopped the shooter from killing 20 children and five other school teachers.  Gohmert has spoken out publicly in favor of increased gun accessibility in the wake of the Friday attack.

I was an elementary school music teacher.  My first year as a teacher, I had 950 students. There are times you are the lone adult in a room or playground with hundreds of children.  Would you carry your gun there?  And if you needed to use it, and accidentally killed one or more of the hundreds of children under your care, because you are not a good enough shot, had an off day as a good shot, got nervous or the chaos of a situation made it impossible to only target an armed intruder or an armed student, would you have legal impunity for killing one or more of your students? Or if you only have the gun in your classroom somewhere, presumably locked away for safety that no child under your care would get access to it, what good would the gun be if you were doing duty in the cafeteria, school assembly, walking down the hall with the class to a music, art or physical education class.  

I am picturing my college years where I was supposedly getting my education in my subject area.  It was a liberal arts school, so though I was loaded with music courses, I also took biology, English literature, French, Philosophy.  If teachers were required to carry guns, we would have to have courses in guns, knowing how to shop for the gun allowed, because surely there would be laws restricting a teacher’s gun, the kind of gun, the kind of bullets, how to handle a gun, keeping them in good repair, insuring them, how to keep them out of the hands of students who might use them as a play thing or the real thing, when it is and isn’t appropriate to use the gun.  Will there be “stand your ground” laws for teachers? Will self-defense mean we must see a gun being used on a student first before we can shoot?  Do we need witnesses to prove we used the gun properly?  Will we be police officers or teachers?  If I would have been mandated to carry a gun as a teacher and not given the same rights as police officers, there would be major problems.  If that doesn’t’ make sense, then the major problem begins with your critical thinking weaknesses.

How many college gun course hours would be required for my teacher certification?  How many hours of target shooting would I have to have to get my teacher certificate?  Would I have to take shooting range practice throughout my teaching career until retirement (now age 67 years in Rhode Island)?  What if I am not able to hold a gun due to illness of any kind, for example I am disabled?  When we hire new teachers, do we have them illustrate their shooting abilities with range shooting with moving targets as a part of the interview?

Sandy Hook shooting sparks gun sales surge

 

For Sandy Hook Elementary School

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A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF HUMAN BEINGS

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Uploaded by 3GenerationsOrg

Text at youtube ~

If we don't have a vision of a better future can we really create one? Leaders as diverse as The Dalai Lama and Martin Luther King have shown us the need for vision to build a path to lasting peace and progress. Yet since the Holocaust and United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, civil society has promised "never again" and still genocide and appalling atrocities have continued into the 21st century.We don't have a vision for how to build a world free from atrocity. We need one. Help us share these visions: become part of the movement: imagine the end of atrocity.

ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO TOPPLE THE REGIME IN KHARTOUM, SUDAN ~ WILL USA MEDIA REPORT STORY?

Sudan: Youth Group Call for Fresh Protests On March 21

Posted February 28, 2011

Source: allafrica.com

Khartoum — A Sudanese organization called 'Youth for Change' made a call for demonstrations in all parts of Sudan on March 21st in a new bid to bring about a mass uprising similar to the ones in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

The group's spokesperson Magdi Okasha said that their ultimate goal is to topple the regime.

This came as opposition parties launched a fierce attack on the Sudanese government and vowed to push for change by mobilizing their supporetrs to take the streets.

Leaders from the opposition parties convened at the headquarters of the Popular Congress Party (PCP) in which they saw a replay of a video showing a female activist recounting her alleged rape by agents from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

Police and NISS officers cordoned the PCP HQ as families of detainees and opposition supporters lifted banners and shouting anti-government slogans.

The leaders of the opposition parties who form the National Alliance Forces called for the release of PCP leader Hassan Al-Turabi who remains in jail since January with no formal charges being brought against him.

Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) leader Mohamed Ibrahim Nugud expressed solidarity with the PCP "despite past bitterness" in order to work on the issue of freedoms, calling for dispatching a delegation to hold meetings with the revolutionary forces in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt for coordination and exchange of ideas.

The deputy Secretary-General of the Sudan people Liberation Movement (SPLM) Yasser Arman, echoed Nugud's call and voiced rejection of the concept of politically motivated arrests and torture by the NISS.

Arman made a demand for spreading democracy to fight against corruption and tyranny, noting that the Sudanese state "is a failed and outdated one that needs update and renewal".

He further suggested establishing a new capital other Khartoum describing it as the source of the wars waged throughout the Sudan.

For his part, the chairman of the Alliance opposition Farouk Abu Issa said a commission would be formed that would work on spreading freedom and defending against torture and preventing it, stressing that crimes of torture is punishable without statute of limitations.

Sudanese youth have called for anti-government protests which were violently dispersed by security forces starting on January 30. The movement failed to take on mass appeal and dozens of activists remain detained without charge.

Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir has promised to step down at the next election in four years, after 26 years in power. His party took over in a 1989 bloodless coup.

But growing voices of dissent, even from within his ruling party, are calling for more immediate action to prevent the kind of popular uprising that toppled long-serving leaders in Tunisia and Egypt and has spread to other nations including Libya.

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Uploaded by unesco

The official You Tube channel for UNESCO,
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

www.unesco.org

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Our humanity in the balance

Radio Dabanga

"I DREAM THINGS THAT NEVER WERE AND SAY WHY NOT"

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I was called in by the principal for teaching this song to my students in my first few years as a public school music teacher: Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream. From then on, I was forbidden to teach this song to the children.
Above it is sung by Simon and Garfunkel. Uploaded by JudeOrEleanor
Sung here by John Denver

The lyrics

Last night I had the strangest dream,
I never dreamed before,
I dreamed the world had all agreed,
To put an end to war.

I dreamed I saw a mighty room,
The room was full of men,
And the paper they were signing said,
They'd never fight again.

And when the paper was all signed,
And a million copies made,
They all joined hands and bowed their heads,
And grateful prayers were prayed.

And the people in the streets below,
Were dancing around and around,
And swords and guns and uniforms,
Were scattered on the ground.

Last night I had the strangest dream,
I never dreamed before,
I dreamed the world had all agreed,
To put an end to war.

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Text at youtube by the singer derkman:
Recorded in 76 languages, this has become one of the most enduring and treasured peace songs. Possibly the very best anti-war song ever...a strong argument presented sweetly and with reason. This song was written in 1950 by Ed McCurdy and has been recorded by many artists over the years including The Weavers, John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks.

"My brother (Robert F. Kennedy) need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life, to be rememberd simply as a good decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it. "Those of us, who loved him and who take him to his rest today pray that what he was to us and what he wished for others will someday come to pass for all the world. "As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: 'Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.'" Edward Kennedy

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHERS WHO ARE LESS WELL OFF - TED KENNEDY

This is a tribute to the man Ted Kennedy.
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Uploaded by TodaysNetworkNews

Bear with the annoying music at the beginning. You might want to mute it at least until 28 seconds in.

I am learning more and more how Ted Kennedy lived his life. He is the kind of United States citizen that I want the world to know. This is how to use our voices.  This is what freedom of speech should rise up and give to the world. One voice is important.

Text that accompanies the video above:
TodaysNetworkNews: 27 August 2009 - Human Rights First: At the 2008 annual dinner, Human Rights First honored Senator Kennedy for his unwavering and courageous leadership in advancing human rights at home and abroad.

"As we mourn his death, we would like to share this tribute to his life and work." said Human Rights First spokesperson.

HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST believes that building respect for human rights and the rule of law will help ensure the dignity to which every individual is entitled and will stem tyranny, extremism, intolerance, and violence. See: http://www.humanrightsfirst.org

TODAYSNETWORKNEWS IS A GLOBAL NEWS NETWORK FOR BREAKING INTERNATIONAL NEWS, OPINION, VIDEO AND TELEVISION BY INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED NEWS JOURNALISTS.

Click on this post's title to find a website with gems about Ted Kennedy, including pictures.

PASSION WITH PURPOSE, VOICE USED FOR VULNERABLE ~ U.S. MA SENATOR TED KENNEDY LIVED OUT HIS LIFE IN SERVICE

I, like Senator Ted Kennedy,
am proud to be a liberal

Jack, Bobby and Teddy
Three Kennedy Brothers

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Ted Kennedy delivering the closing part of the eulogy
at the funeral of his brother Bobby,
using excerpts from Bobby's famous speech to
the students of a South African university in 1966.
Uploaded by PaddyIrishMan2

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Health Care for All. A Right Not a Privilege

December 9, 1978 | Memphis, Tennesse

"One of the most shameful things about modern America is that in our unbelievably rich land,
the quality of health care available to many of our people is unbelievably poor, and the cost is unbelievably high."

To read the speech:
Ted Kennedy's Own Words ~ 1978_Health_Care

Teddy on Jack's Shoulders

Teddy and Dad
Pictures are from www.tedkennedy.org

The True Meaning of Life

We are visitors on this planet.

We are here for ninety or one hundred years

at the very most.

During that period,

we must try to do something good,

something useful, with our lives.

If you contribute to other people’s happiness,

You will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

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Uploaded by edkennedy

Tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy from the 2008 Democratic National Convention

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A Season for Hope
Physicians for Human Rights honored Senator Edward M. Kennedy with an award for his work on the Right to Health.
www.PhysiciansForHumanRights.org
Uploaded by PHRvideo

Ted Kennedy's Speech on Hate Crimes

Click on this post's title to go to a wonderful website in memory and in hope for Edward Moore Kennedy.

Ted Kennedy - in His Own Words

Kennedy_Compound

Cape Cod

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE

FOR ALL

WHAT A LEGACY

DEEPEST NEED IS TO FEEL CONNECTED

Much of the personal writing on this post has been removed. I know it is probably cached but I felt it may be a mistake to leave it here.

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I believe the deepest need we have is to feel connected. The best that I can do is to open up. I know there have to be others out there who are looking to connect and just haven't found the words, the understanding or someone to confide in their deepest feelings and tenderness.

We are by nature fragile beings.

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Aside from looking at my own vulnerabilities, I have become interested in Heath Ledger recently. I have come late to the admiration of his work, but also I am trying to understand what is so connectable about him for me. The best parts of his movies' dvds are the special features and commentaries. I like those on A Knights Tale, The Four Feathers and Brokeback Mountain. He isn't fidgeting in the interviews of A Knights Tale and The Four Feathers, but calm and introspective. There is a wonderful segment just about him on the dvd of A Knights Tale. I used some of it in this video.

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In Brokeback Mountain's dvd special feature - The Making of Brokeback Mountain - he says that he always likes to bare his soul a little bit...that it is theraputic.

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Making Of Brokeback Mountain
Uploaded by LoveLeeR. -

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Shekhar Kapur and Deepak Chopra talk about Heath

Ang Lee talks about Heath

It is apparent that when Heath was creating, he was most at home and comfortable. There had to be some internal struggle. The drugs, legal or not, didn't serve him well. What he could convey through the lens of a video camera came across as genuine and connected to my heart. Except for the joker in A Dark Knight and Ned Kelly. The humility, down-to-earth conversation, shyness and restlessness that came across in interviews couldn't help but show a side to Heath that showed him to be a mystery of complexity. I'll never understand Heath.

I do have keys to my soul.

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Self-Knowledge ~ Kahlil Gibran

And a man said, "Speak to us of Self-Knowledge."

And he answered, saying:

Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights.

But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge.

You would know in words that which you have always know in thought.

You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams.

And it is well you should.

The hidden well-spring of your soul must needs rise and run murmuring to the sea;

And the treasure of your infinite depths would be revealed to your eyes.

But let there be no scales to weigh your unknown treasure;

And seek not the depths of your knowledge with staff or sounding line.

For self is a sea boundless and measureless.

Say not, "I have found the truth," but rather, "I have found a truth."

Say not, "I have found the path of the soul." Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path."

For the soul walks upon all paths.

The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.

The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.

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Having a Voice

by Sandra Hammel

I’ve found my voice

Never to be stilled again

Not going to live voiceless anymore, especially when it comes to you

The small kernel of courage to live out loud has emerged

and

It feels right,
it feels good,
it feels like home.

You’ve kept me quiet with nothing but my need to have you love me.

And now something has been unleashed within me

and my voice must speak
its truths

braving your total disregard

which seems nothing more than what’s been my lot anyway.

Nothing really to lose

but to gain,
oh,
I can’t even begin to imagine
what I have to gain.
But I anticipate the possibilities with no more sadness.
Excited.

In my life’s garden, I expect gladness, gratitude and shining bright colors blooming inside

BURSTING to get
out

This is where I have always wanted to be.

Now,
I’m here.

It’s great to be here,





home.


Written January 13, 2006

MEDIA FAILS HUMANS

“We are visitors on this planet.
We are here for ninety or one hundred years
at the very most.
During that period,
we must try to do something good ,
something useful, with our lives.

If you contribute to other people’s happiness,
You will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

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Anup Shah, Poverty Facts and Stats, GlobalIssues.org, Last updated: Tuesday, March 04, 2008

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Below is copied from the above website link.

Who am I, why am I doing this? (not me...a kindred spirit, though)

I am Anup Shah, the editor of this web site. My roots lie in India, via my grandparents—my parents grew up in East Africa. Born in 1974, I grew up in England for 23 years and then got the opportunity to work in the USA for almost four years. In June 2001, I moved back to England.

Living and working in the US was an amazing experience for me. However, I quickly became concerned at what appeared to be rather poor quality mainstream media. International coverage appeared incredibly lacking and when available, very narrow. And so, in mid-1998 this web site (initially just something to do in order to learn about developing web sites!) started.

The mainstream media is one of the most important aspects of a functioning and participatory democracy. It helps us form our views of the world around us, influence our opinion and let us learn about all manner of things we may otherwise never come across. It is incredibly beneficial, but in today’s world it also has real problems. Just as good quality and diverse mainstream media enhances democracy, poor quality and narrow mainstream media can negatively impact democracy.

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If you read my previous post, you know I so agree with Anup Shah. The internet is used for many things. And gratefully, those who have knowledge of how to use it, does include those with compassion, a desire to do something to better our life on the whole by helping people one by one. It won't happen without our participation.

This is worth your time:
www.globalissues.org

This was taken from his front page:
“If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence.” — Bertrand Russell, Roads to Freedom

This website is right where my heart is
www.globalissues.org/about/why
...this is how we live a life that is with purpose

RSS for Global Issues.org explains about RSS Web Feed and other things:
www.globalissues.org/rss

all the things we used to blame on the devil

BARACK OBAMA

Why him and not Hillary? Well, I have my rational, thoughtful reasons. And then there is a reason that may not be so reasonable, but it's still important. I feel lifted up by his attitude and the way he exudes excitement and his expression of simple democratic values of caring for people that have been forgotten for way too long. We need to get back to "the people". He inspires. Hillary doens't affect me in that way. She is so very talented, gifted and needed. But, so much, we need a leader who can rally our lost hope and excitement in our basic values. We need charged up.

I saw Diane Sawyer's "Waiting for the World to Change" 20/20 story in Camden, New Jersey, Friday night. How depressing was that?! You just couldn't turn away from the spirit that these children were having so little support from their community and country. The little kindergarten boy who could count the 3 wheels on a tricycle - but who couldn't say how many meals we have a day because for him there were NEVER 3 meals a day. The little girl who in the short time that Diane knew her had eyes and a spirit that went from youthful exuberance to eyes that were lifeless and a spirit that had been drained. The young man who lived in a drug infested Camden neighborhood and worked a job to help the family through high school. You had to see where they lived to get the impact of his story. He slept on the floor with the bugs crawling. He so wanted to make his dad proud and be able to graduate high school in a place that it was most uncommon. He worked harder than you or I ever did to get that diploma. After much fear that it wouldn't come to pass for him, it did. We must care about the poor in our country. We must care about the victims of Katrina. We must. But if we dont' - we will continue to pay, one way or the other



If any of you read my January 25 post " BROTHERS AND SISTERS Finds The Great Divide in the USA" over at my blog at tvguide.com, as ilovemylife, you will understand when I say the following. I went to Huntington College for a year and a half. While there I worked as a creative editor on the college newspaper and boldly made the move to artistically create the following quote as a full front page statement:

"Remember all those things we used to blame on the devil

and all those things we left up to God?

Now it's all a hundred times more complicated.

We Must Become New Men (and Women)

OR Be Satisfied As We ARE . . .

either way WE risk tragedy."

(from Joseph Pintauro's little book, "to believe in man"

WE ARE ALL THE KEEPERS OF JUSTICE

. . . OR NOT.