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Poll: 77% of Democrats with 4-Year Degrees Think Sex Not Determined at Birth

The idea to push Americans to have a progressive attitude and comply with the two-sex society of “gender equality” has attacked and broken many popular social rules.

Many Americans are confused and do not know how to handle the abounding social preferences of equal, different and integral men, women, boys, and girls.

For example, Democrats gender claims have taken common rules or practices about different-sex bathrooms, sports leagues for girls, hiking groups for boys, K-12 curricula, university speech codes, religious freedoms, free speech, the social status of women, parents’ rights in childrearing, law enforcement, and children’s sexual privacy and health.

The list goes on and on… And this bizarre way of thinking is hitting colleges and schools all around the nation.

Reported by breitbart:

Three out of four college-educated Democrats seem to believe that a man can be a woman if he just says so, regardless of his biology, genetics, and genitalia, according to a skewed survey conducted by the Pew Research Center.

The main question in the August-to-September survey of 4,573 people is built on the phrase: “sex assigned at birth.” But that phrase was invented by transgender activists to help them claim that every person’s sex is independent of their biology and that a newborn’s sex should not be unfairly “assigned” by the doctors and parents who examine the newborns’ biology and visible genitalia. The Pew survey asked:

Which statement comes closer to your views, even if neither is exactly right?

Whether someone is a man or a woman is determined by the sex they were assigned at birth

Someone can be a man or a woman even if that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth

According to Pew’s write-up:

The survey … finds that Democrats with a bachelor’s degree or more education are more likely than other Democrats to say a person’s gender can be different from the sex they were assigned at birth. About three-quarters (77%) of Democrats with a bachelor’s degree or more say this, compared with 60% of Democrats with some college and 57% of those with a high school diploma or less. No such [education] divide exists among Republicans.

Most African-Americans and a large percentage of Latinos seem to disagree that the parents and doctors’ are just guessing. According to Pew:

Democrats’ views also differ by race and ethnicity. Some 55% of black Democrats and 41% of Hispanic Democrats say a person’s gender is determined by their sex assigned at birth, a view shared by just 24% of white Democrats.

Republicans prefer to rely on the expertise of doctors and parents, according to the survey, which showed that:

eight-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say that whether someone is a man or a woman is determined by the sex they were assigned at birth [but] most Democrats and Democratic leaners (64%) take the opposite view and say a person’s gender can be different from the sex they were assigned at birth.

However, the Pew results may be utterly unrepresentative of reality, partly because few Americans are familiar with the “sex assigned at birth.”

Also, the clause — “even if that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth” — is very vague, and may be interpreted by many respondents as referring to a adult person who undergoes cosmetic surgery of the genitalia, rather than a person who simply claims to have the “gender identity” of an opposite-sex person.

Pew’s decision to pretend that genitalia has nothing to do with a person’s sex mimics the transgender ideology, which claims that the government must force ordinary Americans to agree whenever a man or women say they are members of the opposite sex, regardless of biology, language or the inevitable civic conflicts.

Pew’s decision to reject biology also may undermine Pew’s polls, which often show that women and men hold different views on political and cultural issues. For example, Anna Brown, the Democratic, white, college-graduate and political activist who described the Pew poll, does not include any data in her report showing whether men and women have different views on the transgender demand that government must restrain women from excluding men-wh0-say-they-are-women from their sports clubs, showers, shelters and other female institutions.

In contrast to Pew’s staff, multiple polls show that most Americans wish to help and comfort people who think they are a member of the opposite sex but they also reject the transgender ideology’s claim that a person’s sex is determined by their feeling of “gender identity,” not by their biology.

Activists who support the transgender ideology claim that 0.35 percent of Americans are transgender. A study of the 2010 Census reported that only 1-in-2,300 adult Americans had changed their name from one sex to the other.

Critics say there is no evidence that a person’s feelings of “gender” are independent of their sex and biology, and Americans see no problem when some boys act like most girls, and girls can act like most boys. Medical experts also point out that the sex-related drugs taken by children, and the surgery used to change a person’s sexual appearance make that person infertile. The drugs also threaten the health of children and adults. Many people who try to switch sex later accept their normal sex, despite extensive health damage.

Conservatives oppose the transgender ideology as a threat to civic and government recogniti0n that the two sexes — men and women — are different, equal and complementary. This long-standing civic recognition allows people to create single-sex institutions — such as single-sex sports teams, education courses or shelters for battered women.

It also allows parents and citizens to preserve the social expectations about each person’s duties, accomplishments, efforts, and ideals — such as beauty or strength, aggressiveness or caring – which complement the different bodies and characters, abilities and preferences, of girls and boys and of adult women and men.

The long-standing existence of different social expectations for male and female people are opposed by feminists and progressives. The two-sex society, say feminists, unfairly inhibits university-educated women who wish to compete against men for professional status and pay. Also, people who want to live as members of the other sex say those two-sex expectations stigmatize their cross-sex desires. Together, the two groups are working with gay advocacy groups to blur the distinctions between the two sexes and to demand a “gender-free” society where the government would block any legal or civic recognition of the distinctions between male and female.

So far, progressive media has been loath to recognize the radical demands of the transgender ideology. For example, a November 11 article in the Washington Post portrayed the dispute as a collision of tribal political identities instead of a political disagreement over civic ideals, parenting, privacy, women’s’ rights, science, and healthcare.

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  1. terry w bynum March 6, 2018

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Trey Gowdy on Las Vegas Shooting: ‘Difficult to Believe That a Single Person Could Have Done This Without Detection’

This weekend a three-day country music event near the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino was interrupted by the raining of a rapid-fire barrage.

A gunman on the upper level of a Las Vegas hotel murdered at least 59 people, and injured 527 others, sending thousands of horrified survivors fleeing for cover in the most deadliest shooting in our US history.

The Jason Aldean performance came to an abrupt stop. Victims left and right fell to the ground, bleeding and ducking for cover, or running as concertgoers frantically screamed for their lives.

“Get down,” one shouted. “Stay down,” screamed another.

The Las Vegas police eventually found the gunman, but claim he was found dead in his hotel room, despite mixed reports and a whole lot of uncertainty from Americans. One thing we do know for sure though, was that the suspect that police pinpointed as the shooter was a nut job. His name is Stephen Paddock, and he was 64 years old.

President Trump condemned the shooting as an “act of pure evil” and called for the country to come together, saying, “Our unity cannot be shattered by evil, our bonds cannot be broken by violence.”

Others spoke as well on the shooting, including Rep. Trey Gowdy.

He spoke on Monday night on Fox News Channel to offer his thoughts on the terrifying incident that has shaken our nation.

He is specifically concerned about the investigation on the mass shooting that has left 59 innocent people dead, and brings up some pretty valid points we all need to take into account.

According to breitbart:

Gowdy told host Martha MacCallum he was skeptical that Stephen Paddock, the individual thought to be responsible for the shooting, could have acted without at least one person identifying his behavior as suspicious. The South Carolina Republican predicted in coming days he will be proved correct.

“It’s an incredible level of premeditation that you don’t ordinarily see,” Gowdy said. “And it is difficult to believe that a single person could have done this without detection. And so, I hope that what comes out of this is people – you know, lots of crime is prevented because a non-law enforcement officer says something. The weapons and whether or not it was altered to become fully automatic and the premeditation of picking a certain hotel room. I think we’re going to find someone along the way was suspicious they should have turned that suspicion into a phone call to law enforcement. It’s an incredible amount of premeditation to not go detected.”

  1. Rick Usrey October 3, 2017
    • John Doe October 4, 2017
  2. Gloria LaRoche October 4, 2017

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The Wilde Files

Music Mondays: Rudimental x Ed Sheeran

With Rudimental's sophomore LP "We The Generation" coming on this week on October 2nd, they released a teaser of Lay It All On Me featuring Ed Sheeran

This marks the second collaboration between the electronic 4 piece band and Ed Sheeran. "Bloodstream"  has a whopping 18.6 million views on youtube! Take a listen and you'll immediately understand why this track went viral. It's one of those songs that gets your body swaying, your toes tapping and your heart racing as the percussion kicks in at 1:15.

My roommate used to blast Waiting All Night and Feel The Love, ll the time. Whether we were having a good day or a shitty week, we always knew that a dance party in the living room would make it all ok. They rocked in my apartment and when I got to see them live at Osheaga in 2013, they cemented a spot in my heart for life. The energy this group has on stage is contagious and the element of live instrumentation blows other electronic groups out of the water.


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Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Kilimanjaro Hiking

What started out as a crazy idea, over one too many glasses of wine, quickly escalated into 3 months of training and a hike to the top of the tallest mountain in Africa. Let me honest and say I was not completely aware what I had signed up for, but it is an accomplishment I will always be proud of.

This was the view from my hotel in Moshi, Tanzania. I look at it now and think it is pretty daunting, but then again, I am fully aware that in bite size pieces, any mammoth task can be overcome.

Marangu Route

I chose the Marangu route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” trail which is one or the oldest and more established route on Kilimanjaro, offering overnight huts over camping.

The Route approaches Kili from the southeast. It is considered one of the easiest routes, as you hike along a gradual slope, but the shorter time frame makes acclimatization quite difficult.

Day one started with a beautiful walk through dense forest. As we ascended and the oxygen level grow thinner, so does the bush. Eventually, the trees fall away to be replaces with sparse vegetation, covered in a strange moss called Old Man Beard. This gives the scene a ghostly air. From this elevated position, you can see for miles over the plains into neighboring Kenya.

Camp on the second night was at the Horombo Huts. It is magical to be positioned above the clouds. The sensation of being so isolated and free is empowering and despite the desert like environment, it is incredibly beautiful.

Having climbed in a group of 8 people for the past two days, we quickly became a connected family. The communal dining hall brought many different teams together. Descending teams on the same route, who had summited the night before, offered great encouragement and added more excitement than nerves to our final climb.

The social dynamic added so much to the experience, despite the low oxygen levels, spirits remained high. The guides were amazingly supportive. Having completed this climb many times before, they offer tried and tested advise.

I found pacing myself to be one of the best tips, the repeatedly emphasized “Pole, pole.” These Swahili words mean “Slowly, slowly”, and I heard them constantly, everyday of the climb.

Although being fit is essential, making it to the top of Kilimanjaro is not based on strength. Just making it to Kibo Hut is very much reliant on how well your body adjusts to the altitude.

Reaching the Summit

The final assent was from Kibo Hut. The goal was to arrive at the peak by sun rise, so we left camp and start out 6 km hike in the middle of the night. Destination 19,341 feet, Uhuru Peak.

The climb took about 6 hours. We had chosen full moon for the climb so the path was pretty well lit. The terrain was arctic and rocky and although I don’t remember many details, I do remember it was a definite challenge.

We made it by sun rise, took in as much of the view as our oxygen deprived brains could absorb and began the return hike of 16 km back to Horombo Hut. The full weight of my accomplish only hit me the following day when I was back at the hotel enjoying a well deserved drink.

I began to feel the best I had ever felt for pushing myself to feel the worst I had ever felt. Would I do it again, maybe. And for the next time, at least I’d have a clue what I’d be getting myself into.

How To Train For Kilimanjaro

Training for Kilimanjaro meant being walking fit so I did plenty walking. About 4 times a week, I was in the gym walking on an inclined treadmill in my hiking books and with a backpack, loaded with 15 pound weights. I knew my pack was going to be light but I wanted to compensate for any extra challenge.

Weekends, I took to the mountains, hills and roads and would hike for several hours, again, with loaded backpacks. The only challenge we could not prepare ourselves for was the Altitude and its effects on our bodies but I feel our training was essential in making the climb the success that it was.

If you are training for a challenge or just want to improve you fitness, check out Confessions of a Fitness Instructor for some awesome tips and advice to get you motivated and moving.


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Future Entrepreneurs

Welcome to our Wall of Wishes for Future Entrepreneurs

In an extension of “Brand it to Land it” and “Secrets to Shine Through the Noise” we have decided to launch “Future Entrepreneur” to empower people and their personal style. We are proud of success stories with personal and professional branding and look forward to sharing more experiences of entrepreneurs on their journey to success.

“I am excited to work with The Wishmaker and The Wishwall Foundation to help mentor people in refining their brand, growing their business and continuing to give back. I look forward to hearing your stories!” – Akasha Garnier

Make Your Wish Today!
Help The Wishwall Foundation to continue its life changing efforts.
Facebook Iconfacebook like buttonYouTube IconTwitter Icontwitter follow buttonCheck Out Our InstagramCheck Out Our Instagram


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Egyptian Numeral Overview 6-9 PVC

$66 (Exc Tax)
$73 (Inc Tax)

Intended for children in level 6-9, this set of materials includes 7 sets of matching cards to lead the children from formation of Egyptian numerals, units through millions. Includes cards to perform addition and subtraction. Printed on PVC and cut, Includes:

  • Teacher notes and answers
  • Names of numerals
  • Formation of numerals
  • Greater than; less than overview
  • Addition of numerals
  • Subtraction of numerals

Designed to allow for flexibility in thinking and reasoning of mathematical concepts in base 10, as well as reinforce the concepts introduced in the history of numeration. Some studies lay the foundation for working in other bases, while providing the skills necessary in performing and functioning in higher math curriculum.

Other Details
SKU: ELC-3007
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GEICO Opening New 500-Employee Service Center in Lenexa

by Lexi Ryan | Jun 19, 2018

Congratulations to our partners in Lenexa on the announcement that GEICO, the second-largest private passenger auto insurer and one of the fastest-growing major auto insurers in the U.S., will open a new client service center. Over the next five years, the company plans to hire 500 licensed insurance agents, sales, counselor and customer service professionals. GEICO will invest nearly $10 Million in a new 55,000-sq.-ft. facility at 11214 Renner Road.

GEICO evaluated multiple locations across the U.S. for this service center and ultimately selected the KC area due to its vibrant community and talented people.

The Kansas City Area Development Council was proud to partner with the following organizations in attracting GEICO to the KC region:

Office of Governor Jeff Colyer
Kansas Department of Commerce
Lenexa Chamber of Commerce & EDC
City of Lenexa
Johnson County Community College
University of Kansas – Edwards Campus
Kansas State University
JE Dunn Construction
The University of Kansas Health System
Kansas City Veteran Coalition

GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in 1936, provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 16 million private passenger customers, insuring more than 27 million vehicles (auto & cycle).

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Finally, Bosco and Faith shippers have a home of their own. Visit 55-David - your safe-haven for all things Bosco and Faith.

This site is in no way, shape, or form affiliated with Third Watch, NBC, Warner Brothers, or the fine people behind the scenes of Third Watch. This is merely a fan site. All pictures on the site were found on the official NBC web site or are screencaps made by the webmistress.


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General Raleigh E. Colston

Thomas' Legion
American Civil War HOMEPAGE
American Civil War
Causes of the Civil War : What Caused the Civil War
Organization of Union and Confederate Armies: Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery
Civil War Navy: Union Navy and Confederate Navy
American Civil War: The Soldier's Life
Civil War Turning Points
American Civil War: Casualties, Battles and Battlefields
Civil War Casualties, Fatalities & Statistics
Civil War Generals
American Civil War Desertion and Deserters: Union and Confederate
Civil War Prisoner of War: Union and Confederate Prison History
Civil War Reconstruction Era and Aftermath
American Civil War Genealogy and Research
Civil War
American Civil War Pictures - Photographs
African Americans and American Civil War History
American Civil War Store
American Civil War Polls
North Carolina Civil War History
North Carolina American Civil War Statistics, Battles, History
North Carolina Civil War History and Battles
North Carolina Civil War Regiments and Battles
North Carolina Coast: American Civil War
Western North Carolina and the American Civil War
Western North Carolina: Civil War Troops, Regiments, Units
North Carolina: American Civil War Photos
Cherokee Chief William Holland Thomas
Cherokee Indian Heritage, History, Culture, Customs, Ceremonies, and Religion
Cherokee Indians: American Civil War
History of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Nation
Cherokee War Rituals, Culture, Festivals, Government, and Beliefs
Researching your Cherokee Heritage
Civil War Diary, Memoirs, Letters, and Newspapers

General Raleigh E. Colston
Compiled Military Service Record

Raleigh Edward Colston  (Confederate)

Biographical data and notes:
- Born Oct 25 1825 in Paris, France
- Pre-enlistment occupation: Professor
- Last known address: VA Confederate Soldiers' Home, Richmond, VA
- Raleigh Edward Colston died on Jul 29 1896 at Richmond, VA
- He is buried at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA

- 35 years of age at time of enlistment
- Enlisted on May 2 1861 as Colonel

Mustering information:
- Commissioned into Field and Staff, 16th Infantry (Virginia)
on May 2 1861
- Discharged due to promotion from 16th Infantry (Virginia)
on Dec 24 1861
- Commissioned into General Staff on Dec 24 1861

- Promoted to Brig-Gen (Full, Vol) (date not indicated)
- Promoted to Colonel (Full, Vol) (date not indicated) (16th VA Inf)
- Promoted to Brig-Gen (Full, Vol) on Dec 24 1861

Listed as:
- In command on Jul 15 1861 (Estimated day)
- Returned on Dec 15 1861

Sources: General Officers of the Confederate States of America, Confederate Military History, National Archives

Recommended Reading: Generals in Gray Lives of the Confederate Commanders. Description: When Generals in Gray was published in 1959, scholars and critics immediately hailed it as one of the few indispensable books on the American Civil War. Historian Stanley Horn, for example, wrote, "It is difficult for a reviewer to restrain his enthusiasm in recommending a monumental book of this high quality and value." Here at last is the paperback edition of Ezra J. Warner’s magnum opus with its concise, detailed biographical sketches and—in an amazing feat of research—photographs of all 425 Confederate generals. Continued below.

The only exhaustive guide to the South’s command, Generals in Gray belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in the Civil War. RATED 5 STARS!

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Recommended Reading: Civil War High Commands (1040 pages) (Hardcover). Description: Based on nearly five decades of research, this magisterial work is a biographical register and analysis of the people who most directly influenced the course of the Civil War, its high commanders. Numbering 3,396, they include the presidents and their cabinet members, state governors, general officers of the Union and Confederate armies (regular, provisional, volunteers, and militia), and admirals and commodores of the two navies. Civil War High Commands will become a cornerstone reference work on these personalities and the meaning of their commands, and on the Civil War itself. Errors of fact and interpretation concerning the high commanders are legion in the Civil War literature, in reference works as well as in narrative accounts. Continued below...

The present work brings together for the first time in one volume the most reliable facts available, drawn from more than 1,000 sources and including the most recent research. The biographical entries include complete names, birthplaces, important relatives, education, vocations, publications, military grades, wartime assignments, wounds, captures, exchanges, paroles, honors, and place of death and interment. In addition to its main component, the biographies, the volume also includes a number of essays, tables, and synopses designed to clarify previously obscure matters such as the definition of grades and ranks; the difference between commissions in regular, provisional, volunteer, and militia services; the chronology of military laws and executive decisions before, during, and after the war; and the geographical breakdown of command structures. The book is illustrated with 84 new diagrams of all the insignias used throughout the war and with 129 portraits of the most important high commanders.

Recommended Reading: Rebels and Yankees: Commanders of the Civil War (Hardcover), by William C. Davis (Author), Russ A. Pritchard (Author). Description: Davis and Pritchard have created a wonderful work that is sure to become a hit with anyone who studies the Civil War. This book uses words and a generous amount of pictures and photographs to tell the story of the leaders, both talented and flawed, that held together the two struggling armies in a time of chaos and devastating loss. Continued below...

Although many of the stories have been told in one form or another.... Commanders compiles this study in a single book that makes it very easy to compare and contrast the styles and techniques employed by officers of both armies. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.

Recommended Reading: Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Volume 6 (Battles & Leaders of the Civil War) (632 pages) (University of Illinois Press) (May 30, 2007). Description: Sifting carefully through reports from newspapers, magazines, personal memoirs, and letters, Peter Cozzens' Volume 6 brings readers more of the best first-person accounts of marches, encampments, skirmishes, and full-blown battles, as seen by participants on both sides of the conflict. Alongside the experiences of lower-ranking officers and enlisted men are accounts from key personalities including General John Gibbon, General John C. Lee, and seven prominent generals from both sides offering views on "why the Confederacy failed." Continued below.
This volume includes one hundred and twenty illustrations, including sixteen previously uncollected maps of battlefields, troop movements, and fortifications.
Recommended Reading: Who Was Who in the Civil War (600 pages: Hardcover), by Stewart Sifakis. Description: It provides biographical sketches of all the major participants of the Civil War: Generals, politicians and even famous - or infamous - characters such as Jesse James and Bloody Bill Anderson. RATED A SOLID 5 STARS. Continued...

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Hello, Goodbye at 3W

Aaron and Nicole Varner are on the way back to the USA today.  We saw them yesterday in Berlin and said our final "goodbyes"......at least for now.  I'm sure our paths will cross many more times in the future.  You guys have been great to work with and we'll miss all that you do.  Enjoy that direct flight to Miami. Meanwhile...is it possible that our new 3W Team members Daniel and Christy Kihm are becoming parents at this exact moment?  We'll keep you posted as we get ready to say hello to baby Kihm.

And as for the 3 of us---we are off to Egypt today to spend some time with the Oldham family.  So hello, goodbye.


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jar · no spill paintbrush jar · no-spill · paintbrushes · painting · water

The Ultimate Solution to Painting-Related Spillages

We all know this scenario only too well. Child wants to paint. Mother agrees. Mother lays out newspaper over entire kitchen table, gets out paints and puts a small amount of water into a glass. It all looks harmless enough. Fifteen minutes later the child is soaked to the skin, the painting and the newspaper have formed a kind of papier mache mush and there are puddes on the kitchen floor. Mother swears that only crayons will be used for future pictures.

Sound familiar? Well, with this super-easy DIY no-spill water jar those days are gone. Roll on mess-free picture painting with your children.
Here’s what you need:
A jam jar with a metal lid that screws on tightly
A screwdriver
A paintbrush
Optional: A felt tip pen for writing on glass

Step 1: Screw the lid onto the jar.

Step 2: Use the screwdriver to punch a hole in the centre of the lid. Remember to make it large enough for your child’s paintbrush to fit through.

Step 3: Remove the lid and use the screwdriver to flatten the sharp metal bits against the underside of the lid. The last thing you want is to avoid spilling water only to create sharp edges for small fingers to cut themselves on! Blood is not only thicker than water, it also leaves stains.

Step 4: Fill the jar with water until it comes about 1/3 the way up the jar. Screw the lid back on and turn the jar onto its side. If water spills out, it is too full. If water doesn’t spill out, you have done everything right. Congratulate yourself.

Yes, there is water in this jar.
More importantly, it is staying
in the jar.
Step 5: If you haven’t got the water level right, just do a bit of trail and error work till you get it to the right level.

Step 6: Mark the maximum water level on the side of the jar with a waterproof felt pen.

4 thoughts on “The Ultimate Solution to Painting-Related Spillages

  1. Oh we haven't moved onto rinsing yet…he currently has a paintbrush for each of the four colours! Unfortunately some of the green ended up on the sofa – have you got a magic solution for that too??!! Luckily, it' an old sofa! Remind me not to bother buying any new ones while I have a toddler! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

  2. Mine would never have managed not to mix the colours! Sorry, no magic solution to cleaning the sofa, unless a massive throw helps. That is our solution – three huge white fleece throws and some lovely cushions create the illusion that we have a gorgeous sofa. Underneath it all, it is blotched yellowy brown. But we are not replacing it till Number Three is at least six and there is a reasonable chance that it won't get wrecked with stains 🙂
    Thanks for popping over to read this.

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Americans continue to Pray. : ThyBlackMan

Friday, September 21, 2018

Americans continue to Pray.

September 21, 2017 by
Filed under Christian Talk, News, Opinion, Politics, Weekly Columns

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( “From the beginning of our nation, Americans have joined together in prayer during times of great need, to ask for God’s blessings and guidance. As response and recovery efforts continue, and as Americans provide much needed relief to the people of Texas and Louisiana, we are reminded of Scripture’s promise that ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’” (President Trump’s National Day of Prayer Proclamation)

“And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. … But we have forgotten God. …” (Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day)

“I charge you, in the presence of God and Jesus Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:1-4)

Why do bad things happen to good people? There are at least two possible answers: a) Because they are not so good as they think they are; or b) Because they are called, like Christ, to be instrumental in God’s will to atone for all transgressions. In light of Christ’s example, there is good reason to believe that the first alternative is very likely. After all, when a young man in search of wisdom addressed him, saying, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Christ immediately answered the question with a question, saying, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Mark 10:17-18)

Given that answer, we can never be as good as we think we are, because God alone is completely good. So, if we think to proclaim ourselves good, the thought itself proves that we are not. This may be why the Apostle, on account of his true conversion to Christ, is moved to say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. …” Those who let Christ’s mind be their own, and act accordingly, may have some right to call themselves good, though not simply on their own account.

But people truly mindful of Christ and God therefore live constantly in the presence of a standard of perfection they can never fully attain, on their own. They are constantly reminded of their own shortcomings. They take note of the impulses of thought and will that goad them to depart from Christ’s way. Thank God, they are also mindful of His presence within. Therefore, inspired by Christ, they surrender to God’s good will. As they do, they understand why Christ recommended the publican’s prayer (“Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.”) They are moved to imitate him. For they realize that, without the presence of Christ and God to correct their aim, they would carelessly let fly their arrows of longing, and miss the mark (i.e., sin).

Now, as a child, I was taught that praying requires an appropriate disposition. We must be mindful of the one to whom we pray. To pray to God we must remember God. We must remember His infinite goodness, so perfect that the very thought of it puts us to shame. We feel overwhelmed by a sense of being in the presence of all that reveals the small, petty, unsavory quality of our self-willed existence.

So, if we pray without humility, we do not truly pray. We move our lips, but like the Pharisee, we are disposed to worship (give worth to) ourselves alone. But in the presence of God, what mainly impresses us is our unworthiness. The light of God’s incomparable worth overwhelms our sight, so that we dwindle, in our own apprehension, almost to nothing. If we have no sense of this, it is because we remain too preoccupied with ourselves to remember Him.

To remember God is to remember that we are constantly dangling above the abyss that yawns in every way but the way of being His perfect will marks out for us. With minds informed by Christ within, we can walk in His way. Yet still we sway, this way and that, on account of the delusion that mistakes our freedom to depart from God’s way with the power of God that makes it possible for us to do so. But if we choose to depart from God’s will, we discard the provisions He makes for our existence. This inevitably produces an existential crisis.

We may cry out “My God, My God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me …?” (Psalm 22:1) That outcry shows that, in distress, we remember that He is God, the very God whose will to preserve us we have, by choice, forsaken. But does that remembrance mean that we are disposed to see and acknowledge the truth our self-willed choice discarded? Does it mean we realize that the measures we defied and cast away were God’s way of pre-serving us? Before we know what to ask, He has provided the means to our salvation. All we have to do is turn, or return to the way of being He has already prepared for us. Then, all will be well.

But what if we move our lips, demanding help, but will not make ready our heart, mind and will to receive what is already freely given? Then, our deeds belie our supplications. So now we take heart from the aid we give to those in peril, yet imperil the innocent offspring God naturally entrusts into our care. We profess to rescue humanity from offending Nature, yet approve abandoning the laws of our own nature, by which God prepares humanity for the future. Thus, what God freely fore-gives, we freely cast away, and again, and again.

The Scripture informs us of the dire consequence of our unwillingness to rely on God’s gift of sight. In what the blind man said: “For we know that God does not hear sinners, but whoever is God-fearing and does His will, He hears.” (John 9:31) And, in the same way, we know what God said to reprobates: “… when you stretch forth your hands, I will turn my eyes away, from you, and when you multiply prayer, I will not hear, for your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves, be clear, take away the evil of your devices from my eyes, cease to do perversely.”” (Isaiah 1:15)

Written by Alan Keyes

Official website;

4 Responses to “Americans continue to Pray.”
  1. M Anthony says:

    Please read this link and get the book it references.
    It tells us what we are really up against in Donald Trump.
    And yes it could impact your life, family, finances and survival.

    Spread the word on this.

  2. M Anthony says:

    The Bible doesn’t just say pray and that will not be enough.
    We need to rebuke, restore, confront, protest and everything the Apostles did. Faith without works is DEAD and dead faith moves nothing.

    America from its inception has been based on treachery, betrayal of the indigenous people, rape, slavery, lunching, racism, discrimination and intimidation. Change of heart, attitude and actions will help but prayer alone by itself just will not cut it

  3. M Anthony says:

    Americans remember this country reaps what it sows and prayers do not erase that. Yes righteousness exalts a nation but this nation is not about righteousness. Racism, police brutality, mistreating the poor, discrimination against women, promotion of perversion like LGBT. This nation is unrighteoueness

  4. M Anthony says:

    A nation, business or even household is often judged by its head.

    He is a loner so he makes America a loner.
    He is a liar and his administration is filled with scandal, controversy, deception, racism and helping Russia.
    He now wants us to pay for the wall he said Mexico would pay for.
    He has punked Paul Ryan and most of the republicans.
    He is a bully, unprofessional, inexperienced.

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In the least surprising news of the day, CBS has selected the Iron Bowl for its 2:30 p.m. game of the week on November 25.

The final regular season week of the year will likely feature two top-5 teams with a trip to the SEC Championship Game on the line. If that's the case, it will be the 10th straight year where the winner of this rivalry game was ranked in the top five. There hasn't been a year since 2007 where the Iron Bowl winner wasn't in the hunt for a national championship.

Here's a look at the full schedule for the week 13, which will feature the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving night and Missouri at Arkansas on Friday.

Pregame coverage for the Iron Bowl will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the Tide Tailgate Show presented by Yuengling on 95.3 the Bear and Tide 102.9. Fans can hear complete coverage of the game, including the play-by-play from Eli Gold and Phil Savage, on the Bear and Tide apps.


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Dwayne O. Foster
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Dwayne O. Foster has been writing poetry almost 30 years. Dwayne is a native of the Atlanta, GA area. An analyst in the material handling industry, Dwayne has a BA in Business Administration as well as formal education in computer graphic design and programming.

You can contact Mr. Foster via e-mail at dfoster700@live.com or by sending an e-mail to TimBookTu and it will be forwarded.

Works on TimBookTu by Dwayne O. Foster

Against the Wind
A Tender Soul
Candle in the Cover of Darkness
Dark Heroine
If Only You Knew
In the Absence of Light
In Time
Missing You
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My Flow...Without You
My Lady Love
Not For Me
Ruinous Destiny
The Fellow Came
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Dance Spirit – Insight (Original Mix) – Preview

by Supernature Release Date: 21st July 2014
Artist: Dance Spirit
Title: Insight EP
Label: Supernature
Cat No.: SPN037

“Dance Spirit?” – “I keep hearing their name everywhere”. This was the general response heard when uttering their name around parties during Sonar 2014. There is a palpable excitement around them but nobody can quite put a finger on why that is. In Anticipation of their incredible Long Player, expected to drop by at the end of the summer, Chris and Reagan tease our senses with their second EP for mother label Supernature, which is guaranteed to raise their profile even more thanks in no small part to their shimmering productions and unnatural ear for melodies.The lead track, Insight is nothing short of outstanding: a mesmerising journey into shining strings and cascading percussions with the added floating vocal (performed by Reagan Himself, one half of the duo) which creates tons of atmosphere around the track. None other than Fred P was recruited to rework “Insight”. Knowing his pedigree, the expectation to hear what he would do to the track was set very high and, as always, he didn’t disappoint. His remix is a true work of art, sculpted and patiently built to perfection like only a true master can. He also provides us with an excellent dub mix which is more suited to those dance floors preferring a bit less melody. “Late night, early mornings” is a gorgeous piece of deep house music which truly shows Dance Spirit’s dexterity within a studio environment. Bedouin are called on duty to remix it, following the incredible success of their debut EP for Supernature in the spring and they truly give the track a new identity, with middle eastern influences and a more dance floor feel. “Late nights rituals” complete a Monster Ep, further solidifying their positions as Supernature’s lead artists and truly a duo to watch in the near future.


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Alabama assistant Derrick Ansley to become Colorado State's defensive coordinator
Saints get chance at redemption in playoff return to Minnesota
Drahi U-turn makes Altice's problems easier to see
MLB Sports Agent Accused Of Filming His Clients In The Shower
Manchester United Confirm How They'll Combat £89 Sevilla Champions League Tickets
Jay Bruce Returns To Mets On 3-Year Deal
Eric Staal Will Represent Minnesota Wild at NHL All-Star Game
Damien Harris Will Stay At Alabama
Seahawks fire veteran OC Darrell Bevell after missing playoffs
Pirates Agree To Trade Gerrit Cole To Astros


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Categorized | Columnists, In My Mind's I

Midnight service is worth staying up for

Posted on 18 September 2014 by admin

By Harriet P. Gross

grossforwebWhen I was a youngster, Selichot wasn’t a part of my life. Looking back, I don’t know why. Rosh Hashanah was very important, of course, but its lead-up, a night filled with preparatory prayers, was something I hadn’t even heard of.

My family belonged to a traditional synagogue, but my father was barely involved, and my mother was more dedicated to its social than its religious aspects. I’m sure there were Selichot services, but nobody in my house ever went to them.

In Sunday school, however, I learned that “Prayer, Penitence and Charity Avert the Severe Decree.” There was lots of praying on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, even more penitential prayers on the latter, and annual High Holy Days appeals for charitable giving.

I’ve learned much more since then. Tefillah — tshuvah — tzedakah are basic blocks in the building of Jewish life. We talk to God; we talk to people, and ask their forgiveness for any wrongs we may have caused them over an entire year; we help those in need. But we don’t do these things only because they may “avert the severe decree.” We’re all going to face the fall of that final hammer some time, regardless of our behavior; even saints pass away. But until we do get our last call, prayer, penitence and charity enrich our lives.

I first learned about Selichot as a religious service when I belonged to a Reform congregation and sang in its all-volunteer-members choir. For years, my husband and I joined three other couples for an annual “Play and Pray” evening: we had an early dinner together, indulged in a few rubbers of bridge, then walked to our nearby temple for the midnight prayers. I loved the food and the friendship, but the palpable uplift in the sanctuary was best of all.

My son, who’s now a grandfather himself, became bar mitzvah on the Saturday morning before Rosh Hashanah. In the evening, our home was so full of family and friends, busily enjoying each other and reluctant to see such a beautiful day end, that no one noticed when I slipped away a few minutes before midnight to walk to the temple and sing the Selichot prayers with the choir.

It was the last time I was ever able to do so. A few days later, I had devastating surgery: removal of a tumor took away the right parotid gland in my neck and necessitated scraping the facial nerve; my vocal chords were involved, and never recovered from the trauma. But oh, those glorious memories!

Different congregations observe Selichot in different ways, and there are also differences as times change. That’s one of the glories of Judaism — our ability to flex, to adapt, to meet new needs without severing old connections altogether. Now there’s often a lesson of some kind before the praying begins, before the prayers that give Selichot its name are recited; even the midnight recitation that remains a tradition for some has been moved up earlier on the clock for others. But wherever we are, whatever time it is, we are still all Jews together, saying the same prayers, promising the penitence and charity that may — or may not — “avert the severe decree” (which may soon be written into the Book of Life for some of us anyway).

In some synagogues, there’s another beautiful tradition associated with Selichot: before the prayers begin, the Torah scrolls are unburdened of their colorful mantles and redressed in pure white for the season of tefillah, tshuvah, tzedakah that will follow. I leave the service cleansed, at peace, forgetting for a precious moment that there will be many battles of many kinds to fight in the coming New Year.

If you’ve never attended a Selichot service, please think about doing so this coming Saturday evening. All congregations will welcome you — no tickets required — for this most meaningful start to another New Year. Shana Tova to us all!

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The Call For A Charter School Moratorium Lacks Transparency

On Tuesday, the Metro Nashville School Board will vote on a charter school moratorium. The policy proposal is being brought by Will Pinkston. As of Monday morning, language of the resolution has still not been publicly shared on the MNPS website.

Will Pinkston calls for transparency for charter schools, but he should also be held to that same transparency. It’s unacceptable that the meeting is tomorrow, and the citizens of Nashville still can’t access the policy that will be discussed.

Sources within MNPS tell me there is a draft floating around, but language is still not finalized. It seems like this policy is being snuck in at the last moment so that the citizens of Nashville cannot give specific feedback before the vote. That’s not right.

If this is what Nashville wants, why does this resolution have to held in the dark?

Because of the lack of transparency, the Metro Nashville School Board should postpone voting on this moratorium until the people of Nashville can read and respond to it.

While on the issue of a moratorium, it should be noted that having a moratorium will give the State Board of Education more power. I wrote the same thing when Pinkston last tried to change charter school policy:

We know that the Nashville school board disagrees with the state being able to authorize local charter schools. If they pass this policy change, they are giving more power the the State Board of Education to overturn charter appeals

The same is true with the moratorium. A moratorium will give the State Board a bigger hand in approving charter schools in Nashville. Nashville should continue to rigorously review and approve the charter schools that best meets the needs of MNPS.

A flat out moratorium on charter schools is not in the best interest of our Nashville schools or their students.

Update: As of 1:45pm, the resolution has been posted here.

Elissa Kim Appointed to the State Board of Education

The State Board of Education got a new member today. Elissa Kim, the former Nashville School Board member, has been appointed to the State Board of Education as the 5th congressional district representative. Elissa Kim served one term on the Nashville school board.

Elissa Kim previously worked as the Executive Vice President of Recruitment at Teach for America, and she was a teacher in New Orleans before that. Kim replaces Carolyn Pearre, whose term expired this year after serving on the board since 2002.

Welcome aboard!

For more on education politics and policy in Tennessee, follow @TNEdReport.

Is the MNPS Charter Proposal Illegal? This State Lawyer Says Yes

We learned this past week in a committee meeting that Nashville School Board Member Will Pinkston will ask for a policy change to require charter school proposals to list their location in their application. That would add difficulty to the proposal process because it would require a charter operator to secure a location before they even know if their application is approved by the district.

Many charter schools know the area they will open, but have not secured a location because it’s left to the will of an elected body to approve or deny their application. You can’t get financing to lease or buy a facility before your proposal has been approved.

According to a tweet by Nashville Scene reporter Amanda Haggard, Metro Legal said “if MNPS denies a charter based on not having location,  that (the) state could give them appeal if they chose to.”

School Board Member Sharon Gentry brought up the same fact in the committee meeting that this requirement could result in the State Board of Education overturning the denial decisions from the district.

The State Board of Education agrees, and says that it’s illegal to require charter applicants to have a specific location in their application.

The State Board of Education’s legal counsel, Elizabeth Taylor, said this past week during a State Board meeting that Tennessee law does not require a charter school to have a facility in place when they apply to open a charter school. The law, TCA 49-13-107, lists all the requirements that a charter application must contain, and a facility is not one of those requirements. “No, an exact brick and mortar address is not required at time of application,” Taylor added.

When asked if a local district denied a charter school application because they did not provide a location, would the state board uphold that?

“That would not be legally permissible as the only reason to deny an application,” said Sara Heyburn, the State Board of Education Executive Director.

The proposal brought forth by Will Pinston passed out of committee on a 5-3 vote. The five members voting to send the proposal out: Will Pinkston, Amy Frogge, Jill Speering, Anna Shepherd, and Christiane Buggs.

With 5 members voting this proposal out of committee, there is a good chance that this legislation will pass and become school board policy.

If members vote for this policy change, they are voting for a policy that is possibly illegal and will end up having charter schools approved at the state level more often because of it.

We know that the Nashville school board disagrees with the state being able to authorize local charter schools. If they pass this policy change, they are giving more power the the State Board of Education to overturn charter appeals.

This policy proposal should be voted down.

One Google Search Could Have Helped the MNPS Chair

Anna Shepherd, the chairwoman of the Nashville school board, wrote an editorial in today’s Tennessean asking the State Board of Education to reject Rocketship’s appeal to the state.

I don’t want to discuss Rocketship in this post, but I do want to talk about her inaccuracies about the State Board of Education.

screen-shot-2016-10-09-at-12-20-05-pmThe nine members of State Board of Education are appointed by the Governor, approved by the General Assembly, and serve five year terms. Each member represents their congressional district. Nashville is part of the 5th congressional district (Jim Cooper’s seat).

In the editorial, Shepherd says,

Gov. Bill Haslam appoints members to the state board. The only state board member who nominally represents Nashville is Wendy Tucker, co-CEO of Project Renaissance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of charter schools in Tennessee.

Except that’s not the case. Wendy Tucker represents the 7th congressional district (Marsha Blackburn’s seat), which does not include Davidson County or Metro Nashville Public Schools. She’s not Nashville’s representative on the board. It’s right there on the state’s website if you google it.

Shepherd goes on to say that no board members live in Nashville.

Hopefully, the appointed members of the state board — none of whom live in Nashville — will see through Rocketship’s ruse and uphold the judgment of the local elected school board.

Again, not the case. Carolyn Pearre, the Vice Chair of the State Board of Education who is currently serving her 14th year on board, lives in Nashville, TN (according to the Tennessee Education Association) and represents the 5th congressional district.

Maybe it’s time for our school board to actually meet Nashville’s representative on the State Board. She’s only been there 14 years.

As chair of the Nashville school board, you need to know who actually represents you at the state level.

Blame the state board for a lot of things, but don’t blame them for not representing Nashville because you didn’t look it up.

Facts matter. Google helps.

Rocketship Claims MNPS Took Too Long To Act on Appeal and Schools Should Have Been Automatically Approved

Rocketship Tennessee is appealing to the State Board of Education to open a new charter school in Nashville after Metro Nashville Public Schools denied their application on appeal earlier this month in an 8-1 vote.

But in a letter to the State Board of Education, Rocketship Tennessee claims that Metro Nashville Public Schools took longer than the 30 day period to act on the appeal, which would mean the two schools should have been automatically approved. The Tennessee Public Charter School Act of 2002 clearly explains how the appeal works.

The local board of education shall have thirty (30) days either to deny or to approve the amended application. Should the local board of education fail to either approve or deny the amended application within thirty (30) days, the amended application shall be deemed approved.

Rocketship Tennessee claims they submitted their amended application on July 7th. Based on the 30 day rule, Rocketship Tennessee says the Metro Nashville School Board had until August 8th to deny or approve the appeal. The school board did not meet until August 10th, outside of the 30 day time limit, which Rocketship says should mean both of their applications should have been approved.

That is just a small portion of the appeal to the State Board of Education. Rocketship Tennessee currently has over 1,100 students in their two Nashville locations. Unlike most charter schools, Rocketship opened a full K-4 school at once instead of the grade by grade expansion that other charter schools do. Rocketship Tennessee has a waitlist of over 200 students for their Nashville schools.

With the lack of TNReady assessment data, Rocketship is providing their own normative assessment data to show that the school should be approved.

Our confidence in our Rocketeers’ continued growth is grounded in their performance on the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment, a nationally norm-referenced exam that evaluates both math and reading/language arts proficiency. On MAP last year, 63% of our students moved up one or more quartiles (or remained in the top quartile). Our first-year Rocketeers in Nashville grew 1.5 years in math and 1.4 years in reading.

This is powerful proof that our personalized learning model is meeting the unique needs of each and every student. By meeting students where they are academically, we are putting them on the gap-closing path.

This is the second time that Rocketship Tennessee has appealed to the State Board of Education, with the original appeal being rejected in October 2015.

For more on education politics and policy in Tennessee, follow @TNEdReport.

Ready to Pay

This week, the Murfreesboro City School Board discussed the possibility of refusing to administer Phase II of the TNReady test.

Board members cited frustration with the rollout of TNReady and the subsequent lost instructional time. Additionally, some members noted this year’s TNReady challenges have caused increased stress for teachers and students.

All of this prompted speculation about what would happen if an entire district refused to administer the state-mandated test.

Here’s the short answer: Money. The district would be “fined” by having a portion of its BEP allocation withheld as allowed in state law.

In response to a question on this issue, the Tennessee Department of Education issued the following statement:

Under both state law and State Board of Education rules, the commissioner of education is charged with ensuring compliance with all education laws and rules. T.C.A. 49-3-353 authorizes the commissioner to withhold a portion or all of the Tennessee BEP funds that a school system is otherwise eligible to receive to enforce education laws and State Board of Education rules.

In addition, the State Board states that the department shall impose sanctions on school systems, which may include withholding part or all of state school funding to the non-approved system.

An entire school system refusing to participate in state mandated testing would be a major violation of state law and rule, and the school system could be considered a non-approved system subject to sanctions, including the loss of state funding.

The department has a responsibility to ensure that all students are on track to be college and career ready, which it monitors in part through annual assessments. We take that responsibility seriously and expect districts and schools to do the same. We want to work with all our school systems, including Murfreesboro City, as we continue to administer and improve our state assessments and ultimately ensure that all our students are receiving a high-quality education. The department has been working with Dr. Gilbert and the district on this issue and will continue conversations with her team as we work toward this goal.

It Means Lost Money

So, while not specifying the level of impact, the DOE is making clear that the violation would be “major” and that funds would be withheld. A recent example of the DOE using its authority to withhold funds can be found in the “Great Hearts Controversy” in Nashville. When MNPS failed to authorize a charter school the State Board found should have been authorized, Commissioner Kevin Huffman fined the district $3.4 million.

For now, no action has been taken by Murfreesboro City Schools or any other district in terms of refusing to administer TNReady.

For more on education politics and policy in Tennessee, follow @TNEdReport

An Interview with Allison Chancey

Allison Chancey is the 3rd District Representative on the Tennessee State Board of Education (SBE). She is the only member on the state board who also is a classroom teacher. Mrs. Chancey is a 2nd grade teacher in Bradley County, and is a member of Professional Educators of Tennessee. This article originally appeared in TREND (, a publication of Professional Educators of Tennessee.

Q: On behalf of our members, we thank you for taking time to share with our educators today. Tennessee’s SBOE develops policy and regulation on a wide variety of education topics. How does that work?

A: The State Board of Education meets at least four times a year. Often, we meet more than that as the need arises. We have a well-qualified staff that works hard and presents us with research they have done on current policies and educational topics on our agenda. Their findings are sent to us a week or two before each meeting for us to study and review. Before each board meeting we have a workshop where given items are discussed and questioned as needed. We are very fortunate to have the hardworking staff that we have. The nine board members bring different fields of experience that gives us a broad spectrum of educational needs. As a teacher, I get to present how things are from the front lines of the classroom.

Q: You are currently the only member of the state board of education that has actual classroom teaching experience – how has that experience helped you on the state board?

A: I believe our vice chair, Ms. Carolyn Pearre, at one time was also a classroom teacher. Currently I am the only board member to be teaching in the classroom. As a classroom teacher, I am able to tell how policies and regulations are affecting not only the teachers, but the administrations, students and parents. There are times when an item looks great on paper, although in reality it isn’t in the best interest to those directly involved. An example would be having TVASS scores tie in with teacher licenses. While in theory this looks great, in reality it is not fair to any teacher. I also know how our new standards are affecting our students as well as the parents involved. I basically am able to report firsthand how decisions we make are affecting the classroom.

Q: We made quite a few changes in public education in Tennessee the last decade. Some needed. Some debatable. What are we doing right?

A: We are raising standards and doing a better job of preparing students to be college and career ready. Job expectations are at an all time high, and it is our responsibility to prepare Tennessee students to meet the challenges facing them after high school. Tennessee education is meeting this challenge through the hard work of students, teachers, administrators, and parents. We have done this by adopting higher academic standards, holding teachers more accountable, and requiring students to meet academic gains. I am proud to be a part of the Tennessee team that is raising the bar and showing the nation that Tennessee students are second to none.

Q: In your opinion, what is the top 3 challenges still facing education in Tennessee?

A: The top three challenges still facing education in Tennessee? This is hard to narrow down. I could write a research paper on this! To narrow it down to three I would say time, money, and teacher morale. 1) Time. With all the wonderful updates going on in today’s education, a teacher is finding himself/herself working longer hours than ever to teach in the most effective manner possible. You will find teachers at school early, late in the evenings, and even on the weekends. Those not there you will find working crazy hours at home. We do this because we love our kids. But this has taken away from personal and family time. I don’t believe the average person has any idea how much time most teachers put into their jobs. Also, there is not a moment to spare while the students are with us in the classroom. To get the standards taught takes every second of every day for instruction. This means that time that use to be used to develop relationships with students is often lost
because of the ridged schedule. 2) Money. There never seems to be enough! How does this affect education? You find teachers that are trying to teach 21st century standards in a classroom built in the 1950’s. Technology is a key for student learning, but often is not funded adequately. Teachers who are working harder than ever may not see a pay increase for years. Schools need updating and replacing. 3) Teacher morale. As teachers, we love our jobs. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t. But we are seeing more and more students that are coming from broken homes, poverty, and abuse. They come to school hungry, tired, and worried. These children desperately need us to be not only their teachers, but someone they can trust and look up to. These kids are held at the same standard as the ones that come from nurturing homes, where parents meet their emotional and physical needs. Trying to teach these kids, worrying about test scores, evaluations, and new material creates much stress.
There is little to no support given in many cases.

Q: What are the steps the state and local districts need to take to address the challenges you identified? And what impact will that have on classroom teachers?

A: What steps need to be taken? Funding education should be the goal of every American. Our children are the future. Every city and district should make every effort to fund education as much as needed. That being said, we need to use the money wisely and be accountable for money spent. As far as time goes, districts need to recognize how hard their teachers are working. No one expects overtime pay, but a thank you could go a long way. Perhaps helping hands to aid the teacher, such as volunteers. 3. Teacher morale. Just to be respected and appreciated would go a long way. Teachers need encouragement just like everyone else. Again, a thank you could go a long way. It should also be addressed that teachers are not the only one responsible for educating a child. Parents need to be responsible in getting their children to school on time, being sure they are fed and have the adequate tools for learning, and backing a teacher up with discipline and homework assignments. The goal is
to work together for the betterment of the child.

Q: Any final thoughts you would like to share with your fellow educators across Tennessee?

A: Final thoughts? Tennessee is a great state to be in as an educator. To continue with our success, we need to work hard and never give up. Never compromise. We need to put students first and have them ready to face the challenges that await them after graduation. As the wise Alex Haley once said, “Find the good and praise it.” There is much good going on in Tennessee currently. I am proud to be a part of it.

For more on education politics and policy in Tennessee, follow @TNEdReport

Fielding Punts

State Board of Education Chair Fielding Rolston wrote last week about Tennessee’s social studies standards in light of a “controversy” ginned up by the ACLJ and latched onto by state legislators like state Representative Andy Holt and state Senator Dolores Gresham.

What’s the problem? It seems teachers across Tennessee are indoctrinating their students with Islam.

Not really, of course. And Rolston goes into some detail about the Tennessee social studies standards, the process for creating them, and the upcoming review of those standards. The review process invites feedback from any citizen and includes Tennessee educators.

Then, he punts:

Local districts determine the curriculum and instruction, adapting what classroom instruction looks like for the students and teachers.

There are no State Board of Education requirements regarding the length of time to be devoted to any topic or guidelines on how that topic is taught in the classroom.

It is always a local decision how long a particular topic is covered in the classroom and the textbooks and curriculum employed.

These statements, while accurately describing the process, also left a door open, and the ACLJ walked right through.

Now, local school boards are responding to broad, expensive to fulfill open records requests. Legal responses will be required.

Rolston suggests that while the state’s standards should be rigorous, a local district can spend less time on topics that may be the subject of the controversy of the day.

Tennessee’s social studies teachers might have appreciated a more vigorous defense.

For more on education politics and policy in Tennessee, follow @TNEdReport

Who is Sara Heyburn?

Jon Alfuth over at Bluff City Ed has an interview with the former teacher who is now the Executive Director of the Tennessee State Board of Education.

One note that struck me in the interview was her expressed desire to hear more from teachers in the policy making process. Here’s what she had to say:

“We need to hear from teachers who are interested in policy making. Continue to persevere and look for those opportunities and find ways to make your voices heard.”

She also speaks to the strengths of existing policy outlets, and advises teachers to take part in them.

“The outlets we have now in our state are great. There are lots of opportunities for teachers to get involved.” However, she also emphasizes that teachers aren’t seeing what they want, they should work to create additional opportunities.

I absolutely agree that policymakers should look to teachers for guidance and insight on education policy decisions. Heyburn’s words sound like a welcome invitation for teachers to offer their perspective as policy is being made.

For more on education politics and policy in Tennessee, follow @TNEdReport


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Capital risk

The attack on Hamid Mir has exposed the ills the Pakistani media is currently faced with

Capital risk
December 2007: Hamid Mir at a protest rally for the restoration of judiciary. — Photo by Jawad Zakariya

Famous Sri Lankan editor, Lasentha Wickrematunge of The Sunday Leader, who was killed in January 2009, had predicted his death in his last editorial, “And Then They Came for Me”, written two days before he was killed, in these words: “When finally I am killed, it will be the government that kills me”. The editorial was published two days after his murder.

So some journalists around the world have predicted about their possible assassination.

Hamid Mir, one of Pakistan’s most powerful media voices, had feared and faced death threats due to which he had moved his children abroad recently but refused ‘asylum’ offers for himself. These threats, he claimed, came from different quarters and groups, including the intelligence agencies.

In the same editorial, Wicrematunge talked about official inquires. He was very critical of the then president of Sri Lanka and addressing him he said: “In the wake of my death I know you will make all the usual sanctimonious noises and call upon the police to hold a swift and thorough inquiry. But like all the inquiries you have ordered in the past, nothing will come of this one, too. For truth be told, we both know who will be behind my death, but dare not call his name. Not just my life, but yours too, depends on it.”

Hamid Mir is not the only one who had expressed his fears in writing to his family, close friends and concerned news managements. Hayatullah did this, so did Saleem Shahzad and Musa Khan Khel. At least, two of them Hayatullah and Musa Khan Khel had confided in Hamid Mir of the possible threat.

Hamid Mir is alive and will soon be back to talk about his possible assassins and his fears. The truth is that the bullets may have spared his life but we ‘killed’ him by questioning his patriotism in the post-attack discussions on tv talk shows. The 67 years of this country’s history is replete with issuance of certificates of ‘traitors’ for those who are said to be against the ‘ideology of Pakistan’ etc.

Now, the Ministry of Defence has moved the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) with a detailed charge sheet against Geo group. Last year, another channel and nine newspapers were charged for sedition in Balochistan. The cases are still pending in the sessions courts. But you cannot brand journalists, newspapers or channels as ‘traitors’ unless you have evidence to prove it in a court of law.

One also wonders about the veracity of the Minister of Defence, Khawaja Asif’s consent to the complaint before Pemra. Once late Mir Ali Ahmad Talpur who happened to be Gen. Zia’s minister of defence was asked about his role as minister and he had said: “Baba, I am not minister of defence. I am minister of self-defence.”

The truth is that the bullets may have spared Mir’s life but we ‘killed’ him by questioning  his patriotism in the post-attack discussions on tv talk shows.

According to Pemra rules, the authority has to first refer the matter to the Council of Complaints, comprising 13 to 17 members, which also includes members from the civil society. The council can call Geo’s management and later if it feels the case is fit to be proceeded, can issue directives to Pemra Chairman for action.

However, in the absence of Pemra chairperson, a three-member committee will investigate charges levelled by the defence ministry against Geo and will apprise the Pemra board of the facts of the case.

It is pertinent to note that the existence of the three member committee is already challenged in the court.

In this case, the ministry has gone a step ahead and asked for prosecution of Geo’s editorial and management, meaning it should initiate criminal proceeding. How can Pemra do that, I am at a loss to understand.

The ministry and the military should have waited for the outcome of the judicial inquiry before drawing any conclusion because the accusations levelled by Amir Mir, brother of Hamid Mir and the alleged hype created by Geo were all linked with the attack. All sides must show restraint and refrain from accusations and counter-accusations till the investigation is complete.

Hamid Mir, as I have known him for the past 25 years, has a reporter’s nose that smells the news, a powerful pen to express it in words and a voice to say it loud and clear. Like any true journalist, he believes in expressing his own opinion and in allowing the opposite view as well. He was critical of both retired General Pervez Musharraf and Asif Ali Zardari but interviewed them both. He was the first person to interview Zardari as president of Pakistan. His interview with al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden generated a lot of controversy but hit the headlines around the world.

All these qualities made him a dangerous journalist too. Some people and groups in this country don’t like those who can influence public opinion and thereby create problems for the decision-makers. So, when such journalists don’t listen to their ‘advice’, other means like the one that we witnessed in Karachi are adopted.

The fact that Hamid Mir is such a sharp journalist was evident from his first reaction. As soon as the first bullet was fired on his car, the immediate thing he did was to call Geo’s ace crime reporter Afzal Nadeem Dogar and asked the driver to rush to the hospital. He knew his assailants were following him and may do so till he reaches the hospital. He knew that only a crime reporter could inform the police or rangers.

Within minutes, the news of his attack hit the headlines. Those who wanted to silence his voice on Geo and Jang are now dealing with over two dozen tv channels who have been discussing Hamid Mir, whether in support or in opposition.

Hamid Mir is a now like a wounded lion. Having known him for so long, I know that his response would be cool but tough. Those who wanted to silence him will be disappointed. His critics within the journalist community who could not beat him in ratings or writing have tried to malign him. Interestingly, they are referring to his criticism on army’s political role in 1971, his stance on Balochistan and Mehran Base attack etc. — causes that should be dear to every journalist.

True, there were some shows and columns that one found fault with but you have to learn to respect difference of opinion. People who have branded him as ‘traitor’ and ‘Indian agent’ etc. are also the ones who are trying to ‘rescue’ a military dictator for facing such charges.

As for the accusation of brother Amir Mir, himself a reputed journalist, he did what his brother had reportedly told him. Ideally and as per journalistic norms, the name of the DG ISI should have been edited. DG ISPR’s reaction should have been taken soon after the brother’s allegations. Having said that, the reaction of the family only came after and not before the incident; Hamid Mir had informed his family and his group and they had also alerted the prime minister about it. So, editorial errors apart, one should not completely negate the allegations which need proper and independent probe.

At the time when 9/11 happened, I was bureau chief of AFP, Karachi. I was watching the happenings on my television screen in the office, when a Press Release on the letterhead of Lashkar-e-Taiba was faxed. I also got a call from an unknown person, saying “we have sent you a fax”. The fax said, “Our commandos had carried out the attack on the World Trade Center, and we claim the responsibility”. At first, I got excited as it was about to become the world’s topmost story. But I wanted to delay carrying it because I had to check with the spokesperson of Jamaatud Dawa, Yahya Mujahid whose phone was switched off. I tried calling Hafiz Saeed who did not pick up his phone either. I then informed my bureau chief Rana Jawad in Islamabad. Our ‘gora’ chief got angry when I told him that I had got this fax but want to hold it. He did not wait and released the news. From BBC to CNN, it became the headline but knowing the sensitivity they gave credit to AFP.

Ten or fifteen minutes later, I got a call from Yahya Mujahid who asked me to issue a denial. “It’s a conspiracy against us,” he said. The AFP was left with no other option but to issue a clarification, something which never goes well in a wire service. But I was a relieved man.

Sometimes the editors do and should withhold stories in print and tv which is a little frustrating for journalists but that safeguard is important. Today, we lack strong editors in print and the situation is even worse in television.

Hamid Mir is alive and will be on air in one or two months. His statement before the 3-member Judicial Commission would be most crucial. This commission is going to be different from the ones constituted on Hayatullah and Saleem Shahzad because both were not alive to record their testimonies. Hayatullah’s widow was a brave woman. She recorded her statement before a one member commission of Peshawar High Court but she could not survive to see its finding and was killed. The report was never made public.

Journalists should neither have nor work for any agenda. They should only follow what is assigned to them by the editor or director. They need to have a political outlook but not affiliation. Maintaining objectivity often secures you from many threats. At the same time, taking risk to gather news is an essential part of journalism that can get you killed. The only thing we expect from the state and the government is a fair probe and prosecution in case we get hurt.

Nine crucial questions

It is possible that by the time this article is published, police and intelligence agencies would have reached some kind of conclusion and arrested possible suspects. But here are some important questions and points that need to be raised and probed by the judicial commission as well as by the investigators:

  • How was the information about Hamid Mir’s travel plan leaked?
  • Was he being followed from Islamabad and someone also travelled with him?
  • Was someone standing on the arrival lounge informed the assailants as to which side of the car he was sitting?
  • How come only that CCTV was not working at the turning there he was attacked?
  • What did the government and agencies do about Hamid Mir’s fears and complaints?
  • Look at his most critical shows and columns in the last two or three months
  • Possible beneficiaries of the attack
  • Record of threats he received through his sms and emails
  • How come, despite high alert in and around airport because of retired General Musharraf’s arrival, such an operation become possible and why was CCTV out of order?

Mazhar Abbas

mazhar abbas
The author is a senior journalist and former secretary general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists.

  • you have made your decision in your words … And in the end you ask for fair probe
    I’m not sure whether it is right or wrong but country’s image is very important and I don’t see many journalist such as Hamid Mir and etc respecting it or its rules and regulation
    In short it is the media and journalists who brought country to its present situation
    I blame nobody nor you or Hamid Mir but the facts are on the scene ….

    • how did media and journalists bring the country to the present situation?
      what law did hamid mir break in accusing who he thought was behind the attacks on him? doesnt the law ask the victim to name the person he suspects of the crime?
      did media suspend the constitution, topple democratic governments, did coups, kidnapped and kill people?
      your comment is baseless and without merit.

      long live freedom of speech!

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Visions of Africa

A recent Bryan grad did an internship in Kruger National Park in South Africa, and the Henning Museum of Natural History will be hosting an exhibition of her photography.  Behold the press release:

'Visions of Africa' to be featured in Henning Museum

Feedback? Email me at toddcharleswood [at] gmail [dot] com.


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September 27, 2010

monday morning.

on Saturday Night, i was reminded of this scripture...
Counsel with the Lord in all thy doing, and he will direct thee for good;  yeah, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.  Alma 37:37

so, monday morning, i woke up and laid there.
letting my heart be full of thanks unto God.
i thought of my blessings...
my darling husband, who is in Oklahoma, interviewing for a job.
my sweet children...

anna, who was sobbing on Saturday while she listened to the song "Puff the Magic Dragon."
(remember, Jackie Paper comes no more so Puff the Magic Dragon lays down his mighty head...)
leah, hugging anna tightly, with sympathy tears of her own.

ellie, crying on the trampoline, sure she broke her head and her leg, she'll never walk again.
leah, who is crying that ellie is "going to be dead."
when ellie eventually rises, leah comes in with pure excitement...
"Mom, remember when Jesus helped the little girl to rise up?  It was a "magical" just like Ellie."
And over and over, "Ellie, you just had a magical from Jesus."  (magical = miracle)

ellie, who sits right on me while we watch Extreme Home Makeover.  who has tears in her eyes at bedtime cause she "misses daddy."  who has to scoop poop out of the bathtub because she wanted to "give lily a bath" last night.  ellie who asks, "mom, sometimes don't you just WANT to wear immodest clothes.  i know you won't, but don't you just want to sometimes?"  sweet ellie.

lily, who said over and over "i love MOMMY!" while i was changing her diaper last night.
and how she had a piece of bread and kept coming into the family room with it.
i would remind her, "Lily, we eat food in the kitchen."
she would smile and say, "OHH!" and run back to the kitchen... just like it was the first time i had ever told her that rule...  20 times.

my sweet big boys... how drew is so funny teasey... singing quietly, "Ellie has pink panties on with white on top..." over and over until she screams.  How when i tell him to stop, he comes over and hugs me while he sweetly apologizes and it always works.  i love that little stink.  and, i remember how on Saturday morning, when jakob was complaining about vacuuming the house, drew just got out the vacuum and did jakob's job for him.  just because.

and how jakob "made dinner" on Sunday night... toasted rye bread tuna sandwiches and edamame.  how at church he begs to hold lily and how lily cries "i want mommy" when i try to pass her over.  then, every few seconds, he whispers to lily, "you want jake lily, you want jake,"  with his cute smile at me, knowing it's not going to happen, because lily is as big of a stink as he is.  and, we both love her for it.

i think of my growing bump, sure i can feel the swirls of movement.  so grateful for the many "magicals" i have been given.

i have much to be grateful for.

and i pray, before i get out of bed, that i can do just one thing for each of my blessings.
i pray for wisdom and patience and energy to serve.
and i remember days i have spent so focused on me that i have missed the bounty that surrounds me.
i remember wise counsel, "Forget yourself and go to work."
and i recommit.
to love more, to serve more, to teach more, to order, to clean, to protect.
i pray that He will use me.
i pray that He will consecrate my efforts.
and, i run to wake up the gang, to gather for scriptures, to join in family prayer via speaker phone, to pour cereal and juice and cut apple slices, to find shoes and socks and hair bands, to encourage teeth brushing and send them out the the door with a kiss and a healthy snack.
i smile at my neighbor running out to turn on his car in his boxers, blue socks and flip flops...
and, monday is great.
and, i LOVE my job.
and, i'm going to miss this someday.
life is good.
today, i am filled with joy.

(which is good, because i definitely have a monday morning house... and it ain't pretty.)

1 comment:

Emily said...

Loved this post- thanks.

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