May 23, 2010
AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM
I haven't followed the Texas textbook controversy very closely, but I find it interestingly absurd that people are debating whether we should include American exceptionalism in the curriculum. What makes me snicker is the thought of Asian countries; to my knowledge, there is no debate in Japan over whether Japan is the greatest country to exist. Nor in Korea, nor in China. The idea that we are fighting over whether we should teach our children that the USA is #1 strikes me as funny, in a sad way.
If the debate in Texas were over the divine origins of American exceptionalism, that is whether the Founding Fathers were divinely inspired to embark on this American experiment or not, it would make more sense to me. But I find it depressing that we're arguing over whether we should teach our children that the origins of our country were special, that unlike other countries around the world the US is not based on ethnicity or culture but on a unique idea that anyone can ascribe to.
The US is exceptional in that regard. And no, Pres Obama, not in the same way that Greeks are.
Posted by: Sarah at
12:12 PM
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As someone who has been annoyed by Chinese, Japanese, and Korean nationalism for years, I am not sure that "we should include American exceptionalism in the curriculum." I don't know what exactly is meant by that. To teach children that the US is #1 in this field or that field, that the US has freedoms that other countries do not have - those are all facts based in reality. To teach that the US is a Europpressive dystopia which was beyond redemption until the election of Obama is to deny reality. But I oppose overly teaching that "that the USA is #1." Teach the facts, and the conclusion of American exceptionalism becomes obvious. Teach a simple belief, and young skeptics who feel manipulated by propaganda will grow up into anti-American Leftist intellectuals. Let patriotism grow; pushing it may create more enemies.
Posted by: Amritas at May 23, 2010 04:22 PM (hBtE2)
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What true Leftist doesn't believe in American exceptionalism? No country has been more eeeevil than the US until Hopenchange Day 2008. It will take millennia of government programs to eradicate the legacy of being the #1 bad guy for over two centuries.
Posted by: kevin at May 23, 2010 04:33 PM (hBtE2)
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Ann Althouse and Tom Maguire both have good articles fisking, or clarifying, the articles in the Washington Post and New York Times on the Texas School Book controversy. Volohk also has a post with a great many comments mostly con on the decision and Althouse.
I am a Texan and have grandchildren in school in San Antonio. They are AP students and get a very good schooling, I believe. But there are gaps in the history and civics books and I am hoping this clears them up.
I wish it was not such a big deal. I frankly think each school board should decide their own curriculum as the colleges and universities do. That could be, unfortunately, very liberal, but maybe very interesting.
One of my grand daughters was home schooled until middle school. Sarah, get started now teaching the baby. Read to her if you are not already doing so. Just a hint from a granny...
Posted by: Ruth H at May 23, 2010 05:52 PM (KLwh4)
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My children are blessed to have been born, raised, and living in THE GREATEST country in the entire world. My husband is proud to serve in the Army of THE GREATEST country in the entire world. I am proud to be a citizen of THE GREATEST country in the entire world.
I may be over-simplifying it. I may misunderstand the issue. I may be missing it entirely, but in case I'm not we've got it covered. Whatever the schools may be teaching, *I* will be sure to educate my children on our rights, our responsibilities, and our blessings in being citizens of The United States of America, THE GREATEST country in the entire world.
Posted by: Amber at May 23, 2010 08:49 PM (7P1sK)
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Obama clearly doesn't think there's anything special about this country, except for bad things, and he obviously doesn't like us, the American people, very much. So why did he want to be our president?
I try out a couple of analogies in this post:
he's just not that into us.
Posted by: david foster at May 24, 2010 08:01 AM (Gis4X)
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May 19, 2010
EVERYBODY DRAW MUHAMMAD DAY
I know it's awful, but that's not the point. The point is that it's a generic depiction of Muhammad and I'm participating in today because
I think it's important. Let us not be cowed.
Posted by: Sarah at
07:58 PM
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I didn't even get that creative -- I Snapshot'd the Mohammed from the Supreme Court building
Posted by: Lissa at May 20, 2010 08:05 AM (eSfKC)
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Gasp! We are shocked,
shocked by such insensitive idolatry! As Allah, Most High said:
"And who is more unjust than those who try to create the likeness of My creation? Let them create an atom, or let them create a wheat grain, or let them create a barley grain."- Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 648
Even if the Prophet (pbuh) were never depicted again, one depiction of any object is too many. Homer Simpson, Stan Marsh, and Peter Griffin must go!
Posted by: kevin at May 20, 2010 10:14 AM (5a7nS)
Posted by: Amritas at May 20, 2010 10:23 AM (5a7nS)
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damn, I all expected a stick figure with typical garb! No matter, I see you're point and I like it. Good work, Sarah
Posted by: Sara at May 20, 2010 02:53 PM (675FB)
Posted by: Amritas at May 20, 2010 07:17 PM (hBtE2)
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TINGLE
I admit, I kinda got a tingle up my leg to see Rand Paul had won...
Posted by: Sarah at
07:19 AM
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May 14, 2010
RAW MILK
CVG sent me a link about the banning of raw milk. Personally, I've never even given raw milk a thought, but I do care deeply about the Constitution. And the umbrella of "interstate commerce" is really out of hand these days.
I love how all these little issues are cropping up to test the 10th Amendment lately, and they range from rightwing nutjob issues like the made-in-Montana guns to flaming lefty causes like medicinal marijuana or raw milk.
We're all being encroached on by the federal government, left and right. Let the hippies drink their raw milk, for pete's sake.
Posted by: Sarah at
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Discussions about the Commerce Clause & its interpretation by the Court always made me agitated in Con Law class. Seeing it play out in real life is doubly annoying. It is entirely too unwieldy in its span & should have been reeled in ages ago.
Posted by: Guard Wife at May 14, 2010 11:41 AM (evJH6)
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I can't remember where I read/heard the statement, but in the last few days I remember someone saying (paraphrased), "The rationale for these laws is that if just ONE person is saved it is worth it. I don't agree with that, because you can't save everyone."
I'm sure I paraphrased that terribly badly, but it's true. We'll ban Happy Meals because it's worth it if just one kid isn't a fatass? No, I'm sorry, it's NOT worth it. It's not. We have freedom, but we also have responsibility, and the government and the "Smart People" (I did love that post) are trying to make us back into irresponsible children.
GAH.
Posted by: airforcewife at May 14, 2010 04:22 PM (uE3SA)
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From Walter Miller's great novel, A Canticle for Leibowitz:
"To minimize suffering and to maximize security were natural and proper
ends of society and Caesar. But then they became the only ends,
somehow, and the only basis of law—a perversion. Inevitably, then, in
seeking only them, we found only their opposites: maximum suffering and
minimum security."
Posted by: david foster at May 15, 2010 08:48 AM (Gis4X)
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May 13, 2010
May 08, 2010
THE MOTHER'S BURDEN
My present for my first Mother's Day was that my husband would take over feeding our daughter during the night while I sleep. In the guest bedroom, with earplugs in, to guarantee that I sleep through the whole night. I have been looking forward to this for two weeks, and there have been times recently that I would've done anything to not have to get up during the night to take care of a crying baby. I have been exhausted again of late and have been getting really excited about my first night free from responsibility.
Yet when I put her down to sleep tonight, I cried. I will miss her during the night.
Such is the mother's burden.
Posted by: Sarah at
07:41 PM
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Tomorrow I'd take breakfast and a footrub that won't end until I say so.
Wonderful seeing you today! You and little miss looked wonderful. I can't believe how strong she is already.
Posted by: Sara at May 08, 2010 08:35 PM (675FB)
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That is a wonderful mother's day present. I think that should occur weekly at least - nothing like a good night's sleep!
Posted by: awiv at May 08, 2010 08:53 PM (4McD6)
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Happy 1st Mother's Day, Sarah!
Posted by: Toni at May 08, 2010 09:55 PM (OoGre)
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That makes perfect sense. Happy Mother's Day, Sarah.
Posted by: Lucy at May 09, 2010 01:09 AM (YNvUz)
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What a delight it is to be wishing you a Happy Mother's Day!
Posted by: MargeinMI at May 09, 2010 07:37 AM (XejzR)
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Happy first Mother's Day, Sarah. What a thoughtful husband! I hope you woke up refreshed this morning. :-)
Posted by: Heather at May 09, 2010 04:16 PM (6I5nZ)
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Sarah, I hope you had a great mother's day and things are going well!
Posted by: Keri at May 12, 2010 08:02 AM (6/M22)
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An infrequent commenter, but a repeat commenter. I've been dealing with PCS moves lately and so I'm a little behind, but have taken such joy in seeing your baby dream fulfilled and it's with great pleasure and thankfulness to God that I can wish you a Happy Mother's Day. Congrats.
Posted by: Tracy at May 14, 2010 11:43 PM (ZcYUC)
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