Celebrating Christmas

There are many ways that people in this  world choose to celebrate Christmas. I wanted to share with you all some alternative ways to enjoy the holiday. some of us get so wrapped up in owning the "next big thing" that we miss the.true meaning of Christmas. Here are some ways you can try to celebrate Christmas this year.

Count your blessings. Gather your family or guests all together in a room. Take a jar or container and pass it around with a small bowl of dry beans. The first person with the container and the bowl of beans should take 1 bean from the bowl, speak aloud.something that they are grateful for then place the bean in the jar or container. Then pass the bowl and beans to the next person until everyone has an opportunity to count one blessing.Once.completed take moment to mediate on your life and blessings. Make Christmas a time of reflection rather than gifts.

Attend Christmas plays and programs.Get out this holiday an  watch how others tell and share the story of Christmas.

Enjoy the outdoors. He  it may be cold outside, but go to a park, take a long walk by yourself or with a partner and enjoy the day.

Thrift store shopping. Try to avoid shopping malls and Christmas about more than how much you spend on a gift.

Cook or bake with others. 

These a're just a few suggestions the important thing is to take the time to enjoy the day, enjoy your loved ways and enjoy yourself.

Merry Christmas!!!

- Krystal

A Nation in Mourning

My heart is broken by the recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. The loss of human life incurred and the number of families affected is too much to fully imagine. This tragedy has captured the attention of everyone nationwide as we all mourn the many loved ones lost and the heroes of the day who did what they could to keep others safe. 

Americans are crying out for help and change. These tragedies cannot keep happening at the rate they are. There is so much that is preventable in these killings and brutalities. People argue that wanting change and starting the conversation about gun control around these tragedies is "politicizing" these events. On the contrary, it is people desperate for change. It is people who don't want to live in fear anymore, who don't want to see America turn into a place of fear, anarchy, and death. It has become a risk we assume, by going out in public, that there is an opportunity for violence. This is something unique to America--and it goes back to our value system. America's system values individual freedoms over community freedoms, ie, the right for an individual to buy weapons, but not the right for communities to feel safe in public spaces. It is unfathomable in other countries that we do not take action, and it is, though devastating, just something that happens here. OUR LAWS ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO BUY DEADLY WEAPONS IN REGULAR STORES. For many of us who have grown up here, maybe we've grown up thinking that is normal. I challenge you to really think about it. WHY ON EARTH SHOULD A CIVILIAN INDIVIDUAL BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO WEAPONRY SIMILAR TO WHAT IS USED BY THE MILITARY? Without guns, yes violence would still happen, but mass murders in school would be largely stopped. Mass murders of any kind--stopped. If there were no guns, legally or not, we would see a dramatic decline in murder. There is a larger conversation that needs to happen, around media and violence in our entertainment, the way human life is discounted in video games, movies, and tv shows, things our youth grow up watching, people without memorable names and faces being killed with little emotion. To shift our perception of human life to something of higher value is needed, as well, but the very simple fact of it all is that eliminating guns from stores would prevent the actual deaths we are currently seeing. This does not happen in other places. 

As you might notice, I am desperate. I am crying out for change. I beg everyone to consider what freedom means to them and take action. Freedom is the right to live without fear, it is the right to enjoy entertainment in public, to go out in crowds, to send your children to school. Freedom is the right to health and happiness for ALL. Freedom is not having to go through metal detectors and be searched upon entering airports, government buildings, and now schools. That is the direction our country is going. 

"If roads were collapsing all across the United States, killing dozens of drivers, we would surely see that as a moment to talk about what we could do to keep roads from collapsing. If terrorists were detonating bombs in port after port, you can be sure Congress would be working to upgrade the nation’s security measures. If a plague was ripping through communities, public-health officials would be

 working feverishly to contain it.

Only with gun violence do we respond to repeated tragedies by saying that mourning is acceptable but discussing how to prevent more tragedies is not. “Too soon,” howl supporters of loose gun laws. But as others have observed, talking about how to stop mass shootings in the aftermath of a string of mass shootings isn’t “too soon.” It’s much too late."
- Ezra Klein 

Take action in your own life: make a conscious decision to not say hurtful or negative things to others. Build others up, love with all your power. This is what will change the world and affect peace. 

 Support the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence to start getting involved in the conversation.  We must save America. It is that serious...this country is at stake. Life as we know it, the American dream, all of it, at stake. 

Pray for those affected by this horrible event, and take action in remembrance of them. It's not political, it's about prevention and honoring lives lost, may they not be lost in vain. 

--megan 

Real Diversity in Public Schools

Finding an appropriate learning environment for kids is a huge challenge parents and educators alike face. Children need an environment where they are engaged, challenged, and stimulated academically, where they can gain the skills they need to achieve in college or in the workplace. School is also a time for children to grow socially and behaviorally. This is a place where kids learn how to get a long with one another, make friends, work together, and stand up for themselves. 

Educators have found that children often thrive in diverse learning environments, where there are children of various racial, cultural, economic, and academic backgrounds in the same classroom. This is good way to help students frame their world view and gain perspective on other cultures and people. 

Easier said than done, of course. How do you put together the right combination of diversity and please everyone? Public schools have been struggling with this for decades. Inner-city schools struggle because of lack of economic diversity while suburban schools thrive due to lack of economic diversity. People attend school according to where they live, which means that they go to school with other kids who can afford to live in the same neighborhood as them--or can't afford to live anywhere else. Academically advanced kids ought not be held back by being mixed into classrooms with students who haven't been as successful, yet without these students further ahead, the class as a whole often fails. 

It's a huge puzzle, but most would agree the more diversity the better for all. DC's population is rapidly changing, and the school districts are finding pockets of white students and middle to upper-middle class students attending particular elementary schools in upper NW DC and Capitol Hill as more Gen-Xers and Millenials choose to raise kids and live in the city. The DC Public Schools are currently working to even out the population and create more diversity in neighborhood schools, so that students can still attend a school in their neighborhood, and hopefully attend with students from various economic, racial, and academic backgrounds. 

I listened to the Kojo Nnamdi Show from yesterday titled "Changing City, Gentrifying Schools" and what I found most interesting was listening to a particular caller who noted that many people had called in to say they/their kids attended a very diverse school and benefited from it. What he noted is what's true for many school systems and private schools--they've found a way to create a racially and culturally diverse atmosphere where they celebrate diversity and culture and learn about far away traditions and peoples. What they haven't managed is a way to integrate students in a way that is economically and academically diverse. This particular caller even went as far as to say that these particular pockets of "diverse" schools in the city, suburb, or private schools, become more culturally diverse but conform further in ways of thought. The schools become a place where everyone thinks in the same way, and children aren't learning things that are different than them after all. Some of our area schools even show their students poverty and "poor" people as a "lesson"--people learn about poverty by gawking at it and throwing canned food at a food bank. These schools aren't teaching children about people that are different than them, certainly not how to interact with people that are different than them. Students often self-segregate in school halls, too, based on who they know from their neighborhood or their old school or who's in their classes (because many schools separate classes by academic achievement by offering things like Honors, AP, etc). Thus we've created another problem by attempting to understand diversity. Complex, right? 

I think what's important to take away from this is that diversity doesn't stop at skin color. It has to be about people that think differently and really perceive things differently. This comes down to money. Integration isn't easy when there is so much disparity between a child who grew up with money and a child who didn't, but being able to attend the same school and take the same classes is an equalizer and a step in the right direction. Diversity is something to celebrate to a point. In other ways (such as money and family's educational achievement history), I think it is something that ought to be downplayed as much as possible in schools. Uniforms and dress codes help, having the same expectations for all students lets students know that educators believe they can do the same as their peers. Equality in these areas is going to win over diversity, but by allowing people of diverse backgrounds access to this sameness.

--Megan

Tis the season

Two weeks from today it will be what I like to call "Christmas Eve Eve" and one of my favorite days of the year. I and perhaps many others tend to enjoy the days leading up to Christmas almost more than Christmas day itself. With vacation time, school out, holiday music playing and the giving of gifts it really seems that people are generally happier this time of year. But since moving to the DMV area I remind myself that there are many individuals out there that the Holiday season does not bring about the most merry of feelings.

Last year we wrote about ways to give back during the holiday season. Last week Megan wrote about giving. Has anyone used these suggestions? As someone who works in development I am on the side of trying to get donors to give, especially this time of year when nonprofits and private industries alike bring in the majority of their annual funds. In fundraising we learn that people give back to organizations for many different reasons with the top being; sense of purpose, caring about the story being presented, and the desire to be a part of something.

There are several great organizations in the area who are doing good things for people and for the community. These organizations will have their fundraising teams out to bring in the bucks and they will do great things with the money raised. I encourage you all to support these organizations. But tis the season to be merry and we need to remember how hard life can be on some people. Some individuals hit the hardest may not even be receiving help from some of the local organizations for a variety of reasons. Remember those individuals this time of year. As you're walking by people on the streets think about what you can spare and how much that can mean to another.


--Krystal

Dealing with the aftermath

The past two weeks have been especially traumatic for two teams in the National Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys. Last week was particularly traumatic when Jovan Belcher, Chiefs player, shot and killed his girlfriend and mother of his 2 month old child and then went to speak & apologize to his coaches and shot himself infront of them.

NBC elected to make some feelings known when during last week's edition of Sunday Night Football, one of the highest watched television programs on a weekly basis, Bob Costas spoke out in favor of stricter gun laws. Costas later apologized for his statements made after many complained about the manner in which his platform was used politically.
What do you think? Did the NFL handle this situation appropriately? Should the players have kept Belcher's jersey up in the locker room as a jester of remembrance? How do you feel about Bob Costas' statements on Monday Night Football?

These are devastating tragedies for all involved. The National Football league has been pressed with how two deal with both of these tragedies. In most cases when a fried has passed a solder has fallen they are honored and their lives are celebrated by friends, families and associates. When that person has committed a vicious crime especially one that leaves a now orphaned 2month old child the situation is handled in a different manner. The NFL did not choose to honor Belcher, instead a moment of silence for victims of domestic violence was initiated. There were member of the chiefs organization who chose to handle the situation differently. Belcher's jersey was left up in the locker room as remembrance and some players chose to honor their friend. Others were too confused and shocked to really know how to react and put the pieces together. 


--Krystal

DC Has Lowest Graduation Rate in the Nation

According to DCist. Of course, it is hard to compare DC to a state since DC is an all-urban area, and cannot be fairly compared to states which have mixtures of urban and rural populations.

Still, a miserable 59%--barely half-- of the students in public and charter schools are graduating high school from DC in four years. The school systems are flooded with local tax dollars each year; children at public schools receive an education worth much more per student (though classroom sizes are still atrociously large, hindering the progress students can make).

The DC Public Schools are aware of the notorious reputation and many different strategies have been implemented, including better teacher training, after-school programming, and appealing to different learning styles. Education reform is complex, and must involve strategies to reduce poverty, hunger, and violence. I believe that these factors are mainly why DC lags behind the states, not lack of trying or lack of funding.

What would make the biggest difference in public education in the District? What do you think about comparing DC to the states?

--Megan

Why Give?

As a volunteer manager, I hear from many people who are interested in helping, and I have several conversations each week about volunteer opportunities and striking the balance in order that both volunteer and program are benefited from the service.

I guess the following argument and musings make it clear that I am not a development person and come from a very direct-service, program perspective...I believe in the idea that service, volunteering, and giving should be beneficial for the giver, volunteer, or server. I, just think, however, that the service or gift ought to be done in a way that does not expect or want; this is the way to true happiness, anyway, asking of no gratitude for work that is done. Going in with expectations of "feeling good" will ultimately hinder this feeling, and quite bluntly,  defeats the purpose of giving and serving. Many people have made the service all about them, when the only real goal of service is to benefit and support those individuals, charities, and others that need it most. 

One of my favorite quotes that I often find myself meditating on is one from Rabindranath Tagor, and goes, "I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I woke and saw that life was service. I acted, and behold, service was joy." 

So, yes, service is joy and people can certainly get a lot of perspective, purpose, and joy from giving to their community. It's just that what you're willing to give or do must be something this community wants or needs, otherwise, what's the point?  

What good is several thousand pounds of canned goods to an organization that is not a food pantry? How helpful are your grandmother's old clothes to people looking for jobs? I get queries all the time from people interested in volunteering in a specific way...for things we do not do. We need very specific types of volunteers, and it is a burden on staff to incorporate a person who wants to do a specific thing that is not currently done. Perhaps this thing isn't particularly useful to the clientele served. 

Another request I get all the time is for my organization to create large-group volunteer opportunities. People want to be able to help just once or twice a year! Why? So they can feel good about themselves! People expect that an organization ought to accommodate their schedules. We run our programs during the day, when many people with interest in volunteering are working; we ought to accommodate them, by creating opportunities to serve on the weekends and in the evenings. Creating projects that don't exist and changing working hours puts a large burden on staff and isn't actually beneficial to the people served via the program. These demands would be for the sole purpose of appeasing would-be volunteers. 

Now for the development perspective: yes, it is important to build a strong group of individuals who might be potential donors. If we engage them and they learn something about the population served or the issue at hand, they might become donors or at least  pass this knowledge on and the community will be better informed. 

Still, this is privilege-service to me. People want to have an activity once in awhile, or to say they did this or that for some person or some organization. It is a privilege to "other" and alienate these people that are served by going in to "learn" about them; it further divides people into two distinct groups. 

I encourage everyone during this holiday season to get out and volunteer! It's a great way to give back, support your community, and build relationships. I also encourage you to challenge your way of thinking. Why are you volunteering? Find out what it is that motivates you to this service. If it is self-serving, you will not get the same joy from it nor self-reflection. Serving must be for the sake of serving in order for anyone to be involved. Finally, ask organizations and charities what it is they need and be willing to do that. You might be surprised: organizations often most need someone to scrub some floors or help out with data entry. These aren't the glamorous or feel-good jobs that people often want when they go looking for service work, but these are truly the ways to give back and be humble. 

There are all types of service opportunities, and there are all types of people with unique skills and talents. Your specific skills and talents are needed some place. The best way to get involved is to ask what needs to be done, and to be humble enough to do it. Giving and service can provide real transformation in the life of a volunteer, and it is truly what life is all about. To do it right requires a certain amount of sacrifice. 

--Megan

Silver Linings Playbook-flick pick

So if you know me at all you know that I love to see a good film especially in theatre. The most recent film I've seen is going to be what I'll call my Flick Pick of the week. Not sure if I will continue to make these "flick picks" but to kick it off for this Thanksgiving holiday weekend is Silver Lining Playbook.

Directed by David O. Russell, staring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Dinero. With special guest stars Chris Tucker and Julia Stiles. To give you a quick idea of this film, Cooper is released from a mental health facility into the care of his parents and is attempting to correct certain things with himself and get his life back.

This film is captivating, very funny, and may even inspire a few to get their lives back on track. I was also very impressed by the performance of both Lawrence and Cooper, but especially Bradley Cooper whom I thought couldn't deliver this sort of range in a film. There are some parts of this film where Cooper has you really thinking that he should still be held in that mental health facility. Rumors are already spreading that Jennifer Lawrence may be a Best Actress Oscar nominee.

Only time will tell how this film does in the box office or throughout award season, but it is definitely worth seeing and I would say one of the top 5 films I've seen this year.


--Krystal

A New Thanksgiving Tradition

Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays. The tradition of bringing families and friends together being thankful for what they have and count their blessings. But year after year this holiday is changing right before our eyes with the over hyped, over advertised, expansion of "Black Friday."

This year stores opened early than ever with WalMart leading the pack and opening right after Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday afternoon. Big stores like Target, Best Buy and Macy's were not far behind, opening Thursday night. Not only has Black Friday leaked into Thanksgiving day, but stores are  advertising these "great" deals on a very select few products of a select quantity. Tantalizing the consumer with 42inch TVs for just $130 while only stocking a very few 40 of these "must have" television sets. It's all about getting the consumer in the door and it works. It amazes me that stores will open on Thanksgiving afternoon and people will rush out and away from the people they are so thankful for to stand in a long line waiting for deals that will last longer than just on this "Black Friday"

I admit that I enjoy a "good deal" just as much as the next person, but I see no reason to rush out of Thanksgiving dinner to stand in a Best Buy line for another television set only to see that this same television set will be available for a similar price in the days to come. I understand everyone is different and obviously our country is infused through capitalism, but I'd hate to think that Thanksgiving Day traditions will now include a trip to WalMart after your Thanksgiving meal.

Is it worth it to include a shopping trip as part of your Thanksgiving tradition?

--Krystal

Living History in Gettysburg

Krystal and I visited historic Gettysburg this weekend. We really enjoyed the quaint feel of the town and the wide open spaces. It made me feel like I was in a 19th century landscape. We arrived during a heritage festival weekend, and many people were out and about in downtown Gettysburg dressed in colonial clothing.
The Gettysburg park is full of monuments from the time of the battle. There is tons to explore and learn from this era in our country's history.
As a relatively young country, it is rare to find places that breathe history the way that places in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East do.
Gettysburg is one of the oldest historical sites in our nation, and the people there celebrate this history. Lincoln's face and words are everywhere, as are relics of small town, old fashioned living.

If you haven't been to Gettysburg, it is just a short drive from the District and a relaxed place to visit!

--Megan

Politics and Relationships

More than ever, politics are dividing people. Moderates are disappearing and people are becoming more extreme in their beliefs, even refusing to reconcile with persons of different beliefs.

As people become more extreme in their beliefs, political parties strategize their candidates and who will run, even knocking out people in their own parties in order to get a seat at a later time,  and more and more money is thrown into campaigns, which are often funded by super-PACS and private money.
This polarization of the political parties might be because of the tough times America faces now, as depressions and soaring unemployment rates certainly are frustrating. As I've discussed before on this blog, Why We Hate Us, gives us the idea that the internet and media has much to do with this polarization, as well, as more and more people are able to express themselves and find "niches" where people who believe like them gather.
As last week's This American Life, "Red State Blue State" notes, people aren't only divided on how things should be handled, they are divided on what are the actual issues that face America right now. "Red State Blue State" surveys people who have lost friends due to polarizing political beliefs. It was interesting to listen to because many people said they've always known the person they are now estranged from was a conservative/liberal, but at one point in recent history, it just became too much. People started refusing to respect one another's differences. They wanted to insist on people believing what they believed--as some people surveyed said: "it became too important."
What is key in all this is that people are allowed to think differently or feel differently. A person who believes in a certain party is not ignorant of the issues. Our dialogues with people from different political parties ought to be about understanding one another and listening and not changing people's minds. It's ok to say, "you're wrong," but it's not ok to say "you have to be like me."

Something to ponder in this polarized time. Political issues all have their own spin, and different parties even view different issues as important or things that should be on the national radar. It is important to encourage discourse among all US citizens. Conversations might be unpleasant, but they can still happen. You might believe that fundamentally the opposing political party is wrong, but you cannot compare them to "nazis" or call them names, this does not encourage open dialogue and instead opens the flood gates to animosity.

I encourage you all to check out the podcast "Red State Blue State" by This American Life, and try to keep the discourse civil!

--Megan

The Results are in..Now What?

Election day has come and gone. There were wins which means of course there were losses as well. All felt throughout the country. Did you vote? Did you make your voice heard? I was talking to a friend the other day and asked them if they voted in the election and was surprised to hear that they hadn't bought in to election day. This individual is not alone in their decision to stay away from the polls on election day. It is estimated that about 60% of Americans, roughly 132 million, turned out to vote. There were many high profile and big ticket items across the United States' ballots and some states passed some key legislative statements.

Big legislative results in Maryland 

Dream Act For 59% Against 41% Same-Sex Marriage For 52% Against 48% Gambling Expansion For 52% Against 48%

There were several firsts this election. For the first time, a sitting President voted early. For the first time, candidates spent over $1 billion in advertising. Total cost in all campaigns was close to $5.8 billion, about $50/voter. Most world leaders congratulated and praised Barack Obama on his re-election victory; however, some states, like Venezuela, had tempered reactions, while states like Pakistan also commented on Romney's defeat as being safer for Pakistan-United States relations.

With so much being at stake with this election everyone is waiting and wondering what will happen next. Bush tax cuts are set to expire, fiscal cliff is looming, restructuring in the president's cabinet, Obamacare is here to stay and several states have legalized same sex marriage while a couple of others legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Change is here.

How do you feel about the change that is here and the changes on the way? Do you think gridlock is to be expected or can bipartisanship prevail for the good of the people and the future of the United States.

--Krystal

Time to Vote!

Today is a great day for Americans. Election Day. Regardless of your party affiliation, Election Day can really illustrate the patriotism across the United States. I hope as everyone goes to the polls today they vote with the feeling of patriotism. Also everyone has to remember to take their time going through the entire ballot as many states have key senate races and propositions on the ballot. To help out with your voting questions check out WAMUs voter guide here. Enter in your address and view a sample ballot and have each decision broken down for you so you can easily cast your vote with adequate information.

I just heard that even with the record turnout of  2008 still only 51% of the population turned out to vote. So lets see if we can't close the gap some today. Any predictions for tonight? Share them here!

For those of you still making your decision here is a quick paragraph about what's at stake.


The winner of the presidential contest between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney
could determine the fate of the Bush tax cuts (Romney wants to extend them all; Obama
wants to extend them only for families making less than $250,000). The outcome also could
decide the future of entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid (Obama wants to
tinker with them; Romney wants to substantially overhaul them). And the race could
impact the implementation of the 2010 federal health-care law (Romney wants to repeal it;
Obama wants to keep it).   -msnbc election guide


--Krystal

Bloomberg's Endorsement

In light of the large superstorm Sandy, mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, stepped forward to endorse President Obama.
“Our climate is changing, and while the increase in extreme weather we have experienced in New York City and around the world may or may not be the result of it, the risk that it may be — given the devastation it is wreaking — should be enough to compel all elected leaders to take immediate action," Bloomberg stated in his endorsement.
Climate change is an important and frightening issue facing America today. Scientists who study this phenomenon have been warning people about the adverse affects of human actions on the planet. And we are starting to see some reactions, too. Large storms, serious droughts and flooding, high winds, winters that are too mild, summers that are too hot, winters that are too cold...these are things that have impacted the United States in the last few years. Storms like Sandy are no longer just "freak" storms, they are something American citizens are getting used to and actual threats to people all over the country. The Onion wrote a parody of this phenomenon, pointing out, ironically, that Americans have gotten used to the idea of major storms altering life as they knew it, but still will not wrap their heads around global warming. 
Global warming is real and we must start taking it seriously in this country and all over the world. The way people live in the first world contributes to the problem of  climate change and pollution; therefore everyone needs to be on board before we can impact the issue. People need to drive less, and have more reliable public transportation options to get around. People need to live closer together. People need to recycle and conserve energy, particularly while heating and cooling their homes. These are all lifestyle changes, and it is challenging to enforce these without government regulation and strong leadership leading the way. Obama wants to invest in energy solutions. He wants to use clean energy and demonstrate ways to make our greedy lifestyles more sustainable. 
Bloomberg awoke to this issue in the wake of superstorm Sandy (and Irene, just over a year before). He saw the devastation and chaos that it wrought, and he doesn't want to sit back and let it happen again. We need strong leaders to take action on this important issue. It's not something that can wait or that we have to leverage in order to look at "more important" issues like affordability. This will be an expensive investment, but it is the only way to sustain life as we know it. It is the way to be good stewards to the earth and leave a planet for future generations. 
Bloomberg endorsed Barack Obama because Obama wants to invest in green jobs and energy solutions. Obama is looking to advance the country and take this issue into his own hands. Global warming, though not the issue I am most passionate or knowledgeable about, ought to be the issue we're all talking about. It should be the most important thing we talk about and we invest in, because it impacts the life of this planet. Everything else can fall in after that.

Tomorrow's Election Day, don't forget to vote!

--Megan

Hurricane Sandy and the Election

If you watched any news at all yesterday, you probably saw the constant loop of storm updates sprinkled with election news. In print and on TV, reporters kept talking about the potential impact of Hurricane Sandy on the election. This was bothersome to me, knowing many people's lives were at stake and for some, life as they know it would be altered by this storm.
I think it goes without saying that there is likely to be some impact on the election based on how  the President handles this disaster. There is likely to be some impact because campaigns were cut short and early voting was closed for two days. Bottom line, though, is that is not what matters.

President Obama addressed this very well when he said, "I’m not worried at this point about the impact on the election,” Obama said in a short briefing, in a response to the only question he answered. “I’m worried about the impact on families, I’m worried about the impact on our first responders, I’m worried about the impact on our economy and on transportation. The election will take care of itself next week. Right now, our No. 1 priority is to make sure we are saving lives, that our search-and-rescue teams are going be in place, that people are going to get the food, the water, the shelter that they need in case of emergency and that we respond as quickly as possible to get the economy back on track.”

In an event of a natural disaster this large, extraneous worries, including reelection, need to be put on the back burner. The Presidency is supposed to be about being self-less. Many presidents spend their entire term trying to get reelected, campaigning, and schmoozing, and whatever else, but a president who puts that aside for the common good is a president that will demonstrate he is a leader.

Thoughts and prayers with those impacted by this large storm,

--Megan

Extraordinary Gender Gaps 2012

According to the New York Times yesterday, if only women voted, President Obama would be on track for a landslide re-election, equaling or exceeding his margin of victory over Senator McCain in 2008. On the flip side, if only men voted, President Obama would be defeated by Mitt Romney.

I find this to be extremely interesting. It is also interesting because most pollsters state that social issues matter in the gender gap, but the real big dividing lines are what government should be doing for the poor, the elderly and the size of safety net.

So how can our society be so split? And how will these figures impact the election?

--Krystal

Making a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow

Fans of Stephen Colbert already have heard of Stephen's mock Super PAC, which has raised a significant amount of money over the past year, and put out a few ads promoting Colbert's (fake) campaign for presidency. The super-PAC's slogan, "making a better tomorrow, tomorrow," has often been the theme of the Colbert Report as Colbert frequently discussed his super PAC with his guests and in his segments. 

His intentions might seem comical, but Colbert is clearly criticizing the current system with his sarcastic super-PAC and the hilarious attack ads he has put out. This critique is not just in fun; Colbert is adding to a larger conversation about political spending and financing campaigns. Common sayings on his show include "corporations are people," and "money equals voice," which he always says in a manner of pretending to agree with these notions. 

His superPAC, while he has never publicly addressed it as such, has largely been a method in demonstrating how out of control our system has become and the dangers of anonymous, unregulated monies in our political and financial systems--and has Jon Huntsman said recently on an episode of Colbert--a threat to democracy as we know it. 

Colbert might get the "last laugh" after all, according to Politico, as Colbert still has some $776,000 unspent dollars, which could be key in the final moments of this election in key swing states. 

Wouldn't that be the best way to serve justice in these highly immoral and unregulated political campaigns? What if Colbert could influence the campaign as he wished with this money he has raised anonymously? It's perfectly legal for him to do so, and in fact, prohibiting his ads would violate his super PAC's right to free speech (oh, yes).  This would be a demonstration of why, exactly, super PAC money isn't fair. 

The election is just weeks away, we'll have to wait and see what plays out... Personally, I wish Colbert luck in his campaign to show the ugly truth of campaign money. 

--Megan

Meditation on Success

I was at a workshop a couple of weeks ago, and a speaker told the group, "If you do something for 15 minutes per day, 3 days a week, you will become an expert at that thing." 

I was really happy to hear that. Sometimes I get frustrated with all of my time, energies, and focus going into my work week, with barely any time left over to dedicate to pursuing personal interests or bettering myself personally. 

I want to challenge myself to pick something I'd like to get into--I'm thinking writing, Spanish, learning about new music, or meditation--and spend 15 minutes per day on that thing, reading articles about it, practicing it, focusing my time and energy on it. This will allow me to use my personal time wisely and develop a skill I am passionate about.

When your mind's eye is focused on a positive outcome, it will be more challenging for you to get all jumbled up in confusion and bogged down by a particular day's tediousness. Don't let your personal talents and interests slip away because your time is limited. Pursue them, schedule them into your day, block out time, and talk about them with others. Make room for the things in your life that make you better. 

The challenge here is, of course, striking the right balance. Even if you fill your days only with things you love doing, if you fill them too full, you will feel stressed and you won't excel. When you are stretched in all directions, you lose focus, and your mind rushes you through an activity that is meant to be enjoyable to squeezing in another enjoyable activity. 

Relax, breathe, focus on the positives in your life, the things you want to accomplish, alongside those people and things that are important to you. Refocus yourself throughout the day on who you want to be, where you want your mind to be, and what you want to get done. Hopefully keeping your mind full of positive thoughts, and refocusing them throughout the day, will help you relax and feel happiness.

May your weekends be full of personal passions!

Megan

7 Autumn Activities for All

My 7 Ways to Enjoy the Autumn Season

Have a pumpkin-carving party. If you take the time to search hard enough you can find really good deals for pumpkins at a local farm or market. Invite some friends over,provide the tools and inspiration, everyone brings a pumpkin, and then let the carving begin. 

Plan a Halloween party. Planning an event can add some additional stress, so get started now do it with a group of friends and get the full pleasure out of your party.

Go to a football game. For me, nothing screams Fall like football. Get a group together, grab tickets to a local game and root for your favorite team, or just pick the underdog and go for it.

Find a fire. Go to a bonfire or just cozy up next to a fireplace at a restaurant. If you can start your own fire be sure to bring marshmallows and enjoy some delicious s'mores.

Go apple picking. Your favorite bloggers did an apple picking adventure that we enjoyed last Fall. The best part about this activity is you finish your night off with apple cider and some hot apple pie.

Take a weekend trip. I am working on setting this up right now. Nothing is better than taking a couple of days to get away and have some fun in a new place. Rest, relax, recreate.

Visit a Winery. You can always find a winery not too far that is hosting a tasting or festival and isn't too far of a commute. This is great to do with friends or a significant other. Taste new wines, cheese and enjoy the new adventure of the day.

I plan on taking part in all 7 of these activities this fall and I encourage you all to do the same. It can get a little cold, but dress warm and get out of the house and enjoy the days before winter arrives.

--Krystal

The difference between Republicans & Democrats

So within the past month I have started a book club with friends, our first book is JK Rowlings' Casual Vacancy, and I've started my own personal "book club", that first book being Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project. Both of these were acts to get myself to read more frequently and efficiently. So far so good. Well the second book I've begun reading on my own is Joe Scarborough's Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day. I have a been a fan of Joe's since college when I started watching him on MSNBC's morning show, Morning Joe. Joe is a former Florida Republican Congressman, but to quote Senator John McCain Joe is truly an independent thinker, which is refreshing.

Joe also spends quite some time discussing the difference between Republicans and Democrats and comes to the conclusion that when it comes to spending tax payer dollars there isn't much of a difference today. Joe also does a great job breaking down how bills really passed and how much a congressman can sell his soul once he begins working on the Hill.

This book was written a few years ago, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in politics and knowing what really happens on Capitol Hill.


--Krystal

Learning Non-Cognitive Skills in School

I like to catch up on This American Life  when I'm doing my laundry or other household chores. Last week's, titled "Back to School" (#474) was of particular interest to me, and I wanted to discuss it on the blog.
"Back to School"was about working with children on other skills that are currently not taught in school. Researchers have looked at success rates amongst high school graduates, people who receive GEDs, and those who do not graduate at all, and found that high school graduates fair far better than people in either of the other category as far as job retention and professional mobility, not because they are more qualified for the job, but more because they possess skills like patience, resilience, and basic understanding of dealing with adversity that they figured out during the time spent in the classroom.
Schools are beginning to see research in these areas and actually focus children on picking up these non-cognitive skills.
Students learn a lot of basic life skills during their school years, simply by being around peers and needing to follow certain protocol. These skills are not measured on standardized tests, but do become increasingly important as children age and need to find jobs and began careers.
A guest speaker on the show also went on to discuss the effects of poverty-related stress on the brain, and how school systems ought to try and combat that. Many children are being taught more of "survival" skills at home, due to circumstances pertaining to poverty. These skills are not conducive to thriving in school, and can keep children from picking up on both cognitive and non-cognitive skills as they struggle through their own set of challenges. For example, a child who might not be guaranteed dinner each night, doesn't learn impulse control or manners;  this child might eat whatever is put in front of them, even if asked to wait. In another example, a child who is experiencing poverty-related stress might not ask questions for fear consequences of talking too much or being in the way.
For those of us interested in education and the effects of poverty on educational achievement, this was a good 59 minutes. The speakers presented a number of good ideas pertaining to helping children succeed in school. I was encouraged by the idea that school systems might begin to recognize non-cognitive skills as important school topics and what this could mean for low-achieving school systems and at-risk students.

--Megan

The Presidential Debate

Obama and Romney had their first debate last night over domestic issues. The debate got a little hung up on taxes and tax cuts. I found it painful to watch, due to the back and forth between the candidates over small details, and the inability to talk about the real issues. 

Romney came out strong, with clear talking points. He looked President Obama in the eye, as though he was actually speaking with him. He came out on offense, and he dominated the debate. President Obama, as I saw in one article today, "endured" the debate. He kept his head down, and didn't hit hard when Romney claimed new things that we have not heard from him before. 

Romney and Obama discussed the hard economic times and debated whether or not Obama's administration has added to that. 

It was hard for the average viewer to decipher who was portraying the truth. Both candidates had a different idea on what caused the deficit and what was best to do about it. I'm not sure if the candidates are blatantly lying in these cases or speaking theoretically--meaning they're just as unsure as the rest of us how this crisis has happened. 

It must be said that Romney came out strong, ready to debate, and won the debate. Obama let him. Obama let him come out with an entirely different set of policies then he has been campaigning on in the past year, a much more moderate set of policies. I would have hoped to see Obama really question these moderate responses, and get to the bottom of whether or not Romney was fishing for votes or has really changed his tune. 

As an Obama supporter, I am concerned to see the President "endure" a debate in this manner, knowing that there are many undecided voters who are making up their mind based on these debates. Many will take Romney at face value, and others will see that Obama played it safe and didn't fully defend his current policies or come out to question Romney's politics. Obama didn't even mention his past accomplishments, including killing Bin Laden, until his closing remarks.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of the debates go, and the outcome of these debates.

Stay tuned!

--Megan 

A tourist in DC

Last weekend I had family friends visiting who were ready to tour the city. I wanted to share some of the pictures of their visit with you all. And pose the question to you, where do you take tourists when they come to visit you? Any favorite attractions?

Hanging out at the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial. This was one of my visitors favorite locations.

One of our favorite quotes from MLK Memorial.

We even saw Abe Lincoln walking down U Street.

--Krystal

Veterans Denied

After a vote last week, Veterans will not be getting a new jobs program, not from this Senate. Republican senators blocked a vote on the Veterans Job Corps Bill after generating excuses to oppose the bill exploited a technicality to deny thousands of veterans a shot at getting hired as police officers, firefighters and parks workers, among other possible employment opportunities.

Veterans Job Corps Act of 2012, sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), sought to lower unemployment among military veterans, giving grants to federal, state, and local agencies, which in turn would hire veterans -- giving priority to those who served on or after 9/11 -- to work as first-responders and in conservation jobs at national parks.

This bill was fully paid for, and entirely bipartisan. Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) had his own set of ideas for the bill, and Murray incorporated all of them into her legislation.

And yet, all but five Senate Republicans voted to kill it anyway. Even Burr sided with his party to defeat the bill, and it was filled with his provisions.

I find this vote to be very interesting for a number of reasons. First being the fact that this bill was blocked so close to a presidential election. It seems that there are some conservatives are so against President Obama that they refuse to pass any bill that may improve his presidential term regardless of what the bill could do for Americans. I also find this interesting because the Republican party has traditionally been the party supported by veterans and military fans. It was noted by man that when reviewing both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the Republicans failed to make the military and military families a priority while the Democrats included military families throughout the convention. What I find the most interesting about this decision is that no one is really talking about this.

How does it look when a representative helps write and construct a bill, but then doesn't vote for it? This bill was paid for and was to help the men and women who fought for our country get jobs, how does this not get passed?

--Krystal

A Culture, Not a Costume

Just wanted to briefly share this campaign I came across to get people to realize that dressing up in costume as a particular ethnicity, culture, etc, is offensive.
Ethnicities aren't just for trying on and pretending. By making costumes out of others' cultural traditions, we make light of them, make a joke out of them.
It is definitely an interesting thing to think about as Halloween approaches and people have fun with dressing up. Many people say things like costumes are just for fun and cause no harm--that others know that they recognize that it trivializes the culture. Like, as long as you know it's wrong, it's ok to do it.

Thoughts?

--Megan

Putting Down Roots in the City

Many individuals of the "Millennial" generation (approx ages 20-34) are moving into cities and starting careers in these places. Young people, naturally, enjoy living in cities for the many amenities and opportunities city-living has to offer, all within a reasonable distance.
Even more so, there is now a trend of these young city-dwellers to actually stay in the cities they moved to upon graduating college and starting their first jobs. They are putting down roots in these cities, and they are staying.
Is this trend because of the rising costs of buying homes and cars? Or is this movement a direct effect of the young culture and environmental friendliness (also a large "movement" at this time) of living in cities? It is interesting to ponder. Many young people are delaying marriage, starting families, buying homes, and "settling down" in the traditional sense. We might be seeing a new wave of "settling down" that happens in cities--people grow up and stay in a location that can offer them entertainment options, public transportation, and various amenities, such as access to an airport and train station. This delayed adulthood might restructure society, particularly as this generation begins having families--we might see improved urban schools, more diverse neighborhoods with older generations in the city, less cars on the road each day, and less urban poverty than is normal.

Read more at The Atlantic!


--Megan

'Never Forget'

Today, many politicians, teachers, radio and television hosts took time to remember and reflect upon the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001. In honor of National Patriot Day both campaigns decided to put politics aside and did not air any negative political ads and avoided campaign rallies today. Putting politics aside, is what occurred in 2001 after the attacks as Americans came together in a manner that has not been illustrated since.

The attacks of 9/11 killed nearly 3,000 in the United States and was followed by wars in both Afghanistan and Iraq. At least 1,987 US troops have died in Afghanistan and 4,475 in Iraq, according to the Pentagon. When looking at these numbers you can almost grasp the magnitude of how the terrorist attacks of 9/11 impacted and continue to impact our lives. We are still involved in war. The Department of Homeland Security was established. Lives are lost. And we are all affected.

It is nice to see politics put aside today for a common purpose, but it only makes you wish that this could occur more often when making decisions on the betterment of American people and our world. Make decisions based on the people rather than your politics.

Below is a short video clip with some of the services taking place today including that of President Obama.

--Krystal

Virginia's New Achievement Standards

I found the Huffington Post's article "Virginia New Achievement Standards Based on Race and Background,"  today and was shocked to hear of Virginia's new standards. The state has set different achievement levels based on race. This does not mean that students must get a different number of answers correct to pass, it means that certain percentages of different racial groups are expected to pass state exams. This is where the standards vary. For example, for math, "only 45 percent of black students are required to pass the math state test while 82 percent for Asian Americans, 68 percent for whites and 52 percent for Hispanics are required to pass." 
Holding students to different levels of expectation can be detrimental to their success in school. If students are not expected to keep up with their peers, they will continue to slip further away and the gap will widen. 
Setting the bar high for students of all backgrounds is important, and it is even more important that the bar is the same for all students. Traditionally, minorities, particularly black students and hispanic students underperform in schools. There are many contributing factors including background, US history, and socioeconomic status. This doesn't mean, however, that we ought to be accepting of this lower level of achievement. We cannot consider the school to be performing on par by lowering the expectation for the groups of students who traditionally do not succeed as well or as often.
With the standards set this way, not only do students in these groups feel that they are not being challenged or that they are being grouped off, but also teachers do not have to work as hard to engage these challenge students. 
When Virginia says that the traditionally better performing racial groups of students are all that are really required to pass the state exams to fulfill state requirements, this is further isolating and losing our at-risk students and sending a very powerful and strong message that it doesn't matter how black and hispanic students do. Students that fall into these categories might feel they are not as smart as their peers, when really it is a number of social factors that contribute to their lower levels of success. By coming to expect these lower levels of success, society is reinforcing them and it all becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

Let's not further alienate our racial groups and create more divides between our school-aged children and their peers. Everyone ought to have equal opportunity to succeed and equal expectation, regardless of race and skin tone. 

--Megan 

The Conclusion of the RNC

Did you tune in to the final night of the Republican National Convention?

I was tuned in and had many thoughts of this event. There were highlights and lowlights of the night. For myself I would have to say Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio spoke well and fired up the base. Romney seemed to do well for Romney, but didn't really do anything for me, I personally enjoyed his son and the video about Romney even more. 

But the lowest of low had to be the Clint Eastwood piece. It was really confusing, awkward, uncomfortable, and disrespectful to the President. View the video below. Also it just doesn't fit well with the other much better presentations of the final primetime night.

What do you think? Did you tune in? Are you ready for the DNC? Did you expect more details on how those 12 million jobs would be secured?

--Krystal

Where does America stand?

Condoleeza Rice at RNC 8/29/12

Has anyone been watching the Republican National Convention this week?

Regardless of political viewpoints I try to keep up with what is being said on both party lines and have tuned in to the highlights or lowlights (depending on your view) of the RNC. Last night I think most would agree that former Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, was a highlight of the event thus far. It can be very difficult at times when watching these events because most intelligent and well spoken individuals will say all of the right things and can sometimes have you leaning their way on certain topics. A few make you feel inspired  key buzz word phrases from Ms.Rice's speech were "Where does America stand.." "Compassionate nation" "K-12 crisis" "Failing neighborhood schools.." all of these will get most individuals from any political background fired up. She even starts her speech with 9/11 which grabs everyone's attention from the beginning. I even found myself saying "yeah she is right.." but then I remember that there is so much more that goes into accomplishing these goals and it is bigger than just one individual.

After seeing Condoleeza Rice last night many also speculate as to whether or not she is setting herself up for the 2016 Republican ticket. This would not surprise me and may be a good move for the party, if they are ready for that. Rice is respected by many and would be able to get a lot of strong support. I wonder if that is a move the socially conservative America is ready for? And would they support her completely?


Where does America stand is a great question to bring up. Are we progressing? Are billions in debt paying off for the people? Could a black woman win the conservative support?

For Condoleeza Rice's complete speech at the convention click here.



--Krystal

Eating Locally?

I was just listening to an interesting argument from Freakonomics radio about the best ways to protect the environment and make good eating choices. While there are many positives to buying and consuming local produce and groceries, this isn't always the smartest environmental choice. In fact with so much energy behind this trendy movement of growing your own food (even in downtown centers and large metropolises!), people are unable to see the drawbacks of these ideas. While it is great in many ways to have a garden and produce your own food, think about the land that this garden takes up in an urban space. In DC, there are many community gardens, taking up a few acres of land throughout the city. If those acres were used instead to build high rise apartment buildings instead, this would be a better investment in reducing greenhouse gases and carbon emissions.
Cities are a vital part of reducing greenhouse gases--the closer in proximity that the population lives, works, and plays, the more shared resources, the less transportation costs, and the more green space and clean air in other places. High rises are actually super efficient uses of energy, as are large office buildings, and other communal spaces.

Another thing to be wary of when shopping local is the climate. If you are buying local tomatoes and you live in the Northeast United States, for example, or the UK, you are creating more greenhouse gases then by buying tomatoes from Spain. This is true because it takes a special process to grow tomatoes in bulk on farms in New England and in similar climates. In Spain, it is the appropriate climate to naturally grow this product, and even when you factor in the environmental cost of shipping, the carbon emissions will be less.

According to this radio show, the single greatest impact an individual can have is to be conscious of their animal product (particularly cow) intake. If everyone cut out eating dairy and meat from a cow for two days each week, this would have a greater positive impact on the environment then shopping local. This is because cows are huge producers of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

While some movements get wind and strength beneath them, it is important to investigate further and see what unanswered questions there are. In this case, growing veggie gardens and eating local foods are generally good things, or at the very least benign, but when you think about really affecting change, there are much better ways of doing that. This goes back to the idea of trendy ideas. Some ideas catch on with pop culture and mainstream media, and we run with them without asking questions. This is unfortunate, as there are many perspectives on the same issue, ie, this issue of building high rises for people to live in having a stronger environmental impact then green space and urban gardening. In the future, we ought to really focus on strengthening our cities and encouraging people to live together in community instead of on "their own" land. This has many social implications and benefits, of course, this issue of increased sustainability and reduced carbon emissions just being one component.

--Megan

Generational Differences

A conversation with family really led me to thinking about the differences withing age groups and varying generations and how cultures and viewpoints have evolved.

After debating with a family member about the women of today he said that we couldn't agree on the issue because people growing up today are too accepting of alternative lifestyles to the point that we can't even realize how things have changed so drastically. Now this was said to me in a negative tone implying that the liberal media and law have led to a generation displaced from traditional values.

I didn't want to debate any longer on what should and shouldn't be expected or accepted in our society, but this conversation did make me think. Are the Baby Boom generation and Generation X that different from the younger generations?

Obviously some things have changed, new laws have been passed and some people are more accepting of different lifestyles. I would also argue that being different may be more accepted today, but people have always been different whether just in private or out in the open. It frustrates me that some people blame the younger generations for things that they find to be less traditional. There are always fades that take over each generation, but it takes more than a few to change the values of society and with that said why does change have to be bad? The world is ever evolving shouldn't we be evolving with it?


--Krystal

It's Not Trendy to Care About the Environment

Many things that are "movements" or considered "trendy" in the States are very common ways of life in other countries. 

Here, people that care about the environment are "conservationalists," and "tree-huggers," "hippies," or "environmentalists." In other parts around the world, they conserve just as a way of life. No large movement was necessary to get people to turn off lights or running water when they weren't using it, nobody went around teaching recycling. Everyone recycles, conserves, and uses what they need. 

When we make things "trendy," we isolate groups of people who don't feel that they can be trendy or don't know if they want to be trendy. By labeling people and things, certain groups do not naturally fall or do not choose to be a part of these groups. 

Conserving energy and water and being good to the earth shouldn't be a trend or a movement--it should just be the way we live. We need to teach this not as something you do if you're "elitist," but something you do if you live on the planet. 

This should be imperative to all people, just like eating and sleeping. It should be second-nature, you respect other people, you respect the earth you live on. Instead, it seems to be more of a suggestion and a certain demographic of Americans is on board, while mass chunks of the population is not. Recycling and conserving is something that anyone of any age, socioeconomic status, location, race, or creed can do. I suppose we have marketed being "green" to a young, trendy, college-educated demographic, and thus by doing so, isolated older generations, and people of different socioeconomic statuses. Because of this, many people consider environmentalism (and other important "movements") a passing trend, and not something they need to worry about. 

Does anyone have suggestions as to how to change this way of thinking? How do we make caring for the planet more accessible to all? 

--megan 

Born for Greatness

This is that great season of the Olympics and like most people around the world I have become completely infatuated with the games and all of the extensive coverage. I have also been amazed by the skills and performances of several olympians and wonder how are these individuals able to become so talented at such a young age. Obviously for some it is just the fact that they have pure talent and given athletic ability, but for others they have been training for these events their entire lives. At a very early age they have selected their sport or atleast displayed some sort of interest or talent. That talent or interest is then manifested through practices, coaches, and lot of continued involvement in related activities.

This is all well and great for the Olympics, but it really just has me thinking about the paths we choose and wondering how much does what we do in our early years impact our entire life. While Missy Franklin was swimming in a pool at age 6, I was just your average 1st grader. But then again maybe I was starting something extraordinary and didn't even realize it. I've always been one to write down what I am thinking and now here I am with a blog. Not a handful of Olympic medals, but it is something.

As you contoinue to watch the Olympics you will hear story after story about these individuals who have been training for this moment for their entire lives. It is truly amazing, but take the time to also think about what you have gone through and how your path has shaped your journey. Enjoy the Olympic games and Go USA!

--Krystal

Stop the Senseless Loss

The "freedom" to own guns in this country ought to be a point of shame. Our lax gun laws and availability of firearms to the general public is something that other nations find amusing, if not alarming.

And despite numerous armed murders, assaults, and robberies, the laws have not changed. People argue, "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." We glorify violence and weaponry in our media and entertainment. We allow people to entertain ideas of owning guns for purposes of hunting, protection, or simple novel interest. And because of these "freedoms," we allow the senseless loss of life on our streets and in our schools and public spaces. We all have blood on our hands. 

The New Yorker posted a piece on Saturday, "One More Massacre," by Adam Gopnik, that says it far better than I can, so I will keep this post brief. 

Essentially, these massacres will keep happening in our public spaces should we not do something. The second amendment protects people's rights to own guns; it also takes away people's rights to live in safety and free from fear. The sad thing we all know is that this is not new. This has happened, and it will happen again. People die by gunfire near nightly on the DC streets I walk by day. 

"How does one argue with someone convinced that the routine massacre of our children is the price we must pay for our freedom to have guns, or rather to have guns that make us feel free?" Gopnik asks. (Read more http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/07/aurora-movie-shooting-one-more-massacre.html#ixzz21q5i6Ay1)

Guns were created with the purpose of killing. Why is it so surprising when they do just that? What good would it have done if someone in the crowd at the movie theater had a gun with them? As Krystal said to me, we can't just go back to the days of the Wild, Wild, West, and just shoot who shoots us. Being vengeful and letting every man serve justice is not the answer to this dilemma--this would lead to anarchy and demise. 

Let's celebrate freedom with clean and safe streets and long and prosperous lives for all. Let's celebrate the freedom to go to a movie "just for fun." Let's find freedom in knowing that schools and work places are safe. We must act now, we cannot sit back and watch this senseless injustice continue. When we fight for the rights to own guns, we are fighting for the rights of the crazy, deranged, and blood-thirsty. We are giving a God-like power to men who cannot be trusted to use it well. When we create movies and TV shows where it looks cool and exciting to use weapons and when violence is approved for general audiences, it becomes ingrained in our culture. When we show mass killings in our entertainment, we devalue human life. Even in The Dark Knight Rises, many, many people were killed throughout the movie. And yet the movie went on, and justice was served, the lost lives just part of it. We have devalued our neighbors life and put ourselves at the center (but that's another post).
When we fight for bans on weaponry and fire arms, we are giving power to the people to live in the very definition of freedom. Imagine this country if there were no guns: less bag searches and privacy violations, less fear after dark, less random and calculated violence and tragedy. When we restrict access to guns, we open access to a rich and satisfying life for all. 

--Megan