A Little Chivalry Never Killed Anyone...

I found this post on one of the blogs I read. I have mixed emotions. On the one hand I believe it's important to teach respect, especially in high school where now a days teachers are afraid to even give a student detention because they may be sued. On the other hand the over-the-top enforcement of these rules implies that, women deserve special (aka inferior) treatment. That was the implication when these types of rules first were implemented. I'm not sure. I feel a basic repertoire of respect to all would be more appropriate than "men! don't step on women's toes... they may cry!"

A high school Latin teacher in Arizona has created mandatory chivalry rules for his students in order to force the male students to behave like "gentlemen" with the young women.

Here's the rulebook:

• Boys would hold doors for girls.

• They would ask girls if they would like to be seated, and offer to take their backpacks before they sit down.

• Boys would stand if a girl leaves the room.

• They would allow girls to be served first if food is in the classroom.

• And, girls always had the right of refusal.

Why did he do it? As the teacher, Cord Ivanyi, told ABC News: "This year after watching a mass of boys literally push through a line of girls who were waiting to get food for a class party, I was bothered by the lack of respect either sex seemed to have for the other. The next day, I sat down with them at the beginning of the class and asked them if they considered what decency was."

Some might say Ivanyi's forced chivalry is sexist, because instead of encouraging good manners for all, he's teaching the young men that women deserve special treatment because of their special (inferior?) status. But others would say that there's nothing bad about teaching men to be courteous and respectful and that chivalry is just an expression of good manners.

Is it bad to FORCE men to be chivalrous?

Kick Ass Article of the Week

Parma High School Teens Make a Request for Real Sexual Education

By Connie Schultz
February 24, 2010, 6:00AM
On Monday night, two teenagers stood before Parma's school board and essentially pleaded that the grown-ups in charge change how sex education is taught in their district.
Their courage was a timely reminder that we ignore our children at their peril.
The first student to speak in the room of 150 or so in attendance was 17-year-old Daniel Sparks.
Teenage boys don't come any cleaner-cut or more poised than Daniel. In a strong, steady voice, the junior at Parma Senior High School attacked the district's abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education program, taught by Operation Keepsake.
The program sounds like a military exercise, but it sends kids virtually unarmed into a sexually complex and potentially dangerous world.
This, Daniel told the school board, is poor public health.
"Operation Keepsake has made me question education as a whole, for while they scared us into understanding what could go wrong, they afforded us no information on how things could go right," he said. "On how to protect ourselves, on the effectiveness of contraception, and empowering us with knowledge to make the right decisions before making the wrong ones."
Daniel told the board that, for 19 months, he has been unable to meet or even speak with those responsible for making decisions about how he and his classmates learn about sex, despite his dozens of letters, phone calls and e-mails.
"As a gay student," he asked, "how can I be expected to uphold a standard of abstinence until marriage when I live in a state where I cannot marry?"
Daniel's classmate, 16-year-old Jelena Loncar, borrowed from Operation Keepsake's own language to blast the curriculum for promoting gender stereotypes.
"I personally don't view men as predators or protectors," she said. "And I certainly don't view myself as a treasure or a target. I found it insulting and undermining that Operation Keepsake reduced me to a social stereotype."
Daniel and Jelena added that they were abstinent, but only because access to comprehensive sex education elsewhere helped them make informed and confident choices for their young lives.
The audience was respectful during the students' speeches. There were audible gasps only after Jelena pointed out that, in her high school's sophomore class alone, eight girls were pregnant.
Several parents came up afterward to congratulate the teenagers for their courage and to voice support. Superintendent Sarah Zatik, who earlier in the meeting announced that she was resigning in July, assured Daniel that she would meet with him. She told me later she favored comprehensive sex education, and would form a committee to "start the conversation."
Most parents -- liberal, conservative and somewhere in between -- want their children to abstain from sex, but they also want them to be safe if they choose otherwise. The overwhelming majority of studies have shown, time and again, that abstinence-plus education is more effective than programs like Operation Keepsake.
Abstinence-only proponents are heralding a small study published this month in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine that showed, for the first time, that their brand of sex education reduced sexual activity by nearly a third in 12- and 13-year-olds. The study involved 662 African-American middle-school students in four low-income schools in the northeastern United States.
An editorial accompanying the report cautioned against reading too much into this, and the study's lead author, psychologist John B. Jemmott III, agreed.
"Policy should not be based on just one study, but an accumulation of empirical findings from several well-designed, well-executed studies," Jemmott wrote.
Meanwhile, let's keep this in mind: The Centers for Disease Control reported only three months ago that chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis continue to spread in the United States, and that almost half of the 19 million new sexually transmitted infections each year affect 15- to 24-year-olds.
"We have among the highest rates of STDs of any developed country in the world," John Douglas, director of the division of sexually transmitted diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told Reuters.
"We haven't been promoting the full battery of messages," Douglas said. "We have been sending people out with one seatbelt in the whole car."
When it comes to protecting our kids, perhaps we need more teenagers like Daniel Sparks and Jelena Loncar in the driver's seat.

This is Truly a Tragedy But...

~~~~ Tired

I'm tired of hearing that the shooter was Muslim.  That has nothing to do with anything.  The gunman in Orlando was not Muslim... is his crime any less horrible?

Washington (CNN) -- Ibrahim Hooper knows the drill.
When news first broke Thursday that a shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, killed and injured U.S. soldiers, the national communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations wrote a statement of condemnation.
He only sent it out later, when reports emerged that the alleged shooter's name was Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan.
"As soon as we saw what appeared to be a Muslim name, we issued our statement," Hooper said. "Until that time, we were praying that no Muslim would be involved."
That's the reality of crisis management for the Muslim-American community, said Hooper, who handles communications for the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group.
Even without confirmation that the alleged gunman was Muslim -- there was no immediate determination of any religious affiliation for Hasan -- the mere reporting of a possible Muslim name required an immediate comment, he said.
"That's unfortunately the world we live in nowadays," Hooper said. "So often, Muslims are accused of not condemning these kind of acts."
The CAIR statement said: "No political or religious ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence. The attack was particularly heinous in that it targeted the all-volunteer Army that protects our nation. American Muslims stand with our fellow citizens in offering both prayers for the victims and sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured."
In a separate statement, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, based in Los Angeles, California, condemned what it called the "heinous incident."
"We are in contact with law enforcement and U.S. federal government officials to gain more facts from this tragic incident and work together in dealing with its aftermath," the group said.
Its statement called on "all members of American Muslim communities to be in contact with local law enforcement for the safety and security of their communities and their institutions."
The Islamic Information Center also issued a statement "in conjunction with all the major Muslim organizations nationwide" that condemned the attack.
"While several news reports have cited one of the gunmen to be Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, IIC strongly emphasizes that this attack and its perpetrator are in no way representative of the Muslim people or the peace-loving religion of Islam," the statement said.
"The individuals who perpetrated this attack blatantly acted against the teachings of Islam and humanity," it added.
After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Muslim-Americans reported increased attacks and threats by revenge-minded non-Muslims.
"We've seen this before," Hooper said of a possible backlash. "Whenever there's an incident of this type, there's always the possibility this will happen."
Even non-Muslims could be targeted, he said, noting that Sikhs who wear turbans or Hispanic-Americans can be mistaken as being of Middle Eastern descent.
On Thursday night, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad told a news conference the alleged Fort Hood attacker's motive remained unknown.
"We urge all Americans to remain calm in reaction to this tragic event and to demonstrate once again what is best about America -- our nation's ability to remain unified even in times of crisis," Awad said. "We urge national political and religious leaders and media professionals to set a tone of calm and unity.
"Unfortunately, based on past experience, we also urge American Muslims, and those who may be perceived to be Muslim, to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves, their families and their religious institutions from possible backlash."

Come on CNN let it go.

Yaaay for steps in the right direction!

~~~~ Tired

President Obama Signs Inclusive Hate Crimes Legislation

By Cloe Axelson - Oct 28th, 2009 at 3:45 pm EDT

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Today President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, legislation that will extend new federal protections to people who are victims of violent crime because of their sex or sexual orientation. It is an update to the federal hate crimes statute that Congress first passed in 1968. For the first time, the law that previously protected people from attacks motivated by race, religion or ethnicity will also protect gay, lesbian, transgender and disabled people.

The President will host a reception commemorating the enactment of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act in the East Room of the White House this evening.  This afternoon, before signing the bill, he said:

"...After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are.

"I promised Judy Shepard, when she saw me in the Oval Office, that this day would come, and I'm glad that she and her husband Dennis could join us for this event.  I'm also honored to have the family of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, who fought so hard for this legislation.  And Vicki and Patrick, Kara, everybody who's here, I just want you all to know how proud we are of the work that Ted did to help this day -- make this day possible..."

Here’s an excerpt from an editorial in the Washington Post this morning:

PRESIDENT OBAMA is scheduled to sign Wednesday what is being described as the nation's first significant pro-gay rights legislation. Attached to the defense authorization act, the measure would add sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability to the list of protected classes under the 1969 federal hate-crimes law…

The law doesn't outlaw bigotry or "thought crimes." It applies only to "violent acts motivated by" the characteristics of the victim -- acts, not thoughts or speech. But crimes that target someone because of race or sexual orientation are more than offenses against that individual. They can terrorize whole communities.

Barack Obama Tries Be A Role Model and People Complain?

~~~~ Weird

Barack Obama via Twitter: It should never be controversial to ask our students to stay in school. Watch today's speech.

I'm sadly amused by the entire controversy that is Obama's address to students.  Amused because, well, the president isn't allowed to address his constituents... even if they are of the future?  Sad because of quotes like this: "Thinking about my kids in school having to listen to

that just really upsets me."  Why is this sad?  Because this Colorado suburban mother commented on Obama's speech last week, well before the text of the speech had been released.  All that was known was Obama wanted to address the school children directly on what they could do to help ensure the future of this country.  And she was upset?  Ummm....  And it's not like this move is unprecedented.  Reagan, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. have all addressed students regarding their own educations.  They just didn't experience the media scrutiny for some reason.  A Teacher from Baltimore commented that it's terrible that our country has: "become so polarized that we believe that our president is an enemy and not our leader."

Now I've read the Full Speech and found nothing wrong with what he had to say.  Yes, I'm liberal.  Yes, I'm a democrat.  So everything he had to say I pretty much agreed with.  But the only thing I could find throughout the entire speech that might disturb right-wing conservatives is a few mentions of curing AIDS, fighting poverty, and all his examples of hard-working students are minorities.  *Gasp*  Oh, and he uses J.K. Rowling as an example of someone who wouldn't give up even after the first Harry Potter was rejected 12 times.  Harry Potter!  Witches!  Satan!  THE BRITISH!!!



I just don't get it.  What's the big deal?

Obama urges students to work hard, stay in school.

I Thought This Day Would Never Come!

~~~~ Excited

Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day at IGN.com

Currently Listening To: The Blood of Cu Chulainn - The Boondock Saints

One Word. Pig.

 
~~~~ Accomplished

I have one word for you.  Pig.

Chris Brown's CNN Interview

Pop star Chris Brown has admitted guilt and apologized for assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna in February, but he does not remember hitting the singer, he told CNN's Larry King. Looking at police reports about the incident makes him feel like he's reading about a stranger, Brown said in his first television interview since the arrest. "I'm in shock, because, first of all, that's not who I am as a person, and that's not who I promise I want to be," he said in an exclusive interview that airs Wednesday night. "I just don't know what to think. I'm just like, wow," Brown said. "It's crazy to me." Brown, 20, said he still loves singer Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. But, he added, it is tough for him to look at the photo showing Rihanna's battered face, the one image that might haunt and define him forever.  "When I look at it now, it's just like, wow, like, I can't believe that that actually happened,"
He now has to keep his distance from Rihanna, because of a judge's restraining order.
"We have to be like 10 yards away from each other," Brown said.
The February argument began over an incident at a Beverly Hills party, according to Brown's probation report.
An earlier, sworn statement by Los Angeles Police detective DeShon Andrews said the incident began when Rihanna found a text message on Brown's cell phone from "a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with."
The pair argued while in a sports car driven by Brown, the police statement said.
It went on to describe the assault in great detail, saying Brown punched Rihanna -- identified in the statement as Robyn F. -- numerous times and put her in a head lock, restricting her breathing and causing her to start to lose consciousness. Brown sentenced for assault; other incidents surface. He threatened to beat her and kill her, according to the statement, and he bit her ear and her fingers.
Rihanna's injuries included cuts and bruises inflicted by a large ring on Brown's right hand, which he used to punch her, the probation report said.
Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault on June 22. A plea deal kept him out of jail. A second felony charge, making criminal threats, was dropped. He was sentenced to five years probation and six months of community labor.
"It means he walks the straight and narrow for five years," said Mark Geragos, Brown's attorney.
"I've grown to love this kid like a son or a nephew. I have a high degree of confidence -- I'll say it now so that you can play it back if he ever does anything -- but a high degree of confidence that he's not going to do anything like this in the future."
Brown called the sentence fair and agreed that everything comes with consequences.
"They want me to pick up trash, remove graffiti," he said. "I'm a hard worker, it's something I'm willing to do."
Why did it happen? How did it happen?
Those are questions Brown and his mother, Joyce Hawkins, have been asking.
"Chris has never, ever been a violent person, ever," Hawkins said.
However, CNN obtained a probation report for Brown last week that said he and Rihanna were involved in at least two other domestic violence incidents before the February attack for which Brown was sentenced.
"The first incident occurred in Europe about three months before the present offense," the report said.
"The victim [Rihanna] and the defendant [Brown] were involved in a verbal dispute and the victim [Rihanna] slapped the defendant [Brown]. He responded by shoving her into a wall."
Another incident happened in January, three weeks before the Hollywood incident, when Brown and Rihanna were visiting her home country of Barbados, the report said.
"The defendant [Brown] and the victim [Rihanna] were visiting Barbados and were driving a Range Rover loaned to them by a local dealership," the investigator wrote. "They had an argument inside the car. The defendant [Brown] exited and broke the front driver and passenger side windows of the car."
Brown's mother remembers being shocked and upset when he came to her after the attack in February and told her about it.
She said her husband was abusive -- and Brown knew it. "I used to be scared to go to bed," the pop star said.
Brown said he is not blaming that history for the attack on Rihanna. But, he added, nobody taught him how to control his emotions and anger.
Rihanna calls Brown's mother "Mom." The two have spoken and seen each other periodically since the incident. The court order that prevents her son from seeing Rihanna does not extend to Hawkins.
"I let her know that I was very, very baffled, what had happened and apologized for my son, along with I'm so sorry what happened to you," Hawkins said.
"And I didn't know what -- I didn't know what else to say, and I gave her a hug and she hugged me as well." Hawkins started sobbing at this point in the interview.
The singer has not seen Rihanna for a couple of months, and said the separation has been difficult, especially when it comes to her dating others. But they will always be friends, Brown said.

You don't remember it?  Bullshit.  You're just sorry you're in a career where everyone notices when you get caught.  There's no defense for this.  No excuses.  Chris Brown is a pig.  He'll always be a pig.  This is disgusting.

Currently Listening To: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - The Beatles