Communitas

Sep
5th

Fri

Why the obession with again and again highlghting the danger our “Islamic enemies” pose to our country? Indeed 9/11 was horrible. But why such focus on that horror? Why not a tribute to domestic gun deaths (which account for many more deceased than 9/11) and, for instance, the terror at Virginia Tech?

Promoting the fear and hatred of an alien enemy is an effective political tactic but does nothing more than bring out the worst in us. As teacher of religon and of peace—from Christ (GOP’s favorite) to any other—would say we should always courageously push for peace, find love, not time and again indulge in fear and in hatred.

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The Real John McCain - Editorial - NYTimes.com good analysis of the two sides of the McCain campaign.

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Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin sent out a fundraising solicitation today that charged that “the Obama/Biden Democrats have been vicious in their attacks directed toward me, my family and John McCain.” … in 1998 Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, told the following joke at a Republican fundraiser: “Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?” McCain joked about the then-President’s then-teenage daughter. “Because her father is Janet Reno.” … Now THAT is attacking someone’s family!

— Political Punch

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Sep
4th

Thu

I really like this Dell laptop:

$350
Linux Ubuntu
4GB silent, solid-state drive (low power consumption)
9 inches wide
2.3 pounds

In other words, it’s all that you need locally: simple OS, lightweight, next-to-no storage. Then it connects you to the Internet which gives you all the power you need. All for next-to-nothing.

Once Google pushes Chrome to Linux, this may be my next move …

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i hope that our country does not sink into a whirlpool of hypocrisy.

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Yesterday was Evie and Lucy’s first day of school.

The move has been tough for them with all of the changes and leaving their friends behind. But yesterday they both made some new friends at school and enjoyed their new classes.

I am so thankful for the schools, the kindness of the kids and teachers there. And more than anything I’m proud of my little girls for their courage.

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Aug
31st

Sun

Now who is calling who Paris Hilton?

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Aug
30th

Sat

It’s embarrassing to be a Democrat when you hear Democrats talk about education. The Democratic Party is supposed to be the party that looks out for poor black kids, yet the kind of rhetoric they spew about … [how the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind law is] ‘sucking the life out of our teachers’—come on. Get real. I believe that until the Democratic Party breaks ties with the teachers unions, we are not going to see the true reform in this country that we need.We do not have a nation right now where every child has an equal chance in life, because poor black kids don’t have an equal shot in life, because they go to crappy schools, and the Democratic Party is not tackling this issue, which I think is one of the biggest problems that exist.

—

Michelle Rhee, DC Schools Chancellor to Newsweek. She’s the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen to hit American education. Best chance we’ve ever had to finally make improvements.

On Thur. Obama mentioned paying teachers more AND making them more accountable. If Rhee can break through in DC, she might be the spark for long-awaited national progress.

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Aug
28th

Thu

I love our National Anthem (and proud that it was composed by a Frederick man). Great story to the lyrics and a great tune.

Here’s Jennifer Hudson doing it tonight at the Dem Convention. Bravo!

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