I guess I could…maybe, at least for awhile.

By merrymaryallegra

I mean, I DO.

I’m referencing marriage.  In marriage, one should be reverencing.  That is what the priest told my sister and brother-in-law at their traditional Catholic wedding over 10 years ago.  They need to “reverence” one another to build a strong, happy marriage. (Not reference.)

Reverence means, “A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love.”

We got married by a New York Times reporter who was hastily sworn in to help marry the bunches of gays/lesbians in line.  We lacked the verbose vows, but…we took our simple ones to heart.  It’s not rocket science, it’s a choice…everyday.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908243,00.html

California’s crisis still seems artificial

By Jeff Johnson Jr.

Earlier, I called California’s fiscal crisis artificial.  One of my cobloggers took issue with that, so let me clarify:

The effects of California’s crisis — lost livelihoods, homes, and hope  — are very real. The causes are artificial.

As California’s officials keep reminding the other 49 states, California alone has the eighth largest economy in the world. In an economy of that magnitude, there has to be enough fat on state’s waistline and on the taxpayers’ that the problems can be fixed through shared sacrifice.

What’s missing, then, is good will. That’s true on the federal level, too.

Hereditary Link

By merrymaryallegra

So, I have gout.  Well, I had it a few years ago.  My dad has gout.  Shall I blame my bout with gout on heredity?  Actually, no.  Perhaps there’s a predisposition, but blaming heredity would take my actions and choices out of the picture.

I was drinking too much…eating too much shrimp.  (I’m a pesco-vegetarian…so shrimp is [was] big for me.)  It was my fault I got gout.

I just met a very overweight man who told me he has gout.  Oh, his dad had gout…heredity. My guess, changing behaviors would change the outcome.

Heredity is a cop-out…playing victim. (sometimes)

Facebook ‘Friending’ is harder for Gen-Xers

By Jeff Johnson Jr.

When you grow up,  you get to choose your friends without guilt.

For Generation-X, at least, that was true before Facebook. Now, though, the liberal use “friend” to mean “people with whom you have varying degrees of acquaintance” complicates things.

I’ve turned down my share of friend requests, and I know I’ve been turned down, too. “Ignore friend request” is a decision I don’t hold against anyone, because the term “friend” commands respect.

Perhaps Facebook could create a “just-wanted-to-say-hi-and-see-what-you’re-up-to-these-days-and-then-you-can-go-back-to-your-life” button. It’s nice to be social, but for many people, “friend” is quite a commitment. More power to those commitment types.

Palin Independence Day

Sarah Palin

By David Zeltser

Governor Palin has just resigned, and I am a very happy American. Governor Palin has freaked me out from day one. Today I articulated to my wife why. 

It is the GOD IS GUIDING ME gleam in her eyes as she desperately tries to string words together. Even in her resignation speech, it’s the same vibe: I don’t need to know what I’m talking about, or even know the meanings of words, because we’re all children of god, and he will guide us, so don’t you worry.

This is downright terrifying in a political leader. It is Bush with lipstick, Ahmadinejad with lipstick and a shave. It is what lemmings respond to, and it has led us all off a very tall cliff.

So, buh bye Governor Palin. Thanks for reminding us how far our educational system has to go. You’ve given your country an unusually great Independence Day gift. I’m finally glad you’re so gosh darn mavericky.

Mounds of debt—when a degree is a ball and chain

By Jeff Johnson Jr.

In 1997, I graduated from college with what felt like a burden — somewhere between $12,000 and $14,000 of debt.

In hindsight, my share (my parents took on more) was reasonable: Even with a journalism degree and, later, a master’s in applied linguistics (funded with an assistantship), I paid it off in 9 years. It was due in 10.

Now, I read about kids graduating $80,000 or even $100,000 in the hole — not just doctors and lawyers, but teachers and public servants, too.

What’s the answer? Encourage people to be more realistic about what, where, and how long they study? Or reduce the cost of education? Maybe both?

Some governors aren’t capable of normal relationships

By Jeff Johnson Jr.

Sex is awesome.

It occurred to me last week, watching another U.S. governor go down in flames, that guys like Mark Sanford, Elliot Spitzer, and Jimmy McGreevey probably never uttered that phrase publicly.

And that’s the problem.

We often elect men who view sex first as a utility for creating props that serve their “family guy” image and then as something naughty and risky to carry on with someone other than the person who provided that utility.

Politicians seem unable to view sex as acceptable human behavior that is, all at once, fun, useful, normal, healthy, and common.

Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Ed McMahon are hanging with Johnny Carson tonight

By Jeff Johnson Jr.

Beyond St. Peter’s gates, they’re shooting a special episode of the Tonight Show right now.

Host Johnny Carson is behind the desk. He’s been on stage for a few hours, rehearsing.

Farrah Fawcett is at one end of the couch. Ed McMahon is sitting at the other end, filling in the awkward silences by laughing at Johnny’s zingers. Farrah doesn’t do well unscripted.

The musical guest is, of course, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. He had so much talent and saw so much turmoil in his short time on Earth—but that’s all behind him now.

Seeking roots in a transient age

By Danielle LaLone Gerber

Recently, my two boys and I hopped on a Southwest jet, and a short hour later, we were visiting family in San Diego. This is exactly why my husband and I moved from Washington, D.C., back to our home state six months ago. My husband left a “glamorous” job in national politics, and we both bid farewell to many close friends.

In this day and age, our decision feels almost countercultural. My high school and college friends are spread all over the country and the globe pursuing graduate degrees and prestigious careers.

This mobility is emblematic of the freedom we have, as Americans and as citizens of the modern world, to write our own destinies. But what have we lost in the bargain? Family ties? Roots? A sense of stability and “groundedness”?

I want my children growing up where they see their grandparents more than twice a year. Does this make me a rebel?

Editor’s note: This is Danielle LaLone Gerber’s first post at one hundred words max.

Being realistic.

by merrymaryallegra

Dozens are being laid off in my school district: community liaison, counselor, support teachers, regular teachers…

That said, what is realistic to expect of those remaining next year?

Class sizes are growing by several students per teacher…with less professional, trained, adult support.

Students will suffer.

Teachers will suffer.

Somehow, we will have to be okay with less.

Less progress.

Less time per pupil.

Less interventions to nip issues in the bud.

What we need is to be realistic. What we don’t need is less realistic-ness.

We need more enthusiasm.

More collaboration.

More supportiveness.

More understanding.

More patience.

Any more ideas?