OBAMA & MCCAIN Saddleback Church Presidential Forum

In case you missed it here are the videos for the the Presidential Forum that took place. Obama and McCain were each asked the same set of questions separately.

Here are some questions/comments I have after watching the videos:

1. The Question of Evil in the World:
   Does it worry anyone else that the only place McCain sees evil in the world is in the middle east, while Obama is able to see that there is evil all around us, on street corners, in child abusers, in genocide. I think that this was one of the many ways that McCain continued to slip the war in Iraq into ansers.
   
2. Overall, I feel like McCain gave answers, while Obama gave solutions. I agree with McCain that abortion is wrong, and that life begins at conception; however, this is obviously something that we're not going to get all of America to agree on. In that view, while Obama's answer may not be what concervatives want to hear, his end focus is still the same: reducing the number of abortions... to top it off, he has a way of doing this. McCain mentioned nothing about exactly how he expected to reduce abortions, and judging by the fact that abortions have continued to grow over the past years, simply having a conservative president that can quip "at conception" isn't going to cut it.
3. The Question of wealth. McCain side-stepped this question all over the stage saying that he didn't want to raise taxes on anyone. Yet he wants to continue a very expensive war, not to mention put in place quite a few other things that require having money. So where are we going to get it?
   
4. War and Stories and Stump Speaches: McCain was able to fit The war, his time in war, or a story about war into every answer. Does this country really need someone so focused on war? The candidates were asked not to give stump speaches, but instead to have a conversation. Obama had an intelligent conversation. McCain used stump speaches.

You can read the full transcript of the speach here.
Or start watching the debate below. To continue, just go to YouTube here.

Priceless.

Sometimes it's the comedians that speak the most truth:



From: http://www.worldmag.com/articles/14472

Olympics pictures

Okay, so I've finally gotten some pictures from the Olympics up! :) Aren't you proud?? Enjoy!

Did you get fired??!!

Well, I've made it through the first week of school. I guess, considering that I don't actually have classes this year, that's not as big of an accomplishment as if I had just had to spend 5 days trying to get 2.5-6 year olds to understand that their mommy and daddy love them, but they're not coming to get them until 4. Actually, I take that back. I did make a few (2) appearances in the P1 classroom. Snot and tears would be the two words I use to describe the experience. After that, I decided to fullfill my roll as the Grandparent of the Kindergarten. You know, the one that get's to go in, play with the kids, have fun, but has no responsibility to teach them anything :) So, I also made a few (2) appearances in the P2 classes to see my old kids from last year. I was attacked by shouts of "GOOD MORNING TEACHER JANAI!!!!!" Apparently, after a whole year, that's all they learned. Maybe I was a grandparent last year too. (haha)

On Thursday I ventured out to the Elementary School playground during their recess hour. While some may consider that a death wish (ball flying head high in every direction, little people everywhere, EVERYWHERE), I wanted to see my old, old kids. The ones I had taught as K1ers, and who had now graduated across the courtyard to the Elementary school. Before long, one spots me. It's Julia, one of my native English speakers. She comes running at me, flower buds filling up her hands. As she shows me how to pop the buds so that the flower springs forth we talk about the new year.

Julia: What kids are you teaching this year Teacher Janai?

Me: I'm not teaching this year.

Julia: You're not teaching? What are you doing? (she was very upset, suprised, and concerned)

Me: I'm making a magazine.

Julia: After you make the magazine who are you going to teach? (not teaching was not an option)

Me: I'm not teaching at all, I'm making the magazine all day.

At this point Julia got pensive, then, very seriously, she looked up at me and asked... "Did you get fired??"

Apparently if you don't teach, you don't work. :)

Bridge

Through the center of the LQ
Runs a canal.
Over the canal
Arches a bridge.
The bridge was once
Common.
Faded white.
Dwindling blue.
Old men fished off of it.
Kids raced over it.
Bikes zipped down its ramps.

But no one noticed it.

Then it got a face-lift.
A make-over.
A re-do.

Now it screams for joy.
Flashes bright yellow.
Shines electric pink.
People will take notice of me it says.
They will thank me for the fish
They catch off my sides
They will thank me for making
A walk from here to there
Shorter.
They will thank me for my ramps
That help their bikes
Zip
And zoooo.
They will take note
As I shout out loud
Live out proud.

But then their shoes scuff it up.
But then the fish guts leave a glup.
But then the wintery
Acidy
Rains
Make the paint fade
Away

Through the center of the LQ
Runs a canal.
Over the canal.
Arches a bridge.