A Teacher's Guide to Fixing No Child left Behind by usedgov

Although No Child left Behind has done many things to help the education system in the U.S., the education in our country is still declining. The video seems to be very geared towards the Obama administrations plans to imporve No Child Left Behind. I found the video to be overall pretty biased, it neglected to acknowledge the idea that not all teachers are qualified or have the means to teach student effectively. The video stated that teachers were recieving the short end of the stick under the unreformed NCLB, but education and teaching is a mutual interaction between students and teachers, and whether or not that teacher is able to appeal to their students is their responsibility. I don't think teachers are solely to blame for the education problem in our society, many times students and parents are the problem. If people want to drop out of school, then that is there choice, but in that case they should be aware of what consequences and future troubles they will encounter because of that choice.

"What did you learn in school today?" by Pete Seeger

Pete Seeger's rendition of the song, "What did you learn in school today?" is a criticism of what teachers are able to teach children. Although this song is over a half a century old, many people today see similar issues in the education system. By glorifying and romanticising war, a teacher may either directly or indirectly influence a child into thinking that way. Pete Seeger's song reminds me of the scene in the film "All Quiet on the Western Front", when the school teacher is telling the boys in class that joining the war effort is the only way to be patriotic. The teacher convinced many of his students to enlist, and they have a glorified idea of what war was going to be like, until they get to the trenches and realize they didn't even know or believe in what they were fighting for. I don't see the education system as the only reason children think this way, I also the the media and certain organizations put soldiers on a pedestal and tell children that if they work hard they can one day get that recognition.

The Daily Show: The Bush Years- The Iraq War

Although Jon Stewart is a satirical "news" reporter, he does a great job of pointing out the hypocrisy and stupidity in pop culture and politics. The Iraq War video seems to be a  compilation of George W. Bush's bloopers, contradictions, and overall lack of intelligence while he served as president. Even though many presidents have said things they didn't mean or made mistakes, George W. Bush and his presidential campaign was by far the most uncertain and unpredictable that Americans have ever seen. Bush flip flopped on more issues than any president/presidental candidate I have seen in my life. The Iraq War and lives lost by civilians and soldiers should not be a candid topic, but one treated with the upmost importance and respect, which George W. Bush did not seem to have while discussing the topic. I believe that history will not look kindly on George W. Bush, from his foreign policy to his domestic policy, he has only helped contribute to the distrust in government that many people have today.

Homo Will Not Inherit by Mark Doty

The 100 line poem by Mark Doty is a very interesting interpretation of homosexuality and its place in Christianity. Instead of making a rant-like poem in opposition to the "Homo will not inherit: repent & be saved" poster Doty saw, he wrote a poem which stated that homosexuals did not need acceptance because the act of embracing the flesh is a way of acknowledging God. Needing acceptance and redemption in a religious sense is not necessary to Doty, because he feels homosexual activity is not a sin but more like a religious possession. After reading the poem in its entirety, I found it to be very thought provoking. Although many people (homosexual and heterosexual) most likely would not agree with his interpretation of what Christianity and religion means in the homosexual community, it is still fascinating to see his perspective on the situation.

Stonewall Uprising (PBS)

Although the documentary is very interesting and gives the perspective of many homosexuals that lived through the Stonewall riots. It seems as though civil rights have increased for most minorities in the U.S. (women, african americans...) except homosexuals. The idea of arresting and harassing gay Americans only for their sexual orientation is a travesty. The fear of the unknown is usually the root of ignorance, and this documentary demonstrated not only the ignorance of many Americans in the 60s but that many of these feelings still remain today.

My Lai

It is very interesting to watch and listen to the soldiers and civilians of the Viertnam war, discuss their initial trust in the U.S. military forces. Prior to the my Lai massacre that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent men, women, and children. From the soldiers' stand point, they seemed resiliant to the idea of killing, yet their superior commanded them to. I suppose this is a good example of misplaced power and trust.