Holy Island

It’s week 3 of the WIS spring program, and any readers of the daily grind of this blog will probably be happy that I’ve finished summarizing the latest book. As I am a slow reader, apparently I’m a slower paraphraser. It was a good book though. It really helped me understand some multiple perspectives of Scottish culture which directly ties into my SCC work this semester.

But now I can move onto other topics—from the extraordinary to the mundane. I’m not gonna lie to you, they may be pretty mundane. It’s been terribly cold here this past week! We are lucky to get above freezing during daylight and the rain/snow/sleet/hail/mist is mixed with sun and wind on about 20 minute cycles—I am not exaggerating. It’s no winter in the Midwest, but we are definitely looking forward to some warmer weather.

The quiz night this past Wednesday night was not so good. We (Team Faculty) got our asses handed to us. We tied for 3rd, with 2 other teams. Maybe tomorrow we can redeem ourselves; that damn British television category killed us!

Last Friday, about 30 students, most of the faculty, John, Mary, Tim and I went on a house trip. We started in Berwick Upon Tweed, the northern most city in England. Christine Mitchell, a friend of ours and historian, gave us a walking and guided tour of the famous and rather infamous (considering they were never used, cost Queen Elizabeth £130,000 in the 1500’s, her largest expenditure ever, and were not needed because of the merging of the crowns in 1603) military ramparts (fortifications). They were unique and impenetrable because, aside from being made of 8 or so foot of stone (the walls), they had massive amounts of dirt (an additional 10-12 feet or so) behind them, so it made them defendable against cannon fire. Quite impressive to see I must say. It was a beautiful day, and we walked the perimeter of the historic Berwick proper in about 90 minutes. We toured the historic town hall and learned about their jail system as well. The age of some of these places, the brutality of the way they incarcerated and/or punished people and the grandeur of military and royal buildings were all quite astonishing.

From there, we drove further down the eastern coast of England to Holy Island, as it has been called, or Lindisfarne Island. This island is said to be one of the top pilgrimage locations for the religious in Europe. It is one of the original locations of Christianity and its origins to the UK and ultimately a great more places in the west.

St. Aidan and his monks came from the Irish monastery of Iona and with the support of King Oswald (based at nearby Bamburgh) worked as missionaries among the pagan English of Northumbria.

They trained boys as practical missionaries who later went out over much of England to spread the Gospel. They transcribed the Gospels into English, they precious documents are now kept in the British Museum in London.

After the Norman Conquest in 1066, the Bendictine monks of Durham possessed the undecayed body of St.Cuthbert (which was seen as a miracle and a sign of how great he really was, click and read that story!) and saw themselves as the inheritors of the Lindisfarne tradition. Here on the Island they built the second monastery, a small Benedictine house staffed by Durham monks. It remained for some time as a working monastery, but it was finally dissolved by HenryVIII in 1536 when he declared himself to be head of a new Church of England. (Read: steal the money and possessions, as these places tended to have considerable wealth or valuable religious relics). All that remains of the second monastery are ruins. The Island is a center of pilgrimage. Pilgrimages range from those of individuals or small groups to diocesan pilgimages of several thousand people. Several other Christian organisations use the Island as a focal point and recent interest is Celtic Christianity has brought many seekers and enquirers. It is interesting to note, that there were 2 strains of Christianity: Celtic and Roman, and the King at the time, wanted their to be one, and made a choice, he picked Roman (hence, Roman Catholic). Obviously the Church of England’s position would not allow this monastery to remain, hence the current condition. Again, I find it amazing, the so many people live and die and kill for religion, when just one person, a long time ago, decided what “we” all would be.

Aside from the religious and historic significance, the island is reachable by car or bus! It lies close enough to land, so that when it is low tide, a several mile stretch of land appears and can be driven on. It is possible to actually be stranded on (no worries, they have residents, hotels and pubs!) the island. It is the neatest thing! Just I just use the work neat?

Anyway, needless to say, it was an absolutely amazing trip; I'll have pictures on the website soon!

How the Scots… Concluded

Changing the direction of the World

I won’t do justice to all of the accomplishments that Herman has spelled out about which and what the Scots did for the modern world. Essentially, by the end of the 18th century, Kames, Hume, Reid Smith Robert Adam amongst some others had died. Although these great people would pass, their ideas would live on. The next generation, like artist Henry Raeburn and writer Walter Scott would carrying on the Scottish ideals of building and maintaining a strong sense of Scottish identity through education and art. Dugald Stewart would influence Europe and the English speaking world more than any other Scot before or after him with his work in political science and the era of “classical liberalism”.

Scotland would undergo drastic economic changes, particularly in the Highlands, that would lead to cultural destruction and re-invention The Highland Clearances that forced 1,000’s to emigrate (many to the US) were a result of Highland clan chiefs abandoning the loyalty based system they had always used for economic gain. Subsequently, this devastating event would eventually be the inspiration for the baronet-to be Walter Scott to pen novels like Waverly and Rob Roy which would romanticize the Highland identity, and that would ultimately come to be the epitome as Scottish identity; read kilts, bagpipes, clan names, etc.

In more practical matters, a serious of medical and scientific advancements would be made during this time as well. James Watt, perfected the steam engine, Joseph Black, chemist, along with his teacher William Cullen, would serve as the triangular base of the Scottish practical mind. Great accomplishments would ensue: Thomas Telford’s innovative bridge and canal building techniques would be tapped for the Panama Cana; John Hunter would coin the words “bicuspid, incisor and molar”; John Pringle’s ideas inspired more humane treatment of military wounded; James Hutton’s discoveries and publications would revolutionize geology (volcanic rock vs. sedimentary rock).

Finally, the colonizing of the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, parts of south east Asia and parts of Africa demonstrates the differences between the English and the Scottish contributions to the world order. Influential Scots to many to name without boring people would peacefully settle Canada and work out a dominion status that would appease the monarchy, the Native Americans and the residents who emigrated. The same is true for the governors, explorers and general of the outlaw colonies of Australia, the jungles of India and the deserts and deep heart of Africa, at the cultural “horrors” (as the Scots would see it) of gross inequalities (towards prisoners, aborigines, women, etc) and lack of education (as well as lack of religion: Christianity) where they would bring in the “common sense” of liberty with the structure of a gentle authority that would be provided to EVERYONE, regardless of class or status; their tool, once again, was education.

This wee nation, from the depths of junior partner status, would be the most literate and education nation by the middle 18th century and go on to make enormous contributions to the world. It is ironic that by the middle of the 20th century, which institutions of higher education waning in their influence and the entrepreneurial flare and drive diminished by the Oxfords and Cambridge’s of England major influence in economic and business affairs, that Scotland would once again become a junior partner. Recent struggles for home rule and attaining their own parliament are a sure sign that Scotland may once gain be trying to rise to the level of profundity that it once achieved.

How the Scots…Continued, part five.

Scots in America

For many reasons, emigration occurs, and it is the emigration of the über-educated culture of people that has impacted the rest of the world in so many ways. Scottish ties to North America date back to the early 1700’s with the (mostly illegal) Glasgow tobacco trade. Ulster Scots and secondly Highlanders were the first and largest two groups to arrive. Prior to the Revolutionary War, 250,000 Ulster Scots moved to the US; second, there are probably more descendants of the Highlanders living in the US than anywhere else in the world. Their influences were profound.

A quick aside, a laundry list of some famous descendants of Scots: Presidents Andrew Jackson and James Knox Polk (John Knox, remember was influential during the Scottish Reformation), John C. Calhoun, Patrick Henry, Jim Bowie, Daniel Boone, Andrew Carnegie, Will Clark (of Lewis and Clark), Sam Houston, General Winfield Scott.

Probably the first great contribution to the creation of American culture was in education. It got its start in the religious teachings of William Tennant who started his own college of theology, the “Log College”. Essentially, this would evolve into Presbyterian college in Prince Town, NJ, and finally we have Princeton. This institution would become a vital meeting ground of America’s “evangelical fervour” and Scotland’s modernizing humanism—“a principal conduit for the flow of in Scottish ideas into the culture of the colonies.” Students of Princeton included the like of President James Madison and Vice President Aaron Burr as well as a number of the signers of the Constitution. The Scottish education system and philosophy would influence a great deal when it came to the founding of the US independence. Phrases like “we hold these truths to be self-evident” and “pursuit of happiness” owe their lineage to the Ulster Scots. Incidentally, the final copy of the Constitution was physically written, publicly read aloud, printed, all by Ulster Scots. Finally, on a different political footing, Thomas Paine wrote his Common Sense document based on Scottish Philosopher Thomas Reid’s ideas that “settled truth” could be attained by observation. Reid’s ideas would shape American theories of education for the next 100 years.

How the Scots…Continued, part four.

Great Minds Struggle to Make Sense of the World

“Reason is and out to be the slave of the passions”. With that statement, David Hume turned 2000 years of philosophy on its head. It was from Lord Kames A Treatise of Human Nature that would plant these wild seeds into Hume’s beliefs. He took these ideas about reason further than ever when he concluded that society must devise strategies to channel passions in constructive directions. His analysis of the relationship between liberty and authority is beautiful and inspires me to consider doing more research on the topics and perhaps in grad school. The world offers liberty and authority (to protect that liberty) and neither of them can prevail absolutely.

Like Hume, Smith was trying to build on the ideas surrounding reason and rational behaviour. He advocated that man had an inborn moral sense that was more basic and instinctual (unlike the abstractness of Hutcheson’s idea of man seeking happiness). Smith felt that being moral requires an interplay of imagination; it demands that we put ourselves in another person’s place and put another person in our place. If only these ideas would be followed today! Ultimately, the role of a government in Smith’s ideal world would be to “employ the force of society to restrain those who are subject to its authority from hurting or disturbing the happiness of another.” If I could add one caveat on that, it would be to add the word secular in front of happiness. Applying these principals to the commercial and capitalistic systems he researched and wrote about in great length, he understood that there was a potential (and ultimately real) systematic corruption flowing from the commercial society. Essentially, those who get caught up in their profits, losses or their job, lose sight of the big picture. He deemed education to be of the utmost importance, to prevent such ignorance in knowledge and perspective.

It is the education of this country’s citizens that is essentially what allowed for such greatest to erupt in so many different areas.

How the Scots... continued again

Sister Cities of the Enlightenment

It was after the Jacobite Revolution (Catholic, pro-Stuart monarchy, mostly composed of Highland clans) that Scotland would see and explosion of cultural and economic activity. The epicentres for this explosion were primarily in two locations: the big cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Under the eye of leading economist Adam Smith, Glasgow was home to an enormous tobacco industry (trading with the colonies in America in the 1750’s and 60’s. Along side commerce, institutions of higher education were flourishing. It was this “intermingling of practical and intellectual” that was keynote to Glasgow’s enlightenment. The city nearly tripled in size between 1740 and 1780 to 42,000 people.


Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, its population would grow from 30,000 to 60,000 during the first 50 years of the 18th century. The city was poised to undergo a major facelift as it was planning a huge expansion into what is now called New Town. This massive growth would change the definition of class from being vertical (in the old buildings of old town—servants living at the top, aristocrats in the middle, and artisans on the street level) to horizontal; the commercial and intellectual class would live and prosper in this new edition.
Structural changes necessitated by the growth in both these cities allowed for influential people of the time to demonstrate their genius and innovation: architect Robert Adam designed New Town and would be the first great influence on Western Architecture and Robert Foulis would open up Britain’s first school of design.

With the fantastic structural changes came philosophical changes. The great scholars of the time were forming select societies and clubs and having intellectual dialogues and writing papers that would forever impact the political and literary world. One such society enjoyed the participation of minds belonging to: David Hume, Adam Smith, William Robertson, John Home, Adam Ferguson and Lord Kames—philosophers, historians, economists and lawyers. It was in here that these would make “complex connections of commercial societies… ...the mind acquires new vigour [and] enlarges its powers and faculties.” This “Moderate Party” made an attempt to be unique from both ends of the theological spectrum; it did not fall into the religious extremism of the kirks (hard line Calvinist thinkers) or the religious scepticism of the English deists and the likes of David Hume.

How the Scots… continued.

Two Halves of Scotland
In order to understand the impact these men and their followers would have, it is important to understand a few basics about Scottish geopolitical culture. The Highlands, which are the larger and northern of the two halves, consist primarily of pre-Celtic Neolithic tribesman with Pictish and Norse influences. The Lowlands consisted of a mix of people of Celtic (called Britons by later invading Romans) origins. The Highlands were organised on extended family groups called clans, and based on their geographic location and resources, seemed permanently stuck in the “pastoral stage”, the second of Lord Kames four stage theory on the stages of human community.

Several other issues contributed to a permanent wedge between the Highlanders and Lowlanders. The Highlanders tended to be Catholic while the Lowlanders were primarily Protestant. Their social and economic characteristics were very different. The lowlanders in the cities belonged to the “polite culture” of the educated, industry and wealth. The Highlanders relied on a feudalism-based economy and loyalty to the clan system. These wedge issues were only intensified when a coalition of groups tried to reinstall the Catholic Stuart family to the monarchy, and with the help of an over-zealous Bonnie Prince Charlie, led to the Jacobite Revolution (1745) and a horrific massacre of (mostly Highland) Scots at the Battle of Culloden.

It was after this period that Scotland would see and explosion of cultural and economic activity.

How the Scots Invented the Modern World

How the Scot’s Invented the Modern World, by Arthur Herman

I admit, when I started this book, I was arrogantly looking forward to see how the author was overstating the case of the Scots and their impact on the world. I must also admit that I was humbled to discover that the author was not far off the mark in so many areas. The areas that were touched by the Scots were far reaching and abounding. I have decided to dedicate a few web blogs to SOME of what I have unearthed in this fascinating book. The outcome is magnificent.


Religion sets the Stage
The Scottish Reformation, John Knox in his anti-Catholic, ardent Protestant views, greatly influenced the role religion and shaped a long term debate between it and political governance. He believed that political power was ordained by God but rested in the people. And, for it being the 1570’s, this was pretty revolutionary and fundamental in the establishment of early democratic principles.

This religious foundation along with the emphasis by leaders to promote education and schooling (primarily to allow for a literate populous to be able to read the bible) through the Act for Setting Schools (1969) paved the way for a remarkable an almost incomparable span of time in history marked with genius and revolutionary thinkers: The Scottish Enlightenment.

Foundation of Enlightenment
Two figures would shape this enlightenment and impact some of the greatest thinkers, philosophers, scientists and inventors in the modern world: Francis Hutcheson (studied at the University of Glasgow in 1711) and Lord Kames, born as Henry Home (studied at the University of Edinburgh).

Hutcheson was a Ulster Scot (Ulster is a city in Northern Ireland) and, “Knoxian” in decent of belief, raised by a Presbyterian clergyman, saw a new light or twist with religion. He purported that the creator was more benevolent that the hard-nosed deity Knox followed. This would be the foundation for Hutcheson and subsequent followers, to espouse a belief that man was happy when he served other men; in other words, good deeds. Man was born with an innate moral sense and the ultimate good in life was happiness. (Thomas Jefferson would subscribe this idea with his ideas of “the pursuit of happiness”.

Lord Kames, an Episcopalian, was a judge and also extremely influential in the early years of the enlightenment. His influence was apparent in the area of law, and as a judge, subscribed to the idea that laws were living things that were based on certain principles. This was a fundamental break from England and relied heavily on equity and fairness (like Roman Law) and less on precedent (like English law). Secondly, he would work to detach our understanding of human nature from the theological moorings of a Hutcheson. Kames would press on about the need for laws outside of religious doctrine; simply, laws protected property. Along the lines of a Hutcheson, it served the “common good” to have laws.

These two men would either befriend or help educate many other great thinkers: Adam Smith, John Millar, James Boswell and David Hume.

More to follow.

Weekend full of blessings.

The party on Friday night went pretty well. The guys who organised it were really on top of things, got the music going, and, with the help of some fruity drinks, the students and faculty were dancing and bonding in no time. The springs in the floor were getting a work out as the hyper and hopping crowds danced the night away to the Cougar-Mellancamps and Garth Brooks classics of a music generation that is not their own. (Even in another country, some things don’t change!) So, the evening was going well until the TUBS of drink that were carefully prepared (to avoid over intoxication) ran dry about 10:45pm. After a few more dances, thank yous to the organizers as well as Tim and Mary, the announcement was made to head to Sams. Well, at this point, of course Tim and I were going to go have a beer to end our night! With slightly dressier than normal attire, most of the house packed into Sams and finished off their evening. Tim and I were fortunate to be a part of the discreet lock in that occurs of very rare occasions to shoot the breeze with the owner and staff working. They are a lovely bunch of people; we had a good chuckle about the students, the locals and everything else that people drinking at 1am talk about.

Saturday brought with it the fog of Friday night’s choices. After an early run and some light office work, Tim and I and Rosemary headed to Edinburgh for the day. We split up for a bit to do our own thing, but regrouped at the Blue Moon for dinner and drinks and then to our ultimate destination: The LGBT Switchboard party. The Switchboard is a hotline for gay and lesbian (curious) people who are seeking advice or a counselling outlet. The party is a fundraiser and this year’s theme was a Hoedown. What is terribly ironic about all of this, as that, trying to error on the side of caution—hearing it was usually quite a formal affair, we all show up in black and grey formal-ish outfits, and 80% of the room is wearing shit kickers and cowboy hats! What the hell is up with that? White trash country-music listening-to hick like myself shows up at a Hoedown and is the odd man out… it was like a cruel joke. The evening was full of hundreds of queers, singles and couples and straight allies dancing to a fantastic mix of line dancing and Ceilidh dancing. What a workout!! Sandy and Victoria, some friends, joined us. And let me tell, Sandy can dance and he LOVES to lead, which of course was a blessing because I needed a refreshing on the Ceilidh dancing. It must have been a sight to see this 50ish short stout man tossing around a tall dumb American around the floor like a doll—but we had a good time!! We met some nice folks through out the evening and were tempted by their calls to go to CC Bloom’s for late night dancing, but the 12:30am hour and our senses kicked in, and we departed ways and found an hour long taxi queue. (The Irish-Scotland match was played that day, so the city was fill with 20,000 Irishmen and hence the long queues!)

The Host Family Reception on Sunday filled out the weekend. Punch and appetizers filled people’s hands as conversation filled the room. Almost 60 of our students will be visiting, dining, travelling and staying with host families in the Dalkeith area over the next semester. It is such a great experience for them.

It was especially nice to finish the weekend with a glass of wine, cheese and biscuits and a few tarts (the edible ones!) over a wee birthday celebration for one or our faculty. It is very enjoyable to connect with this group on a social setting outside of the office. We are blessed with good people.

I am blessed to be a part of these great events!!

My Criminal Background Check came back...

Good news, Disclosure Scotland's criminal background check on me came back "empty, no record". WHEWW! I am going through the process to become a "supply teacher” as they would call it. My visa allows me to work 20 hours a week, so I am going to sub in the local high schools in Dalkeith when my registration is complete. Just waiting on a reference from the states, and of course, that snail mail chain could take weeks. Patience Ryan, patience.

The house has a good energy about it. The SCC meetings went well and students have tentative topics to research. I start the small group meetings with them next week and then they are off to research.

There is a small but energetic group of students organizing a party in honour of Valentines Day. We set up the ballroom tables and chairs and decorated. Wop and college students, wish us luck. The group, even as large as it is, seems to be gelling very well. 3 hours till kick off…I’m sure there will be stories abounding. On top of that, my horoscope for today: You won't believe the things you'll be saying for the next couple of days -- not that you've ever really been shy to start with. But with the kind of astrological ammunition you'll be packing, you'd better pass out warnings.” Um, yeah, that’s probably not a good combination.


And, it was good to see Lucas and Williams from Little Britain in the news. I missed the show (because Tim and I and 2 other faculty were out WINNING (okay, a tie breaker and number draw placed us in second) the Quiz at Sam’s on Wednesday night. Do you know what state was the first in the union? Good times.

Little Britain actors present at the British Music Awards this week! Hot Stuff!

You can be happy or right. I'll chose happy.

There has been an influx of wedding announcements to come through my email and my snail mail in the past few weeks… at least 3 friends and 3 family members are getting married this year. I am elated, no, ecstatic for each and every one of them. I wish them the very best in their lives with their significant others. I am especially looking forward to seeing my beautiful baby sister getting married next April; she will be so happy, and that makes me happy.

To say that the topic of marriage has been in the news a great deal lately, would be an understatement. Interracial marriages are more common in Malaysia, marriages to in laws and quickie divorces were legalized in Scotland, California is facing a challenge to gay marriages in federal court, Ottawa legislators just proposed legalising gay marriages to “ensure that these minority rights are uniform across the country”. So, what does one make of all this marriage talk? I cannot get married; at least I cannot get married to the person I want to.


Maybe the question is, do I want to get married?

Perhaps I could write off marriage as an archaic institution that keeps people in an ordered and monogamous setting that keeps a certain social order and allows for a proliferation of future generations (who will remain in that order). Much like the belief in a god who punishes the sinful served as a primitive legal system.

However, if I do that, am I devaluing that sacred institution or bond that so many of my family and friends are partaking in, to symbolize the great and everlasting love that they feel for their partners?

Argument: If gays were allowed to marry, perhaps the divorce rate would decline. If you consider that a percentage of divorces are due to the fact that either the man or the women is gay and comes out after marriage to seek a same sex partner, allowing gays to marry might prevent them from entering into a union just to be in the cultural norm. There’s one thought.

Argument: If rights were granted equally to all persons (regarding the marriage rights one earns surrounding property, inheritance, finances, etc) societies in their countries not be better off? If absolute equality existed, can we have advances in technologies (from, the sometimes selfish and money hungry people who trample on others rights to invent/create/grow their products), inspiration (from the suffering from injustices of the world) wouldn’t lead to great art, and the list is seemingly endless. There’s another thought.

In Scotland, the government recently passed a law that “will reduce the time needed to conclude a divorce, give unmarried fathers new rights over their children and give unmarried couples some of the same rights as married couples”. I guess that is a step in the right direction if I were to remain unmarried, and wanted some of the same rights. But, from my second argument, perhaps I don’t want those same rights. Perhaps in my anger and frustration and shear disappointment in millions of people in the world, specifically America, especially Alabama and Virginia today, I will some day write a best selling novel on orientation injustice and open the eyes to millions on why gay marriage will not be the downfall to the social system we know. Or, perhaps I will die an unhappy and unfulfilled life because I bought into the reality/myth the marriage = good, secure, healthy and normal life and I was never given the chance to enjoy it.

Life in a Northern Town

After an amazing weekend with eager students completing the scavenger hunt in Edinburgh, orientation going off with out a hitch, and a great sense that the faculty, staff and students are really gelling, classes begin today. With that, I have a chance to be in front of students again for the first time since May! I’ll be facilitating the Scottish Cultural Colloquium, which, essentially, is a course that explores the symbols, myths and interpretations of the Scottish culture. “It is designed to engage students in a active investigation, reflection and learning of what it means to be Scottish across many different and integrated dimensions: political, literary, economic, social, environmental, philosophical, theatrical, architectural, artistic” and more. We start today with an overview of the course and some 'bits and bobs' of Scottish Culture and try to nail down a research proposal idea.

One of the local pubs, Sam’s, was more than accommodating last evening for those students who wanted to catch Super Bowl 39 with the Patriots and Eagles. She stayed open late and at right about midnight, she came around and gave everyone in the house a free cheeseburger and chips! Needless to say, the 25 or so college students appreciated the free late night meal. The locals are excited and introducing themselves as well. It is fun to witness these crystalizing moments for their learning in this wee Scottish city.

And it begins

Three of us rode to Glasgow to pick up the spring WIS students. It was full of excitement, rain and heavy luggage.

The Friday sessions went great. The students seem up beat and very positive about this experience; their collective outgoing characteristics are going to be a delight to work with. The students recieved their room assignments, made their way through their first lunch, heard some house rules/logistics, and were off to explore, sleep or whatever.

A few of us ventured down to Sam's to mix and be social; tough for us to do, I know. The locals of course were very excited to see 40 and 50 new young faces, and let's not forget how excited the pub's owner was!! ;) It was a fun night.

Today is filled with estate tours, house tours, and policy orientation. I aided Tim's session on orientation with a cultural norms game (of course, always a game!). The "Pandyas" and the "Cholas" mixed and learned a little bit about cross-cultural perceptions and experiences.

The excitment is thick in the air.

Let's see, why was it again that I didn't vote for Bush?

The Progressive magazine

Web Exclusives --
Editor Matthew Rothschild comments on the news of the day.
February 1, 2005
Skewed Priorities, Savage Policies

Ok, we've got 45 million people without health care.

We've got 35 million living in poverty.

The minimum wage has been frozen at $5.15 an hour for seven and a half years now.

A full 50 percent of students from poor families have to forgo college.

Homeless shelters are turning away people because they don't have enough beds.

And 10 million Americans aren't getting enough to eat.With all of these crushing domestic problems, what does Bush make a priority for his second term as President?

Not solving a single one of them.

No, instead, he's set his sights on two other things: Gutting Social Security and making our tax system even more favorable to the rich.

Leaving aside Bush's skewed priorities, there is a savagery to this approach that is almost breathtaking. Social Security is all that keeps millions of elderly and disabled Americans from a life of poverty. By introducing private accounts, Bush will drain Social Security and leave recipients with reduced benefits and no guarantees of a decent public pension. Meanwhile, Bush will be doling out riches to Wall Street via these privatization accounts, and on top of that, he'll be rewarding the already rewarded with tax breaks to boot.

Bush is a redistributionist, from the poor to the rich.

This is grand thievery, and we can't let him get away with it.-- Matthew Rothschild

Oh yeah, THAT'S why!

Meet The Fockers

A sequel, as good as the first? Yes, it is true. The whole "oh, look at the little focker" just never gets old. Okay, maybe for 12 year olds, but hey, it is good act like a kid once in while. A fun Wednesday treat after a day of searching for money. Today was application after application for grad school scholarships. I have applied for three, and despite there being 100's and thousands of different kinds of scholarships, very few pertain to my situation or status. Damn that white male power. Does my white trash upbring do nothing more than hone my affinity to budweiser beer???

Oh, and I need some financial information for the FAFSA forms that I have to fill out for loans and such. Well, I turned to my W2's and realized that they are not here. Since it is after the legal deadline of January 31, I emailed my school district. Well, despite the fact that I completed a change of address form last summer and was assured that I would receive all my mail at my new address (now, at this point, I realized that this person was extremely stupid or just boldly lying to me, and I should blame myself for false expectations), but no, my W2's, mailed on January 19, are floating around out there for identity thieves to have there way with; but I'm not bitter. Of course I'm bitter! ah, the joy of ranting.

First ever LGBT History Month

I recently read that February is LGBT History Month in England. The article Pupils join in gay history month goes explains that, basically, it is "A month-long series of events to teach gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender history has been organised. These include poetry competitions, films and discussions about the sexuality of famous figures from the past, such as William Shakespeare. Schools are invited to attend and the government has part-funded the project, aimed at stopping homophobic bullying."

Although this not true for Scotland, as education is under separate control since Parliamentary devolution in 1997, it is encouraging to see England recognise the need for such programming and tolerance. In fact, just a few days later, an article in the BBC News, Concern over school 'gay' insults, reported that both verbal and physical assaults, particularly on the topic of queer youth or queer issues, is on the rise over the past three decades.

However, the Scottish Executive is doing its part to get involved. Apparently, they are sponsoring a "Diversity Awareness Week" where "the Scottish Executive's HR Policy Team (Diversity) and the Executive's LGBT Staff Network are running a lunchtime seminar... ...the aim of the seminar is to acknowledge the contributions LGBT staff have made to the Civil Service."

For more information about first ever events, click onLGBT History Month.