Reflecting on My Time

Almost two years ago I embarked on a journey that I never dreamt I would take. I’m becoming very aware of the fact that I have just over four months left of living in Scotland. Tim’s employment at the Dalkeith House and my subsequent leave of absence from my teaching position have drastically altered my life, my diversified perceptions of people and the world and invigorated my passions. Reflecting on the front step of the palace, I frequently feel an overwhelming sense of awe. I am continuously trying to situate exactly what the changes are in me, because I feel them, but specific words often elude me. It probably goes without saying that this experience has all been for the better. I am so very fortunate. My relationship with Tim has grown stronger; we’re even considering taking advantage of the civil partnership law that the UK passed last year. It really would be a dream come true. Although I am thousands of miles away from people who are most important in my life, I know we’ll be together again soon, and our relationships will be nothing less from the distance and time apart. Professionally, I have relearned the art of patience, planning and perseverance in an extremely novel setting. My teaching was pushed to another level, both in how and what I can, should and want to teach. Living and working in another culture has honestly given me a deeper sense of who I am and also a enhanced sense of the impact of the multiple variables contributing to the social identity of a community. Our travels have led to countless learning experiences and endless entertainment. Getting lost and knowing exactly where you are is a cathartic experience. I have embarked on educational experience that has seriously challenged me and provided an inexplicable enlightenment about life and numerous topics that are important to me. It is clear to me, despite the fact that we are one person in this world, it is our job to experience as much of the world as we can, however and whenever we can. I am fortunate to do this through travel and residency. I will go away from this experience with a myriad of memories and experiences too expansive to instantly recall and certainly too precious to fully appreciate. What I can elucidate, however, as a result of my experience, is that I possess an enriched sense of magnanimity, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

Immigration Work Begins

I utilized the 'Act For Change' letter writing campaign to sent a letter to my Senators. I'll be doing my research on this topic for my dissertation, but as it stands now, I cannot support the type of legislation that is being put forward by certain members of Congress; it is both unethical and undermines the greater liberal order. I am curious to see how and to what extent my views will change as a result of my work.

A Letter to my Senators:

I'm writing to urge you to oppose the immigrant punishment bill scheduled to come before you this week.

The bill, which focuses ONLY on harsh enforcement and heavier penalties, does nothing to address the root causes of our immigration problems. Making felons out of millions of undocumented workers is just not a workable solution. As I'm sure you're aware, the House version of the bill also punishes humanitarian organizations that try to prevent migrants from dying of thirst in the desert, and conference negotiators could easily slip this provision back into the final bill at the last minute. Other provisions under discussion –- including requirements that churches verify the legal status of anyone to whom they provide assistance –- are equally troubling.
Borrowing from David Stoll, please

• "Stress ethical and humanitarian objectives by giving priority to refugees fleeing from persecution.
• Streamline and restructure provisional work programs that open the U.S. to temporary workers who take jobs that U.S. residents don't want, while guaranteeing the basic rights of these workers to organize and receive worker benefits such as unemployment compensation.
• Protect the most vulnerable economic sectors from an influx of low-wage competition.
• Lower legal immigration flows to sustainable levels.
• Protect the basic human rights of all U.S. residents, legal or not."

Please oppose the immigration punishment bill, and take the time to come up with a more workable and less punitive solution. I look forward to hearing from you with your views on this matter.
Sincerely,
Me

Spring has sprung

And there's LOTS going on...

US Foreign Policy is done and handed in - 4,223 words of articulate and sound reasoning. Well, I guess we'll see about that when its returned in April.

Derek and Brad are here. We've played a lot this week - too much. It's hard to get work done, but hey, that's life, right? Taking time out for friends is important.

I'm on to essay number two. I think Tim and Brad and Derek are taking the train to Alnwick today. I'm going to try to make it back to the palace by 3pm for the conclusion of a house volleyball tournament. (My team, the 'Dazzlers' made it into the semi finals).

And - I just found out who my dissertation supervisor will be. Not sure how I feel about it yet.

I came across this article about Facebook and how its providing a suckhole for children and college students to get drawn into and is perhaps hurting their grades... I don't think they are too far off the mark!

A Walk and Talk

Tim organized a hill walking expedition to Broughton Heights. Our friend Sandy served as our guide, once again. It was a fun day - some of the students were a little worse for the wear because it was St. Patrick's day the night before...but they walked it off. After an exhilarating walk to the top, we froze our butts off in the fierce wind and scooted right back down! It's always fun to have these adventures - I'm starting to feel that time is running out and I'm getting a little sad thinking that these sort of events are limited!
Back Row: Matt, Josh, Pat, Owen, Kristin, Drew, me, Teddi
Front: Lyndsey, Naomi, Sarah, Sara, Andy, Sandy, Tim

Did you have any older brothers, and were they right handed?

'60 Minutes' is running a story on the genetic connection of homosexuality. The researchers are finding both genetic but also hormonal determinants to sexuality, but the evidence is more supportive of gay men than lesbians.
For what it's worth, despite its controversial nature I think it is worth reading.

No Snow days in Scotland

Apparently MN got dumped on today... I'm not sure I miss snow days, really. Lots of shovelling, still going into work to get caught up, etc. I like the idea, but not the work, that's it.

It's week 6 of the WIS program - I'm grading the students first papers. They were asked to connect 3 events in Scotland's history, to help them understand the historical context of Scottish culture. The papers look good for the most part. I'd do this assignment again. 37 papers down... 37 to go.

For all intents and purposes, I finished my U.S. Foreign Policy Essay. I need to proof it, not for the message, but for spelling, grammar and conventions. The bibliography is longer than some short books, so I have a lot of work to do on that as well. I feel good about it, which is the exact opposite of how I felt on the Sociology essay last term. I guess I'll wait an see if the inverse is true for the type of grade I think I deserve and the one I earn.

It's the last week of class - Week 10 already! With 1 essay done, I have 2 more to go, and then dissertation time. Wow - what the hell did I earn a degree again? I'm not even sure.

It's going to be hard to find time to do anything this week, however. Wicked cold. I'm hot, cold, achy, ornery and those are the positives. I should be healthy by next Sunday though, when Derek and Brad arrive.

Random Photo

On what some might consider just another Wednesday... we know them as Kilt Wednesdays!

Lukas, Mary pose with Tim and I at Masons.

Birthday fun

John and Mary welcomed two of Mary's sisters last Friday to the palace. Beth and Deb arrived from Wisconsin and Colorado, respectively, to help celebrate Mary's 58th birthday. Steaks and chicken from the grill courtesy John, and veg and sweet potatoes courtesy Mary and her sisters - we had quite a nice dinner. It was very fun to meet some of Mary's family and share a dram or two of whisky!

Saw it again

So - Tim and I just had to see Brokeback again. I mentally prepared myself to be sad for three days. It's close to the end of the 2nd... oh, good movie, great story, powerful lesson about life.

Then - I read my email. I get millions (okay thousands... Okay, 10's and 10's) of news stories automatically emailed to me... and I read about how Michelle Williams alma mater is 'disowning' her and her choices?

“I hope we offered her something in life. But she made the kinds of choices of which we wouldn't approve. 'Brokeback Mountain' basically promotes a lifestyle we don't promote. It's not the word of God.”

Good christ, WWJD? Yep, I'm pretty sure he'd say 'disown her!'. Wtf? Stupid should hurt.

And then I read another story regarding straight actors playing gay roles, and that it really isn't a victory or push ahead for gay rights/causes...

Hollywood has no major gay actors -- none out of the closet, that is. "Brokeback" needed some star power, otherwise it would have been a minor gay art film. So the producers got two straights to impersonate gay men -- and then reassured everyone in sight that they were not gay at all. Whatever this is -- and it is worthy in its own terms -- it is not a revolution but rather a statement of how little things have changed. In more ways than one, "Brokeback Mountain" is a tragedy.

It's ACTING! Portraying, through skill, effort and talents something you are not! It doesn't matter that they are straight or gay. But, like my right to have these opinions, they are entitled to their own, and in the end, the dialogue is better off.

When to Intervene?

Today, in my Political Theory of Human Rights class, the subject was 'Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention'. Essentially, three of us assumed the role of 3 cosmopolitan-leaning theorists: Aafka as Luban, Naoise as Doppelt and myself as Beitze and another, Kristina, took the role of the communitarian, Walzer, who is essentially responsible for reviving and applying the ancient 'Just War Theory' in his 1970's book, Just and Unjust Wars.

Walzer essentially limits military intervention into another country's affairs under 3 pretenses:
1) to come to the aid of a secessionist movement (typically of a multi-national state)
2) to serve as a counter-intervention, if say, an outside country is helping one side of a Civil War
3) to prevent mass genocide or massacre

Well - I recognize, after today's class, the need for 'limits' or boundaries when it comes to intervention, but I cannot for the life of me limit interventions to the three outlined by Walzer. However, going any further than he advocates, and I presumably end up justifying the actions of a Bush in Iraq. (The second Bush and second Iraq War).

The main argument, put forth by Walzer is that human rights and cultural values need a home, a location, and that any outside interference (militarily) would compromise the 'community's' or the common peoples attempts to create a government, a country or nation that they want. Nevermind, that in most nations, a rich, militarily powerful and elite group tend to create the structure. Walzer's reply, would of course be: well, the people can rebel at any time. A people that set up a country that denies certain rights, is better than one set up by outsiders guaranteeing certain (other or similar) rights. So - the Zimbabwe's, Sudan's and North Korea's of the world are really better off, because, despite some oppression, they are living closer to their traditions, heritage and values than an outsider would provide them.

I just cannot believe that.