Saying Goodbye to EntreCard

For those of you who are regular EntreCard droppers here...Thank You! Due to all the EC changes that are coming I have decided to check out on or before October 5th. As of today, my ads are disabled and I have spread the wealth around (all my banked EC points.)

EC allowed me to keep track of so many great blogs that I enjoyed reading, but it will become more difficult now. I hope many of you will add yourselves to my list of "followers" so I can "find you" again. If you have a "follow" feature, I have added myself or will do so in the coming days. You can also find me at STUMBLE UPON or at BLOG CATALOG.

OR you can post your link in the comment section below so that I have a permanent connection back to you.

Best wishes to all of you and may the Blog Force be with you!!!

Book Review: Culture Warrior by Bill O'Reilly

"The world is filled with concern but also with hypocrisy. Hypocrisy on the part of people who see no evil and speak no evil to avoid becoming involved."

Marcello Pera

Bill O'Reilly, love him or hate him, has dedicated his life to "becoming involved" and championing what he believes good and just. As long as he champions for the innocent children, the soldiers who defend the land that I love and the countless other causes that make this country great and powerful, he will have my respect.

O'Reilly epitomizes the greatness of this country. A descendant of Irish immigrants, O'Reilly has studied, worked hard and dedicated his life to achieve success. When I look at the faces of the students who sit in my classes, many of them immigrants or descendants of immigrants themselves, I see the desire, the hope they carry with them. They too dream of success and deep down inside know that this great country provides that opportunity. Freedom paves the way...

Ideology does matter; what we believe matters. What and where we come from matters, for it helps to define us as a people and as a nation. The United States of America is far from perfect. O'Reilly and I agree on that. Traditional values remain essential to the preservation of this great nation. Without these values, could any of us have achieved all that we have achieved? Could we dream the dreams we dream?

In Culture Warrior published in 2006, Billy O'Reilly, host of The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, explains the differences between secular progressives, a term he coined, and traditionalists.


Do you reject school voucher programs?
Do you support abortions of any kind and abortions without parental consent?
Diminishing parental authority?
Abolishing Christmas from schools and public places?
Do you support income re-distribution?
Euthanasia?
Legalization of drugs?
Restorative Justice( treating convicted criminals rather than punishing them)?

If you answered yes to the above questions, then you are a secular progressive.



Do you use fact based arguments?
Do you believe the USA is a good and noble country?
Do you believe the USA is founded on a Judeo-Christian philosophy?
Do you reject seizure of private property?
Do you believe in a disciplined society that distinguishes between right and wrong?

If you answered yes to the above questions, then you are a traditionalist.


In Culture Warrior O'Reilly provides numerous specific examples to support his premise that the media has tremendous power to influence people. He accuses many in the media as secular progressive leaning. He profiles some of the most important faces in the news industry and provides insight into their political and social inclinations. For instance, O'Reilly describes Tom Brokaw as the most liberal of the three major network anchors but refers to the late Peter Jennings with fondness and describes him as "advancing neither secularism or traditionalism on the air." (46) Ted Koppel is a "straight-shooter, but you don't know where his gun is holstered," says O'Reilly in a somewhat complimentary manner. (48) He outlines famous faces of late night talk shows and cable news networks. While he describes David Letterman as a "passionate advocate for the left," he spares the label for Jay Leno whom he describes as rarely confrontational and pretty much just in it for the laughs. (57)

Bill O'Reilly spends a considerable amount of time in his book illustrating the short comings of the ACLU and George Lakoff who he refers to countless times as a key figure in the secular progressive movement. In an attempt, I think, at being fair and balanced he even criticizes the Catholic Church for its short comings. He shares interesting personal stories, some filled with betrayal, others comical or life changing. If you read nothing else, I recommend you read chapter 10 entitled "The Color of Tradition." It is pithy but effective.

Numerous sections of the book contain specific stories involving children and the injustices committed against them by criminals and then by the justice system. Judges such as Edward Cashman from Vermont felt O'Reilly's wrath when the judge chose to sentence a child rapist to 60 days in jail because he felt sorry for the guy and thought he would benefit from treatment rather than punishment, an example of restorative justice. The judge felt sorry for the rapist. He felt nothing for the child.

Most Americans, according to O'Reilly, lean towards the traditional and resist drastic change. To win what O'Reilly describes as the culture war, traditional Americans must fight the battle with honor, avoid personal attacks and insults and focus on the issues by providing specific facts.

In essence secular progressives, according to O'Reilly, believe that the government must provide for their needs and wants. Traditionalists, on the other hand, try "to help others before pursuing personal gratification." (197) He goes on to explain this statement, but I can sum it up this way...

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Lao Tzu

My Son's Poem

My son wrote this poem and shared it with me tonight. He warned me before reading it that I would cry. He was right...

Where I am From

I am from a place of long beaches and soft sand,

from never ending oceans in every direction.

I am from aromas of sizzling Croquetas and Papa.

From intense heat and cool breezes,

fresh cut grass and orange baseball fields.

I am from the front seat of an 83 mustang,

twelve hour drives and welcome signs every three hours.

From pencil marks on the door,

and rain drops falling outside my window.

I am from my grandmother’s living room,

fresh lavender and violets.

I am from beeps and dogs barking,

heavy traffic and anger.

I am from a place of freedom,

where I have only my freedom.

I am from towns like Gatlinburg, Tennessee,

Where fireworks, people, happiness and fun can be felt many new years later.

I am from massive pools and water parks,

From salsa music to Angus Young’s electric guitar.

I am from a cul-de-sac and pavement,

And my scarlet bicycle and a yellow fire hydrant.

I am from a broken boat lost at sea,

with hours of work and fiber glass.

The cuts and blood put in,

Along with the sanding and building.

I am from annoying Cuban restaurants,

with hundreds of customers.

From those long road trips with Elton John and Pearl Jam,

and only the night sky and a dark figure to keep me company.

Track Cable News Ratings

If you are interested in tracking the cable news ratings visit TVNewser from Media Bistro or Tv By The Numbers for a list which includes FNC, CNN, MSNBC and HLN. The numbers speak for themselves.

September 11, 2009

Total viewer ratings for the day, according to Neilsen Media Research:

FNC = 1674
CNN = 602
MSNBC = 523
HLN = 312

Total viewer ratings for prime time, according to Neilsen Media Research:

FNC= 2828
CNN = 652
MSNBC =820
HLN = 514

More Links

Fox News Clains 9 out of Top 10 Cable News Programs in Q1 posted in The Huffington Post.
Drudge Report also provides occasional listings.

Who owns what in America?

Check out the Columbia Journalism Review site to find out what large companies own and where.

TEA PARTY: September 12, 2009

Although I am not physically at the Washington Tea Party today, my heart and thoughts are with the people who are there. On Thursday September 10th, a group of people from Florida drove up to Washington DC to stand side by side with thousands of other United States citizens. These regular citizens drove for hours with the simple intent to participate in a cause they truly believe in and support. They were not bused up to Washington, DC; they were not coerced by a particular group or paid to attend. Today, Saturday September 12, 2009, they stand united on the steps of the United States Capitol. They prepared a banner which clearly describes their feelings and their motivation for attending such an event.

Freedom of Speech is still alive and well in this country...I hope we never lose that right.

More links

A Humorous Look at TARP by an Honest American
Tea Party: Glenn Beck at the Alamo
The United States Constitution
The Declaration of Independence
The Bill of Rights
The 912 Project


US Senate website
House of Representatives website

September 11, 2001

I will never forget...

Hiking the Lower Linville Falls in Western North Carolina

Less than a mile long, the Lower Linville Falls trail proves quite strenuous, so be prepared to catch your breath every now and then if you need to and don't rush to the bottom. Instead enjoy the journey, the rock formations, foliage and the sounds around you.


Depending on the weather, you may find muddy and slippery terrain, so wear comfortable hiking boots. Bring a walking stick to help you climb over rocks and tree stumps up and down the trail. Once you reach the river and move closer to the falls, you may want to sit and enjoy the view, so bring some water and something to snack on while you rest before heading back. And of course, bring your camera. There are numerous spots along the way worthy of photographing.


A couple of ladies who I met half way down the trail commented that the difficult hike was well worth it once I reached the bottom. They were absolutely right. As I sat on the large rocks overlooking the majestic waterfall, the thunderous water gushing from the top played a continuous melody and peace and serenity wrapped around me. Truly prodigious!

Trail Map

Who was Milton Friedman?

As part of the Think About It Series, I ask that you take a few minutes and listen and perhaps read a little about this man, his background, his ideas and his convictions. You may find many of the issues he discussed and wrote about years ago quite relevant today. (Comments welcomed)

July 31, 1912 – November 16, 2006

Recipient of The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory
of Alfred Nobel 1976

Dr. Milton Friedman Autobiography

Power of the Market -the Pencil



Hear and read more about Free to Choose Series

View volume 4
The Failure of Socialism

("Parental choice, parents choosing the teachers, parents monitoring the schooling," is Friedman’s answer to the problem. In almost every case, giving individuals the power to choose, to set their own course, will lead to better results than centrally planned activity. That applies to schooling and every other activity in a modern society. Introduced by David Friedman. Discussion with Gordon Tullock, University of Arizona and Henry Levin, Stanford University.) excerpt taken from IdeaChannel.tv


Read about
The Friedman Foundation for
Educational Choice

How do you arrive at a decision?

If you are a regular visitor to The Fearless Blog, you know that this blog tackles numerous topics. However, my main goal has always been to provide readers (and myself) a platform where we could find inspiration and courage in each other while confronting our fears. I write not only to inspire, motivate or inform my students and readers but also to analyze my own feelings and thoughts. Sure, I sometimes post educational material, personal stories and photos of some of my adventures, but this blog (I hope) also serves as a platform for more universal learning. In fact I feel much like Socrates when he said, "All I know is that I know nothing." No matter how much I read, study, listen to or experience, I always feel that there is so much more to learn and experience. I really know so very little, and because of these feelings I hunger for information and ideas, second guessing myself or changing my mind sometimes and often debating with others.

Perhaps, my inner fears and insecurities, which I have grown to accept and understand, cause me to question everything a little more closely and I am therefore less able to arrive at quick and unsupported conclusions. I ask as many questions of my students as I do of myself. By questioning, analyzing, drawing comparisons and employing the laws of cause and effect, I make decisions. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon, following the majority or accepting another man's truth for the truth, I choose to question first and then accept and/or decide. Too often I see the opposite in others.

In my youth, I often played the part of the follower who never questioned the leader even when I wanted to question the leader. Fear enslaved me. What others thought and felt seemed more valuable, more worthy of recognition and acceptance. What did I know? How could I support my position? How could I persuade anyone? I wonder how many others have felt or still feel this way today...

I want, no...need to believe that I in some small way inspire my students and readers , but more than that I hope that if nothing else you learn that through exposure to information you can acquire the facts you need to make beneficial decisions in your lives. If you state or have an opinion, you must support that opinion with facts. Most importantly, you need time to establish that opinion, not a few seconds or a few minutes or perhaps even a few hours.

Suggestions:

• Don't assume anything
• Read before you sign on the dotted line
• Example, research the candidate before you vote for him or her
• Interview others
• Read historical data
• Seek opposing views
• Consider the short term and long term consequences
  

Abrupt decisions and conclusions lead many to devastating outcomes. If you don't believe me, just look around you.

Now, how do you arrive at a decision?