Nigerian Kidnapping

On April 15, 2014 more than 300 teenage girls were abducted from the secondary boarding school Chibok in Lagos, Nigeria.  Boko Haram, and Islamic terrorist group has claimed responsibility and is threatening to sell the girls in the market. 

This is just another in a series of heinous acts committed by Boko Haram.  The organization has been classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and there is a $7 million bounty on the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau. 

While Boko Haram is responsible for countless murders and kidnapping, the size and atrocity of this act has captured the interest of international groups and governments, including the United States and China.  As recently as Tuesday, the U.S. State Department has pledged assistance with technical experts in intelligence, investigation and hostage negotiations.   China has offered to assist with satellite imaging and other technical assistance.  Unfortunately, the Nigerian’s initial reluctance to accepting help has given the terrorist organization a three week head start.

Boko Haram’s name is translated “Western education is sinful”. They believe in pure translation of Sharia law which considers everything Western as evil.  The leader, Abubakar Shekau recently released a video in which he says, “I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah. There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell.  He commands me to sell. I will sell the women. I sell women.”

The Nigerian leaders, including President Jonathan Goodluck, have not demonstrated the ability to effectively handled Boko Haram or recover the abducted girls.  What should be done to recover these girls?  What role should the United States play in the recovery?  How do you think the international community should deal with groups like Boko Haram?  Lastly, please say a prayer for the safe return and recovery of the girls and their families.  

Your Name

How important is your name?  Where did it come from?  What does it say about you?  Would it be hard to believe your life course may be set by your family surname or by the first decision made for you when you were born?  Research has shown based on your name, you may be predisposed to choose a certain profession.

Our names are held sacred.  Being a person with an alternative spelling for my first name, I am hyper-sensitive to people pronouncing and spelling it correctly.  Additionally, I am overcome with embarrassment if I mispronounce or misspell anyone’s name.  It is something we own and something we are proud of.  It is the first thing we are given and it stays with us wherever we go.

 

Your name can have a significant impact on those you meet even before you open your mouth.  Most often unfairly, you are judged by your name.  Researchers have polled employers on their impressions of potential candidates based solely on their name.  The name “John” for instance, creates the impression of someone who is wholesome and dependable. 

In addition to creating an immediate impression, your name may also indicate your future career choice.  A Wall Street Journal article from June 21, 2011 cites a controversial study conducted by State University of New York in Buffalo which claims people are more likely to choose a profession with names that are similar the their own.  While this may seem preposterous, it is hard to argue with:

Dr. Douglas Hart – cardiologist

Sue Yoo – lawyer

Cory Greathouse – realtor

Patricia Boguslawski – lawyer

Dr. Payne – orthodontist

Even if your name does not have to do with your profession, it may provide you advantages in other ways.  Simply ask Mr. Will Wynn, winner of the Austin, TX mayoral campaign from 2003 through 2009 if you would like additional evidence. 

Where did you get your name?   Based on your name, what would be your ideal profession?  Regardless of name, what do you want to do professionally in the future?

Boston Marathon - One Year Later

April 15^th marks the one year anniversary of the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  It has been a long year of recovery for the city of Boston and the victims of the bombing. 

The Boston Marathon is the oldest large city marathon in the world.  It is held on the third Monday in April each year, which is Patriot’s Day, a Massachusetts state holiday. The day commemorates the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the first battle of the American Revolution.  Since its inception 118 years ago, the marathon has grown in stature and reputation. 

Last year 2 Chechen brothers turned the marathon and the city into a disaster by planting two homemade explosives near the finish line.  At 2:49 pm as runners were approaching the finish line two explosions 12 seconds and 210 yards apart were detonated causing 3 deaths and 264 injuries.  Of the 264 injuries, 14 resulted in amputation.  It was a sad day fo

r Boston and for the United States as we fell victim to another terrorist attack. 

In the days following, the stories of the incredible selflessness of first responders and ordinary citizens running into the chaos to help the injured demonstrated the resiliency of Bostonians.  The city branded itself “Boston Strong” refusing to give in to the terror and fear.  Not only was Boston Strong, but help came from all sorts of places in the form of money and medical assistance. 

The mayor help create the One Fund Boston to provide financial assistance to the victims and their families.  After the first week, crowd funding websites raised over $2 million.  On May 30^th various artists including Aerosmith, Jimmy Buffett, and Jason Aldean played at the Boston Strong Concert with all proceeds going directly to One Fund Boston.  One Fund Boston received $69.8 million to directly aid the victims and their families. 

It is a bitter sweet week in Boston as they prepare for the 2014 Boston Marathon on April 21^st.  While it will be a great sense of pride for the city to push forward with the event, it is also impossible to plan and participate without recalling the horror of the prior year’s event.  The stories have been remember and honored in various special programs.  Below is a clip from an ESPN E60 Program called “Dream On”.

This year the marathon will have 36,000 participants (which is 10,000 more than any previous year).   

What are your ideas about ways to reduce and eliminate terrorism in the world?  If you could, would you run in this year’s marathon? Why or why not?  Is there anything you would like to say to the participants of this year’s marathon?  

Buddha's Birthday

April 8 is commemorated by Buddhists as the birthday of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. 

Siddhartha was born in to a family of wealth in the year 563 BC in present day India.  His father, King Suddhodana was told his princely son would either be a great monarch or a Buddha, a supremely enlightened teacher.  To ensure his son would become the monarch, he kept Siddhartha locked away in the palace away from the human conditions of disease, aging, and death.

After some time, the curiosity of the outside world proved to be too much for Siddhartha and he secretly left the palace gates.  He began to live a life of an ascetic.  An ascetic is one who lives a life of extreme self discipline and denies himself any form of indulgence.  After years as an ascetic, he was still unfulfilled.  He sat under a tree and vowed to remain in this state of meditation until he found enlightenment.

 

He eventually found enlightenment and from this point forward he was the Buddha.  He taught others the foundations of Buddhism which are the four noble truths, which I am paraphrasing…

1.       Life in suffering

2.       Suffering is caused by our desires

3.       There is a way to end suffering, finding nirvana

4.       The way to end suffering requires following the eightfold path of right views, right resolve, right speech, right livelihood, right action, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

His teachings were spread throughout most of Asia by Buddha and his disciples. 

We often lose sight of our happiness and become too attached to our “things”.  What are you attached to?  What causes you stress?  Is there a way to better manage your stress?  What examples do you see in the world where the idea of attachment has given the wrong ideas about happiness?  

Women's History Month 2014

March has been designated as Women’s History Month.  The Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Park Service and other government agencies have partnered in paying tribute to the past and present women who have done so much to shape and progress our world. 

This year’s theme is “Women’s Education – Courage, Character and Commitment”.  As we have talked in class, education is the key to all future success.  Whether it is developing a nation, building a community or empowering a group of people, with education anything is possible.  Without education life is not only difficult, but obstacles can be immoveable.  Education is the key to freedom from whatever holds you back.  This insight was not always so obvious. 

While women have always made significant contributions to our country, it is not surprising to me that as more women are entering and completing college that we are seeing more and more women in high profile positions.  This is the first generation with more women enrolled in college than men.  This is truly incredible when you consider social bias against higher education for women was dominant until the 1970’s.  Up through the 1970’s college majors and degrees were often limited to your gender, whether that be through actual college requirements or societal pressure.   Today, women are afforded the same opportunities as men. 

Much of the progress can be attributed to Title IX legislation.  Title IX prohibits gender discrimination by any institute receiving federal funds.  Title IX provides equal access to education, facilities, and scholarships to women.  In addition to academics, women’s participation in athletics has increase by 900% in high school and 450% in collegiate activities.  The impact has been incredible. 

What women stand out to you as making significant contributions to our country and why?  What do you think of Title IX and its impact?  In your lifetime, what “firsts” do you think you will see from women?

Dr. Seuss

March 2^nd marks the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.  While it may seem trivial to celebrate an author of children’s books, it is hard to imagine what life would be like without the influence of The Cat in the Hat or Green Eggs and Ham.

Now that you are older I can imagine you may have lost an appreciation for the genius of Dr. Seuss and his work.  But as you watch the number of first graders and kindergarteners walking around looking like Thing 1 and Thing 2, it is difficult to deny the cultural and educational impact his work has had on society.

A couple of years ago, in addition to celebrating his birthday, a movie based on one of his books, “The Lorax” was released.  While it seems like a simple, enjoyable children’s story, it is also a political and social statement by Dr. Seuss concerning the over industrialization of our world and the fear of losing our natural resources.  Dr. Seuss often used his stories to not only entertain and engage children in reading, but provide insight into the world for the parents reading the books.  One of the most gifted books at high school graduation is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”  It’s not so subtle message about how to live your life, through the good times and the bad is extremely relevant to people entering into new phases of their lives.

Did you read or were you read Dr. Seuss stories when you were a child?  If so, what is your favorite and why?  What life lessons did you learn by reading Dr. Seuss or by any other children’s book?   What do you think about the younger kids at school celebrating his birthday

The Beatles

What kind of music do you listen to?  What is your favorite genre?  Regardless of your preferences, the odds are you favorite band, song, or performance was influenced someway by the Beatles.  It was 50 years ago on February 9^th that this band from Liverpool, England performed on the Ed Sullivan Show and changed the world forever. 

The Beatles are the greatest selling band of all time.  They have more number one hits in the United Kingdom and the United States than anyone ever.    You can see and hear the influence of the Beatles in most music today.  They were not afraid of experimenting in different genres or with different instruments.  They were the first to perform a stadium concert.  Each album was a unique experience with a different sound.  John, Paul, George, and Ringo each contributed in their own way to the sound and success of the Beatles.

For having such a huge influence, they had a surprisingly short career.  After less than a decade, the Beatles broke up in 1970.  The pressure of being forever and always linked to one another proved to be too much.  Most fans were anxiously awaiting a reunion which unfortunately was made impossible after John Lennon was killed by a crazed fan in December of 1980.  George Harrison lost his life in 2001 after battling cancer.  The remaining members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, continue to perform and contribute to the musical world.

What kind of music do you listen to?  Why?  Do you like to listen to music?  Why is it appealing?  Can music change the world?  If so, how?