Summer 2014

Welcome back to school.  I can only imagine many of you feel as through the summer went by way too quickly and are stunned to think we are back in school for another 9 months.  While it may have seemed to go by at the speed of light, this has been an incredible summer for world news.  Here are some highlights:

The Ongoing Issues in Ukraine

Not a week can go by without another incident concerning the ongoing border dispute between the Russians and the Ukraine.  This dispute has not only resulted in the constant threat of military actions, but on July 17^th 283 passengers tragically lost their lives when flight MH17 was shot out of the sky.  The United States and European countries have issued numerous sanctions against Russia, but with little effect to date.

The World Cup

Brazil hosted the world’s largest sporting event.  The FIFA World Cup was held between June 12th and July 13^th.  The attendance and viewers from all over the world was phenomenal.  In the end the men from Germany defeated the Argentinians to host the cup for the fourth time in the history of the tournament.

Trouble in Israel

Beginning July 8^th, the Israeli military and the Hamas have been engaged in an ongoing conflict.  The conflict continues to escalate and the casualties continue to rise as neither side is able to find a reasonable resolution.  One of the great tragedies of the conflict is the loss of the lives of civilians caught in the middle of this war zone.  The Egyptian government has been working diligently with both sides to enact ceasefires to provide civilian aid, but with limited success.  The latest ceasefire is set to expire at midnight August 18, 2014.

Iraqi ISIS

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been working to create a militant Islamic state at the expense

of religious minority groups in the region.  ISIS has been working to rid the area of Sunni Muslims and Yazidi.  The acts committed against these minority groups have prompted the United States to attempt to provide humanitarian aid. 

Racial Tension in Missouri

On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown, 18, was shot and killed by a police officer in Ferguson, MO.  Michael Brown was unarmed, but according to reports Brown assaulted the officer.  The candlelight vigil held the next evening turned into a riot claiming 30 injuries.  As more information and action is taken, the community continues to struggle with the relationship between law enforcement and the people they are to protect. 

These are just a sample of the many news stories from the summer of 2014.  In your opinion what was the biggest news story from the summer and why?  You can choose from one of the items above or whatever other news stories captured your attention.  What types of news stories are you more likely to pay attention to?  What about these stories interests you? 

Memorial Day

Thank you to all those who gave their lives so that we may continue to enjoy our freedoms.  God Bless.

First Year of Middle School

Congratulations.  You are two and a half weeks from completing your first year of middle school.  As you are well aware, school is more challenging.  You are expected to take more accountability for yourself and your work.  I say you have done a nice job.

Middle school requires you to change classes every 43 minutes.  You have 6-7 teachers instead of 1 or two.  Each of you teachers has a different personality and expectations.  By now you have a good idea what upsets each one of your teachers and what makes us happy.  You understand the nuances with our tests and teaching styles.

You have also realized that with middle school come more privileges.  You have your own locker.  A private space to hang up your pictures of One Direction or whatever else you may have an interest.  You have lunch with the older students and use the annex for afternoon break.  You no longer have to wear the school plaid or blue shorts and pants.  Next year you get even more privileges.  You are eligible to fully participate in TVCS sports and dances.  In addition, you get to play in the Hallissey tournament and enjoy the assembly.

Before we move on to next year, I would like you to reflect on this past.  What was your favorite part of being in the middle school?  How would you describe each of your middle school teachers?  What advice would you give to next year’s sixth graders?

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?