Security @ MindSay

It slightly irks me when injustice rules.  Whether it's on the playground at the school where I work, in the offices of teacher's at the college, in the realm of my friends and family, pretty much anywhere!  But when injustice enters Washington, a place where Justice for this country was practically born and where it is supposed to be growing and flourishing, well my fellow American's, I'm a little be p/o'd.

 

I don't care what party you're with or what you believe, I thought that "telling" on someone was the tactic's of the sandbox.  It makes me angry to watch a presidential debate and hear what sounds like a bickering siblings' dispute: "Well... he did this!  I told him not too; I didn't think it was a good idea!"  "Nuhuh!  You're just being a poophead!"  I mean, if we break those talks down like a fraction, that's the heart and soul of 70% to 80% of these "debates" as they call them. 

 

What happened to the facts?!  Forget why the other is WRONG for the office; tell me why you're GOOD for the office!  I don't want to hear you practically biotch slapping your opponent.  Quit referencing to the past; show me where you're taking us in the future!  This bull about playing up your crowd by demeaning to opposite is just ridiculous.  I could pick second graders that were better equiped to handle an intelligent discussion than these educated, capable, RICH people who want to run our country.

 

In a presidential debate I want to hear what's going to happen to: The economy, Energy Crisis, Taxes, Gas Prices, Abortion and Heterosexual Marriage, The War, Corrupted Government, Illegal Immigration, and Homeland Security.  These are the facts.  These are the bare minerals of what this Country needs in a Leader.  A Leader.  Not a tattle-tale or a backbiter.  Come on!  Let's be adults about this.  If I'm barely old enough to vote and I still see this as childish: I believe this paradigm needs to be thought over...

Was it really necessary to spend $50 million of federal funds for each convention?

HOW TO INSTALL A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM
(Works even if the power is out!)

1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used size 14-16 work boots.
2. Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns & Ammo Magazine.
3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.
4. Leave a note on your door that reads:

Hey Bubba,
Me, Big Jim, Duke and Slim went for more ammunition. Back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls-- they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up real bad. I don't think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell from all the blood.

Anyway, I locked all four of 'em in the house.  Better wait outside.

'Cooter'

I was thinking recently about how I sometimes do stuff to feel better about myself - as if my mind was affecting what I did.

My self esteem isn't too bad because I have a lot of safeguards to protect it, and i try to spread them, but I kind of realised - I need to do more self-convincing when my self-esteem is low, but when I feel good about myself, I don't need to. I try to make people feel better, though I want to reinforce their self esteem rather than make them rely on outside opinion. Perhaps developing self esteem is what 'loving yourself' really is, and also the very key to confidence, it is what makes the difference between happiness and depression. Do not panic if your self-esteem is low, it just highlights what you need to overcome, and once you have, I belive there's no going back :) There may be several issues, but that's fine, just take them one at a time. Hard times make people understanding too!

I need to keep myself in check so I don't blindly assume my own glory, but I think I'll try to default to feeling good - I'll still deal with problems as they arise, but rather than constantly struggle to earn my own respect I will already have it!
One thing bothers me though about this... In order to be more understanding, it sometimes takes a little bit of hell. I try to find other ways and I believe I can to some degree on some things. I think both understanding and esteem are goals of life - though they arise under different conditions.
What should I fight for - self esteem or understanding? - or better, both perhaps, as need arises

By Army Spc. David Hodge

Special to American Forces Press Service

 

Aug. 4, 2008 - The Harat Elementary School in southern Baghdad's Rashid district reopened July 31 after two months of refurbishment. More than 1,000 Iraqi boys and girls from 7 to 12 years old and 60 teachers will start school in the refurbished building in September.

 

Among the improvements made to the school are air conditioners, interior and exterior paint, new doors, new chalkboards and a generator to supply the school with electricity.

 

"The school looks very good," said Ali, who has served as the school's principal for 25 years. "It is like a new house for the students. Now that we have a new-looking school, it will allow the students to work harder and better."

 

The funds for the project came from the Iraqi government, Army Lt. Col. Timothy Watson, a battalion commander with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, said.

 

"This is one of the first schools to be refurbished in this area," Watson said. "We hope to work our way through all the schools."

 

The school refurbishment is a testament to the level of care for the neighborhood, Army Capt. Parsana Deoki, a company commander with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, said. "My soldiers have taken the time to ensure work is done correctly and according to the scheduled scope of work," Deoki added.

 

The commander of the community's "Sons of Iraq" citizen security group, who also serves as a neighborhood councilman, said improved security made the project possible. "With the help of both coalition forces and the district council, this place has become a school again," Capt. Yousif Ibrahim said. "On behalf of our neighborhood, principal and teachers, we give special thanks for giving us the security to make it happen."

 

Ibrahim said efforts to improve security in his neighborhood have had recent success and that he hopes that success will lead to further improvements in his area.

 

"We have to give more attention to essential services and take the weapons and fighting away from here," Ibrahim said.

 

With members of the neighborhood and district councils and 60 teachers at his side, the school principal said he has plans to add five new classrooms with the hope of giving the children the best opportunity to learn.

 

(Army Spc. David Hodge serves in Multinational Division Baghdad with the 4th Infantry Division's, 1st Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)