tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86577519283497514932024-03-05T20:02:12.427-08:00One Shepard's ViewAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06462388498470198418noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-56957541256101597732017-10-26T08:38:00.001-07:002017-10-26T08:44:00.927-07:00Name Your Fears, Then Mock Them<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Image result for magnum pi home from the sea" 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" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>In the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="text-align: left;">Home from the
Sea</i><span style="text-align: left;"> episode of the 1980s series </span><i style="text-align: left;">Magnum
PI</i><span style="text-align: left;">, Tom Selleck spends many hours abandoned, treading water in the Pacific. He
is stressed, but buoyed by memories of his father teaching him to swim. Then
the shark starts circling.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> “If you give funny names to the things that scare you,” he remembers his father saying, “then they won’t be half so scary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> So, Tom names the shark Herman.
He talks to the shark, jokes with the shark, yells at the shark, and doesn’t panic. The shark is curious, but doesn’t attack. Tom miraculously survives, is
rescued, and moves on to the next season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> I was reminded of this episode when chatting with my cousin,
affected by Hurricane Irma. Who can be terrified by something named Irma? It
was a massive storm with a grandmother’s name. Irma was a big inconvenience to
many, deadly to some, destructive, and horrendously expensive, kind of like
cancer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Panic is not an effective response to a hurricane. People
need to be able to think clearly - to evaluate their personal priorities and
threats, protect their property, avoid deep water, and seek shelter. So, naming
hurricanes not only helps to distinguish one from another, but gives people a
psychological advantage in difficult situations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> I’ve named my breast cancer Donald, in honor of the biggest
stressor of the last year, a scary presence, over which I have little control,
other than my personal response. I have chosen to resist this threat, but not
obsess over it. I will not panic; I will be strong. I will handle Donald the
way comedians do, by mocking him. I’ll also handle this threat as warriors
do, by fighting it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> And yes, I may sound flippant. My diagnosis won’t
change because of this – the cancer monster won't be offended and take revenge
because I didn’t give it enough respect. I have always respected this disease,
and I’m grieving the loss of a friend who recently died from esophageal cancer.
But Holly didn’t let cancer stop her feisty attitude, and neither will I. Every
cancer is different, and each story has a different ending or humans would give
up hope, and stop reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Cancer diagnosis and treatment is stressful. There are many
ways to relieve stress, and my favorite is laughter. The endorphins released by
a belly-laugh have got to be healthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The naming of Donald D. Lump has had multiple benefits. I
smiled during my first biopsy, at the thought of his squalling head getting
pierced by a needle. The doctor who came in with his serious ‘cancer’ face chuckled
and relaxed when I shared my attitude. People who don’t like to say words like
‘breast’ or ‘cancer’ (including me) are more comfortable talking about Donald.
And when Donald Jr. was discovered hiding behind dense tissue, I was ready for him
too. Hopefully Eric, Ivanka, etc. won’t be joining the party, but if they do,
they’ll be named.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The jokes and metaphors keep me smiling. <i>Dump the Lump. Impeach the Lump. Trump the
Lump. Get his tiny hands off your girls! Donald will be tagged with a radioactive
tracer before the Pink Army goes in for a surgical strike. After that,
we’ll try chemical or nuclear weapons.</i> If other cancer survivors want to
use the Donald metaphor, I won’t mind a bit. In fact, this might be a fitting tribute
to our misogynist-in-chief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> I realize I am extremely lucky – I can have this attitude
because Donald was caught early, before his tiny hands could invade more of my
body (we think). I live in a city not devastated by hurricane, or war, or
poverty, or fire, so the hospitals and doctors are ready with modern
treatments. I have insurance, savings, and a powerful support network of friends
and family. Part of my cheerfulness stems from survivor’s euphoria, recognizing
that I’ve had a close call, but should be okay after treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Even if my diagnosis were more serious or my situation direr,
I would give my fear a funny name, and resist it, and keep treading water, and look for the
funny side, because there is almost always a funny side, as long as you are
alive. If MASH could make jokes about war for 11 years, I can make jokes about
cancer. I need to make jokes about cancer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> Remember Rudolph the Reindeer's friend, the dentist? Laughter and friendship can pull the teeth from a
monster, and defuse a bully. They are important weapons.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06462388498470198418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-15994192561736567172017-10-10T08:03:00.000-07:002017-10-26T08:42:32.180-07:00A Survivor Mentality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Shooter on
Campus” was a required training video for my job as a community college writing
tutor. After avoiding the assignment for several days, I watched with another
tutor during a slow period, and bit my fingernails during the scary parts. Welcome
to 21</span><sup style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">st</sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> century reality.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The video focused
on developing a Survivor Mentality, so you can react efficiently and
effectively when crises arise. You can apply a Survivor Mentality to many life
events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Life hands
all of us the occasional nasty surprise, like fierce storms, traffic accidents,
health issues, and threatening intruders.
Thinking constantly about potential threats isn’t healthy, so we protect
ourselves the best we can, put up mental walls, and try not to dwell on
negatives we can’t control. Denial helps us sleep at night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But in a
scary situation, denial and the fear-mone rush of panic can prevent untrained
people from responding well. Someone trained with a Survivor Mentality
recognizes the threat quickly, and feels anxiety, but does not panic. (S)he: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">assesses the
situation<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">decides on a
course of action<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">works with
others to flee, hide, or fight <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: .5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">looks for
ways to help others survive<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">For
instance, a classroom of students can spread out, throw things at a shooter,
and overwhelm the intruder with their collective power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I didn’t
realize how quickly I’d need my Survivor Mentality training to face a
panic-inducing threat. But I’ve worked hard not to panic, and relied on friends
and experts to help me assess the situation and decide the best course of
action. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My current
crisis is Breast Cancer. It’s not my first tough challenge, and will probably
not be my last. But since I was diagnosed at the beginning of Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, I’m taking this as a sign to use my writing ability and share
this experience – to increase awareness among others, to give hope and thanks,
and to help me process this journey and make the most of it, as a human and as
a writer. There are lessons I’m supposed to learn, lessons I’m supposed to share,
and lessons my allies will learn from helping me through this. Suffering can
build character and compassion, and the world can always use more of both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Within a
week of diagnosis, my husband and I were introduced to the cancer team at
Wesley Long hospital. They had already assessed my biopsy and mammogram reports
and could give me a diagnosis and plan for treatment. New 3-D mammogram
technology had discovered my lump before it could be felt by me or the doctors,
and it does not appear to have spread to my lymph nodes. I’ll have more tests,
surgery, probably radiation, and hopefully not chemo. Mine is the type of breast
cancer diagnosed in more than 80% of cases, so they have lots of treatments.
It’s not life-threatening these days, just a bit life-altering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The physical
therapist was the last team member to visit me, and she described another
therapist as a ‘survivor.’ I asked when to call myself a survivor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">She smiled
and said, “You are one now.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06462388498470198418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-74313820809246178942017-02-10T14:15:00.001-08:002017-02-10T14:15:16.667-08:00Why Don't We Love Charter School Betsy?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://i1.wp.com/networkforpubliceducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Profits-over-children-FINAL-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://i1.wp.com/networkforpubliceducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Profits-over-children-FINAL-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The new US Secretary of Education is a big supporter
of charter schools and religious private schools. Some may ask why this is a
problem. Here's my long answer with personal experiences.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When the movie “Waiting for Superman” delivered its message on the 'superiority' of charter schools, our local Guilford
Education Alliance held a focus meeting to analyze the movie and the realities
of charter schools. The meeting included a teacher from one of the “successful”
charter schools in the movie. The teacher said the movie didn’t show the
discipline methods used at the school, which included forcing students to wear
dirty t-shirts and be shamed and ostracized if they got into trouble. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The movie
did include statistics showing that some charter schools are very
successful, but others are not – the range is similar to public schools. Yet, NC Republicans
jumped on the charter school bandwagon. Why?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1. The schools were shiny and new. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2. Republican Party support for public schools has gradually and deliberately eroded since Integration.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Note: NC does not have teachers’ unions. We have a
lobbying and support association, but they do not require membership, negotiate
contracts, or call strikes.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Reasons I’m not crazy about Charter Schools – </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1. They
don’t have central administration oversight, so parents and students have
little recourse when crazy stuff happens.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2. They give public tax money to private companies, some of which
operate these schools for profit.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">3.
They are not required to provide busing, free lunches, or special services for
students who need them. This means they cater to two-parent affluent families,
and pull these families, their volunteer support, and their public tax dollars
out of the public schools. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The more charter
schools you have, the more public schools will dwindle.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I love all the FB posts about public school
experiences! I’ve been a huge supporter of public schools with central
administration oversight, partly because I’ve experienced private schools. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In 4</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> grade, I moved from a tiny, elitist
private school in SC to Guilford County Schools in NC. It was SO much better –
less bullying, no religious indoctrination though people could express opinions,
stronger academics, more diversity of all kinds. I loved my neighborhood high
school with all the energy and activities to choose from. (Go Hornets!)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My kids attended public magnet schools, partly because
our neighborhood elementary was crowded, and partly because I wanted to try the
Montessori method. It was great for our family. Magnet schools have the
oversight of central administration, which means parents have recourse if there
are problems that can’t be solved at the school level. As a PTA president in a
brand-new school, I saw the problems that can occur, and learned how to use
public school channels to improve things. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Our biggest problem was the over-emphasis on
standardized testing imposed by the No Child Left Behind Act, signed by George
W. Bush. While the NCLBA gave more attention to students with disabilities and language
issues, it flattened language arts, history, and science instruction for
students who learned more quickly – in eighth grade, one of my daughters spent
a lot of time waiting for other students to catch up, and teachers limited
themselves to material that was tested. So for high school, we moved her to a
‘Christian’ private school, where she was promised writing instruction in ninth
grade. (The public English teachers said they weren’t ‘allowed’ to teach essay
writing until 10</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> grade. This changed with the new Common Core
Standards.) </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The ‘Christian’ school was a decent size, had decent
athletics, and people were nice to my sweet blonde child. But the religious
indoctrination was constant, and this was a Tea Party school. We had many
critical thinking conversations at home, when, for instance, the principal
stood in front of several hundred teenagers and announced that anyone who was
gay would go to hell. Bullying was common. Peace signs weren’t allowed because
someone thought they were associated with the Devil. Evolution was taught in
Biology because it’s required for AP tests, but it was scoffed at as only a
theory. Ken Hamm’s ‘Young Earth’ interpretation was taught, including the idea that
the Devil planted dinosaur bones in the earth to fool disbelievers. My child
had to do a project on Creationism. We combed through the Bible for passages
that countered the close evangelical reading she was getting at school, and
found plenty, but our faith in ‘Christian’ churches was damaged. I was relieved
when we moved to Dubai after two years. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Dubai doesn’t have public schools for its expat
population, so we had to go private, and found a terrific International
Baccalaureate school, where my kids were the only Americans in most of their
classes, and I substitute-taught and participated on the principal’s advisory
board. My girls both blossomed. Though the majority of the school was Muslim,
no one ever tried to convert me or my kids. We did have plenty of open-minded
conversations about religious differences, and learned a lot about Islam. The
school was new, so sports and the arts programs were just getting started, and we
were involved. This school did have central oversight, because it was part of a
group of schools, and the consultants who visited, tested, and guided our
school were knowledgeable and reasonable.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When we came back to the US, our younger daughter had
her last two years in a large public high school that also had a strong IB
program, marching band, and all the benefits I had at Western Guilford.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Setting up a new school takes time, money, and a lot
of work. Most charter schools will not be better than the public schools they
replace, but they will diminish the effectiveness of the local public schools.
They will take public money and put it into the pockets of private companies
and individuals. They will decrease educational diversity. And they will
disproportionately hurt poor and special-needs students. Public school teachers
recognize this, which is why they have lobbied against having a charter-school
proponent in charge of our country’s public schools.</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Photo Credit: http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/01/betsy-devos-bad-for-americas-children.html</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06462388498470198418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-57254908140211782462016-10-15T08:39:00.000-07:002016-10-15T08:56:53.916-07:00He's Talking about All of Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for donald trump stalking Hillary picture" height="298" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTF5aSYi1PYk89xIMJ29pRBnZfc2k-ZDqtN4OKGSiKekxFsmA6C" width="400" /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trump's response was to scoff at the physical appearances of his accusers and opponent</span></span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe it’s a woman thing. When Predator Trump talks about groping women, or the women he’s groped tell their stories, I
feel personally violated and threatened. I feel sick to my stomach. And every male human seems a little more foreign and scary. Trump reminds me that we’re only a few
generations evolved from the days when Genghis Khan and his type raped their
way across Asia and Europe. The Daesch, Boko Haram, and the flourishing
world-wide sex trade are proof that our daughters are not more safe than we
were in the 1970’s. When one man says it’s okay to use superior strength or
power to overcome women’s bodies, he’s talking about all of us…and all of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regardless who wins this presidential election, we should prepare for more attacks on women. If it is Trump, more men and boys
will adopt his attitudes. If Clinton, women will be derided the way
Barack Obama has been. We will all appear more threatening, once the
presidential glass ceiling has been broken. The congressmen who vowed to
obstruct Obama’s progress are still in office. The voters who embraced Trump’s
sexism, racism, bullying tactics, and xenophobia will still be among us. Self
defense and self-esteem classes for young women should be mandatory. Men whose
ideas have evolved will need to step up and be strong allies, because the next
four years may not be easy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But if Clinton wins, progress will be made, as it has been
under President Obama. The next time a minority or woman runs for president, it
will not be such a hurdle or insult to white men who have dominated our nation’s
politics and economy since its inception. Women and people of color will
receive more respect in all areas of business, academia, home-life, and
politics. As our children grow up, the idea of a woman or minority in charge will
not phase them; it will be as common as the personal computers we carry in our
pockets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Evil gives good people an opportunity to define themselves.
Donald Trump has verbalized much of what is wrong with our country, starting
with fear and lack of respect. He’s been so obvious that many people have felt compelled to speak up. And ultimately, he may do more good
for </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">American </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">women's </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">progress, by blatantly illustrating what we’re all fighting
to put behind us.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-91227945325985322452016-05-05T09:35:00.001-07:002016-05-11T05:48:10.336-07:00Dividing NC - Phil Berger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_XYACT1pPLNz6cG87q7UkGRB1drYbg61IdkNLWNCg-YVv6NpTDP64EJqImo_aAeBu1qFGh8Ye2xtk4PiIIhX8z2GT1CI0wGvjoWbYi9vcx5ulNtDqSzBg5iLrakLTjoqYGpZBSnPR6U/s1600/Berger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_XYACT1pPLNz6cG87q7UkGRB1drYbg61IdkNLWNCg-YVv6NpTDP64EJqImo_aAeBu1qFGh8Ye2xtk4PiIIhX8z2GT1CI0wGvjoWbYi9vcx5ulNtDqSzBg5iLrakLTjoqYGpZBSnPR6U/s200/Berger.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phil Berger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is Phil Berger from Eden, powerful leader of the
Republican majority in the NC legislature. From 2006-8, I served as advocacy
chair for the Guilford County Council of PTA's. Along with other education
leaders from Guilford County, I went to Raleigh to lobby our representatives to
protect public schools from looming budget cuts. Because Mr. Berger represented northwest
Guilford County, he was included in our delegation meetings. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At that time, Democrats were in control of our legislature,
and representatives like Pricey Harrison, Don Vaughn, Alma Adams, and Maggie
Jeffus were quite receptive to our concerns. Republican Laura Wiley was sympathetic,
and John Blust was friendly, though wanted mostly to talk about his flat tax idea.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the first meeting, Mr. Berger said he couldn’t help us,
because Republicans were in the minority and had no power. During our second visit,
he left early saying, “We don’t listen to teachers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of years later, the NC Tea Party swept Republicans
into control of the NC legislature for “the first time in 100 years.” (Note that
Democrats and Republicans switched ideological positions between the FDR
presidency and the Civil Rights movement.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not long after coming into power, Mr. Berger helped raise
the Charter school cap, in a bill which divides and reduces support for NC's public schools. He
didn’t listen to teacher or school system concerns about this bill. (You can
read my editorial at: <a href="http://shepardview.blogspot.com/2011/04/charter-school-bill-expensive.html">http://shepardview.blogspot.com/2011/04/charter-school-bill-expensive.html</a>)
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A year later, Berger and Thom Tillis brought us Amendment
One, cleverly designed to divide our previously peaceful state over a
controversial social issue. Again they ignored the concerns of teachers, law
school professors, ministers and the public. Of course I wrote editorials…<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>
<a href="http://shepardview.blogspot.com/2012/03/amendment-one-endangers-nc-families.html">http://shepardview.blogspot.com/2012/03/amendment-one-endangers-nc-families.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most recent insult is HB2, passed without listening to
opposition from business people or teachers, meeting actual transgender people,
or even watching a few seasons of Glee. “We don’t listen to teachers” Berger
apparently doesn’t listen to anyone who disagrees with his far-right agenda.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately this deaf legislator seems immune to being
voted out of his district. But we could limit his power if we change the
majority or vote more moderates into the state legislature. We could also give veto power to a governor
who understands constitutional law, and won’t use his office to promote
discriminatory legislation. Roy Cooper might even listen to our teachers and
school systems.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The GOP can no longer claim to be the party of Lincoln or
the authority on Biblical truth, because they have forgotten a most important sentiment
expressed by Matthew, Mark, and Lincoln – “A house divided against itself
cannot stand.” Republican infighting and lack of support for our president at
the national level is reflected at our state level by divisive and unnecessary
legislation. NC and the country need to come back together over all we have in
common, and stop using our minorities and children as political pawns. Our differences and our children
make us stronger if we treat them as resources and build upon their strengths instead of using them to divide and conquer.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-75954750081871603402015-02-27T13:01:00.000-08:002015-02-27T13:01:34.124-08:00Building a Coalition against Daesh-bags<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPDu-0K7diBcfOQugq5ZfW8wYStnWXW7xORmw3nKYa0h8kpG3lL8fK5hhjY56drf2XWa5qCHUCue8E74sMFHbQdEsKZuxWP7oI_9lWyTaMmW9fsygYvRuDribjroZC7dWVvh8p0s_7Fc/s1600/Handshake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPDu-0K7diBcfOQugq5ZfW8wYStnWXW7xORmw3nKYa0h8kpG3lL8fK5hhjY56drf2XWa5qCHUCue8E74sMFHbQdEsKZuxWP7oI_9lWyTaMmW9fsygYvRuDribjroZC7dWVvh8p0s_7Fc/s1600/Handshake.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"> <span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>King Abdullah II of
Jordan meets with President Obama on 2/3/15</i></span></span></span></h4>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why
is this meeting significant?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">King Abdullah II of Jordan met with President Obama
on February 3, after the Daesh burned alive a heroic Jordanian pilot. On behalf
of his people, King Abdullah vowed revenge and war against Daesh, and asked for
increased support from America. After this vow and request, Abdullah has become
a leading figure building the Islamic world’s opposition to Daesh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I prefer to use the term Daesh for the group that
currently calls itself Islamic State in Syria or Levant (ISIS, ISIL). Daesh is
an Arabic term that means “to crush underfoot,” and the extremists apparently
hate it. It implies that they are not a ‘state,’ and they do not represent
Islam. They are cutthroat Daesh-bags. (Excuse my terminology, but you'll remember the name now, won't you?) They have declared war on the rest of the
world, especially in the Middle East. The rest of us are next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Groups like Daesh are to religion what rape is to
sexuality. They twist and pervert something which is meant to be beautiful, a
gift from God, weaponizing it into a tool of oppression, power, and criminal
violence. Don’t be confused by their name; this is about politics, not
religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jordan’s alliance with the US has been strong over
the years and King Abdullah’s father, King Hussein married American Lisa Halaby
in 1978. Halaby, now Queen Noor al Hussein, is widely respected in Jordan and
has occasionally served as an advisor to King Abdullah since his father’s death
in 1999. When our family visited Jordan two years ago, we found the people well-educated,
friendly toward Americans, and </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">benefiting</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> from medical centers and other
assistance the US has provided. Jordan's leader is one of the best-positioned in the Arab world, to bring this request to America and create a coalition against Daesh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jordan is bordered to the north by Syria, to the
east by Iraq, to the south by Saudi Arabia, and to the west by Israel/Palestine.
This beautiful though poor country has accepted refugees throughout history; for example, Moses brought the </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Israelites</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> to the banks of the Jordan River, and a group of the
first Christians fled to Jordan after Jesus’ crucifixion. Millions of Palestinian refugees have made
Jordan their permanent home, and they have also provided safe haven for Iraqi
and Syrian refugees in recent years. A moderate Muslim country, Jordan does not
tell its people how to worship or dress; in fact, we stayed in a town of
Christian Arabs who celebrate Catholic mass. Jordan could easily be the next
country targeted by Daesh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdOjHlYVreCffRa2g5nD_D6q4YSHetDlyHxifjeEwFyobWj4d6eYgda3bytGyZnndecHM_RjVL6YsToh56gqVGg6DbU8-ax2lqrt2lsdcS_Xx7O-HTQm7bIwHQQ2fA2nhUcASETQH1rI/s1600/P1000273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdOjHlYVreCffRa2g5nD_D6q4YSHetDlyHxifjeEwFyobWj4d6eYgda3bytGyZnndecHM_RjVL6YsToh56gqVGg6DbU8-ax2lqrt2lsdcS_Xx7O-HTQm7bIwHQQ2fA2nhUcASETQH1rI/s1600/P1000273.JPG" height="356" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><i>The
ancient Roman city of Jerash, recently excavated in Jordan, could come under
attack by the iconoclastic Daesh.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The US acts like a modern Roman Empire in the rest
of the world. We provide stability, infrastructure, and a pervasive culture. We also flex our military might to funnel profits back home. Like Rome, the American Empire
is resented, especially when we do not act in the best interests of all people
and when our culture overshadows local traditions. But we are the best
option when alternative super-powers like China and Russia are considered. At
least we have concern for human rights, and do not officially take over other
governments. Our democracy and freedom of speech inspire idealists around
the world, and foreign students want to attend American universities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">America’s recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as
well as our support for Israel, have made the US less popular in the Middle East.
We are seen as interfering and blundering, yet we have also been criticized for
doing too little for Syria as their civilian population has been decimated by
civil war. I think this administration has tried to help on a smaller scale there, so we are
not seen as imperialists for a change. We have waited for an invitation to add
more fire power. On February 3, that invitation was delivered personally by
King Abdullah. I hope Americans can pull together and accept this challenge,
providing both military support and internal stabilization (such as job creation) for
countries fighting Daesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hear weariness in the words of moderate Muslims
such as Dr. Yousaf Butt: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-yousaf-butt-/saudi-wahhabism-islam-terrorism_b_6501916.html?fb_ref=Default">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-yousaf-butt-/saudi-wahhabism-islam-terrorism_b_6501916.html?fb_ref=Default</a>
They are tired of Wahhabism and the extremism
it engenders. Simply because the Saudis control Mecca and a wealth of oil does
not mean they speak for all Muslims. Even in Saudi Arabia, many of the women
are ready to drive and men want to let them. Perhaps the new Saudi ruler can acknowledge
the dangers of Daesh extremism and gradually distance his government from Wahhabi
philosophy. Perhaps King Abdullah can encourage him in this effort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The internet is allowing more moderate and
progressive Muslims to speak without persecution, but they need support from American
democracy and freedom of speech, as well as our military. It cannot happen
overnight, but perhaps ultimate progress is being made, thanks to Daesh’s crimes against
humanity and King Abdullah’s diplomacy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-73659036859229584512014-12-10T08:27:00.002-08:002014-12-10T08:32:32.381-08:00Compassionate Dolphins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRc1tHY6M6WXQusC8czmVztzjpoZpvjuk3qY-aIxqAMeko03t4Ashs6stL2MWFvdNgWX2Z9K7_DOkFaeMIYsn90K8TlUl8AqZ0f_HjHusFJCT8wNMBHqvBBFohCZ79dr-BKXJyQhmm3wA/s1600/Moved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRc1tHY6M6WXQusC8czmVztzjpoZpvjuk3qY-aIxqAMeko03t4Ashs6stL2MWFvdNgWX2Z9K7_DOkFaeMIYsn90K8TlUl8AqZ0f_HjHusFJCT8wNMBHqvBBFohCZ79dr-BKXJyQhmm3wA/s1600/Moved.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"> <b> Musandam</b></span><b><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center;">, Oman, </span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"> February </span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center;">15, </span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center;">2014</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitquWFsJRstP4vC-Zj2LNWAppNCqkoNXwGAUPn0pXKqlcFxK0osf7XEOeuhucCvG44bqDAWjVJTFLymq7c7LW65RwfhqI1IRW6d_L8S_63mr8ztD4UNlx7dF6tbG_jOnEXXt_Rr5KYhzA/s1600/Dolphin+funeral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitquWFsJRstP4vC-Zj2LNWAppNCqkoNXwGAUPn0pXKqlcFxK0osf7XEOeuhucCvG44bqDAWjVJTFLymq7c7LW65RwfhqI1IRW6d_L8S_63mr8ztD4UNlx7dF6tbG_jOnEXXt_Rr5KYhzA/s1600/Dolphin+funeral.jpg" height="110" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro Bold'; font-size: 24pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Compassionate
Dolphins</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: center; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: center; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Her
</span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">calf
was dead. </span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: center; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">She
nosed the baby to the air, but it would not breathe. </span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: center; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">She
carried it to the bottom, tried to lodge it under a shelf,</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: center; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">But
the body kept rising to the surface.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Her
pod surrounded her, grieved with her,</span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: center; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">And
dove with her in funereal formation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Over and over and over</span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">.</span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEifQDI-Q08A4XFWw_uwR2ucVhbpopHjRpvzmkY2iUdsPSb0Etk61upaDHLEDjTP9Pqn-1C67ja6Zz3LKAmNfxeIVnJha9itYVmrsAy8qC92zd7peXj3ntfuJBacTJzvFAJVgcuFiu21Q/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEifQDI-Q08A4XFWw_uwR2ucVhbpopHjRpvzmkY2iUdsPSb0Etk61upaDHLEDjTP9Pqn-1C67ja6Zz3LKAmNfxeIVnJha9itYVmrsAy8qC92zd7peXj3ntfuJBacTJzvFAJVgcuFiu21Q/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" height="256" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">We
in the boats were not of her pod, or species</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">But
the drivers </span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">observed
the rite, </span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">and
</span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">would
not race that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">We
watched, transfixed, and held the dolphin family in the </span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Light</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">As
they rose to the air </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">and
dove to the blue depths together in an elegiac procession</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">Over
and over and over</span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic;">~Sharon
</span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic;">S.
Shepard</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Adobe Garamond Pro'; font-size: 16pt; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUzf6sJDkN_rGcdPTfL0hcqJQsf9BEErd63-56xz3VgKl9_BiTtcFtJx8h8RWpXWyWdR9yrUbjb8S1lUUN-Ly0_ltWru-D3VVjZZ0k4_XpjPg84WscUtLTbVlPp1xkrjuoXYyXrzxwjY/s1600/P1050063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUzf6sJDkN_rGcdPTfL0hcqJQsf9BEErd63-56xz3VgKl9_BiTtcFtJx8h8RWpXWyWdR9yrUbjb8S1lUUN-Ly0_ltWru-D3VVjZZ0k4_XpjPg84WscUtLTbVlPp1xkrjuoXYyXrzxwjY/s1600/P1050063.JPG" height="364" width="640" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Compassion is the heart’s
response to sorrow.</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We share in the beauty of life
and in the ocean of tears.</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The sorrow of life is part of
each of our hearts and part of what</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">connects us with one another.
It brings with it tenderness, mercy,</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">and an all-embracing kindness
that can touch every being.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">~<span style="font-weight: normal;">Jack Kornfield</span></span></span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-69664936728172653932014-10-27T12:33:00.000-07:002015-03-07T17:29:58.064-08:0010 Things We Learned about Muslims While Living in the United Arab Emirates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>With photos of the
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8657751928349751493" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNlGY_EfSOSfVLLmjrWW9sxFu8k2zEoiPlnxnupUnhS-NYZgJt27TJ_5BDpgFUXgHd20GiRcFWf2yedvrQerEtVQ0HuBlA6V-dXa_0fJo9TbbNcC6B34qoe2GckDf9_ZZNYl79ffyIBg/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNlGY_EfSOSfVLLmjrWW9sxFu8k2zEoiPlnxnupUnhS-NYZgJt27TJ_5BDpgFUXgHd20GiRcFWf2yedvrQerEtVQ0HuBlA6V-dXa_0fJo9TbbNcC6B34qoe2GckDf9_ZZNYl79ffyIBg/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I am not an
authority, and this is not a comprehensive list. But it answers some questions non-Muslims often ask. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Humans tend to fear what we
do not understand, and I believe fear is sometimes encouraged for political
reasons. Not on this blog. </span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">No two people are the same. To imply that all of the nearly 2
billion Muslims in the world </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">act or believe the same way is inaccurate. There
are many acceptable variations in dress, </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">eating habits, language, etc. among
the world’s Muslims. There are also disagreements </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">between groups of Muslims,
just as there are between sub-groups of any large religion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Allah is the
Arabic name for God, the same deity worshiped by
Christians and Jews. </span>When speaking English, the Muslims I have met call God ‘God.’</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhh3R4tLcb1PgWPpCfm7Jtn3M1M5yYp7mnQfFnQLpUBDhsR-3btHhl1-t1y1BQoBu1wprFOm-ByJHdCX1pIj8equxHK4CtbRIAq94p1UGtrsnA_21kxJ7vwjhKfPSNsamv0CeT70KpHg/s1600/P1010044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhh3R4tLcb1PgWPpCfm7Jtn3M1M5yYp7mnQfFnQLpUBDhsR-3btHhl1-t1y1BQoBu1wprFOm-ByJHdCX1pIj8equxHK4CtbRIAq94p1UGtrsnA_21kxJ7vwjhKfPSNsamv0CeT70KpHg/s1600/P1010044.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In Islam, God has 100 attributes or names, one of which is hidden. </span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">These include ‘The </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Creator,’ ‘The Truth,’ ‘The Light,’ and ‘The Forgiving.’
Each of the 99 names is written in one of the flowers on this wall of the
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">One flower is empty, for God’s unknown name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Muslims trace their heritage to Abraham, who is also the spiritual
father of Judaism and Christianity. All three faiths venerate the God worshiped
by Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Muslims honor the prophets of the Old
Testament, as well as Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Muslims believe they are descended from Ishmael, son of Abraham’s
second wife. </span>(In my Old Testament Genesis, Hagar is described as Sarah's slave or servant, not a wife.)<br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They believe it was Hagar's son Ishmael (<i>Ismael</i>)
and not Isaac who climbed the mountain with Abraham and offered himself as
sacrifice. The rift between Muslim and Jew is illustrated by this ancient
sibling rivalry . </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Muslims celebrate Abraham’s faith and willingness to
sacrifice his son, along with God’s mercy in sending the ram to be sacrificed in </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-indent: -0.25in;">place of </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">the son, during
their Eid al Adha religious holiday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Islam has 5 Pillars, or obligations:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3w9CXRZ5XcJG8TURwSbusA3nk6M7gaTFmAVDvJF9vvCDDOY9DZPvDaqClKeUXefMfdM2mGFuLnZ6p2qrglL4SY3EJcrDGEIFEBQ-Df2GAMj5WcewtNypDAkJ-BWi8wwCGD-70HH1Lp70/s1600/P1010022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3w9CXRZ5XcJG8TURwSbusA3nk6M7gaTFmAVDvJF9vvCDDOY9DZPvDaqClKeUXefMfdM2mGFuLnZ6p2qrglL4SY3EJcrDGEIFEBQ-Df2GAMj5WcewtNypDAkJ-BWi8wwCGD-70HH1Lp70/s1600/P1010022.JPG" height="400" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This 'clock' in the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque <br />
displays the names and timings of the calls to prayer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Profession
of Faith and Oneness of God</span></u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">: There is no God but God,
and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Prayer</span></u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> – 5 times a day, facing Mecca <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">c.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Almsgiving</span></u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> – charity is required of the Muslim, equal to 2.5% of the
individual’s net worth annually, excluding obligations and family expenses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">d.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Fasting</span></u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> – during the month of Ramadan, from dawn to sunset<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">e.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Hajj</span></u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> – the pilgrimage to Mecca, undertaken at least once in the
lifetime of every Muslim who is physically and financially able<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There are reasonable exceptions made within each of these tenants,
such as fasting during pregnancy and sickness. The emphasis is on following
the spirit of the pillars, and making every effort to submit to the will of
God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Quran was written from 609 to 632 CE, as the Prophet Muhammad
heard revelations from the Angel Gabriel. It has retained its format since
that time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">While much of Europe was going through the Dark or Middle Ages
from the 5<sup>th</sup> through the 15<sup>th</sup> centuries, learning was
preserved and blossomed in the Muslim world. Discoveries in Mathematics and
Medicine (as well as coffee) are credited to Muslims during this period. The
Great Awakening of the Renaissance was sparked by knowledge (and probably
coffee) brought north from the Middle East and Persia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Political
and cultural differences exist between groups of Muslims, just as between
groups of Christians, Hindus, etc. These differing perspectives are often
confused with religion, as humans try to impose rules on each other, or gain
political power. But the majority of Muslims, who focus on Muhammad’s messages of peace
and mercy, are not radical terrorists; they are friendly, contented, thoughtful,
and generous members of the community. They also build beautiful mosques.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayXIOvNeeCX7OaGneYNcVP_o-dxWgMfoE9gDtZkAnR1mKVXnXfhp2Hlu_RGjzf9uzwVdsxHisbaM0DPp2mjOsAPhImNCi0G4oYM_nohSaKqlo5TdOMiJJgm9YrMceLB792oM8RLL3dd0/s1600/091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayXIOvNeeCX7OaGneYNcVP_o-dxWgMfoE9gDtZkAnR1mKVXnXfhp2Hlu_RGjzf9uzwVdsxHisbaM0DPp2mjOsAPhImNCi0G4oYM_nohSaKqlo5TdOMiJJgm9YrMceLB792oM8RLL3dd0/s1600/091.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The symmetry and beauty of the Sheikh Zayed Grande Mosque in Abu Dhabi <br />
was brought to you by Muslim mathematicians and architects.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53lSRJ-RU-l5LYxp8klroLEXgBg-S-FGjOStyd77WeXGIRDcctxGRttWQU1gFG0cEoBO1jrampsJRBw_gyvYhX0cJ16Bjl3Z9jRkGCExcxRcLYuxicn9-P3KscAJdOjpfcIcW2Y5Ja_k/s1600/061+(528x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53lSRJ-RU-l5LYxp8klroLEXgBg-S-FGjOStyd77WeXGIRDcctxGRttWQU1gFG0cEoBO1jrampsJRBw_gyvYhX0cJ16Bjl3Z9jRkGCExcxRcLYuxicn9-P3KscAJdOjpfcIcW2Y5Ja_k/s1600/061+(528x640).jpg" height="200" width="165" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></i></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If you want
to know more about my personal religious beliefs, read my blog entry from January
8, 2013.</span></i></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-68393651934023711202014-01-03T05:55:00.000-08:002014-01-03T05:55:01.844-08:00Camping in Oman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyYdWZJ9t7E-Pw0CRMhLnm_GMLwIjKDlOFb6LnFXw45iQknGj4N9oiIF1eI8g7JzptrW4DbsqXjeY-GmYfG3OP-22q2PRmz75Y_GT2H2syFOfBrbcmNPf5ba9RX0q8CF-cFl7o4fxp7I/s1600/405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyYdWZJ9t7E-Pw0CRMhLnm_GMLwIjKDlOFb6LnFXw45iQknGj4N9oiIF1eI8g7JzptrW4DbsqXjeY-GmYfG3OP-22q2PRmz75Y_GT2H2syFOfBrbcmNPf5ba9RX0q8CF-cFl7o4fxp7I/s400/405.JPG" width="353" /></a></div>
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<u><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDOpcAhgmtCTB3fVUlpu0U_9Frw1OrIxdiqTpisVeG59VlVFAJZ2VWwSW5QDFESl_H_P4BMFs8ETNkAzWsluDCykfQHxVTlZrUqsND30RsZGosNpDrRHv7aPfwsUktnsSt13AFA5vwyQ/s1600/Slide1.JPG" /></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUz_wVu_NsRvwVBO_7jIOPR6X9ph64ZRQxq9oIwe6CPreklhYZoAZj891u362i_u1R2sHxUFI6Ayqjex0QV6HRy7aqGPSvnXIaMMwNJapREhzQpq5BnOCmxxgwmw0Tu6YXF-NjWfVX6GY/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> After four days of driving through the rugged Hajar Mountains...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKavrXM21Wx6Kc_afunIbMPLA34r5p1Pwu1wucOApg44VGy2ZLub9kv9J5wSWDsiKJdJebo3su4v9SFucD0000eQFCdaqr4SyXcT_lNDCRu5Td6P-BEvae1VZd99BTtgphzwWdx1IPxEI/s1600/Slide1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3sVfTkgw_eMelGSFe0ZcSLCCVpV7UYJG59uwRLm_TE5mb1aKxQoigLamuWuAcxxwGI7pecPG4sejVB-t7Npr0QNztY79NLXKxymeCC6lsyF6GGWn_HJ5_v40lLQi1nb2EcslNP6YhdU/s320/428.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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We found a beautiful camping site in front of some long-abandoned houses. We were just above a wadi-bed, and out of traffic. We put candles in the stone wall to add atmosphere at night.</div>
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Bob got up early to hike the mountain above our camp. The first cars came on the unpaved road from the village of <strong>Balad Sayt, </strong>which we saw later in the day.</div>
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Then he noticed some visitors. In the green tent, I woke up to the pitter patter of little feet, followed by the yelling of our kids! It's not the same as camping in the Appalachians, but lots of fun.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-72951845605299887672013-11-02T02:41:00.002-07:002013-11-02T02:41:46.402-07:00Discovering Greece - The National Archaeological Museum in Athens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28TxsCSIOxUcK9kO7s7LfcDyl5ZVNYKdkju7MxILZMWCUAk0PkhWRSpe0diLBlIKkkkJ0NioGQYUwGnyjfRvLxAnwqA6dQSx7PKlMRrKHRZb3gJWz-QNGcHZnfqf_9785MC0SZBPSlew/s1600/106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28TxsCSIOxUcK9kO7s7LfcDyl5ZVNYKdkju7MxILZMWCUAk0PkhWRSpe0diLBlIKkkkJ0NioGQYUwGnyjfRvLxAnwqA6dQSx7PKlMRrKHRZb3gJWz-QNGcHZnfqf_9785MC0SZBPSlew/s400/106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The endurance and influence of art is celebrated throughout Greece, but especially in Athens, </div>
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where the writers and sculptors of ancient Greece continue to spark our imaginations.</div>
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A visit to the National Archaeological Museum is a must for anyone visiting this city.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJnyZg1wb0X0D7iHPVG4nqXg8Zb9FuMwEZVUcvV0WBx-MwWsgHa9nm3nI5m2NDQAdVaC4qiomMPfppFqG6ka-dA3yJu_201bhulv1D5miBh57Xk1yH0FAER5oul8Veky3oLo9golkHBI/s1600/095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJnyZg1wb0X0D7iHPVG4nqXg8Zb9FuMwEZVUcvV0WBx-MwWsgHa9nm3nI5m2NDQAdVaC4qiomMPfppFqG6ka-dA3yJu_201bhulv1D5miBh57Xk1yH0FAER5oul8Veky3oLo9golkHBI/s400/095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We started before sunrise in a most beautiful breakfast location</div>
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the rooftop restaurant of the Athens Gate Hotel</div>
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overlooking the Acropolis.</div>
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<img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih_7mCC5za50RMzt2jomidmE-bc0iGnZ3v9cq_39-XTXip3cfNW3469TJRBvDjQ5ewGYoOE1zI7C7x2mizb-haYYIczRfLsblx9Ap1aKIlkMgrXi1Qa-TBcA0AwZrPBa8kpM-teWd1YI/s640/110.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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As you enter the first room of the National Archaeological Museum </div>
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you see the death masks of an ancient Mycenaean royal family.</div>
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The archaeologist who discovered this group of graves thought he had found the burial circle for King Agamemnon, </div>
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a leader of the 10-year siege of Troy, described in <em>The Iliad</em>. </div>
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{When he returned from the Trojan War with his prize Cassandra </div>
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Agamemnon was murdered by his wife Clytemnestra and wife's lover Aegisthus. </div>
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They were later murdered in revenge by his son Orestes and daughter Electra. </div>
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And we think modern families are dysfunctional!}</div>
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Later analysis of the artifacts dates them to be before the time of Agamemnon </div>
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but they are amazing finds more than 3000 years old.</div>
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<img border="0" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFav5HUi8MUT8Ttl3H34wsOMsFByD-vQ5PaO1UxuQQTIVXS6Hq9PL0-_U4ttZsgC5PrEpl9IhId4AmRB3Py3zUYTM7bQKiFfmdPFKuktUO8CCqhKrrnIBC_2mV4TVbexeZVyDxsYWFAfk/s520/113.JPG" width="640" /> </div>
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The ancient Mycenaeans covered the bodies of their loved ones in gold plate, an action I can understand. </div>
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They were probably influenced by the ancient Egyptians, who had similar rituals. </div>
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Our girls were fascinated with the baby masks. </div>
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<img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QmguZhmOf0XEz5mDh-HnUA8tNFdBl3yAjTYaoM6vBSogZGOV5c4Jm4zVR4aKOAE5fz3iuS1wkBHE_PGfSbo6MoomX1Qj65dzYGbrrESzyn32pv3Q5N0pHS-qAsqmPmTIqFXJzjZI4U4/l520/115.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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I preferred the gold crowns and clothing trims. </div>
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This room was dazzling once I realized the items were solid gold and absolutely ancient.</div>
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There were also rooms full of pottery, weapons and other artifacts, well preserved and maintained.</div>
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We even found a 4500-year-old hedgehog for Carlee - still cute.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNlvf-qope73ZKEMm-hkiNcl_Ba8j_kBMO_J_WlEqSMvG1uIjyKNwwa4f3LY4MnZ1aL-6AdRTr7GRDLB6IcWTZ0EBov0kUsgJo10zPchiLn_6N9YgeVSrlsSB7bximzlsWJDtFKYePSg/s1600/146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNlvf-qope73ZKEMm-hkiNcl_Ba8j_kBMO_J_WlEqSMvG1uIjyKNwwa4f3LY4MnZ1aL-6AdRTr7GRDLB6IcWTZ0EBov0kUsgJo10zPchiLn_6N9YgeVSrlsSB7bximzlsWJDtFKYePSg/s320/146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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These ancient stone statues inspired Picasso.</div>
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The fiddle-shaped pieces were models for shields.</div>
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<img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeOkrw1ml0bsG8TcX_rPrVJQqOcUwmPePvTpidIBlUzEwhXIpQ3bhbcduFagiuj8QdgQM4dv9AmVEMx6wqj3LZQYepVIIm31QyvEap0BoqATUVON1GUGrl_T-iCVuRZ0PcxWOqqeS4A8/s320/142.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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And of course I like these ancient musicians.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C9FIek-IDg3j0RRXQP-MigLsyejkjLNWPwLVSKjlqdShXcD15Tchfv5rMDojw9x-9Mr2al2kWVZHycof4ls8UshjywahWmPFlWFfqfMnInhixfe3EdpBmW4vNQtY-AZlTjE6dFnyF7U/s1600/141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C9FIek-IDg3j0RRXQP-MigLsyejkjLNWPwLVSKjlqdShXcD15Tchfv5rMDojw9x-9Mr2al2kWVZHycof4ls8UshjywahWmPFlWFfqfMnInhixfe3EdpBmW4vNQtY-AZlTjE6dFnyF7U/s320/141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next, we found the rooms that prompted Carlee to complain, "Why does Mom take so many pictures of naked people?" Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.</div>
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There were numerous examples of the Korai and Kouroi - female and male statues sculpted from around 600 to 490 BC. </div>
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Many of these were found around the Acropolis, depicting devotees to the Goddess Athena. </div>
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The young ladies dress modestly, while the lads show off their youth and virility.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjX5vggnLn6d2FF3fPjwHKLH2_kuhHit0coekhzLMNqqzeoBiSNs9-Ucv1j1EaS8UFVtvIwjRmLOD8LEYUJ9d09re6aNsVuRBADKZh5nBY8j2Rxg1uzNX3k4N3GzfjlTOiBmazZnZjiLU/s1600/157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjX5vggnLn6d2FF3fPjwHKLH2_kuhHit0coekhzLMNqqzeoBiSNs9-Ucv1j1EaS8UFVtvIwjRmLOD8LEYUJ9d09re6aNsVuRBADKZh5nBY8j2Rxg1uzNX3k4N3GzfjlTOiBmazZnZjiLU/s320/157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The classical period of Greek sculpture began after Athenian victories in the Peloponnesian Wars, when the best-known statues were created in Marble and Bronze.</div>
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This one of Poseidon or Zeus was found in the remains of a shipwreck.</div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rIAG0meCwZCvaZ7rY9ZoGV8tRk9BLG0e6vSs9CMkPAAKAnmxrpAe-XTtjBWfbw7jQfe5nsPJRyAK0RJvD8AtpnI9Fk7TvXtLkrRb15RETMQmutrxdO6myclHjp7Tjimxv99iES1xjIQ/s320/170.JPG" width="480" /></div>
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I think this statue of Aphrodite graced one of my college textbooks</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1xngvBycX3MqoW3MQO7r4V8urpVda_GnW5X2hpQIrrmneXIrC9ljVCgGCzLHHIZZCfnTcxKNrjwqPoF92mVAnCQacbFtFPcUb-CcKYE8m0GDFHVzwwr0c6gUwkV9PjLe2HVEobj9aWQ/s1600/184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1xngvBycX3MqoW3MQO7r4V8urpVda_GnW5X2hpQIrrmneXIrC9ljVCgGCzLHHIZZCfnTcxKNrjwqPoF92mVAnCQacbFtFPcUb-CcKYE8m0GDFHVzwwr0c6gUwkV9PjLe2HVEobj9aWQ/s320/184.JPG" width="155" /></a></div>
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Check out those external obliques, Carlee!</div>
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Here Pan tries to seduce Aphrodite, who is fending him off with her shoe. </div>
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Little Eros tries to help her.</div>
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I always felt sorry for the Minotaur.</div>
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There are several rooms full of funerary art - depictions of everyday (wealthy) Athenians, rendered for their burial vaults. </div>
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The themes are similar, with family members mourning a loved one </div>
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as they are welcomed to the afterlife by ancestors or gods. </div>
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I was moved by the emotion depicted in these sculptures - imagine mourning a person who died 2300 years ago! </div>
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Such is the power of art. </div>
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<em>The Antikythera Shipwreck </em>is a temporary exhibit of artifacts that went down around 50-60 BC.</div>
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What does 2000 years in seawater do to bronze? See this statue believed to be Perseus or Paris:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFZo0FFyTbL5Y7PHZ9jR8F-Pv6knlliHoWO0qcqqWSff5B237hL387T2j3WYC4ir2SVGkz8v7OomEo4nN8Qh6p4z3uIFcpzH2v2R-wqq5IITkMx4C-at-6PWcRZdx0wQr0KV2ycCZYIE/s1600/201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFZo0FFyTbL5Y7PHZ9jR8F-Pv6knlliHoWO0qcqqWSff5B237hL387T2j3WYC4ir2SVGkz8v7OomEo4nN8Qh6p4z3uIFcpzH2v2R-wqq5IITkMx4C-at-6PWcRZdx0wQr0KV2ycCZYIE/s320/201.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Marble is a different story. This statue landed head-first in the sand, with shocking results:</div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3X1qYgzy6EMur3W3W7V0V_uEunLd8caWLgfie5gP-cv3gLPOvB-zuZlO7JzHgZ1mJLXlXSEjdFe6i-Rbs7CCP67mzXE5yEkGowl_EMFB8Ma6Ospl-b2iQxTuhpL7mPeHmtRoNRYsZvGk/s320/202.JPG" width="480" /></div>
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A roomful of these statues reminded me of the crew of Davy Jones' ship </div>
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in <em>Pirates of the Caribbean 2-3.</em></div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUULQz-8UjNj8CNyu6LespY6mEZJuIVg9MvyzQWpm97ZqqL8yL1YzNsBryL74DIJUtDwH_9kcKhEB3CaA-E-mf5KJC3d5tbUVZk6YCXgUS1yx6o0Qf5za5U2bh8HC7puZAViziMosv4VI/s320/204.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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Can you imagine finding these on the bottom of the ocean?</div>
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Archaeologists think this was supposed to be Odysseus - </div>
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an appropriate rendition considering his long journey and many years on/in the sea.</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mRZ05Su5r4trR9ujXxiDYC7tvpstzAklGL0mnHsI9-aIh71ULKosxh1s-oJp5in4pZpLCwlZ1FuiwUM49_XlIHLbWe8rHAFbzuo4NeJ03BLSyB-6epvfrH-RPGd_y_bXmJdS3KxGc9M/s320/206.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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And Achilles, before his long sojourn in the <em>Land of the Shades</em>.</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx7YmN7L2_aBXQWaykxQ82xbtFuVB8LVWjU3s4O0AZ6oVEhZFga_BcgoVWFz6oYRFWkNzqufF1DLNGPl36n7SGDdma8h1HBgUSfn0QL7_eBRw-m_771jpdemoNhha78bQeJ3a21ONAro/s320/207.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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The Antikythera Shipwreck shows the trade in ancient Greek art that began during the Roman Empire. </div>
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The Romans greatly admired the artwork and ideas they found in Greece. </div>
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They copied the sculpture, the myths, and some aspects of the democratic government - </div>
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all of which were passed to future generations and reconstituted in the New World </div>
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when the United States of America built her constitution and capitol.</div>
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This admiration saved Greece from being completely dominated by the Italians at any point in their history </div>
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even when Italy controlled Greek islands and mainland.</div>
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Today, the Greeks still benefit from on their ancient artists, as tourism is a major industry for the country.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdjL_9Jh17_J6UoVXkvMULocwBpCrO5fizGH2EVz7WzS79EJRWj699-_3sEAraoP1Rg00Ec-n9YH4QNl-WzRlKjwM1Dt58UBK2xx9ai6fSrO0wyO2CVLm3lMhFcWHMOyIE_Oi276hiZQ/s1600/208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdjL_9Jh17_J6UoVXkvMULocwBpCrO5fizGH2EVz7WzS79EJRWj699-_3sEAraoP1Rg00Ec-n9YH4QNl-WzRlKjwM1Dt58UBK2xx9ai6fSrO0wyO2CVLm3lMhFcWHMOyIE_Oi276hiZQ/s320/208.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The lasting power of art...and seawater!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06462388498470198418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-36234682068385279652013-10-26T06:07:00.003-07:002013-10-26T06:07:34.970-07:00Discovering Greece - The Acropolis of Athens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1m07DieInIXow2zZQ31kHSaO1xJdrw4jXKw6byX-avo8M_YKNPo73LSySFizR2BIGy9fzoqZHy6f11DzFMBhVs9kHIqUpfXnXDfrABoRKQ2UqaykNUuN1z03sw7uvCwfuKgFDiKlxGAM/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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I've long dreamt of visiting Greece, home of the Olympians and their myths.</div>
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The Parthenon in the Acropolis is one of the best known buildings in the world. It was completed in 438 BC to celebrate Athenian victory over Persian invaders. Its Doric columns are delicately tapered and curve slightly inwards, making the building stable and beautiful. Most of the frieze and other sculptures have been removed to the recently built Acropolis Museum.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySOA7ePyMGiWpCjDvBt7MNYbAMjtZPvXDjDZgTJngeOyyZmZrBFXoyBDw3ki1bikKq_f17LSZUUw3qp73jjcywN2s2qWRg0GXtPohHcbpOsJn1K3GwWumXmuU89f9T-_036Iieym3uPA/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySOA7ePyMGiWpCjDvBt7MNYbAMjtZPvXDjDZgTJngeOyyZmZrBFXoyBDw3ki1bikKq_f17LSZUUw3qp73jjcywN2s2qWRg0GXtPohHcbpOsJn1K3GwWumXmuU89f9T-_036Iieym3uPA/s640/023.JPG" width="492" /></a></div>
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An Acropolis is a high area of a city, especially in Greece </div>
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Ancient Athens built this huge Acropolis theatre for her citizens</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrqBMVqHuKQs6TibPqbiFOmM38sbmFUPX3SsxszksOoVOj9opaCxPC6ST2jntwa_WYMfJrOUYZ0fD3cZCxKyACo2FsRkRhItDLo66hFq3d0YRSrgTJ9vIGjKaJQLeglaOAvyK_G0R2h8/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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As you approach the Parthenon through the olive trees </div>
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the temple dedicated to Athena Nike (winged goddess of victory) shines in the sun. </div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiavNvDXVjRSemiMS85_nHHBL-CWrFpeSf7hTI3WymhW9ePu0LrWKJOSbkL86pot3s_9VEA-_8y0ki-Ox4JuQmDf6V4N7iiuuxxwlfYiwmUTHsnZi50DnGOsik6u1-GfK2vmm5Ks0rBA/s320/047.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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And when you get to the top, the view of Athens is terrific!</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNm7auIdyS9dxhefedmN7qiZBVUaYDI-r3vA8hqoIQyg1n0bJRB3Bi5VXZQ6nnNVQnPcIsT2ToMD3JSi2W6OnrmTFxCEScxgahK2T9ezXXNDmWm8nLZo7cMjA4whnUmQ-sqs3w3sR23w/s320/038.JPG" /></div>
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We could even see our hotel, the Athens Gate. </div>
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It is two buildings to the right of the column in the park;</div>
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you can see the green rooftop restaurant.</div>
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That's Hadrian's Gate to the left of the picture.</div>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6KvlYUr3c-qVxdDNExJqdHCENgM2ZF06HhsYIhyQrVUDO3vsk4xjjAHvKpmmy848j8RrUc8ObdUHaGbbbG8UaVWbCectHPGH8ZzF9YdD9Bvsbt_xkNbpW4xNkdE6XGNtH3ga42qWJi4/s400/034.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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This temple was built in the spot where Athena and Poseidon competed for </div>
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the affections of the people of this region, known as Attica. </div>
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Poseidon offered them the gift of the horse, but Athena gave them the world's first olive tree. </div>
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It's descendent grows in a sheltered spot to the left of the temple below.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1vvwjDm6xup2cQGQZnoHwTtjhu_dftg9OBiTfFKyCwJve6SVlhZG8WLSl8Wa7kpxQPlTsyZcFI9IRLeL3Lk4Jr-8wlUywzmwSNyKfX3THx3axiumWFNpQpOf6ln3Pk0PbgdKsAmONfY/s320/015.JPG" /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
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These beautiful ladies guard the temple for eternity.</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5yTe49avxKY5d5RcAavlQYG6YjYhvxBYhjgIv7kMmCZknuRKGgMFBvEkcJJyopjKjNnh5nnK05hNpIMUrVUAw77EaddeWuDts45KFn2l3t2YUQuNK4XNdLKaBSUpGX8NKmNxVYtYQaY/s320/041.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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We found several tortoises around the Acropolis.</div>
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The girls' history teacher requested a picture of the Agora. </div>
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We aren't sure why, but the big temple is very pretty from a distance.</div>
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At night, they light the Parthenon and other ancient buildings on the Acropolis. Beautiful!</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflW7voXAWRpY4UTnCnrTEjsrGD-GDFmLeg6pUYL-0x5BRifvLaOuUZ6EsjkWvM8rmbtCWpqfYh2Pi_pl7vrTSqAZjJzn41G6eJFc_jAamzJerDiSXHLQnm53Z-vWj_BcLxSma4utRa9o/s320/065.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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The Acropolis Museum is one of the best in the world.</div>
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It contains sculptures found around the Acropolis, </div>
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as well as the frieze from the Parthenon.</div>
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Unfortunately, they don't allow photos, so you'll have to visit Greece to see!</div>
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Under the glass floors, you can see the remains of an ancient Athens neighborhood </div>
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that are still being excavated beneath the museum. </div>
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After a busy day sightseeing, we found this outdoor café in an alley. </div>
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Live music, olives, plate throwing - who could ask for more?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-12498408297759566982013-09-28T05:10:00.000-07:002013-10-01T10:34:23.102-07:00Discovering Jordan - Chapter 2 - First Impressions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDvuBPxw64Jtl01uTzE_YX6CQ97Jme75MBOF0XzHsbKi6dH0gn9bW6OMAe462jxRz5qIyJxv_pH9h8MQ29WHpQXh_-2AfX3Zf527nt-hhuGud-jwDs2zh2VJufB6Www9jJ-4AGwTjWD0/s1600/Amman+Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDvuBPxw64Jtl01uTzE_YX6CQ97Jme75MBOF0XzHsbKi6dH0gn9bW6OMAe462jxRz5qIyJxv_pH9h8MQ29WHpQXh_-2AfX3Zf527nt-hhuGud-jwDs2zh2VJufB6Www9jJ-4AGwTjWD0/s640/Amman+Square.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Abdullah
points out the ancient wall surrounding modern Amman</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Traveling in a foreign
culture is uncomfortable one moment and wonderful the next. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your senses sharpen and adrenaline flows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a liminal character, a newcomer, displaced
and unrestricted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You notice details the
local inhabitants take for granted, though your understanding is limited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You take a snapshot of an iceberg, missing many
of its angles, barely aware of the bulk under the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your photograph is beautiful nevertheless.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our first welcome to Jordan came
from my daughter’s Arabic teacher, who greeted us warmly in the Dubai airport. His
family was traveling home to Amman on our flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughters later explained that several of their classmates
and teachers are Palestinian, but their families live in Jordan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, about a third of Jordan’s 6.5
million people are Palestinian refugees or their descendants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jordan has been a haven for refugees during
much of its history, and currently shelters thousands of Syrians fleeing their
civil war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tourists would be welcome
too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was night when we arrived
in the capital city. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amman’s airport was
crowded and a bit smoky, but organized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
made our way to the exit, and found Abdullah, our driver and guide for the
tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was handsome and looked younger
than I expected, with dark hair, tan skin, friendly eyes, and a stylish overcoat.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook our hands in a professional
manner and led us to our car, a Hyundai sedan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The girls and I squeezed into the back seat and we began the hour-long
drive to Madaba.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Abdullah spoke English well
and filled the driving time with information about Jordan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the oldest cities in the world, Amman
is built on seven hills and has eight ring roads or circles linking different
parts of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way, we
could see modern lights and buildings give way to dark countryside, interrupted
every few kilometers by a lighted outline of an Arabic coffee-pot, suspended over
a shack by the side of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Abdullah explained that these hospitality stands sell hot drinks,
candy-bars and cigarettes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we drove into Madaba, I
noticed piles of rubble and trash filling vacant lots between homes and
businesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were pieces of black
plastic caught in fences and trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Abdullah stopped at a convenience store to ask directions to our hotel
while I eyed the knot of young men in worn jackets smoking outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt uneasy, not understanding that we were
on the industrial side of town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We found the Black Iris Hotel
on a quiet street, a few blocks uphill from the business district.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entrance was dark, but Abdullah knocked
and our sleepy innkeeper unlocked the door and turned on the lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obed’s bedding was rumpled on the couch of a
living area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A traditional hotel
counter was on the other side of the room along with a lending library, drink
cooler, and bulletin boards with maps and tour information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obed quickly checked us in, passed out large
water bottles and walked us to our rooms at the far end of the inn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dismayed, I noted the faded
wallpaper, unshaded light bulbs, threadbare carpet and worn furniture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had reserved the ‘family suite’ for four
nights, and it was freezing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obed turned
on room heaters for us, handed Bob the key on its ancient wooden fob and left
us to unpack. </span><span style="font-size: large;">What had I done?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I apologized to the family for trying to save
money and stay in charming Madaba instead of Amman; this hotel received positive
reviews on Trip Advisor, mostly because Obed is such a nice guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My sweet husband patted my
shoulder and said it was <em>fine</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He confirmed
that the sheets were clean, cheerfully pointed out that the rooms were warming
up and helped the girls get organized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>None of them complained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Well, Jordan is not Dubai,</i>
I thought to myself, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and </i>w<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">e wanted to experience the way people live in
this part of the world</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
finding modern plumbing and hot water in the bathroom, I resolved to mirror my family’s positive attitudes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I snuggled into the crisp
sheets a few minutes later and relaxed, grateful for Bob’s warmth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Who says you need four stars to be content?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-43986982931133679052013-09-12T02:54:00.002-07:002013-10-01T10:34:47.714-07:00Discovering Jordan - Chapter 1 - Planning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JJpWtZiQyAmBLdifvOTiVJtonzfNloDGRDj0xXjGTWGzRMRd5peVzMUuuuQiUuaCKMf2j3tsU_E1b0E-iQqQmRGSAm6z9hwtaINRp1Vn2agLJfysbsYqnlnd-HA4T-5DeANq3uXWEsQ/s1600/P1000186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JJpWtZiQyAmBLdifvOTiVJtonzfNloDGRDj0xXjGTWGzRMRd5peVzMUuuuQiUuaCKMf2j3tsU_E1b0E-iQqQmRGSAm6z9hwtaINRp1Vn2agLJfysbsYqnlnd-HA4T-5DeANq3uXWEsQ/s320/P1000186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Peaceful Umm Qais, near the borders of Israel and Syria</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many Westerners visit Israel, and skip holy sites on the Arab side of the River Jordan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>hey might spend one day admiring Petra, the hidden jewel of the ancient Nabataean Empire, on a highlight tour of the region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We like to take the roads less traveled, and a</span>s we are just getting to know many Arab people in Dubai, we want to continue learning about their perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also discovered that Jordan offers ancient historical sites, adventure opportunities, beautiful vistas, and friendly people who welcome American visitors.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two weeks to plan a major trip is not our usual <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">modus operandi,</i> but after moving to Dubai over the summer of 2012, the
holidays arrived quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And not
knowing how long we’ll live in the Middle East, we didn’t want to miss an opportunity
to see nearby countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the day
after Thanksgiving, we started scheduling our Christmas vacation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, we held a family meeting to list qualities of a great
vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted a safe and interesting
country, where it would be cold in December, and we might join Christmas
celebrations, as I was a little homesick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our energetic teenag<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">e</span>rs wanted to hike,
climb rocks, learn about history, see beautiful natural areas, and maybe go to
a beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hubby’s coworkers recommended
Jordan, where we could do all these things and also ride camels! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsnrmaDYx8hSbXEWJoCOCX-jdIvMobVnqFM2UyO1Md0JmCWnSu6kdPgwwct1oLnMsFJx1IEbSN1q38lXPVeV5MP9Bg4XrA5XEhXkrVTD4fzM_gu8eHKJdoFq8Vzq3Ve8cfmjDSZXF7ZI/s1600/Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsnrmaDYx8hSbXEWJoCOCX-jdIvMobVnqFM2UyO1Md0JmCWnSu6kdPgwwct1oLnMsFJx1IEbSN1q38lXPVeV5MP9Bg4XrA5XEhXkrVTD4fzM_gu8eHKJdoFq8Vzq3Ve8cfmjDSZXF7ZI/s320/Map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> Map courtesy of Lonely Planet</span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our last-minute plan was actually well-timed, because Syria’s
civil war and Egypt’s civil unrest have chased many tourists out of the region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hotels and guide should not have
been available during a major holiday with only a few days’ notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jordan was safe and had plenty of room for
us, and we hope we helped their struggling economy just a little. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After reading suggestions and reviews on the </span><a href="http://www.visitjordan.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">VisitJordan</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i> <em><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/">Trip Advisor</a> </em></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and </span><a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Lonely Planet</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> websites, we mapped out a personal tour starting in
the north and concluding at the Dead Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We chose a Jordan-based tour operator that sounded small and
interesting, yet professional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://raamitours.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Raami Tours</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
was started by the son of a Dutch New Zealander, Marguerite van Geldermalsen,
who fell in love and married a Bedouin Jordanian, raised their children in a
cave in Petra, and later wrote a highly-recommended book </span><a href="http://marriedtoabedouin.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Married
to a Bedouin</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was charmed by
the literary connection as well as the promise that all Raami guides are
Bedouins with inside information on local culture and the best hiking
trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then, following suggestions from friends and reviews from <a href="http://www.booking.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">Booking.com</span></i></a>, we booked our own flights and hotels for 9 nights in Jordan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we had more time to plan, it would have been better to let the tour company guide us and book the hotels. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not realizing the area is mountainous, I scheduled four nights in Madaba, which looks close to Amman on the map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would have saved hours of drive-time by staying in Amman for the first two nights and northern tours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drives were interesting, though, and we had fun exploring Madaba in the evenings, so no regrets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To prepare
for the trip, we watched <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lawrence of Arabia,
</i>which was filmed mostly in Wadi Rum<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids thought it was too
long, even when we pointed out that Prince Faisal is played by a young Alec
Guinness, aka Obi wan Kenobi.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWm6gDivTgI-gMuak0ZkUC1Fc9xQQ2uz_3VyuUuz4tG55OcnF_jpAv4mEmRr2gfuK0QXrThQgh_ywzfi0YkcnXoiDOWE58t3CdYujdWWsu6jZbcxMxQ7mTldooSf7G1m5SVLve1MRUPLs/s1600/Prince+Faisal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWm6gDivTgI-gMuak0ZkUC1Fc9xQQ2uz_3VyuUuz4tG55OcnF_jpAv4mEmRr2gfuK0QXrThQgh_ywzfi0YkcnXoiDOWE58t3CdYujdWWsu6jZbcxMxQ7mTldooSf7G1m5SVLve1MRUPLs/s1600/Prince+Faisal.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I anticipated
having a Bedouin Omar Sharif guide us through Wadi Rum.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11hkt_PYgn0R1ApE9p6rLNZe-yOqCrhrNg2beANfPFYSOnkIELAjSof9JXjeNyG9fThuwG66n5a89o52zwXJFepDVaNYGMmrcnFQwy-d0ZnUyMeBsCiF3g9NsCIafX7nHECM4O5fANts/s1600/Omar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11hkt_PYgn0R1ApE9p6rLNZe-yOqCrhrNg2beANfPFYSOnkIELAjSof9JXjeNyG9fThuwG66n5a89o52zwXJFepDVaNYGMmrcnFQwy-d0ZnUyMeBsCiF3g9NsCIafX7nHECM4O5fANts/s1600/Omar.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
girls prefered the movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Indiana Jones and
the Last Crusade,</i> which concludes in Petra.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgql6hXSF5OXjaoY_sk7SQbFCrM7VxZgFhC2TwoazNYiiL_XoWBQZReEcy79N9txHUD5Hm1-9FsstYKH_K3URlwEyd3xmNhyUqGJl7BnFw6Ujtq_zCD6cCUHxzrSpEcCNzakiu9wzDL_XI/s1600/Indy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgql6hXSF5OXjaoY_sk7SQbFCrM7VxZgFhC2TwoazNYiiL_XoWBQZReEcy79N9txHUD5Hm1-9FsstYKH_K3URlwEyd3xmNhyUqGJl7BnFw6Ujtq_zCD6cCUHxzrSpEcCNzakiu9wzDL_XI/s1600/Indy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We bought sturdy hiking shoes, and packed flashlights and towels
as we would be camping in the desert at least one night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also picked out my Christmas present, a Panasonic
Lumix camera with a zoom lens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our adventure descriptions will
consume future blogs, but for readers who are planning trips to Jordan, the
highlights of our tour are listed below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We listed too many activities, but weren't disappointed when plans
changed a little – unexpected hitches make an adventure, and one of the many
benefits of scheduling a private tour is the flexibility to go at our own pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a memorable trip!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Day 1</b> – Amman City Tour, Roman Theatres, Citadel Panorama,
Archeological Museum, lunch in local café, Cave of the Seven Sleepers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Day 2</b> – Drive through Rift Valley and Irbid, Umm Qais Tour,
Abdulla’s Shortcut - skip Ajlun Castle, Jerash<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Day 3</b> – Madaba Mosaic - Church of St. George, Mt. Nebo, Elijah’s
Hill, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Kerak Castle, drive through Wadi Musa,
Christmas Eve in Madaba<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Day 4</b> – Drive along King’s Highway, Shobak Castle, hike Dana
Wilderness Reserve (south of Tafila), night at Feynan Ecolodge<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Day 5</b> – Hike out of Dana Wilderness Reserve and drive along Jordan’s Worst
Road to Petra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exhausted and near melt-down, skip a Little Petra hike and check in
early at the Petra Moon Hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After naps,
showers, ice cream and dinner, enjoy Petra by Night with candlelight.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Day 6</span></b><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> – Full day in Petra<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Day 7</span></b><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> – Wadi Rum Camel Tour, Jeep Tour, Camp in Bedouin tents<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Day 8</span></b><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> – Wadi Rum Sunrise, Dead Sea Resort</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Day 9</span></b><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> – Dead Sea to Amman Airport, bid a sad farewell to our driver and guide,
Abdullah</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vrX6_gbA5ljbIdNlqIOXRn-Pyka6vOJbzFaRGmYJDDm3LXw29FH_MMl-NBWtc0pI7CjdQkwu6wmOb668-dApp01nh78P6J8o4XQYQZt-9nrDr5Xz6YZrbm_SnSb0yXH_zLu90b_NRDQ/s1600/Quest+for+Mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vrX6_gbA5ljbIdNlqIOXRn-Pyka6vOJbzFaRGmYJDDm3LXw29FH_MMl-NBWtc0pI7CjdQkwu6wmOb668-dApp01nh78P6J8o4XQYQZt-9nrDr5Xz6YZrbm_SnSb0yXH_zLu90b_NRDQ/s320/Quest+for+Mud.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Dead Sea is not your typical beach, but a fun place to relax and clean up after touring Jordan.</span></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-58562382064691228342013-08-27T02:36:00.000-07:002013-10-01T10:22:22.012-07:00Discovering Jordan - Introduction - Icebergs in the Desert<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw5kB8PQqh3Cc9hHw0gEq4ClEksh31OfgiDz4e9_9fD21t_YICrSsX5qCWCj0B1AnAbb3rQwfdQf9T4DXqEzhLnhmrAZg1P0JWChqrq2emZx439ji-4X4IJefrktPR4DAiohbTjgipFE/s1600/Icebergs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw5kB8PQqh3Cc9hHw0gEq4ClEksh31OfgiDz4e9_9fD21t_YICrSsX5qCWCj0B1AnAbb3rQwfdQf9T4DXqEzhLnhmrAZg1P0JWChqrq2emZx439ji-4X4IJefrktPR4DAiohbTjgipFE/s1600/Icebergs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Culture is like an Iceberg</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> was the discussion topic for Mr.
Shadeed’s Cultural Studies class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I learned
more than the students.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Teaching
gives one insights into local culture, and a regular substitute gets to know a
school quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So by the time I had
spent a few weeks covering math, history, and French classes in our Dubai
international school, I felt fairly competent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But when given an Arabic teacher’s schedule, I laughed because I knew
only two words of Arabic – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shukran</i>
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">la </i>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thank you</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">no</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, another Arabic teacher lent her
assistant, and these students are fairly respectful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I was relieved when 4<sup>th</sup> period
Cultural Studies required analysis of a simile, and was conducted in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I enthusiastically
listed iceberg qualities and made Titanic comparisons to culture, until the 7<sup>th</sup>
graders’ eyes started to glaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
they were permitted to create artistic interpretations of the subject, while my
mental wheels kept spinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was 9 months
ago...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How is culture like an iceberg? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both
are majestic, constantly-evolving creations, their beauty supported by massive hidden
structures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because of occasional
disasters, people fear and avoid icebergs and foreign cultures, even centuries after
a scary event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s true that if we
barrel radar-blind through unfamiliar waters, bad things can happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we can learn lessons from the Titanic, such
as to slow down around icebergs and other cultures, and understand that much waits
to be encountered beneath the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
of us is like an iceberg, traveling with our cultural families, often bumping
into icebergs from other places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
are friendly and respectful, our interactions are usually safe and enriching.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Icebergs and
cultures might make a big noise when they collide, but mostly they float peacefully,
sharing fragments of information when they interact. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An Australian kid once observed, “You’re
American, aren’t you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You sound like the
blokes on the telly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s funny,” I
replied, “so do you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I’ve always
thought of ‘British’ accents as intelligent, because of the BBC shows on our
educational channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonder what
impression American reality shows give the world?) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Globalization has caused much melting in recent
years, so it’s important to record and appreciate our world’s icebergs and
cultures as they exist today. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Dubai’s
heat, people from many countries melt together and raise a generation of
‘third-culture kids.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At school, our
young icebergs bump into each other and share information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will this create a uniform watered-down
culture, or more diverse icebergs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06462388498470198418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-24516950930149739502013-06-08T00:45:00.000-07:002013-06-08T00:45:59.346-07:00Hot Dates to Hoopoes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-48435899754403809272013-04-04T00:07:00.000-07:002013-04-04T00:08:37.053-07:00Flora and Fauna (as promised)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
Friendly Fauna of Dubai</h3>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-17486158421649814812013-01-08T00:38:00.000-08:002013-01-08T00:41:36.562-08:00What I Believe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is Great, God is Good….<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friends,
family and my dear writing group have all said to stay away from religion and
politics in my essays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here I am, a
moderately progressive Christian woman in a moderately progressive Muslim
nation, ruled by sheiks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could tell
you about the flora and fauna, and certainly will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m really interested in the mix of
people in Dubai, and it’s hard to separate lifestyle from religion in a place
where the call to prayer sounds 5 times a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have a
diverse list of friends and likely readers of this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cover the spectrum, from liberal to
conservative, urban and rural, Muslim, Jew, Christian, Atheist, and
Agnostic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s okay – we can care
for each other and learn from each other when we respect the right to be
different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been planning this entry
for several months, feeling it important to state my beliefs from the
beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise half of my readers
will think I’m being intolerant with my observations, while the other half
worries that I’m becoming a Muslim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>;-)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, I
believe that the Creator of this beautiful world must love diversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If God didn’t find joy in our many ways of
being, we wouldn’t have such a variety of looks, languages, mind-sets, foods, clothing,
and dance styles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Appreciating God’s miraculous
craftsmanship and dexterity makes me happy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">From talking
with people, I have noticed that each seems to have a unique combination of
religious beliefs, regardless of background or group identity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that’s okay, because God is
multi-dimensional and ‘great,’ able to encompass most of the religious beliefs
in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of us sees only small
facets of the Deity, but we can learn more by peering through the lenses of
other believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(My friend
Kim Williams illustrates this idea in sermon three of his fun book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wishful Preaching:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things I Wish I had said in the Pulpit </i>available
at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADSNP8I">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADSNP8I</a> )</span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My way of
following God has long been through the example and influence of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My faith has been tested and questioned, and
I keep coming back to the New Testament Gospels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel that Jesus is active in my life and
heart, and gives me joy, strength and comfort when life is difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe this makes me a Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But while I
believe the Bible was divinely inspired, I know that human understanding is
limited, and hundreds of people have influenced the words we interpret, as well
as our religious practices and beliefs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some of those people were surely inspired by God, while others were
swayed by politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why each
human can read the words and listen to opinions of others, but must look into
their own heart and find the way of worship that suits them best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some, this means loving the people around
them and appreciating nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others
find God in a church, temple, or mosque.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These
differences are not a problem, if folks are searching for the way to Good, and not
oppressing people who understand God differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that using religious belief as an
excuse for violence or oppression is morally wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I don’t think any human alive can judge
whether another is truly sanctified by God or not – that is an intimate knowledge
between the individual and their Creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can pray for each other, share information about our beliefs, and make
constructive suggestions on how to live good lives and follow God’s will, but
it’s hard enough to conjecture that Will for ourselves, much less another
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see nothing wrong with
following a group’s beliefs and religious practices, as long as one feels led
by the Good, and not forced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are
my humble opinions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Religion and
politics have been entwined throughout human history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though our founding fathers may have tried to
separate them in the US Constitution, religious beliefs have always been an
important thread in the American fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In many Muslim countries, they seem to be the fabric.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One reason I
was a little nervous coming to Dubai, is because the Arab Muslim has replaced
the Russian Communist as the boogeyman of the American psyche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while I do not blame the nearly 2 billion
Muslims in the world for events like 9/11 any more than I blame a particular
group for Oklahoma City, Tucson, etc, I am aware that there were particular
tensions and conditions leading to each of these events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are tensions in every country, and
people who dislike outsiders. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there
are also the majorities of people who accept differences, and prefer to be left
alone to make a living, raise their children, and worship in peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing this, and having heard stories about
living in Saudi Arabia from my husband and his family, I looked forward to
learning more about Arab Muslim culture and religion.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe Muslims, like Russians, love their children as much as we love ours (to borrow from Sting). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a Center for Cultural Understanding that was set up by the Ruler of Dubai to share information about Muslim heritage and religion with curious visitors and newcomers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will try to share information like theirs, along with personal observations about the people here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps greater understanding and familiarity can replace some of the fears and misunderstandings of Muslims that seem to have many roots in American and international politics.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImzZk5StShsXoYPMSVV8Xa0ASfHhyjh5jdE8wXx9AOTcXyVyaiYpC9OlnMbqNiTZmFRLHLQPleOJOfSzaLSovshQ9l5CRZltodd6Tl06FQ62SE6GMVhNd5XLD08Vhd0FYN6rrPzReO5E/s1600/2012+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImzZk5StShsXoYPMSVV8Xa0ASfHhyjh5jdE8wXx9AOTcXyVyaiYpC9OlnMbqNiTZmFRLHLQPleOJOfSzaLSovshQ9l5CRZltodd6Tl06FQ62SE6GMVhNd5XLD08Vhd0FYN6rrPzReO5E/s320/2012+Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<em>A beautiful new mosque near our home reminds me of Cinderella's castle.</em></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-72597458985399453222013-01-07T23:29:00.000-08:002013-01-08T00:42:50.503-08:00What's a Radical Moderate?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before going further with my ‘dublog,’
I want to explain where I think I’m coming from. Why do I call myself a radical
moderate, and why am I keeping those earlier political commentaries on the blog?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The media call North Carolina
a “battleground” state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means about
a third of the people lean left politically, and a third lean right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest are somewhere in the middle, swaying
back and forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This might appear to be
an unbalanced situation, but actually, it shows that many people listen to both
sides of an argument, and make choices based on details rather than loyalty to
one political party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am proud of our
state, where most people prefer barbecue and basketball to politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I am in the Democratic camp,
I have many friends who are Republicans, and I’m married to an old-fashioned
conservative who sways with that middle third.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If the two of us can find so much in common for over 2 decades now, you
would think the folks in Washington could learn to compromise too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe a healthy country
needs a balance of free enterprise and social safety net along with a strong
public school system, unencumbered media, and uncorrupted government. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My guiding question is usually ‘What will most
benefit our children?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a moderate, I
try to improve the institutions we have, instead of advocating massive changes
that disrupt people’s lives and get expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t like to waste time, talent, or money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe children benefit from learning to
have a strong work ethic, no matter how privileged their upbringing, and this
is a lesson many of us privileged American parents and teachers have trouble
imparting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe every child needs
and deserves love, attention to their health, and access to decent education so
they may support themselves and make positive contributions when they grow
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But any child, rich or poor, who is
given many additional ‘wants’ without working for them, develops a sense of
entitlement instead of self-reliance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(For
more political opinions, look at those earlier blog entries.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And these are my humble
opinions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a “sweet Carolina girl,” I
hate to offend anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone has
different perspectives and good points to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So it feels radical to express my opinions, knowing that others may
disagree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it is important for
the moderate voice to be heard, especially when we ask for compromise in the
best interests of our country and world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also draw strength from stories of heroes, my family, and moderate
friends who ask me to keep expressing ideas they often agree with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But no one is right all the time, including
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I beg your pardon in advance, if
my words offend you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And respectful
disagreement in the comments section of a blog can be healthy – discussion
leads to sharing of ideas and new thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So go ahead – tell me what you think – just try to use good manners
please, so we can have a kinder, gentler, healthier nation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, I am slightly left of center
in both religious and political views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
used to think these were separate issues, but Americans have become more religious
about our politics and political in our religions, particularly since the events
of 9/11/2001.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe the trauma of
that day still frightens and angers many Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our recent elections and frequent massacres
indicate that America needs some major therapy sessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our country is like many victims of violent
crime, who turn their anger inward and need help to acknowledge and process their
fear and pain before they can let it go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Victims who hold on to their anger allow the criminals to continue
hurting them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In America’s case, with
our finger-pointing and fractured government, we weaken our country and help
the 9/11 terrorists win. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to climb
out of the muddy rut we’ve been in, find higher common ground, support all our
leaders and people, and take steps to make our country strong enough to last
another 250 years or more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our church lost a caring family
member on 9/11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Sandy Bradshaw was
such a positive, cheerful person that to remember her with anger would make her
sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So after 9/11, I put my grief
energy into helping my daughter’s teachers create an International Peace Site
at their Montessori school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried to help
our next generation learn to respect differences and solve problems using words
instead of violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This project had a
profound impact, got me involved in the PTA and local politics, and showed how
I could use my talents to make a positive difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still inspired by Sandy’s heroism on
9/11, and the thought of how she might have used her energy if our
roles had been reversed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I
worry about getting too radical for conservative friends, I try to remember all
the people who have spoken or written over the centuries to ask for positive
change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be one of those
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to present unique
solutions to problems, and be heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
want to make a positive difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
that makes me a radical, then so be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll be like the witch in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wicked</i>,
forgoing her chance for a positive reputation to fight for justice….Actually,
I’m not that brave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will politely
state and explain my opinions, and give you the chance to state yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we can look for areas of agreement, and
share them further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what
diplomats and moderates and peacemakers do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s less exciting but more effective in the long run.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-44274433638529048182012-12-03T23:37:00.000-08:002012-12-03T23:37:40.220-08:00Abra Cadabra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Good news - My blogger instructions had switched to Arabic, but I found a link to go back to English. 5 Weeks between blog posts is too long, so I'm going to stop treating this like a work of art, and post pictures for you. I'll include the finer edited posts as they pass inspection...</span></div>
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Visiting the Old Souks Requires Crossing Deira Creek on an Abra!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsdUmjj_VmR2B3DTmdyPmckzfBA5EzC_3G-GXtwPx85v4uRCcKT1lbSm8Fm96Q4u7aW04GKu7UHpJCA3i3V49o2QEF32suekmR6XuZrFcMfiPQ5GuLvtXVZCMgdYo4G_uZgak2ilP8Vg/s1600/P8210007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsdUmjj_VmR2B3DTmdyPmckzfBA5EzC_3G-GXtwPx85v4uRCcKT1lbSm8Fm96Q4u7aW04GKu7UHpJCA3i3V49o2QEF32suekmR6XuZrFcMfiPQ5GuLvtXVZCMgdYo4G_uZgak2ilP8Vg/s320/P8210007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This super-cooling hat from the Columbia outlet was a lifesaver in the heat, <br />
but the girls don't think it looks very 'cool.' Tough.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXZHa-ItTlZRwH8eIkkad-jeFQov5EDA2kYFzXBClnpBLi_co3EPmmz0Gq4FgXxSA2IBTxkpub87x-qXOFN5hwRyQxZSy2XdAmKg4ogl-4nEVpbfFlq5J6O7ICGfjch4W_94dp248c3M/s1600/PB060099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXZHa-ItTlZRwH8eIkkad-jeFQov5EDA2kYFzXBClnpBLi_co3EPmmz0Gq4FgXxSA2IBTxkpub87x-qXOFN5hwRyQxZSy2XdAmKg4ogl-4nEVpbfFlq5J6O7ICGfjch4W_94dp248c3M/s320/PB060099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulling up to the old Textile Souk</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkKWWtIEj8pSZDkH9Oea8KnAXO7upstY5a0Qr5kGnwXTKzDZnVqUcYt7Rqi1jGbayLR9T5SnBa0XX5Ep7FgY_PSGxHTvARXam3Sa8H6xxONUPeQmYy1FlAjUpcHGOmm8qrTvkdWomeFM/s1600/PA090029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkKWWtIEj8pSZDkH9Oea8KnAXO7upstY5a0Qr5kGnwXTKzDZnVqUcYt7Rqi1jGbayLR9T5SnBa0XX5Ep7FgY_PSGxHTvARXam3Sa8H6xxONUPeQmYy1FlAjUpcHGOmm8qrTvkdWomeFM/s320/PA090029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob checking e-mails as usual (it wasn't a holiday in the US). My fashion police.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyK3aoQGy2KqqSY7lVKlhQVEuTs6Uim-3FQ84NXJhKod7Bxla8JZaNZQZBG3vTLIF7-7WkPzEXmlLWZ6RbRytNyzwuqX-6bJKA6kXbAqcEtdXBvz-pWxYhBYgb6uD6A5qlm-hnncXgOg/s1600/PA090026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyK3aoQGy2KqqSY7lVKlhQVEuTs6Uim-3FQ84NXJhKod7Bxla8JZaNZQZBG3vTLIF7-7WkPzEXmlLWZ6RbRytNyzwuqX-6bJKA6kXbAqcEtdXBvz-pWxYhBYgb6uD6A5qlm-hnncXgOg/s320/PA090026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous spices in the souk. The whole area smells like sweet curry.<br />
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We've had a number of unexpected holidays this fall, which has given everyone time to see a few sights between school and work. We spent a day at the old souk (market) section of town. Visitor guides always rave about the gold souk nearby, but one jewelry store is much like another. I think the spice and textile souks are more interesting.</div>
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Bob preferred the abra ride for two reasons: 1. It's a boat. 2. The cost for a ride is one dirham (about 27 cents) per person.</div>
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The monetary unit of the UAE is the dirham, which looks like a US quarter. Some people pronounce this word like Durham, NC, which gets shortened to 'dirum.' I like the pronunciation used by many natives of the Indian subcontinent (who make up the majority of the expats in Dubai). They call it a '<em>deerhem' </em>with a soft roll on the r. I can almost do it, and this annoys my daughters greatly, so I practice it often! For 10 dirhams, you can get a year's supply of most spices in the souk, 3 vanilla beans, or a Tablespoon of saffron. You can also pay more or less, depending on your haggling skills.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-7739254945874244562012-10-22T23:45:00.001-07:002012-10-22T23:45:41.219-07:00The Dubai Blog Begins: No Wrong Turns<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our summer was dramatic, traumatic,
systematic…hydromatic…and it flew by like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">greased
lightning</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Someone should write a
song.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On May 25, we began considering a
move to Dubai, and on August 25, we boarded a plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the twelve intervening weeks, we took
three week-long trips:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>one to Dubai to
look at schools, one pre-scheduled trip to Nags Head with my brother’s family,
and one to Kansas so our snub-nosed (can’t fly) dog could move in with Bob’s
wonderful sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We put our house on
the market, which meant three major house projects and several minor ones (any
of which would have used up an entire normal-summer’s energies).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we did the paperwork, packing, and purging
needed to get us and a house-full of stuff across an ocean and a sea or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went down a pants’ size - no kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Kids, do not try this at home; I absolutely
do not recommend literally working your behind off!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But somehow we got here with most of our belongings, sanity,
health, and marriage intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family
members and friends gave us logistical support and moral encouragement all
summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My yoga class and writing group
even held extra meetings just to keep me going. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And our relatives and neighbors are still
helping us tie up loose ends and keep NC connections intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We spent the first six weeks living in a small ‘serviced
apartment’ in a high-rise hotel overlooking the Burj Khalifa (tallest building
in the world) on one side and the Arabian Gulf in the distance on the
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found a house to rent the
first week, but had to wait for Bob’s residence visa to be processed before we
could do much but shop or go to school and work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then in the course of 10 days, we rented the
house and bought two cars, a refrigerator, ‘cooker,’ dishwasher, washing
machine, dryer, used bed, two large beanbag chairs for the girls to sleep in,
kitchen table and chairs, dishes, the all-important television set, and various
smaller items to get us through until our shipment arrived from North Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We like to think we don’t need all the stuff
and trappings that clutter our houses, but living without pillows and towels is
not much fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hardest thing to find
here was reasonably priced, comfortable sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Coming from the textile state of NC, we realized we are spoiled!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our daughters started school September 2, and seem to be
doing well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beth had the biggest
adjustment, moving in 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> grade from a standard American curriculum
to a more rigorous International Baccalaureate program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re identifying a few gaps in her science
preparation, but the bookworm is well-prepared for English, Math, and History
classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both girls are starting as
beginners in both French and Arabic, but enjoying their lessons, and finding
that a background in Spanish doesn’t hurt their ability to learn another Latin
offshoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carlee doesn’t have the same
11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> grade pressure as Beth, and seems to be a happy sponge, soaking
in all the new information and personalities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both girls represent America well in their international classrooms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since we got here, I’ve gradually moved from survival mode
(food, shelter, air conditioning and school supplies) to getting my bearings in
this new city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob and I have adopted a
philosophy that there are no wrong turns, only roads we haven’t explored yet,
and new territory to discover. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Christopher
Columbus, we approach this adventure with faith that things will turn out okay
if not terrific, and we’ll learn more about ourselves and the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls think we are in denial when we are
lost, but they like it when we find ice cream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-5744874376380208562012-06-25T09:39:00.001-07:002012-06-25T09:39:15.582-07:00Do What??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUxLREcJytp8pvgisT4VjCDJX22YfoMGCoW6lwP_Mrt2ADfq_rSp4LbOdvLp0jtm10jWhzi5m8aPnUzknmBaId9D0FpQJ-Qgzyzq1JOb0mw9bbw0i3VnNQoBa2b0q2lKufhj0YsZK-j8/s1600/Dubai+Skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUxLREcJytp8pvgisT4VjCDJX22YfoMGCoW6lwP_Mrt2ADfq_rSp4LbOdvLp0jtm10jWhzi5m8aPnUzknmBaId9D0FpQJ-Qgzyzq1JOb0mw9bbw0i3VnNQoBa2b0q2lKufhj0YsZK-j8/s320/Dubai+Skyline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do you want to move to Dubai?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob came home with the question over Memorial Day weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been offered a neat position with his company in the United Arab Emirate famous for its unique architecture and Western-friendly business climate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After making lists, shedding tears, and doing research, we decided as a family that if we found a good school situation for our daughters, the experience would be incredible. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Other families have similar priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told that any Dubai school with an “American” curriculum had stopped accepting applications for next year, because their classes were full with long waiting lists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So on June 8<sup>th</sup>, we boarded a plane to Dubai, in order for the girls to interview and test for the few available spots in international schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through an online women’s network, I found an education consultant who helped us locate schools which would best serve our kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fiona steered us toward <a href="http://www.jbschool.ae/">Jumeira Baccalaureate School</a>, a two-year-old International Baccalaureate school with a staff of master teachers and excellent leadership.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They graciously welcomed our girls (who are both terrific students as well as nice people).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many prayers have been answered, as this appears to be a wonderful fit for our family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So my blog is destined to become a “Dubai diary,” looking at human interactions from a new perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the sociology and anthropology courses I took in college seemed quite relevant as we observed the mash-up of cultures in the Dubai malls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Imagine a Paris fashion store packed with female shoppers in black ‘abayas.’)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dubai is a modern Constantinople, a trade center near the intersection of three continents, with people from many countries and cultures living together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our daughters will represent America in their international classrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love the way such exposure to diversity teaches us about ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Encounters with other ways of thinking, dressing, worshipping, etc. makes you see your own customs more clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Differences can feel threatening until you get used to them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or they can be funny. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, Emirates Airlines allows you to bring your hunting falcon “hooded and tethered of course” into the cabin as accompanied baggage, but dogs may only fly to Dubai as cargo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this a matter of practicality or different priorities?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We certainly wouldn’t want our asthmatic Shih Tzu becoming falcon fodder in either section of the plane!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve understood the meaning of “head spinning” news over the last month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Actually checked the neck tethers a few times to be sure I couldn’t do an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exorcist</i> imitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And my family would tell you I’ve seemed a tad possessed….)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now that the most important decisions are made, we are settling into a busy summer of cleaning out, packing up, and saying good-bye, so we can say ‘hello’ to Dubai at the end of August.</span></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128242110648159051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-51182017006663598852012-04-30T13:31:00.000-07:002012-04-30T13:31:15.453-07:00Expensive Amendment hurts every One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My humble opinion simply stated, published in the Rhino Times last week:</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the haste to marginalize a minority group of human beings and increase big government interference in our personal lives, NC legislators wrote Amendment One using “vague and untested language” that will create a legal and social quagmire if it passes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Thousands of unmarried adults, children, and teens are likely to lose:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">health insurance</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">statutory protections against domestic violence </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">consideration of “children’s best interests” in custody cases </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">family privileges in medical crises</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many NC couples are not married for personal, financial, or legal reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By making their relationships legally invalid and unrecognizable, Amendment One would create enormous problems for them, our social systems, and family courts. Millions of taxpayer dollars would be paid to attorneys instead of improving our state’s infrastructure, education system, job outlook, etc.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please research the facts about Amendment One, and join leaders from every political persuasion in voting against it.</span></span></div>
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The Rhino editor added a comment about Idaho passing an identical amendment with no ill-effects. I think he was quoting a study by Campbell University professors which has been discounted by family law professors from every law school in NC (including Campbell's). See <a href="http://www.protectncfamilies.org/news/north-carolina-family-law-professors-speak-out-against-amendment-one">http://www.protectncfamilies.org/news/north-carolina-family-law-professors-speak-out-against-amendment-one</a><br />
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Idaho does appear to have had negative consequences from their marriage amendment. One source I read said that state employees did lose partner health benefits. And here is proof that attorneys have had to debate, answer questions, etc., all at the expense of Idaho taxpayers: <a href="http://thecritui.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Brandt3.pdf">http://thecritui.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Brandt3.pdf</a> This source also notes some of the consequences experienced in Michigan.<br />
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I stand by my statements. I like Marriage, but Amendment One is bad for NC.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06462388498470198418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-35917954669710701812012-04-20T15:25:00.000-07:002012-04-20T15:25:55.558-07:00Dating Would Be More Dangerous Under Amendment One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Married couples don’t start that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the path to matrimony is full of potential dangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">No matter how careful one is, the acquaintance date or long-term partner can become abusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scary situations have become so common that teens now attend seminars on dating violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">This is why NC has domestic violence laws which defend unmarried people, from teenagers on their first date to cohabitating senior citizens, against physical abuse, sexual assault, and stalking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Restraining orders and other legal tools acknowledge that abuse in a romantic relationship differs from other kinds of aggression.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">But if it passes, NC Amendment One is likely to prohibit legal recognition of any dating relationships. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would take away our court system’s ability to enforce domestic violence protections unless a couple is married. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(See: http://tinyurl.com/6qpastw pp. 14-18) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Abusers will get off the hook and out of jail, as they have in other states (like Ohio) passing similar amendments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every potential abuser will know this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amendment One would remove an important legal safety net for all unmarried NC residents, including our teenagers. My daughters will begin to run the dating gauntlet very soon. For their safety as well as that of every other unmarried person in this state, I hope it does not pass.</span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06462388498470198418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-1135446768657249602012-03-10T16:49:00.000-08:002012-03-10T16:49:54.281-08:00Amendment One Endangers NC Families<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disguised as a referendum on gay marriage, the Domestic Legal Union Amendment threatens to take away legal and financial protections from every “non-traditional” family and unmarried person in NC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is guaranteed to generate much work for attorneys, as well as heartache and expense for the rest of us.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A documented study by UNC law professors, available at </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/6qpastw"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://tinyurl.com/6qpastw</span></a>, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">shows that children, single women, and unmarried couples (straight and gay) have all suffered from the effects of similar amendments in other states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">NC children involved in custody disputes could have their ‘best interests’ superseded by Amendment One if their parents’ relationships are not ‘valid or recognized’ in family court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This might cause loving parents to lose custody or visitation rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The threat of such action would undermine the security of every child with divorced or unmarried parents.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Women are the majority of the victims of domestic violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NC laws against domestic violence and stalking require legal recognition of a relationship (such as dating) between victim and abuser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Amendment One would only allow ‘traditional marriage’ relationships to be recognized by our legal system, unmarried persons would probably lose protections provided by these laws. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Ohio, convicted abusers were even released from prison after passage of an amendment like ours.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Modern couples have many reasons why they do not choose traditional marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amendment One is designed to punish all unmarried couples and their families by destabilizing their finances, obstructing legal agreements, and barring them from supporting one another through major illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wherever there is a possibility of legally recognizing or validating a couple’s relationship, the Domestic Legal Union Amendment will encourage government agencies to interfere in our private lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please join me in voting against Amendment One on May 8.</span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06462388498470198418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657751928349751493.post-90352146905712368592012-03-05T15:27:00.000-08:002012-03-05T15:27:57.985-08:00Amendment One Dangerous and Misleading<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="nrcBlk_ArticleBody" jquery1330989327953="101"><div class="nrcBlk_pubdate" id="nrcBlk_Pubdate" jquery1330989327953="102">I did not like Amendment One from the beginning because of its mean-spirited intentions. But this editorial really started me thinking. Then I read the report it is based on (link below), and got excited. More to come.</div><div class="nrcBlk_pubdate" jquery1330989327953="102"> </div><div class="nrcBlk_pubdate" jquery1330989327953="102">From the Greensboro News & Record, Saturday, February 18, 2012 <div id="nrcBlk_Update" jquery1330989327953="103"> </div></div><div id="nrcBlk_ContentBody" jquery1330989327953="107" nri:imgcnt="1"><span class="nrcTxt_content" jquery1330989327953="109"><div class="nrcAd nrcAd_300x250 nri-conflict-float" id="nrcAd_Middle2" jquery1330989327953="593"><div class="nrcAd_pos nrcAd_pos_300x250" id="nrcAd_Middle2_Pos" jquery1330989327953="597" nri:ad="Middle2" style="height: 7px; width: 654px;"></div><a href="" id="nrcAnc_Middle2_Jump" jquery1330989327953="599" name="nrcAnc_Middle2_Jump"></a></div><div class="nri-conflict-float" jquery1330989327953="112"><strong jquery1330989327953="113">By the Rev. Pam Strader</strong><br jquery1330989327953="114" /> </div><div jquery1330989327953="115">The May 8 referendum to amend the N.C. Constitution “to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that will be valid or recognized in this state” is misleading. State law already defines marriage as between “a male and a female” (N.C. General Statute 51, Article 1, 51-1). To change the state constitution is a drastic act that should only be done to ensure citizens’ “safety and happiness ... and consistently with the Constitution of the United States” (Article 1, Declaration of Rights, Section 3). </div><div jquery1330989327953="116">Instead of protecting the safety of our citizens, Amendment One would do great harm. In a paper titled “Potential Legal Impact of the Proposed Domestic Legal Union Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution” (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6qpastw" jquery1330989327953="117" title="http://tinyurl.com/6qpastw">http://tinyurl.com/6qpastw</a>), legal experts warn that because the bill’s language is vague and untested, “two things are clear: First, it will take courts years of litigation to settle the Amendment’s meaning. Second, when the dust clears, unmarried couples will have fewer rights over their most important life decisions than they would have had otherwise.”</div><div jquery1330989327953="118">Amendment One will affect all unmarried couples and children in those households, including domestic violence protections, child custody, wills, medical directives if a partner is suddenly incapacitated, and insurance coverage for families of some public employees.</div><div jquery1330989327953="119">It will stir up litigation that North Carolina neither needs nor can afford. As voters, it is our responsibility to uphold the Constitution in its role to protect the safety, liberty and pursuit of happiness of North Carolina citizens. Passage of similar amendments in other states has resulted in some disastrous and lethal consequences to human lives.</div><div jquery1330989327953="120">Let us do no harm, and let us not be indifferent to the harm this would do. Please vote “no” to Amendment One on May 8.</div><div jquery1330989327953="121"><em jquery1330989327953="122">The writer lives in Greensboro and is an associate pastor at West Market Street United Methodist Church</em></div></span></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06462388498470198418noreply@blogger.com0