Thought for the Day

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Abraham Lincoln, God, prayer, quotation

Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! — Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln: “Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!”

Sky Watch Friday: U.S.S. Alabama

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Alabama, battleship, Mobile, US Navy, USS Alabama Battleship, WWII

Took these pictures on our trip through Alabama. My uncle served on the U.S.S. Alabama during WWII. My mom was traveling with us and had never seen the Battleship. We decided to stop in Mobile.

Thank you, to my Uncle and all who served on the USS Alabama.

Check out The Sky Watch Blog.

ID10T: Public School Edition

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Alexa Gonzalez, elementary school, Evelyn Mastroinni, grade school, junior high, middle school, New York, Patrick Timoney, public school, Queens, teachers

Earlier this month officials in two New York Public Schools exhibited total lack of common sense when administering punishment to two students.

First, officials at Junior High 190 in Queens decided that the behavior of Alexa Gonzalez was drastic enough to call the police. Alexa was led from school in handcuffs. You may be wondering what deviant act Alexa committed to warrant such drastic measures.  Alexa was guilty of doodling on a desk in green marker.   I could understand if she had written something threatening but her name. Guess they had never heard of soap and water or dentition. As a teacher I periodically had to deal with students writing on tables, desk and other items.  Usually, I had the offender clean up the mess and if necessary issued a demerit. I never considered anything more drastic than calling parents and in cases of repeat offenders a trip to the principal.

At Public School 52 Patrick Timoney landed in Principal Evelyn Mastroianni’s office for playing with action figure complete with the 2″ shown in the picture. Mastroianni came very close to suspending Patrick.  Yes, the action figure had a gun even considering suspension for playing with it is outrageous.  Take the up until the end of the day, month or even school year. Make Patrick’s retrieve the toy from the principal’s office but suspension? That is outrageous.

Mafia and Mobsters

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Facebook, Facebook applications, Facebook games, Farkle, Farmville, games, social networking, Starfleet Commander

Facebook Applications are very popular especially games. Popular games include Farmville, Farkle, and Starfleet Commander. I really have not gotten into any of them except Farkle.  One of the games Mafia Wars really bugs me. I have had several friends that play it. Personally, I just have problems with playing a game that glamorizes a crime. Maybe I am just being overly sensitive but it doesn’t a game that Christians should be playing.

Ronel is Home!

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adoption, Ernest Parker, Haiti, Ronel, Ronel Parker

Ronel and Ernest have landed in Houston. Ronel is finally home with his family. For more check out Ernest’s Twitter or Debra’s blog.

Random Things

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commercial flight, CRT, economy, monitors, NASA, research, space travel, sporting events, stress, televisions, University of Essex

I finally got my RSS feeds working again. Found several interesting items:

• NASA Moves Quickly to Advance Commercial Space Operations. Before you try to book a ticket on Travelocity it could be years before space flight will be available for civilians.
• Ever wonder what happens to old CRT television or monitor that have been discarded for newer flat screen monitor. They are still in demand to make new CRT TVs, that are sold mostly in developing nations.  More…
• Researchers at the University of Essex found that individuals with a negative outlook are more prone to stress.  Well, gee I could have told them that one from personal experience.
• How Local Economies Benefit From Big Sporting Events. This one is really common sense but still an interesting article.

Update on Ronel & Ernest

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Ernest Parker, Haiti, Haiti earthquake, international adoption, Kenneth Merten, Raymond Joseph, Ronel Parker, U.S.Embassy

Ernest and Ronel along with others waiting to get out of Haiti are still stuck in the U.S. Embassy. Earlier today they were told my officials in the U.S. embassy it they got a flight they could leave the country.  Well, Ernest got a flight and it seems that the officials in the U.S. embassy had no intention of letting  them leave Haiti.  The staff is being difficult and  causing unnecessarily causing delays.

It is understandable that following the recent disaster in Haiti that caution would be exercised when dealing with international adoptions. However, the Parker’s adoption of Ronel is not a new adoption and was is the final stages prior to the earthquake.

Ok, once again it is time to tweet, Facebook and email officials to get help for Ronel and his family.  Last time tweeting got the attention of Congressman Poe. Now it is time to send a message to the U.S. Embassy.

SOME TALKING POINTS: Be specific about the Parkers, the adoption is already finalized but red tape is delaying their release, sleeping on the floor in PAP at the US embassy, please do all you can to help, etc..

Raymond Joseph
Haitian Ambassador to US
embassy@haiti.org
p 202-332-4090
f 202-745-7215

Kenneth H Merten
US Ambassador to Haiti
Tabarre 41, Blvd 15 Octobre
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Haiti-earthquake@state.gov
P 509 22 29 8000
F 509 22 29 8028

You can keep updated on the progress by following Ernest’s Twitter.