Text Messaging

Cultural changes come in many forms. The changes can be dramatic or subtle. They can alter our homes, industries, economics, education and relationships or slowly morph society as innovations develop. While texting may not appear to have life altering effects, there is no denying the widespread influence of this technological invention in a short period of time. Men, women, children, grandmothers and grandfathers have found countless practical and frivolous use for sending text messages. In addition to staying in constant contact with friends, acquaintances, and family members, it is used to receive notifications from the pharmacy, vote for your favorite reality star, and become alerted to your bank account balance. There seems to be no limit to the texting phenomenon.


While it has many benefits, its use has sparked debate on many fronts. Is it good to have instant access to each other? Are we too connected? Is the use of text messaging ruining our ability to talk? Is our society doomed to survive on what we can say in less than 250 characters? Has it become our latest addiction?


The Idaho Statesman ran an article indicating the laws put in place to stop texting and driving are having the opposite of their intended effect. Many motorists are refusing to stop texting, whether writing or reading, while driving. Instead of putting the phone down, drivers are attempting to hide the phone while they text, further decreasing the attention they pay to the road. Ludicrous.


Like it or not, texting is part of our culture. It has captured our imagination and encourages us to interact more frequently with one another. Although adults and teenagers spend too much time attached to their device, we are more active communicators than ever before. The bigger issue is not the use of texting, but the lack of social etiquette.

• How often are you in line at the store and the person in front of you slows everything down because they are on the phone or in the middle of texting?


• How often have you been in the car with your parents and instead of talking to them you are texting with a friend?


• Are you unable to carry on conversations because you are constantly interrupted by the buzz of your phone receiving new messages?
  

These are examples where social etiquette or norms would be beneficial. What social etiquette or rules do you think should be in place to limit the "bad" texting from the "good"? What do you think is the future of texting in our culture?

Teachers' Day

September 28 is a Confucian Holiday celebrating the birth of Confucius. It is celebrated as Teachers' Day. While many confuse Confucius ism with a religion, it is actually more of a philosophy. Confucius was not a priest or a deity, he was a teacher.

Confucius was born around 551 BC in the small sate of Lu. He was born into an aristocratic family, although there is debate as to whether he had any money or not. During his life he served many influential people and his teachings became not only fundamental to Confucian philosophy, but to the general Chinese philosophy.


The 6th century BC China was a time of political and social disintegration. Battling officials trying to gain control led to a period of great moral decline, when integrity and principles meant little to ruling classes. Confucius was disgusted by this development. At the time, he was a widely unknown teacher. He attempted to revive society by re-introducing the great moral teachings of the past.


At the cornerstone of his teachings was the belief that ethical considerations should be the guiding principle of government. He did not accept the idea of a strict legal system. He believed the primary task of a ruler was to achieve the welfare and happiness of the people. The ruler should be a role model by monitoring his personal behaviors. His strong ethical behaviors would influence the people's behaviors. Customs and voluntary adherence would be the best way to achieve and maintain an orderly society.


Confucius never wrote many of the quotations we see today. After his death, many of his disciples gathered and complied his teachings. Here are a few quotations:


"Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."

"Forget injuries, never forget kindness."


"He who will not economize will have to agonize."


"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."

"Respect yourself and others will respect you."

Throughout history, we have seen many teachers influence the world. Jesus, Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Buddha, and Confucius have significantly changed the world and redefined the way many of us view right from wrong.


Who are the teachers in your life that have most influenced you? What qualities do they have that make them an effective and influential teacher? If possible, please provide a couple of your favorite sayings learned from your teachers.

Illegal Immigration

Immigration has been a controversial and volatile issue over the past year. On April 24, 2010, Arizona Governor, Jan Brewer, signed Senate Bill 1070, dramatically changing the current practice concerning immigration.

The law has been controversial since its inception. While many citizens of Arizona and many politicians support the bill, many more, including President Obama, are fighting to prevent the bill from becoming law.

The law allows local law enforcement to stop anyone they suspect of being an illegal alien and require the individual to produce papers showing their right to be in the country, whether that be a green card, driver's license, or passport. People unable to produce the documents can be arrested and detained until they produce the documents or are deported back to their native land. While many feel this law is giving officers the needed tool to control immigration, other believe the law opens the door to illegal stops based on skin color or physical characteristics.

Illegal immigration is a problem in the country. Illegal immigrants do not pay taxes, take labor jobs from willing workers, and utilize public programs without contributing to the community. In addition, drug trafficking has been traced back to Mexican drug cartels using illegal immigrants for distribution.

On one hand, we have the rights to protect our borders and provide for our citizens. On the other hand the Constitution does not allow illegal search and seizure. Asking for someone to provide proof of citizenship without cause can be viewed as a violation of the 4th Amendment. From a philosophical point of view, the United States has always been the land of opportunity opening itself to those wanting a new life.

Do you agree or disagree with the Arizona law? If you agree, why? If you disagree, what if anything, should be done to protect our borders from illegal immigration?

September 11

September 11, 2001 will go down in history as one of the longest, scariest, and most significant days the United States has ever witnessed. The events of the day will forever be remembered and memorialized. In addition to the despicable acts of terrorism, we witnessed countless acts of heroism as people, communities, and cities united to rescue and protect each other from the evil acts committed against the United States and its way of life.

At 8:45 am the first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The crash instantly killed hundreds of innocent people and trapped hundreds more above the 110th floor. While emergency crews sprang into action, a mere 18 minutes later a second plane crashed into the South Tower. It was evident to all, this was not a coincidence, the United States was under attack.

At 9:45 am a third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, DC. The jet fuel created a devastating fire causing a small structural collapse.

15 minutes after the Pentagon crash, the South Tower collapsed. It was less then one hour from the time the plane crashed into the building to when it fell to the ground. At 10:10, the country became aware of a fourth plane wreck. United Flight 93 left Newark, NJ late. 40 minutes after departure, terrorists took control of the plane. As a result of its late departure, the passengers on board were aware of the events in New York and Washington. They decide to take action. The passengers united and overtook the the terrorist and in the process crashed the plane into a Pennsylvanian field. The terrorists' target of destruction was never known, but many speculate the White House or the Capitol.

At 10:30, the inevitable occurred. The North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed. While the nation watched in awe, the brave firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and other city officials continued to respond to their call to duty. Due to the devastation created when the Twin Towers collapsed, four other building would fall to the ground throughout the day.

As the day concluded we began to hear the devastating carnage from the day. In New York City approximately 3,000 people were killed, including 343 firefighters and paramedics, 23 police officers and 37 Port Authority officers. In Washington, DC., 125 military personnel and civilians were killed in addition to the 64 people on board the flight. An additional 45 people were killed in the Pennsylvanian field from Flight 93.

The events of September 11, 2001 forever changed our lives. How do you feel your life has beeen affected by the events of September 11th? How do you think the American way of life has changed?