Congratulations to All Egyptians! NO WORRIES RIGHT?

Some statistics to ponder:
In July of last year, the University of Maryland commissioned Zogby to poll the people of Egypt. Here are a few of their findings:

• 85% of Egyptians hold an unfavorable attitude toward the U.S.
• 87% of Egyptians have no confidence in the U.S.
• 92% of Egyptians believe the U.S. is one of two nations that is the greatest threat to them (the other nation the Egyptian people hate is Israel)
• 52% of Egyptians hold an unfavorable opinion of American people
• 65% of Egyptians believe that Islamic clergy must play a greater role in the Egyptian political system
• 79% percent of Egyptians believe that it would be positive if Iran is able to acquire nuclear weapons

Is this the Egypt we want to be friends with?

My Yearly Observation

I may be getting observed tomorrow.  I know I'm a good teacher, but I still get a bit nervous.  Why I don't really know.  I guess anything can come up in a lesson.  A kid becomes belligerent...fire drill...the observer looking for a teaching technique I don't use.

I'm sure it will be okay...they usually are.  I'm going to conduct a Cuban Missile Crisis Simulation. Students will get into groups of 6 and become a member of Ex-Comm (this committee was created for the sole purpose of finding a way out of the Cuban Missile Crisis.)  Students will play JFK, RFK, Robert McNamara and other individuals who were pivotal during this world event. 

 We will go step-by-step through the 13 days and the groups will answer questions such as: What if the ships don't stop? and Should we make a deal by exchanging the Jupiter missiles in Turkey for those in Cuba.  I will use some YouTube clips and of course President Kennedy's speech to the Nation.

I will pull out all the bells and whistles and throw in a worthy closure to get a smile out of the observer.  It is a great feeling when the lesson is over.  Its like being in the Olympics and finishing the race!  Its a natural high!

The central question that must be answered is if this observation tells my district that I am a highly qualified teacher.  I would say no.  I feel that school district should observe you for an entire week to see how you tie everything together. From the Brainstorming of the topic to the final assessment.  I know a week-long observation would never happen. Administrators have enough trouble getting in one observation for tenured teachers like myself.

So as I head off to bed, I am feeling the anxiety of tomorrow's lesson.  I'm glad I feel this anxiety because it must mean I still care!  I love being a teacher!

The Economy can't get better with Stupid People!

I went to the gym today to possible sign up my family and I left mad!  This company is either ignorant on how to deal with customers or the owner is independently wealth. 

First, my wife is already a member and she is allowed to bring in family members for one free workout.  After that, you have to pay 10 dollars.  She had already paid 10 dollars for my oldest daughter on their last visit. She didn't realize that she could bring her in for free.  The manager proceeded to argue with me over 10 dollars.  He had to go through his computer to find out if we actually paid.  He said, "I'm sure you aren't lieing to me, but I have to check."  As he searched, I told him that I would possibly be signing up my entire family.  He continued to argue over the question if my wife had indeed paid 10 dollars....STOP!  I am in the position to pay 150 dollars every month and he is fighting over 10 dollars?  I thought...are you kidding me!! 

Well he finally found proof that my wife did pay the 10 dollars.  Then as I handed in my free one-time pass to check out the gym, he asked if I had my driver's license.  I proceeded to tell him that my wife drove us to the gym and that my license was at home.  He then had the nerve to tell me that I could not work out without showing a license!!  I am standing there with my wife and kids.  My wife was already a paying member.  Why do I need to show him my driver's license?! 

If I was the manager and I saw a family of four in their workout clothes walk through the door I would bend over backwards to accommodate them.  I wouldn't worry about 10 dollars when it is possible I could be gaining 4 gym memberships for 150 dollars a month!  I would not of worried about the father not having a driver's license either!

Well to sum this up, this gym lost my business and hence lost 150 dollars a month!  No wonder the economy stinks. If I owned that business, that idiot would be fired in a second!  To run a business, you have to work well with the public. You have to work with the customer especially in a sluggish economy.

What did this business lose today? The 150 dollars was for 24 month contract so to do some math :     150 X 24 months = 3,600 dollars!!!  Why is this gym losing this money? 

Because of 10 dollars and a driver's license!

Turning Our Back on a Friend?

Egypt is still in turmoil, but I believe the Obama Administration has made a horrible foreign policy decision.  In the early days of this unrest, President Obama called for Mubarek to step down  He was very critical of this long-time ally. 

In the last couple of days he has backed off his rhetoric and has softened his stance.  Telling Mubarek to "listen to the Egyptian people" is a more tempered statement.  No matter what you think of Mubarek or if he should step down or not, he is still a trusted ally in both the War on Terror and a partner in Middle East stability.  Mubarek has let down the Egyptian people, but did not let down the United States.  He has stood with with us for many years and how do we repay this friendship?  We pull the rug out from under him!

Our alliance with Egypt can be traced to the Cold War.  I feel many don't understand that the remnants of the Cold War is still with us as seen with our alliance with Egypt.  If we have an alliance and friendship with this leader why would be turn our backs on him? If Mubarek's government falls it falls, but the president should not be pushing him off the cliff!

How does this decision hurt our foreign policy?  As we see, many of the Arab countries are worried about the events in Egypt.  They worry that the citizens within their countries may take a cue from the Egyptians.  Seeing how Mr. Obama sold out Mubarek, how can the Jordanian or Saudi Kings trust us?  If we turn our backs on Egypt why not turn our backs on them too?  Didn't Mr. Obama go to Cairo University and tell the Muslim world that we are partners in peace?  He spoke a good game, but didn't follow through.

We have nurtured these alliances for years and now they can quickly fall into the hands of extremists.  I love democracy but should be be selling our friend down the road?  Especially ones we give 1.3 billion dollars to each year!  Don't worry Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan...we have your back!

Will The Egyptian Army Save the Day??!!

The next few days are going should let us all know the ramifications of this historical event.  I truly believe that it will come down to the Egyptian Army.  Who are they loyal to and will they grab power if they don't like what government comes in to rule?

The Egyptian Army is the biggest army in the Arab World.  They have every an array of sophiscated weapons systems along with a a highly effective Air Force with America's F-16 fighter as its mainstay in the skies.  The army is kind of like a quasi-corporation. They make up almost 1/3 of Egypt's economy.  The Army owes land, building and even Hotels.  Knowing this, they have a vested interest in what kind of Egypt comes out of this tragedy.

Many of the leading generals and other high ranking officers grew out of the Abdul Nasser Military mold (Nasser was the Egypt's president during the Suez Crisis in 1956 and helped created the military partnership with the United States.)  Today it is generalized that the younger officers may have connections or at least are sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood. As stated in earlier posting the birthplace of the Muslim Brotherhood was Egypt.  This group which has spread throughout the Middle East vows to replace secular governments with Imans who follow Shariah Law which is based on the laws of the Koran.

The Offical Motto of the Brotherhood is



 “Allah is our objective.
The Prophet is our leader.
Qur'an is our law.
Jihad is our way.
Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.”

I will let my readers decipher the meaning and motivations of this motto. 

With the possibility of an unfriendly government in Egypt, the United State's position in the world would be compromised.  Without the use of the Suez Canal would hurt the United State's able to fight terrorists in both Iraq an Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world.  Additionally, we will lose the ability to flyover the country of Egypt to conduct military operations.

Will the Army save the day for the Egyptian people?  Will they be able to steer the clear of Islamic Extremism?  I think they will stabilize Egypt and the crisis will be over, but can we all be sure?  Only time will tell.

Are the Dominoes Falling?

As the Egyptian problems continue, it is evident that the entire Middle East is fearful of the idea that a "domino effect" could occur.  Tunisia was the first domino and now Egypt is tittering on total collapse.  King Abdullah of Jordan has basically fired his cabinet and the President of Yemen has already stated that he will end his reign.  There are also stirrings in Algeria, but I'm sure every country in the region is watching closely.

These leaders are trying to push the dominoes the other way.  They are trying to put out the flames of possible chaos.  They may success, but the embers will simmer for a long time and they all must be proactive when listening to the demands of their people.

For those who are over 40, you remember when the dominoes fell with the collapse of the Berlin Wall.  That was a great day for democracy to shine and we were certain that we would see free elections in those nations that suffered behind the Iron Curtain.  Most of those nations who lamented under the Communist system for over 40 years, have prospered and many of them are even a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO.) 

If we look at all the countries in the Middle East prior to 9/11 we will see that almost every nation has some form of dictatorship.  From right to left on the map:  Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria. 

Since 9/11, Afghanistan and Iraq are still fighting for their democracy and that is still to be determined, but in the other countries it is business as usual.  Strong leaders who hold all the power.  Now with Egypt erupting, these same leaders are watching for the dominoes!

Should we, as a democracy, be overjoyed at these events taking place in Egypt?  On the surface. we  watch in anticipation for one of the great nations of the world to banish a dictatorship and embrace liberty and freedom.  All the news outlets are saying the same thing.  Glorifying the Egyptian people and feeling their hopes and dreams for their future.

If the dominoes do fall, what kinds of governments will take the place of what has fallen?  How much more clout will Iran have?  A nuclear Iran will also have the leverage to dictate.  Will extremists rule? 

Yes, we should applaud the might of the Egyptian people but what type of government will take its place and what other countries will be effected is a question that must still be answered.

The answer to this question may tilt the power balance in the region and create more problems.  The future holds many questions.  Additionally, we will see if moderate Islam prevails or the religion is hijacked by extremists?

What we hope for may in turn be what we also dread.

Why don't I have school today?

I don't have school...WHY?  Is it because it is unsafe to drive?  Is it because the school districts around the State are just being caution?  I think it is more than that.  When I was a kid you only had snow days if it actually snowed more than 6 inches.  Icy roads just told you to take it easy and maybe wake up a bit earlier.  I want to go to work and I can't! 

Did you ever think it was because every American is afraid to get sued?  All we do now is sue each other.  We sue just to sue...it's becoming almost patriotic to sue someone.  Can there ever be an accident or a mishap?  If someone falls on the ice should they be able to sue for a large monetary amount? 

Lawsuits have permeated into our society like locusts on a wheat field.  Many people jump at the chance to sue, in order to get the easy money settlement.  Don't get me wrong, if someone has been wronged or injured due to negligence they should be compensated due to lost wages, quality of life, etc. 

I got this off an attorney's website:

In order to recover in most slip and fall cases, the injured party must prove that:

1. A dangerous condition existed
2. The property owner knew or should have known about the condition
3. The property owner did nothing to remedy the dangerous condition

It snowed! It's icy!  If someone plows and salts why can an individual still sue?

When I beat up Tony D. in 3rd grade I'm glad his parents didn't sue me and my family.  When I was pushed through a wall at a party, I'm glad they didn't sue either.  When I smashed my 1968 Buick Skylark Convertible into the side of a lady, I'm glad she didn't sue.  How might my life had changed?

Accidents happen but there has to be limits.  Look at our heathcare system....doctors are being sued all the time.  Their insurance premiums have gone through the roof.  When an individual sues a store or a company who pays for it?  We do...the companies push these costs onto the consumer.  Congress needs to put limits on lawsuits.  It is important to our economy!

I know I am ranting, but years ago I would be in school today discussing George Washingtons' Farewell Address, the homefront during WW1 or continuing the debate on human trafficking.  I am here thinking about why I'm not in school.

Well at least I get to be home in a quiet house...kids and the wife are doing their thing.

You don't know what cold is....also check out our  "home" No wonder I hate the cold!

I thought while discussing world events I can introduce to you a young kid from Jersey.  He joined the United States Marines at the tender age of 18 and never looked back.  I look at his kid and wonder what became of him.  He is in my memories, but the things I did back in the day is as if it was someone else.  I was young, maybe niave, but proud to serve my country!  Maybe as this blog continues I can share some marine stories with you...Many are very funny as others are quite sad....I guess that is what life is all about.

Which Devil does the United States want?

It seems that only in the last few hours the reign of Hosni Mubarek, the autocratic leader of the people of Egypt will be stepping down in September.  President Obama also recently stated that there should be "free and fair elections." 

First do we the United States want Mubarek to leave office?  He has been a reliable ally who has stabilized a peace in the region along with supporting the United States on our War Against Terror.  We also know that he is a dictator whose human rights record  is dismal.  Additionally, his policies has created economic chaos.  One must say why is Lassen supporting a dictator? 

I am not...I deplore those who siphon the rights of others, but what will the future hold for the over 80 million Egyptians?

Will they exchange one devil for another?  We know this devil but what about the other devil?

There is a group in Egypt called the Islamic Brotherhood.  Many believe this is an extremist group, but are they?  Today one of their leaders stated that the people "should be prepared for war with Israel" and also stated that the Suez Canal should be closed.  Are we prepared for 4 or 5 dollar per gallon gas?  They want to create an Islamic State which would be based on the Koran.  Similar to the government in Saudi Arabia.  Does the secular country of Egypt ready for such a change?  Would this change create extremists who hate America?  Many questions need to be still answered.

The United States is in a precarious position when it comes to Egypt.  We want democracy to prosper, but we also want stability.  What if a government takes control of Egypt that has great disdain for America?  Over the years we have sold Egypt Billions of dollars in military weapons and equipment.  Does that mean they could use weapons made in America against us? 

The Egyptian people seem jubilant on knowing that Mubarek will be leaving office in the near future.

But are they ready to exchange a Devil they know for a Devil they don not know?