An Iraqi Voice

This is a wonderful read. You have to admire this woman's courage. I was especially interested in reading this:

"Syrians and Iranians make up most of the foreign fighters. Iraqis can identify them by accents, among other things. Syria and Iran clearly do not want Iraq to be a success because "they know they will be next - not necessarily with an invasion but certainly their people will demand democracy if Iraqis demonstrate it is possible." She noted the recent Syrian Kurdish uprisings and said that Kurds there are waiting for things to get a bit better in Iraq, but haven't given up their desire and demand for change in Syria."

Her statement about Iran and Syria being next interests me because I've been hearing that for a while from a friend here. I had hoped it might be true and it is nice to hear it from someone who knows the culture much better than we do.

hat tip: INDC Journal

A new way to remember where I parked?

If these can help me find my car in a parking lot, I will definitely get a pair when they become available. :)

hat tip: Slashdot

Terror in the Classroom

Today I heard a horror story that no mother wants to hear. I'm sure the title of this post brings to mind Beslan or Columbine, but that's not the case. Instead, it's a post about how things in a classroom can go horribly wrong for the teacher. Last week, at the elementary school across the street, a second grader attacked the resource room teacher. By attacked, I mean that he hit, kicked and, eventually, knocked her out cold with a thrown shoe, all the while cursing her out with words that I would hope most school children don't know. The teacher in question ended up with a cut on her face, bruises to her face and pelvic area, not to mention the knot on her head from being knocked out. This happened in class, in front of other children. I'm not sure of the particulars, as I got the story third hand, from the grandparent of one of the children in the room. I'm not sure what led up to the attack or what issues the child in question has. It just really caused me concern. It's a smaller school and my children attend it. In fact, I have a child in the second grade. What if this was one of my child's classmates? Could this child attack other children? Should this child still be attending school? After discussing this with my better half, who is attending college to become a teacher, I'm still left with all these questions. I understand that kids with disabilities have been 'mainstreamed' into regular schools. This is a wonderful thing. If not for that, my son might not be attending the school across the street. Not that he's got disabilities, but he is a year behind his twin sister in grades because he's had hearing and speech issues. However, where do you draw the line? I don't know that the child that did this is disabled. I do know that he is seven years old. How much rage is trapped in that seven year old body? It must be a lot for him to be able to inflict those kinds of wounds to an adult. And, what could he have done to another child before the teachers could separate them? I'm torn. While I understand the right of all children to get an education, at what cost does it come?

Alien Thunder

I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for this audio. Is that not very cool? Not only will they be getting first time data, but they will also be listening to it's soundtrack at the same time. Hopefully, it works as well as they've planned. If it does, I'll be looking for some of it for my play list.

D & D

Apparently, I am...

I Am A: Chaotic Good Half-Elf Ranger Fighter


Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.


Race:
Half-Elves are a cross between a human and an elf. They are smaller, like their elven ancestors, but have a much shorter lifespan. They are sometimes looked down upon as half-breeds, but this is rare. They have both the curious drive of humans and the patience of elves.


Primary Class:
Rangers are the defenders of nature and the elements. They are in tune with the Earth, and work to keep it safe and healthy.


Secondary Class:
Fighters are the warriors. They use weapons to accomplish their goals. This isn't to say that they aren't intelligent, but that they do, in fact, believe that violence is frequently the answer.


Deity:
Solonor Thelandria is the Chaotic Good elven god of archery and the hunt. He is also known as the Keen Eye, the Great Archer, and the Forest Hunter. His followers respect nature, and only hunt when needed, but are quick to defend the forest from intruders. Their favorite weapon is the bow, and they tend to be extremely talented with it. Solonor Thelandria's symbol is an arrow with green fletchings.


Find out What D&D Character Are You?, courtesy ofNeppyMan (e-mail)

Chipping our kids backpacks

I found this article to be fairly interesting. I'm not sure something like this could catch on in the states, but getting a page or email when my kids enter and leave school is a fairly comforting idea. My children are 7 and 9. I'm not sure how this would infringe on their rights at 15 and 17. I think this is a good idea for younger children, but I think we need to extend our teenagers a bit more respect and trust. While the article doesn't mention the age groups of the children, it does imply that older kids are covered also. I think this is a technology we'll definitely have to watch in the future. I've seen a number of uses discussed for the RFID chips and they seem to be getting more and more imaginitive.