Schools for Josiah

I have been trying to decide what school to have Josiah go to next September, as he will start Kindergarten.

My friend Ruth Omete has told me about one: LoveWorks, a charter school in Golden Valley. Had I known about it last year, I would have tried to enroll already. They allow 4 year olds to attend! (if they pass certain tests, which I think Josiah can)

Either way, it seems very intelligent as I have seen her son Brat's homework. Quite a lot, but they focus on teaching many things at once. They also believe that arts should be taught to children, rather than passed up like in public schools. They believe in a postive mentality, and have a gifted students program.

At first I was concerned about Loveworks, because it was promoted by Christian organizations and publications ( and I believe Ruth mentioned it was once). I am always skeptical of religion in our schools, but feel morals are important also. But after viewing their website, my fears have been allayed. So far I like them the most.

Brandy has recommended the Community of Peace charter school in Saint Paul, and the Anne Sullivan Communication Center which I think is for deaf/hard of hearing students but I could be wrong.

I always was interested in a private school that just opened a charter: Southside Family School, over where we used to live in Whittier. They believe in creating both intelligent and socially conscious citizens. So civics and activism will be a part of his teaching, though I would like to do these things with what I already am involved with. He currently can't understand the peace marches and anti-torture protests.

Does McDonald's really want you to "get active?"

McDonald's could care less about anything except money. Of course, this entails making the public think it cares about their well-being and money, well everyone makes that right? McDonald's provides a service we all need.

Overall, they have figured out the American culture pretty well. If people make a big deal about something, issue big press releases saying things will change immediately. Then do nothing.

McDonald's has a history of doing this. Let's start with vegetarians complaining about beef flavor in its french fries. McDonald's stopped using beef tallow to cook them in 1990.. Vegetarians assumed the fries are safe, but aren't leading to a lawsuit. ( one can petition McDonald's to change this )

Of course the carnivorous public also thinks the fries are good for them. Except that they are fried in trans-fats. McDonald's had vowed in 2002 to stop using them. But they haven't, even as New York City bans them. Pressed to update the public on their advancements in this area, and we are told they are looking for a "viable alternative" to trans-fats. Let's just say, they don't want to pay a half-penny more for healthier fries. ( already doing so in Australia, where it will remove more than 415tonnes of trans fats from the Australian food supply ) 237-33

Then there is there whole "go active" program. They leased their logo and name to makers of skateboards and bicycles. Of course, don't bother going to a McDonald's after the lobby is closed - only motorized vehicles apply to drive-thru. ( Another Minneapolitan discusses his incident at a BK drive-through )

Wanting to know more about why one cannot use a bike or walk in a drive-through, I did some research. It seems that insurance companies consider car-drivers to be a risk too high for pedestrians and bicyclists. So the insurance companies are keeping us safe from ourselves, or so they say. Does that mean they are also culpable in Global Warming, supporting car-culture to such an extent?

Amina moves on

This photo was taken several weeks ago, but it is of my friend Amina. We had just gotten off the bus, and she was walking with her supervisor Geleto for a ride back home. She used to live near where I used to at the corner of Franklin and Clinton Avenue in public housing. When I lived at 2011 3rd Avenue, we would walk home together. Another local resident, Mustafa, who used to work at with her also would.

As many non-Muslims do not know, Ramadan just ended. The celebration that is a giant feast is known as Eid Al-Fitr. Most celebrated this weekend. In Kenya, I hear they celebrated it today. Either way, Amina was supposed to work this last weekend, up until today. She never called in, and two days in a row is grounds for firing. She did request time off next weekend, which means she could have gotten things confused - but she didn't answer her phone. I have her number and sent her a text message.

My friend Likelesh said she talked to Amina, and that she quit after working there for eight years. I also heard from a Somali man named Mohamed, that she got married and moved to London - never to speak to non-family again. That seems extreme, and I hope its just a lie. I wish her the best, wherever it may take her.

231 Anno Libertatis

One interesting concept I think would be interesting our nation took up is changing our dating system. Take the current year , subtract 1775, and you get the current AL or Anno Libertatis - when freedom first began for humanity. Or at least the longest experiment in a theoretically nonviolent, democratic society known as America. While it is not perfect, it is still a nation created on secular values, where no religion should gain sole dominion over society. That is why changing our dating system would be a good thing.

You think Anno Domini is good enough? Sorry, but America is not solely a Christian nation. We have plenty of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindu,and don't forget - the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Does America really need to identify with Christianity or...Freedom? I'd guess Conservatives would have a hard time deciding. But Freedom should be the primary value America cherishes above any single religion.

This idea was first mentioned in a book known as The Probability Broach by Neil Smith. The book is a Libertarian sci-fi in an alternate America, one where people live "freely" and everyone owns a gun. ( or at least can if they want one)

Personally, I disagree greatly with the notion of "free" capital. There is a lot a government is needed to do to rein in chaos. After non-human entities created for capitalistic purposes, AKA Corporations, go bust - who pays for their environmental damages? In a free market, the poorest who cannot afford to live anywhere would get stuck living next to arsenic manufacturers and homes with lead paint. But I do agree that we need innovations and improved technological discoveries in society. Is money the sole impetus and catalyst for this, or is human goodwill and imagination enough? For many, it can be a combination of both - sometimes one before the other.

Would any other dating system make sense for the US?