Running on Dunkin', Literally

Forget the high rising gas prices, forget the fact that Hillary Clinton is still campaigning. Now I'll ask you to forget the damage and sadness plaguing China and Myanmar. Why have I asked you to do this? Well it's to show you the importance of pointing out the terrorist sympathizer known as Rachel Ray. That's right, the woman who gains applause whenever she cuts potatoes has shown her support to those who would do us harm. I know, I couldn't believe it either.

How did such a thing come about? Well incase you didn't know, Rachel Ray is occasionally featured in commercials for Dunkin' Donuts. Well in a recent online advertisement, Ray is seen wearing a scarf that some say resembles a kaffiyeh, which is the traditional Arab headdress. Yes, I'm sure Rachel Ray, along with the wardrobe department were thinking that very thing when the scarf was placed around her neck. I'm sure you can see the subliminal message in her diabolical eyes. Eat more donuts, they won't do your American arteries any harm! Oh for cryin' out loud, are we seriously coming to this? Has anyone even stopped to think how stereotypical/racist of a statement that is? Rachel Ray puts a scarf on that resembles what a terrorists or extremist wears, so she must be anti-American.

And just so everyone can sleep peacefully, Dunkin' Donuts pulled the ad off their website. What's next, American security stopping anyone at an airport who appears to be Middle Eastern? Oh wait, we're already doing that. And so, all because of a scarf, America is running on Dunkin', literally.

Stand Up To Cancer

Have you ever asked yourself if you could save a life? Well today on the morning news programs on ABC, NBC, and CBS, the evening news anchors (Charles Gibson, Brian Williams, and Katie Couric) teamed up to announce the joining of the three networks to donate one hour of commercial-free prime-time for a national televised fundraiser to fight cancer. The simulcast entitled "Stand Up to Cancer" airs on September 5.

Stand Up to Cancer is a new initiative that will raise money and sponsor innovative approaches to fighting cancer. Now you don't have to wait until September to help the cause, you can start up your fundraising team today, by logging on to www.standup2cancer.org. The website includes a section where you can launch a personalized star in honor of someone you know or knew with cancer. And you can set up this out of this world memorial all for the price of one dollar. All of the donated money raised, goes to continuing the research needed to win the fight against cancer. So while you may not be saving a life today, your donation helps bring hope to the world of tomorrow.

Says the mission statement on the website, "This is where the end of cancer begins: when we unite in one unstoppable movement and Stand Up To Cancer."

Education that Connects

So in Kindergarten, you start learning your vowels, ABC's, 123's, and you enjoy recess. From then on, and get this, your level of education and understanding increase. Wow talk about a concept. Now what could be the reason for this? Probably to help you make something of yourself and succeed in life, because the last thing you want is to wind up being asked questions that make you look stupid on The Tonight Show.

A few weeks ago at my school we had evaluators come and visit. Just in case you don't know, evaluators are teachers and administrators from other schools who come to see how well our school is doing, and decide as to whether or not they may be interested in incorporating our ways into their schools. I, along with some of my classmates, were randomly selected to take part in a discussion about what we thought of our school. Now in my school every student has a laptop, a "tool" used to help the student in his or her studies. When the question about our thoughts on the laptops came up, I said they were unnecessary. It sort of felt like I was alone in my opinion. Why? Well here's my reason. A student doesn't need a computer to learn, believe it or not there was a time where people got an education and succeeded without a computer. There's nothing in school that can't be done without a good ole' piece of paper and pencil. Oh but we need them to turn in our assignments, we need them to gather information for projects. True, but there are things that can be done on a computer at home. "But I need to turn my assignments in." Yes well you can do that at home just like you did in the 7th grade.

Personally I feel computers in class can dumb a student down. A teacher is talking but the student is checking out what happened on LOST, or listening to music, e-mailing, or watching ten guys chase a ball down a court. Now I'll admit, I've done these things, but I'm not proud of it, it's a temptation, but it's how some schools feel they need to operate.

You may be wondering why I'm writing about such a thing. Well I heard a girl at my school ask, "Are there beaches in Georgia?" You see what I mean. I felt like turning around and yelling, "Yes, it's called the coastline! Perhaps you didn't notice the large body of water known at the Atlantic!" And while Sen. Obama may have been tired, you wouldn't want your kid believing that America is made up of 57 states. I'm not saying computers are a problem, and that they'll keep you from graduating the top of your class, just be careful, we don't want to end up nervous and embarrassed like Miss South Carolina 2007. So maybe we should keep the lid closed from time to time, and focus on getting a real education that connects.