Be-Think [Please visit BeThink.org]

Communication; Alone in a Crowd

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

The world is crowded. Six billion, six hundred twenty seven million, three hundred and sixty six thousand, three hundred and fifty people populate this planet, or did a short time ago. In this moment, there are more humans than there were seconds ago. The number of inhabitants increases exponentially each day. Everywhere we look, there is another person being born. Yet, at least in America, people feel more isolated than they did in the past.

Americans are more connected. Cyberspace calls us and draws us in. Electronic communiqués flood our online mailboxes. Cell telephones ring. It seems everyone has one and uses it to speak with someone, even when they are with another individual. Conversation is ubiquitous. However, when in a crowd, Americans feel more socially isolated.

History Happens; Ebbs And Flows. Emotions Are Entrenched

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

On any given day, in any given way we create a foundation for our lives. What we think, say, do, or feel will be with us throughout our existence. Even if we believe, we are no longer where we were, we evolved, [and we all do] the effects of our actions, our reactions, do not change unless we work extremely hard to transform them. Indeed, no matter how diligently we are in our pursuit, attempting to erase the effects of our deeds, our failure to function, or our rejoinders, these will linger in the hearts and minds of those we associate with.

People presume to know who we are, and what we meant way-back-when. Today they are more certain than ever. Emotions are easily entrenched.

Cindy Sheehan. The Plea, Promote Harmony Peacefully

Cindy Sheehan Quits

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

Dearest Cindy . . .

I meant to write this letter days ago after reading your farewell "Good Riddance Attention Whore." I watched as the number of electronic communiqués in response to your essay mounted. I thought my message might be lost and perhaps was not important. I decided to forego a seemingly fruitless endeavor.

Could Culture Clashes Cease?

Stop the Clash of Civilizations. YouTube.

Please compose your own missive. Tell your tales. Share your stories. Does your narrative mirror the message seen in this presentation? Why or why not. We welcome a discussion, a dialogue, and discourse. Agree or disagree, feel free to foment or speak favorably. The choice is yours.

Can we stop the crash of civilizations? Must one culture be in conflict with another? Might we quarrel no more and look at others as our mirror image? Please offer your reflections.

War of Words. Bloggers, Broadcasters, Rappers Code of Ethics

Oprah on Imus (Public forum with Russell and others) 2

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert
In this tome, I am not advocating autocratic censorship. I ask each of us to look within and consciously choose an empathetic ethical code.

"There is a problem." However, Americans do not agree what the problem is. Sexism, racism, homophobia, violence, or the words we use to promote such social ills. For weeks, language has been in the news, on the blogs, in the airwaves, and in music-industry executives meeting rooms. Free speech is the topic in question, as is the power of words. As children, we learned that "Sticks and stones may break our bones; but names will never hurt me." In fact, the opposite is true. Words and the inferences can cause greater, and more last injuries than twigs or rocks might. The body heals far better than the heart does.

Ed Week. 'Math Anxiety' Confuses the Equation for Students

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Education Week is discussing "Math Anxiety." The American Association for the Advancement of Science is about to embark on their annual endeavor, assessing Math and Science in the schools. A seminar is planned and educators are looking forward to the analysis. A precursor to the meeting evokes this discussion, 'Why might people, pupils have anxiety about Mathematics." I know why. I lived with this angst for decades.

Social scientists thought the reason for such stress was a simple one. I loathe that notion. For me, nothing is "just that simple!" I believe life is complex. Learning is an intricate process, more so than any of us might imagine. The individual nuances that comprise our unique being cloud an already complicated reality. Each step involved in erudition expands our horizons. Every aspect of a problem is part of a broader evolution. The whole is far greater than the sum of the parts.

Texas Mandates STD Vaccination for Elementary Age Schoolgirls

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Please view this Gardasil Commercial. Does this preparation protect the young and naïve? Might this drug cause undetermined side effects? What might these be? Societal effects may be as daunting as physiological. You decide.

I share this information only to stimulate thought and discussion. I am baffled when a Governor acts against his own interests and supposed beliefs. Texas Governor Rick Perry is a conservative Christian. He avidly opposes abortion and strongly disagrees with policies that encourage the use of embryonic cells in stem-cell research. This Southern Governor considers the religious right his political base; he depends on their votes and continued support. Without these God-fearing persons residing in the Lone Star state, the Governor cannot function as he does.

Yet, Friday, Governor Perry seems to acted against the will of his people. He imposed a law that would mandate cervical cancer vaccines for very young girls. Sixth graders, ages eleven and twelve [11 and 12] would receive inoculations, protecting them against a sexually transmitted disease.

Can a Muslim, Christian, Jew Be A Good American Citizen? ©

Mo Amer: Testing Americans On Muslim I.Q.

Dearest Reader . . .

Again, I received an electronic communiqué that left me feeling nauseous. This one is titled, "Can A Muslim Become A Good American Citizen? Can they be a good person?"

This communication is from an individual that barely knows me. She is a devout and practicing Christian. This woman attends church regularly and speaks of the Lord religiously. She often states she would never wish to hurt another; yet . . .

On the holiest of all Christian holidays, on the day that believers, throughout the globe honor their Lord Jesus Christ, this religious disciple sent me a bigoted letter in support of "racial profiling." In truth, this "epistle" seems to justify "ethnic cleansing." This patriotic preaching professes, people are not created equal, or after birth, they become evil. According to this missive, in America, the Constitutional right establishing freedom of religion is unwise. Muslims must be damned. Please ponder the passage and decide for yourself.

Iraq Study Group Asks, "When Will We Ever Learn To Talk?" ©

Please Click to View, Iraq Report Recommends Policy Shift The document was delivered and the debate begins. It is not a "discussion" or a "dialogue" that we are witnessing. It is as the Iraqi war was and still is, combative. Persons participating in the parsing do not desire diplomacy. Had they ever expressed such a desire, war would not have been an option. The exchanges we hear are attempts to win favor. As we read, we realize each individual and group wishes to be victorious. We are watching another war, the war of words.

Words are bantered about. Definitive statements of opinion are posed as news.

Give Thanks for Genocide. Thanksgiving, National Day of Mourning ©

The day is done, bellies are bloated, and now, rather than pretend to give thanks, we can reflect. Might we mourn our motives, the message, and the myths of Thanksgiving Day?

We are not vanishing. We are not conquered. We are as strong as ever."
~ United American Indians of New England.

As a child, I felt as my Mom did in her earliest years, "What are we giving thanks for on this holiday, hurting a loving native nation?" In the first grade, she was sent to the principal's office for questioning the "accepted" truth of Thanksgiving. She understood the tales taught to schoolchildren; however, my Mom contrasted these with what she knew of the Indian people. In my youngest years, I could or would not tolerate "Cowboy and Indian" games or the genre in films. I saw the slaughter of a loving people and wondered, as I do now, "Why do we allow this to happen?" Why would we celebrate such carnage?