Fair Game?

After sitting in class last week I began to think about what exactly the point of Dr. Lennon's 9 minute youtube viewing of every single news report on the planes crashing into the WTC on 9/11/01 was...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3OhQH15T-g

Was it an, oh so original way to stir up emotions and get his students to free write? What was the point of needing to see those images over and over and over and from one angle to the next and from cable television broadcast to network tv?

Was it fair game to make us sit and watch unforgetable images we have seen before-- without knowing how it touched some of our lives?

Unauthorized crap

In the begining of the book, Jarhead, by Anthony Swafford, the issue of free speech comes up. Reporters come to interview the marines who are stationed out in Saudi Arabia, and the captain gives rules/regulations on how to answer any questions the reporters ask regarding their personal feelings on the war. In actuality-- there are NO personal feelings allowed when discussing war, at least if you are enrolled in the services. Swafford makes us completely aware of this,

"When you are a part of that thing, you speak like it. Reporters are arriving to ask me what I think about sitting in a desert, waiting for war. I'll answer that I like it; I'm prepared for anything that might come my way; I have supreme confidence in all of my leaders, from my team leader to the president".

It's scary to think that the guys who are out there fighting aren't even allowed to express how they feel. No wonder the statistics show that mental health services are necessary for marines. http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/05/07/3005-defense-department-releases-mental-health-assessment-findings/

"From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.'

Dr. Seuss has

For those interested in something to do on Sunday, September 14th check out the Brooklyn Book Festival. For more info take a look at the website.

http://www.brooklynbookfestival.org/

"If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good."

Today at work as I attempted (repeatedly) on a break to set up this blog site I was given a box of Dr. Seuss books that was ordered for the students in my class. After I sifted through the books I was reminded by the words of Dr. Seuss--- maybe this blog thing will be fun? If not, at least I can say I gave it a try. All the cool kids are doing it these days, right?

http://www.seussville.com/