actions and consequences

Most of us know someone who went down the wrong path.

And in some cases, we actually have good memories being around that same person who went down the wrong path.

But at the same time, having good memories of someone DOES NOT mean that person shouldn't have face consequences of that negative behavior


However, some people think that the people they like shouldn't face the inevitable consequences of their stupid decisions.

For example, this teacher named Kate Selker was upset that one of her students was shot in the head, nevermind that her student was intruding on someone else's home!

http://www.salon.com/2013/08/09/young_black_and_shot_in_the_head/

And as the title showed, the teacher played the race card, acting as its racist to shoot an intruder who just happens to be a  different race from you!

And that teacher recited all the good memories of her former student, as if that erase the fact that her student was just asking for trouble when he intruded on someon's property!

Look I don't care how many good memories you have of the student, if he was intruding on someone's property, he is asking to be shot at!

After all, anyone mean-spirited enough to intrude on your property can be mean-spirited enough to attack you, stab you , put you in a choke-hold, rape you,  knock the phone out of your hand as you call 911!

You cant blame the property owner for shooting the intruder.


Look, I used to hang out with this guy named Justin Gonda. This was mostly during my junior year in high school. We used to chill by the school's shop building during lunch recess. There were about 3-4 other people with us, along with a few guests who occasionally came by.  Those were the funnest times I had during my high school years.

However, a few years after high school, Justin Gonda was arrested for sexual assault! He's in jail now!

You know what? It doesn't matter how much good times me and Gonda had in the past, Gonda committed a serious crime and has to take the consequences.


If this leads him to a direction where he gets assaulted or  killed (maybe by his victim's relatives? maybe by other inmates? etc?), he has to accept some of the blame himself!

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And this race card that Kate Selker is using is STUPID!

She said she used to trespass on properties when she was a teen and felt she got away with it because she's white, and her student didn't because he was black.

Selker  might think trespassing was no big deal for her. But if she had gotten shot while trespassing, I won't feel much pity for her! She's just lucky she didn't got caught!

Also,  Selker thinks it's racist for an property owner to shoot an intruder who happens to be a different race. That is so stupid. Selker's problem is her idiotic "white guilt", her "need" to over-compensate for "white privilege".



This over-compensating for white privillege is stupid and unnecessary! It's not racist to expect non-whites to behave properly! After all, Martin Luther King wanted people to be judged by the content of their character. Any fool who intrudes on another person's home shall be judged as a bad character, regardless of skin color!



Everyone needs to accept responsibility for their actions. Sure, some of us have work much harder to gain the respect of others. Sure, some of us face more obstacles than others. Sure, some of us have heard ugly racial insults said to our faces. Sure, some of us didn't have the economic resources that others have! Sure, some of us have physical or mental limitations that others don't have!

But it doesn't erase the fact that everyone still need to do the responsible thing and accept the fact that there are negative consequences for doing negative things!


Now here's a great comment to that same article!

myqjones 

The story is very much more complicated than it sounds.  Ms. Selker fails to mention the other children involved - Mr. Landry's two year old daughter, and the yet to born child carried by his pregnant wife.  Coulter did not "jump" a fence - he scaled an 8 foot tall spiked gate into a fully enclosed fenced drive way right next to the bedroom window where Mr. Landry's family was sleeping at 2am at night.  The drive was deeply shaded from the streetlight across the street by large trees and bushes.  And, the final major issue - this is New Orleans - the single most dangerous city in the US, with the least effective police force with well known slow response times.  Mr. Landry was standing in the enclosed drive, in the dark, with an intruder, family to protect, and low expectation of police response.
Now, this is just me, but if the intruder so much as twitched, they would be shot - center mass, with intent to kill (there is no such thing as shooting to wound, if you think you need to pull the trigger, then shoot to kill).  If they aren't completely disabled, then shoot again.
I would take my chances with the law after that.  My wife, child, and unborn child safety takes precedence over any vagaries of the law.

Mister Worldwide

Today, in a database searching class, we went over altmetrics.

Here's wikipedia's description from it's Impact Factor page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_factor

Alternative metrics, or "altmetrics", often measure impact at an article level and include article views, downloads, or mentions in social media.

 Some samples described in class has to do with how many times an article has been cited, linked, e-mailed or downloaded.

One slide showed the geographic distribution of a scholarly article getting read.

With Blogger, you get to track the same info with your blog.


Here's a screenshot of that example

 

My "all-time" stats 

(well actually since 2007, when Blogger started tracking these things)

(the green & white  blob on the right just blocks out other info, related to what web browsers are linking to my blog, I put that green & white  blob   courtesy of Jing)

But yeah, I do have an international audience. Even from Latvia a tiny European country.

This list only shows the top 10 countries. Those that didn't have 208 pageviews got left out. :(

But for the pageviews for this week 

Got a lot of Latvian fans this week.

A little more diverse group of countries listed there

 But my quest for world domination is not complete. India is the 2nd most populated country in the world but is not on either list. Also, neither list had gotten an African or Middle Eastern country.  Hopefully whoever was spreading the word in Latvia will soon spread the word in Africa, the Middle East and India. 

PS: I know rapper Pitbull is the real "Mr Worldwide". Much respect to him!

It Never Gets Easier

Most of us have experience with friends or relatives say or do stuff that annoys you even when they don't intend to. 

But you know that their behavior has to stop.

And you know you'll go insane if you don't say anything.

And you don't want to tell them off in front of everyone, partly to save them from embarrassment, partly to save everyone else the trauma of seeing friends/relatives arguing!

Me, I'd rather just send a letter or an e-mail telling them how I feel about their behavior!

Telling them from a distance usually gives them time to think before they react.   Whereas telling them in a face-to-face conversation gives them time pressure to react now, which can cause you or them to say something they might later regret.

I have just sent a letter to someone in my family.  It'll probably be in his/her mailbox today. He/she probably read it by now!

It is a very serious topic and I want that person to get his/her act together before we meet again!  It's at the point where I am telling that person "if you keep that up, I will boycott any gatherings in which you are present". Yes, it's that bad!

I have sent similar letters to other people over the years. It's never comfortable to do so.

It never gets easier, but it just has to be done! 

Not a fan of UPS policies

If you're doing online shopping, make sure you know how your stuff is being delivered before clicking the checkout button.


If the company ships your stuff directly by United Parcel Services (UPS) you may want to re-consider!


You see, UPS does NOT tell you what time they're coming by your house!

So you're expected to wait at home ALL DAY just to receive your package!

Who has time for that?

And if you live in a secured building (like I do), they can't just come in and leave your stuff by your door. Plus, I don't want stuff left outside by my door. You never know who'll be thinking  "hey, free stuff".


And even worse, their delivery workers are not allowed to call the customer's  phone # when they come by my home to confirm I'm home!

That is the most stupidest delivery  policy known to humanity!

So if you're not home when they come by (and they don't tell you when they'll come by), you got to go to their facility to pick up your item.

Their facility on Oahu is on an isolated road near the airport! If you're a bus rider, you got to get off by Nimitz and walk multiple blocks on Lagoon Drive!

And UPS doesn't automatically deliver to the nearest UPS store even if you request it! You have to call the UPS Store yourself and hope they'll allow you to receive your stuff there! 

Fed Ex isn't that messed up. They're willing to hold your stuff at the nearest FedEx Office instead of making you go to their isolated facility to get your stuff!


For deliveries, I'd rather just rely on the U.S. Post Office. I know all the jokes and complaints about the U.S. Post Office.  But I don't have any problems with their package delivery! They have easy access to my apartment, they leave a key in my mailbox, and with that key I can just open the bigger mailbox to get my stuff!  No need to stay at home all day just to wait for the delivery worker! And no need to go to an isolated facility in the middle of nowhere! 

So yeah, I'm avoiding the UPS as much as possible.

Though if UPS changes their policy, let me know! 
 

my time at NVMS

Time to stop holding things in!

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I was working as a Para-Professional Tutor (PPT) at Niu Valley Middle School (NVMS)  from April 2010 to May 2011.

Actually, my job interview was on February 2010 but my employment started on April 2010. Typical DOE red tape!


Anyways, I  was a one-on-one tutor for a few students who need special services.

I can't tell you too much detail about the individual students I was working with, nor how I was supposed to help them. Part of it is because of confidentiality rules, plus I don't want to embarrass the individual students I was working with.

However, it's some of the staff members who ought to be embarrassed of themselves.

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First off, SPED teacher  Randi (Sagawa) Passantino who I'll just refered to as "Miss RSP"  in the rest of this blog post.




Good news: good spirit, good enthusiasm.

Bad news: very disorganized, poor leader.


She doesn't tell new PPTs what they're supposed to be doing or how they're supposed to be doing things until it is too late!  And she only does it after the fact and loud enough for everyone to hear! 

Good leaders tell you and prep you ahead of time! "Miss RSP" doesn't!

Good leaders try to correct you in a way on an individual level in at least a semi-private setting (ie. correct you softly at the teacher's desk). "Miss RSP" does the exact opposite. She'll embarrass staff members in a loud tone in front of everyone.

I mean, it's one thing to yell at  some fool playing around in class! It's one thing to yell when the students won't be quiet when I start the class!  But minor mistakes are to be corrected in a softer tone of voice. "Miss RSP" doesn't believe in a softer tone of voice, ever! Therefore, "Miss Blank" is all noise, no sense!

It is also impossible to talk with "Miss RSP" in a low-key environment. She walks away when I tell her "I won't know if you don't tell me". Real leaders don't walk away when being told that!  "Miss RSP" isn't a real leader,  is all ego, no humility!
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Math teacher Stephen Duncan allows chaos to occur in his homeroom. And he has the nerve to tell me "what happens in this class stays in this class". WRONG MOVE MISTER!

I reported that statement to the vice-principal  who thought that statement was "so stupid". The vice-principal agreed with me when I said "anything that happens in class is fair game".

Stephen Duncan, instead of telling me "what happens in this class stays in this class", why not put more effort in controlling your class?  

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And talking about class management, PPTs are supposed to be silent  passive observers  whenever the classroom teacher don't even put much effort in classroom management.  This was the instruction by one of the former vice-principals (Kelly Bart) when I mentioned to him about the chaos occurring in a Japanese-language class.

The teacher was a temp hire (regular teacher was on maternity leave) and was excessively lenient.  There was constant trash talking and running around among the students in the class

Yet the VP Bart's order to me was to be a silent passive observer and just help the student I was assigned to help.

(by the way, I was supposed to help that student, even in classes where I have no expertise, ie. Japanese language)

Anyways, I was so angry about the situation, I went to the other VP and the principal on this issue! I was then told I can call security if anything goes on, as long as I got the teacher's permission. Afterwards, the temp teacher finally put more effort in classroom management.

In the last quarter, that class finally had a different temp teacher. He was more of a disciplinarian without being overly harsh. He was one of the coolest people on campus!  The bad kids didn't like him, but the good kids did!

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Because PPTs are supposed to silent observers when other kids are causing chaos,  I no longer work as a PPT!  

 I'm tired of being silent when chaos occurs in class!

I'd rather be a substitute teacher than a PPT! Even if the students give subs a hard time, at least I'm allowed to put  effort in classroom management   instead of just being a silent passive observer!  I'm done with being a silent passive observer!

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There was also this Student Service clerk Winnie Yuen. She asked the usual introduction question "where are you from?" I told her I was from this island. She then asked "where are you really from?" EXCUSE ME I just answered your question!  Racial profiling from someone who acts as if only Asians and Polynesians can say they grow up in Hawaii. I like see her tell people in Idaho or Mississippi that she's a US citizen! Ha! 

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Other that though, I like most of the people at NVMS!  

The head secretary (officially called the SASA) Eric Ikawa is one of the coolest people on Earth. 

Rick Nagata is a great social studies teacher! 

Monica Boehm is no longer there, but she's an engaging English teacher with real passion in the subject!

Mr Doi is a real PE teacher. He actually teaches the students about the games, whereas my PE teachers were just like "here's the ball, make a team and go play" 

Ms Lozis teaches the video-making, which is a class I wish I had when I was in school! 

I also remember the fun conversations with EA Traci Smith!

 Candice Kuo was the librarian, very nice sweet woman!  Same with counselor Angie Inoue. 

Shon was the after-school activity guy! A cool guy!

And if I forget the other staff members I got along with, I apologize!

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Facial Expressions can be VERY misleading

Some people think they know what you're thinking just by looking at your facial expressions.

Those people are not only wrong, but mega-wrong!


I mentioned this issue back in last year's blog post about the 2012 Summer Olympics (part 4) at http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2012/08/2012-london-olympics.html

I sometimes hear people say nonsense like "facial expressions say it all".

No it doesn't. Sometimes, they say NOTHING at all!

But USA gymnast  McKayla Maroney has been getting lots of flack over her "serious looking" facial expressions.

and a few paragraphs later, I mentioned this

 Look, I've known people who look "grumpy" or "overly serious" when I first met them, but when you get to know them, they're really nice people. They just have a tendency to frown.

I had the opposite issue. I had people asking me in middle school "why are you smiling so much" when I didn't even know I was smiling! Honest! I don't spend much time paying attention to my facial expression.

For some reason, that happened more often at middle schools more than anywhere else. Even as a sub teacher, I got asked "why are you always smiling" in middle schools more than elementary or high schools.

For example, at Niu Valley Middle School,  when 2 boys got of control, and I called security to come and get those boys out of the class. After I made the phone call, I heard a girl say "look, the teacher is still smiling through all this".  The reality was that I wasn't even close to feeling happy at that moment!  I was really irritated that those 2 boys were still play-fighting and trash talking even after I asked them to re-focus on their class-work. I could yell, but really, I know that yelling would be considered "entertainment" to the class!

But yeah, I was accused of smiling, when I was really frustrated inside.

That tells you that facial expressions TELLS YOU NOTHING and can easily fool those chumps who think "facial expressions say it all"

I also had an opposite problem too.  When I used to watch TV more often, I dont always look directly at the TV, but I'm paying attention to what's being said! And yet, people assume I'm bored or not watching!


Or I've been accused of being "bored" because I don't have the "proper" facial expressions when I'm in a conversation!  As I said, I don't spend much time paying attention to my facial expression.

Or I have been accused of "being scared" when I felt absolutely zero fear on the inside.  But again, my facial expressions and/or body language has been misinterpreted as "fear" even when I wasn't even afraid.  As I said, I don't spend much time paying attention to my facial expression.

As I'm getting older, I do realize I have to pay more attention to my facial expressions, otherwise, other people will get the wrong impressions!

 But don't assume that you know what the person is feeling just on facial expressions alone.


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Another thing: I remember reading about this common scenario : girl smiles, the boy thinks that means she wants to have sex with him. THAT, is a classic example of someone misinterpreting another person's facial expression! 

Now, you understand my earlier point? 

The Fear of the Other

Ever since the 8-day old verdict in the George Zimmerman's case, there has been some fear among African-Americans that they might be the next victim of another non-black amateur security guy who pretends to be "standing his ground".

(example at  http://www.salon.com/2013/07/14/how_power_works_in_america/)

That's not much different from those European-Americans who spend a lot of time being afraid of "the black thug", "the Mexican illegal" or "the Muslim terrorist"?

(example at  http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2007/06/hypocracy-of-anti-immigration-fascists.html)

The politically incorrect reality is that in the over-whelming majority of crimes, the predator and the victim are of the same race. 

In other words, an African-American is more likely to be a victim of a black-on-black crime than to be a victim of  some white/Jew/Latino amateur security guy.

And a European-American is more likely to be a victim of a white-on-white crime than to be a victim of some "black thug", "Mexican illegal" or "Muslim terrorist".

But for some reason, it's harder to fear someone who look like your brother or cousin than it is to fear someone who looks different from you.

It's easier to be afraid when you look different from the crowd, than to be afraid of a crowd of folks who look like you, even when some in the crowd are obnoxious jerks.

This isn't just a "black thing" or a "white thing".

Here in Hawaii, there is a fear of the Micronesian, the most recent group of immigrants.

They're not any more violent than other racial groups here, but any incident that involves them leads to tons of racist commentary online that doesn't happen much if the incident involves Asians or Native Hawaiians.

Even articles about public housing complexes (ie Kuhio Park Terrace, Mayor Wrights, Palolo Valley Homes, etc.) recieve tons of racist commentary about Micronesians, even though the problems  of those public housing complexes (ie. damaged facilities, crime, public drunkenness) were going on WAY BEFORE  the Micronesians started to move in. 

Even when the Micronesia Mart was being built, I was hearing racist comments about it on the bus or in online forums. Well, the store just opened and I went inside. The staff was very nice and helpful. The store was clean and organized.  They don't deserve the hateful racist abuse that I've been hearing.

In fact, most of the Micronesians I know (from the schools, workplaces, stores, etc) are very nice people. Sure, there's a few knuckleheads among them, but the same is true about other racial groups as well.

But too many in Hawaii view them as "The Other", too many in Hawaii only want the racial mixture that was there when they were born.  

Even my uncle, who used to complain about racism and injustices against his favorite groups (ie Native Hawaiians, African-Americans) is now complaining about Micronesians moving to his neighborhood. Well, uncle, keep this crap up and I will put your name on my blog posts and expose you to the light!   (this is the same uncle I mentioned before that complains about facebook even though he never tried it, and keeps complaining about things getting worse when they're not! He wants to party like it's 1979 all over again! It's probably change in general that he fears more than any racial group, but he's still wrong!)


But even before the Micronesian immigration, there was a different fear of "The Other" in  Hawaii. There used to be a fear of the Filipinos and Samoans just a few decades ago.  They were stereotyped as thuggish people who will only be living in poverty. But now many of them have middle-class jobs and live in the suburbs.

And before that, there was a fear of the "Japanese takeover"!  It turned out later that the Japanese-Americans are can be just as American as all those descendants of European immigrants

We need to stop fearing "The Other"! We need to learn to accept diversity! We need to accept the fact there will be new racial and cultural groups moving to your neighborhood! We need to put things in perspective!

AS Rodney King once said, "can't we all just get along?"