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As someone who has had two hip surgeries in the last year--and having suffered interminable and debilitating pain for five years--I feel compelled to advocate for medical marijuana. On the other hand, my own surreptitious use proved only to be a mild analgesic: It did not improve my overall ability to walk or sleep. I think it has its purpose, and certainly the federal government needs to relax: Marijuana is not Meth. I agree with the comments below; our governments could exploit marijuana for tax revenue to support health care, while eradicating the black market altogether.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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As a new teacher, having just earned my M.A.T. and starting in August, the focus has been entirely on standards and assessment. The irony (or tragedy) is that, although I feel prepared to teach my content area (HS English), my degree program did not include content-based classes. In other words, because of state and federal benchmarks, I have been indoctrinated in the ways of formative and summative assessment...but I have not been challenged to improve my literature, reading, and writing skills, which I would ostensibly transfer to my students.

I fear that the focus on standards--and, I should note that standards are, indeed, important--is taking away from the real pith of education: real knowledge, real skills. Filling in bubbles by no means demonstrates either.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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I like what the current guest is suggesting, insofar that Americans go through the motions without much contemplation. I was baptized Presbyterian, but found in my youth that the congregants simply showed up to socialize, to don their new dresses and suits, etc. It was never spiritual or reflective. If anything, services were dogmatic and repressive. I have discovered since, in my adulthood, the power of meditation--whether Zen or otherwise--and believe that Oregon greatly enhances the Transcendental experience. Religion and faith are fine and dandy, insofar that people think for themselves, and reflect on their relationship with each other, and Nature.

posted 4 years, 10 months ago
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