leftyjenkins.tumblr.com

Saad’s Story: A Deported Student’s Quest To Return To America

Saad Nabeel doesn’t get much sleep these days. Holed up in an undisclosed location in Malaysia, the lanky 20-year-old spends his nights furtively working to bring himself back to America, the only home he’s ever known.

Born in Bangladesh, Nabeel moved to California with his parents at age three, and then to Texas at age 11. It was there that he developed a southern drawl and a love for fast food and Taylor Swift (whom he refers to, only semi-jokingly, as his wife). He also began charting his path to an electrical engineering degree at the University of Texas-Arlington, from which he received a full scholarship.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/saads-story-a-deported-st_n_816321.html

Dear Disrespectful Asshole in the Drive-Thru,

You act like McDonalds is some restaurant you’ve never heard of.  ’Gee, let me look at the menu some more.  Do you have any specials?’  I could only imagine the pain the person taking your order must be enduring.  All the hand gestures amidst what must have been 300,000 words.  All I could think of was the MAD TV skit in which the cashier complains about the complicated order.  I think that skit ended with the cashier saying “I will CUT you!” to the person ordering.  

Then, you leave three car lengths between you and the person in front of you.  Why?  Just why?  That means I can’t reach the first window and pay the nice lady for my food.  This is when I knew for sure you were a giant asshole.

But it was all made clear in the final moments of our WAY TOO FUCKING LONG shared encounter when you changed your order at the second window.  I wasn’t sure that was what was happening until I talked with the employee at the window after you finally pulled away.  They handed you a bottle of Dasani, you inspect it, give it back, and then they bring you another one.  Then, there was a long pause.  Finally, you were given a second bulging bag and that’s when I guessed what the hold up was.  You added to your order at the second fucking window.  You aren’t just an asshole, you’re a … shit, I don’t know what.  But much worse than an asshole to be sure.

Please don’t come to the drive-thru again, ever.  Order in.

Signed, 

The Eight Cars Behind You in Line

think4yourself:

“I couldn’t be happier with the ambassador’s service, and I’m sure he will be very successful in whatever endeavors he chooses in the future. And I’m sure that him having worked so well with me will be a great asset in any Republican primary.”

—

President Obama, commenting on rumors that Jon Huntsman will leave his post as ambassador to China to run for president.

ouch. burn.

I’m excited about Natalie Portman’s next movie, Your Highness.  She said it’s a mixture of The Princess Bride and Pineapple Express.  Yes, please.  

lizsnodgrass:

leftyjenkins:

Dinner. We’ve yet to try pizza & cookies, but I have a feeling one might make it into our cart tomorrow. Hope Publix doesn’t let me down.

We didnt see Pizza & Cookies at the Kroger, only Pizza & Breadsticks. How was it?

Well, it’s not delivery, but… [zing]  It’s actually quite good.  We wish they offered stuffed crust, but that’s my only complaint.

Am I imagining things or didn’t Congress pass a law that prohibited commercials from being louder than the show during which they appear?  

Because I’m having to turn down the volume every time TNT goes to commercial break and it’s pissing me off.

wife was on facebook tonight.  i noticed a post by my mom in which she was hoping a bill would pass that would drug test people on food stamps.  i’m no longer on fb, but i had to write her an e-mail.

shit like this makes me rage.  what’s the reason behind this proposed legislation?  saving tax dollars?  why not focus on the massive amounts of money that goes to our military industrial complex?  why not fight the tax cuts for the super rich?  there’s plenty to be outraged by, but poverty stricken americans smoking weed?  that’s your beef?  you want to make americans poor poorer?  

this isn’t exactly what i wrote in the e-mail.  but i did end with a quote from one of my favorite thinkers, noam chomsky.  here’s the quote:

“The more you can increase fear of drugs and crime, welfare mothers, immigrants and aliens, the more you control all the people.”

strawberrytwin:

“Now that MSNBC has said goodbye to its top draw, Keith Olbermann, the news network is looking to find a new marquee star for its growing brand, and sources tell me their ultimate wish list is topped by none other than ‘30 Rock’ star Alec Baldwin. “He’s already part of the NBC family, has a huge fan base and is very respected for his long term passions for politics,” [says] a network source, adding that Alec is very high, perhaps even No. 1, on the wish lists of MSNBC bigwigs.”

—

MSNBC Eyeing Alec Baldwin for Hosting Duties?

I would watch the hell out of that show.

(via thebusstop)

I hope he delivers news and commentary in the whispery voice

I’d watch, but I can’t imagine he’d do it. 

Q - what did the boy rabbit say to the girl rabbit?

A - this won’t take long, did it?

I was disappointed to hear that Keith has been terminated at MSNBC.  I hope he finds a new home and soon. 

savagemike:

pantslessprogressive:

Full applause to Eclectablog for compiling the following list.

So far in the 112th Congress, the Republicans haven’t introduced a single jobs bill.

However, from the Republicans, as of today, we have at least:

• 16 bills to repeal all or parts of the Affordable Care Act
• 7 bills/resolutions to require a balanced federal budget
• 5 bills to repeal the estate tax (which benefits only the über-wealthy)
• A bill to repeal Wall Street Reform
• 6 bills to restrict women’s access to abortions
• A bill to take polar bears off the Endangered Species list
• A bill to pull federal funding of public radio
• Six bills and a resolution to increase oil drilling in the US and to prevent federal regulation of greenhouse gases
• A bill to remove certain Federal restrictions on interstate firearms transactions
• A bill to prohibit paying salaries of “czars” and a resolution that they should be required to get Congressional approval
• A bill to prevent US-born children of undocumented immigrants from being designated as U.S. citizens
• A bill to allow employers that provide health insurance to count that toward their minimum wage compensation
• A bill to prevent the federal government from regulating the internet
• A bill to permanently reduce individual income tax rates
• A bill to require States’ approval of national monument creation in their state
• A bill to require the heads of all four branches of the military to sign off on DADT before it can be implemented
• A bill to rename two buildings after Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush
• A bill to require that Gitmo be kept open and that only military commissions be used to try the inmates held there
• A bill to prevent the posting of signs indicating work being done/paid for under the Recovery Act
• A resolution to repeal the 16th Amendment

Call your member of Congress and ask them a simple question: “When will you be sponsoring a jobs bill?”

This is some list. These guys are jackoffs.

librarianinlittlecanada:

“Several doctors interviewed across the country, particularly in rural areas, described frustration over being barred from taking a few extra minutes during a Caesarean delivery to tie the tubes of women who no longer want children or face complications if they become pregnant again. “I feel very stuck,” said a doctor at a hospital in an isolated town in a western mountain state whose institution barred the procedures after the Phoenix case. “I don’t know where to turn.””

—

Religious hospitals’ restrictions sparking conflicts, scrutiny (via robot-heart-politics)

Dear Christians,

You know how you always whine and moan that atheists just can’t keep their atheism to themselves? THIS is why we can’t do that because your beliefs are affecting what people can and cannot do in a country that is supposed to guarantee a certain level of freedom. Religiously-affiliated hospitals are sometimes the only option for people which means women are left without sterilization or contraceptive options because the doctors are not allowed to provide them.

Love,

Rabble 

(via rabbleprochoice)

This is why my sister in law is pregnant with No. 4. She begged the doc to tie her tubes. No dice. Against his beliefs, he said.

(via nanner)

When your only choice is a Catholic hospital that won’t do any of the following:

• Abortions, even for ectopic pregnancies,
• Tubal ligations,
• C-Sections except in medical emergencies, or
• Sexual health counseling,

Your health is being threatened by someone else’s religion. 

Shit like this makes my blood boil. The same thing is happening with pharmacies.

girlwithalessonplan:

“Thank you to public school teachers. I know you don’t get paid like it, but you’re doing the most important work in America.”

—Ian Brennan, one of writers/producers of Glee, accepting the best comedy Golden Globe.

That was definitely in response to Robert Deniro, right?

stfusexists:

““The law discriminates against rape victims in a manner which would not be tolerated by victims of any other crime. In the following example, a holdup victim is asked questions similar in form to those usually asked a victim of rape.

“Mr. Smith, you were held up at gunpoint on the corner of 16th and Locust?”

“Yes.”

“Did you struggle with the robber?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“He was armed.”

“Then you made a conscious decision to comply with his demands rather than to resist?”

“Yes.”

“Did you scream? Cry out?”

“No. I was afraid.”

“I see. Have you ever been held up before?”

“No.”

“Have you ever given money away?”

“Yes, of course–”

“And did you do so willingly?”

“What are you getting at?”

“Well, let’s put it like this, Mr. Smith. You’ve given away money in the past–in fact, you have quite a reputation for philanthropy. How can we be sure that you weren’t contriving to have your money taken from you by force?”

“Listen, if I wanted–”

“Never mind. What time did this holdup take place, Mr. Smith?”

“About 11 p.m.”

“You were out on the streets at 11 p.m.? Doing what?”

“Just walking.”

“Just walking? You know it’s dangerous being out on the street that late at night. Weren’t you aware that you could have been held up?”

“I hadn’t thought about it.”

“What were you wearing at the time, Mr. Smith?”

“Let’s see. A suit. Yes, a suit.”

“An expensive suit?”

“Well–yes.”

“In other words, Mr. Smith, you were walking around the streets late at night in a suit that practically advertised the fact that you might be a good target for some easy money, isn’t that so? I mean, if we didn’t know better, Mr. Smith, we might even think you were asking for this to happen, mightn’t we?”

“Look, can’t we talkin about the past history of the guy who did this to me?”

“I’m afraid not, Mr. Smith. I don’t think you would want to violate his rights, now, would you?”””

— (via blackenedbutterfly)

Here are two political stories from this week that make me feel good:

Obama’s cuts to defense budget are good first step says… wait for it… a GOP Congressperson

In his interview on Fox Business, Rep. Campbell offered no projection for defense cuts, though he said that there is no reason for the US to keep alive weapon systems from past conflicts while using the Defense Department as a jobs program.

Colorado Sen. Mark Udall’s idea to have Democrats and Republicans sit together during President Obama’s State of the Union address is gaining momentum.

According to Udall’s staff, at least 30 members of Congress have signed on to his letter that will be sent to House and Senate leaders asking them to break the long tradition of having both parties seated separately during the president’s annual address.

Are any of y’all planning to attend the Children’s Literature Conference at UGA in March?

savagemike:

DAVID BROCK: But this is not street theater, as you know.

Glenn Beck himself has been responsible for three thwarted assassination attempts this year. And Sarah Palin —

CHRIS MATTHEWS: How is he responsible for them?

BROCK: Well, you want to know what they are?

MATTHEWS: You said it.

BROCK: Sure.

So, he burned Nancy Pelosi in effigy on his set. He tried to poison her with a chalice. OK. Some three weeks later, somebody tried to firebomb Nancy Pelosi`s house. That guy`s mother went on television and said he gets all his ideas from FOX News.

Do you know about Senator Patty Murray and the death threat that she got?

MATTHEWS: No. Go ahead.

BROCK: OK. It`s recorded. The guy says after the health care vote, he says, you have a target on your back and I can accomplish what I want to accomplish with one bullet.

He`s tried, convicted, and in the sentencing phase, his cousin writes in for leniency and she describes in a very chilling memo — it`s on our Web site — that he was slowly drawn into Glenn Beck`s world. And she portrays the guy, the attempted assassin, Charlie Wilson, as a victim of Beck.

And, number three, which you probably do know about, this liberal foundation in San Francisco was targeted by a gunman, Byron Williams, in June. The shooter gave jailhouse interviews — and we published them — and he says Glenn Beck is a schoolteacher on television and points to specific episodes of the Glenn Becks show that inspired him to do it.

MATTHEWS: Oh, God.

librarianinlittlecanada:

“A nurse practitioner at an Idaho Planned Parenthood called a local Walgreen’s pharmacy to fill a prescription for Methergine, a medicine used to prevent or control bleeding of the uterus following childbirth or an abortion. The pharmacists refused to fill the prescription unless the nurse told her whether or not the patient had an abortion. Because of patient confidentiality laws, the nurse refused to disclose that information, and asked for a referral to another pharmacy. The pharmacist hung up.”

—

Pharmacists refusing to fill prescriptions for potentially life-saving drugs — Feministe

And now for a new subject: On what planet is this ok?

It shouldn’t be okay anywhere and it shouldn’t be legal. 

Using someone’s spelling/grammar against them or to invalidate what they say or to form an opinion about them is, in my opinion, a first cousin to the tone argument because it doesn’t address the substance of someone’s statement but rather the method in which it was delivered, and requires that someone meet another’s standard to be allowed into and recognized in a discussion.

If someone is saying something wrong, something absurd, something not reasonable, something hurtful - then address that. Address the substance, not the method. 

I really used to be one of those grammar sticklers (and btw, if you use the term “grammar nazi”, we’re done because comma splicing and genocide aren’t even remotely the same thing. Ever.)

Then I realized these things about grammar:

1. Grammar is arbitrary at the best of times, and actually varies from style to style. Anyone who’s done academic, journalistic, or professional writing or editing knows that what’s correct in say, the Chicago Manual of Style may be completely different according to MLA (Modern Language Association) rules and that these rules  are sometimes deliberately changed/updated/rearranged. 

The same with other types of grammar, and indeed, with grammar over time. Rewind the clock fifty or a hundred years and you’ll find that in the English language (especially in U.K. and U.S. and Canadian usage) what was considered correct in 1910 or even 1950 is wrong now and vice versa. 

Control of “proper” language is about privilege and it’s about controlling communication and being able to invalidate communication that isn’t arbitrated by an established authority. 

Basically, at it’s worst, it’s about silencing the marginalized. 

2. Being taught this standardized grammar in a way that you understand and being able to use it in all instances in a way that is considered “correct” is SO FUCKING PRIVILEGED. 

First, because being at a school that has the resources to teach you in a way that makes this stuff stick in your brain is about being privileged economically, socially, and even in your abilities. Many schools across this planet struggle daily to have buildings and books and paper and enough room and enough teachers. If you’re at a school that can take the time to teach you “you’re” versus “your” or some equivalent in another language, you’re privileged. Don’t use that to derail and disrupt and act like an ass to less privileged folks and disregard the things they say.

Second, there are a lot of different forms of disability that make grammar a pain in the ass at the best of times. Or hell, just different types of neurology that make grammar something that’s easier for some people to grasp than others. The same way that numbers and math come easily to some and not others. I tend to get called articulate and well spoken because I’m one of those types that just gets grammar. Not because I’m better or smarter. I’m just lucky. My brain knows what to do with words and language structures. 

Sit me down with numbers and equations? I start blowing fuses in my head. It doesn’t make me stupider or worse than those who don’t even need calculators. It just makes me different. 

Third, specific to this example, not all people speak English as their first language. Not all people learn English as a second (or third, or so on) language in a formal setting. So these types of rules are not something they’d come across and frankly aren’t that useful for helping them communicate. This is not a mark against them. They are not illiterate. They are a person who natively speaks another language. 

3. As a reformed Grammar Stickler, I now believe that grammar and spelling are correct so long as they facilitate communication and help people transmit their ideas successfully. Meaning - yes, having a period at the end of a sentence or at least a space or some kind of mark to break apart two ideas so that I understand them as being individual and not part of each other is a good thing. But if you should want to use three exclamation points or just a line break rather than a period, that’s fine. I’m not going to shoot down you telling me a very important truth just because you spliced it with a comma or ZOMG YOU TOTALLY MISSPELLED SOMETHING. Fuck that.  

The only time to point out and grammar or spelling is when it honestly prevents you, the reader, from understanding what it is being communicated. And even then, you don’t correct the grammar (as you are not the author and therefore do not know what the author is trying to communicate), you just ask politely, if you can, for clarification. 

But if you should say YOUR and not YOU’RE, big deal. If I get what you’re trying to say and the point got across and I understand that you are talking about something that belongs to me or pertains to me, I don’t give a damn about an apostrophe and an extra letter. 

Especially if what you’re trying to communicate is something vital, something like a lived experience or a plea for help or a deeply held belief or something important to you. 

And if I disagree with you, I’m going to point out the flaws in your statement, not your spelling. A bad idea spelled perfectly is still a bad idea, and a good idea spelled “improperly” is still a good idea. 

vladislava:madamethursday:

I’ve never, ever thought of grammar in this way. Strunk and White is one of my favorite books. It actually rests on my nightstand, within reach for late night reading.  

But this post has really got me thinking. 

girlwithalessonplan:

Pre – Fourth:

lefty jenkins : Media Specialist, Primary School

positively persistent teach : Title 1 / Reading Specialist K-8

graceland momma: elementary exceptional education teacher

kicks and giggles : Instructional Aide, Varying Exceptionalities, K-2

krisanthemum : First Grade

miss misha : First Grade

made accidental : ESL Language Arts Pre K(4yr)-Grade 5

tough teacher : 4th grade literacy

Grades 5-8 

lizzie in the sky: ESL secondary

special bunny : Masters in Secondary, currently looking for a job as a Middle School LA teacher

oh muffins : 5th/6th Grade English/Language Arts

trickywoo : 6th grade- special ed

heels are for dancing : 5th grade special ed

stlsecret : middle school choir

snixie : Bible/Worldviews teacher. 6th-8th grade.

chocolate is king : 7th grade reading

vivresavie : Literature 7/8

Grades 9-12:

girl with a lesson plan : Me! English (speech, humanities, creative writing, Shakespeare)

popquizkid2006 : Just graduated with an art ed degree!

’ey miss : Drama/English/SOSE/History, years 8-12

shea smith : Digital Imaging & Computer Applications (9-12)

saint loco : English/Debate/Speech

allison unsupervised  : English Language Learning

lost in story : ELA 9th grade, inner-city

jessabelle85 : English/ grade 9

apple spice : English III, grade eleven

Claire berries : English aged 11- 16 in the UK

Paint Brush Drive : Art

compositional : English grades 9 & 10, Journalism grade 12

missing street: grades 9 and 11 English

angry little dad : HS Social Studies: US history, world history, US govt., and contemporary issues

College-level:

the disgruntled graduate student : TA for undergraduate Italian language

world-shaker : d Tech / undergraduate

Currently enrolled in teaching programs and/or student teaching:

not a journalist : English/9th grade, student teaching

true affections : student teaching, about to start a semester in second grade

I am little I  : biology/9th grade (student teaching)

steve is me : Enrolled in a Master’s alternative certification program for middle school LA. also will seek certification in high school LA and journalism.

apeters : Enrolled in a Master’s certification program for middle school/high school earth science in GA.

great idea!  if you’re an educator and you’re not on the list, let girlwithalessonplan know.