420- WORDS of WISDOM NEEDED in DECEMBER of 2009!.....

A)"Tell me...and I will forget....
Show me...and I will remember....
But involve me...and I will UNDERSTAND!"

B) This educator, historian and soon-to-published novelist, THE SERPENTINE BOND!, is proud to be called a SOCRATIC THINKER! over the years and now! Simply said, it is someone who practices that original way of thinking and teaching whereby Socrates sat around the middle of students and challenged each one to think out solutions, never giving out the answers. By the way, you could and can be a SOCRATIC THINKER, also, constantly questioning and seeking out more than what's directly in front of your face. "Asking exploratory and respectful questions is a sign of....intelligence."

C) SOCRATES: "Never give up!"

D) BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: "It is the first responsibility to every citizen to question authority."

419- "COPYCAT CRIMES".....

"Copycat crimes"...as a longtime Sociology educator, you, society, need to understand the background of such a heinous and cowardly act against a fellow human!! Over the weekend, a piece of pigs**t walked into a Lakewood, Washington cafe and shot, in cold-blood, execution-style, four of their Lakewood police officers.
Look back over a short period of time, in recent weeks...at the killings across America. Once the phenonenon starts, "copycats" come out of the caves, triggering more mayhem.
Think back over the past months...small children being abducted and....
How does society stop it?

418- LESSON #1 ON THE GROWING ASININE CASE Of The "INVITED" TWO GUESTS To OUR WHITE HOUSE?....

Ridiculous "self-worth"?
Vying over the two charging for an interview?
And have YOU forgotten how easy it was to slip into OUR White House??? Can YOU say "security"?
One more point...can you say #364 in a line of JOKES worldwide surrounding OUR prez and administration?

417- CAN I JUST WANDER INTO OUR WHITE HOUSE AND THEN INTO A "STATE DINNER" WITHOUT AN INVITATION?.....

FLASH: Yes, Otis P.T. Suggins and his wife, Mavis, from Stingy Hollow, were the two who slipped into the White House dinner Tuesday night without an invitation, unchallenged. They did have to leave "Molasses", their bluetick hound, outside by a Lafayette Park tree, who proceeded to bay at the D.C. moon for the next two hours! The 'Quatch family, good friends from Hominy Grits Hollow, turned down going with the Suggins. They, instead, stayed back up in the Hollow to deep-fry 'possum for the local "Turkey Trot Dance" supper. Sass, Hassie and Mytle, along with "Tree", their Maine coon cat, enjoyed the Hollow vittles before the dance. Sass 'Quatch, the father, was said to be have been mighty proud of his family for dancing up a storm after the supper! By the way, it did rain a bit after the entire Hollow retired for the 'citing evening.

416- SPRAY By SPRAY DIRECTIONS For 'WARSHING' YOUR CAR In A COIN-OPERATED PLACE, AND SMILING AFTERWARDS!.....

This, my fellow Americans and Williamsburgers, requires some, uh, skill!
You'll need to prepare ahead of time! Sprinting shoes and a sketch, drawn the day before, of the directions for clicking the knob to different sprays is a MUST! I'll keep reminding you that you'll have only THREE MINUTES, on the blinking clock, once you plunk in your two tokens!
a) first, secure two (2) handy dollar bills before you head for the carwash and have them readily available inside the wash! If not, no wash, you're washed up for your trip to wash!
b) scan, carefully, the machine for how and where to depoit your two bills to get
those all-important tokens that have the face of prez on them, hoping the machine is working today. If not working today? Head for mall!
c) then scan soooo slowly, using your previously drawn sketch of the drections, memorizing them before arriving at the carwash and carefully there, mentally practice using the 'click knob' on the wall for the many
"wash actions" to choose washing from, 'cause you'll need to move your clicking hand
fast, and I do mean fast. Once you plunk your 2 tokens in, you'll have exactly those precious three (3) minutes to do it all!
d) now, take a deep breath---ready? Oh, once you plunk in those two tokens, the spray wand/hose will JUMP into action! Hold on tight, with one hand on the 'click knob', and click to set to "soap", first! You can do it, using both hands...I hope.
e) OH-MI-GA! The spray pressure IS POWERFUL, guys. Aim at your car, planning ahead in which direction to spray. If you aim towards the ceiling, you'll had difficulty controling the wand. I personal feel more comfortable moving around counterclockwise and holding on with both hands! I confess, occasionally, to aiming the wand nozzle to the ceiling inside to watch it fall down on top of my car. Carwashers on both sides of me run for their cars! Oh, glimpse from time to time across to the wall with the digital clock.....2:09...2:08...2:07...
f) 00:37....00:36...00:35.....
g) RUN....RUN...RUN around your car, spraying with all you'v got! You don't have much time left! And you do need to, after soaping, do the rinse thing. You do not want a sudsy car as you drive around town. Treat all sides equally, and the back needs one more spray for good luck...00:00...DING...DING...DING!
h) Oh mi ga, again! I see one little tiny strip on the top that still has some soapy bubbles!! Got a tissue inside?
i) FINISHED! BRAVO!! It's OK, now, to play Rocky' theme on your car's radio and then drive away, down the street, flying and dripping water right and left. Don't forget to click your XM station to #6...or #4 for those CHRISTMAS TUNES...I do! Are you ready for your next car 'warshing' trip in a carwash, say, in six months?
j- Hey, did you smile?

415- WHY THAT REALLY UNNEAT "MR. GRINCH" GUY IS AMERICA'S BESTEST GOOD VIRTUER, Of SONG, BOOK AND PLAY!!.....

It is...it is! And I'll prove it for thee, shortly.
a- My first inclination is to realize that he did STINK...STANK...STUNK and that he was the vilest and nastiest piece of stinking garbage in Who-ville. But Cindy Lou Who didn't realize what this lowest form of scum-cell matter was really like. And he DID steal Christmas, don't forget! Being green with envy may have helped a bit, guys.
b- If we had left the story at that point, well, Dr. Seus didn't.
The author, through Mr. Grinch, told us a story that wanted us to boo and hiss at the Green Slimest Ogre, until the "G", from within, realized how his behavior had affected the entire Who-ville right before Christmas. And the big bad "G" realized what he had done. It's called, "internalzation." What did the Big Bad Green Mr. Grinch do to make it all right? I think you already know. Cindy Lou Who is the real heroine!
c- Refer back to #158 blog for the official Mr. Grinch song lyrics, please. It's OK to sing the tune right here in front of your 'puter screen!

414- "WITNESS FOR THE CONDEMNED"...VIEWING AN EXECUTION AS AN OFFICIAL STATE WITNESS!....

Recently, another inmate in Virginia was executed. Once again, from an earlier blog, you're invited to 'google' to 'Ron Squire Steffey'...the first one at the top of the list. This social commentary author did officially observe a Virginia execution back in the '90s, took copious notes and composed an indepth essay on this specific execution and executions, philosophically, in general. I did come to, at this point, my own personal conclusion. I also may change directions at some time in the future, too. You're invited to read and ponder my essay posted on 'google'...."Witness For The Condemned"..... It was published in a University of Virginia periodical. An AGENT, firm, in New York read it and wrote to ask for more! As always, with me, YOU read and discuss and ponder any issue, and YOU reach your own conclusions if YOU can! Don't EVER, however, tell me that I AM wrong, nor will I you.
a- Oh, why did this educator and historian want to and did view an execution? For one, I wanted to do it! I also wanted to experience far more information on this major national issue than was available on paper or listening to someone who had not witnessed an execution!
b- Will I, squire, witness another execution? NO...I have to push the experience details down into my Id.
c- And why do I come up with so many explorations to delved into? Simple...am a sociologists, with social commentaries galore...a thiner...a ponderist (new word)!

**Many know that I also wrote to the convicted 'murderer' Charlie Manson, asking him for his thoughts on justice in America. He did reply with a 14-page handwritten letter personally explaining his thoughts!...it's also interesting how a few pissants, with extremely narrow brains, like to shout out that this original thinker and author likes to delve into "strange" subjects??? But MOST readers are intelligent, openminded thinkers who take the time to look at the total, unbelieveable and diverse scope of subects that the squire has and continues to bring up and out in our society. To those thousands of intelligent thinkers...thank you!......squire

413- SO...WHAT IS IMAGINATION? I.....

a- Observing a college football game on a sunny, crispy Saturday afternoon and "seeing" much more than just opposing teams crunching numbers across the backs and fronts of 'jerseys'? Jotting down mental notes for later to compose a scene for a place in a novel is "imagination" in progress! And that would be how college football is much more interesting and 'citing than the pro games. Stadium cheers...exuburances to the max...at least twenty or more cheerleaders on one side...dual small auto flags flapping to and from on traveling Alum cars...painted GREEN and GOLD male chests and zebra-striped faces dancing in the stands, generally being downright silly today and serious trying to sit and participate in a classroom on Monday morning!
b- Plopping down in the grass on a hilltop and gazing up to the immense, spectacular sunny summer skies, playing the kid's game of "what do I see, especially when you're not a "kid".
c- Dining on a bowl of Alphabet soup and using your spoon to pick out letters to spell words that will make you giggle...and giggle some more!
d- I overheard a conversation this week between two students...."We, like, went to the movies, and he, like, tried to hold my hand, and, I like reached for the popcorn....I, like, didn't want to hold hands while eating popcorn...like, know what I mean?" This author, like, jotted down the details to use later...."
e- "Bridge to Tarabithia"...Tarabithia....this 2007 film is a classic for the study of IMAGINATION, period! This author wishes that I could have created such a writing masterpiece. If you want to take an intro writing
class" in imagination, view this film first....
f-

412- AFTER MUCH LISTENING And THOUGHT, THIS EDUCATOR HAS DECIDE WHAT I, ME, THINK ABOUT ABORTION.....

I realize that, no matter what I say, one half will applaud and the other half will boo-hiss. Therefore, this Socratic thinker will keep it to myself. I don't honestly believe that Americans can handle this running national issue! Go figure....

411- "Heeeeeey, MACARENA.......!"

Yeah....remember the MACARENA song and arm movements?
Need a reminder hint on how it goes? 'Google' to "The Macarena...." First at top of list should have a link to hearing the song. Sorry, it will be stuck in your memory bank for some time to come! Called obscessive compulsive behavior.

410- KIMBERLEY MUNLEY...ABSOLUTE, TOTAL AMERICAN HERO!!....

Why? Sgt. Kimberly Munley, earlier this week, is the brave policeperson who responded first to and confronted the perp who was firing into the innocent military soldiers at Ft. Hood, killing 13 and wounded many others. She was shot herself, and then shot four times into the perp STOPPING him from further mayhem! She is the mother of a very young child and husband of someone in Iraq.
America is so proud of our Kimberley, a true unselfish hero in every sense of the word...PRIDE ONCE AGAIN IN OUR AMERICA, with individuals leading the way!...squire

Lastest...Kimberley survived and is improving rapidly! And now it's not clear whether her partner, Sgt. Mark Todd, coming in behind her, shot the perp first. He also deserves heroic status.

409- HAVE YOU GIVEN YOUR SNUGGIE wuggie A NAME?...A HUG TODAY?.....

The miracle wrap? Snuggies have taken American society by, uh, storm! Just like the lemmings that follow each other to the sea and into it, blindly, I wonder how many good Americans have shelled out that ubiquitous $19.95 PLUS shipping and handling to buy one. They even have one for a doggie! Is it, then, true that "we'll" buy anything at any time?
The TV advertisements have so surrounded us that "we" believe them, thinking that the miracle wrap is much better than our old-fashioned blankets or worn, lovable quilts. Just wait until you receive it in the mail or buy one at our nearest store---check out the density of the material. We call it "selling snake oil." The TV advertising bombardment lulls one into something that really isn't there. You could stop by your local piece goods shop and purchase a square of inexpensive CLOTH that will do the same thing.
As my late terrific grandmother would say, "Pull out that comfort or quilt from the blanket chest when it gets chilly-willy outside...."
However...if YOU want one and like it? Go for it, no matter what others think.

408- I WANNA BECOME A UNICORN AND........

This philosophy major was thinkin', the other day, about what it would be like to become a UNICORN and live in NARNIA.....

I also like ELMO but have decided not to live on Sesame Street. That's a reality check!

407- SCREAM!...SCREAM!!...SCREAM!!!!!!!

Talked with someone (law enforcement and profiler) at the Rec Center today who had, along with other persons, been given STRONG advice about what to do if someone, female or male, is intent upon causing harm to them or you......
A) DO NOT physically fight or touch the perp!!!
B) DO SCREAM...SCREAM...SCREAM as loud and as long as you can! DO NOT go with them....SCREAM and YELL with all of your might....over and over and over and over!! Someone will hear you or them and come to the rescue!!!!! I am still convince that our American society still has plenty of decent, involved person!....get involved, decent people...please.

406- A THREE-YEAR UNDERGRAD COLLEGE DEGREE?....

Once again.......more and more of us in education see and feel that the costs of a regular four-year degree, generally, are far outweighing the value received! As a centrist, it's time to bring together different groups to discuss the issue of a standard three-year undergrad degree becoming a feasible and viable college/university education. Can students, in general, accomplish a strong education in three as opposed to four?
$$$$$ When more and more schools are costing over $50,000 in basics for one year of studies, enough students AND parents are a bit upset. One big issue for the upcoming debate should be---exactly where are those rapidly rising expenses inside the higher education system originating? That is the issue!
At William and Mary, during the summer, this guy was able to fit three semester classes of studies into one summer session!....a session class and two intersessions classes...concentrated! But I, and others, accomplished the goal, along with the profs, too!

405- IT'S NOVEMBER, GUYS, DO WE STILL HAVE AN AMERICAN SOCIETY TO BE PROUD OF?....

I AM PROUD OF BEING AN AMERICAN, and still am but NOT in the direction that a specialized "group" is trying desperately to do to change us far away from our Democratic-style roots and working capitalism!
"DON'T 'TAZ' me bro" I keep saying to this 'group" and don't even try to SPIN me, pissant! (...more....)