Doug Dillon's Blog, page 6
February 14, 2017
Shielding America From Trump: ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union: Resisting Trump’s headlong race towards destroying our democracy.
You know, I rarely post anything to my blog relating to politics. As a writer of books and a 30-year career educator, I have deliberately avoided public declarations involving political parties and governmental actions, or inactions.
No more.
With the ascendancy of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, and his actions soon after being inaugurated, I can no longer remain silent.
And what I am hoping is that others like me who see the Trump administration as a threat to our democratic institutions also finally enter the field of battle.
It is time. We can wait no longer.
The horrific executive orders now flying out of the White House, such as the Muslim Ban, need to be counteracted with all due haste. And to help make that happen, I have chosen the ACLU as my standard bearer.
The ACLU is already acting as the tip of the spear in this legal fight, and I encourage you to join/support that organization and its tremendous efforts in addition to whatever else you might do or already be doing to resist this increasing peril.
FYI. Here are just a few of the crucial stands the ACLU has made:
1925 – THE SCOPES CASE
The ACLU hired the famous attorney Clarence Darrow to defend teacher John Scopes when Tennessee charged him with violating a state law against the teaching of evolution.
1942 – THE INTERNMENT OF JAPANESE-AMERICANS DURING WWII
The ACLU denounced the federal government’s internment of more than 110,000 Japanese Americans in prison camps.
1954 – BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION
The ACLU supported the NAACP in the legal battle against school segregation.
1973 – REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
The ACLU support of a woman’s right to privacy in deciding whether she will continue a pregnancy or not. Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton
So! It’s time!
Please conisder joining me by being part of the solution to this incredible threat to our democracy.
Thanksgiving: Old Fake News
Many Native Americans aren’t very enthusiastic about Thanksgiving. Can’t blame them. Like Columbus Day, many of us in the United States continue to celebrate a very skewed version of American History. Native Americans have vastly different stories to tell.
It seems to me that as a nation, as states and as local communities, we should follow the path already laid out in Plymouth, Massachusetts in cooperation with the United American Indians of New England. They have erected plaques telling the sad but very real stories of Native American interaction with the original European settlers of the northeast United States. Multiple thousands of similar incidents happened over the centuries in this country and we would do well to make them known in very public and permanent ways.
Here are the plaques. I won’t editorialize on them except to say that the historic facts as stated are not in dispute.
Cole’s Hill, Plymouth MA (Near the statue of Massasoit)
The exact text:
“Since 1970, Native Americans have gathered at noon on Cole’s Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US Thanksgiving holiday. Many Native Americans do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers. To them, Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of their people, the theft of their lands, and the relentless assault on their culture. Participants in a National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.”
Erected by the town of Plymouth on behalf of the United American Indians of New England.
Plaque Commemorating Native American Metacomet (King Phillip) in Plymouth’s Post Office Square
“After the Pilgrims’ arrival, Native Americans in New England grew increasingly frustrated with the English settlers’ abuse and treachery. Metacomet (King Philip), a son of the Wampanoag sachem known as the Massasoit (Ousameqin), called upon all Native people to unite to defend their homelands against encroachment. The resulting “King Philip’s War” lasted from 1675-1676. Metacomet was murdered in Rhode Island in August 1676, and his body was mutilated. His head was impaled on a pike and was displayed near this site for more than 20 years. One hand was sent to Boston, the other to England. Metacomet’s wife and son, along with the families of many of the Native American combatants, were sold into slavery in the West Indies by the English victors.”
United American Indians of New England.
If you care to see the agreement between the town of Plymouth and the United American Indians of New England, click here.
If you would like to connect with the United American Indians of New England, click here.
Time and Stephen Hawking
A Book Review
A Briefer History of Time
Authors – Dr. Stephen Hawking with Leonard Mlodinow
Hawking
The former Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the university of Cambridge – the chair held by Isaac Newton in 1663
Director of Research at the Institute for Theoretical Cosmology
at Cambridge,
Diagnosed many years ago with ALS at the age of 21, he was given only 2 years to live.
Mlodinow
Physicist
Has written for Star Trek: the Next Generation
Bantam Dell, Random House 162 p.
Having one of the most brilliant minds in the world, Stephen Hawking continues to amaze the world with his scientific explanations of all Creation.
In this shortened, more readable/accessible version of their book, A Brief History of Time, Hawking and Mlodinow once again probe the nature of space and time. Written for the general public, this effort is a successful attempt to target pockets of interest within that market. Two such areas are “relativity” and “curved space.” In the process, however, Hawking and Mlodinow have actually expanded some of their explanations in order for them to be more easily understood.
New, colorful graphics are an excellent addition and short, enticing chapter titles, like “Newton’s Universe”, “Wormholes and Time Travel”, and “Quantum Gravity”, quickly draw the reader into what the authors have to offer. But if you are a veteran student of this subject matter, you may not find anything new.
Click here to find this book online.
February 13, 2017
School Discipline in Colonial Florida
Colonial St. Augustine, Florida. Regulations for schools, classrooms, teachers and students. Talk about educational control!
If you have ever thought you had a lot of rules to follow in school, check out the ones below from 1786 in the colonial city of St. Augustine, Florida.
This was during the final decades when the Spanish owned Florida. In those days, schooling was definitely controlled by the Catholic Church but in the name of His Majesty the King of Spain.
Formal education during most of colonial St. Augustine was for only for boys, even those of African ancestry–as long as they were not slaves.
Sorry ladies but that’s how it was back in the day.
Castillo de San Marcos watch tower
These rules were written by Father Thomas Hassett, Parish Priest, Vicar and Ecclesiastical Judge of St. Augustine.
They lasted until the city passed into American hands in 1821. Father Hassett was just one of many Irish priests who served Spanish St. Augustine over the centuries.
The primary source of this information is the East Florida Papers from the Library of Congress. But to make them easier to understand, I cut out the less interesting parts and paraphrased much of the original wording.
Whether you are a student, a teacher, a parent or a history buff, I think you’ll enjoy what follows:
All teachers must be approved by St. Augustine church and city leaders.
The King of Spain’s royal coast of arms at the drawbridges
All teachers must obey and carry out the following rules completely.
The King of Spain pays teachers sufficiently. In that light, no teacher may demand any kind of payment from parents.
Teachers shall prepare a list of all students in the city and request that their parents send their children to school. If parents keep their children away from school for whatever reason, the teachers shall report them to the Parish Priest. The Parish Priest shall decide how to deal with those parents.
School shall open each morning at 7 am. Students shall not be dismissed for lunch before noon.
Oldest House inside
After lunch, school shall open again at 2 pm.
Each day, except in winter, students shall not be dismissed before sunset.
Each day in winter, students shall be dismissed a half hour before sunset.
As each student enters school both in the morning and after lunch: he shall greet with proper courtesy, first his teacher and then his fellow pupils; he shall then hang up his hat after seating himself in all modesty; after crossing himself in the name of the Holy Trinity, he shall take up the book or paper with which his study is to begin.
At 8 am in the morning and at 2:15 in the afternoon, the teacher shall call the roll. If anyone fails to answer, the teacher shall immediately send one or two boys to that student’s home to learn the cause of his absence, and if necessary, to bring him to school. If warranted, the teacher shall then apply appropriate punishment to the student when he arrives at school.
Oldest House – outside
Teachers should treat each student impartially as faithful Christians worthy of love and charity.
Teachers shall take special care to get to know each child.
Old Schoolhouse
Teachers shall try to be moderate in their punishment of students.
Teachers shall not yell or swear at students nor should they throw in their faces the faults of their parents or other relatives. Nor under any circumstances, should teachers allow students to treat each other in this way either. This means in school and anywhere else.
Students shall arrive at school with their hair combed and with their faces, hands and feet clean (if they come barefoot).
Teachers shall not permit a student to attend school if he has a contagious disease. The student’s parents must be notified immediately so they are not offended by having their child kept out of school until the child is cured.
The schoolrooms shall be swept at least once a week by the pupils themselves and the teachers shall appoint enough
students to get the job done properly. This task should be shared equally by all students.No student shall leave the schoolroom, even to go to the bathroom, without getting permission from the teacher.
Not more than one student shall leave the schoolroom at a time. Each time a student leaves the schoolroom, the teacher will give him a special ruler to take with him. The next student needing to leave cannot do so until he obtains that ruler and the permission of the teacher.
When a student leaves the schoolroom, his absence shall be measured by a pendulum hung from the ceiling of that schoolroom. The student shall put that pendulum in motion as he leaves and the teacher shall note whether or not the pendulum is still moving when the student returns with the ruler.
Every month, the Parish Priest and the teachers shall give all students an examination to determine their progress in writing, reading, arithmetic and Christian Doctrine.
Seating in the classroom will be determined by a student’s progress in their examinations.
Teachers shall instruct students how to assist at Mass and in services at the Parish Church on special days of the year. Teachers are to then name two students at a time to assist in these services.
St. Augustine Cathedral
On nights when special religious processions pass through the city streets, the teachers shall attend with their students. No exceptions and no excuses. Teachers are to make sure students behave at these times with modesty and devotion.
Teachers shall attend all services of the Church with their students.
Tolomato Cemetery on Cordova Street
If a boy dies, the teachers shall march with their students in the boy’s funeral procession. If necessary, four boys shall carry the dead boy’s remains to the burial place.
On four specific days, a year, all students seven years of age and above shall make confession in the presence of their teachers. Just before those days arrive, teachers shall instruct their students how to properly prepare themselves for confession.
Teachers shall not permit any other language than Spanish to be spoken in the school.
Whenever students meet any of their elders in the street, they should greet them with proper courtesy.
Upon leaving school, students should go directly home without loitering, or shouting, or committing mischievous pranks in the streets.
If any black students should attend school, they shall sit apart near the door. But teachers are to give them the same quality of instruction as all the rest.
If you would like to read the actual wording of these rules, click on one fo the selections below:
TRUMP RESISTANCE Step # 1: ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union: Resisting Trump’s headlong race towards destroying our democracy.
You know, I rarely post anything to my blog relating to politics. As a writer of books and a 30-year career educator, I have deliberately avoided public declarations involving political parties and governmental actions, or inactions.
No more.
With the ascendancy of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, and his actions soon after being inaugurated, I can no longer remain silent.
And what I am hoping is that others like me who see the Trump administration as a threat to our democratic institutions also finally enter the field of battle.
It is time. We can wait no longer.
The horrific executive orders now flying out of the White House, such as the Muslim Ban, need to be counteracted with all due haste. And to help make that happen, I have chosen the ACLU as my standard bearer.
The ACLU is already acting as the tip of the spear in this legal fight, and I encourage you to join/support that organization and its tremendous efforts in addition to whatever else you might do or already be doing to resist this increasing peril.
FYI. Here are just a few of the crucial stands the ACLU has made:
1925 – THE SCOPES CASE
The ACLU hired the famous attorney Clarence Darrow to defend teacher John Scopes when Tennessee charged him with violating a state law against the teaching of evolution.
1942 – THE INTERNMENT OF JAPANESE-AMERICANS DURING WWII
The ACLU denounced the federal government’s internment of more than 110,000 Japanese Americans in prison camps.
1954 – BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION
The ACLU supported the NAACP in the legal battle against school segregation.
1973 – REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
The ACLU support of a woman’s right to privacy in deciding whether she will continue a pregnancy or not. Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton
So! It’s time!
Please conisder joining me by being part of the solution to this incredible threat to our democracy.
Stop Trump’s Power-Grabs with the ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union: Resisting Trump’s headlong race towards destroying our democracy.
You know, I rarely post anything to my blog relating to politics. As a writer of books and a 30-year career educator, I have deliberately avoided public declarations involving political parties and governmental actions, or inactions.
No more.
With the ascendancy of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, and his actions soon after being inaugurated, I can no longer remain silent.
And what I am hoping is that others like me who see the Trump administration as a threat to our democratic institutions also finally enter the field of battle.
It is time. We can wait no longer.
The horrific executive orders now flying out of the White House, such as the Muslim Ban, need to be counteracted with all due haste. And to help make that happen, I have chosen the ACLU as my standard bearer.
The ACLU is already acting as the tip of the spear in this legal fight, and I encourage you to join/support that organization and its tremendous efforts in addition to whatever else you might do or already be doing to resist this increasing peril.
FYI. Here are just a few of the crucial stands the ACLU has made:
1925 – THE SCOPES CASE
The ACLU hired the famous attorney Clarence Darrow to defend teacher John Scopes when Tennessee charged him with violating a state law against the teaching of evolution.
1942 – THE INTERNMENT OF JAPANESE-AMERICANS DURING WWII
The ACLU denounced the federal government’s internment of more than 110,000 Japanese Americans in prison camps.
1954 – BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION
The ACLU supported the NAACP in the legal battle against school segregation.
1973 – REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
The ACLU support of a woman’s right to privacy in deciding whether she will continue a pregnancy or not. Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton
So! It’s time!
Please conisder joining me by being part of the solution to this incredible threat to our democracy.
1984 is Upon Us – RESIST Trump with the ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union: Resisting Trump’s headlong race towards destroying our democracy.
You know, I rarely post anything to my blog relating to politics. As a writer of books and a 30-year career educator, I have deliberately avoided public declarations involving political parties and governmental actions, or inactions.
No more.
With the ascendancy of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, and his actions soon after being inaugurated, I can no longer remain silent.
And what I am hoping is that others like me who see the Trump administration as a threat to our democratic institutions also finally enter the field of battle.
It is time. We can wait no longer.
The horrific executive orders now flying out of the White House, such as the Muslim Ban, need to be counteracted with all due haste. And to help make that happen, I have chosen the ACLU as my standard bearer.
The ACLU is already acting as the tip of the spear in this legal fight, and I encourage you to join/support that organization and its tremendous efforts in addition to whatever else you might do or already be doing to resist this increasing peril.
FYI. Here are just a few of the crucial stands the ACLU has made:
1925 – THE SCOPES CASE
The ACLU hired the famous attorney Clarence Darrow to defend teacher John Scopes when Tennessee charged him with violating a state law against the teaching of evolution.
1942 – THE INTERNMENT OF JAPANESE-AMERICANS DURING WWII
The ACLU denounced the federal government’s internment of more than 110,000 Japanese Americans in prison camps.
1954 – BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION
The ACLU supported the NAACP in the legal battle against school segregation.
1973 – REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
The ACLU support of a woman’s right to privacy in deciding whether she will continue a pregnancy or not. Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton
So! It’s time!
Please conisder joining me by being part of the solution to this incredible threat to our democracy.
DUMP TRUMP’s Orders with the ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union: Resisting Trump’s headlong race towards destroying our democracy.
You know, I rarely post anything to my blog relating to politics. As a writer of books and a 30-year career educator, I have deliberately avoided public declarations involving political parties and governmental actions, or inactions.
No more.
With the ascendancy of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, and his actions soon after being inaugurated, I can no longer remain silent.
And what I am hoping is that others like me who see the Trump administration as a threat to our democratic institutions also finally enter the field of battle.
It is time. We can wait no longer.
The horrific executive orders now flying out of the White House, such as the Muslim Ban, need to be counteracted with all due haste. And to help make that happen, I have chosen the ACLU as my standard bearer.
The ACLU is already acting as the tip of the spear in this legal fight, and I encourage you to join/support that organization and its tremendous efforts in addition to whatever else you might do or already be doing to resist this increasing peril.
FYI. Here are just a few of the crucial stands the ACLU has made:
1925 – THE SCOPES CASE
The ACLU hired the famous attorney Clarence Darrow to defend teacher John Scopes when Tennessee charged him with violating a state law against the teaching of evolution.
1942 – THE INTERNMENT OF JAPANESE-AMERICANS DURING WWII
The ACLU denounced the federal government’s internment of more than 110,000 Japanese Americans in prison camps.
1954 – BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION
The ACLU supported the NAACP in the legal battle against school segregation.
1973 – REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
The ACLU support of a woman’s right to privacy in deciding whether she will continue a pregnancy or not. Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton
So! It’s time!
Please conisder joining me by being part of the solution to this incredible threat to our democracy.
ACLU: America’s Trump Busters
The American Civil Liberties Union: Resisting Trump’s headlong race towards destroying our democracy.
You know, I rarely post anything to my blog relating to politics. As a writer of books and a 30-year career educator, I have deliberately avoided public declarations involving political parties and governmental actions, or inactions.
No more.
With the ascendancy of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, and his actions soon after being inaugurated, I can no longer remain silent.
And what I am hoping is that others like me who see the Trump administration as a threat to our democratic institutions also finally enter the field of battle.
It is time. We can wait no longer.
The horrific executive orders now flying out of the White House, such as the Muslim Ban, need to be counteracted with all due haste. And to help make that happen, I have chosen the ACLU as my standard bearer.
The ACLU is already acting as the tip of the spear in this legal fight, and I encourage you to join/support that organization and its tremendous efforts in addition to whatever else you might do or already be doing to resist this increasing peril.
FYI. Here are just a few of the crucial stands the ACLU has made:
1925 – THE SCOPES CASE
The ACLU hired the famous attorney Clarence Darrow to defend teacher John Scopes when Tennessee charged him with violating a state law against the teaching of evolution.
1942 – THE INTERNMENT OF JAPANESE-AMERICANS DURING WWII
The ACLU denounced the federal government’s internment of more than 110,000 Japanese Americans in prison camps.
1954 – BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION
The ACLU supported the NAACP in the legal battle against school segregation.
1973 – REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
The ACLU support of a woman’s right to privacy in deciding whether she will continue a pregnancy or not. Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton
So! It’s time!
Please conisder joining me by being part of the solution to this incredible threat to our democracy.
Trump v the U.S. Constitution: ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union: Resisting Trump’s headlong race towards destroying our democracy.
You know, I rarely post anything to my blog relating to politics. As a writer of books and a 30-year career educator, I have deliberately avoided public declarations involving political parties and governmental actions, or inactions.
No more.
With the ascendancy of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, and his actions soon after being inaugurated, I can no longer remain silent.
And what I am hoping is that others like me who see the Trump administration as a threat to our democratic institutions also finally enter the field of battle.
It is time. We can wait no longer.
The horrific executive orders now flying out of the White House, such as the Muslim Ban, need to be counteracted with all due haste. And to help make that happen, I have chosen the ACLU as my standard bearer.
The ACLU is already acting as the tip of the spear in this legal fight, and I encourage you to join/support that organization and its tremendous efforts in addition to whatever else you might do or already be doing to resist this increasing peril.
FYI. Here are just a few of the crucial stands the ACLU has made:
1925 – THE SCOPES CASE
The ACLU hired the famous attorney Clarence Darrow to defend teacher John Scopes when Tennessee charged him with violating a state law against the teaching of evolution.
1942 – THE INTERNMENT OF JAPANESE-AMERICANS DURING WWII
The ACLU denounced the federal government’s internment of more than 110,000 Japanese Americans in prison camps.
1954 – BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION
The ACLU supported the NAACP in the legal battle against school segregation.
1973 – REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
The ACLU support of a woman’s right to privacy in deciding whether she will continue a pregnancy or not. Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton
So! It’s time!
Please conisder joining me by being part of the solution to this incredible threat to our democracy.
