Once Upon a Time...there was a Magical land, and we had something called Education!

The education system currently is going nowhere. This is not some left-wing liberal nut telling you that it’s "all George Bush’s fault that our kids are not getting the schooling that they need to make it in this world". But, as a freelance "Educational Consultant", I hold a certain stake in what we call our schools. I definitely do see what is going on and I have seen a taste of the worst. Although, I cannot imagine how bad it is in other schools or Universities, I have savored in the liking of some of the worst educational systems in the country: Cabell County Schools (here in West Virginia). West Virginia is on record for some of the most illiterate, dull-minded, and uneducated kids in America. If I were to be so bold, I’d say that kids in Somalia get better education than we do, they may get education in the wrong things(violence, etc.)but they get a good quality education by someone who means it. I recall in 2001, in the Herald-Dispatch, our local and substandard newspaper, I observed that we were ranked last in the education standings in this country. LAST. Let me put that into perspective for you: I am a average High School teenager sitting in my health class and I see the newspaper article on us being scored last in the country on education level. You know that means? We have the dumbest people and the least-capable teachers. How do you think I felt? I certainly didn’t want to get up and pop a bubbly and celebrate. But, being of the dim intelligence factor I was, I soon forgot about the whole thing. Yes, I was in 10th grade, but then speedily drifted toward political familiarity when I got more involved with affairs of state and current events, thus making me one of the smartest people to come out of my school alive in the past few years. And, no I’m not talking about intelligence in Math, Science, Fencing; none of those things matter anymore. In order to be truly intelligent and make a difference in this world, you have to be updated on current events and the latest news, and you have to pay attention to what people say, not just your certain little faction of people, but EVERYONE. Because, in order to have a good sense of what’s going on, you have to know everyone’s opinion, whether you like it or not. It’s just like reading a story, how are you supposed to know the story if you only read one person’s dialogue? It’s just confused, rambling mess. Even though, in my opinion, Bush’s story is the equivalent to a Children’s book, and his capacity to think is even less, that’s just my opinion--take that and go along with it. But, being in college now and being "read up" on politics and international affairs since I was in 10th grade, after I realized that much of what they said in that article was true. Except for the fact that they labeled all of the people here are incompetent to learn. Just like a rugged explorer escaping from a hoard of deep-jungle cannibals, I escaped the ignorance that is Cabell Midland High School. This particular issue came to such a deep, hard-hitting, concern to me when I learned that I wanted to be a teacher, or involved in education in some sort of manner. I vowed to make this education system better. But, that was back when it wasn’t this bad. Especially of the fact when I learned of my very dear involvement in the TRIO programs (Upward Bound, etc.) were about to be diminished forever because George W. Bush wants to fund the war in Iraq. But that is a whole different story that I will get into later. I was so angered by that. I was very upset. Like I said, I may be leftist, but I am also Conservative and very deep-set into my Christian ways. I happen to be upset, and appalled at the job that Mr. Bush--(I am not calling him President because he is not my president)--he is making a mockery of this country, and leaving our children and not only children, but college students as well, he is leaving our futures behind in a pile of cow shit at his ranch. "No Child Left Behind" my arse, he apparently just enacted that bill to say he actually tried to do something about the state of our educational system when in fact it was 10 times better than it is now, before he came into office. He is cutting funding to roughly 80-90 percent of our educational programs due to his budget for the Iraq War. I think that is a bit harsh, does he want our future troops to be as dumb as rocks? Because if he keeps this up, that’s what will happen. But if he gets out of office in time, we will only have a 2 percent population touched by his ridiculous methods of running this country, or should I say, Dick Cheney’s ridiculous methods of running this country, or should I say, George H.W. Bush’s methods of running this country, or should I say, Wal-Mart’s ridiculous methods of running this country…Isn’t it sad that we are pretty much not sure who is really running our country. Because I know that it is sure as hell not the people, the people are smarter than the average Bush. You know, it’s funny, Bush reminds me quaintly of Yogi Bear, except that Yogi Bear was probably a lot smarter than he was, I mean--he did always outsmart the Park Ranger. See, I am not blaming Bush entirely for this mess, it’s just the fact of, have our people become a lot more slow on the uptake or has Bush become smarter? SHIVER ME TIMBERS! I tend to think it’s the former.
A little note for the numbskulls who are going to respond to this article with "You should respect Bush, being President is a hard job, I know I couldn’t do it! He has a lot of pressure on him!"
A. Respect Bush? No.
B. Being President is a hard job? How the hell do you know?
C. You know you couldn’t do it? Well, I know you couldn’t do it either, because obviously if you are taking up for Bush in such an unintelligent manner, of course you couldn’t be President. Of course, that didn’t stop Bush. And, I am glad you are not in office.
D. He has a lot of pressure on him? Yeah, having a penis in his rectory 98% of the time.

Christmas Tree? Holiday Tree? Kids are confused.

I was up early one morning, like always, doing my routine of accumulating information about current events and one of my favorite shows being the "Today Show", because well, it's fairly neutral. Not too conservative, not too liberal, and it's just right. A good way to start off my day.
Until I see on the bit about "the christian conservative right is assembling an armada of lawyers suing the opposing sides over renaming the Christmas tree, a 'holiday tree'."

With the ever-growing assortment of different and unusual religious groups in America today, I think it is safe to say that as far as major religions are concerned, Christianity is the largest. Usually with different religions come "holidays", in which we all think of "holidays" as usually being affiliated with some religion.

But, bear in mind that a holiday is (1) a day of leisure: a day taken off or set aside for leisure and enjoyment; when somebody is exempt from work or normal activity, or (2) a legal day off: a day set aside by law or ordinance as exempt from regular labor or business activities, usually to celebrate or commemorate something that happened on or near that date. And, (3) a religious or holy day: when usually a specific religious majority celebrates a commemoration or memorial.

What most people don't know!
And what most people also don't know is that there are two kinds of holidays: public and religious. But also, in order for any of those holidays to be officially recognized, it has to be celebrated by the masses: meaning, lots of people. The reason Christmas, a religious holiday, is officially recognized in America is because enough numbers of people celebrate it, making it a "mass holiday". Christmas is also a secular holiday, generally charactarized by the exchange of gifts and greetings.

Think About This.
BUT, Christmas ideaologically and technically is not a secular holiday. Why? Because Christmas is about Jesus Christ, hince, Christmas. From the old english derivative of "Cristes maesse" meaning "mass of Christ". So, even though you can claim it's a secular holiday, that's a fallacy. It doesn't make any sense if you take a word that means "mass of Christ"(as stated above) and say that it doesn't, because it literally does. So, in turn, Christmas is a religious holiday. Therefore, it should be celebrated and recognized among the category of religious holidays, and celebrated by anyone who believes in the spirit of giving, and the like. We're not saying that "you have to believe in Christ in order to celebrate Christmas", just that we invite you to come celebrate the love with us. Not, come celebrate and take away the meaning and joy in Christmas by saying "Christians have no right to celebrate it if we can't celebrate our religious holidays." or "Christians shouldn't force people to celebrate Christmas." I don't normally see anyone forcing you in shackles and chains to celebrate the Christmas cheer or drink egg nog. Usually what most of the opposition gets out of "forcing" them to celebrate is a friendly "Merry Christmas" that suddenly turns deadly when someone gets offended. And, who is telling you that you can't celebrate your holiday? It seems intimidating when Christmas is such a widely celebrated holiday, but look at the majority of the people celebrating it, they're Christian! Take Note: 75% of the American Population identify themselves as Christians, as compared to the other two major religions, Judaism and Islam, which total an amount of 2%. Let's measure this out, 2% versus 75%? I beg to differ. The Jewish majority don't seem to be complaining about it, so why are the athiests, Muslims, and others up in arms about it? I really don't see a major problem.

As for the legal aspect of it all, America is a free country with laws stating that if enough people celebrate a holiday, it can be come an officially recognized holiday. There are not enough people who widely and openly celebrate Ramadan, but it's an official holiday, you see it on the calendar! It's not that we don't recognize, how can we when no one knows about it, and well, not all Christians want to celebrate Ramadan, just like not all Muslims want to celebrate Christmas. But if these people want to openly celebrate their holidays, go ahead. No one is stopping them except for themselves. But, take heed that like I stated above, Christians make up around 75% of the general population(excluding Jehovah's Witnesses who don't celebrate Christmas). So, what's the big deal? Athiests (Yes, I am Christian), seem to try to pull their weight in the fight to ruin Christmas, also. Just because they don't believe in God, or have an absense of understanding (which I think we all do) doesn't mean they have to parade around and ruin everything for everyone else. I know that some, or a large group of us Christians, are pretty snobby (we openly discuss that problem frequently) but you don't have to take it out on everyone.

I guess the point i'm trying to make out of this ramble of incoherent thoughts is that:
1. Christmas is for Christians.
2. Christmas can be celebrated by anyone, but it is still a religious holiday, it's a fallacy to say it is also a secular holiday.
3. Everyone has the right to celebrate their own religion's holidays, the reasons the major religions get widely recognized is because they are major meaning large in numbers. If you don't have enough people in your religion, shut up or go recruit more.
4. If you don't believe in Christmas, shut up about it.5. If you think it's not right to celebrate Christmas and not any other religion's holiday, look at the people celebrating Christmas....they're CHRISTIANS!

I really believe the backdrop of this whole fight about the Christmas Tree vs. Holiday Tree stems from the fact of the question about Christmas being a religious or secular holiday. And, since a custom of Christmas is to decorate a tree(similar to the Jewish celebration of the menorah, except with less meaning behind it) then it shall be called a Christmas Tree.

(source for the statistics: Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance; http://www.religioustolerance.org)

Corrupt Student Government and the masses that hate them.
by Josh
In a majority of schools across the nation, it has become a tradition to elect your "Student Body President", or your "Class President", Student Council, and others. But like the "real-world government" when you get the wrong people in there, things can go very awry. Yes, I know it is High School, it's not like it matters whether or not you have a good student government or not. But, depending on how lenient your school is, by an unwritten law, the student government is supposed to work with the school administration to get things done. And, if you don't have the right person for the job, it can make your life in High School a living hell.

Some people run for the right reasons, some people use the election of the student government as a medium for popularity and praise. Some run just to get popular(usually, but more often, it's a rare case...and it never works out.) When someone runs their campaign solely based on popularity and school power, not on intellect and strategy, then things can go very wrong if they are not cut out for the job. I am not saying that popular people are not meant for the job of running the decisions the student body(or not) makes. Some people are just not cut out for the job of a "government" position. I've seem wonderful examples of school government that holds the upmost of standards. And, on the other side of the fence, i've seen examples where it makes you clench your teeth and hold on tightly.

Our school student government here at our dear school, is a perfect example of the latter. The student council is made up of highly intelligent, but very....distracted people that come from the upper pools of the "High School Heirarchy". I am fairy popular myself and my school is not as bad as others, there are not as many "groups" as some. Everybody meshes together well as compared to some schools i've seen where it's just totally seperated. Everyone gets along fine except for the dissenters who "imagine" that they are more unpopular than everyone else and don't make any effort to do anything about it, and the people who just can't help it because they are introverted. As far as I know, there are only 2 people on the Student Council cut out to be in a government position. The President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer and the like are all in the upper 3% of the "popularity pyramid" but in still, they are very intelligent. We have the President who is a bright, outgoing, 4.o+ student, very intelligent. We have the VP who is also intelligent...and the other 3 officers who are the same but all in all, they are all around nice people to be around. But one thing. They are not cut out for it. They have only had 3 meetings this whole school year and have got absolutely nothing done. Last time I remember, when you are in a position like that, you are supposed to fulfill your duties.
Here comes the corruption...TO THE POLLS!
During the election, there were claims that the election was rigged. Could have been? Who knows. But that's not what we are focusing here. Even though not all of the votes were counted. The fact is that the student government, the top officers have violated direct law of Parliamentary Procedure. For the nomination of our Senior Colors, aren't you supposed to consult the class on the opinions of what the colors should be? Not take into your own consideration on what you like and what you think would be best and put it on the ballot. That's exaclty what happened according to the accounts to several people(sources withheld). According to them, the top officers(excluding the President) met for an "official"meeting to nominate the Senior Colors, Song, Flower, etc. They got in an argument and 2 or 3 others besides stormed out and made their own ballot and that is what we are voting on. None of that really matters, it's the fact that:
1- You should not be calling any "official" meeting without the permission or presence of the President or leader.
2- You should have consulted the class and gathered their opinion.
3- You should have more competent people running the student government, not a bunch of know-nothings. (i've said nice things about them already.)

We are here to get an Education. Not follow pointless "School Rules". --Part II
by Josh
Educational Mishap or Administrative Fallacy? Who knows.
The American "Education System" in the past 5-6 years has really gone to the dogs. With hoards or Right-Wing Conservative "nut-jobs" running the House, we cannot get by with any sensible ideal of education with the most preposterous act that has been beheld unto our beloved "democracy" that we like to call the No Child Left Behind Act. Like I said in Part I, a clear compensation for Bush's lack of intelligence and sense in his school years. The whole and sole point to this article is to outline the treatment and behavior patterns of modern students based upon their current administrative "regime". A pledge that everyone should take, I am here to get an education...Not follow pointless school rules. The 'powers that be' in the School Board make blind decisions based on how school life was in their "hay day" and take no consideration into how it is today. Possibly, it could be any different from their golden years? I think so. This is the 21st Century, this is not the "Beaver Cleaver Age", this is not black and white TV, this is color. Things Happen. Kids will be kids. When I come to school to get an education, I am not worried about what other people are wearing except in my break time/social hour. Because, that is my time to relax with my friends and talk about the latest news going on around the school. While I'm in class, I'm in class. I'm doing my work, no matter what. Studies have shown that in more 'laissez-faire' designed educational facilities, students perform better not only on test scores, but in the classroom in general. Why? Because of the loose-knit agenda, they get their social hour in, they get to see their friends, they get time. Time? Yes, time...Something students don't have anymore. Because we're too busy worrying about homework and our life at the same time. When you are 15, 16, and 17 years old, I think the main thing you should be worrying about [in school] is your grades--not whether or not you are going to get in trouble for putting your arm around a girl/guy. The school officials have done it to themselves, they've destroyed their own school to the point of no return and they do not want to take the blame for it. So, they blame it on the students. It's all the student's fault. Always. Never the faculty. Do they ever take in mind that when you are in an executive position that whatever happens to what you are in charge of, you take the blame--and yes, yes, I know the old cliche--"That's what's great about being the boss, you blame the people under you." But, in this case, it is much different. Look who is the majority. The students. 1800 students vs. 200 faculty? Who would you think would win? Do you see anyone doing anything about it. That's because they've all been brainwashed and learned to walk in line, march in step, and not speak their mind. They've learned to submit to their superiors without question, and if they do...They are punished. That's why, in High School, you never see some of the most intelligent kids speaking out because they are afraid to lose their scholarships. Why? Because if they speak their mind, the "powers" will snatch those $4,000/year grants right out of their hands, sending their college dreams down the drain because they are afraid that because they are an informed individual, they will grow up to become something wonderful, and take over the so-called "system of democracy" and actually cause some change to this world. There are so many absurd rules to follow these days in the schools, it's utterly ridiculous. It distracts you from your education. That's why students pass notes in class, are constantly tardy, are making out in the hallways, are always disrupting class, being rude and inconsiderate, skipping class, not showing up to school, not doing homework/and or assignments, or just flat out dropping out. The drop-out rate is so high now, about a decade ago, it was unthinkable that this many would drop out. And the reasoning for all of this? It's the administration to blame. It's not the school that has the problem, it is the way the school is ran. And, who runs the school? The principals, counselors, and other faculty. Because the last time I checked, it certainly wasn't the students running the school. If it was, we would be getting a better education, and I can honestly say, I have hardly learned anything in my past four years in High School--I've taught myself. I've enlightened myself. Not the school system, it has had no part in my current dealings with society, besides the fact that I am taking arms against this sea of troubles that we deal with here today.
This is a logical fallacy! It cannot be understood! "You can't do this, but yet you are expected to do this." "You can't talk to your friends, touch your friends, have any contact whatsoever, nor can you eat when you are hungry, drink when you are thirsty, speak (even raising hands) when you have an idea or suggestion or to question our authority nor put any input into the dealings of this school, but you are to come here everyday and show up on time and get an 'education'. " It doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense at all. And, that's exactly my point. Don't be pushed around. Why do you think everything is so messed up in your school today? It's certainly not your fault. Maybe it is to an extent, but you can always trace it back to the people in charge. Just like the conviction of the people who were "humiliating" the Iraqi prisoners, "They told me to do it." ...And, that's exactly what I say. They told me to do it.

We are here to get an Education. Not follow pointless "School Rules". --Part I
by Josh
How many of you go to High School? Well, I do, I'm a senior in High School and lately since we have received a new administration this year(we've had 3 different principals the past 4 years), we have gotten tighter rules and regulations. I don't mind rules. In fact, you need rules. Yes, coming from the vigilante, revolutionary teen, saying we need rules. But, in fact, we do. Because If we didn't, it would be chaos. That's why the concept of anarchy doesn't work. It works on paper, but not in life situations. Just like communism. Lately, our administration had a tussle with a "racism" issue at our school, abling the Justice Department to be called into the middle of it. If they would have listened a little closer and payed any attention, they would have found that the whole conflict was not racism but it was over a girl. Yes. A girl. No offense, but why the fuss? Who cares? Thus, it would have saved the school a miles worth of embarrassment and it's reputation as being "the premier" school in our area and it wouldn't have escalated like it did. Yes. That is because our administration at our school is full of complete JACKASSES. You heard me. Some students take their side and say "Oh, they are actually doing something about it now, though." BUT-what they don't see is...racism will always be there. There will be no resolution to that problem, whether the administration does anything about it or not. And, it's not the fact that they chose to do something about, that's good...It's the way they went about doing it. They called a "seminar" for all "minorities" in our school and let all of the white kids out the rest of the day. Yeah. Smart movie dumbasses. Start a race insurrection in our school by not only pointing out the discrimination that is taking place, but causing it. Fucking idiots. People will talk. Leave it alone, we're in the middle of West Virginia, Hillbilly Country U.S.A.

Another problem they supposedly have "cracked down" on is PDA, or if any of you people are not informed of the by-laws of the school justice system--it stands for Public Displays of Affection. We've had this "problem" for as long as I can remember. I mean, I don't agree fully with people tonguing each other in the hallways(and I have did it before, everyone has at some point in time, frenched their partner in a public forum.) but to take it as far as banishing any physical contact with any person of the opposite sex is just absurd. Here is a excerpt from our school handbook about the PDA rule:

From the 2002-2003 Handbook

Relationships

No physical contact except for the holding of hands.

From the 2004-2005 Handbook

Relationships

(this is in exact context of how it is written in the book)

(in bolded and large text):

NO physical contact of any type permitted during school hours.

Okay, what changed from the 2002/2003 to the 2004/2005 school year except the administration? I think it's totally absurd to worry about if you hold hands or not, or to worry about if girls/boys are touching each other...The more important thing is to worry about the kids' education. I am here to get an education, not follow a bunch of pointless rules. The administration's sole purpose is to take care of the school's well-being, and the only disciplinary problems that they should be handling are that of the ones that discourage education. Having a relationship, or a friendship does not have anything to do with that. In fact, if you keep the kids from being with their "partner" or boyfriend/girlfriend, then they will be too concentrated on finding ways to be with them and finding ways to communicate than getting an education. I think a principal's job is to deal with kids' with drug problems(bringing it into school) or interrupting class(thus interrupting others' education) and matters like that, than handling whether not someone gives their girlfriend a kiss. Like I said earlier in this essay, I don't exactly agree with the "whole nine yards" in the middle of the hallways, if you are going to do that, get a room--because that is what is making the powers that be discourage any physical contact. So in turn, we've ruined our own freedom, but in essence, it's the administration's fault for letting it get that out of hand and never paying attention to the people sucking face and paying attention to things like "flip-flops" and "spaghetti strings". A classic example of this took place not even a week ago. I was with my (now ex)girlfriend in the hallway, walking her to her Spanish class, and I gave her a small "peck" before I left. One of my Assistant Principals saw this and came up to us, infuriated, yelling his brains out about how he doesn't want to see that again and if we've read our handbooks(apparently I have--see above), and as I turned to walk away because I thought he was finished, he continued to "whistle" at me like I was some dog to come back and continued to bite into me about it. While he was tearing into me and my girlfriend about PDA(and it was just a little kiss...Not anything big) behind him was two couples making out in the hallway. This pissed me off. For him to reprimand me, and my girlfriend for just me giving her an innocent little kiss, he didn't even pay one bit of attention to the people behind him practically dry humping in the hallways. And the fact that he made such a big deal about, you could see blood vessels popping out of his neck like he was going to have a heartattack over it or something. Holy cow, what is wrong with people these days? One teacher, Mrs. Smith--saved our asses. Thank God for her, at least some people in that school have some sense. So, the point is...Why get onto people like me and my friends and not pay attention to the people practicing sex in the hallways, and under the stairs(literally) thus having to banish physical contact period. Geez, I can't even give my girlfriend, let alone my friend, a HUG.

So, there you have it with Part I of this essay. Why since the turn of the century, the education system has gone to hell. I can think of some reasons.

1. Bush is a complete dumbass and tries to pass off his fake "intelligence" with his "No Child Left Behind" act--maybe compensating for his own lack of intelligence in his school years.

2. Administrators in schools are paying too much attention to so-called "PDA" and the latest clothing trends and not paying attention to what curriculum is set in a classroom.

3. They are letting dickasses run schools now.

My rant is done...For now...And point taken. Stay tuned for the next part of my essay.

The New Declaration....

The Declaration, in a nutshell:
We the Youth of the United States of America, and the world, come together to realize the blatant absurdity of this society and denounce the social injustices of this world and call all informed peoples to come together, and revolutionize, against intellectual and cultural ignorance, and make a difference, not only for ourselves...but for this pathetic mankind.
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Yes, this is The Declaration. A published E-Zine dedicated to all things free. And if you don't like it. Shove it up your ass. So...as we commence...the views expressed here are not of those running the site...actually, it is...just don't kill yourself over it and I just wanted to put a fancy disclaimer. But if you like to follow rules that hold you down from expressing your views, then don't read this magazine, because you will seriously be offended by it's content. But, we here at The Declaration invite all to come unto us and read this publication that it may help, or enlighten you onto the real things going on at Capitol Hill and other places of particular interest. So, READ! READ! READ! and become intelligent!