Propaganda Discussion

When we were having the discussion in class about how we fall into the trap of dehumanizing people, because they belong to groups that are different than us. I remembered when I was involved in that holy roller church, and how we used to regard everybody outside of our group as people outside the will of god. We used to refer to our selves as 'in the world, but not of the world.' We had endless labels for those on the outside; sinners, backsliders, lukewarm christians.
When we got people from other churches to join us, they were coming into the will of god. When they tried to do the same to us, they were apostates. In the cycling world, it's the roadies vs. mountain bikers. Specializing even more, among singlespeed cyclists, it's the fixed gear freaks vs. coasties. In trail access issues, it is the Sierra Club, supporting hikers and equestrians in closing trails to mountain bikers. Anybody with common sense can figure out that a group of 1000 pound shit machines(horses) cause a lot more trail damage than the same number of mountain bikers( just walk the trails in Papago Park), but tradition overrides common sense. Any slight difference in preference can create an us vs. them mentality. Without even realizing it, we miss opportunities to get to know some really nice people, because we have alienated them with our sterotypes. All we need is an open mind and willingness to communicate.

Bike commuting

The topic I chose for assignment three and four was bike commuting, because it is something that I do almost every day. In the beginning, I started commuting because I had no car. Now I commute because I want to, not out of necessity. I love everything bike related, particularly mountain biking. I would love to be able to ride trails every day, but that is not a very practical proposition, when I have family, work, school and other responsibilities to attend to.
That's where commuting on a bike comes in. It gives me the cross training I need for mountain biking. I ride to Gateway monday through thursday, hit the trail on friday. It is also beneficial at the gym. Since I have already done my cardio, I go straight to the weights. I don't have to waste my time on treadmills and stationary bikes.
The economic benefit is that I only have to use my car for family related stuff, like taking the kids to school and going to the store. All the expense of driving to work and school is eliminated.
All in all, I think that is a pretty good deal.

Assignment Three: Getting it!

I love it when I am struggling to understand something, and then seemingly out of the blue, everything clears up, and I undertand what I need to do.
This is how it has been with this assignment. It's like having an incomplete jigsaw puzzle and every time I come to class, I pick up one more piece and after a while there is a picture, and I can figure out what I need to do to finsh it.
This annotated bibliography business seemed so complicated at first, now it seems simple enough for me to get it done.
It seems to happen like this all the time. I hit a road block, something I can't figure out, then in the next class, I get the answer and I can finish the assignment.

discussion about presidential elections

In last week's class, Mr. Jolly asked us who we thought would win the presidential election. Some people said Obama, some said Clinton. I said Mcain, not because I particularly believe in his politcs, but because I don't think conservative America is ready for an African-American or a female president. I think that even though we have come a long way in acceptance and open-mindedness, there is still an element of racism and sexism in our country, hiding under the surface.
Whenever a racial situation occurs, like the Jena six story in Louisiana last year. It exposed that deep seated racism many whites still have. Many copy cats started hanging nooses in conspicuous places, just to antagonize African-Americans. I think there are still too many old timers and conservatives around that are not ready for an African-American president in this country. I think those same old timers would be just as resistant to having a woman commander in chief. It is just as difficult for them, maybe more difficilt to take orders from a woman, than it is to take orders from an African-American.
I would love to be wrong, maybe there are enough open-minded people in this country to make a change in this election. If not it won't be too far off in the future.

Hopes and concerns

I have never gotten involved in the blogging scene before, but it seems to me like it is a great vehicle for expressing ideas and being exposed to different points of view.
I think it will be an exciting journey, not just another boring semester at school.
I am looking forward to it!

first blog eng 102

This is my first blog. It is like going into the unknown, down a new trail on my mountain bike, not knowing what is around the next turn, but anticipating a new discovery. Seeking knowledge about the world around me.