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CAD is the leading cause of death in the U.S. While the symptoms and signs of coronary artery disease are noted in the advanced state of disease, most individuals with coronary artery disease show no evidence of disease for decades as the disease progresses before the first onset of symptoms, often a "sudden" heart attack, finally arise. After decades of progression, some of these atheromatous plaques may rupture and (along with the activation of the blood clotting system) start limiting blood flow to the heart muscle. The disease is the most common cause of sudden death, and is also the most common reason for death of men and women over 20 years of age. According to present trends in the United States, half of healthy 40-year-old males will develop CAD in the future, and one in three healthy 40-year-old women. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Northern Ireland is the country with the most occurrences of CAD. By contrast, the Maasai of Africa have almost no heart disease.
As the degree of coronary artery disease progresses, there may be near-complete obstruction of the lumen of the coronary artery, severely restricting the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to the myocardium. Individuals with this degree of coronary artery disease typically have suffered from one or more myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), and may have signs and symptoms of chronic coronary ischemia, including symptoms of angina at rest and flash pulmonary edema.
A distinction should be made between myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction. Ischemia means that the amount of oxygen supplied to the tissue is inadequate to supply the needs of the tissue. When the myocardium becomes ischemic, it does not function optimally. When large areas of the myocardium becomes ischemic, there can be impairment in the relaxation and contraction of the myocardium. If the blood flow to the tissue is improved, myocardial ischemia can be reversed. Infarction means that the tissue has undergone irreversible death due to lack of sufficient oxygen-rich blood.
An individual may develop a rupture of an atheromatous plaque at any stage of the spectrum of coronary artery disease. The acute rupture of a plaque may lead to an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Myocardial infarction usually results from the sudden occlusion of a coronary artery when a plaque ruptures, activating the clotting system and atheroma-clot interaction fills the lumen of the artery to the point of sudden closure. The narrowing of the lumen of the heart artery before sudden closure is often not severe, according to clinical research completed in the late 1990s and using IVUS examinations within 6 months prior to a heart attack. High grade stenoses as such exceeding 75% blockage, such as detected by stress testing while carrying much higher individual risk for sudden closure, were found to be responsible for only 14% of acute heart attacks because they are rarer compared to less severe narrowings. The events leading up to plaque rupture are not understood despite many theories. Myocardial infarction is almost never caused by temporary spasm of the artery wall occluding the lumen, a condition also associated with atheromatous plaque and CAD.
CAD is associated with smoking, diabetes, and hypertension. A family history of early CAD is one of the less important predictors of CAD. Most of the familial association of coronary artery disease are related to common dietary habits. Screening for CAD includes evaluating high-density and low-density lipoprotein (cholesterol) levels and triglyceride levels. Despite much press, most of the alternative risk factors including homocysteine, C-reactive protein (CRP), Lipoprotein (a), coronary calcium and more sophisticated lipid analysis have added little if any additional value to the conventional risk factors of smoking, diabetes and hypertension.
Angina that occurs regularly with activity, after heavy meals, or at other predictable times is termed stable angina and is associated with high grade narrowings of the heart arteries. The symptoms of angina are often treated with betablocker therapy such as metoprolol or atenolol. Nitrate preparations such as nitroglycerin, which come in short-acting and long-acting forms are also effective in relieving symptoms but are not known to reduce the chances of future heart attacks. Many other more effective treatments, especially of the underlying atheromatous disease, have been developed.
Angina that changes in intensity, character or frequency is termed unstable. Unstable angina may precede myocardial infarction, and requires urgent medical attention. It may be treated with oxygen, intravenous nitroglycerin, and aspirin. Interventional procedures such as angioplasty may be done.
No one knows exactly what causes "Cardiac Syndrome X" and it is unlikely to have a single cause. Today, we speculate that the major contributing factor to "Cardiac Syndrome X" is "microvascular dysfunction": The term "microvascular" refers to very small blood vessels and, in this case, very small arteries (arterioles, capillaries) of the heart. Studies have also shown that people with "Cardiac Syndrome X" have enhanced pain perception, meaning they feel chest pain more intensely than the average person.
The large majority of women have the garden variety of coronary artery disease. Rarely, women with "Cardiac Syndrome X" have typical anginal syndromes that are not associated with the presence of atherosclerotic plaques; that is, the localized blockages are absent. Scientists speculate that the blood vessels in these women are diffuse abnormal. Some have falsely claim that the entire lining of the artery becomes thickened throughout, making the plaques flush with the wall of the artery without any scientific proof. On cardiac catheterization their coronary arteries appear smooth-walled and normal, though they may look "small" in diameter. By the way: in general, female coronary arteries (like all arteries) are somewhat smaller than in males.
"Cardiac Syndrome X" have never been shown to cause acute heart attacks (myocardial infarction) despite much speculation. The prognosis with syndrome-X coronary artery disease is also known to be better than with typical coronary artery disease, but this is not a benign condition since it can be quite disabling. It is not completely clear why women are more likely than men to suffer from "Syndrome X"; however, hormones and other risk factors unique to women may play a role. Women's blood vessels are exposed to changing levels of oestrogen throughout their lives, first during regular menstrual cycles and later during and after menopause as oestrogen levels decline with age. Oestrogen affects how blood vessels narrow and widen and how they respond to injury, so changes in oestrogen levels mean changes in the reactivity of the blood vessels. Women's vessels may be "programmed" for more changes than men's vessels, which could increase the risk of having problems in the lining of the arteries (endothelial cells) and the smooth muscle cells in the walls of the arteries. The endothelial dysfunction is likely to be multifactorial in these patients and it is conceivable that risk factors such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking can contribute to its development. Most patients with Syndrome X are postmenopausal women and oestrogen deficiency has been therefore proposed as a pathogenic factor in female patients. In addition to changing hormone levels, there are several other risk conditions for blood vessel problems that are unique to women, such as preeclampsia (a problem associated with high blood pressure during pregnancy) and delivering a low-birth weight baby. Of course, despite these issues women, the female gender as a whole is protective against coronary artery disease.
The diagnosis of "Cardiac Syndrome X" - the rare coronary artery disease that is more common in women, as mentioned, an "exclusion" diagnosis. Therefore, usually the same tests are used as in any patient with the suspicion of coronary artery disease:
Significant, but indirect risk factors include:
Risk factors can be classified as
An increasingly growing number of other physiological markers and homeostatic mechanisms are currently under scientific investigation. Patients with CAD and those trying to prevent CAD are advised to avoid fats that are readily oxidized (e.g., saturated fats and trans-fats), limit carbohydrates and processed sugars to reduce production of Low density lipoproteins, triacylglycerol and apolipoprotein-B. It is also important to keep blood pressure normal, exercise and stop smoking. These measures reduces the development of heart attacks. Recent studies have shown that dramatic reduction in LDL levels can cause regression of coronary artery disease in as many as 2/3 of patients after just one year of sustained treatment.
Menaquinone (Vitamin K2), but not phylloquinone (Vitamin K1), intake is associated with reduced risk of CAD mortality, all-cause mortality and severe aortic calcification.
The consumption of trans fat (commonly found in hydrogenated products such as margarine) has been shown to cause the development of endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to atherosclerosis.The consumption of trans fatty acids has been shown to increase the risk of coronary artery disease
Foods containing fiber, potassium, nitric oxide (in green leafy vegetables), monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, saponins, or lecithin are said to lower cholesterol levels. Foods high in grease, salt, trans fat, or saturated fat are said to raise cholesterol levels.
Regarding healthy women, the more recent Women's Health Study randomized controlled trial found insignficant benefit from aspirin in the reduction of cardiac events; however there was a signficant reduction in stroke. Subgroup analysis showed that all benefit was confined to women over 65 years old. In spite of the insignficant benefit for women < 65 years old, recent practice guidelines by the American Heart Association recommend to 'consider' aspirin in 'healthy women' <65 years of age 'when benefit for ischemic stroke prevention is likely to outweigh adverse effects of therapy'.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in some plant sources including flax seed oil, hemp seed oil, and walnuts. Plant sources may be safer as fish products have been shown to contain heavy metals and other fat soluble pollutants.
Recent research efforts focus on new angiogenic treatment modalities (angiogenesis) and various (adult) stem cell therapies.
A more controversial link is that between Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection and atherosclerosis. While this intracellular organism has been demonstrated in atherosclerotic plaques, evidence is inconclusive as to whether it can be considered a causative factor. Treatment with antibiotics in patients with proven atherosclerosis has not demonstrated a decreased risk of heart attacks or other coronary vascular diseases.
Since the 1990s the search for new treatment options for coronary artery disease patients, particularly for so called "no-option" coronary patients, focused on usage of angiogenesis and (adult) stem cell therapies. Numerous clinical trials were performed, either applying protein (angiogenic growth factor) therapies, such as FGF-1 or VEGF, or cell therapies using different kinds of adult stem cell populations. Research is still going on - with first promising results particularly for FGF-1 and utilization of endothelial progenitor cells.


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Rocking & Ride-Ons
Whether they're simple rocking horses or high-tech motorized vehicles, ride-ons are a favorite for kids of all ages. When choosing one for a baby, stick to wagons or sleds that you can pull. Toddlers can enjoy rocking toys and foot- or pedal-powered toys, all of which are best used under supervision.

subset: commoncrawl


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Barbie® and The Tale of Peter Rabbit™
Come with Barbie® on an enchanting journey to the world of Peter Rabbit™! You can see little pictures from the story on Barbie® doll's dress and follow along as the tale unfolds.
Dressed in the fresh watercolor tones of Beatrix Potter™, Barbie® looks like a storyteller from a time long ago. Her adorable satin dress has an overskirt with eyelet trim, ribbons and charming vignettes from The Tale of Peter Rabbit™. Her hair is long and golden with a braid entwined in blue ribbon. Beautiful and very special, she is the ideal companion to explore the world of Peter Rabbit™ with you!
Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown.


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persevere; perseverance (4 items)
- Pressing On with Charles R. Swindoll
- Keep going! Don't quit! with Ken Hanna
- Plan to Finish Well with Jay E. Smith
- Enduring Through Ministry with Charles R. Swindoll
The mission of Dallas Theological Seminary is to glorify God by equipping godly servant-leaders for the proclamation of His Word and the building up of the body of Christ worldwide.


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Extreme Coverage. The 5-in-1 reflector is the fastest and most affordable way to achieve diffused or reflective light. Whether you are looking to soften harsh shadows that occur with natural sunlight or reflect light indoors from a studio light, this kit has every possible surface imaginable. The large 40" size can be used from individual head shots all the way to small groups while still being easily handheld
Quickly and easily diffuse harsh light. When harsh sunlight causes shadows on your subject, place the diffuser surface directly between the sun and the subject to diffuse this harsh light. The same concept can be done when using studio lighting indoors.
Add warm tones. When shadows appear on one side of a subject's face and the subject has naturally pale skin, use a gold reflector to fill in unwanted shadows while adding warmth to skin tones.
Subtract of block unwanted light. When lighting on a subject's face is too bright and cannot be adjusted, use a black reflector to subtract or pull light away from skin tones.
Add contrast. When contrast is desired to add "spark" to an image, use a silver reflector to add cool tones and specular highlights to your subject all while filling in unwanted shadows.
Fill in shadows with neutral color. When reflective light needs to maintain neutral in color, use a white reflector. The result will be very soft and natural-looking. We recommend using a white reflector especially when indoors to keep color consistent.
Units collapse and fit easily inside travel case. The 5-in-1 reflector quickly collapses into a third of its open size. The included travel case protects your reflector when traveling.
Additional Info
|Laminated Fabric, Nylon, Spring Steel
|One year against manufacturing defects
|Item Length:
|39.75 in. / 100.97 cm
|Item Width:
|39.75 in. / 100.97 cm
|Item Height:
|0.33 in. / 0.84 cm
|Item Weight:
|2.0 lbs. / 0.9 kg
|Packaged Length:
|21.00 in. / 53.34 cm
|Packaged Width:
|20.00 in. / 50.80 cm
|Packaged Height:
|2.00 in. / 5.08 cm
|Packaged Weight:
|3.1 lbs. / 1.4 kg
|Case Included:
|Cover Removable:
|Diffuser Density:
|Reflective Color:
|Black , Gold, Silver, White
|Collapsed Length:
|38.10 in. / 96.77 cm
|Collapsed Width:
|38.10 in. / 96.77 cm
|Collapsed Height:
|0.75 in. / 1.91 cm


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Sika Sikadur 33 Grab Adhesive 250ml
£68.92 per L
This grab adhesive from the Sikadur 33 range by Sika is suitable for use with structural materials around the internal & external of your home. Sealing and bonding concrete, stone, ceramics, bricks, masonry, metals, most plastics and wood.
- Guarantee - 1 year
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Give it to me cheap! I don't car who you are, we all like cheap stuff. Now I'm not talkin' "cheap" as in quality, I'm talking cheap as in a good buy. If you don't believe me, just look at the theme of this issue, "Budget Motors," that should say it all! Even better are the cheap bolt-on mods that any person with half a brain can bang out in their garage.
When it comes to late-model Chevys, such as the L98, LT1, and LS1, not all bolt-ons have to rule out lunch for the next month. There are those "budget" mods that won't set you back too deep in the hole, yet will still put a smile on your face.
There are, however, a few things we need to consider. Number one: budget. What is your budget, exactly? Everyone's isn't going to be the same, so let's just say each mod needs to be near the 500 mark, which, is pretty manageable regardless of age or situation. Next up is the ease of install. There are mods that with a few handtools, half an hour, and a fifth-grade reading level can be tackled. On the other hand, there are mods that require a little more in depth knowledge, and are still within our budget range. Whatever the case may be, we're going to throw a bit of both in.
The ironic thing about cars is that the older you get, the more money you have to spend. Your time, however, diminishes. In contrast, the younger you are, the more time you have. Money, on the other hand, is tight. It's not exactly poetic justice, but still, you gotta dig it. However, when it comes to budget mods, they seem to suit both sides of the playing field, which makes it beneficial to each end of the spectrum. We've gathered up few items here for each of the three motors, but keep this in mind, many of these parts swing both ways. Meaning that each of these budget mods is a good upgrade for all the engines. On a side note, this is only a handful of parts, we wouldn't even have enough staff to tackle all the parts out there! By the way, all claims are held by the manufacturers.
Crane Cams Gold Race Extruded Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms
Crane Cams (386/258-6174, www.cranecams.com) 1.7 Gold-Race, full-roller aluminum rockers for the LS1/LS6 engine family add up to 20 more horsepower over stock. Although the LS1 was originally equipped with 1.7 rockers, the Crane rockers feature the exclusive Crane "Quick-Lift" design, which moves the valve off its seat quicker, initiating flow into the combustion chamber earlier, thereby increasing port efficiency and horsepower output. They're also designed for quiet operation and do not trigger the stock GM "Knock Sensor," which retards spark advance and reduces power output. The rocker arms are available as a complete kit (rockers, rocker studs, pushrod guideplates and pushrods) or separately, and are an easy bolt-on. They also clear stock Chevy rocker covers. By the way, 1.8 ratios are available, as well.
A stout way to improve upon performance is the addition of a new manifold. One such manifold being the F.A.S.T. (901/260-3278, www.fuelairspark.com) LSX multi-piece intake manifold which shows 20-plus hp increase over the LS1 intake and 15-plus hp over the LS6 intake, with no loss of drivability or low rpm torque. Unlike aluminum intakes, the F.A.S.T. polymer intake avoids becoming a power robbing heat sink. The LSX comes with integrated nitrous oxide injector ports and the ability to accept a larger than stock throttle body for increased airflow. In addition, the LSX manifold has added material for porting and the top shell is interchangeable to accept the 78mm or 90mm LSX throttle bodies. Other companies that offer new manifolds are Weiand and BBK.
Granatelli MAF
When looking to gain up to 20 hp by pretty much only picking up a screwdriver, there's no easier way to go than a Mass Airflow sensor. Granatelli Motorsports (805/486-6644 www.granatellimotorsports.com) MAF's are direct OEM replacement that won't void your factory warranty and add anywhere from 8-25 hp. The MAF's Improve performance from 2,000 rpm to redline and increase gas mileage and throttle response.
March S.F.I. Fluid Dampened Performance Pulley
The addition of a March Performance (888/729-9070, www.marchperf.com) underdrive pulley is a budget mod that shows sign of improvement right out the gate. The March pulleys increase horsepower by as much as 12 hp by reducing the energy used to drive the cars accessories. Plus, the fluid dampened design won't cause spark sensors to retard timing with resultant loss in power. March offers a dampener crank pulley, power, and amp alternator pulley.
BBK 58mm Throttle Body
Besides a new intake another way to increase air and fuel is to throw on a new throttle body. The BBK (951/296-1771, Dept. SC, www.bbkperformance.com) 58mm high-flow throttle body is designed for improved throttle response and torque. The throttle body has been ported and flow bench tested for optimum airflow and it provides more power when used with an exhaust system and/or headers.
SLP 1.6 Aluminum Rockers
Just like the LS1, rocker arms are quick way to gain a few ponies, SLP's (732/349-2109, www.slponline.com) 1.6 ratio aluminum-bodied rocker arms feature a narrow body and a self-aligning roller tip. The resultant high ratio and reduced friction results in up to a 10 rear-wheel hp gain over the stock 1.5 rocker arms. The package includes 16 rocker arms, detailed instructions, and all required installation hardware.
COMP Cams Valvesprings
The recent development of the COMP Cams (800/999-0853, www.compcams.com) Beehive valvesprings is a sure-shot way to pick up some ponies. Beehive springs carry several advantages over a conventional spring. Beehives are built around the varying diameter of the coils, which means each coil is a different diameter than the one above and below it, which ultimately makes the spring resistant to harmonic failures, and the small diameter of the top coil means a smaller retainer can be used.
Hyper Tech Power Programmer
When it comes to pressing a few buttons to bump up your ride's performance, you can't even begin to complain. With Hypertech's (901/382-8888, Dept SC, www.hypertech-inc.com) Power Programmer III, all it takes is to plug the Power Programmer into the underdash diagnostic plug, answer a series of "Yes/No" questions, and that's it. It's also more than a tuning chip. It's a self-contained automotive tuning computer. The programmer lets you change tire size ratios, shift points on automatic transmissions, and more.


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The extra-pillowy softness and super-adaptive support of TEMPUR-Cloud® Supreme comes from more exclusive TEMPUR® material. The innovative moisture-wicking, cool-to-the-touch SmartClimate™ System keeps you comfortable, while the EasyRefresh™ Top Cover is simple to remove, wash and replace.Shop Now
The Lifeform Ultimate Executive High Back Office Chair will perfectly adjust to the natural contours of your body, improving comfort and helping you be more productive throughout the day. Ergonomic chairs are designed to create the ideal sitting environment so work longer without putting yourself at risk for long-term back injuries due to prolong sitting.
Its height and width adjustable memory foam arms along with the back and seat slider allows this executive high back office chair to fit any sized user.
In addition, memory foam is standard on all Lifeform High Back Executive chairs. This memory foam not only reduces pressure on the body, but also helps users evenly distribute their weight and improve circulation.
Professional Swedish Inversion Table for your home. Fifteen degrees is a comfortable level of inversion, in which your should feel your muscle pain and tension decrease.Shop Now
The Self-inflating Back Rest from Relax The Back provides the perfect lumbar support on a plane, at the movies, in a car, while dining, and so much more.Shop Now
The Human Touch Perfect Chair PC410 is a customer favorite. This zero gravity chair comes with lumbar support and has a smooth-gliding manual recline motion to ease you into the physician-recommended position seating position. The Human Touch PC 410 Perfect Chair can also be customized to better fit your needs with a cervical pillow, and for taller frames, and extending footrest upgrade.Shop Now
Whiplash, also called neck sprain or strain, affects approximately 120,000 people a year in the US. It is generally caused when a person is involved in a rear-end vehicle collision. Whiplash occurs when the neck and head are thrown forward, then back, when the collision occurs. Although many do not experience them right away, symptoms such as neck stiffness, headache, and dizziness often form over the course of the following days.
Luckily, whiplash symptoms rarely require surgery and go away on their own with some rest and care. If you have experienced whiplash, we do have a range of products that can help you recover. Products include neck pillows, cold compresses, back rests, and many more.
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New Directions® Gold-Tone Textured Chandelier Earrings
$4.99 Original Price $20.00
Savings: $15.01 (75%)
This shimmering chandelier earring is dripping with pretty textured teardrops.
- 3.25-in. length
- French wire ear closure
- Polished finish
- Surgical steel posts
- Gold tone metal
- Belk Exclusive
- Imported
Shipping & Returns
Shipping your purchase is easy on belk.com. Depending on the destination of your package, you can expect it to arrive within 4-7 business days. Shipping Information
Returns are easy on belk.com. Easy returns


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- Willamette
- Atkinson Graduate School of Management
- Portland Center
- Portland Grand Opening RSVP
Portland Center Grand Opening - September 6
Join us as we open the new Willamette University Portland Center in the Pearl District on Friday, September 6, 2013 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. The program will include a special classroom dedication in honor of Professor Emeritus Patrick E. Connor.
Please RSVP using the form below.
The Portland Center is located at:
905 NW 12th Avenue, Suite 110
Portland, Oregon 97209
(located at the corner of NW 12th and Kearney)


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20th May 2014
US: Utah must recognise 1,000 same-sex marriages performed before injunction 3
3:49 PM — A federal judge has ruled that the marriages of more than a thousand same-sex couples in the US state of Utah performed before a stay was issue to stop them from taking place, must be recognised by the state.
Ruling on same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania expected soon 2
3:46 PM — After the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit to push for equal marriage last year, Pennsylvania is expecting a ruling on legalising same sex marriage in the state today.
Nick Clegg: Equal marriage is one of my 'proudest achievements' in government 21
1:46 PM — Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says the government's decision to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales is one of his "proudest achievements".
19th May 2014
US: Same-sex couple finally wed in Oregon after 31 years together, following court ruling 5
9:44 PM — Deanna Geiger and Janine Nelson have become the first same-sex couple to marry in Oregon, after 31 years together.
US: Weddings begin in Oregon after judge strikes down same-sex marriage ban 2
8:12 PM — Same-sex weddings will begin immediately in Oregon, after a judge struck down the state's marriage ban.
Arkansas Governor candidate: Politicians should be able to override courts' rulings on same-sex marriage 16
7:51 PM — A candidate hoping to become the Republican nominee for Arkansas Governor has said the state Legislature should have the power to override state courts' rulings on issues like same-sex marriage.
US: Decision expected in case challenging Oregon's same-sex marriage ban
5:12 PM — A federal judge is expected on Monday to rule in a case challenging the US state of Oregon's undefended same-sex marriage ban.
US: Lesbian widow announces she is granted survivor benefits
3:08 PM — A lesbian widow of a US soldier killed in Afghanistan has announced that she has been granted the same survivor benefits as straight spouses.
18th May 2014
UK: Guernsey Chief Minister will meet with LGBT group to discuss same-sex unions 5
2:16 PM — Guernsey's Chief Minister has agreed to meet with an LGBT group pressing the region to reform laws and introduce equal marriage in line with the UK.
Bishop of Cork: I certainly support civil same-sex marriage 9
12:04 PM — The Bishop of Cork has declared his support for civil same-sex marriage, becoming the first Church of Ireland Bishop to do so.
17th May 2014
Lynne Featherstone: We must find a way forward for LGBT rights in Africa 5
1:20 PM — Former Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone has said the international community "must find a way forward in these most difficult of circumstances" to improve LGBT rights in Africa.
16th May 2014
US: Arkansas Supreme Court puts same-sex marriage ban back in place 13
10:40 PM — Arkansas' Supreme Court has suspended a decision striking down the state's same-sex marriage ban, putting it back in place despite hundreds of couples already having married.
US: Idaho gay rights campaigners protest after same-sex weddings stopped in state
7:46 PM — Hundreds of campaigners took to the steps of an Idaho courthouse to protest a stay which was placed on the issue of marriage licences to same-sex couples in the state.
Christian People's Alliance leader: 'God is angry over gay marriage' 43
4:06 PM — The leader of the Christian People's Alliance has said he thinks "God is angry over gay marriage", and even suggested that it is possible that same-sex marriage caused floods.
15th May 2014
US: Appeals court temporarily stays Idaho marriage ban ruling, halts impending marriages 2
9:38 PM — An appeals court has temporarily stayed a decision striking down Idaho's same-sex marriage ban, stopping weddings a day before they were due to begin.
US: Arkansas same-sex marriages to resume after judge strikes down secondary ban 4
9:17 PM — Same-sex weddings will resume again in Arkansas tomorrow, following a ruling by a judge striking down a secondary marriage ban.
Catholic church fires woman who feeds homeless over same-sex marriage 32
4:18 PM — A 58-year old cancer survivor has been fired from her job feeding the homeless, because she's in a same-sex marriage.
US: Texas judge refuses to let state intervene in same-sex divorce case 2
3:47 PM — A Texas judge has refused to let the state intervene in the case of a same-sex couple attempting to get divorced.
US: Idaho veteran might finally get permission to be buried with her wife after marriage ban ruling 1
3:07 PM — An Idaho veteran is hopeful she will finally be given permission to be buried with her wife, following the striking down of the state's same-sex marriage ban.
UK: Council apologises for ordering churches to perform same-sex weddings 5
2:03 PM — Essex County Council has apologised for incorrectly telling churches they had to be licensed to perform same-sex marriages.


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- edward long
- Mesa, AZ
- United States
Association of Old Crows
This conversation is closed.
Teachers should get tough.
In the recent WSJ Saturday Essay Joanne Lipman broaches a controversial idea for improving public education. To prompt you to read her essay here are her talking points: 1) A little pain is good for you. 2) Drill baby, drill. 3)Failure is an option. 4) Strict is better than nice. 5) Creativity can be learned. 6) Grit trumps talent. 7) Praise makes you weak. 8) Stress makes you strong.
Oct 1 2013: Loved the article Ed.
- +2
It brings out some wonderful points that many of us implement in our teaching.
Here are my reflections.
I think that really good teachers know that children need discipline.....and by discipline I mean a constant principled way of conducting the learning environment. Rules are needed. Your yes has to mean yes, your no means no. Kids can tell when a teacher doesn't expect anything from them, and they will act accordingly.
I think like everything else in this materialistic opportunistic country (society), teachers have been the victims of commercialism. They have been caught up in the positive reinforcement trap. They are bombarded with all types of catalogs where they can order cutesy things with a "theme".......and they become decorators, and sticker dispensers and reward distributors, instead of really getting down to the business of TEACHING.
I have always been a very strict teacher, my bottom line has always been to impart knowledge and ignite the fire of learning.......to instill a love of learning new things in my students. That is also what I have tried to do with my own kids.
I think that is why I really loved the fact that they included a picture of Mr. K with his own daughter. Most teachers who love their career, treat their students like they treat their own kids........high expectations, and love.
I will share this additional observation. The last picture in the article, where Mr. K sits and applauds, is very revealing.
I have always been bothered when teachers do not applaud children's work in an auditorium setting. I cannot tell you the number of times I have attended a school assembly and seen my fellow educators stand talking among themselves without the slightest interest in what the children are performing. I take personal offense when I see this type of behavior.......it tells me quite a lot. To the child observing from stage, it must be devastating.
And YES, tough is good....like Mr. K's tough!!
Oct 1 2013: Your teaching style shows that toughness does not equal coldness or meanness. As always the definition of terms cannot be omitted in a debate. Each of the 8 issues mentioned in the essay seem to confirm that the student's best long-term interests are in mind. Thanks for contributing from your professional experience in the classroom. Stay tough.Oct 1 2013: I admire your career respectfully. But I have come to the experience that people always consider themselves as the righteous and wise person. They believe they have performed correctly in most of the cases. Same applies to your own perception that you are always correct, other teach is always negligent or ignorant.
Would you admit that in other teachers' eye, you are acting the most ridiculous parody, they act in the way that is perfect for a teacher in their own values.
All those come to my contention, whether a performance is excellent,it is labelled by it consequence,not someone thinks this is excellent. A best educator is reflected by his/her students' improvement.
Oct 1 2013: You have wonderful insights.
Edward has been around TED long enough to know that I approach these conversations from an elementary teacher's point of view......that is my field.
I get the feeling that you want to ask me a question.....but I don't know what it is you are trying to ask......care to elaborate a little, and if you have a question, do put a question mark (?) behind the sentence..........pretty please.....
Oct 2 2013: To Mary concerning your original comment, I wholeheartedly agree with most of your comment on love and encouragement in teaching. But I am a little hesitant to agree with your view that the teacher should applaud his students' performance every time after the performance. First of all, if the student has a really good performance, then there would be tremendous applause without the teacher's "endorsement".
On the other hand if it is really not so good, the mere applause from the teacher (and the student's parents) isn't going to help much anyway.
I really didn't mean that teachers shouldn't applaud for his/her students, but let it be the expression from the heart, rather than a courtesy reaction.
Once upon a time, when my wife and I were sitting in the piano tutor's house to listen to my daughter' final review on her upcoming performance in a piano contest. (see my posting below). When my daughter (she was 14 at that time) finished a piece of piano concerto in about 18 minutes long, without a score sheet in front of her, and in my mere a music lover's ear, she performed almost flawlessly. I applauded spontaneously even though it's really not needed. You see, I certainly do not object to the applause by the teachers at the performance of the students, but I believe that it should be from the heart instead of by courtesy. Or better to refrain from it in any case.Oct 2 2013: Sorry Mary,my comment was really at a mess.
I have no specific question,since you've invited me post a question,then it would be this:How do your fellow teachers comment on your teaching approach? Have you got any feedback from your students,and what is it?Oct 2 2013: No problem George.
You know, I don't think many teachers really know my teaching style. They assume I am very nice, and lenient. The only ones who really are aware of my style are the kids and parents. And of course, the administration, because they observe us regularly.
My kids start out the school year thinking......she's fun......then they realize that behind the fun is hard work.......and that I expect them to try hard. By October they realize I mean business. By January they are like a fine oiled machine. The following school year they come back and thank me because they realize that the skills I taught them were the essential ones to succeed in the following school year. And while their classmates all struggled, they glided through the following year.
I look at my students as my letters of recommendation. They are the ones who really know what kind of teacher I was to them. I think by the time kids reach the age of 18 or 19 they realize who among all the teachers they had really worked hard to educate them.
Just like I remember that out of all the teachers I ever had, the number one teacher was Mrs. Tangy, my fifth grade teacher. She loved us. And she went beyond the curriculum to instill a love of learning and curiosity for life. I remember that the rest of the kids at my school really feared Mrs. Tangy. But, we, her students, knew better. We knew she really loved to teach, and she disciplined us out of love and concern. When I finally realized the kind of teacher she was and I went back to try and find her and thank her, she had already died. I think of her each time I am asked to think of what makes a great teacher.
Phew....I think I said too much!!
Oct 2 2013: Thank you, Mary. I can feel it comes from your heart.
'Disciplined us out of love and concern', I admire that kind of teacher too. The truth is it's hard to encounter such kind of teacher,isn't it? Teacher is a tough,responsible,and honorable job, you have the firsthand opportunity to influence kids, and shape their lives.
One day,maybe that day has come,when your students appreciate you,cause they know you love them. when you put love into your teaching,the students will feel it sooner or later.Oct 2 2013: In my experience, students and parents almost always appreciate teachers who demand from students a high level of effort on meaningful work and who scaffold appropriately so students can succeed.. There is a right place to set the bar, and that varies among students. The few students in the class who do not rise to the occasion are the ones who can be bitter.
Some students and their parents will push for them to be placed with the teacher who runs the more rigorous program.
At schools where I have taught teachers with a rigorous approach hold students accountable but also show students they have confidence in them and love them. That they love their students shows easily through behaviors that an outsider might not understand.
I think other teachers in the building typically are aware of the respect those teachers receive from students and parents.
My experience as a teacher includes upper elementary, secondary, and post-secondary.
Oct 2 2013: Thank you.Oct 2 2013: You're welcome George.
I think love is one of the strongest motivators we can have in life.
Teaching, to me, is a work of heart.
I thoroughly love to impart knowledge and understanding to others.
Thanks for the exchange of ideas and thoughts.
Be Well.......
Spencer Hill
Oct 5 2013: Thanks for sharing the WSJ article. The author for the most part I agree with. Tough but fair is how any teacher, coach, mentor, or boss should be. They should always be challenging the student to rise to a higher level of achievement, performance, or greatness.
- +1
I disagree with creativity can be taught. Our current education system seems to kill creativity in most students just by simple conformity to school "rules", peer pressure, or societal norms. What a teacher or mentor, et al. can do is to stimulate or draw creativity out of someone.
Stress, or better challenge, is necessary to get anyone to a new plateau of the performance, desire or goals.
As a nation (USA) we have become "fat & happy" while the rest of the world has caught up with us and surpassed us in some areas. Grit and determination is what made this country. We need a lot more of it. It seems our legislative bodies are confusing grit with ill-tempered actions of a 5 year old (both sides).
Oct 5 2013: Good observations Spencer. Thanks for a fresh perspective about these qualities not being applicable to teachers only, but to everyone in authority. My take on the author's position on creativity being a learned trait is that so many young people are told that creativity is something some are born with and others are not. If you are in the latter group you cannot learn to be creative.That is just wrong. Creativity can be learned. Do you see that point-of-view?
Oct 5 2013: I think everyone has creativity, it just has to be coaxed out of them. Some fear to show it because they can't take the criticism (part of being tough and having grit). Others find it when they need it.
Reply to Edward Long below: Yes all people have the capacity to be creative. Most just don't exercise it. Its like muscle if you don't use it , you lose it, it atrophies to where it is worthless.
Oct 5 2013: So you are not saying creativity cannot be learned. You are saying creativity need not be learned because everyone has it. It follows then that you think it is wrong to teach children that some people have creativity and some don't and there is nothing that can be done to make a person who does not have it be creative. I think I understand your take on the matter. Every young person should be encouraged to be creative.
Simona Rich
Oct 1 2013: Creativity can be learned? For me it comes when there's no thinking; when there's space - a gap between thoughts.
- +1
Stress makes you strong? Stress is one of the biggest killers of the human race; it ages you quickly and lowers your immune system.
Praise makes you weak? Yes, that's true for those who focus on it too much and no longer see their flaws.
Oct 1 2013: Regarding creativity the point in the essay is that students are often taught that creativity is something some people are born with and others just don't have. That, of course, is not true. Creativity, even the "between thoughts" type you mention, is the result of knowledge gained by hard work. Kids should be taught that creativity is a result of learning, NOT a "lucky skill" with which some folks are born and some are not. Excess, unmanaged stress is definitely a negative as you point out. The essay advocates putting healthy pressure on students to motivate them. Without such pressure many, if not most, kids would plod along doing the least they can. Praise (such as "You are so smart Timmy") needs to be replaced. The object of praise should be work habits and accomplishments, not personal attributes. Proper praise is applied in response to demonstrations of hard work and perseverance. Praising a kid when they have done nothing is a fraudulent effort to build their self-esteem. Do you agree with those explanations? Thanks for your observations, I can see you have worked diligently on formulating and posting them. Good job.Oct 2 2013: I Agree you Simon and not bcoz Edward is wrong !
Let me start it with an example. Suppose there are two persons having different nature, both starts some work together and after few years, they find, things getting worse. The system they made is not good and not solving the purpose.
Now, the one person drops the idea and insists to stop further activities so that they can put their energy to develop new system. Why to face difficulties. Now we have found, this is not the right the good system as desired, we must stop this and go back for a fresh start with this new experience....
But, second person apply patches to fix it, he is not in the favor of going back. He thinks difficulties makes us strong. Now its too late for us going back, we have made so effort to reach here. What if we face new difficulties in new work. At least these difficulties are known to us, we can solve this together as we were doing in past...
Edward is an extrovert by nature. Edward is right in his aspect. He wants his coming generation more competitive. With the stress and no compliments, students will be more strong to compete each other. In his view one can not win a race if praised, coz by doing this the praised one may be over confident. According to Edward, being polite will make them weak. As we make Food nutrition chart for good health, same manner will be applied to give them managed stress and managed love.
and you Simon, you are introvert. You can see what we humans have lost already. The values , the humanity, the love and emotions. You think coming generation will loose the ability of creativity, coz we are forcefully , stress fully teaching them to think creativity in a framework. You know the value of 'praise', a student may not complete his work when forced, but can if praised. you are not in the favor of making soldiers in the name of education. you prefer moral education. You think who are we to put them in stressful competition world! Let them choose and let us guide.
Yoka Feng
Oct 1 2013: First I 'd like to say that teachers in nowadays are not easy. They have much pressure from the social educational systems and all the students' parents.
- +1
When I was young I saw a lot of parents who looked very draconian to their kids on their study. Especially when I saw some very young kids in gymnastics trainings rapped by their coacher in front of the parents who weren't a bit angry with the coacher but scolded their kids loudly after the coacher's words instead. After the training I saw parents encourage and massage their kids carefully and thoughtfully. I saw kids smiling after their crying in the training. And I felt it very interesting.
So after I finished reading the article, I think the teacher is just like the coacher in the gymnastics training. And he seemed to fail in well communicating with the children emotionally. He taught in a bossy way which brought him no popularity in his times. But from the result that later a number of his students succeeded in many different fields, I think the teacher in fact has his ability in helping the students improve their knowledge and skills. He should have explained and let the kids as well as their parents know his good intention of making the kids outperformed their peers. If there's someone (maybe parents) could communicate between the kids and the teachers to eliminate the misunderstanding and assist the teacher to respect the students,I think the situation would have been different.
I'd like to say I agree with Mary, kids are very young, who haven't grown up totally mentally and physically. So teachers have the responsibility to instruct them. If you expect more from them in a proper way, they will act accordingly, and if they find they have made much improvement and been encouraged, they'll continue to following teacher's demands.The points in the article I think are good. Teachers should be strict with students with unyielding demands on their study as well as be their friends.( To be continued)Sep 30 2013: Most teachers know all about this. They know to challenge students, not to over-praise, not to pass everything, to convey what needs to be remembered, to make sure there is adequate practice, and so forth. There is nothing unconventional in this.
For that matter, many well-loved teachers still do call kids names and so forth in a way that kids know is not meant badly. It is the teacher's style and students recognize it as such. What works for one teacher in this respect, though, will not work for another. Many highly successful teachers maintain high standards but relate to kids in a respectful and loving way.
A teacher who subjects kids to loads of stress, is unfailingly harsh, relies entirely on lecture and drill, and adopts strategies to make her class mostly painful will not typically succeed for her students. Neither will a teacher who just stands there and smiles, gives kids work that is too easy, and praises them for doing things anyone can do easily.
Sep 30 2013: You describe an ideal scenario Fritzie. Not to doubt you, but there is a common perception among us non-educators that the system has gone soft. Do you consider the essay to be not all that relevant?
Sep 30 2013: I think the essay may be relevant to the non-educator in the sense that it could get parents to consider whether they want their kids to be held accountable for academic performance and effort at school or whether they don't. Teachers who dramatically inflate grades and do not help kids learn by acknowledging areas of unsatisfactory performance are more than likely doing this to avoid pressure from parents or wanting to avoid negative attention from parents.
Many a serious teacher has faced an angry parent wondering why her child has always gotten As until now.
But the essay overstates its case. There are plenty of destructive and ineffective teachers who could use the article to defend their over-harsh, drill-focused, and high stress classrooms that actually turn kids off to schooling forever. Much of the hatred for schooling still evident in many of today's adults derives from the out-sized influence of teachers they had of this type.
Sep 30 2013: The tribute performance by former students of Mr. K seems to indicate something quite different from hatred for his toughness. I agree an underperforming, ineffective teacher could, and probably do, use toughness as a defense of their inadequacies. A tough, effective teacher like Mr. K is another matter. I cannot easily dismiss the perception that the problem addressed by the essay is a significant issue. Your personal experience as an educator in certain locations may rightly lead you to believe otherwise. But how about all the schools you have not experienced, might this be a problem for them?Sep 30 2013: There are tough teachers who are also highly competent who are well loved by generations of students. There are tough teachers who are not competent and effective and are not well loved.
Just being tough doesn't solve many problems.
There is no necessary connection between being tough in the sense of holding kids to high standards of performance or responsibility and being rude to kids. There is no connection between being tough and emphasizing lecture or drill.
Teaching preparation often includes seeing the research on which sorts of classroom postures are most effective. I remember research comparing the lenient, coddling teacher with the authoritative teacher and with the authoritarian teacher. The lenient, coddling teacher gets the worst results. The authoritative teacher gets the best results. The authoritarian falls in between.
Teachers are not taught to be lenient and anything-goes. Even in student teaching, teachers quickly see that shrinking back from their responsibilities to manage a classroom is not an effective survival strategy. Failure to manage the classroom is one of the major reasons for high attrition among beginning teachers.
Oct 1 2013: I don't think the essay is suggesting a Marine drill instructor would make a good school teacher. I appreciate your knowledge gained from experience. You seem to be denying that the problems addressed in the essay constitute cause for concern. How can you be sure your experience accurately reflects conditions in other districts, counties, and states?Oct 1 2013: I think teachers with classroom experience working in buildings with other teachers are aware of more than people give them credit for. In their own schooling, their training, and their experience, they have encountered these different models of teaching. It is all around them.
They are also used to, and in most cases quite tired of, the over-simplifications that appear in the media.
I believe you asked whether this would be a useful read. I personally do not think it would be, given the ready availability of much higher quality work that is more likely to enlighten.
It is only my opinion, and others will have theirs. Perhaps other experienced teachers will have and share a different perspective than mine.
Oct 1 2013: I hope I have not given you any less credit than you deserve. It is just not clear to me how these ideas are oversimplifications. They seem like reasonable ideas worth more than a cursory glance. Thanks for the reminder that opinions are conditional and will vary greatly.Oct 1 2013: I am going to share with you one of my children's experience in grade school.
There was one teacher who prided herself in being 'kind' to the kids.
She was all about encouraging freedom of expression, and allowing the kids to be themselves.
Candy was sold in the classroom by the children, manicures were administered during breaks, all kinds of hands on activities went on. My child bloomed in that environment.......in the sense that all the inhibitions that were there at the beginning of the school year, disappeared by the end. I ended up with a social butterfly......never mind that academically my child remained pretty much the same.
Years have passed since then, and that teacher is still at her job......the good thing is, that not all teachers are like that. Perhaps she is there to balance out the toughness of the others.....maybe not......I just don't know.
It was hard for me to endure those 10 months of school.......especially since while my child was in her class, I had her child in my class. (We taught at the same schools) And while my child had no homework from her on the weekends, her son was busy with homework from me. It was a rough year.
I think that is why it's nice we no longer have the one room schoolhouse. Same teacher year after year.......that had to be tough!
Each fall, we begin anew......Yippee!!!!!
I think there have always been 'tough' teachers. I think it's a matter of style....like Fritzie says.
And, no matter what is done by legislators and school districts, you cannot really reduce good teaching to techniques......good teaching comes from the integrity of the teacher. Teaching is a work of heart Ed. Well, you know how I feel from all the other times we have discussed education.
I hope my little story helps you in some small way.
Oct 1 2013: I tend to be simplistic. Thanks for the reminder that educating children is not simple. I suspect that somewhere between the wanton permissivness of Dr. Spock and the unbending precision of military discipline lies the best choice. I do persist in finding the 8 points of this essay to be of value, or, to put it differently, I do not see how the judicious application of them can be detrimental to teacher or student (I am not implying that you do).Sep 30 2013: The idea of learning by indulgence that is commonly promoted, would, without a doubt, produce dumb and intellectually impotent folks.
I am not an advocate of an iron fist as far as school discipline is concerned. But DISCIPLINE is very important for anyone or nation or system that hopes to rise above mediocrity.Oct 6 2013: edward long
Mesa, AZ
Edward, I must be chiming in on your conversation today, but hopefully without deletion.
I will try to stay on topic.
Joanne Lipman's article was well written by a successful writer and editor.
In 1958 educators were far different people than we find today, but then so were students, and so
were their parents.
When I went to school, my parents told me to mind. By that they meant to do what the teacher said.
Had I come home and told my parents that the teacher called me an idiot. they would have retorted,
"What did you do?" Meaning "What did you do wrong?" How could I have ever thought of blaming
the teacher? Teacher's were the Bosses. I've had more than a few yard-sticks broken over my butt.
If a Parent came and complained to the Teacher, the Teacher and the Parent settled it. Of course,
that seldom happened.
"What did Mr. K do right?" He called them idiots, and poked them with pencils. He got their attention.
He knew the Teacher's secret of getting results. From boy's who always overestimate their abilities, negative reinforcement, and from the girl's, who do not overestimate their abilities, more positive reinforcement.
"What can we learn from a teacher whose methods fly in the face of everything we think we know about
education today, but who was undeniably effective?" We can learn that Mr. K would be successful today,
and that he would be an effective teacher. Success breeds success, as failure breeds failure.
Coach Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers used to Fine the newbies that came to their first Team meeting on time.
He told them, they were late. They quickly learned to set their watches 15 minutes fast. - Lombardi Time.-
Most of Coach Lombardi's players were successful after leaving Football.
Oct 6 2013: The lead-in for the article had a sub-heading that says something like, "To Fix Schools-- Look Back." I think the look was to Mr. K's day. Things have changed for sure, probably too much. Many folks in this debate are opposed to the idea of toughness. Many others believe toughness is an existing organic element in any good classroom management regimen. It seems to me the worst thing we can do to our young people is fail to teach them the meaning of subjection to authority. I don't share your optimism that Mr. K would be a success today. I think he would be fired and sued, or sued and fired. Thanks for chiming-in Frank.
Frank Barry
Oct 7 2013: Edward, I believe you are right.
- +1
Society today would penalize Mr. K, most harshly.
I noticed changes happening in High Schools during the 1950s.
4 examples of Teachers -- Who's to say which is the right way to educate students?
1) I excelled in Algebra. My teacher was unable to control the classroom with 30 students.
Three boys were the problem. He asked me if I would tutor the 3 of them. In return,
I would get a grade of A, and they a C. I was a lot larger than they. So I threatened them.
2) My chemistry teacher was loved by all his students. With Einstein-like hair, and
never ending stories to help us to love chemistry. I never heard a harsh word from him.
While he was well liked, I've always wondered how much of his teaching resulted in
good education, since, you only had to finish a text-workbook, and submit it.
3) French class, the teacher was a gray haired lady, who ran a tight ship. She expected
the homework to be turned in on time. Classroom participation was both oral and written.
Nothing got by her. Stern and effective. You did learn only French in her classroom.
4) English Literature, I flunked. My teacher, a young pregnant lady, took my homework,
and after a quick glance, let it drift from her hand to the wastepaper basket.
That homework I had labored over the night before, was, to diagram one sentence.
"Courage means to be afraid to do something, yet to go ahead and do it."
Mid-term, I had an F for my grade. She left to have her baby, and was replaced by
Mr. John Barry, I became the class poet, and got an A.
"Spare the rod and spoil the child", might have today been replaced by a softer approach.
But, I wonder? Teachers are different. They have the same goals. They just approach the
problem of transmitting their knowledge to their students in a thousand different ways.
Teaching is a "one way trip", and learning is the reward for both, teacher and student.
Oct 7 2013: I love that you provided so many wonderful examples that painted a picture in my mind as to the diversity we find out in the schools..........I don't think things have changed much Barry.
If you get the chance, read my comment below about my child's experience with her third grade teacher.
I think you cannot reduce teaching to ONE technique....I think that we glean life lessons from all the people around us......including our teachers......it is important as parents to let our kids know that not all their teachers will be good. Some will be mediocre....some may be downright incompetent........but they will all teach us by example....sometimes the lesson will be............."don't follow my example".
Thank you for sharing your life lessons with us.
I truly enjoyed reading them.Oct 4 2013: Hi, Ed.
When I think about your suggested education philosophy, I couldn't resist to see the similarity of the character Sgt Snorkel in the comic strip named Beetle Baily. Please understand my comment here has absolutely no connection with the image of Sarge Snorkel and you, I am only compare your philosophy in education disciplinary approach with that of this fictitious Sarge Snorkel.
For those of the readers here who have never seen this comic strip, here is a brief illustration of it. Beetle Bailey is a young army private who is generally decent with no ambitions to be either a military officer or a successful person in the private life when he is released from the army. But he is a little too happy-go-lucky and quite lazy on most of his assigned duty from the sarge. The sarge takes the view of how to "shape up " Beetle into a model soldier, by frequently beating him up and assigns additional duties or drilling him more heavily most of the time; in other words, to inflict a "little pain or stress" in order to make a good soldier out of him.
Now, do I agree that the method used by the sarge could be successful? My answer is, probably the success rate would be below 50%. If we apply these methods to a group of young children, I don't think it would be more successful than when the methods are applied to grown young men. Because, the mind set of young children is more fragile and perhaps more creative, thus these young minds should not be suppressed by regimental force.
I, like some other comments/opinion expressed in this thread, also don't believe that creativity can be taught, and talent can be created by grit or drills. As a matter of fact, my "short cut" methods are easier to be taught to at least a substantial portion of the motivated students. In conclusion, I believe that the desire of learning by the students should be induced by loving care within the confinement of proper discipline, rather than the imposition of stress and pain to ORDER THEM TO LEARN
Oct 4 2013: Thanks for the trip down memory lane Bart. I hope you know the author of the essay is not advocating physical pain and unhealthy pressure, and since it is illegal neither am I. One reason teachers, good ones that is, are so hard to find is that they must balance motivation with compassion. They try to get optimum development of each kid's capabilities. They must constantly draw upon their own wisdom, experience, and compassion in the process. I am suggesting that the essay mentions methods which are sadly lacking in some, I think many, American teacher's bag of tricks. Do we really disagree on that?Oct 3 2013: I think teachers should take teaching resposibility to teach students by teachers' selves behavior.If you want students study hard,teachers you study hard too.if you want students to have enthusiasm in studying.you should do so.if you want students to know success comes from failure,teachers you should remember and whenever you face difficulties you can be brave to face them too but withdraw...then all come naturally...
Oct 3 2013: I agree that walking the talk is an essential ingredient of optimum role modeling. Do you think classroom policy toughness, as itemized in the essay, is lacking in today's American public schools?
Oct 4 2013: Hi Dear edward:)I appreciate'walking the talk',we two think alike:).schools classrooms around me all have classrom policy toughness as itemized in the essay to hang on the wall.I haven't been to America,I don't know what really have been going on there.
Anyway policy is always a policy,I think it can remind students.But educators should know we can't rely on policies to guide students.It caused lots of problems in our education tho...
Oct 4 2013: From other contributors here I get the impression that toughness is an essential part of classroom procedure for teachers in China. Thank you, and be well.Oct 3 2013: I don't think so.As an individual,we have our independent dignity,that is,we can learn by ourselves.It is unnecessary for teachers to strict call for us.We can control when and what to learn.
Oct 3 2013: hehe....That's because our teachers' and parents' policies are already tough enough.
Oct 3 2013: Maybe.But intelligent students don't need tough teacher.They can learn themselves.But for normal students,over-tough teachers will do hurt to them.It's a degree on it.
Oct 3 2013: I suggest you are overlooking an important truth about public education. The intelligent, self-motivating students are not the only ones who must be educated. Give some thought to the problems associated with teaching young ones who have yet to develop independent dignity, who cannot, and do not want to, control when and what they learn. These kids need a teacher because the idea of learning for themselves is completely foreign to them. Do you see the needs those young people have and how they differ from the needs of the ones you described? This is reality in public education in the USA. Thanks.Oct 3 2013: Yes, intelligent people needn't teachers but parents like our great Albert.Einstein, he didn't get much knowledge in his middle school. :)Oct 3 2013: I agree with you,but what I said mean that teachers have to judge the degree of tough-teaching.Because students have their personal dignity,we should encourage them to defeat the failure,not defeating them in tough teaching.This is the reality all over the world.
Oct 3 2013: Yes, I agree. It's the ball in their court.:)Oct 3 2013: Let me analyze this topic in a different direction. Referring to one point in your reply to my previous post: "Rote repetition is a time-proven, often the only, way to learn", I have a slightly different interpretation. Rote repetition is sometime necessary, but the APPROACH TO MEMORIZE CAN BE MORE FLEXIBLE, THUS MORE EFFECTIVE.
For example when I was a student in the 3rd grade, I was given a single digit multiplication table and told to memorize them. I took a look at, and read, them 3 times. Then I just apply the product from either my memory, or by a little calculation in my head, when I couldn't quite come up with the answer. For example, if the product of 8x6 is required, but I couldn't be sure what is the value of the product. I would quickly (not more than 5-10 seconds) arrive at the answer by remembering what is the value for 5x8 (5x8=5x2x4=10x4=40); which is easy, then just add an 8 to it and come up with the answer;48. Another example for 7x9, I would take 7x10=70, then subtract a 7 from 70 and arrived at the answer of 63. This kind of short-cut approach could save lot of repeated drills, and eventually I still memorized all the tabled answers anyway.
There was an old saying; " when you teach a person how to eat/cook a fish, you give him one meal, but when you teach him how to fish, he will be fed all his life". A parallel in education would be that if you teach the student how to learn, he will be able to learn all the materials, instead of memorizing just one lesson.
A reasonable assumption could be that 1/3 of the students in the class already know how to learn, another 1/3 could be taught how to learn and the rest probably have to learn by drills. I am not going to elaborate on how to compare the cost-benefit analysis of the 2 approaches, but it seems obvious the "learn how to learn" should be the winner. Furthermore, I can assure you that these "short-cuts" can be applied to classes in many other fields as well.
Oct 3 2013: You have worked diligently to learn and to apply what you have learned in the most efficient, beneficial way. Good work bart. I have no qualms about adopting the most effective teaching methods. The complication comes when we endeavor to educate a majority of a nation's young people. Since the task is not identical to one-on-one tutoring the methods used must be a comprimise of effectiveness and wide-ranging applicability. Many, I'm guessing most, students would not readily grasp your clever short-cuts. Anyway, would you expect the 8 essay points to be well-adapted to helping students learn how to learn?
Oct 4 2013: Ed, Here is my final answer to you original posted discussion. This one will be short, because I think that I have already talked too much. I don't intend to comment on your 8 essay points because:
1. I only have the experience and knowledge how my children and myself learned as self-motivated students.
2. I only have the experience of a "teacher" by taught many graduates from the medical, nursing, pharmacy and dentistry schools for 30+ years, but have never been a teacher for K-12 students.
So because I am really not qualified to discuss the teaching of the relatively less motivated students, I would cheerfully refer you to reread what was said by Mary, and also Fritzie. I do agree with their viewpoints.
3. Finally, I want to raise one single point. Even if you decided that certain student should be put in regimental drilling work, would you prefer that they would obey your order enthusiastically instead of being strong-armed? If the former situation is accepted by the students, then pain and stress should not be involved, should it?
Oct 4 2013: I understand you are not seeking further dialog so I will say thanks for your final answer and go quietly into the night to reason through them.Oct 2 2013: Stress makes you strong but also can destroy your self-confidence,a student can't learn well without self-confidence .So a good teacher can't be too tough but give more praise and show great love to her students.
Oct 2 2013: I agree SiYuan. Praise must be a response to legitimate accomplishment. Praise should not be meaningless ego stroking. Self-confidence must be built upon personal accomplishment. Teachers must demand (stress) and recognize (praise) a students hard work and perseverance. I doubt that love is a necessary component of a comprehensive, successful education process. Love won't hurt, but it is not essential in the classroom. Thank you for your observations.Oct 2 2013: Edward,
Thanks for pointing out the article. I agree with Fritzie that most good teachers do these points. Great teachers change them to fit the individual students. Bad teachers use these points to batter and to a degree abuse students.
The good and great teachers need the support of parents and the administration especially when students do not perform and get low grades. 1 teacher that was good and another that might be great gave students low grades, in fact one student had to go to summer school to graduate and go immediately to college on a scholarship. In 2 cases the Administration changed the grades over the objection of the teacher. Both were forced into early retirement.
Oct 2 2013: What a disfunctional system you describe Wayne. Where did we go wrong? Anyway, these 8 points are on the money as you (and Fritzie) see it. From poor to great all teachers have these points in their toolboxes. Thanks.
Oct 2 2013: Forgot to mention why I did not go with 9 - need to be careful - have seen high school students with ulcers due to stress.
Oct 2 2013: Yes indeed. The assumption for all of these ideas is that they are used wisely so as to do no harm.Oct 1 2013: But the important point is teachers and parents should let the kids play and have their free time apart from the study, through which they can recover from the stress and develop their personalities and creativities. I think this is what our Chinese students lack badly.:)
Oct 1 2013: Thank you for your thoughtful opinion. The problems inherent in public education vary with the style of government. I think China has devoted itself to raising productive workers. That probably does not allow much time for personality development or stress recovery. Here in the USA there is a persistent perception that we have alloted too much time to such matters. Toughness does not preclude compassion. The subject essay addresses a possible solution to the problem. Of course each of us speak from our own local experience. There is probably not one global pathway to optimum public education.
Oct 1 2013: I think there must be something in common between your countriy's education and ours.So I commented.You are right, Chinese educational system should be changed for not only fostering productive workers but innovative leaders as well.And I think we're learning from you Americans and other countries today.If we could have the same level of progressive teaching appliances and tools as yours ,that will also benefit our students(I have read another thread where I found you have many tools in teachings and I haven't even heard of some of them).I think your system provides more chances to kids to release their stress and let them create, so I think being more strict with students in the way mentioned in the article could be a feasible plan.Thankyou.Oct 1 2013: I am totally for the idea, however, once the legislation is passed. It will probably start breaking down as soon as it begins.
The writer has experienced, understood the reasons why it would be a good method, but that doesn't mean the other teachers, having the method forced down their throats, would understand why would this be recommended, or may fail to perform to an adequate level to bring out the essence of this method.
The teacher is tasked to restraint themselves [Failure is an option] and push the students.
Does every single teacher understand the applications for both, the stress and encouragement, and to bring both to a reasonable extent, where somehow all the students in the class is able to excel? i highly doubt so.
Oct 1 2013: Looking forward, with our eye on the prize (improved public education) these kinds of ideas seem attainable. Looking back, and remembering how the system typically works zaps all enthusiasm for betterment. Your words are true. What if we don't look back? What if we escape the confines of the box? Doesn't every employer have a right to dictate what methods will be used by employees in the company? Why should the business of education be any different? Of course teachers must have liberty in non-essentials, but such issues as are mentioned in the essay ought to be mandatory policy dictated by management and part of the core beliefs of the whole team. Anyone in violation should be subject to discipline. Tough goes all the way up.
Oct 2 2013: Doesn't every employer have a right to dictate what methods will be used by employees in the company? Why should the business of education be any different?
Because your employees are dealing with children. Some of the children need a more unique form of teaching. Every child born unique learns differently, How could just a mere few methods able to accommodate everyone.
Of course teachers must have liberty in non-essentials, but such issues as are mentioned in the essay ought to be mandatory policy dictated by management and part of the core beliefs of the whole team. Anyone in violation should be subject to discipline. Tough goes all the way up.
And the so called "Corruption" sets in. Tough can only get so far, before complacency, shortcuts gets a vip seat.
I'm also interested in knowing how you might suggest to enforce the rules. Cheers!
Oct 2 2013: You seem to be saying that teachers must have carte blanche to set their own policies and procedures because they deal with children. I absolutely reject that premise. Teachers must follow the rules like anyone else. You are correct that no mere few methods can suffice to operate a superior school. I doubt anyone is advocating these 8 rules as the sum total of education policy. Why do you say toughness inevitably leads to corruption in the form of complacency? I do not see the connection. Thanks for your insight. Can you clarify?Oct 4 2013: I object to both carte blanche & rules [other then 4&7]
I apologize, my version of "corruption" is learned from "Elite Squad", a film. In that show, "Corruption" is not political or have a right or wrong. It is failure to perform according to the rules/regulation. [E.g A guy has a 5 mins break, He should take off his boots to air his feet, but too lazy to do so/seems pointless to him.]
It is those minor things that could just snowball till it becomes a culture in the school.
To me nothing is more important than the dedication and interest of the teachers themselves.
i feel rules could never contest motivation, encouragement and Education for the teachers.
I also just noticed, when reading other comments, We probably would never come to an agreement because we live in different countries. At my end [motivation, encouragement and Education for the teachers] is a big deal. it would probably help my country.
I have never seen how USA's education system works.
I'm from Singapore, and to me, the education here is just clockwork. Teachers are more about teaching then their are just humans beings. It feels like every other students are just another number.
This metallic way to teaching is the form of "corruption" i tried to refer to.
Oct 4 2013: Absolutely agreed Dusty. The dedication and interest of teachers is the key here. It is probably my imagination, but I remember a time when only dedicated and interested folks became teachers. They were motivated to lead children out of darkness into knowledge. They devoted themselves to that task. Today there are many teachers who are not in it for the kids. As for global agreement on this debate, it is not a global problem so you are most likely right that we will not reach unanimous agreement here, and that's OK.Oct 1 2013: People like this quack fail to realise that different methods work for different people. This kind of report appeals to peoples frustrations and leads to a mob mentality that usually makes things worse.
Having said that, I haven't read the article yet. But your discription of it rubbed me the wrong way. Here is how it went for me:
1. "A little pain is good for." I wonder if that one holds up in court.
2. "Drill baby, drill". Get the hell out of my face.
3. "Failure is an option". Tell that to my boss.
4. "Strict is better than nice". What an a.. hole.
5. "Creativity can be learned". Straight from the mouth of advertisers and marketers.
6. "Praise makes you weak". No wonder she is is so cold, noone gave her any praise.
7. "Stress makes you strong". If this were the case, I would have shown the strength to ignore this report.


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In August 1967, the all-new '68 Corvette was shown to the automotive press for the first time. Loosely modeled on GM Styling Director Bill Mitchell's Mako Shark II show car, the '68 Vette was a radical visual change from the classic look of the '63-'67 "midyear" models. Thanks to its resemblance to Mitchell's masterpiece, the '68 quickly became known simply as the "shark."
Public reaction was upbeat. Sales climbed to 28,566 units, up nearly 6,000 units from the previous year and a good indication that the new exterior design had made an impression in the heavily contested muscle car market. Priced at what now seems a ridiculously low $4,663 (coupe)/$4,320 (convertible), the '68 Corvette came standard with a 327 small-block, a Turbo-400 automatic, vinyl interior trim, and, in the case of the convertible, a soft top.
Underneath its sleek and sensuous fiberglass body, the '68 Vette boasted an impressive list of engine options. Two small-blocks and four big-blocks were available, ranging from the 300hp base mill all the way up to a 435-horse 427. It was clear Chevy aimed to give car buyers of all incomes a way to indulge in their need for speed while looking good in the process.
The shark body style was so popular that it continued for 15 years, a lifespan that has not been duplicated since in Corvette history. To this day, many C3 owners will pit their generation of Vette against any other in terms of performance, style, and technological innovation.
Brent Lockton, an auto electrician in Narooma, Australia was bitten early by the shark frenzy. "I have always liked Chevrolets, especially the shape ofCorvettes," Lockton says. "My first Chevy was a '56 four-door, which I sold to buy my first Corvette--a red '79. I always wanted a steel-bumper Corvette, so when the opportunity to buy this one came, I couldn't pass it up. I sold the '79 and started building the '68."
To find, buy, and restore his shark, Lockton turned to Corvette specialist Miles Johnson of Thunder Road Restorations in Melbourne. Johnson has performed hundreds of muscle-car and hot-rod restorations and has more than 40 years of experience in fiberglass work. "I've been building cars since the very early '60s, mainly of the hot-rod and custom theme," Johnson says. "My personal love affair with the Corvette started, like so many others, with the TV series Route 66 and its two main characters, Buzz and Todd. There was no going out on a Friday night until the show was finished.
"I purchased the '68 in damaged condition from its registered owner, Dean Toovey of Canberra," Johnson continues. "Toovey, like so many of us, always wanted to own a Corvette. He felt the car was a symbol of success and suited his lifestyle. His story was uneventful until he engaged his local Canberra-based tune shop in regard to an idle and overheating problem. He was assured they would be able to fix it."
According to the story Johnson heard, one of the shop's mechanics took his lady friend out for a spin on his lunch break and had a smashing time--literally--losing control of the Vette in a light rain and colliding with a reinforced road barrier. The battle of fiberglass vs. steel was no contest; Johnson was called in to assess the damage.
"It was my job to quote Toovey the cost of the Corvette's repairs, as the insurance was planning a payout," Johnson says. "I agreed to undertake the repairs but cautioned him that it would be expensive and time consuming. Several months later, he decided to sell the car to me."
At the time, Johnson was working on a frame-off restoration of the only ZL1 Camaro to race in Australia in the early '70s. As a result, the Vette was relegated to the "some day" section of his shop. Meanwhile, he made it a point to tell his friend Wayne Lockton about his new acquisition. Lockton, in turn, told his brother, Brent, who was interested in acquiring the shark in spite of its calamitous condition.


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Tag Archives: Ira Harris
Attending Ford's Theater with the Lincolns: the tragic lives of Clara Harris and Henry Rathbone
Written by maurita on July 10, 2013 — 4 Comments
Most Americans are familiar with the events of the Lincoln assassination. On the evening of April 14th, 1865 Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln went to see Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. During the play the actor John Wilkes Booth snuck into the Presidential Box and shot President Lincoln. However the details of the […]
Posted in Collections, General, Library, Manuscripts | Also tagged Abraham Lincoln assassination, Clara Harris, Clara Rathbone, Ford's Theater, Henry and Clara, Henry Rathbone, Henry Riggs Rathbone, John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's ghost, Mary Todd Lincoln, Our American Cousin, Presidential box Ford's Theater, the White Satin Dress, Thomas Mallon, Ulysses S. Grant


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