Building Bridges, Not RKBA

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Thursday December 27, 2012 · 7:05 AM PST

2012/12/27 · 07:05

there was an interesting Diary about trying to find a common ground to discuss real solutions to the gun ownership debate. Unfortunately, it did not find common ground.

This is my effort at building a bridge.

I will not link to studies, or opinions, or blogs. This is not about proven results or statistics or perfection. This is about discussing the pros and cons of gun control amongst average Americans. What might work today, what might work tomorrow, what we might dream of working some day.

The bridge we have to build is vast.

On one extreme, We have people who are not willing to discuss anything to do with real, actual, weapons. Their solutions include, but not limited to, world peace, health care for all, a living wage for all, and jobs for all, oh, and an end to the war on drugs. On the other extreme we have banning all weapons.

Obviously, both are silly and not really a place to start a discussion on the prevalence and use of guns in our society. The first because it doesn't actually talk about gun ownership and the second because it would be a bad idea to ban all guns. There are plenty of legitimate uses for guns.

So lets go beyond the squiggly and talk.

Kamakhya for Education Alternatives

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Monday December 12, 2011 · 3:51 AM PST

2011/12/12 · 03:51

My daughter is a senior at ASTI or Alameda Science and Technology Institute. Previously, she has been at a private Montessori school, a parent co-op, a public school, a charter school and now is a student at a public magnet school. I have tried everything and seen it all. There are pluses and minuses for every school you can name, public, private, charter or magnet. This is my story about a public school option that is worth emulation everywhere, but will likely be dismantled due to massive budget cuts. Another victim of the 1%.

Kamakhya

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Monday October 31, 2011 · 9:40 PM PDT

2011/10/31 · 21:40

My daughter's high school is asking that no kid participate in the General Strike planned for November 2, 2011. This is the email [redacted] sent:

(school) Parents/Guardians-
It has recently come to our attention that this Wednesday, 11/2/11, a group is organizing a walkout from (local community college) classes to protest the reductions in state funding. This group will be leaving campus in the early afternoon to join the Occupy Oakland Protest in Downtown Oakland.

While we at (high school) support all forms of non-violent political action, we are NOT sanctioning this event and expect all our students to be present in class on Wednesday. Our teachers will be finding their own ways of discussing this event and the larger issues involved during classes. We are also willing and interested in helping students to find a variety of ways to express their political frustrations, desires, and ideas. However, as a school we have a responsibility to ensure our students are safe and supervised during the school day.

Any student missing school on Wednesday (and any other day) for walkout-related reasons will not have their absence excused and be held academically responsible for their truancy in each of their courses. While many of us (staff, parents, guardians) might personally support the ideals of the walkout, we are obligated to the safety of students first. Further, through holding students accountable for their actions, we give their actions meaning.

If we hear of specific students who are planning on participating in the walkout, we will be contacting individual parents/guardians.

Thank you for your understanding as we help our students express themselves in positive and safe ways. I welcome you to contact me (us) with questions, comments, and concerns.

XXXXXX XXXXXXXX
Principal
(High School)

My reaction under the squiggly:

Kamakhya

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Saturday October 29, 2011 · 12:13 AM PDT

2011/10/29 · 00:13

It was such a pleasure to see and hear Michael Moore today.

He nailed it.

Kamakhya

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Thursday October 27, 2011 · 12:07 AM PDT

2011/10/27 · 00:07

I just heard on the news that Oakland voted to close 5 schools today.

Oakland can't afford to keep open good schools, but it can afford tear gas and police overtime.

I am so upset. All of these schools have a large black student population. Just saying. Lakeview is just down the street from me, and I know damn well it is a decent school with a community that loves the school.

Kamakhya

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Friday July 29, 2011 · 9:38 AM PDT

2011/07/29 · 09:38

I went to a very progressive private boarding school. I was asked to write about it, so I have, but it makes me a bit uncomfortable because I know it is out of many people's realms, including my own.

For a bit of background: I was a nightmare teen. I was what every parent fears. By the time I was 13, I had been arrested twice (once on a felony), my grades went from A's to D's, I started smoking cigarettes and marijuana and drank alcohol excessively. I was in the worst crowd, getting into fist fights and completely and utterly not respectful of anyone or anything.

Mind you, my three older brothers (5,6,& 7 years older) were total nerds and never created trouble, but they were tormented and bullied incessantly. I have no doubt that I chose the tough girl role to make sure I didn't get their hell too.

When it looked likely that I was going to end up in Juvie, my parents realized they had to do something. They looked at local private schools, but the only ones available were Catholic and I begged them not to send me to Catholic school. Being Atheists, they weren't too thrilled with that idea either. My dad had a friend who sent his daughter to boarding school. This was simply not done where I lived. That was only for rich people and people who didn't really love their kids. My parents loved me and were scared for me and while not rich, really wanted to get me out of this downward spiral. They borrowed from their parents and on a hope and a prayer they sent me to boarding school. I was both awed and hopeful for the gift. Boarding school changed my life.

Let me tell you how after the squigly:

RSS

Building Bridges, Not RKBA

School for the 99%

November 2, 2011 General Strike - One School's Response

Thank You Michael Moore

Oakland Closed 5 Schools Today

We are a bohemian boarding school