tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37629315383466416842024-03-05T00:18:43.499-08:00The Declaration of Interdependence BlogThis community is dedicated to exploring topics raised in DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE: Poems for an Election Year by me (Janet Wong). In this book, you'll find topics such as liberty, the election, voting rights of kids, how to choose a president, the electoral vote, and more. Thanks for stopping by, and please jump in with your comments. Whether you're 9 years old or 90, we want to know what you're thinking!Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-30523893671051294622016-11-09T14:01:00.002-08:002016-11-09T14:02:04.712-08:00Moving ForwardTime to move forward, to think of the future. These two Tweets give me perspective and remind me to have hope.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: -0.20000000298023224px;">"No one has ever lived in the best possible world"—true. The best way to get there? Not judgment, not anger, not frustration (though I am feeling a lot of those things right now). Education. Talking about situations and people that we might never face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">I do various types of volunteer work for the <a href="http://web.csulb.edu/misc/l-sr/get_involved/involved.html" target="_blank">Literacy & Social Responsibility SIG</a> (Special Interest Group) and also the Children's Literature and Reading SIG </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: -0.20000000298023224px;">of the International Literacy Association</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">. These SIGs give awards to books focusing on social justice, diversity, and inclusion. Please take some time to p</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: -0.20000000298023224px;">rint lists of <a href="http://web.csulb.edu/misc/l-sr/books/books.html" target="_blank">Social Justice Literature Award winners</a> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: -0.20000000298023224px;">and <a href="http://www.clrsig.org/nbgs_books.php" target="_blank">Notable Books for a Global Society lists</a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: -0.20000000298023224px;">. Go to your library and ask for these books. Read them aloud to your students and to your own children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.20000000298023224px;">Take another look at the map of "how the future voted." Yes, let's "keep the flame alight."</span></span></div>
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-48665664348744826002016-11-07T13:55:00.002-08:002016-11-07T18:39:44.382-08:00Are You Missing the Election?Did you *forget* to put voting on your schedule? You don't want to MISS the election (as in "DANG! What time is it?"), do you? Don't let time get away . . . set your ELECTION ALARM right NOW. In fact, set TWO!!<br />
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Chances are, next week none of us will miss the election (as in "boo hoo, I miss you") because, whatever the results, we're going to be hearing about it . . . forever.<br />
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What we might miss, though, are great opportunities to buy unique gifts. Who knows how long you'll be able to buy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Funny-Toilet-Brand-Donald-Trump/dp/B01A578338/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1478554197&sr=8-2&keywords=woman+president+hillary+toy" target="_blank">Trump toilet paper</a> (thank goodness).<br />
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As for myself, I think I'd rather spend my money on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hillary-Rodham-Clinton-Some-Girls/dp/0062381229/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478554661&sr=8-1&keywords=michelle+markel+hillary" target="_blank">this nifty book</a> about Hillary, written by <a href="http://www.michellemarkel.com/" target="_blank">Michelle Markel</a> and illustrated by <a href="http://www.leuyenpham.com/" target="_blank">LeUyen Pham</a>. What a great gift, right?<br />
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Oh, and, I might be buying one more thing to celebrate the end of the election. Because when they go low, we go . . . kick 'em with a Hillary <a href="https://www.amazon.com/FCTRY-Hillary-Clinton-Action-Figure/dp/B00W02PIJO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478554146&sr=8-1&keywords=woman+president+hillary+toy" target="_blank">action figure</a>.<br />
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-56249807967840065652016-11-06T18:59:00.002-08:002016-11-06T18:59:41.583-08:00What Would a Kindergartner Say?I created this little piece while imagining what advice a Kindergartner might give to her mother on how to handle a line at the polls. Print this out and put it in a little bag of "voting line snacks" to nudge your friends to vote. Make sure that they don't "throw their vote away"! And remind them: say NO to nuTs!!!<br />
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-49221713051391465412016-11-05T13:08:00.002-07:002016-11-05T13:08:39.203-07:00Don't Forget Your Local Elections!<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Friday-Anthology-Celebrations-Holiday/dp/1937057410/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478375681&sr=8-1&keywords=poetry+friday+anthology+for+celebrations" target="_blank">The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations</a></i> contains 156 poems (in both English & Spanish) about holidays and unusual celebrations; Election Day is one of them. Here's a poem from that book, <a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/82/f3/af/82f3afe2a2f9fa2ca4b7a79cb3536785.jpg" target="_blank">"Voting" by Diane Mayr</a>. I hope you'll share it along with this <a href="http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/2016/10/vote-for-poetry.html" target="_blank">"Take 5" mini-lesson by Sylvia Vardell</a>.<div>
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Get kids talking about politics by getting poetic! Pretend to be <a href="http://thedeclarationofinterdependenceblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/discussion-question-8-woof.html" target="_blank">a dog who wants access to public swimming pools</a>, or a tree who would like to see more <a href="http://thedeclarationofinterdependenceblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/discussion-question-9-tree-governor.html" target="_blank">pro-tree policies</a>. Then look at your local ballot and talk about what's on it!</div>
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Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-90673495245948823112016-11-04T07:04:00.000-07:002016-11-06T19:46:23.393-08:00Four Years (and a Whole Other World) AgoThe last time I posted here was a little more than three years ago. Oh, my: what changes have taken place in our world since then! And WHAT an election this has been!<br />
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Back in January 2016, when Ted Cruz was mocking <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/ted-cruz-marco-rubio-boots-tweet-217388" target="_blank">Marco Rubio's boots</a>, I thought: "How stupid can this election be? Don't people understand: it's really the <a href="http://thedeclarationofinterdependenceblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/shoes-and-socks-and-wait-minute.html" target="_blank">socks</a>!" </div>
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This election cycle has taken STUPID to whole new heights, hasn't it? When I heard the lies and vitriol in the early Republican debates, when Trump criticized Megyn Kelly for "<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/08/10/megyn_kelly_blood_coming_out_of_her_wherever_comment_in_cnn_don_lemon_interview.html" target="_blank">blood coming out of her wherever</a>," I became nostalgic for the "<a href="http://thedeclarationofinterdependenceblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-first-obama-romney-debate.html" target="_blank">lesser lies</a>" and more civilized campaigns of 2012. </div>
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It is November 4; the election is 4 days away. Some people are still undecided voters who don't like either of the major candidates. If you know someone like this—and especially if you live in a <a href="http://thedeclarationofinterdependenceblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/swing-states-and-electoral-college.html" target="_blank">swing state</a>—please explain that, with our electoral college system, a vote for Stein or Johnson or a written-in Bernie vote is essentially a vote for Trump. In a perfect world, we could each vote for someone we'd be happy to host for dinner. In this imperfect world, we now have two choices.</div>
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Sit down this weekend with your family or friends and talk about all the candidates (federal, state, local). Watch <a href="http://www.salon.com/2016/11/01/watch-daily-show-host-trevor-noah-reports-from-donald-trumps-america-in-2020-and-its-truly-frightening/" target="_blank">this clever and thought-provoking piece by Trevor Noah</a>, and then fill out mock ballots or absentee ballots together.</div>
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Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-90416515257407980292013-08-19T06:40:00.002-07:002013-08-19T06:47:35.834-07:00Take Part in Make-a-Park-Day!<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNnD0BaCkPjJjO1fu8emNmE_VYRBz0WSpbVxs-nZpU3V3Eja79Xc4Bb2C8vLjRWt6STsRHIjT9m646RGHyjUzngMm2NT1siA3bZLCvvN_XDeYwQHP51xnxlSdkdywzpR_jMk7H3V2FvI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-19+at+9.37.10+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNnD0BaCkPjJjO1fu8emNmE_VYRBz0WSpbVxs-nZpU3V3Eja79Xc4Bb2C8vLjRWt6STsRHIjT9m646RGHyjUzngMm2NT1siA3bZLCvvN_XDeYwQHP51xnxlSdkdywzpR_jMk7H3V2FvI/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-08-19+at+9.37.10+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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In hundreds of cities all over the world, and . . . maybe your town, too (thanks to you)? . . . September 20th is <a href="http://parkingday.org/frequently-asked-questions/" target="_blank">Park(ing) Day</a>. It might seem a long time away, but if you want a free permit, you probably need to apply by . . . like . . . next week (EEK!)! Here's the <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/seattleparkingday.htm" target="_blank">Seattle application</a> as an example; you could show it to your city hall if you want to start this in your town.<br />
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Take a turn at urban planning and get your neighbors thinking! Maybe you'll inspire a whole group of you to create a permanent park!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGmZv-Q0H12gdDo1MxefIcDrPMNYigmxqblXoUAiAtpVDNnnhXsbD2HYDkuwEop2wRxT-LHP97Qr10PBeTTlLIbQtr0zlFq4g1WYswtzh66Mmg2ZaseNm6qtCg-SmwDSvO2YSzyhPe4M/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-08-19+at+9.29.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGmZv-Q0H12gdDo1MxefIcDrPMNYigmxqblXoUAiAtpVDNnnhXsbD2HYDkuwEop2wRxT-LHP97Qr10PBeTTlLIbQtr0zlFq4g1WYswtzh66Mmg2ZaseNm6qtCg-SmwDSvO2YSzyhPe4M/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-08-19+at+9.29.32+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-63110037575506920822013-07-09T15:37:00.002-07:002013-08-19T06:45:53.860-07:00Twelve Years Old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpxxXppW4Rp06BZA5eqVedBwtGlK83RCae-U4idfVwSuZ8O2PdH_-S9dHG8injtariPeSCCnk69rbWsW20ZNOUgcFs2Cvn3VubXAAwBBjteH1aEM2UzmMIo8fwVOpRLllPi-2rPJi3Yg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-07-09+at+6.36.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpxxXppW4Rp06BZA5eqVedBwtGlK83RCae-U4idfVwSuZ8O2PdH_-S9dHG8injtariPeSCCnk69rbWsW20ZNOUgcFs2Cvn3VubXAAwBBjteH1aEM2UzmMIo8fwVOpRLllPi-2rPJi3Yg/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-07-09+at+6.36.27+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This 12-year-old boy in Egypt has some strong opinions—the result of what seems to be a lot of reading, researching, listening, talking, and thinking. In <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/07/06/video-meet-the-12-year-old-egyptian-boy-who-wonderfully-explains-his-countrys-crisis/" target="_blank">this video</a>, I felt that I was being introduced to a future world leader.<br />
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If you are a parent or teacher, watch this with your kids and talk about how they can become more informed about politics.<br />
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If only we all cared this much about our government!<br />
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Mid-August Update: as you probably have seen on the news, Egypt is in a state of chaos. Each week seems worse. So many deaths, so much destruction. I hope that the young man in this video is safe and keeping his faith in the power of positive change.Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-55836497641847401072012-12-15T08:38:00.003-08:002012-12-15T08:38:35.079-08:00Make Your Voice HeardYou want to make the world a better place.<br />
<br />
You want the President to know what you think.<br />
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How?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TEuxWEFibkEpaPaS3dVhIGgE7UM_gHZKSkUXVzcScbsA5xydZZfi6opoX3YoNaChTBis_TmD3p-MI4xsJ8xVgsCmatiG1WaSFdXs6rkxbTcDkVU_84V5NX5AUqPJgAbnO9aLqY6zViI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-15+at+11.35.30+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TEuxWEFibkEpaPaS3dVhIGgE7UM_gHZKSkUXVzcScbsA5xydZZfi6opoX3YoNaChTBis_TmD3p-MI4xsJ8xVgsCmatiG1WaSFdXs6rkxbTcDkVU_84V5NX5AUqPJgAbnO9aLqY6zViI/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-12-15+at+11.35.30+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sign a petition.<br />
<br />
Or create a petition of your own.<br />
<br />
Several <a href="https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/immediately-address-issue-gun-control-through-introduction-legislation-congress/2tgcXzQC" target="_blank">gun control petitions</a> were filed with the White House after the Newtown tragedy yesterday.<br />
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Make your voice heard.Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-48734471428468417162012-11-07T11:00:00.002-08:002012-11-07T11:00:50.663-08:00Time to WorkTime to get to work.<br />
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Let's think up new "impossible" promises and ask our candidates to consider them during the next election.<br />
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While we're at it, let's convince the people we respect and admire to run for office. How about your school librarian? How about your soccer coach?<br />
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No homework? President Hollande of France has proposed that; let's make it happen here!<br />
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Longer school lunch periods and more nutritious lunches? Why not?<br />
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There's a lot we can do—together. It might have been a campaign slogan, but we can make it more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCTAh3HAXf3jmQ08oT-hUvFriUIj7y9RR-h2wt9xh53fIVUOOofSqathyC00GJUWdJzdTxhP7HxXxCoFkUO8jiXWvpK_Y4qVteDbiDEv-aCpbOwg9WxzG1gjXhwbilB53Z1ZZ2wcIRTc/s1600/Forward.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCTAh3HAXf3jmQ08oT-hUvFriUIj7y9RR-h2wt9xh53fIVUOOofSqathyC00GJUWdJzdTxhP7HxXxCoFkUO8jiXWvpK_Y4qVteDbiDEv-aCpbOwg9WxzG1gjXhwbilB53Z1ZZ2wcIRTc/s320/Forward.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-77043147130805829472012-11-03T07:40:00.001-07:002012-11-03T07:40:23.521-07:00What Can You Do?There are 3 days left until the election.<br />
<br />
What can YOU do to help create the outcomes that you want?<br />
<br />
For you, the most important part of the election might not be choosing our president. Maybe the most important part of the election to you is making sure that there is money for parks. Maybe it is getting your congressman re-elected because he has always taken care of the needs of your neighborhood. Maybe it is a marriage amendment. Maybe, for you, it's all about our judges.<br />
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Whatever your priorities, whatever your views . . . now is the time to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQmjl5K7kQM5ytAgbcotkDviRIPLaEW7po7ITyyyY2oGCr_et4GHtlpXnLmPBJlHNS6BOkDouYiuxw0488ORTpLzEhdLC4Zas6femhZQyINGar4ue2auSvaOsxn9bw0PCvtQ4UwNGTHk/s1600/AIC_2012_logo_300x300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQmjl5K7kQM5ytAgbcotkDviRIPLaEW7po7ITyyyY2oGCr_et4GHtlpXnLmPBJlHNS6BOkDouYiuxw0488ORTpLzEhdLC4Zas6femhZQyINGar4ue2auSvaOsxn9bw0PCvtQ4UwNGTHk/s1600/AIC_2012_logo_300x300.png" /></a></div>
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Authors and Illustrators for Children is a political organization that my good friend April Halprin Wayland started in 2004 with fellow author Bruce Balan. They reached out to children's authors and illustrators all over the country and gathered us together to turn our individual voices into one great big loud political cheer. I really admire what April and Bruce did. They had a vision and worked to make things happen.<br />
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Please take a look at our group's <a href="http://www.aiforc.org/index.html" target="_blank">website</a> and, if you like what we're doing, share our link. Take a look at the impressive list of authors and illustrators; I'm sure that you'll find some of your favorites there. Just THREE more days until the election. Jump in!Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-82414067476382814192012-10-26T10:02:00.001-07:002012-10-26T10:18:04.548-07:00Shoes and Socks and . . . Wait a Minute!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgjrmU6Olqx-LiO9OZsYq4hT7niW7d_V-ModBj_0tNODlCq4vgUoqYQMax-FUVTlgvp-4phKssv9uNvkK-f3cjbIkigsDVEYojVEy1KMzdvYsw4axnBwWWq1lvOOhpFx1-bT9HdKYYeA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-26+at+12.54.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgjrmU6Olqx-LiO9OZsYq4hT7niW7d_V-ModBj_0tNODlCq4vgUoqYQMax-FUVTlgvp-4phKssv9uNvkK-f3cjbIkigsDVEYojVEy1KMzdvYsw4axnBwWWq1lvOOhpFx1-bT9HdKYYeA/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-10-26+at+12.54.39+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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In my poem "How Do You Choose?" I joke that you can choose a President based on his shoes—and socks.<br />
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<b>How Do You Choose?</b><br />
by Janet Wong<br />
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Uncle Al once told me<br />
you can judge a man<br />
by his shoes.<br />
Practical?<br />
Sturdy?<br />
Or shiny and slick?<br />
<br />
But of course it's not enough<br />
to look at shoes<br />
when you're choosing<br />
a president.<br />
<br />
<i>Really.</i><br />
<br />
We need a close look<br />
at the socks, too.<br />
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<br />
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Thinking about all the undecided voters still out there, I decided this morning to search for "Romney socks." This great photo popped up. I thought: "Look at you, George Bush! And maybe Romney's not as square as everybody thinks?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPYLkZQ0JgvMGwbhgkl7VWc9vSb0t0ZJsXob9Mhe7eYhUEcDQTBFIMHoXU0ewalmHcPgTUzc69gqBZ1nwvc4BQHOCmzWtvs7E-9lPADBA07EWr0UfhHzz_Uk_xyfbY8O1tfvki51K1wM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-26+at+12.45.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPYLkZQ0JgvMGwbhgkl7VWc9vSb0t0ZJsXob9Mhe7eYhUEcDQTBFIMHoXU0ewalmHcPgTUzc69gqBZ1nwvc4BQHOCmzWtvs7E-9lPADBA07EWr0UfhHzz_Uk_xyfbY8O1tfvki51K1wM/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-10-26+at+12.45.20+PM.png" width="155" /></a></div>
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But then I looked a few images over and saw the same setting, with George Bush in his same purple socks and white turtleneck, Romney in his same suit and tie . . . but this time wearing serious all-black socks. They could be the same socks, but the stripes seem to show rather high on the foot (and not show in this photo). Wait a minute! What happened there?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzMACttp7ivcJsDIGDiomtmCU_OHQETWuav_ueftbRd1YspbJWDp0cnRWrY3cattoNmg_WHMd33ZsiBLwmSA6wr3yQL3iaOL341gCgpemLMskotdb4qtJmA0Gmx30lVE4nkDGdV19eSA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-26+at+12.47.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzMACttp7ivcJsDIGDiomtmCU_OHQETWuav_ueftbRd1YspbJWDp0cnRWrY3cattoNmg_WHMd33ZsiBLwmSA6wr3yQL3iaOL341gCgpemLMskotdb4qtJmA0Gmx30lVE4nkDGdV19eSA/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-10-26+at+12.47.31+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Was Romney wearing striped socks and someone told him to change to "conservative socks" for the photo-op, or was he wearing the conservative socks until someone gave him the striped socks to wear for the photo-op?<br />
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I am seriously puzzled. Good thing I'm not an undecided voter!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptixuKHtwgrcdSSLUHvR2Ipj8ZhnnDV-5CGu83K-y_5zbNcT14Pp6ED4B3OCD8JSbkoddW6592kc0xwBG_orgTlnf6xpoHsO1LRxmMie0vVptU-0Mtq4gcBP_WVfVA5o1MoUUVQOeK_o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-26+at+1.01.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptixuKHtwgrcdSSLUHvR2Ipj8ZhnnDV-5CGu83K-y_5zbNcT14Pp6ED4B3OCD8JSbkoddW6592kc0xwBG_orgTlnf6xpoHsO1LRxmMie0vVptU-0Mtq4gcBP_WVfVA5o1MoUUVQOeK_o/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-10-26+at+1.01.14+PM.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-7665782830088742862012-10-25T08:43:00.000-07:002012-10-25T10:24:54.266-07:00Don't Be Scared - Share!Wouldn't it be great if, in the week-long period before the election, everyone wore something that shared their choices with the world? If you find yourself too ashamed to wear a campaign t-shirt or button for your candidates, then maybe you need to ask yourself why you're voting for those people.<br />
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Go, Katy Perry!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntQtE1SPWzmoLhsQY8iwCnd_GnRy9Nlt9nXj_a4JNhDAxcGLcdbPfSWhH-z9gx0QCLgbTIGoYKKttDjkchvq06YK_tVF_MYR3_agTXUN09iG6So0Xg7hGKhnEhn1BPbrOu80xpvT4lts/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-25+at+11.35.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntQtE1SPWzmoLhsQY8iwCnd_GnRy9Nlt9nXj_a4JNhDAxcGLcdbPfSWhH-z9gx0QCLgbTIGoYKKttDjkchvq06YK_tVF_MYR3_agTXUN09iG6So0Xg7hGKhnEhn1BPbrOu80xpvT4lts/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-10-25+at+11.35.25+AM.png" width="183" /></a></div>
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Maybe you don't have any "election clothes." That's OK. Just ask your friends, your relatives, and your neighbors: "Who are you voting for?" I don't understand why some people think voting is a private matter. Elected officials have the power to affect our lives in huge ways. If you're going to vote for someone who might take my rights away, I'd like you to be brave enough to tell me why you're voting for that person. And if I'm voting for someone that you don't like, please give me a chance to change your mind. Don't be scared to talk about the election—share your views!</div>
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Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-11191967972693275782012-10-23T07:24:00.002-07:002012-10-23T07:24:38.188-07:00Swing States and the Electoral CollegeNow that the debates are over—thank goodness!—this is a great time to talk to kids about swing states and the electoral college. <a href="http://www.politico.com/2012-election/swing-state/" target="_blank">Politico</a> has an easy-to-read map at their site:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8FSJlIu4Yzy8xouH2fDBewc4aj0aCnWk5j1rphtuWe-NkJeKEt4GjHmVeTOOTP6TsF26p7OCOzior4fqBSlQ8iO-42q_ojqgCNUDYFPHe6Y2fjgzd7vtn-_Igf3xeWelfAm5BjFoIw0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-23+at+10.15.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8FSJlIu4Yzy8xouH2fDBewc4aj0aCnWk5j1rphtuWe-NkJeKEt4GjHmVeTOOTP6TsF26p7OCOzior4fqBSlQ8iO-42q_ojqgCNUDYFPHe6Y2fjgzd7vtn-_Igf3xeWelfAm5BjFoIw0/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-10-23+at+10.15.33+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
Listening to the news, people have got to wonder if their vote doesn't really count unless they live in one of those swing states. Here are a couple of poems to get your discussion started!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Swing State</b></div>
<div>
by Janet Wong</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I heard them say on the TV</div>
<div>
that we live in a swing state.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If we vote the right way</div>
<div>
will our neighborhood</div>
<div>
get a new playground?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Electoral Math</b></div>
<div>
by Janet Wong</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
50,456,002 > 50,999,897?</div>
<div>
100,455,899 = 538</div>
<div>
270 = Winner!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-13097686932499521162012-10-16T11:08:00.002-07:002012-10-25T09:18:51.502-07:00My Challenge to YouKids--you DO have a voice! Honey Boo Boo told Jimmy Kimmel yesterday that she would vote for Barack Obama. I'll bet that thousands of voters will swing to Obama because of her endorsement.<br />
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My challenge to you: watch the debate between Romney and Obama tonight. Even if just for 5 minutes. Then talk about it with your parents or grandparents or aunts or uncles. I bet you'll have questions and comments about what you'll hear--and you might just swing their votes, too!Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-45281200244174066252012-10-12T08:17:00.000-07:002012-10-25T10:39:18.264-07:00Discussion Question #11: Who Would You Want?<b>Who would be some of your ideal presidential (or VP) candidates? Why?</b><br />
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If Jon Stewart ran for President or VP, I would vote for him in a second. He's informed, he's smart, his heart is in the right place—and people listen to him.<br />
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And there are "regular people" that we all know who would make excellent elected officials, too. Here's a poem I wrote about that:<br />
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<b>Land of the Free (Kick)</b><br />
by Janet Wong<br />
<br />
I do believe<br />
beyond the shadow of a doubt<br />
that I could vote for any<br />
of twelve good men and women<br />
to be president<br />
if only they were willing<br />
to have that job.<br />
Brad and Angelina could job-share<br />
and we'd be on top of the world.<br />
Tebow: The Miracle President.<br />
No one would mess with Oprah.<br />
Or: how about my soccer coach?<br />
<br />
With my soccer coach as president,<br />
there would be no excuses.<br />
Slack off and you'd have to do<br />
fifty push-ups.<br />
She could get Congress<br />
playing together as a team.<br />
<br />
God Bless America:<br />
Land of the Free (Kick),<br />
Home of the Brave!<br />
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-14526038002533447942012-10-11T10:21:00.002-07:002012-10-25T09:34:21.579-07:00The Whole Team<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tonight (starting at 9pm ET) we have a chance to hear from the VP candidates, Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. While listening to them should be useful—especially since one of them could become President "in a heartbeat"—is the VP really the only one the President relies on when making a hard decision? Doesn't he consult a handful of people?<br />
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I think it would actually be more interesting for each side to be able to have 5 people up there Family Feud or Quizzo-style, discussing their answers in a huddle for one minute, and then having one person provide "the team answer." Here's my thinking:<br />
<br />
<b>The Whole Team</b><br />
by Janet Wong<br />
<br />
The way things are<br />
we're just looking<br />
at the star quarterback,<br />
when everyone knows<br />
he can't win alone.<br />
<br />
I want to see<br />
how the whole team plays<br />
together<br />
before I place my bet.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you were running for President, who would you want on your dream team of advisers?<br />
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-86923269721413947352012-10-08T08:31:00.002-07:002012-10-25T09:36:39.780-07:00What's on YOUR Ballot?My son attends college in Maine. Recently he said that he plans to vote in Maine this November instead of sending in an absentee ballot for NJ (where we live and where he is currently registered), because "my vote is more important in Maine." We talked about this and, yes, his vote probably is more important in Maine; there are issues on the Maine ballot that we don't have on the NJ ballot, such as gay marriage.<br />
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What's on <i>your</i> local ballot? What do the propositions mean? This is a great research question for your students. Most of us are focusing just on electing a president—but there's a lot more at stake!</div>
Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-3008431721162896282012-10-07T10:03:00.001-07:002012-10-25T09:45:40.048-07:00Discussion Question #10: Who's the Winner?It would be really awful if people woke up on Wednesday, November 7th, looked at the news, and said, "What happened? I thought my candidate was way ahead. I guess I <i>should've</i> gone to vote!"<br />
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Here's something to talk about (from the Voter's Journal and Discussion Guide in <i>Declaration of Interdependence</i>):<br />
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<b>Predict the winner of the next presidential election. Will you be happy if you're right? If so, how can you help make it happen? If not, what can you do? </b><br />
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-59680355498315625212012-10-06T09:22:00.000-07:002012-10-06T09:22:01.316-07:00Win a Book!My good friend, blogger Elaine Magliaro, is a very political person--politically aware and also not shy about voicing her political concerns--so I was very relieved when she said she likes my election poems. (Elaine is one of those brutally-honest friends that you can trust to tell you that your outfit (or poem) is terrible.) Leave a comment about at <a href="http://wildrosereader.blogspot.com/2012/10/book-giveaway-declaration-of.html" target="_blank">Elaine's blog</a> and you'll have a chance to win a free book!<br />
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-37189903977526136272012-10-04T06:47:00.001-07:002012-10-25T09:50:30.873-07:00The First Obama-Romney DebateWhat do you remember from last night's first Obama-Romney debate? Do you remember WHAT they said, or just HOW they said it?<br />
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Mainly I remember thinking: "Would someone give Obama a cup of coffee, please?" (Wake up, Mr. President!)</div>
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And: "How about some chamomile tea to calm Romney down a bit?"</div>
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As far as substance, I'm sorry to say I didn't remember a whole lot--much of what was said seemed like infomercial talking rather than genuine communication. And I'm not sure that I trusted what was said. It would be really neat to have little frowning faces (or question marks) pop up over their heads every time they stretch the truth, wouldn't it?</div>
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Here's a poem that I wrote after one of the Republican debates earlier this election season. Use it as a start and revise it to reflect your own views about these debates!</div>
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<div style="font: 14.0px 'Lithos Pro'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria;">by Janet Wong</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#1 says: </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">That’s a lie.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#2 says: </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You can’t hide.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#3: </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Don’t beat up on me.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The truth is just so . . .</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">complicated . . .</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">when you’re trying to get </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">nominated.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My mind is fogged up</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">kind of hazy . . .</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I know you think</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">it sounds plain crazy</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">but I simply don’t remember.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ask me again—</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">in December.</span></div>
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Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-55507628741221073732012-09-25T07:11:00.000-07:002012-09-25T07:12:27.495-07:00Hello, Grandma?Today is National Voter Registration Day!<br />
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All over the country, the League of Women Voters is hosting events to help people register to vote. Type in your zip code to find an event where you are—and register yourself or help people sign up! I finally got around to registering my mother to vote last week; I did it online and it took only 3 minutes. She's the least political person I know, but she's watched enough TV to conclude for herself that she wanted to vote because "Romney is not sincere." When she gets her absentee ballot, I'm going to go over it with her candidate by candidate and issue by issue and help her fill in her ballot.<br />
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Do you know people who might like to vote but need help voting? The first step is to get them registered. Do it today!<br />
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http://events.nationalvoterregistrationday.org/eventsJanet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-16175462911200631172012-09-14T09:01:00.000-07:002012-09-14T09:01:20.239-07:00Discussion Question #9: The Tree Governor?In my last post I asked you to imagine yourself as a dog wanting good promises from your local politicians. What if you were a tree? What would you want your governor to believe?<br />
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I googled "interesting laws about trees" and found all kinds of laws about trees: no climbing, no planting too close to a street, no cutting without a permit, plant one if you cut one, etc. I had hoped to find something a little more creative and inspiring. Maybe: get a property tax credit if you plant native trees that bats like (such as hickory). Or: public schools whose students spend one day a month pulling destructive vines down from trees in parks get . . . one more day of vacation each year!Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-30128811293189587912012-09-10T14:42:00.003-07:002012-10-25T10:01:18.585-07:00Discussion Question #8: Woof!If you were a dog, what kinds of promises would you want to hear from your mayor?<br />
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Yesterday I saw that public swimming pools in D.C. are open to dogs on the last day of swim season for the annual <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dog-days-at-dc-pools/2012/09/08/655031b8-fa0f-11e1-8b93-c4f4ab1c8d13_gallery.html#photo=1" target="_blank">Doggy Day Swim</a>. That's creative!<br />
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I wonder how it happened? Did someone just wake up one morning with this great idea and call city hall?<br />
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How can "regular people" like us make small things like this happen all over the country?<br />
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How about writing letters or emails to your candidates for city council and mayor and asking what they'll do to improve the lives of dogs in your town?<br />
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-55813354736490148402012-09-06T10:11:00.004-07:002012-09-06T15:50:55.115-07:00A More Perfect Union Four years from now . . . What will you say if someone asks, "Are you better off?"<br />
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I hope we'll be able to say YES.<br />
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My last post was on "inspiration"—a challenge to us all to identify something inspiring in the political campaigns. Last night's speech by Bill Clinton certainly was inspiring, wasn't it? (Listen to the whole thing on YouTube or on a dozen different websites by googling "Bill Clinton DNC 2012 speech." It's long but you can fold laundry or wash dishes while you listen—I did both!) I still don't feel that I can list specific presidential campaign promises that inspire me, but that speech convinced me that things are better today than they were 4 years ago and will be even better 4 years from now. I'm eager to hear President Obama's speech tonight.<br />
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Back to inspiring promises: maybe it's not even necessary to be inspired by specific promises. When you get excited about your birthday, it's the whole thing that you look forward to; you don't separate out your excitement about the cake and the presents and the music and the friends. When Clinton ended his speech with a nod to our preamble—"a more perfect union"—I thought, "That is something I can look forward to!" Here's a little top-of-my-head poem inspired by that:<br />
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<b>A More Perfect Union</b><br />
by Janet Wong<br />
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Hard to say<br />
what would make<br />
a more perfect union<br />
<br />
So many layers<br />
to that answer<br />
<br />
But<br />
a more perfect onion:<br />
that's easy<br />
<br />
Would not make you cry<br />
would not stink things up<br />
would give you strength<br />
would flavor your life<br />
<br />
I guess<br />
it's kind of the same way<br />
with a more perfect union<br />
too<br />
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Four years from now: a more perfect union! How's that for a goal?Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3762931538346641684.post-2617195206446176872012-09-04T08:34:00.002-07:002012-09-04T08:34:30.950-07:00Discussion Question #7: InspiringThe Voter's Journal at the back of <i>Declaration of Interdependence</i> provides this prompt: Write a list of the most inspiring or sensible ideas you've heard from presidential candidates (official or unofficial) in this election.<br />
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Here we are, two months from the election date, and I'm very sad to say that I can't think of a single inspiring idea that I've heard from the mouths of Romney or Obama. But the Democratic National Convention is about to begin—and I'm sure I'll hear at least one inspiring thought there.<br />
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It would be inspiring for me to hear that a billion dollars will be poured into schools simply for the purpose of "increasing the joy of learning." Is that going to happen? (I doubt it)<br />
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It would be inspiring for me to hear that X million additional acres of land will be set aside for national parks next year. Will that happen? (probably not)<br />
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It would be inspiring for me to hear that our federal government will give tax breaks to corporations that change their regular work week to 4 days x 8 hours/day; I truly believe that the biggest impediment to quality of life for many people is the lack of adequate time to relax. (dream on)<br />
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So: what WOULD be a realistic inspirational campaign promise?<br />
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Have you heard any?<br />
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<br />Janet Wonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06335945237210886655noreply@blogger.com1