In A Word...

Hello.
This posting is concerned with the extraordinary fact that the majority of Americans use the most deplorable grammar imaginable. For example, ending sentences with a preposition seems to be a chronic condition in this country; even among supposedly better educated types, such as authors, reporters, playwrights, script writers, etc. These people earn tons of money, annually, yet they don't seem to know how to construct simple sentences. Pity.
The trouble seems to originate within our educational system. American high schools, have become mere diploma mills; cranking out a steady stream of minimally literate or even functionally illiterate graduates who then require remedial reading classes, on the college freshman level, in order to be able to further their educations. These programs are patches designed to 'fix' what should have been done right in the first place; the teaching of proper grammar and sentence forms, from the word go, in childrens' elementary school classes. We, as a nation, should re-examine these 'quick fix' measures and ask ourselves if they are really what is best for our children. Wouldn't it be preferable to actually teach good grammar and reading skills to younger children in schools rather than having to 'fix' our mistakes later?
The worst thing is sending these young people, with their inadequate reading and grammatical skills out into the public sector, trying to find decent jobs. That proposition is difficult enough when one has an adequate grasp of the basic principles of good linguistic skills. For those who do not, the task can be particularly daunting. The best for which most can hope is doing some minimum wage, dead-end jobs for the rest of their lives. What other hope do they have? That is a question which only our school systems can answer. If the educational system would only stop and take stock of itself and its problems, perhaps the future would hold more hope for literacy and good grammatical practices for future generations.
Parents can also help by encouraging their children to want to learn and do well academically. This would ensure that future generations would at least be able to construct acceptable sentences and perhaps those writers, etc, among them would not end their sentences with prepositions. Dare to dream. Thank you.

Internet Sabotage

This time, I am ranting about Internet abuse. Not abuse of 'netizens', but abuse of the Internet itself. Why, oh why do people want to put such things as adware, spyware, worms, trojans, viruses, pop-up ads, and even spam on other people's websites, or in their e-mail? I will never understand these practices. Are they jealous of others being able to use the 'net'? Do they get a certain kind of perverse pleasure from destroying others sites or blogs? Are they being paid by someone to spy on others sites? Or, are they just naturally twisted individuals who are so miserable with their own existences that they can't stand to see others enjoying something in their lives, in the sharing of friendship and information on the Internet? These are all questions to which I, and I am sure millions of other Internet users, would love to know the answers. But, I do know one thing: that each one of the kind, courteous, considerate, thoughtful, and caring individuals out there who use the Internet with manners, and respect for other users feelings, is worth so much more than all of these 'Internet abusers' put together. Thank you.

Don't Be So Negative...

Well, when I started this site it was with the intention of letting other people have their say about things that 'bugged' them, but it doesn't seem to be turning out that way. It seems friends who have visited here like reading my rants, so...
This posting has to do with not respecting someone else' talent. A few days ago I was answering questions on Yahoo Answers and I came across an earnest, sincere plea from a young lady who wanted peoples honest opinions of her singing ability. I clicked the link to her Youtube channel, and heard a very nice voice singing a country song. I posted to her comments column under the video that I thought she had a lot of talent and a very good voice. The next day, I got a message in my e-mail from a girl who disagreed with me, but in a very rude way. I went back to the message column, for that video, and told that person that I felt I knew what I was saying as I was once a minor local celebrity, as a singer, some years ago. I also said that I had had my '15 minutes of fame' and that she should let the singer in the video have hers. Then, that rude person said she was a singer now, and signed autographs everyday. The thing is she didn't make her reply nicely, but was yelling. So, I went back in and told her that when people belittled others with talent it was often because they were afraid of the competition. I then told her she ought to upload some videos of herself, singing, to youtube, and then the commenters could decide whether her opinions carried any weight. She became even angrier, if possible, and yelled JERK at me, saying I should upload some videos of myself singing. I then told her she should move away from her mirror; then she might be able to see someone besides herself. And, after noting her terrible grammar, I asked her if she was sure she could sing, and that it seemed to me she couldn't even put together a coherent sentence. I haven't received a reply to this last comment, as yet, but I have a feeling I may not. I know my behavior in this instance may seem rude to some, but that other person had no call to be rude in the first place. I don't see why people can't criticize others, if they must, in a constructive way. If I had felt the girl in the video could not sing that well, I would have simply told her that perhaps her singing needed some work. If I felt she couldn't really sing at all, I would have voiced that opinion, too, but in as kindly a way as possible. I don't see any reason for hurting others' feelings just because we don't like what they are able to do. Some of the other commenters agreed with me, that the singer has real talent. And, the singer, herself, actually sent me a message voicing her appreciation for what I did. I told her to hang in there and not to let any negative people keep her from achieving her dream. I also told her she had a talent, and to take it from there. I hope she will at least consider my advice. Her voice is one worth developing to its fullest potential. My best to her for the future. Anna

How To Deal With Macho Types

Hello.
One of my Youtube friends and I were messaging yesterday, and she was talking about the way some men treat some women as though they were stupid. I told her some men treat all women as though they were stupid, and that I had run into that a great deal throughout my lifetime. I also pointed out to her that if we women try to prove them wrong, these men then resort to swearing and tell us to shut up. I have learned to take this kind of macho behavior in my stride. I simply keep telling myself "You are smarter than this guy, and not just because you have the good sense to not behave the way he is doing. And, besides, he wouldn't be so upset, unless he knew that you were smarter than he." This approach works very well for me, because then I can just smile, shake my head and walk away; proud to be an intelligent woman. Score one for all intelligent women, everywhere!

Another Rant...

Hello.
Well, it seems as though no one is going to post any comments here, not yet anyway, so I may as well post another rant! This one concerns individuals who consider themselves so expert in a particular field, they think no one else could possibly know as much as they know. I ran into an example of this just today. A certain Asian actor recently wrote a photo essay book and had it published, with not-so-surprising results: it became a mega-bestseller. There was a teacher who told one of his/her students that the book could not have been written by said actor because it was too well-written. Wait a minute. Just because that person is a teacher, that automatically makes them an expert on book writing? And be cause the author is an actor, that means he can't be a writer as well? What the flip? That makes absolutely no sense, whatsoever. Is a celebrity, especially an intelligent, multi-talented one, supposed to be limited to doing only one thing in life? How stereotypical is that kind of thinking? In fact, this particular celebrity has proven the versatility and range of his abilities, on more than one occasion. As actor, model, businessman, artist, musician, and more, this person has shown a wide range of talents. What gives that teacher the right to assume an actor is just capable of being an actor? That is a very narrow-minded view for an educator to take. What kind of influence is that to be to a student? Not a very good one, or so it seems to me. I  have not read the aforementioned Photo essay book, but I am sure of one thing. Given the kind of character which the author is reputed to have, I do not believe he would take credit for writing a book unless he really wrote it. From what I have seen of this person, I am actually certain he would not do that. Thank you. Anna