Our school systems cannot fund one-on-one assistance to our children as we pack 20-30 into a classroom. Our teach attrition rates are 50% in the first five years alone in the public school system. Each year more autistic children are born and they need 1:1 special therapy, but with funding the way it is today in our schools that is highly unlikely in happening anytime soon.

One parent writes in an email;

“As you can imagine, school districts, such as mine, do not want to pay for any 1:1 intervention, claiming that their programs are more than satisfactory. And if they do employ some 1:1 time, it is usually with an aide who often lacks the experience and capability to facilitate lessons. In New Jersey, districts only have to provide an “appropriate program” — a very subjective term. The proposed school program is indeed appropriate if the goal is to have my son in a group home upon my death.”

You can certainly see the issues involved in supporting our autistic children and the need to better educate now to save money later. This same argument could be applied to mentoring of kids at risk, to prevent them from getting into gangs, drugs, crime and costing society a lot more in the future. Most people can see this dilemma and the funding issues in our schools and the training required to properly help our autistic children along, as they are a huge asset to our civilization and scientists are just starting to learn that as well. Consider all these points and think on this in 2006.

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At the time I watched the towers crumple from the sudden strike of the previously unimagined, I did not realize I was watching a metaphor for the great promise their soaring human achievement beaconed to the world. It is five years later, and I see the vast optimism our nation once promised the world at the tipping point.

In the day’s wake, we have strayed from a nation united with many, to a nation on the brink of wandering a lonely, isolated trail. And a great many of us don’t seem to mind. “Pre-emption is our prerogative.” “Shoot now. Ask questions later.” We no longer care how our actions, right or wrong, are embraced by the greater world. Just get out of our entitled way.

At the same time, we have slowly tightened the noose around the neck of our freedomswillingly. “I have nothing to hide. Go ahead. Spy on me as you see fit.” It is the least we can do when under siege by the invisiblegive up freedoms so that liberty might endure.

Nineteen men, a simple plan executed, five years later, and a great power is floundering. It lurches along a “war” unguided, left virtually alone amidst a civil mess of massive proportions with no way out. The plan unapologetically appears to embrace the low road at every turn, rebuking every moral departure point for the chance to wrestle in the mud.

Five years later and all we have to show for all of this is a government in political stalemate. Rather than dialogue about how we conduct “the war” or how we improve our vigilance, our partisan leadership debates whether horses should be sold for human consumption, argues about the definition of marriage, writes amendments on burning the flag. And we, the people, don’t seem to care.

What has happened to us? It is as if we are the towers ablaze. Soon to buckle and collapse from the searing heat of 9/11a white-hot heat that continues to melt the steel-like principles that made us what we were on 9/10.

We talk about not being attacked again since. Some say it’s the result of policy. Some say it’s the result of luck. I think it may be that the first attack is far from over yet, that it continues to burn in ways still unimagined, that it hasn’t run its full course.

I worry that if we do not re-embrace the grand values the rest of the world once rested its dreams on, that one attacknineteen men and a simple plan executedwill be, in the end, all it took.

The beacon that once illuminated a better way, is weakening fast, and like the towers, soon to crumple. The consequences of that should haunt us all.

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Actor Mel Gibson’s drunken tirade is common in Hollywood. Countless actors have been arrested on drunk-driving charges or found with drugs and have made all sorts of comments to police. As usual, no big deal is made about it and the actors are back at work in little time and often do better because of it. Hollywood puts out the typical spin about the individual making a “mistake” and that people should move on… unless you are Mel Gibson that is.

Gibson probably committed the biggest “sin” an individual could make in a diverse, politically correct climate, particularly in a place like California - he made negative comments about Jews. For anyone to even deny that they must be living under a rock. Gibson’s rant about Jews starting many wars and such is not really that unheard of. It certainly can be debated and most people would probably come to the conclusion that it is not true. But to pretend such a thing is never said is just another lie. Of course, being drunk never brings out logic and millions upon million of people have said all kinds of things along religious and racial lines while drunk. Again, to deny that is just a lie.

Gibson’s biggest problem was his target audience: Jews. A comment made about virtually any other group- particularly a white one- and the comments would have been forgotten about in no time. If he made comments about blacks he also would have been attacked. It has become routine.

The overkill regarding media reaction from a drunk individual has been startling and the fact there is actually talk of Gibson’s career being over( it won’t happen) points to the obvious: Jews basically run Hollywood. If his comments were about Irish people would there be talk of his career being “over?” Of course not. How about comments about people from the Sudan? Yeah, there would be some talk because Sudanese are black, but no, his career would be fine.

The problems are the distortions to begin with. Any honest analysis of which individuals are the
‘big-shots” in Hollywood and a good deal of general media will point to Jewish. The mere mentioning of this fact can get you labeled as “anti-Semitic” even if it is 100% true, which it is. To start off with a lie and allowing it to just keep on rolling leads to other lies. For example, Hollywood and television continually put out films or shows many Christians consider “anti-Christian.” However, the people get treated to comments like, “Well, we respect your opinion but the film will be shown.” Things like that. But the fact Mel Gibson had the “nerve” to put out a film like “Passion of the Christ” which was overwhelmingly rejected in Hollywood points to the obvious. The reality of the film making incredible amounts of money under an “independent” label shows Mel “rebelled.” Thus, the whispers of his anti-Jewish views increased.

Most important is the typical question. Show me someone of any religion or race that has not made an “anti-something” comment? This is certainly true while drunk. Have Jewish actors or executives in Hollywood made anti-Christian comments? Of course. It is human nature. But it is simply more hidden or outright covered-up.

Make no mistake. Gibson is not going anywhere. He will become more popular once all of the ridiculous hype slowly vanishes.

This is the same Hollywood that welcomes guys like rapper “Snoop Dogg.” He of the gang affiliation, pimping, drug using, shooting fame. He is certainly not the only one. This is just another reason people don’t trust multi-millionaire, if not billionaire, executives. It is the old game of “selecting” what is good and what is bad. Obviously, saying anything in any way about Jews in a place like Hollywood is the equivalent of walking on fire. About Christians? Like walking on snow. A little shaky but really no big deal.

In the end, Mel Gibson has to deal with his own feelings like the rest of us. A true Christian, of course, does not want harm to any individual. Life is very short and we must all answer to God. But unfortunately, dishonesty and covering-up in many aspects of life leads to frustration. Gibson’s drinking issues- like half of Hollywood- led to an outburst and a rant. But in his case it was the “wrong” rant. If he yelled about the police all would be fine.

Only real honesty opens up acceptance. Gibson should be “allowed” to discuss in the open his views of Jews. It could lead to real positive things in his own life and millions of other people’s lives. Otherwise, drunk rage and bitterness only fester. Honesty is always the best policy. This is particularly true in an industry that happily accepts abusers of all kinds.

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When I started to write this week’s Tech Tips article, I was pretty well prepared. I even had an article idea before I sat down to write, and had actually even done some research into the topic. As I sat down at my desk, however, and logged into my Yahoo Instant Messenger account, I started chatting with Al, a fellow computer nerd and good friend of mine down in Atlanta. Then I noticed the date and suddenly remembered the day that we spent together five years ago.

Now, I didn’t need a reminder, I already knew what today is. Along with the day I got married, the day my children were born and the day my mother passed away, there are some dates that I am simply unable to forget. Today is one of those days.

September 11, 2001: I was driving to work, late as usual. Also, as usual, I was listening to my favorite Atlanta classic rock station on the radio. After the song ended, the DJ came on and said that nothing new had been found out about the helicopter that had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers. She said that the station would break-in with any news, then continued to play more music. By the time I got to work, the story was pretty clear. It wasn’t a helicopter. And it wasn’t just one of the towers.

After arriving at work, Al and I drove across the street to K-Mart to try and get a glimpse of what was going on. While we were there, standing in front of a row of TV sets, along with 20 or so others, we watched the first tower crumble on live TV. I breathed the words, ‘Oh God’ as I felt my eyes get warm with water. Looking over at Al, I noticed a tear rolling down his cheek as well. We should have been on our third cup of coffee, arguing over the best solution to some silly software problem. Instead, there we stood in a K-Mart, watching TV with a host of strangers who had come there to also see.

I remember distinctly the first time I traveled to New York. I was lucky enough to be in a window seat on the left side of the plane and as we started to fly over and to the right of Manhattan, the sight of the Statue of Liberty and the forest of buildings behind it was an amazing sight. The Trade Center towered above the financial district of lower Manhattan. That was August, 2000. A few years later, on my last trip to New York, my hotel was only a few blocks from Ground Zero. Walking around the perimeter of what used to be a beacon of structural engineering and a major center of commerce, I was stricken by the giant hole that was all that remained.

While we most often focus on New York, let us never forget that the Pentagon was also a target that day, and lives were lost there as well. The number of lives lost and the stories of how it all happened are truly saddening.

Through all that happened and all that has yet to occur, I am forever comforted by the actions of a few brave souls on the morning of September 11, 2001. The steps taken by passengers on board United Flight 93 saved the lives of those that were in the yet-unknown fourth target location. They weren’t trying to be heroes, but they did see what was happening and they knew what had to be done. They knew that their lives must end prematurely so that others might live. And they acted on that knowledge, overtaking the hijackers and driving the plane nose-first into a Pennsylvania field.
Whenever Flight 93 comes to mind, I always think of a favorite verse from the Bible, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)’ May those brave souls of Flight 93, and indeed, all those whose lives were lost in the Pentagon and in New York, forever rest in peace.

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions for future articles, please email me at mike@MikeBryant.com.

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Many believe eco-terrorists and all those who support them are criminals. Citizens believe this because groups like ELF often use arson to burn down buildings to make a point. They are known to have started forest fires and burned down businesses. Also burned down homes, which were either completed or during the construction phase. This of course sends toxic fumes into the air as well as pollutes the air with smoke. ELF members are quick to point out that corporations are greedy and destroying our environment. Yet these ELF criminals, drug addicts and severely mentally challenged individuals use cars to drive to their crimes, chemicals to light the fires and computers to promote their agendas. Who makes those cars, chemicals and computers anyway?

There are no bigger hypocrites on the planet than those of the ELF Eco-terrorist Liberation-Lobotomy Front. They do not want people building second homes or log cabins in the woods. Yet, that is where many of them live or wish to live. They do not want people coming to the forests and building roads, yet cut trails to their favorite off the path nature areas. They want to protect animals yet they start fires, which kill them. They want to save the forest? By burning it down?

They attempt to gain notoriety by bragging about these acts on the Internet and they end up recruiting teenagers some still in grade school and high school. The ELF group has a following of problematic druggy adolescents and misfits. In my 6 years of studying these nut cases it appears many were sexually abused as children and end up doing the same things as adults; on top of the arson and animal killings. While many are said to be for animal rights, they burn down animal testing locations, which are working on things like a cure for Chronic Waste Disease and West Nile Virus, which kill thousands more animals than people.

Some in academia actually secretly support these groups and spew out anti-corporate rhetoric about Corporate Greed, yet these academia folks have never had to make a pay check in their lives. But those that can’t teach and they spread hate and fear about the corporations they do not understand, while they teach using a chock board, chock, polymer projector sheets, computers, desks, flooring, air-conditioning systems and wearing clothes, watches and shoes all made by guess who?? The corporations? Interesting the mindset of the deranged and brain washed folks who do not understand our free economic system or the abundance it has created? We might need to start arresting some teachers soon, because there is no difference between egging on, brain washing and recruiting these ELF Eco-terrorists than in actually committing the act. After all we are hunting down the Clerics who recruit Islamic Fundamentalist International Terrorists don’t we? Think on this. You think I am too harsh to admonish druggy teenage criminals? If we are going to go after the gangs, we must also fight the ELF and Eco-terrorists too.

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