Comments on: The Weight of Age http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/2009/11/11/the-weight-of-age/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-weight-of-age Girl-friendly points of view from women living midlife with humor and grace, keeping it real—staying young and healthy in heart and mind. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:30:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: mellimel http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/2009/11/11/the-weight-of-age/comment-page-1/#comment-1680 mellimel Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:32:02 +0000 http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/?p=3038#comment-1680 We can easily elevate the past to glory. Without meaning any denigration or disrespect to the Kennedy Family and the zeitgeist of the times they tapped into, history has shown us the many flaws, and cracks of dishonor in these men. The media was not was it is now and there was a certain collusion. And I, and my family were in the thrall of it all then as we are to some extent now. I like what Carine says about doing some good. In some ways I think that is all we can ask for. Social change takes a long time and we will go forward three and slide back two as we go. I kind of think all of the disaster and horror of our times will serve to wrench us into a different reality. As I heard someone say not too long ago, (paraphrasing)" our culture is far too sick to be healed by anything less ruthless"- we all know about the dark night of the soul after all. I see change happening everywhere in terms environmental awareness,the need for different educational systems, financial systems ad infinitum. Where I see the most change is in individuals and in families. Alot of "some good" becomes just plain "GOOD" in time. We can easily elevate the past to glory. Without meaning any denigration or disrespect to the Kennedy Family and the zeitgeist of the times they tapped into, history has shown us the many flaws, and cracks of dishonor in these men. The media was not was it is now and there was a certain collusion.

And I, and my family were in the thrall of it all then as we are to some extent now. I like what Carine says about doing some good. In some ways I think that is all we can ask for. Social change takes a long time and we will go forward three and slide back two as we go. I kind of think all of the disaster and horror of our times will serve to wrench us into a different reality. As I heard someone say not too long ago, (paraphrasing)” our culture is far too sick to be healed by anything less ruthless”- we all know about the dark night of the soul after all. I see change happening everywhere in terms environmental awareness,the need for different educational systems, financial systems ad infinitum. Where I see the most change is in individuals and in families. Alot of “some good” becomes just plain “GOOD” in time.

]]> By: Conz http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/2009/11/11/the-weight-of-age/comment-page-1/#comment-1669 Conz Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:35:09 +0000 http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/?p=3038#comment-1669 Lori--I, too, feel a sense of disappointment. I'm hoping that it's because my expectations are at an all time low. I'm not looking for a miracle, and Obama, or Jesus himself, would need a magic shovel to dig us out from under the shit pile that Bush left behind. I'm still in a wait and see frame of mind. And--HEY--politicians! Let teachers teach. Love and respect to all who dedicate themselves to this under-appreciated, underfunded, underpaid, very necessary career. Lori–I, too, feel a sense of disappointment. I’m hoping that it’s because my expectations are at an all time low. I’m not looking for a miracle, and Obama, or Jesus himself, would need a magic shovel to dig us out from under the shit pile that Bush left behind. I’m still in a wait and see frame of mind. And–HEY–politicians! Let teachers teach. Love and respect to all who dedicate themselves to this under-appreciated, underfunded, underpaid, very necessary career.

]]> By: Lori http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/2009/11/11/the-weight-of-age/comment-page-1/#comment-1668 Lori Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:27:31 +0000 http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/?p=3038#comment-1668 I love this site and I love you Connie so take what I am writing from a teacher's standpoint. Remember when you met me in China and I was running around trying to suck up culture, get crass souvenirs, good pictures and journaling about China "for the Children," as I so often said, and you loved reminding me. I am hopeful that some of Obama's actions will make a difference in a society that is in such need of hope and changes. I do have to tell you girlfriend that he is not doing education any favors. I voted for him and I try to support him but I need to ask all of you who read this to please look at and examine Obama's RACE to the TOP, for education. It is mostly a continuation or a worsening of the No Child Left Behind Act, that I call NO Child Left Untested." Education is NOT a race, it is a journey. Children are on the journey. as we are as adults at all different places. They should be made to feel that if they are not like everyone else and lagging a bit behind or they just need to rest for a moment that they are still producing. Obama's need to make everyone think that paying teachers by merit pay for how their children produce on test scores is at best a joke, and at worst a disaster. This makes children and teachers cheat, look only for boxed answers, stop critical thinking,not do the art and muscic, P.E. that children come to school for, and targets everyone towards the all mighty dollar. It doesn't value the individual child or the teacher. What teacher will be willing to work in a ghetto school? What teachers will want the children that are already two grades behind in schoolwork? Who wants the behavior problems that just need to be loved and believed in. Believe it or not I do. I love these kids and I do not love the fact that the present administration is continuing along those lines and saying they are "fixing education, children, and teachers." We are not broke. We are just tired of the burden of over tested, over assessed, over graded children. Ask teachers what we want. We want to teach and most of us do a pretty damn good job of it when we have time. Teaching is an art,not a science. Thanks for all who read this. It is "for the children." I love this site and I love you Connie so take what I am writing from a teacher’s standpoint. Remember when you met me in China and I was running around trying to suck up culture, get crass souvenirs, good pictures and journaling about China “for the Children,” as I so often said, and you loved reminding me. I am hopeful that some of Obama’s actions will make a difference in a society that is in such need of hope and changes. I do have to tell you girlfriend that he is not doing education any favors. I voted for him and I try to support him but I need to ask all of you who read this to please look at and examine Obama’s RACE to the TOP, for education. It is mostly a continuation or a worsening of the No Child Left Behind Act, that I call NO Child Left Untested.” Education is NOT a race, it is a journey. Children are on the journey. as we are as adults at all different places. They should be made to feel that if they are not like everyone else and lagging a bit behind or they just need to rest for a moment that they are still producing. Obama’s need to make everyone think that paying teachers by merit pay for how their children produce on test scores is at best a joke, and at worst a disaster. This makes children and teachers cheat, look only for boxed answers, stop critical thinking,not do the art and muscic, P.E. that children come to school for, and targets everyone towards the all mighty dollar. It doesn’t value the individual child or the teacher. What teacher will be willing to work in a ghetto school? What teachers will want the children that are already two grades behind in schoolwork? Who wants the behavior problems that just need to be loved and believed in. Believe it or not I do. I love these kids and I do not love the fact that the present administration is continuing along those lines and saying they are “fixing education, children, and teachers.” We are not broke. We are just tired of the burden of over tested, over assessed, over graded children. Ask teachers what we want. We want to teach and most of us do a pretty damn good job of it when we have time. Teaching is an art,not a science. Thanks for all who read this. It is “for the children.”

]]> By: Barb G. http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/2009/11/11/the-weight-of-age/comment-page-1/#comment-1667 Barb G. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:37:24 +0000 http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/?p=3038#comment-1667 Just read that 8,000 people turn 60 every day. Got me thinking about 5 decades of living and life-altering things that happened. and then, I read your post. I saw JFK in person at a speech in 6th grade and learned of his death in 8th grade. It seems his death and the one's that followed framed much of my thoughts about government, the power elite, etc. I do so hope Obama can fulfill his promise... Just read that 8,000 people turn 60 every day. Got me thinking about 5 decades of living and life-altering things that happened. and then, I read your post. I saw JFK in person at a speech in 6th grade and learned of his death in 8th grade. It seems his death and the one’s that followed framed much of my thoughts about government, the power elite, etc. I do so hope Obama can fulfill his promise…

]]> By: Jane Gassner http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/2009/11/11/the-weight-of-age/comment-page-1/#comment-1666 Jane Gassner Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:49:51 +0000 http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/?p=3038#comment-1666 Connie, This isn't the first time that a post of yours has resonated so deeply with me. I'd love to post it on MidLifeBloggers... Jane Connie,
This isn’t the first time that a post of yours has resonated so deeply with me. I’d love to post it on MidLifeBloggers…
Jane

]]> By: Carine http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/2009/11/11/the-weight-of-age/comment-page-1/#comment-1665 Carine Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:34:03 +0000 http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/?p=3038#comment-1665 Hang in there, Connie. We need to keep holding a good thought that the smart and elegant man in the White House can do some good--not miracles--but some good. Hang in there, Connie. We need to keep holding a good thought that the smart and elegant man in the White House can do some good–not miracles–but some good.

]]> By: LGold http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/2009/11/11/the-weight-of-age/comment-page-1/#comment-1664 LGold Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:59:22 +0000 http://www.fiftyisthenew.com/?p=3038#comment-1664 The time of "Camelot" bestowed such grace and hope for Americans. I was in 6th grade and it was at the end of the day, when the announcement came about J.F.K.'s shooting. For me, it was my first experience of death and it felt like such a shock. When J.F.K. campaigned in my community, I was like a little nudge, easing through the crowd to the very front. I smiled at him and received the glass he drank water out of, which I saved for years. I felt as I grew older, that I had a part of "Camelot" with me. That was a differnt world for all of us. We had more truth and honor in our elected officials and all of those across the board who represented power. Sadly, the world we grew up in is no longer the same. We are all in a survival mode in one capacity or other, and the world leaders are oblivious to the masses of people and human suffering. For Obama, who represented hope, honestly, honor, he now is in the midst of the sharks encircling him. It's almost like he was elected to be set up for failure. Finally, we all must pray for someone to step up to the plate who endows these virtues to lead the citizens of the world back to honor which cannot be bought, for money is just paper, but truth lives in the heart. Where have the hearts gone throughout civilization, just to support the male EGO? The time of “Camelot” bestowed such grace and hope for Americans. I was in 6th grade and it was at the end of the day, when the announcement came about J.F.K.’s shooting. For me, it was my first experience of death and it felt like such a shock. When J.F.K. campaigned in my community, I was like a little nudge, easing through the crowd to the very front. I smiled at him and received the glass he drank water out of, which I saved for years. I felt as I grew older, that I had a part of “Camelot” with me. That was a differnt world for all of us. We had more truth and honor in our elected officials and all of those across the board who represented power. Sadly, the world we grew up in is no longer the same. We are all in a survival mode in one capacity or other, and the world leaders are oblivious to the masses of people and human suffering. For Obama, who represented hope, honestly, honor, he now is in the midst of the sharks encircling him. It’s almost like he was elected to be set up for failure. Finally, we all must pray for someone to step up to the plate who endows these virtues to lead the citizens of the world back to honor which cannot be bought, for money is just paper, but truth lives in the heart. Where have the hearts gone throughout civilization, just to support the male EGO?

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