Don't read this if you don't want controversy

So this is what bugs me.

I don't mean to make controversy (but I'm sure I will), and I'm not here to say whether it's right or wrong.

But this is what bugs me, right.

So I have recently came across with this article through a podcast, in regards to the new bill that passed in Tennessee.

The bill deals with creationism and evolution.

Woo... a very sensitive topic isn't it?

Take a look at this article.

So from my understanding, public schools teach evolution in science classes. Am I right?

At least that's what I learnt in Japan (including in an American school) and in Australia.

However, the legislation suggests "state and local educational authorities to"assist teachers to find effective ways to present the science curriculum as it addresses scientific controversies" and permit teachers to "help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories covered in the course being taught."

The article further states: "The only examples provided of "controversial" theories are "biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming, and human cloning."'

Basically under the name of "academic freedom", teachers has the right to choose whether they want to teach evolution or creationism in their classroom.

Is there anyone who finds that a little odd there?

Look, I'm not here to argue which is the truth regarding how all living beings came to exist.

All I'm saying is that I believe all people have the right to be educated in both beliefs until compulsory education is over. Beyond that, it's the individual's choice whether they want to believe in creationism or theory of evolution.

Well at least that's what I thought a secular democratic country, such as United States, should be providing to their fellow citizens, isn't it?

To provide choices not to limit their choices.

I'm sure there are people who would like to have a say in this and I apologize if you were offended by it.

But this is my opinion and it's not likely to change.

If you're interested in the podcast I've listened to, here is the link where you can listen on your computer.

http://www.sciencesortof.com/2011/04/episode-82-creating-controversy/

Original blog post: http://nchaahi.blogspot.com/

Has it been that long? Crap!

Holy crap I haven't been updating my English blog for two years. Two years! lol

Well firstly I gotta apologize to my friends and family for my previous post on facebook.

I sorta had a close encounter with a mental breakdown.

For the sake of my psychological health, I'm just gonna let it out, so bare with me here.

Some of you know that my mum suffered from depression few years back and although she is doing very well at the moment, sometimes her emotion gets the better of her and that really affects me too.

Unfortunately mum doesn't have any other family member except for me. She does have very close friends but she ain't the type to speak out her feelings and her struggles to them. She keeps it to herself. I am the only person alive that she can really open up to talk about, well, pretty much anything.

I am grateful for that, but sometimes it can get overbearing and frustrating.

"Sure she can turn to me, but how about me? Who do I turn to when I need someone the most? What do I do when I feel I can't take it anymore?"

"Am I stuck with her for the rest of my life taking care of her? Huh, if that's the case, I should just forget about looking for a relationship."

These are the thoughts that comes across my mind when it gets unbearable at times. I know, I feel terrible about it.

It's tough when you yourself don't have a support close by.

As much as I love my dad, I can't and won't ask for his help.

Ever since my parents split up when I was small, I live with my mum and dad married someone else (whom I love dearly. She's like my best friend) and has two kids, who are my little bro and sis.

He already has enough issues to be handled.

So yeah...

Yes I know I am not the only one with issues. There are people with whole lot worse. I understand that in my head, but that just won't make me feel any better.

All I can do is to bite my lips and bare with it (for now anyway!)

Besides, I am able to bare with it thanks to my friends all over the world and my family back in the United States.

Thanks to you guys I can release my stress with a smile.

I am truly grateful.

Thank you :)

So to all of you, I apologize in advance if I start whining again like I did yesterday. It probably won't be the last lol.

God, I can't wait to visit Perth in November to catch up with my friends!!

People CAN Change

Watch this episode and tell me what you think about it.
It's about a story of a white man who was in the KKK, reunites with a black man who he beat almost 50years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X68z05YC2R8

Apology for our 2001-08 interruption in service‏

Dear World:
We, the United States of America , your top quality supplier of the ideals of liberty and democracy,
would like to apologize for our 2001-2008 interruption in service.
The technical fault that led to this eight-year service outage has been located,
and the software responsible was replaced November 4.
Early tests of the newly installed program indicate that we are now operating correctly,
and we expect it to be fully functional on January 20.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the outage.
We look forward to resuming full service and hope to improve in years to come.
We thank you for your patience and understanding,

Sincerely,
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A Historical Day

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!


-Martin Luther King Jr.

full version of the speech at:http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm