I was a sorcerer in AD&D. Here I hope to be interesting--at least to someone.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The Second Amendment Foundation

Today I received a newsletter from a group calling themselves "The Second Amendment Foundation", however, I found that their only priority is to end gun-control laws. Here's what I sent them in return:


To Whom It May Concern:

I don't know where you got my email address. I am a pro-gun-control person, but I do have a few comments to make.

I really don't see where you get off calling yourselves the "Second Amendment Foundation", given the fact that your entire focus is on guns. You do realize that there are other forms of armaments in the world besides guns, don't you?

Mind, I'm not referring to the types of weapons that are so popular in military organizations today (bombs, missiles, etc.), but rather the ones which, with adequate training, would be as useful today as they were in history (swords, knives, etc.). Besides, such weapons cannot be used from a distance, in the way that guns and other such weapons can, and are; after all, when was the last time you heard a story on the news about a "drive-by stabbing"? When did you last hear about an archer climbing to the top of a tower, and shooting hundreds, some victims being miles away?

If you really want to promote yourselves as advocates of the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, perhaps you could push the government to change laws that currently exist concerning the aforementioned arms. At the moment, I cannot carry an unsheathed sword in public, unless I am walking in a parade, and I must carry it fully sheathed unless I am in full, 1st Class military or police dress. Granted, my ability to use the rapier I own is minimal, but I would be able to prevent a mugger from reaching me with a switchblade knife. For the time being, I'll simply have to keep it in storage.

In the meantime, unless you plan on supporting the right to bear arms of all kinds--instead of just guns--I'll have to ask that you remove me from your mailing list.

Thank you.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

A Lesson Learned

When I was in junior-high school, I took a course in algebra. I failed it. I used to think it was my fault. I was wrong.

It's really amazing the things we forget until we are later reminded. A friend was telling me of a teacher she was having difficulty with, in her differential equations class (a higher math in my time, but apparently not now; she's taking it in grade school!), and her tale reminded me of my failure in algebra-1. I was having a problem understanding a relatively simple concept, and because of that, I was feeling like the village idiot. Even the teacher thought I was moronic.

"What is your problem? Everyone else in this class understands this!"
"I just don't get it," I replied. "Could you explain it to me again?"
He answered, "I've already explained it twice; if you don't get it by now, there's no point in going over it again. Just spend more time on the homework, and you'll get it."
"But I don't understa...", I tried.
"What are you, deaf as well as dumb?  Just do what I said!"

There had been other students who had problems understanding, and he had helped them--sometimes individually--but apparently I was not considered a suitable candidate for such treatment. I found out later that said teacher showed favoritism for students that picked up math quickly. They appealed to him as the kinds of people who reminded him of himself as a student. His attention to them was always close and friendly. Anyone else was just someone to lecture to, not someone to pay attention to.

The class was not offered during summer school, and it was looking like I would have to take an extra class in the fall in order to maintain my credit level. Fortunately, I was allowed to attend the local community college, and attend a course which--if I passed--would give me credit for both junior-high school and college. While I was there, I had an instructor who actually cared about all the students he taught, not just a group of favorites. He helped me with my problem understanding certain issues; in fact, he calmly explained them several times until he was certain I understood the problems. During his extra help, he didn't once treat me like an imbecile. He was kind and perfectly willing to take time to assist a student with difficulty understanding. He was the kind of teacher I wish I'd had in my junior-high math class. By the end of the class, I was an "A" student.

During my further classes in junior-high school, high school and college, I found myself facing teachers of a similar nature to my old junior-high school algebra teacher. I did not, however, allow them to suggest I give up, or otherwise feel the fool when I didn't understand a subject; rather, I sought out further instruction, from tutors, friends, or other sources.

Education is important, and to allow an instructor to make you feel like a fool is to truly act like a fool. As an adult, I have never allowed such a teacher-to-student action since, and I never will again. If you are reading this, and you have a teacher treating you poorly, I strenuously recommend you speak with your parents and a counselor or a school administrator, and furthermore, seek tutorial assistance to aid with your educational difficulties.