9th Grade Biology--2 Classes on Evolution

I'm a para-educator (teaching assistant) at a junior high school in the Midwest. We just got done doing a pretty large unit on DNA--the mechanisms, the way it's copied, the way it's made up of a chain of amino acids, the possibility for errors and changes, etc.

When it comes to the theory of evolution, however, they are going to spend 2 brief class periods on it...no test. I can't help but think it's a shame they're glossing over the foundation of biology, especially after having discussed most of the mechanisms that drive it, going into great detail about Mendel's pea plants, etc.

I'll refrain from making overgeneralizations and whining too much about it. I think it speaks for itself. The next time you see statistics showing the US giving way to other countries in science and innovation, take a look right in your own back yard.

Creator vs. God

I just sat in on an 8th grade social studies class in which the teacher told the kids they get their rights from their "Creator", like it says in the Declaration of Independence.

Now, the interesting thing is..this teacher went on to claim that he prefers to use the term "Creator" in school because "God" is too religious.

I tried to keep my face from doing one of these: 0_o

Honestly, I'm not even sure I agree that there is a superficial semantic difference between "Creator" and "God" let alone an ACTUAL difference. Why do people still think that they're avoiding saying something religious when they say "Creator"? Do they think the word "God" is the actual NAME of their Christian(tm) god?

Am I missing something here? Seriously...am I?

Meat From a Truck?

Twice now in the past 6 months or so I've been approached by guys in pickup trucks trying to sell me steaks. Right then and there. The first guy was nice. I was out walking my dog and he approached and politely asked me if I'd be interested in purchasing some steaks.

He showed me a pamphlet but didn't have any literature or anything to actually take with me, which seemed odd. I politely said no thank you several times and he told me to have a nice day to which I replied (as I always do) "you too."

The second time a guy actually knocked on my door with his buddy out in their small pickup truck just in front of the house. He was making the same shtick. The interesting thing is, both times these guys were saying they had "just made a delivery" and happened to have a bunch of stuff they wanted to get rid of, so they were selling them for next to nothing.

Well well! Lucky me! ...not quite.

I don't eat much red meat (can't remember the last time I bought any to prepare at home), so when I do get it, I just go to the grocery store. I told this second guy 2 or 3 times with a smile on my face "Sorry...I'm not interested. Thanks though." The odd thing is this second guy just turned around and walked away from me and I could swear he rolled his eyes. On my own doorstep. He came and knocked on my door and has tried to make me feel like I wasted HIS time.

What the hell kind of way is that to run a business? The guy was trying to play himself off as if he had a vested interest in this...as in he is selling his own meat from his own farm or something, which honestly would not be that strange as I live in the Midwest. But honestly, if you are selling your own product door-to-door that you prepared with your own hard work, isn't it in your best interest to be as polite as possible?

How am I supposed to believe this guy really is legit and selling me something he cares about? So I don't feel like buying steak out of a truck today...big deal! Give me a damn business card, tell me to have a nice day, thank me for my time...tell me where I can go to find out more about you. I may just feel like risking it the next time you come to my door.