“Commentary: Obama as teacher-in-chief - CNN” plus 4 more |
- Commentary: Obama as teacher-in-chief - CNN
- Professional Bank Celebrates Its First Year Anniversary and Shares Its ... - PR Inside
- Don Cornelius - Variety
- St. Adela - Catholic Online
- Cayman Islands Community Notices - Caymen Net News
| Commentary: Obama as teacher-in-chief - CNN Posted: 08 Sep 2009 06:05 AM PDT Editor's note: Rudy Ruiz founded RedBrownandBlue.com, a site featuring multicultural political commentary. He is host of a nationally syndicated Spanish-language radio show and wrote a guide to success for immigrants ("¡Adelante!" published by Random House). He is co-founder and president of Interlex, an advocacy marketing agency based in San Antonio, Texas.  Rudy Ruiz says the lives of U.S. presidents can make them positive role models for students. SAN ANTONIO, Texas (CNN) -- Perhaps we got too used to living in a nation where the president inevitably becomes persona non grata. Maybe after the Clinton and Bush years, we forgot how to give a president a chance to serve not just as a punching bag but also as a role model. Have we become so disenchanted and polarized we can't give our own president a chance to teach our children something about what it takes to succeed? As a small-town boy, I drew inspiration from presidential biographies. As I got lost in the adventures of Teddy Roosevelt, the spirit of George Washington and the ideals of Thomas Jefferson, I found kernels of America's greatness. In those pages, I unearthed a yearning to dream beyond my surroundings, to strive for more, to seek a way to contribute to our nation. Many of the leaders, including Abraham Lincoln, born in a log cabin in Kentucky, ascended from humble beginnings on the wings of education to guide America forward. Devouring their stories, it ceased to matter where I was from or how far removed I was from the centers of power. With an education and a dream -- in America -- anything was possible. Whenever President Obama addresses our youth, he embodies the power of education. Education is the cornerstone of our democracy, the key to upward mobility, a linchpin to transforming whimsical dreams into actionable goals. Ask Bill Clinton. Raised by his widowed mother in Arkansas, he became a Rhodes Scholar. Look at Barack Obama. Emerging from a broken family, he built on degrees from Columbia and Harvard in his odyssey to the White House. Remember Dwight Eisenhower. Hailing from Kansas, he attended West Point on his way to heroism. From both sides of the aisle, education has propelled the career trajectories of our nation's leaders. Even if we disagree with a president's policies, we should accept he can serve as a role model in a broader way. For example, Thomas Jefferson owned slaves. Nobody would argue this was admirable. But Jefferson was also a great thinker, diplomat and strategist. He co-authored the Declaration of Independence and helped America become a global power by engaging Europe and transacting the Louisiana Purchase. Was he perfect? Of course not. Would we want our children to emulate his every action. No way. But has he been an inspirational role model over time? As a parent, I understand people's concerns about the concepts to which their children are exposed. But the content of the president's speech to students should assuage any worries regarding his motives. Clearly, his agenda is to inspire kids to make the most of education in building a better life, not to brainwash a generation to do his bidding. Pointing to his own experiences, as well as those of others from diverse and modest origins, his remarks convey the importance of personal responsibility, perseverance and education in fulfilling one's potential while contributing to our nation's future. The only way to argue with that is by confusing the issues, twisting the situation into something it was never intended to be. It's gotten so bad, some folks don't want their kids exposed to the president because they're afraid he'll teach them socialism. My answer is that even if he did plan to discuss socialism, they should let their child listen. Of course, the president wouldn't do that, but why is that my answer? Because, as another role model -- President Reagan -- once said: "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." In that light, the president's speech isn't a threat but an opportunity for families to engage their children on the issues. If parents disagree with the president's views, they can sit down at the dinner table with their kids and explain their divergence. They may even find, when it comes to the value of education, President Obama might say something worth hearing. In the process, parents will teach their children: • That we should listen respectfully to others. Doing so, we might realize that we can appreciate certain aspects of a person while disagreeing with others, and that partial differences of opinion needn't always spur absolute rejection. • That we should respect the president because, even if we didn't vote for him, we're still one nation. • That we should give our president an opportunity to lead by example. Obama's presidency is still young. We don't know what shape his legacy will take. But given his resume, regardless of politics, he's an excellent role model on the value of education. Why not give him a chance to serve in that capacity? Just as I found inspiration in those biographies during my childhood, our youth might be moved by the president's words and stories to cherish knowledge and learning, harnessing the power of education to grow into productive, exemplary Americans in their own right. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Rudy Ruiz. All About Barack Obama • Bill Clinton • Ronald Reagan | ||
| Professional Bank Celebrates Its First Year Anniversary and Shares Its ... - PR Inside Posted: 08 Sep 2009 06:33 AM PDT 2009-09-08 15:34:04 -
Professional Bank : Professional Bank opened its doors the same month that Lehman Brothers failed and the world's financial system was on the brink of total meltdown. The Bank's business plans were many months in the making, and they were determined to build a successful community bank in Miami with a foundation based on a banking management team and local directors and shareholders who all had unquestionable experience and knowledge of the South Florida market. "Timing is everything, especially so in business," said Dr. Lawrence Schimmel, Chairman of the Board, Professional Bank. "We opened our doors to business on September 8, 2008, and despite the financial crisis facing our country we have outperformed our goals for our first year of operation. We have approached community banking with a fresh perspective on building and strengthening meaningful relationships with present and future customers, many of whom happen to be our neighbors right here in South Florida." The First Anniversary Reception All proceeds will benefit Easter Seals South Florida whose mission is to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. "Easter Seals South Florida is proud to partner with Professional Bank and work together to create life-changing solutions for people with disabilities," said Luanne Welch, President/CEO, Easter Seals South Florida. "We are honored to be a part of Professional Bank's First Anniversary Celebration. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones and work together to create solutions and change lives for people living with disabilities and their families." To RSVP for the anniversary reception, contact Pam Tucker at 786-406-7620 or send an email to ptucker@professionalbankfl.com : mailto:ptucker@professionalbankfl.com . About Professional Bank : Professional Bank is locally owned and managed by an executive team with client-centric focus, and community-based decision making ensuring its customers receive superior banking product and service within the South Florida marketplace. Professional Bank is a strong, local and safe "relationship bank" delivering concierge-style banking services and financial solutions tailored for professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs and executives with its founders and directors being successful professionals from the South Florida area. Professional Bank is a member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. For more information about Professional Bank, please visit www.professionalbankfl.com : About Easter Seals South Florida Support children and adults with disabilities at www.southflorida.easterseals.com :
For Professional Bank AJR & Partners, Inc : | ||
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| Cayman Islands Community Notices - Caymen Net News Posted: 08 Sep 2009 05:07 AM PDT Pirates Week organisers requesting volunteers Chamber of Commerce Business Expo '09 Cayman Islands National Dance Company & School offering Zumba Classes 'Walk to Remember' event to take place Humane Society Book Loft has sale St Ignatius Catholic Church's Religious Education classes continue St Ignatius Catholic Church holds Bible Study National Dance Company resumes classes 'Fish Tea' – A Collection of Caymanian Tales available 'Voices for Hospice' concert to take place
NGCI Cayman Brac Adult Art Group NGCI Cayman Brac Art Lecture Series NGCI Elderly Artists NGCI Traditional Arts Night Class For more information on any of the above programmes or events, contact National Gallery's Sister Islands Officer Simone Scott at simones@candw.ky or 939-5306. Send your notices and information to news@caymannetnews.com or covenant@candw.ky or call 946 6060 fax 949 0679. Please email bracker@caymannetnews.com to have an event from Cayman Brac or Little Cayman included in the community calendar. | ||
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