I Fought City Hall and Won

My seven-week battle with Pierce College to get my cancelled beginning ESL class reinstated for the Spring 2010 schedule ended this week. So far, there are 7 eager students enrolled, and I will be able to eat and pay bills this semester.

I stood up to the Board of Trustees and my department chair. Right now I am sure I am persona non grata around campus, but did these individuals have the best interest of my students and me in mind when English 82 was cancelled? The decision supposedly was based on budgetary concerns. This sends a terrible message to those who are non-native speakers: they don't matter.

Well, I've shown these misguided individuals that my students DO matter, that it is imperative for them to learn English so they can become productive, educated members of the San Fernando Valley.

You know the cliche. You can't fight City Hall. Yes, you can, if you put determination into your battle, and you choose it carefully. Actions, no matter how seemingly insignificant, bring reaction. It's the physics of survival.

iPod Essentials #100: "Promised You a Miracle"--Simple Minds

I think I'm one of the few people in America that doesn't really like Simple Minds's big hit, "Don't You Forget About Me," the theme of the BREAKFAST CLUB. It's an okay song. I prefer their less popular tunes, like this one from 1981. "Miracle" is a hopeful tune about love. Can't we all use some hope right now?

iPod Essentials #99: "Friday on My Mind"--The Easybeats

A 60's gem. Don't know much about the band, but the lead singer looks as though he's about 10 years old.

This is classic pop, light and danceable, like the first day of my weekend. Enjoy!

Choke on Your Stupidity, Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh

Shortly after the Haiti earthquake struck and devastated the island, the fools spoke.

Pat Robertston said that God caused the quake to strike because back in 1804, when the Haitians fought to claim their independence from the French, the Haitians made a pact with the devil. They also abandoned Christianity for devilish voodoo.

Rush Limbaugh put a political spin on the event: he claimed that President Obama showed bias for the people who shared his skin color. After all, he responded within one day to the Haitians but took three days to respond after the Underwear Bomber tried to blow up a plane on Christmas Day.

Where's the evidence for your claims? Some people don't like to think. These two men do not like to think. They never back up claims with evidence. The sad part is, many don't call them on this fact.

Bad things happen in the world. God doesn't cause them. Nature and, in the case of Haiti, poverty AND corruption cause them. This is the time to help, not appear on camera, smile, and say, "Neener-neener-neener."

iPod Essentials #98: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"--The Hollies

This song from 1973 always aids me in comfort, and with the tragedy unfolding in Haiti, coupled with the ongoing economic crisis, most of us need this comfort.

"Brother" reminds us that we're not alone in our fears or our losses, that it's our responsibility to help others. I'll never forgive Clear Channel radio for trying to "discourage" stations from playing this song during the aftermath of 9/11 for fear of upsetting its listeners. The management in this company failed to understand this song's message. We are all keepers of one another, rich or poor, big or small.

Why We Need Nick and Nora Charles

On New Year's Eve/Day, I watched all six of THE THIN MAN movies on TCM. William Powell and Myrna Loy went together like a violin and a Strauss waltz. Nick Charles was the wry, booze-loving former detective. Nora was his rich wife. Nick was the brains of the cases; Nora was the brains of their relationship.

Nick and Nora give those who are single hope in finding their perfect matches. They speak in their own rhythms, work together as a team. Isn't that what a relationship means?

iPod Essentials #97: "Jailhouse Rock"--Elvis Presley

Today would have been Elvis's 75th birthday. It seems like yesterday when I was sitting in my mom's bedroom, when the announcement of his passing came on the TV. We just looked at each other.

Elvis may be gone, but his music and films and legend lives on. How can you not dance when you hear this tune? Almost makes me want to be incarcerated.