so it is

United States

FIRST OF ALL...
I'm not here to hit up on anyone or start some cyber-relationship. I've been married since 1994 and don't plan on changing that. That said, I don't care if you're 10 or 65, I'm here to check out art that I appreciate. If I like it, I'll comment - even if you're 10. Or 65. So please don't think I'm some sick cyber perv pedo. I'm not. I am a teacher and I like being a teacher and I don't have any intention on losing that job.

I'll engage you in discussion or conversation regardless of age. I like to encourage younger people to really pursue their artistic interests. So if I comment on your art, just think of it as the teacher coming out in me (even though I'm not an art teacher. I would be if I thought I could have found a job doing it).

SECOND:
I am a high school U.S. history, geography, economics, government teacher. I also facilitate ancient history, art history, and world history online classes. All of this is at an alternative school for students who violate zero tolerance polices or have continual behavior issues.

THIRD:
I am also a retired disabled Army veteran (1985 - 2006). I am a Southwest Asia veteran. I am also a former German & Arabic linguist.
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Personal Quote: "The use of Latin in daily conversation always makes one sound smarter."
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Favorite Quotes:

"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" ~ Juvenal (1st Century - 2nd Century AD) (Satire VI, lines 347–8)

"Some make themselves out to be victims their whole life, others take responsibility for their choices and mistakes and begin to have a life." ~ Marie Keller Ploof

"...a primary object of such a national institution should be the education of our youth in the science of government..." ~George Washington

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ~William Arthur Ward

"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical." ~Thomas Jefferson

"Placing labels on historians is too often 'a substitute for careful reading, research, and intellectual endeavor.'" ~Merill Jensen vis-a-vis Pauline Maier

"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company." ~George Washington (from a French proverb)

"Our students need a curriculum that treats them more like potential performers than sideline observers." ~Grant Wiggins

"Leadership is a choice. It’s the choice not to do nothing." ~Seth Godin

"Each time you coerce someone into doing something by using your power of authority, you deprive that person of an opportunity to become more responsible." ~ Dr. Marvin Marshall

"Higher education doesn’t reflect the life that students are living. In that life, information is available on demand, files are shared, and the world is mobile and connected. Today’s colleges, on the other hand, are typically 'tethered, isolated, generic, and closed.'" ~David Wiley

"See where her Heroes mark their glorious way,
Arm'd for the fight and blazing on the day
Blood stains their steps; and o'er the conquering plain,
'Mid fighting thousands and 'mid thousands slain,
Their eager swords promiscuous carnage blend,
And ghastly deaths their raging course attend.
Her mighty pow'r the subject world shall see;
For laurel'd Conquest waits her high decree."
~John Trumbull, 1770 Yale Commencement

"I think I can" ~The Little Engine That Could

"No one can know where we are at all times. Not even us." ~Skipper, Penguins of Madagascar

"You dense, irritating, miniature beast of burden!" ~Shrek to Donkey

"You can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!" ~Monty Python (Search for the Holy Grail)

"Are you crying? There's no crying in baseball!" ~Tom Hanks (A League of Their Own)

Bob Sweeney: “There was a moment...like this. When I used to blame everything and everyone...for all the pain and suffering and vile things that happened to me, that I saw happen to my people. Used to blame everybody. Blamed white people, blamed society, blamed God. I didn’t get no answers cause I was asking the wrong questions. You have to ask the right questions.”
Derek Vinyard: “Like what?”
Bob Sweeney: “Has anything you’ve done made your life better?” ~American History X

"Fifty years from now, when you're looking back at your life, don't you want to be able to say you had the guts to get in the car? " ~Sam (Transformers)

"I'm Buck Melanoma. Moley Russell's wart. Not her wart. Not her wart! I'm... I'm the wart. She's my tumor. My... my growth. My... uh, my pimple. I'm Uncle Wart. Just old Buck "Wart" Russell. That's what they call me, or Melanoma Head. They'll call me that. "Melanoma Head's coming." I'm s... uncle! Maisy Russell's uncle!" ~Uncle Buck

"I don't think I want to know a six-year-old who isn't a dreamer, or a sillyheart. And I sure don't want to know one who takes their student career seriously. I don't have a college degree. I don't even have a job. But I know a good kid when I see one. Because they're ALL good kids, until dried-out, brain-dead skags like you drag them down and convince them they're no good." ~Uncle Buck