Are We Watering Down the Importance of Graduation?

At the end of the school year, one of our granddaughters was finishing 8th grade, moving on up to the high school in the fall.  The middle school, in a very good public school system, was holding a graduation ceremony for the 8th graders.  I wondered at the time if having an 8th grade graduation (complete with caps and gowns), was diluting the recognition of those who made it through 12 or 13 years of education when they graduate from high school (yes, one does graduate FROM high school, not "graduate high school").

I remember my high school graduation very well.  I ordered my cap and gown, complete with tassel, and tried it on at least twice before the big day.  I was conservative so did not partake in the silliness of wearing shorts (or nothing) under the gown.  Others were less conservative and could not wait to moon the audience at the right time.  Personally, I was offended that this rite of passage could be taken so lightly.

When I graduated from the university at age 47 (long story), I was not going to be denied my chance to walk across the stage to receive my diploma.  I ordered the cap and gown and tried it on at least twice before the ceremony.  My wife, my mother, and my sisters were in the audience and I wanted to look great.  I did, of course, gray beard and all.

Then finally, I went on for my Master's degree, and through much hard work, I finished in a year and at age 48, I again was not going to forgo the walk across the stage, so once again ordered my cap and gown.  Only this time, I got a Master's hood.  Cool.  It was a big deal, and truth be told, I tried it all on about 4 or 5 times, constantly adjusting the hood that always seemed twisted.

I found, as most do I believe, that graduation from high school and college is a big deal -- a recognition of major accomplishments.

Because it was my lovely granddaughter, I came around to seeing this 8th grade "graduation" in a less cynical light.  It was cute and she was moving on to the Big House populated by grades with names and not just numbers.  She would be a freshman, the lowliest being in the high school.  That would be a change for sure.

I still decided to draw the line at 8th grade.  In the last few weeks, I read about graduations from Kindergarten, and can you believe, from pre-school?  What's next?  Graduation from potty training?

Well, that is a major milestone, so maybe another exception is in order.

Traitor or Hero? Are You Really Asking That?

I am still thinking about the ramifications of the NSA and other leaks perpetrated by Edward Snowden.  I am puzzled how a person without a high school education gets such a sensitive job.  I am amazed that there are so many non-governmental employees with top-secret security clearances.  Clearly, there needs to be a review of all this deep, dark world of espionage.

I do not believe that we, as Americans, should be told everything about what the country is doing to thwart terrorist activity.  That would certainly be counter-productive.  My ideas are evolving about some of the things the government has done in our name to protect us (e.g., phone records).  Part of me wants to be incensed at the intrusion in our free society.  Part of me, probably the cop part, says that if you aren't doing anything illegal, who cares if they collect this data?  I have not resolved that yet.

What I have resolved, however, is the Mr. Snowden is not a hero.  He certainly swore an oath when he got his security clearance to hold the secrets of the USA close to his chest.  He could have left his employment, not deigning to stick with such a horrific job if he was upset at what he was learning.  But no, he kept his (high-paying) job, in Hawaii I might add, until he seemed to have come to the conclusion that he should be the savior of the nation and let fly with all sorts of classified information.

He has done real harm to our security - that is clear to anyone watching the news.  He has put our clandestine services in harm's way needlessly.  Mr. Snowden is nothing but a traitor to his country and to the pledge that he took before he worked for our spy network.  He needs to be caught, charged, tried, and dealt with...severely.