What is the Rant Sink?

What is the rant sink?

The rant sink is about expression. Some will 'bitch and moan'; others will simply complain. No matter what happens, you can bet there will be plenty of fuel for expression. I would like nothing more than to understand how my views and opinions and fit in with those of my peers. I would like to learn as much as I possibly can in this life and writing, especially when it is pure, is one of the best ways to learn. Bitching and complaining? Maybe. Venting? Definitely. Truth? Absolutely...

How about the rant sink?

One of my favorite things to do is argue - debate really - but it is fine if all you see is nothing more than arguing. I personally enjoy the back and forth that comes from rapid fire, off the hip, extemporaneous speaking. This is especially true about the most serious of topics. I find that most people will express their true feelings (and selves) if they are pushed just a little too far.

Pushed?
Offering a statement designed to get a "reaction" is not a bad thing. Topics such as racism, religion, politics, cultural differences or culture in general often incite very passionate, very real emotions and responses. We often learn about ourselves in situations where we are not allowed to think before we react to a stimulus. I personally believe these are the times we learn the most about ourselves.

I am not suggesting I seek to push people into fits of anger, but what is a rant if it doesn't have a little edge to it. To me the substance of a rant is that it has visible or audible, almost tangible emotion. A rant is something that, for lack of a better explanation, just comes out.

Many of my own rants are inspired by movies or books or chance encounters or current events. It does not matter why one speaks out, only that it be from the soul.

For example...

Why are our children, our school systems being dumbed down to the point that the average child is no more being challenged than our government is being regulated? What ever happened to pushing children (students) to see what they were capable of? Why do we have to wait until high school or college to challenge our future leaders and innovators? Is it the teachers? Is it the word average?Is it affirmative action rearing its ugly head in primary school? What is with all the standardized testing?

In my mind, the standardized test is a cop out and everybody involved loses. The school does not have to pay a teacher because they are really no more than babysitters; and the kids grow up thinking the world, life, their brain is standardized. (OK so I guess the schools win.) Are there really no more teachers in this country? That is - one who teaches...
Would be teachers are discouraged because of these situations and because children these days have been raised by television, video games and the Internet - their social skills and desire to be taught are non-existent.

When parents were raising their kids and teachers were allowed to teach and discipline their students we were gaining ground on the disciplined and intellectual Asian countries. Not to suggest a competition, but what is wrong with taking enough pride in yourself, your education, your future that you want to be better than some of the smartest and most dedicated students in the world? Nothing.

And nothing is what is being done about it. There is definitely a welfare mentality in our public schools. I'll take what they give me and give nothing more than the effort it takes to be given to. I am not sure what the cure is; or if there even is one. I do know that some of the onus should be on the parents and students themselves. Hell, there isn't anybody involved that couldn't stand to improve in some phase of this neglected part of society. If we don't spend some very concerned time and brainpower on re-dedicating our teachers and our students, we are in for a very rough future.

Isn't the education of our youth an investment in our future? It should be. What could be more important than how we bring up and educate the future voting, tax paying, leadership of this country. If it were up to me it would be an easy, selfish decision. I want those responsible for taking care of me and my country to take pride in themselves and their education. I think we would all echo that sentiment. At least, I hope we would...