Chat session of April 4, 1996

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 10:57AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Well, it's about time for another chat session - today's "topic" is the spring religious season: Easter, Passover and the like. But the important thing is to try to have interaction between people of different regions and countries. So if you're out there, fire away...

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 10:59AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hello, Diane! I am still getting my peanut butter-and-jelly muffin ready, so I may be distracted for another minute. :-)

Diane: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:01AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Alan, I am alone now, I will have others joining later. It is about time for class change. Ms Bell the teacher of our religions course will join us about 11:30. She has lunch duty!

Diane: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:05AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hope you are enjoying your breakfast. We have a beautiful spring day here in Raleigh, North Carolina

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:05AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Well, I do hope that we'll have some folks from Russia joining us, though it is a bit late there. As I may have mentioned, Russia changed over to "summer time" last weekend, so the time difference is one hour more than usual - it's 8 p.m. there now.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:08AM EST (-0200 GMT)
It's partly sunny (mostly cloudy) here in Seattle. We use terms like "sunbreaks" and "showers" to define various levels of gray here. Right now we're getting some sunbreaks - every once in a while it brightens up.

Diane: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:09AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Ilja Levin was going to join us from the Institute of Control Science in Moscow, but unfortunately he became ill and was admitted to the hospital on Tues.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:10AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Oh dear. I'm afraid I don't know Ilja, but I hope he's going to be OK. Is he someone you're working with through the school?

Diane: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:14AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Ilja is my collaborator in our Children as Teachers (ChaT) education project.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:18AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Then it's really important that he's well... The mere name of the project is intriguing. My 9-year-old is watching me at the computer and I'm telling her that I'm talking with someone in North Carolina, thousands of miles away.

Diane: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:18AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hello my name is Rabea and I am an eleventh grader at Enloe HIgh School

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:19AM EST (-0200 GMT)
What do you do for a living? Where do you live?

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:21AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hi, Rabea. I'm Alan, and Natalie (9) and Evan (5) are here too - although Natalie is more interested in the Mariners game we're going to this weekend, and Evan wants to play a computer game. So they're both a bit distracted (and are distracting me a bit in the process!)

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:22AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I live in Bellevue (it's just a few miles east of Seattle in Washington state). I'm the foreign editor for the morning newspaper in Seattle, the Post-Intelligencer. So I read through all the stories having to do with international events and edit them for our newspaper (more)

anonymous: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:23AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Oh, I suppose i should introduce myself---i'm katie

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:23AM EST (-0200 GMT)
What do you feel about religion in public schools? I think that as long as it is not openly displayed it is fine for one to practice religion in school.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:24AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Sometimes I write stories for the paper too, mostly having to do with international issues - I'm particularly interested in Russia and have visited there five times in the past five years. I've done some reporting and have helped organize some conferences for Russian journalists.

anonymous: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:24AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hi. My name is belinda Liu. I am a student at Enloe High School. I am her with Rabea. She is sitting across from me. I am 16 years old and I was born in Taiwan. I moved here when I was 5 years old.

anonymous: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:24AM EST (-0200 GMT)
My name is Kasi. I am a student at Enloe High School. We are supposed to write about religion because Easter is coming up and so is Passover.

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:25AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I have a good friend that lives near Seattle. Her husband works for Microsoft ( who doesn't)_

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:26AM EST (-0200 GMT)
My parents are from Pakistan but I was born in the U.S. I visited a few times to Pakistan.

Katie: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:26AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hi Belinda-- How is everyone?

Belinda Liu: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:27AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Well, since no one is writing back I will talk some more. What do you guys think about religion in public schools.

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:28AM EST (-0200 GMT)
katie who are you?

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:28AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hey Kasi what do you feel about religion in public schools. I know that it really intelectually challenges you.

Belinda Liu: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:28AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Katie, who are you? You go to Enloe right?

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:29AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Rabea, I think you're right - when you talk about "practicing religion" I assume you mean silent prayer. On the matter of group activities, though, I think it's important that people not feel "left out" or pressured to accept a particular religious point of view. So I like the "moment of silence" approach in public schools.

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:29AM EST (-0200 GMT)
rabea what did you write to me?

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:29AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Alan are you temporarily distracted?

Belinda Liu: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:29AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Rabea you have to end a question with a question mark, not a period!

Katie: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:30AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I'm a student at enloe, not very interesting im afraid. My background ethnically is italian, but i was born and raised here in america. since this is a religion based topic (so im told)-- im catholic (supposedly).

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:31AM EST (-0200 GMT)
alan I think that anyone can pray anytime they want--we don't need really, a moment of silence

Katie: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:31AM EST (-0200 GMT)
PICKY PICKY, belinda (im in your spanish class, silly)

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:31AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Alan I have recently made The Muslim Club at Enloe. My advisor is Miss Bell. I believe that it is important for Muslims to clear up misconceptions about Islam and the club that we have made does not exclude anyone, in fact everyone is invited to join, of course they can't participate in the prayers we hold.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:32AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Wow, this is great!... Lots of folks getting into the act. Sorry if it takes me a while to keep up. Passover has already started (as of last night). And of course Good Friday is tomorrow, Easter is just around the corner.

Belinda Liu: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:32AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I think religion is an important part of our culture. Buddhism is a religion that is tied with my culture. Religion helps people deal with their beliefs, insecurities, and fears.

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:33AM EST (-0200 GMT)
hi Katie youre in my english class. and my history class too

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:33AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Katie, everyone is interesting in some way! Where are you now, the West Media Center or Mrs. Williams lab?

Katie: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:34AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Oh, prayer in schools. my views on that are very mixed. my younger sister is very christian, almost a polar opposite of myself. no one should feel persecuted for wanting to pray in school, yet again there's the argument that the ones who don't want to pray might feel, oh, odd... is this making any sense?

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:34AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hello. Who's there?

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:34AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Well Belinda what do you think about religion in schools?

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:34AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Rabea, are there particular Muslim traditions for this time of year? I know Ramadan was some time ago - seems to me that's the high point of the Muslim year (and of course the Hajj)

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:35AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Tricia who are you?

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:35AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I found this url today about Passover. button

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:35AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I asked first. :)

Katie: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:36AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Miss Vinetta Bell is with me now.

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:36AM EST (-0200 GMT)
i used to go to church--babtist- but i stopped because the people there were very fake. i am supposedly greek orthodox on my father's side. i went to the orthodox church when i was younger but i would like to go back but my mother doesn't want to

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:37AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Alan in about one month Muslims will be having their second most important holiday of the year. This holiday is celebrated after Hajj and it is called Eid-ul-Adha. It commemmorates when Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:37AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Is this a religion class?

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:38AM EST (-0200 GMT)
hey Miss Bell How are you? I know my English is horrible, but are you in the West media center?

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:38AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Welcome Miss Bell, please introduce yourself to the others, especially Alan Boyles in Seatle.

Belinda Liu: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:38AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Rabea: I think it is important that we teach different religions in our schools to allow people to be more openminded and knowledgeable about differnet perspectives of one's culture. An important thing we must remember is not to preach about religion and enforce it upon others. Everyone has their own freedom to think what they want.

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:38AM EST (-0200 GMT)
i think that school prayer shouldn't be forced

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:38AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Personally, I think there should be an opportunity in school to learn something like meditation or calming exercises - maybe not strictly religious but "mental ed" as opposed to "phys ed." A lot of people might feel that would be too much like teaching New Age religion, though.

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:38AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Tricia no this is not a religion class, but it is our assignment from our teacher to write about religion in public schools.

Shin yiing: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:39AM EST (-0200 GMT)

Katie and Miss Bell: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:39AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I enjoy the study and discussion of religion in any context. My students have been so understanding of my literary focus on religious issues. Thanks to all of you and to Mrs. Midness for this conference today.

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:40AM EST (-0200 GMT)
i took yoga for a while this summer-i liked it a lot and it taught me a lot about myself my teacher really taught me a lot

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:40AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Alan I do not know exactly what you mean, would you put it in simpler terms?

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:41AM EST (-0200 GMT)
You're welcome Miss Bell---

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:42AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Miss Bell what do you feel about religion in public schools?

Katie and Miss Bell: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:42AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I am a 46-year old ordained minister and English teacher. My ultimate goal is to start a Christian school. I am currently completing revisions on my dissertation, the doctoral degree to be earned from NCSU. I love religion. I love the Bible. I love Muslims, Jews, Gentiles, chocolate chip cookies and pancakes cooked by Katie Knight.

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:42AM EST (-0200 GMT)
hi miss bell. This is a very interesting assignment. i'm glad that you told our class about it.

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:43AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Miss Bell that is really interesting to know that you love chocolate chip cookies and pancakes---

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:43AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Oh. Thanks for explaining Rabea. I think religion is a good thing. I went to a parochial school. I presently work for the State of Kansas Legislature. It bothers me when they pray "in Jesus" name etc., recognizing only the Christian beliefs. Yes, they start every legislative house day with a prayer! I think the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. or a round of "Home on the Range" (our state song) would be more appropriate. I believe the same for schools unless it is a private school.

ophelia noble: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:43AM EST (-0200 GMT)
vinetta, I hope you have a wonderful spring break. enjoy the leisure time to read or just relax.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:45AM EST (-0200 GMT)
BTW, Alan, have you "met" Elaine who frequently visits this line? She lives in Seattle.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:45AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Or close by.

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:46AM EST (-0200 GMT)
tricia what exactly do you do at the legislature?

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:46AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Tricia it also offends me when we are asked to pledge allegiance to the flag, etc. etc. Because as a Muslim I am not supposed to pledge allegiance to anyone but God. I think it is ridiculous that they ask us to say things we don't believe.

Katie and Miss Bell: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:46AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Religion is already in all schools, including public ones. Literature is full of it. I love the fact that Enloe High School has a pluralistic religious student body. Rabea Baloch (a Muslim whom I admire greatly), Katie Knight (who has no set religious affiliation), Cynthia Main (who is Jewish), and others inform my worldview and keep me human. People should get to know each other better; religion is one source of our identities. What do you think?

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:46AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Rabea, I guess I have in mind things like "watching the breath," where you just sit for maybe 10 minutes and just be conscious of the breath going in and going out. Or maybe something like yoga. I think most people (including myself) could really use some practice in being able to clear the mind - not be so distracted and jumpy all the time. Particularly nowadays, when we have so much information and distraction coming in. But maybe the way to approach it is as an after-school or summer offering, like Kasi's yoga class. I don't think it should be part of the public school routine, the more I think about it.

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:46AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Miss Bell, did you see the button for the web page on Passover? If not I will repeat it. I think you would enjoy it. It takes a while to load because of all the graphics.

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:47AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Kasi are you ready for the French assignment next period--Do you have any rings with you for the french assignment?

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:47AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I am a fiscal analyst. I brief legislative committees over agency budgets, etc. we should be working into the night for we are at the time of conference committees - where the two houses must resolve their budget appropriation differences. I'm so tired. We've been working full steam all session.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:48AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Je parles francais aussi. Rabea, are you an American?

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:49AM EST (-0200 GMT)
rabes i just have one ring on how could i be ready for french when i haven't read the script

Katie and Miss Bell: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:49AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hi, Mrs. Noble. I'm revising my dissertation over break. Enjoy yourself. You too are a busy lady. Mrs. Midness, yes, I'd like to see that Web Page. This is my first chatline, thanks to you. You're a gem, Mrs. Midness. Thanks!

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:49AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Howdy, Tricia... I haven't "met" Elaine, virtually or in person.

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:50AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Well Alan I think that prayer can be held for separate religious groups in school privately. This is because it helps students know that they are not the only ones in the school. It allows them to affiliate with others at school.

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:51AM EST (-0200 GMT)
we will have to go soon because it is almost time for sixth period

Katie and Miss Bell: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:52AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I find it interesting that I am sitting here with my very religious English teacher, typing about religion. I have no "set" religion, and sometimes it bothers me. my sister is VERY christian, and I respect her deeply for her devotion. Does anyone else share in my feelings?

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:52AM EST (-0200 GMT)
No Tricia I am from Pakistan, well actually my parents are from Pakistan and i was born in Goldsboro or hicktown North Carolina. I have lived here all my life, but when people see me they think that i can't even speak English --oh well

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:53AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Tricia, Does Kansas have any legislation to help schools get technology. We have just received our Internet connection which makes it possible for our students to participate in something like this. We could not have done it without a federal magnet school grant. There are 99 other schools in our district that also need these connections. I see great potential in developing Web Chat for an education tool. I have certainly enjoyed getting to know our own students better.

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:53AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Miss Bell have you read the messages that I have sent you, just wondering because you haven't written back.

ophelia noble: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:53AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Vinetta, Lots of prayers and hard work for your dissertation. You certainly deserve all the best for your untiring efforts.CONGRTATULATIONS!!!

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:53AM EST (-0200 GMT)
The fact that you haven't met Elaine seems almost impossible. I assume people I've come accross on this line know one another. Silly, I know. She's a great "chatter". She usually checks in in late afternoon. She was off for a week b/c she lost computer usage at her school. She's now hooked up at home. I have her e-mail address if you'd like to connect. She teaches English on a volunteer basis to Russians. She's 40 and has one son. She's originally from NY.

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:54AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Kasi what are you going to do over spring break -i am going get some sleep.!!!!!

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:55AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Katie my grandparents are very religious sometimes it makes me uncomfortable when they try to pressure me to go to church i don't think anyone should be pressured

Katie and Miss Bell: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:55AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Raeba, we've read everything that you have written. We are not ignoring you! We are very interested in what you have to say. Miss Bell thinks that you are cool.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:55AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Then Rabea, not being a citizen, I totally understand why you would be bothered by the pledge of allegiance. Even if you were, I can imagine some other reasons too.

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:55AM EST (-0200 GMT)
The Passover url button

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:56AM EST (-0200 GMT)
rabea i'm going to stay home and make my prom dress and sleep

Rabea: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:57AM EST (-0200 GMT)
No Tricia I am citizen but i just have very different views from others in the U. S. because of my religios affiliation - i 'v e got to go because the sixth period belll just rang byyyyy au revoir!

Katie and Miss Bell: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:57AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Kasi, I feel the same way. My fathers parents are Methodist, and feel that it is necessary to go to church all of the time. I personally don't like church. oh well. the bell rang.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:57AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Au revoir!

Kasi: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:58AM EST (-0200 GMT)
i guess i should say goodbye too. bye it was very interesting talking to all of you

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 11:58AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I think it'd be good if people felt comfortable enough to visit each other's observances.... This is a real issue to wrestle with. If we have a Muslim group, a Jewish group, a Baptist and Catholic group (I'm Catholic, by the way), would it tend to split off students into those religiously based groups? That's the danger, it seems to me. But if the spiritual observances become open to all - well, there are pluses and minuses to that as well.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:01AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Au revoir, do svidania to all you sixth-period students! (Probably too late!)

Shin yiing: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:01AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hi Im Shin Yiing Yeung. I have beeeen (a twang of my suthern accent) living in this country for almost 12 yrs , my family immigrated from Hong Kong when I was 6. It has been interesting being first generation here. I feel fortunate to the opportunities to be exposed to different belief systems, cultures. I think that Alan's idea about "mental ed" should be essential to the scholl curriculum because the diversity in this country sometimne seems to me, to be more disintegration than integration. Being about to know oneself inwardly can dissipate the fear of the unknown. And thus, appreciate the difference among us and the sharing rather dominating

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:02AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Our lunch group has left. I think we have another student joining us next period if anyone will be around. Becky has my lunch arrived.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:03AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Tricia, I usually work in the afternoons so am not online at that time. Twould be fine to make e-mail contact. My e-mail address is [email protected]. By the way, I will post a transcript of this session at this URL: button So people can see what's been said even after they've left.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:07AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I think it's quite interesting that we've had a really good conversation about religion and diversity - but not much about Russia. This is a tricky thing about something like Friends & Partners. It was set up as a channel between Russia and America, but the Internet tends to slop over those sorts of neat categories. We can get participants from Australia and England and Hong Kong - and cover subjects like Islam and the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer in the schools. And I think that's fine (though it can sometimes be a bit disorienting).

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:08AM EST (-0200 GMT)
How is everyone? I'm someone new to talk to.

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:10AM EST (-0200 GMT)
What are we talking about?

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:11AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I think the Net can either further cross-cultural contacts (we've had all sorts of perspectives about religion here) or serve to narrow cross-cultural contacts (for example, it's possible to find a newsgroup about any sort of narrow interest, and get information exclusively about that point of view). Definitely we need to help people use the Net to receive exposure to as many points of view as possible.

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:12AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Is there abyone out there?

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:12AM EST (-0200 GMT)
To me that seems to bring up the issue should the net be censored?

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:13AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hi, Scott, we had a group of North Carolina students talking about religion in the schools. I'm a newspaper editor interested in Russia - we had set a topic of "religious traditions" in honor of Passover, Easter and other spring events, but the agenda is wide open. What's your interest?

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:14AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hi, we've been talking about religion in schools. Scott, what brings you to this chat line? (Alan, I am also Catholic, BTW.

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:15AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I'm a student at Enloe. I'm currently studying Russian. I tthink that you already got my question.

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:15AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Alan, I agree about how disorienting many conversations can be. This is something we will have to work on in the schools to make this technology workable. The students were fascinated with how easily they could communicate their ideas. They all asked when will be the next one. I promise I will not try to overwhelm your chat sessions. I hope they we will be able to organize sessions where students can share their own web pages. We received our server this week!

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:16AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Hmm, I don't think the Net should be censored. I used to think that the Net *could* not be censored. But it looks as if, in parts of Asia at least, governments are going to be monitoring Net use much more closely than they are in the West - and even in America and Germany, there are moves afoot that would at least channel the Net in tighter ways.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:16AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Alan, did you see where Gov. Belyakov of the Leningrad Region boldly ordered that the forest in the region should not be open to agriculture and gardening purposes. He is a lone environmentalist in a country in need of environmental protection.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:17AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Folks, I have to take my daughter to school but will be back in about 10 minutes. See ya in a bit.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:18AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Mrs. M, what age group do you teach?

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:18AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Bye Alan.

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:18AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I believe that all of the forstests need protection. We are expanding at too great a rate. Plus we never put back what we take.

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:19AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Sorry about the conversation lags. I'm not used to the way this web site opperates

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:19AM EST (-0200 GMT)
When we clear cut a forest and replant, people claim no damage has been done. I was an Environmental Studies undergraguate major and know this is not true.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:21AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Russia's environmental problems are soooo vast! I think they need a miracle to save their environment.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:22AM EST (-0200 GMT)
How's your weather today, Scott?

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:22AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I agree that there has been damage done. With trees in a couple of decades the damage can be lessened. The things that we really need to be careful about are chemical, neuclear, and oil accidents plus others . Where did you graduate, Tricia?

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:23AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Tricia, It is good to see someone standing up of environment in Russia. When we first started our e-mail projects with Russia, we received a very moving letter of introduction from two students in Sosnovy Bor (outside St. Petersburg). They were very concerned about the environment in their area. They have a nuclear power plant. The government wanted to add a nuclear waste dump near an historic area there. They were very upset. Two weeks later our students awoke to hear that there was a radiation leak at the Sosnovy Bor plant. They most definitely were effected by the incident.

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:23AM EST (-0200 GMT)
The weather is rather pleasant. I wish that I wasn't wearing long pants and a flanel.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:23AM EST (-0200 GMT)
All three degrees are from the University of Kansas. Yes, the Jayhawks are a peer institution of the University of North Carolina.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:25AM EST (-0200 GMT)
A group of Topekans travelled to Sosnovy Bor in the fall of 1994. I've seen pictures are heard about how beautiful the children are and how friendly and simple the villagers are. St. Petersburg is not so simple. I was there last December and am booked to go again this summer.

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:26AM EST (-0200 GMT)
What do you think that we should look into for alternate power sources?

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:27AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Tricia, I am a media coordinator at Enloe High School in Raleigh, NC. We have students from 9th to 12th grade. We are a magnet high school, so we get students from across the county. As you may have been able to tell from the students conversations, we have a very diverse student body. We think that is one of our greatest assets. We teach 8 foreign languages.

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:28AM EST (-0200 GMT)
My Russian teacher has said that the czar's winter palace is wonderful. How were you treated as a AAmerican there? I'm trying to go to Russian, but my parents have concerns over the safety. Would yuo recomend goining or not, Tricia?

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:29AM EST (-0200 GMT)
It depends on the area. If you get lots of sunshine, and we develop a more efficient way to store solar power than huge photovoltaic cells, solar power is good. In Kansas, Oklahoma and other states that have some high wind areas, wind power is appropriate. Outside of Palm Springs, CA. and Sacramento, CA. there are fields of wind mills harvesting wind power. In general, I think refuse burning (ensuring the burning is made as clean as possible, is our best bet for now.

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:31AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I have been to Sosnovy Bor. It is a wonderful place. It has been 3 years however and I think they have had a great growth spurt with their seaport. We work with the Young Managers School. Our school is opening its own art gallery, where work from students around the area can be shown and sold. We are hoping to have a joint venture with the Young Managers School and have them send crafts that we can sell. The students are sharing the experience of starting their own business. Isn't this a wonderful way for students to learn?

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:31AM EST (-0200 GMT)
How old are you, Scott? Maybe an option would be to check out a study program there. But it's true that you have to take care... Work with reputable people. It's good that you're learning Russian in advance.

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:33AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Welcome back Alan! How wonderful you live so close to school.

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:33AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I'm 17, and a softmore. Do you know of any study programs?

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:34AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I was in St. Petersburg last in 1994, during the Goodwill Games there. The young people (boy, that makes me sound old!) were fantastic - I felt there was more optimism in SPB than in Moscow, the people in SPB feel that they are more "cultured" and Western-oriented than Muscovites. I stayed with a family ... a divorced mother and her son, a medical student who may be in Atlanta for the Olympics this year. The son was really sharp, hard-working and serious. I have a lot of hope for the next generation in Russia.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:35AM EST (-0200 GMT)
8 foreign languages! How wonderful! We have magnet schools in KC as well. The czar's winter palace is dazzling. It is part of the Hermitage Museum complex. I highly recommend going to Russia. As far as safety, be careful as you would in any big city AND because you are an American, do not draw attention to yourself (e.g. don't flash around money, dress simply, no jewelry, try not to speak loudly in public.) The Russians speak in hushed tones in public. As an American, I felt at times that I needed to defend my nation. Russians can be quite abrupt, untactful. In St. Petersburg, noone smiles. Only an old man at the entrance of a church and some children joking about something, these were the only times I witnessed a smile in public. I learned so much going there and it changed my outlook upon the way Americans live. Go, if you can. You will have a greater perspective on the world.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:36AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Scott, I don't have a program in mind off the top of my head. I'll bet that if you went to the Friends & Partners home page and selected "Education" you could find some possibilities to start with.

Scott: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:37AM EST (-0200 GMT)
If your still there Alan, Good Nye! Nice chatting w/you!

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:38AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Mrs. M, I'm not clear, is the Young Managers School in Sosnovy Bor?

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:39AM EST (-0200 GMT)
The Young Managers School is in Sosnovy Bor. It is a private school.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:39AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Scott, I'm investigating a Study Info program through Boston University. I've heard from people who did this program and said it was the best summer in their life! You can go for the fall and spring as well or just for a month.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:40AM EST (-0200 GMT)
My beau lives in the Southern part of St. Petersburg. He works for Gov. Belyakov. He was the guide for the group of Topekans who went in the fall of 1994.

Alan: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:41AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I should be getting to the work of the day myself, but please feel free to go on.... It's been great fun. I'll pick up this conversation and put it at button You can also check there for the time of the next group chat session - and the time will also be posted by Greg Cole. Do svidania!

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:42AM EST (-0200 GMT)
The mayoral position of St. Pete's is now a Governor position. The election is May 19th. sergey's Governor who is presently the Governor of the Leningrad Oblast region which encompasses SPb. He has decided to run for this spot in order to remain Gov. over St. P.

Mrs. M.: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:42AM EST (-0200 GMT)
I am going to go now also. My chicken sandwitch is probably pretty soggy now. Tricia I am glad you joined us. I wish Ilja could have been here. He would have enjoyed it. I have asked schools in Sosnovy Bor and Rostov na donu if they have access to telnet or even a web browser. It would be good to get them online for these conversations. They would have to go at a much slower pace. Telecommunicaitons access is so expensive for the schools we work with, that is also a problem.

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:43AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Pacca!

Tricia: . . . . Thu, Apr 4, 12:44AM EST (-0200 GMT)
Nice to talk with you Mrs. M. Bye!