I've been on this list less than a year and am less part of this community than I am on other e-mail discussion lists where I am "more present" either because of my frequent posts or my long subscription. But let me assure you that every list I belong to is discussing the events of this week. We live in the world. As academics we must always put our work within the context of that world. And though the dicussion of grammar and its role in the classroom is not directly related to the attacks on Tuesday, to ignore the need to discuss those attacks, to express both concern for the victims and their families and for the state of the world in general is to ignore a very human need. Some of us need to ground our discussions in reflections on how a world of humans could bring about the events on Tuesday. Some of us need to express our sorrow. Can't there be room for a while for both such expressions? In good time the discussions will all go back to their designated topics. But for the time being, for as long as it takes, don't close off the discussions, the reflections, the speculations on how the world spawned such actions. I received a post today from another list that came indirectly from Shelley Harwayne, superintendent of Manhattan school district #2. She told about children entering one of the schools in her district--only a couple blocks away from the WTC--telling a teacher that birds were burning in the sky. What the child saw, of course, were burning bodies of people leaping from one of the towers. Who of us can keep our minds on academic discussions when children see such things. The academy will have its day again soon enough. Nancy G. Patterson, PhD English Department Chair Portland Middle School, Portland, MI "To educate as the practice of freedom is a way of teaching that anyone can learn." --bell hooks [log in to unmask] http://www.msu.edu/user/patter90/opening.htm http://www.npatterson.net To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/