#conversant

We met Kap Glenda on the way to Vigan. We exchanged a few words, she offered a discount to Paoay Sand Dunes but she never asked what our names were or where we're from.

On our second day in Laoag, we toured Pagudpod with our kind-looking driver. I greeted him good morning but he did not respond. I introduced us but he pretended not to notice. I even thanked him for accomodating us on such short notice but he did not let me finish.

I don't think Ilocanos are arrogant or unkind. But why are they not conversant? To Anne, it was a good thing. But this was my first trip without knowing the name of the driver. Nevertheless, I hope Aklanons could be like them, too.

conversant (adjective) kun-VER-sunt : having knowledge or experience

The adjectives conversant and conversational are related; both are descendants of Latin conversari, meaning “to associate with.” Conversant dates to the Middle Ages, and an early meaning of the word was simply “having familiar association.” One way to associate with others is to have a conversation with them--in other words, to talk. For a short time in the 19th century conversant could mean “relating to or suggesting conversation,” but for the most part that meaning stayed with conversational while conversant went in a different direction. Today, conversant is sometimes used, especially in the United States, with the meaning “able to talk in a foreign language,” as in “she is conversant in several languages,” but it is more often associated with knowledge or familiarity, as in “conversant with the issues.”

The Electoral College: A Flawed System

The Electoral College is broken. It’s time we face this truth. This system, which was designed centuries ago, no longer serves the democratic ideals it was meant to uphold. It’s undemocratic and dangerous.

Why It’s Undemocratic

The Electoral College gives disproportionate power to smaller states. A vote in Wyoming carries more weight than a vote in California. This isn’t fair. Every vote should count equally. But under the current system, they don’t.

The Danger It Poses

This imbalance can lead to presidents being elected without winning the popular vote. It’s happened five times in U.S. history. This undermines the will of the people and erodes trust in our democracy. We need a system that reflects the true voice of the nation.

Alternatives to Consider

There are better ways. STAR voting is one option. It allows voters to rate candidates, ensuring that the most broadly supported candidate wins. This system is simple and fair. It’s already being tested in some local elections with promising results.

Steps Toward Change

Change won’t happen overnight. But we can start small. Advocate for state-level reforms. Support initiatives that push for a national popular vote. Educate others about the flaws of the Electoral College and the benefits of alternatives like STAR voting.

A Glimmer of Hope

Recently, communities have come together to tackle big issues, like climate change and social justice. These efforts show that when people unite, real change is possible. We can apply this same spirit to reforming our electoral system.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Electricity powers our world. Without it, our daily lives would be unrecognizable. The scientific method, a systematic approach to inquiry, has been the backbone of countless discoveries, including the harnessing of electricity. This method allows scientists to observe, hypothesize, experiment, and conclude, leading to innovations that shape our modern existence.

Consider the smartphone in your pocket. It’s a marvel of technology, a culmination of years of scientific exploration and experimentation. From the development of semiconductors to the creation of the internet, each step was guided by the scientific method. This approach ensures that findings are reliable and repeatable, paving the way for the gadgets we now take for granted. Just last week, a breakthrough in battery technology was announced, promising longer-lasting power for our devices, a testament to the ongoing impact of scientific inquiry.

Title: “The Great Springfield Bake-Off”

INT. SIMPSONS’ KITCHEN - DAY

The kitchen is a mess. Flour is everywhere, and the counters are cluttered with baking supplies. HOMER is attempting to bake a cake, while MARGE supervises with a mix of concern and resignation.

MARGE: Homer, are you sure you want to enter the Springfield Bake-Off? The last time you baked, the fire department had to get involved.

HOMER: (confidently) Relax, Marge. This time, I’ve got a secret ingredient. (holds up a can of Duff Beer)

MARGE: (sighs) I don’t think beer is supposed to be in a cake, Homer.

LISA enters, holding a newspaper.

LISA: Did you guys hear about that minor earthquake in Ohio last week? Barely made the news, but it was enough to shake up the local donut shop. They had to rename their “Earthquake Special” to “The Shaky Glazed.”

HOMER: (distracted) Mmm… shaky glazed…

BART slides into the kitchen on his skateboard, narrowly avoiding a collision with the table.

BART: Hey, Dad, if you win the bake-off, can I have the prize money to buy a new skateboard?

HOMER: (focused on mixing) If I win, I’ll buy you a skateboard made of gold!

MARGE: (rolling her eyes) Homer, the prize is a $50 gift card to the Kwik-E-Mart.

HOMER: (pauses) Okay, a skateboard made of slightly less gold.

MAGGIE, sitting in her high chair, blows a raspberry, sending a cloud of flour into the air.

MARGE: (coughing) Homer, maybe you should stick to the recipe this time.

HOMER: (grinning) Recipes are for people who don’t have a vision, Marge.

The oven timer DINGS. Homer opens the oven, revealing a cake that’s somehow both burnt and undercooked.

HOMER: (deflated) Well, that’s… something.

LISA: (trying to be supportive) At least it didn’t explode this time.

BART takes a cautious bite and immediately spits it out.

BART: Tastes like… disappointment.

Homer slumps into a chair, defeated. Marge pats him on the back.

MARGE: It’s okay, Homer. Maybe baking just isn’t your thing.

HOMER: (perking up) You’re right, Marge. Maybe I’ll enter the Springfield Chili Cook-Off instead!

MARGE: (alarmed) Oh no, not the chili again…

The family laughs as the camera pulls back, showing the chaotic kitchen. The screen fades to black with the sound of Homer opening another can of Duff Beer.

Silence is complicity.

In the face of power abuses, staying quiet is not an option. History has shown us that silence can lead to devastation. When we choose not to speak up, we allow the powerful to tighten their grip. We give them the green light to continue their tyranny.

Consider the chilling silence during the rise of authoritarian regimes. In Nazi Germany, many turned a blind eye, fearing retribution. The result? A catastrophic war and the Holocaust. Silence allowed the horrors to unfold.

Fast forward to today. Just last week, a whistleblower revealed shocking truths about government overreach. It was a bold move, a reminder that speaking up is crucial. It’s a call to action for all of us.

When we speak out, we disrupt the cycle of abuse. We hold the powerful accountable. We protect the vulnerable. Staying quiet might seem safe, but it’s a dangerous illusion. It leads to worse problems than the retribution we fear.