I've explained it all before; if you don't want to be marginalized or belittled by others, don't do it yourself. Don't choose to belittle others in your profession, even if they haven't reached your "level." It's all pretty simple. And Barack Obama pretty much made a similar point in his inauguration speech; a better world is a collective endeavor, so you'd better just get over yourself now and get on with it. As I write this, the unemployment rate in Michigan is 10.6% and climbing, if the pundits are to be believed. Unemployment claims are so pervasive, the state unemployment system is experiencing an unprecedented technological logjam. They've had to increase the staff in unemployment offices, and increase the size of the server to, I expect, somewhere near Stonehenge proportions. As I've noted previously, what are you really when you're unemployed? Most americans view an unemployed person as either lazy, or simply nothing at all; persona non grata, an invisible. I've been there myself, many times. I count myself blessed for any day I happen to be working, at this point. Budget cuts in most of the districts I work in, as I understand it, have meant that some teachers are lucky to have a sub, never mind a job. Frankly, no matter what happens, I know my day is coming. And I've been lucky in a lot of ways. If the current "economic downturn" means that America is less pointless, in not having the money for the next big thing in iPods, or Porsche Cayennes, Bluetooth headsets or whatever, is that a bad thing? I've been harping for a long time that a lot of things in this country need fixing before we should turn our attention to creating something brand-new. (As regards Bluetooth headsets, I'll be really surprised if, in the next few years, there isn't a spate of adult ear infections reported. And should we honestly consider it not a little crazy if we see the driver in the car next to us apparently talking to themselves, essentially because their Bluetooth headset is in the ear we can't see?) And when it comes out that talking or texting while driving is physiologically similar to driving while intoxicated, is it any wonder that teenage drivers, who have been a high-risk subset since when I began driving, just after the invention of the wheel, are now killing themselves off in Lemming-like numbers?! Does noone think this sh*t has to stop? Anyone? I'll raise my hand alone, then. Marginalize and belittle your fellow man, if you're certain that you're never going to lose anything, ever. Otherwise, shut up and hang on, the ride ain't over 'till you're walking into the light.