I read a column today in which the author took science teachers to task for subverting the "truth" by skirting the teaching of evolution and stressing or giving equal time to creationism, a term which has been polluted and is now often called "intelligent design." He cited a study in which teachers, in significant numbers (more than 60%) admitted as much. There is much in here to concern one interested in the state of education. Seriously, does the story of Adam and Eve really compare to evolution (and, no, "your grandfather was a monkey" is not evolution)? Do these teachers really tell students they don't care what students believe, just know it for the test? Is that the state test? What lousy education if it is! And, I wonder if the author also finds the teaching of "man-made global warming" to be equally dishonest? Does he think "the science is established" (it's not, not at all)? Interesting article with many deeper issues.
How long will the gov and others continue with the deception of claiming public employees are overpaid, particularly relative to private sector employees? Study after study shows this isn't true. Private sector workers with BAs get anywhere from 10% to 21% more pay than public employees with BAs. Even if perks such as health insurance and retirement are included, public compensation is not as high as that in the private sector. Now, one might say many of the degrees in the private sector aren't real ones, that degrees in education are fake, but that's a different story. So, is the new gov as deceptive and disingenuous as his predecessors? I'm beginning to wonder.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Yet...
With all the nice things, there are still reminders that not all is well in the world. Let's just use a couple of examples, at least until tomorrow. First, some U of M professor publicly came out in favor of cutting Michigan's population to about 2.7 million. That's about 25% of current population numbers. How does this guy keep his job? How'd he get it in the first place? Well, he should, then, lead by example--and go first! What if people, under his plan, don't leave? What then? Forced migration or worse? Reminds me of the typical do-gooders, who are quick to use other people's money for their projects, but viciously hold on to their own cash. Hypocrites all.
And what about the local school board (yeah, we're back on them--apparently nobody has taken Mark Twain at his word yet, 100+ years later!)? After forming public committees to examine possibilities of closing a building or two, it rejected the recommendations because the recs didn't match up with their predetermined ideas--that's the only possibility isn't it? So, they justified this, in looking for other, not recommended buildings to close, it has become, "It's not about money. It's about the kids." Yeah, right--they are dishonest or stupid, take your pick, but one or the other. First, c'mon, it's never really "about the kids" unless that happens to coincide, just accidentally, with their agendas. And, if it's not "about the money," then why are they even thinking about closing a building? There's no reason to do so, none.
I wrote a lengthy reply to a really ill-considered op-ed piece last week about tenure. I'm tired now, but maybe I'll post it here tomorrow. Out....
And what about the local school board (yeah, we're back on them--apparently nobody has taken Mark Twain at his word yet, 100+ years later!)? After forming public committees to examine possibilities of closing a building or two, it rejected the recommendations because the recs didn't match up with their predetermined ideas--that's the only possibility isn't it? So, they justified this, in looking for other, not recommended buildings to close, it has become, "It's not about money. It's about the kids." Yeah, right--they are dishonest or stupid, take your pick, but one or the other. First, c'mon, it's never really "about the kids" unless that happens to coincide, just accidentally, with their agendas. And, if it's not "about the money," then why are they even thinking about closing a building? There's no reason to do so, none.
I wrote a lengthy reply to a really ill-considered op-ed piece last week about tenure. I'm tired now, but maybe I'll post it here tomorrow. Out....
Nice Weekend
What a nice weekend, beginning with a good, but tired Fri and ending this eve. Fri was a good eve with friends and Sat AM opened with about 4" of snow, light and fluffy--good to shovel. And, I got out there early enough so I beat the LOUD snowblowers. One neighbor, though, was out in his drive talking on his cell phone--does a cell phone require the user to yell into it? This guy was loud, as if having a conversation with me, standing right beside me. Ha--cell phones.
The basketball games were OK, too. The first one we weren't so hot, not playing very well. But the second game was a lot of fun. I think two guys scored for the first time in two years! And all of the guys but one really played hard, hustling, going after balls, playing defense as if they meant it. It was fun. And it was fun watching their faces beam after being told how well they were doing.
The wine party was fun--let's let it stay at 14 empty wine bottles on the kitchen counter this AM, not to mention the partly full ones in the ice box and the reds/dry whites we just had others take home. Did I say LaBatts, too?
This AM, on my way home from my run, I noticed blue sky! Yep, blue sky. I tried to remember the last time I saw that--maybe a week and a half ago? Then, the sky was sunny all afternoon, although the online weather for Commerce Twp read "cloudy" all day. But, this AM going out at the start of my run, it was a beautiful portrait in gray and black--the white snow from yesterday mixing with the stark blacks and grays of the trees and roads. Jut beautiful! Big storm advisory out for Tue eve/Wed AM--8 to 12" being forecast, now. We'll see.
I enjoyed writing Feb's column, too. Three of four classes of papers are graded, too. I might just finish the last one tomorrow.
The basketball games were OK, too. The first one we weren't so hot, not playing very well. But the second game was a lot of fun. I think two guys scored for the first time in two years! And all of the guys but one really played hard, hustling, going after balls, playing defense as if they meant it. It was fun. And it was fun watching their faces beam after being told how well they were doing.
The wine party was fun--let's let it stay at 14 empty wine bottles on the kitchen counter this AM, not to mention the partly full ones in the ice box and the reds/dry whites we just had others take home. Did I say LaBatts, too?
This AM, on my way home from my run, I noticed blue sky! Yep, blue sky. I tried to remember the last time I saw that--maybe a week and a half ago? Then, the sky was sunny all afternoon, although the online weather for Commerce Twp read "cloudy" all day. But, this AM going out at the start of my run, it was a beautiful portrait in gray and black--the white snow from yesterday mixing with the stark blacks and grays of the trees and roads. Jut beautiful! Big storm advisory out for Tue eve/Wed AM--8 to 12" being forecast, now. We'll see.
I enjoyed writing Feb's column, too. Three of four classes of papers are graded, too. I might just finish the last one tomorrow.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Wonderment?
I am still stunned (not really, but...) by the blame game surrounding the Tucson shooting. First, while K had on the boob tube yesterday, there was a commercial that had shooting and explosions and all kinds of violence and then I noted the product being pitched had nothing to do with shooting and explosions and all kinds of violence, at least not directly. I thought, "Hmmm...commercials, the shows themselves, movies. How many acts of extreme violence are on the boob tube and big screen every day/night? That we so callously exhibit these is quite troubling. That we seem to embrace them, as noted by the popularity of such programs, movies, and video games, not to mention some forms of so-called "music," is more troubling. Yet, has there been any great cry, from either side, about the effects of these overt displays of violence? Oh, it's just television or games or...! Well, let's see, if "it's just...," why do companies spend billions of dollars using it/them to influence our thinking and behavior? It must have some impact. But, again, nary a peep. Second, this AM's newspaper had more letters-to-the-editor about "blame." One came from a "health care professional" or so the writer claimed. He blamed the shooting on the right wing rhetoric, "the conservatives." So, this is what passes as a "professional?" What about the facts that the vitriol has also come from the left, the liberals? Saul Alinsky's book isn't a comic book. President Obama was the one who said, "If they bring knives, we'll bring guns." (Gee, talk about a tie to the Tucson shootings...?) And a New Republic regular claims he was the one who started using "crosshairs" on political "targets." Maybe I'm missing something....
And, the evidence continues to pile up that our schools are being run by boobs--not just locally, but all over the nation. Some school in CA prevented a kid from riding his bike to school because he had an American flag attached to it. I can't begin to think why some ding-a-ling would be opposed to this. Well, I can and none of the thoughts are at all flattering. The kid's story came to light, the local and national support for him was overwhelming. More than 100 veterans on their motorcycles accompanied him to school one day--US flags on their bikes, too. No word from the school, except that the ban was lifted. Why is whoever started this still in hi or her position? Of course, I know why.... It's pandemic.
A local newspaper article this weekend documented how state scores on student tests have been inflated to make the schools look better. Anyone paying attention, anyone who has direct contact with recent graduates knows things aren't getting "better." And they won't until some hard facts are faced and difficult decisions are made. This includes getting rid of current leadership (if it can be called that) and many teachers--all over the country. But what is the likelihood of that? I'd bet Las Vegas would set the odds at close to zero.
And, the evidence continues to pile up that our schools are being run by boobs--not just locally, but all over the nation. Some school in CA prevented a kid from riding his bike to school because he had an American flag attached to it. I can't begin to think why some ding-a-ling would be opposed to this. Well, I can and none of the thoughts are at all flattering. The kid's story came to light, the local and national support for him was overwhelming. More than 100 veterans on their motorcycles accompanied him to school one day--US flags on their bikes, too. No word from the school, except that the ban was lifted. Why is whoever started this still in hi or her position? Of course, I know why.... It's pandemic.
A local newspaper article this weekend documented how state scores on student tests have been inflated to make the schools look better. Anyone paying attention, anyone who has direct contact with recent graduates knows things aren't getting "better." And they won't until some hard facts are faced and difficult decisions are made. This includes getting rid of current leadership (if it can be called that) and many teachers--all over the country. But what is the likelihood of that? I'd bet Las Vegas would set the odds at close to zero.
Mon AM Thoughts
Brrrrrr! It's still cold out there--Ashley and I share, "Baby...it's cold outside!" It was zero, actual temperature, not that windchill stuff, yesterday during our run. It hit a high here of 12 during the afternoon, but is back at zero right now. It was odd, with the low temperatures, to watch the bright sunshine still melt the light dusting of snow on our driveway. Radiant heat....
I was laughed at yesterday, at least a bit, for not watching the football game(s). In fact, in yakking on the phone, I discovered who was playing. I was almost shamed into turning on the Packers/Bears game, but soon lost interest. I didn't watch any of the Steelers/Jets game. I try, but I just have no interest in these games. We've been invited to a Super Bowl Party and I'm looking forward to going. But I doubt I'll watch much of the game, but will be Mr Social--you know me!
It is really gratifying to see some of the 3rd/4th graders play basketball. OK, one of them is really head and shoulders above almost all of the rest--in the whole league, not just our team. But the improvement over last year is fun to watch--many don't really score at all, although some do, but they have an idea of what they are doing, play hard, and do other things like play defense and even dribble much better. Practice tonight and I'm looking forward to it.
Ugh. I spent about 6-7 hours yesterday grading papers. I have about 2 1/2 classes (of 4) done so far. I hope to finish all of the rest today, along with entering my final class lists. I figure another 3-4 hours today. More come in this week, but the essays won't be as long.
I was laughed at yesterday, at least a bit, for not watching the football game(s). In fact, in yakking on the phone, I discovered who was playing. I was almost shamed into turning on the Packers/Bears game, but soon lost interest. I didn't watch any of the Steelers/Jets game. I try, but I just have no interest in these games. We've been invited to a Super Bowl Party and I'm looking forward to going. But I doubt I'll watch much of the game, but will be Mr Social--you know me!
It is really gratifying to see some of the 3rd/4th graders play basketball. OK, one of them is really head and shoulders above almost all of the rest--in the whole league, not just our team. But the improvement over last year is fun to watch--many don't really score at all, although some do, but they have an idea of what they are doing, play hard, and do other things like play defense and even dribble much better. Practice tonight and I'm looking forward to it.
Ugh. I spent about 6-7 hours yesterday grading papers. I have about 2 1/2 classes (of 4) done so far. I hope to finish all of the rest today, along with entering my final class lists. I figure another 3-4 hours today. More come in this week, but the essays won't be as long.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Discourse
What is the phrase used by the comedian(s)? "And they vote!" This has struck me reading and hearing the comments from those blaming the "vitriol," "the hate speech," the whatever of the critics of the gov't for the shootings by that nutcase in Tucson.
It would then seem that any action that is undesirable, even violent action, can be "blamed" on someone's speech. Theo van Gogh's death? Those critics of Islam should have kept their mouths shut. You get it....
It would also seem people have very short or, more likely, very selective memories. (Or perhaps they are just ignorant.) Who was it who said, "If they bring knives, we'll bring guns!" and who is the self-proclaimed "author" of using scope crosshairs on political targets? (Hint: He writes for The New Republic and is often the spokesman for "the Left" on television and radio talk shows.) I have no problem with either of these, just as I have no problem with the Tea Parties, Palin, et al.
And, any comment about the likes of Saul Alinsky and Rules for Radicals? Did that inspire others to violence? Where are/were the clamors about it from those issuing diatribes now? Not only did he get a free pass; he got a teaching position at one of our most prestigious universities. Double standards, hypocrisy...I've let my opinions be known about those.
Ross Douthat was quoted in the paper this AM and it is right on the money: "When our politicians and media loudmouths act like fools and zealots, they should be held responsible for being fools and zealots." As the Codester would say, as a matter of clear fact, "Yep!"
When we give up our right to voice, forcefully, with meaning, our views and opinions, we have begun the descent from democracy and freedom.
That said, Bill Bennett had a calm voice of reason this week. (And who are the two people, I let them identify themselves, who, in recent months remarked to me, "You like Bennett? He's a bigot!" I replied to them, "Oh? Can you give me an example of his bigotry?" When there was silence, I went on, "I think Bennett is very intelligent. People need to listen to him." There was, of course, more silence while his critics thought me, too, a bigot I'll bet. But, that kind of thought couldn't lead to an atmosphere of a shooting in a mall parking lot, could it? No, it's always the other side's "vitriol" and "hate speech.") Anyway, Bennett remarked that a lot of this shouting, from either side, is pointless because it won't convince anyone to change opinions. Who, being yelled at or called names, will concede or at least reconsider a point? Yes, I'm thinking about that one...but I'm also thinking about "fools and zealots" being held "responsible" through forceful speech.
Out to shovel 2" or so.... It's so beautiful out there, just before dawn.
It would then seem that any action that is undesirable, even violent action, can be "blamed" on someone's speech. Theo van Gogh's death? Those critics of Islam should have kept their mouths shut. You get it....
It would also seem people have very short or, more likely, very selective memories. (Or perhaps they are just ignorant.) Who was it who said, "If they bring knives, we'll bring guns!" and who is the self-proclaimed "author" of using scope crosshairs on political targets? (Hint: He writes for The New Republic and is often the spokesman for "the Left" on television and radio talk shows.) I have no problem with either of these, just as I have no problem with the Tea Parties, Palin, et al.
And, any comment about the likes of Saul Alinsky and Rules for Radicals? Did that inspire others to violence? Where are/were the clamors about it from those issuing diatribes now? Not only did he get a free pass; he got a teaching position at one of our most prestigious universities. Double standards, hypocrisy...I've let my opinions be known about those.
Ross Douthat was quoted in the paper this AM and it is right on the money: "When our politicians and media loudmouths act like fools and zealots, they should be held responsible for being fools and zealots." As the Codester would say, as a matter of clear fact, "Yep!"
When we give up our right to voice, forcefully, with meaning, our views and opinions, we have begun the descent from democracy and freedom.
That said, Bill Bennett had a calm voice of reason this week. (And who are the two people, I let them identify themselves, who, in recent months remarked to me, "You like Bennett? He's a bigot!" I replied to them, "Oh? Can you give me an example of his bigotry?" When there was silence, I went on, "I think Bennett is very intelligent. People need to listen to him." There was, of course, more silence while his critics thought me, too, a bigot I'll bet. But, that kind of thought couldn't lead to an atmosphere of a shooting in a mall parking lot, could it? No, it's always the other side's "vitriol" and "hate speech.") Anyway, Bennett remarked that a lot of this shouting, from either side, is pointless because it won't convince anyone to change opinions. Who, being yelled at or called names, will concede or at least reconsider a point? Yes, I'm thinking about that one...but I'm also thinking about "fools and zealots" being held "responsible" through forceful speech.
Out to shovel 2" or so.... It's so beautiful out there, just before dawn.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Ariz Shootings
What a terrible tragedy, in more ways than one! A nine-year old girl shot and killed? How utterly senseless. Esp with my own 9-year old, my heart breaks. Others, there just to express opinions, voice protests or support, or even just to shop for groceries.... No mercy, none, should be shown this shooter.
Of course, the foolish, ridiculous comments came out almost faster than I expected. The shootings, according to these fools, can be laid at the feet of Palin, the Tea Partiers, and their ilk. C'mon, how stupid! So, then, I suppose, the murders committed by Al Capone and the Purple Gang can be blamed on the Prohibitionists? Let's also blame Charlie Manson on the Beatles?
At Cooper Union, Lincoln opined, "A highwayman holds a pistol to my ear and mutters through his teeth, 'Stand and deliver or I shall kill you and then you will be a murderer!'" No!
Lost in much of this isn't this nut's derangement, but the real anger Americans have for their elected officials (and their appointees). People are sick and tired of the kind of government we've been getting for the past decades, the growth, the intrusions on our lives, the wastefulness, the arrogance of the self-anointed elites, etc. Again, this in no way, none, gives any slack to the shooter (yes, I believe in the death penalty, esp when the victims include a 9-year old!). But those who have no reverence or even respect for the Constitution need to reconsider all of the harm they have done, through selfishness and/or arrogance, desire for power, or even misguided intents. Stop. Stop right now and start doing the right things. (There, I've said it, "...the right things!" Yes, that's a value judgment, but I don't accept that junk from the relativists, the diversity folks, etc. I believe there is a right and a wrong, OK with maybe some over which we can legitimately, but respectfully and peacefully disagree. But there are "right things.")
OK, out to make chocolate chunk cookies with Ashley.
Of course, the foolish, ridiculous comments came out almost faster than I expected. The shootings, according to these fools, can be laid at the feet of Palin, the Tea Partiers, and their ilk. C'mon, how stupid! So, then, I suppose, the murders committed by Al Capone and the Purple Gang can be blamed on the Prohibitionists? Let's also blame Charlie Manson on the Beatles?
At Cooper Union, Lincoln opined, "A highwayman holds a pistol to my ear and mutters through his teeth, 'Stand and deliver or I shall kill you and then you will be a murderer!'" No!
Lost in much of this isn't this nut's derangement, but the real anger Americans have for their elected officials (and their appointees). People are sick and tired of the kind of government we've been getting for the past decades, the growth, the intrusions on our lives, the wastefulness, the arrogance of the self-anointed elites, etc. Again, this in no way, none, gives any slack to the shooter (yes, I believe in the death penalty, esp when the victims include a 9-year old!). But those who have no reverence or even respect for the Constitution need to reconsider all of the harm they have done, through selfishness and/or arrogance, desire for power, or even misguided intents. Stop. Stop right now and start doing the right things. (There, I've said it, "...the right things!" Yes, that's a value judgment, but I don't accept that junk from the relativists, the diversity folks, etc. I believe there is a right and a wrong, OK with maybe some over which we can legitimately, but respectfully and peacefully disagree. But there are "right things.")
OK, out to make chocolate chunk cookies with Ashley.
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