Sunday, July 28, 2013

Helen Thomas and Lindy Boggs

Helen Thomas and Lindy Boggs

Two kick-ass women who did the hard work of American Public Service. And if you think doing it as women was a soft gig, think again.

Ms. Thomas was the first woman in the White House Press room in an industry more famous than firefighting for macho, sexist behaviors.

And when Representative Boggs (Dem, La.) took office, women couldn't even get credit cards (no cheap laughs, please).

http://dearborn.patch.com/groups/sound-off/p/arab-american-national-museum-pays-tribute-to-pioneering-journalist-helen-thomas


http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/lindy-boggs-congresswoman-and-democratic-leader-dies-at-97/2013/07/27/02f452ae-f6c8-11e2-aa2e-4088616498b4_story.html


Helen Thomas and Lindy Boggs

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Multiple learning modalities

Multiple learning modalities

Not everybody learns the same way.

If I had to pick only one of the challenges in today's classrooms, it would be this.

When one lesson is prepared in one way, many of the targets will be bored and lost. Sometimes not their fault. As teachers, to have success we have to be aware and skilled in the many methods to "Chalk and Talk."

Nothing new here.

Any thoughts?

DD out

Oh, here is a Chinese article on the subject:
http://journal.9med.net/qikan/article.php?id=179886



Multiple learning modalities

Kelly Ripa

Kelly Ripa

National Enquirer has Kelly Ripa suffering under an incurable brain disorder that puts her at odds with various people around her.

Apparently, little things set her off in a big way. "The sounds of her family chewing send her off in a big way."

Sounds like a common condition to me. Know what we call it?

Now get back to work!

DD out

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/exclusive-it-true-what-theyre-saying-about-kelly-ripa




Kelly Ripa
7/24/13

Monday, July 22, 2013

Gun control is illegal, and has been since 2005

Gun control is illegal, and has been since 2005.

That was when the 109th Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. This law has made it illegal in most cases to sue the gun industry, no matter what they do.

Bill Moyers had Tom Diaz on his last show shilling his book The Last Gun. He made a very compelling presentation of the power and immorality of the gun lobby and their host, the firearms production and distribution megaweb.

So if you think that there should be some limits placed on the landslide of weapons that is destroying our society like an exploding cancer, this is one possible place to start. Until this law is repealed, no meaningful action involving our justice system can be taken against the gun industry or by extension the NRA.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-109publ92/pdf/PLAW-109publ92.pdf

Tom Diaz and his book The Last Gun

http://billmoyers.com/

Gun control is illegal, and has been since 2005.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Revising Revisionist Science

Revising Revisionist Science

Now, I am loath to join the ranks of those who claim that science is wont to accurately say what's what because we haven't been around long enough. Like, "how is 6 billion accurate for the formation of the universe? Who was there to confirm?"

But.

This study says that warming in the ocean is unprecedented since the birth of the planet. They use a web of ultra sophisticated, floats that slowly dive to 600m, measure and record the ambient water temp, and then rise to the surface. My question is this: What the hell are they comparing it to? The last time someone used a web of ultra sophisticated, floats that slowly dive to 600m, measure and record the ambient water temp, and then rise to the surface?

I'm just sayin'...

http://earthsky.org/earth/warming-in-deep-ocean-may-be-unprecedented-scientists-say

DD out


Revising Revisionist Science

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Gasland 2 - Discussion Group

Gasland 2 - Discussion Group

If even half of what is claimed in Gasland 2 (2012), a new anti-fracking documentary, we all have to ditch our gas ovens and their nice, dependable blue cooking flames of joy. At least for a while.

--------

I have been raised on "clean natural gas" my entire life in Southern California, and do not welcome the absence of the cleanest, cheapest and most dependable source of heating and cooking energy I have ever known. But as presented by Josh Fox in his sequel to Gasland (2010) the process is deeply flawed. The corporations promoting and carrying out this procedure of breaking rock deep underground with pressure and chemical infused water has raised many questions. Like, how true is it that the water of several people whose wells are near fracking activity is now undrinkable and flammable?

This guy thinks Gasland 2 is full of shit. Does he represent a drilling concern?

Is it true as claimed in the film that Fracking is exempt from federal Clean Water Act legislation?

ANGA, America's Natural Gas Alliance says there are inconsistencies in the film. Let's see? Who do they represent again? Should we have faith in their claims?

Is it true that there exists a relationship between Homeland Security and the Fracking industry through Tom Ridge, former Director of HS, and now a prominent lobbyist for fracking concerns, including stumping for them on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart?

Best to watch the film yourself, then talk with your friends, family and co-workers about it. Come back here and you will always find a place to post your thoughts, feelings, and questions.

http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/screenings

I just realized I was baking with gas while I was writing this. I propose this: let's gain awareness of our current usage with an inventory. Keep track when you cook with gas, heat with gas, drive in or on a vehicle powered by natural gas. Learn if any of your electricity is produced by natural gas. Find out if the buildings you spend most of your time in use it. Once we gain an idea of how much we use the stuff, we may see we are in for a VERY big Jones.

DD

Links
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/07/07/1221731/-Fact-Checking-Josh-Fox-Gasland-2-Oil-Gas-Industry-NOT-Exempt-from-Clean-Air-Clean-Water-Acts#

Gasland 2, The Movie

Gasland 2 - Discussion Group

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Zimmerman's jury's obligation

Zimmerman's jury's obligation

Let me tell you what the jury's obligation is in the Zimmerman trial.

That is to follow the judges instructions and interpret the law based on evidence presented in court and decide very precise points of law based on that evidence only.


Thursday, July 4, 2013

The Flag is my backpack



The Flag is my backpack

The flag is a backpack to me. I mean, it is much more than a static, arcane element forced on me by my society. And it should be for you, too. Whether you pin one on your lapel before press conferences, or talk through the anthem when one is raised before sports stuff, or if, maybe, sadly, you have seen an official hand a neatly-triangled one to a sad spouse or child in exchange and as demonstration for substantial public service. I have been there for that one, multiple times. It gets me every time. That flag, soon packed into its three sided glass topped box, will convey honor and respect for the principles long after the past is passed.

I hopped up on my roof and put the flag up in the breeze today. I am glad I did it early. The part of town I am in stresses that. No one would mention it. But it might be noted. And I would have been weaker than -- or less patriotic -- I wanted to be.

I like to think of the flag as a backpack. In it I can place many stories -- books full of 'em -- of Private Ryans, and Seamen Whitings, and scared, overmatched soldiers of all ages and skills and families, that showed up and did the hard work. Hard work I have never sniffed. The backpack can carry the tales and remind me.

The flag can also be a nice pair of pants. Not leather skinnys for the club, or pin-striped for the boardroom, but a pair for the wild. Heavy guage cotton reinforced. Good pockets. Eazy zippers. Cinch at the bottom if you didn't bring gators. The kind that work well with a nice broken in pair of hiking boots and won't let in too much of the trail, or let you down with a split seam or burst zipper at 15,000' crossing an ice field. The flag of my country prepares me for future excursions, both by reminding me of the past and leading off on into an uncertain future. Just like that Jungle Jack pair I had for years from the Surplus Store.

The flag is like many things. Like food and water on the trail to nourish and energize. A map back as well as a hope that since THEY got through with this one, quite maybe we can, too.

And, of course, the flag is a piece of Art. A representational item around which to rally ethereal, nationlalistic, and patriotic feelings anchor them to something physical, and beat other people up with them. Hopefully assholes who deserve it.

Often the beattees are just people in our way who have some shit we want. The flag promises me that whatever I do to serve and protect, my intention is always the whole species. The whole planet. So, Buddha, Allah, Jesus, Yawhey, et al, thank you for your time and your attention. Please help me be a good American. The world really needs me to be. Namaste to us all.

DD
7/4/2013
Los Angeles, California




The Flag is my backpack

Monday, July 1, 2013

Atheist benchmark

Atheist benchmark

This is good determination. I am SO GLAD I was not in charge of this one.

The Christians won a decision some time ago about keeping the ten commandments up outside a courthouse. Whatever. So where I would  -- AM -- still be screaming "black!" to the kettle, what'd Madelline Murray O'hare's followers do?

Just make lemonade for the masses, that is all!

So we can't have your monument torn down? Oh, well! Enjoy our bench!

Expecting uniformity within any group is misplaced, no different here. Many on both sides are upset with the copy: a quote from 60's maven Madeline Murray O'Hare, that denigrates prayers and praying.

http://www.inquisitr.com/824625/atheist-monument-at-florida-courthouse-not-first-wont-be-last/



Atheist benchmark

Yoga is NOT illegal in California

Yoga is NOT illegal in California

Let's see if I can get this out without swearing.

Someone was successful in pushing through the courts that Yoga classes at an elementary school were force-feeding religion to the kids in violation of -- oh fuck, oh fuck, OH FUCK!!

So some bible salesman couldn't force the local school to have hourly prayer meetings and fuel the A/C by burning the science books, and some other asshole listens to him/her and actually pushes litigation in front of a judge on whether it is possible to force the school to shut down a thriving yoga program.

Double duh.

I better dig into this a little. Might be more than a sound bite.

Yeah, I knew I couldn't, either.


http://fox5sandiego.com/2013/07/01/judge-rules-yoga-classes-can-continue-at-encinitas-schools/#axzz2XrXCLXSm



Yoga is NOT illegal in California