June 24, 2018

Association removes Laura Ingalls Wilder's name from award

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/association-removes-laura-ingalls-wilders-name-from-award/2018/06/24/bd258926-77c5-11e8-ac4e-421ef7165923_story.html?utm_term=.d7668595dec2

"A division of the American Library Association has voted to remove Laura Ingalls Wilder’s name from a major children’s book award over concerns with how the early-to-mid 20th century author portrayed blacks and Native Americans."


I cannot agree with this decision. Wilder's books have been beloved by generations. I read them out loud in speech therapy (made the therapist mad because I would always burn through them when not in therapy because they were so interesting). My wife absolutely loves her. Her books are a product of her time.

I think this decision just throws red meat to the Trump base.

April 23, 2018

Well my alma mater has finally done it

They slapped the Purdue name on Kaplan.

It sucks. They are operating just like every one of the for profits.

I knew it was coming, but I am depressed.

$371/credit for a Business degree which requires 180 credits = $67K before fees.

https://go.purdueglobal.edu/?source=SF45778&ve=61951&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ps&utm_campaign=pgg_pr_soco_gen_2018-Q2&utm_content=WorldClassEducation-General-LPP-WomanChildComputer-21to65-AllGenders-1WCA-FB-NA-Logo_LPP&gclid=CIHEoJCn0doCFS6WxQIdjyAGBg&gclsrc=ds&dclid=CPvgpZCn0doCFRS_Twod8ToAIg

April 7, 2018

Name one musician if you could only have the songs

that the artist played on to listen to for the rest of your life.

For example for Paul McCartney you would have all the Beatles albums along with the Wings and his solo albums and assorted duets.

For me it would be Eric Clapton

March 12, 2018

The Song about Parkland has already been written

over 50 years ago

For What It Is Worth

Lyrics
**There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear**

**There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware**

I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong

**Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind**

It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side
It's s time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down


**Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid**

You step out of line, the man come and take you away
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Songwriters: Stephen Stills
For What It Is Worth lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

February 5, 2018

MLK Jr. selling RAM trucks

Super Bowl ad.

I am speechless.

January 11, 2018

No College Kid Needs a Water Park to Study

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/09/opinion/trustees-tuition-lazy-rivers.html?_r=0


"The unfortunate truth is that while most college presidents care deeply about their institution’s success, an important part of their job is to shake free more resources. They seldom initiate serious campaigns to contain costs.

This means it falls on trustees to be better prepared to help challenge costly proposals that don’t add educational value. When it comes to state schools, the states themselves should educate trustees to understand their responsibilities to the citizenry and students. Training on big-picture issues and higher-education trends, such as the financial trade-off between instruction and research, the costs of intercollegiate athletics, and the expansion of amenities, would help trustees develop courage to ask college presidents probing questions that look beyond institutional narratives and cherry-picked rhetoric."

Too much of our politics in our country is binary. Yes for profits are horrible and Obama's administration took steps to address the problem (steps sadly being unwound by de Vos and Trump). Public institutions also have to address whether they are providing the very best education at the lowest cost.