The new face of SNAP? Food stamps buy lobster for surfer and his buddies
WARNING: REALLY BAD LANGUAGE IS PRESENT IN BOTH ARTICLE AND VIDEO
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Thursday's Bible Recipe: Lamb and Couscous
This may be the most common recipe of the 1st century, somewhat adapted to modern tastes [Craisins? Really?].
1 large package of couscous
¾ cup boiling water
2 lb. lamb, trimmed of fat and cubed
olive or sunflower oil
1 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. allspice
½ tsp. ground cloves
4 Tbsp. honey
2 cups fresh chives, diced
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. salt
½ cup dried cranberries or craisins
juice and rind of 1 lemon
small bunch fresh parsley, chopped
Preheat oven to 450°F.
In a large bowl, mix the couscous with boiling water and wait for about 10 minutes. Whisk with a fork, cover, and set aside. (If the mixture seems dry, add a bit of hot water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, until it appears fluffier.)
Place lamb cubes into a large frying pan and brown, brushing them with olive or sunflower oil while constantly turning over the cubes. Sprinkle on turmeric, allspice, and ground cloves and continue to cook on a low temperature for about 10 minutes, all the while brushing the cubes with oil. Slowly pour the honey over the meat, increase the temperature, and cook for about 5 minutes, making sure that the meat is done but not burned.
Remove the lamb and set aside in a large, covered serving bowl. Saute´ the chives, garlic, pepper, and salt in the juice remnants (if very little juice remains, add a bit of hot water and 1 tsp. oil and continue) and cook for 5–7 minutes on a moderate heat. Stir in the dried cranberries (or craisins) and the lemon juice and rind; then mix in the couscous. Pour the couscous mixture over the lamb and toss in the chopped parsley. Turn out onto a large cake platter and serve.
Makes approximately 4 normal servings at 430 calories per.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Hartford Would Prefer That Investors Stay Out Of The State, Thank You
Connecticut is ranked 50th among the states for economic growth, the number of small businesses is shrinking more rapidly than in 47 states, the state just raised taxes by 1.8 billion dollars and that still won't be enough to maintain the overgenerous, underfunded state public pensions, Barron's rates the state as the worst in the union for investment, and don't get me started on the quiet but staggering growth in costs associated with probate court.
That, plus the loss of hundreds of more jobs at Pratt and Whitney; Ruger building its new plant, and its 400 new jobs, in North Carolina, and the capital's daily paper has a shrinking circulation, a sinking budget, and waning influence.
So, naturally, the city government would take the following action:
Council Passes Resolution Opposing Koch Brothers’ Takeover Of Hartford Courant
That, plus the loss of hundreds of more jobs at Pratt and Whitney; Ruger building its new plant, and its 400 new jobs, in North Carolina, and the capital's daily paper has a shrinking circulation, a sinking budget, and waning influence.
So, naturally, the city government would take the following action:
Council Passes Resolution Opposing Koch Brothers’ Takeover Of Hartford Courant
Wednesday's Art
"The Good Samaritan" by Eugene Delacroix, completed in 1852. It may be viewed in London's Victoria and Albert Museum.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Soon, If You Want To Buy Even Just One Shotgun Shell For Skeet Shooting, Connecticut Will Demand You Be Trained In Gun Safety By Official Instructors
You know, like this guy:
Gun safety instructor SHOOTS one of his students by accident while demonstrating how to use a firearm
So relax, and leave the guns to the professionals.
A poor man has much more interest in good government than a rich man. A poor man must stay and be misgoverned; a rich man has a yacht.
— G.K. Chesterton (@GKCDaily) August 12, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
If You Know History, You Are Less Likely To Be Exploited
So, from the government's point of view, this is an ideal decision:
National Civics, History Tests to Disappear
National Civics, History Tests to Disappear
Anglican/Episcopal Person Of The Week
Jeremy Taylor [1613-1667] - In the years between 1633 and the ascendancy of the Puritans in 1645, Taylor was a Fellow of two Cambridge colleges and chaplain to Archbishop Laud and to King Charles. Under Puritan rule, he was imprisoned three times, and forced into retirement as a family chaplain in Wales. After the Restoration, in 1661, he became Bishop of Down and Connor in Ireland.
Taylor wrote many works of theology, but they can be best summarized by this quotation he once offered to one of his students: "A religion without mystery must be a religion without God."
O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered: Make us, like your servant Jeremy Taylor, deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of human life; and let your Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Another Broken Narrative
I seem to recall, in the aftermath of our state's shooting spree tragedy, a few timid souls mildly challenged Hollywood about their rampant use of gun violence as plot devices in contemporary entertainment. This seemed reasonable, in light of the fact that a brace of stars and starlets were posting videos scolding those of us on the outside of their bubble not to be violent and not to be permitted what appears to be a Constitutional right. After all, entertainment is where one may find the most egregious and soul-twisting examples of gun, knife, power tool, and kung fu death grip violence.
When challenged, I recall some greasy auteur getting rather exercised about the question and responding that television shows and movies don't encourage violence. Well:
From 'Breaking Bad' to worse: When TV shows inspire wicked crimes
When challenged, I recall some greasy auteur getting rather exercised about the question and responding that television shows and movies don't encourage violence. Well:
From 'Breaking Bad' to worse: When TV shows inspire wicked crimes
Saturday, August 10, 2013
I Don't Think This Was Meant To Be Seen By The General Public
Political consultants write a booklet on how to exploit the deaths of innocents to further an ideology. Ah, secularism.
The booklet explicitly urges foes of the Second Amendment to abjure rationality in favor of the argumentum ad passiones, or appeal to emotion. "When talking to broader audiences, we want to meet them where they are," the authors advise. "That means emphasizing emotion over policy prescriptions, keeping our facts and our case simple and direct, and avoiding arguments that leave people thinking they don't know enough about the topic to weigh in."
The do's and don'ts are consistent with this advice. "Examples of power language" include: "It breaks my heart that every day in our country (state or city) children wake up worried and frightened about getting shot." "Just imagine the pain that a mother or father feels when their young child is gunned down." "The real outrage--the thing that makes this violence so unforgivable--is that we know how to stop it and we're not getting it done."
The booklet explicitly urges foes of the Second Amendment to abjure rationality in favor of the argumentum ad passiones, or appeal to emotion. "When talking to broader audiences, we want to meet them where they are," the authors advise. "That means emphasizing emotion over policy prescriptions, keeping our facts and our case simple and direct, and avoiding arguments that leave people thinking they don't know enough about the topic to weigh in."
The do's and don'ts are consistent with this advice. "Examples of power language" include: "It breaks my heart that every day in our country (state or city) children wake up worried and frightened about getting shot." "Just imagine the pain that a mother or father feels when their young child is gunned down." "The real outrage--the thing that makes this violence so unforgivable--is that we know how to stop it and we're not getting it done."
Speaking of Rocky, his 80th birthday cake is, well, unbelievably awesome. pic.twitter.com/Rukr94zyB6
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 10, 2013
Rocky Colavito's birthday cake. If you have to ask "Rocky who?", I feel sorry for you.
Give Me Five Minutes
How Did Rich Connecticut Morph Into One Of America's Worst Performing Economies?
Here's a gem:
Here's a gem:
- Connecticut ranks #50 – the worst — in annual economic growth. According to the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, Connecticut’s economy contracted for the second year in a row. “Connecticut is the laggard,” reported Connecticut Department of Labor economist Daniel Kennedy.
Mr. And Mrs. Government Didn't Do So Well This Time
Actually this is a painful story to read, so please be advised.
State Seizes Two-Year-Old Child From Parents Because They Smoked Pot, Child Dies in Foster Care
State Seizes Two-Year-Old Child From Parents Because They Smoked Pot, Child Dies in Foster Care
Friday, August 9, 2013
Unique Churches: St. Edward's, The Cotswolds, UK
St. Edward's was originally built in the 11th century, but reflects the complicated Christian history of England in its evolving design and appearance. It was added to in the 15th century and renovated in the 17th and again in the 19th centuries. It is known for its north entrance, which is flanked by two ancient yew trees that have found themselves merging with the building itself, a nice evocation of how the natural and the human-made are united for greater purpose by God.
More about the church and its parish may be found here.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Thursday's Biblical Recipe: Grilled Mackerel on a Stick [John 21:1–14]
- ⅓ cup sunflower or sesame oil
- juice of 3 limes
- 1 Tbsp. tarragon
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 2 lb. fresh mackerel or sea bass, cut into 1” chunks
- 2 large onions, cut and separated into small wedges
- 12 small truffles [Good luck finding/affording these, so feel free to omit].
- 4 ripe tomatoes, cut into thirds
- 1 green pepper, cut in pieces
- 1 yellow pepper, cut in pieces
- 3 limes, cut in half
- basmati rice and capers
Concoct a spicy marinade of sesame oil, lime juice, tarragon, salt, and paprika. Place the fish chunks in a large dish and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
Skewer the fish, alternating with wedges of onion, tomato, truffle, and green and yellow pepper. Place over hot flame or coals, turning frequently, for about 6–8 minutes, being careful not to overcook the fish. Serve on a bed of basmati rice and capers, and sprinkle with lime juice squeezed by hand.
Makes 4 normal servings.
While what we call mackerel was not present in the Sea of Galilee, a fish closely related was. This is an approximation to what Jewish families of the Galilean region would be eating, and what the resurrected Jesus shared with his disciples on the cited occasion in the Gospel of John.
With the basmati and capers, a serving would contain around 347 calories.
Of course, in the 1st century, the whole fish, head and all, would be served on the stick and not sliced, either. I'm told they're tastier with the head still on.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Relax, Let The Professionals Handle The Guns [And Tasers]
An 18-year-old skater was Tasered to death yesterday by Miami Beach Police officers after they caught him tagging a building.
He painted some graffiti you see, so he had to die.
He painted some graffiti you see, so he had to die.
Yeah, I'd Rather Not Be The One To Answer That
Will These Wetsuits Actually Deter Shark Attacks, or Just Encourage Them?
Given what they look like, I'd rather not wear one, anyway.
Given what they look like, I'd rather not wear one, anyway.
"Why, Exactly, Did We Leave Poland?" Or, Relax And Leave The Guns To The Professionals.
A disturbing trend in law enforcement: Heavily alarmed assault teams sent after emaciated fawns, WWII veterans in walkers, and unarmed college kids buying bottled water
A group of state Alcoholic Beverage Control agents clad in plainclothes approached her, suspecting the blue carton of LaCroix sparkling water to be a 12-pack of beer. Police say one of the agents jumped on the hood of her car. She says one drew a gun. Unsure of who they were, Daly tried to flee the darkened parking lot.
and
It took no fewer than nine crack commandoes from the Department of Natural Resources plus four deputy sheriffs to swoop down on the Society of St Francis in order to euthanize a fawn.
and now,
First they tased him, but that didn’t work. So they fired a shotgun, hitting him in the stomach with a bean-bag round. Wrana was struck with such force that he bled to death internally, according to the Cook County medical examiner.“The Japanese military couldn’t get him at the age he was touchable, in a uniform in the war. It took 70 years later for the Park Forest police to do the job,” Wrana’s family attorney, Nicholas Grapsas, a former prosecutor, said in an interview with me Thursday.
He chose not to take his medication, you see, so he had to die.
A group of state Alcoholic Beverage Control agents clad in plainclothes approached her, suspecting the blue carton of LaCroix sparkling water to be a 12-pack of beer. Police say one of the agents jumped on the hood of her car. She says one drew a gun. Unsure of who they were, Daly tried to flee the darkened parking lot.
and
It took no fewer than nine crack commandoes from the Department of Natural Resources plus four deputy sheriffs to swoop down on the Society of St Francis in order to euthanize a fawn.
and now,
First they tased him, but that didn’t work. So they fired a shotgun, hitting him in the stomach with a bean-bag round. Wrana was struck with such force that he bled to death internally, according to the Cook County medical examiner.“The Japanese military couldn’t get him at the age he was touchable, in a uniform in the war. It took 70 years later for the Park Forest police to do the job,” Wrana’s family attorney, Nicholas Grapsas, a former prosecutor, said in an interview with me Thursday.
He chose not to take his medication, you see, so he had to die.
Wednesday Art: Type [Eve] Meets Ante-Type [Mary] In Christian Art
It's entitled "Fall and Rise Again"
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
Sunday, August 4, 2013
She's Spiritual, Not Religious
Soon, all of us will soon be able to stay alive for as long as we want to. Imagine the eternity we will be living in. Smile! I love you!!!
— Yoko Ono (@yokoono) August 4, 2013
This Week's Lesser Feasts
August 7:
John Mason Neale [1818-1866] - Neale founded the Sisterhood of St. Margaret, an early convent of nursing nuns in the Anglican [Episcopal] Communion, specifically of and for the Church of England. However, his greatest contribution was as a composer of hymns, of which this is but a partial list:
A great and mighty wonder
All glory, laud and honor
Alleluia, song of gladness
Blessed city, heavenly Salem
Blessed feasts of blessed martyrs
Brief life is here our portion
Christ is made the sure foundation
Christian, dost thou see them
Come, Holy Ghost, with God the Son
Come, ye faithful, raise the strain
Creator of the stars of night
Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord
For thee, O dear, dear country
Jerusalem the golden
Jesus, Name all names above
Let us now our voices raise
Light's abode, celestial Salem
Now that the daylight fills the sky
O blest Creator of the light
O God, creation's secret force
O God of truth, O Lord of might,
O sons and daughters, let us sing
O Trinity of blessed light
O what their joy and their glory must be
O wondrous type! O vision fair
Of the Father's love begotten
Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
Stars of the morning, so gloriously bright
The day is past and over
The day of resurrection
Those eternal bowers
Thou hallowed chosen morn of praise
To thee before the close of day
Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the example of your servant John Mason Neale, we may with integrity and courage accomplish what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
August 8:
Dominic [1170-1221], the founder of the Dominican Order of monks and nuns, originally established as a religious community based on the vow of poverty and the exercise of the intellect, and officially known as the Order of Preachers. Three times he was offered the post of bishop, and turned down each in order to continue a life that was simple and without the opulence that had become associated with episcopal authority.
O God of the prophets, you opened the eyes of your servant Dominic to perceive a famine of hearing the word of the Lord, and moved him, and those he drew about him, to satisfy that hunger with sound preaching and fervent devotion: Make your church, dear Lord, in this and every age, attentive to the hungers of the world, and quick to respond in love to those who are perishing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
August 10:
Laurence [?- 258] was one of the seven deacons of the congregation at Rome, those who were in charge of administering the church budget, especially for the care of the poor. In 257, Emperor Valerian began a persecution aimed mostly at the clergy and the laity of the upper classes, the goal of which was the seizure of church property and elimination of Christian "meetings". Pope Sixtus II and most of the clergy were summarily executed.
The Prefect of Rome, knowing that Laurence was the principal financial officer, promised to set him free if he would surrender the wealth of the Church. Laurence agreed, but said that it would take him three days to gather it. During those three days, he placed all the money at his disposal in the hands of stewards, and then assembled the sick, the aged, the poor, and the widows and orphans, presented them to the prefect, and said, "These are the treasures of the Church."
This was not well-received by Roman authority and Laurence was martyred with creative brutality.
Almighty God, you called your deacon Laurence to serve you with deeds of love, and gave him the crown of martyrdom; Grant that we, following his example, may fulfill your commandments by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving you with all our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
John Mason Neale [1818-1866] - Neale founded the Sisterhood of St. Margaret, an early convent of nursing nuns in the Anglican [Episcopal] Communion, specifically of and for the Church of England. However, his greatest contribution was as a composer of hymns, of which this is but a partial list:
A great and mighty wonder
All glory, laud and honor
Alleluia, song of gladness
Blessed city, heavenly Salem
Blessed feasts of blessed martyrs
Brief life is here our portion
Christ is made the sure foundation
Christian, dost thou see them
Come, Holy Ghost, with God the Son
Come, ye faithful, raise the strain
Creator of the stars of night
Draw nigh and take the Body of the Lord
For thee, O dear, dear country
Jerusalem the golden
Jesus, Name all names above
Let us now our voices raise
Light's abode, celestial Salem
Now that the daylight fills the sky
O blest Creator of the light
O God, creation's secret force
O God of truth, O Lord of might,
O sons and daughters, let us sing
O Trinity of blessed light
O what their joy and their glory must be
O wondrous type! O vision fair
Of the Father's love begotten
Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
Stars of the morning, so gloriously bright
The day is past and over
The day of resurrection
Those eternal bowers
Thou hallowed chosen morn of praise
To thee before the close of day
Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the example of your servant John Mason Neale, we may with integrity and courage accomplish what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
August 8:
Dominic [1170-1221], the founder of the Dominican Order of monks and nuns, originally established as a religious community based on the vow of poverty and the exercise of the intellect, and officially known as the Order of Preachers. Three times he was offered the post of bishop, and turned down each in order to continue a life that was simple and without the opulence that had become associated with episcopal authority.
O God of the prophets, you opened the eyes of your servant Dominic to perceive a famine of hearing the word of the Lord, and moved him, and those he drew about him, to satisfy that hunger with sound preaching and fervent devotion: Make your church, dear Lord, in this and every age, attentive to the hungers of the world, and quick to respond in love to those who are perishing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
August 10:
Laurence [?- 258] was one of the seven deacons of the congregation at Rome, those who were in charge of administering the church budget, especially for the care of the poor. In 257, Emperor Valerian began a persecution aimed mostly at the clergy and the laity of the upper classes, the goal of which was the seizure of church property and elimination of Christian "meetings". Pope Sixtus II and most of the clergy were summarily executed.
The Prefect of Rome, knowing that Laurence was the principal financial officer, promised to set him free if he would surrender the wealth of the Church. Laurence agreed, but said that it would take him three days to gather it. During those three days, he placed all the money at his disposal in the hands of stewards, and then assembled the sick, the aged, the poor, and the widows and orphans, presented them to the prefect, and said, "These are the treasures of the Church."
This was not well-received by Roman authority and Laurence was martyred with creative brutality.
Almighty God, you called your deacon Laurence to serve you with deeds of love, and gave him the crown of martyrdom; Grant that we, following his example, may fulfill your commandments by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving you with all our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
One Of The Things I Miss The Most In This Brave, New 21st Century Are Small Town Newspapers
They are, alas, fading into oblivion due to the realities of a changing market. The best thing about them, other than the pictures of common, uncomplicated life, were the marvelous headlines. For example, my favorite from the 1970's was "Man, 90, Dies".
Tim Blair, an Australian journalist, enjoys them, too, and relates a brief list:
• Oven removed from home
• No flood warnings for North Somerset
• Smug swans attack Dalmatian
• Mystery of wheelchair left in Shoreham pub
• Road stays open
• Man Found Nailed To Bench
• Elderly terrified by food fight
• Woman found in Germany
• Guides delighted with their rubbish award
• Goldfish catch sparks debate
• Youth Found In Phone Box With Fork
• Cat hops into delivery van
Tim Blair, an Australian journalist, enjoys them, too, and relates a brief list:
• Oven removed from home
• No flood warnings for North Somerset
• Smug swans attack Dalmatian
• Mystery of wheelchair left in Shoreham pub
• Road stays open
• Man Found Nailed To Bench
• Elderly terrified by food fight
• Woman found in Germany
• Guides delighted with their rubbish award
• Goldfish catch sparks debate
• Youth Found In Phone Box With Fork
• Cat hops into delivery van
Friday, August 2, 2013
Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people. #WakeUpI think I saw this somewhere. Was it the local senior center? Can't recall.
— trutherbot (@trutherbot) July 18, 2013
Stories Like This Are Getting Too Easy To Find, But Here We Go Again. Relax And Leave The Guns To The Professionals, Part Whatever
An eyewitness recorded cellphone video of a Santa Ana police officer shoot and kill an unarmed 22-year-old homeless man at a shopping center earlier this week.
He called her a name, you see, so he had to die.
He called her a name, you see, so he had to die.
Elsewhere In Cleveland, Some Clown Keeps Three Women As Prisoners In His Home For Ten Years And The Police Don't Notice
Cleveland Police Disciplining 75 Cops After An Unarmed Couple Was Shot 137 Times
Need I say it? Ah, what the heck: Relax and leave the guns to the professionals.
Need I say it? Ah, what the heck: Relax and leave the guns to the professionals.
The New York Times Continues To Distinguish Itself In The Field Of American Religion [And Pop Culture]
NYT struggles to distinguish Voltaire, Spider-Man and Jesus
This is the third occasion this year when the NYT has revealed itself to be staffed by dullards.
This is the third occasion this year when the NYT has revealed itself to be staffed by dullards.
One Of The Last Pieces Of Surfing's Innocent Days Is Now Dashed
This really bothers me, and it apparently bothers Mead, too.
Ultra-wealthy Southern California residents have just won a victory in the battle to impose their social preferences on the poor. The neo-puritan landowners of Newport Beach, worried about their “asthma and allergies,” have convinced air-quality regulators to make it impossibly hard for the public to use the beach fire-pits that have lined California’s coast for half a century. Sixty fire pits in Newport will be removed, and local officials can now ban them entirely if they decide “that the fires are causing a nuisance.”
Ultra-wealthy Southern California residents have just won a victory in the battle to impose their social preferences on the poor. The neo-puritan landowners of Newport Beach, worried about their “asthma and allergies,” have convinced air-quality regulators to make it impossibly hard for the public to use the beach fire-pits that have lined California’s coast for half a century. Sixty fire pits in Newport will be removed, and local officials can now ban them entirely if they decide “that the fires are causing a nuisance.”
New Feature: Unique Churches. This Week, It's Trinity Episcopal Church in Boston
The architect was Henry Hobson Richardson and it was completed in 1877. The entrance seen in the photo is meant to evoke the Trinity with its three doors and portals. It is a feature that many subsequent churches sought to copy, to better or worse affect.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Ask Any Reporter In An Unguarded Moment And He/She Will Tell You That "Religion" Stories Are The Ones They Try To Avoid
"Is fraud a religion story? Not necessarily. Is Planned Parenthood a religion story? Not necessarily. But what about the larger issue of the problems mainstream media have covering abortion and other social issues related to religion? Is it worth noting here, for instance, the very odd lack of coverage of Planned Parenthood’s recent settlement over fraud allegations?
You wouldn’t probably know it from media coverage...."
You wouldn’t probably know it from media coverage...."
You Mean Academics Don't Have All Of The Answers?
But, but, but, they're so smart. I know because, when I was one of them, that's what we told ourselves.
From Horace Mann to President Obama, and legions of politicians and educators in between, education has been heralded as the great equalizer, an institution that can balance (if not undo) racial, ethnic or other inequities that separate segments of society.
If higher education in the United States ever fulfilled that role, it is doing so less and less, not more, as time passes.
That is the stark and in many ways distressing conclusion of a report released today by researchers at Georgetown University: “Separate and Unequal: How Higher Education Reinforces the Intergenerational Reproduction of White Racial Privilege.”
The report's assertion that African-American and Latino youth -- especially those from low-income backgrounds -- are underrepresented at the nation’s 468 most selective four-year colleges and overrepresented at the 3,250 open-access two- and four-year institutions will probably surprise few; that’s a circumstance of long standing.
Over 40% of the increase in tuition costs over the last generation has been to fund "diversity" programs and their various deans, directors, and staffs. That was money well spent, eh?
Also, is "intergenerational" a real word?
From Horace Mann to President Obama, and legions of politicians and educators in between, education has been heralded as the great equalizer, an institution that can balance (if not undo) racial, ethnic or other inequities that separate segments of society.
If higher education in the United States ever fulfilled that role, it is doing so less and less, not more, as time passes.
That is the stark and in many ways distressing conclusion of a report released today by researchers at Georgetown University: “Separate and Unequal: How Higher Education Reinforces the Intergenerational Reproduction of White Racial Privilege.”
The report's assertion that African-American and Latino youth -- especially those from low-income backgrounds -- are underrepresented at the nation’s 468 most selective four-year colleges and overrepresented at the 3,250 open-access two- and four-year institutions will probably surprise few; that’s a circumstance of long standing.
Over 40% of the increase in tuition costs over the last generation has been to fund "diversity" programs and their various deans, directors, and staffs. That was money well spent, eh?
Also, is "intergenerational" a real word?
Why Is This A Surprise, Given The Police Response Time?
In Newtown, Gun Permits Surge After Shooting
It took twenty minutes for a proper law enforcement response to arrive. Something similar in Roxbury would take longer. Not to mention, although I guess state politicians aren't mentioning it, that the Sandy Hook nightmare would not have been prevented even under the soon-to-be more stringent state gun control laws.
[For those who aren't getting my meaning, there were already laws against theft and murder, yet the killer stole the guns and ammo after murdering the guns' owner. The time he tried to legally purchase a weapon, he was refused. By definition, criminals and terrorists exist outside of the law, hence the term "outlaw"; the only people constrained by control laws are those who are also constrained by laws in general.]
In the past twenty years, Connecticut has cut public mental health funding by 75%, despite the steady increase in taxes. While I realize that tax revenue is necessary to maintain the over-generous and under-funded public pensions, couldn't even a little of it been used to aid people in need of treatment?
I'm told the new fees for purchasing ammunition will serve that purpose, but that doesn't seem to be written down anywhere in law or regulation, so I doubt it. Sure sounds good, though, doesn't it?
It took twenty minutes for a proper law enforcement response to arrive. Something similar in Roxbury would take longer. Not to mention, although I guess state politicians aren't mentioning it, that the Sandy Hook nightmare would not have been prevented even under the soon-to-be more stringent state gun control laws.
[For those who aren't getting my meaning, there were already laws against theft and murder, yet the killer stole the guns and ammo after murdering the guns' owner. The time he tried to legally purchase a weapon, he was refused. By definition, criminals and terrorists exist outside of the law, hence the term "outlaw"; the only people constrained by control laws are those who are also constrained by laws in general.]
In the past twenty years, Connecticut has cut public mental health funding by 75%, despite the steady increase in taxes. While I realize that tax revenue is necessary to maintain the over-generous and under-funded public pensions, couldn't even a little of it been used to aid people in need of treatment?
I'm told the new fees for purchasing ammunition will serve that purpose, but that doesn't seem to be written down anywhere in law or regulation, so I doubt it. Sure sounds good, though, doesn't it?
Mr. And Mrs. Government Save The Day. Again!
Starting this month, the United States Department of Agriculture has announced that it will test out a new product in school lunches—high-protein, a.k.a. Greek-style yogurt—in four different states. Yet, what seems like an innocuous, even reasonable addition to the menu of foods offered to American public school students upon inspection turns out to be the latest example of corrupt nanny-statism masquerading as “for the kids” do-goodism.
Greek-style yogurt is more expensive than other comparably nutritious yogurts. The USDA has to pilot this program in only four states—New York, Arizona, Idaho, and Tennessee—because the bureaucrats don’t know if they can get such a highly perishable item to schools that are situated further from the yogurt distribution centers. And most important, there is one particular state and one particular business that stand to benefit from a big increase in Greek yogurt sales. Those would be New York State, where most of this yogurt is produced and Chobani, which sells the most Greek-style yogurt in the U.S., is located. All of which explains why the biggest manufacturer of Greek-style yogurt spent tens of thousands on lobbyists and worked so closely with New York’s Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer to try to get this pilot program off the ground. . . . Greek yogurt may be high in protein, but so are a lot of other, less expensive and less politically-connected food products. Adding Chobani to the school lunch program is just a fat-lot of government cronyism.
Besides, Chobani tastes like slop and is useless in any sensible diet program. So, dump it on the kids and make the employed pay for it. Yay!
The government can't even permit a program to ensure that children eat well to exist without the taint of corruption.
Greek-style yogurt is more expensive than other comparably nutritious yogurts. The USDA has to pilot this program in only four states—New York, Arizona, Idaho, and Tennessee—because the bureaucrats don’t know if they can get such a highly perishable item to schools that are situated further from the yogurt distribution centers. And most important, there is one particular state and one particular business that stand to benefit from a big increase in Greek yogurt sales. Those would be New York State, where most of this yogurt is produced and Chobani, which sells the most Greek-style yogurt in the U.S., is located. All of which explains why the biggest manufacturer of Greek-style yogurt spent tens of thousands on lobbyists and worked so closely with New York’s Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer to try to get this pilot program off the ground. . . . Greek yogurt may be high in protein, but so are a lot of other, less expensive and less politically-connected food products. Adding Chobani to the school lunch program is just a fat-lot of government cronyism.
Besides, Chobani tastes like slop and is useless in any sensible diet program. So, dump it on the kids and make the employed pay for it. Yay!
The government can't even permit a program to ensure that children eat well to exist without the taint of corruption.
California Has The Same Law. Are They Not Going To Perform [Or Live] There, Either?
Some of the music industry's biggest acts are joining Stevie Wonder in boycotting Florida over the state's controversial "stand your ground" law.
Come to think of it, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Illinois also have the same law on their books.
Come to think of it, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Illinois also have the same law on their books.
That Doesn't Mean That The Unreasonable Won't Keep Trying
"A reason which is deaf to the divine and which relegates religion into the realm of subcultures is incapable of entering into the dialogue of cultures.” - PB XVI
That'll Teach 'Em
No more of this planting-flowers-and-making-our-ugly-train-station-look-less-Soviet-without-our-permission business.
Metro rips out Phantom Planter’s flowers at Dupont Circle station
Metro rips out Phantom Planter’s flowers at Dupont Circle station
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
New Postings Will Still Arrive Tomorrow, Though
Oh-oh. Looks like the rector's office will open on Friday instead of Thursday. Jenni and I are stuck inside of Mobile, and with the Memphis blues, again.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
On Behalf Of All Theo-Bloggers, I Accept This Award
Thank you, Bob Sadhu, for the nomination; and thank you to the board of the National Association of Theological Bloggers for the award. I have no idea what it means, and am a little sorry that there's no cash prize, but I will happily bear the medallion.
[Please don't tell the NATB that only six parishioners actually read this thing. Wait a minute, NATB reads it. Nuts!]
Monday, July 29, 2013
And I Never Even Had A Chance To See Them
Jenni and I were happy to have been able to provide the flowers for yesterday's liturgy. Does anyone know what happened to them?
Did anyone at least take a photo of them? You know, so I could show the bride and groom what their flowers looked like.
Did anyone at least take a photo of them? You know, so I could show the bride and groom what their flowers looked like.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Cleveland @Indians season ticket holder Greg Niel caught FOUR foul balls today. Odds: 1:1,000,000,000,000...Or one IN A TRILLION.
— Numbers Never Lie (@ESPN_Numbers) July 15, 2013
Because This Weblog Is A Cleveland Indians Fan, We Bring You Last Night's Grand Slam
The Indians are wearing uniforms that are an homage to their original. They actually look pretty sporting and comfortable. Not sure about the caps, though.
Monday, July 8, 2013
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