Memorization, Standardized Tests, and Official Policy
Teaching answers to standardized tests should not be called “education,” especially when problem-solving will be the most important tool for a generation of students destined to inherit the incredible problems we will leave as our legacy. and Rote memorization of answers to tests will not prepare anyone for this mess we leave. Furthermore, it defies …
Christmas Past
Noel was about three and a half or so here, and Bill was about two. I think. (They were 19 months apart.) That’s me in the background. The gingerbread house was from my mom. She made it in New York City and sent it to us in Mississippi. The kids loved it. But when they …
Leonard Pitts Jr. At Large: My freedom linked to others — including gays
I find it telling that Vice President Dick Cheney hews to the hard conservative line on virtually every social issue, except gay marriage. It is, of course, no coincidence that Cheney has a daughter who is a lesbian. Which tells me his position is based not on principle but, rather, on loving his daughter. RULE …
Medicine and Politics
Last week Alec and I went in for our annual medical check-up. Our doctor’s secretary asked us to fill out new paperwork and the first question was “Do you have any current complaints?” Alec wrote: “Yes, George Bush Jr. is still in office.” They all loved it, and they told us that about 40% of …
A New Zealand Quaker meeting’s statement of affirmation and reconciliation about the inclusiveness of sexualities
I found this New Zealand Quaker meeting statement of Affirmation and Reconciliation about the inclusiveness of sexualities, especially gays and lesbians from the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance website religioustolerance.org: New Zealand: The Quaker meeting in Aotearoa is called “Te Hahi Tuhauwiri.” This was the name gifted to them by the Maori Language Commission in …
My email this morning to the pflag-all email list: Friends of PFLAG Steve Schalchlin and Jim Brochu have opened a new play in NYC to rave reviews
Hi everyone Steve Schalchlin and his partner Jim Brochu – have opened a new play off-Broadway in New York City to rave reviews: “The Big Voice: God or Merman?” http://www.thebigvoice.com Some of you may remember that an earlier musical of theirs, “The Last Session” was recognized with many awards including PFLAG-LA’s Oscar Wilde Award for …
Sasha Cohen (comedian) as gay Austrian
We went to see Borat after dinner on Thanksgiving. It’s not the kind of movie I usually enjoy. I cringed and laughed through it. Borat is actually English comedian Sasha Cohen in real life. My friend Carolyn Wagner sent me this today. It’s Sasha Cohen playing Bruno, an Austrian gay reporter, interviewing the pastor of …