I appreciate the craft of teaching, but I’m not at all in favor of teachers making curriculum decisions. In case I need to make that explicit.
Why the hell not? That's half their training (the other being instructional pedigogy). My mom was a classroom teacher for 25 years, many of those with and Ed.D. in Curriculum development. Do you really believe she was unqualified to make curriculum decisions for her students? Really?
The seething contempt for professional teachers in your statement is stunning.
What is that ideaology translating to in actual classrooms? Mr. Kendi may well be auditing things, a nd he may issue recommendations. Some will likely be adopted because, hey, they improve things. Some won't because, hey, they make things work. Most will be unfunded and so functionally pointless.
Many things to unpack here, but let's start with Lia Thomas. Based on published reports she had 3 wins in the 2021 swimming season - Katie Ledecky had 4 wins in a single meet during the same time. And Thomas' times in her other events are slower then prior to her transition. She also failed to place in her final meet o the 2022 season, which is expected to be her last meet. Given the number of other women in NCAA competitive swimming who can and have beaten her, I'd say she's exactly the lack of threat the Governor outlined in his veto.
As to the President's open nomination of a black woman to a vacant Supreme Court seat, that's just a campaign promise fulfilled. Which, you gotta admit, is refreshing. Plus it reminds us all that highly qualified jurists come in a variety of packages - Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson earned the ABA's highest rating for her qualifications. So, much like Lia Thompson, its another tempest in a tea pot.
Why the tempests? I really believe its because the pace of societal change is quickening, and a LOT of people are emotionally, economically, and politically invested in keeping things as they think they were. Its much easier to "force" queer folks - including trans men and women - into their former boxes then it is to acknowledge the ordinary contributions these people make to society. It's more comfortable to reject a highly qualified judge for SCOTUS because she fits a description of a needed experience that the broader "you" (Not you personally) reject. And its a convenient way to deflect from your political and leadership failures by whipping emotion against such folks.
oh i see we’re back to Emanations From The Penumbra again, not like those icky gun-rights or free-speech things where conservatives can just go eat it because there’s no language specifically in the law about Individual Rights To Do Anything or Restrictions On Actions By Private Entities
A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
What is a well regulated militia?
It means the militia was in an effective shape to fight." In other words, it didn't mean the state was controlling the militia in a certain way, but rather that the militia was prepared to do its duty.
There's no individual or private right enumerated there skippy. Not one. Not even if you read it drunk and sideways. And I say that as a guy who owns and shoots. If we had compulsory military service like Switzerland or Israel you might be on to something. But otherwise, using the original language, its pretty clear (Antonin Scalia not withstanding).
As long as there are loopholes, people and corporations will exploit the loopholes. As long as we refuse to fully fund enforcement there will be uncollected revenue. Private companies don't allow that situation to happen, ever. I remain mystified as to why the government should.
Diesel powered personal vehicles in the US are 3% of the market. They are 50% percent in Europe. There is no legal restriction, just a massive marketing campaign aimed at something else. And frankly that will have to change once the Administration's new fuel economy standards go into effect.
I think the big distinction is really the heavily reactive, arbitrarily piecemeal approach we take versus viewing it in any sort of proactive, full population kind of way.
Agreed 100%. And our system in the US, such as it is, will never get to this because keeping people healthy through out their lives is just not as profitable.
Nearly half of all US medical care is delivered by emergency departments, according to a new study. In recent years, the percentage of care delivered by emergency departments has grown.
The national median family income for the United States for FY 2021 is $79,900. The median rent is $1,104, which is $13,248 per year or 16.6% of that income. A family of four spends another $10,564 per year (pre 2022) on food. Then there's transportation - $1837 per year per car on gas (again prior to 2022). Add in another $1,655 for car insurance; $2060 in utilities; $1,048.09 for internet (if you have access) - and nearly half your income is spent ($30,412.09). In Mississippi that family would pay a total of $20,018 in state and federal income and payroll taxes, leaving them $29,469.91 in disposable income. That family is already paying $13,824 per year in health insurance premiums. And so without any out of pocket expenses for healthcare, saving for retirement, paying down debt, paying for the kids activities, seeing a movie, or mowing the lawn, that family is left with $15,645 per year. Or $1,303.83 per month.
Both your examples would require that family to sacrifice two months available funds for those procedures. That's not affordable, nor is it sustainable. And those are elective procedures, not something like cancer treatments (Chemo costs between $1,000 and $12,000 per month).
You are not alone in reaching that conclusion. You will note, however, that there was ample evidence the "pro life" was all and only about forced birth well before COVID. Just look at all the social welfare programs they DIDN't advocate for.
I believe there is value in having a clear and loud and unequivocal defense of human dignity, even if it doesn’t turn the tide or win a lot of converts.
I do too, and Christ's actual teachings in the Four Gospel's are quite consistent on His view that humans were all God's creation and thus deserving of HIs love.
We’ve jettisoned the basic sexual dichotomy of the human species – indeed, the entire animal kingdom – and the institutions – think marriage – that enshrine that.
Scientifically, there are at least 6 genders in the human genome:
The six biological karyotype sexes that do not result in death to the fetus are:
X – Roughly 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 5,000 people (Turner’s )
XX – Most common form of female
XXY – Roughly 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 people (Klinefelter)
XY – Most common form of male
XYY – Roughly 1 out of 1,000 people
XXXY – Roughly 1 in 18,000 to 1 in 50,000 births
Its also false, scientifically, to say that the animal kingdom was or is or ever will be "heterosexual" as humans define it:
For a very long time, scientists have known that animals engage in sexual behavior with individuals of the same sex. Such same-sex sexual behavior (SSB)* can include, for example, mounting, courting through songs and other signals, genital licking or releasing sperm, and has been observed in over 1,500 animal species, from primates to sea stars, bats to damselflies, snakes to nematode worms. (https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/why-is-same-sex-sexual-behavior-so-common-in-animals/)
Which means that yes, we have jettisoned what we knew about human gender because we know new things. We are also coming to know that - again based on genetics - human sexuality is complex and has at least as many expressions as does gender. Animal sexuality is equally complex.
Is that disruptive to human institutions like religions? You bet. Except Christians have a clear path on this, should we choose to seek it:
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)
Loving your neighbor as yourself of necessity means extending love, compassion, grace, forgiveness and humility to every person made in God's image. The Science says God made us richly diverse in myriad ways. Any church worth its salt will tell you that too.
There's a lot of provocative thinking in here. I don't know that I've ever seen such an interesting mix of libertarian and socialist budget approaches. Thanks for pulling together.
That said - the federal budget is very detailed - that's why its 20,000 or so pages long each year. With charts and tables and graphs and everything. Its actually a problem.
I went to school with this guy. He's a year younger then me. And he's poised to take his lifetime appointment to the bench as an appeals court judge and then run it into SCOTUS when a Republican gets an appointment slot. Republicans have played a LONG game to try and keep control.
Sit outside clinics in other states. Write down license plates. Run checks through the dozens of websites that data mine government for a fee for background purposes. See what sticks. In the 21st century its not that hard.
that said, the inability of voters (or donors, the likely primary audience) who are supporting these abominable bounty-style laws to think even five seconds into a future where their sports team doesn’t hold the reins of power is astounding.
The donors believe - probably correctly - that they won't be subjected to these laws, and that they can exert control if their preferred party looses. SO they get what they want either way.
The "base" believes the hurt will only be on people they have been conditioned for four or five decades to believe "deserve" the hurt.
Except the resources to provide sufficient treatment - and sufficient preventive care - are there. They are in the control of profit motivated entities for whom rationing is a necessary business model component because that's a way to control costs.
I'll take my usual very left field flyer and say why do we need a deep dive? She's what the president wants on the bench, and no amount of dissecting her record will change that. Just like with ACB, and Kavanaugh and Gorsuch she's too smart to trip over her own coat tails. And frankly her judicial philosophy and her record are not always portents of how she will decide cases before SCOTUS. Gorsuch, for instance, has already had a few "controversial" decisions that were not in line with his prior expressions of philosophy in his earlier decisions.
Slicing and reslicing the pineapple only leaves you with a juicy mess of pulp. Republican politicians tried that in her hearings and mostly failed to deliver. So lets leave the Pina colada aside and get on with the drinking.
On “Florida “Parental Rights in Education” Bill: Read It For Yourself”
Why the hell not? That's half their training (the other being instructional pedigogy). My mom was a classroom teacher for 25 years, many of those with and Ed.D. in Curriculum development. Do you really believe she was unqualified to make curriculum decisions for her students? Really?
The seething contempt for professional teachers in your statement is stunning.
"
Agreed.
"
What is that ideaology translating to in actual classrooms? Mr. Kendi may well be auditing things, a nd he may issue recommendations. Some will likely be adopted because, hey, they improve things. Some won't because, hey, they make things work. Most will be unfunded and so functionally pointless.
On “Woman, Controversial Woman”
Many things to unpack here, but let's start with Lia Thomas. Based on published reports she had 3 wins in the 2021 swimming season - Katie Ledecky had 4 wins in a single meet during the same time. And Thomas' times in her other events are slower then prior to her transition. She also failed to place in her final meet o the 2022 season, which is expected to be her last meet. Given the number of other women in NCAA competitive swimming who can and have beaten her, I'd say she's exactly the lack of threat the Governor outlined in his veto.
As to the President's open nomination of a black woman to a vacant Supreme Court seat, that's just a campaign promise fulfilled. Which, you gotta admit, is refreshing. Plus it reminds us all that highly qualified jurists come in a variety of packages - Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson earned the ABA's highest rating for her qualifications. So, much like Lia Thompson, its another tempest in a tea pot.
Why the tempests? I really believe its because the pace of societal change is quickening, and a LOT of people are emotionally, economically, and politically invested in keeping things as they think they were. Its much easier to "force" queer folks - including trans men and women - into their former boxes then it is to acknowledge the ordinary contributions these people make to society. It's more comfortable to reject a highly qualified judge for SCOTUS because she fits a description of a needed experience that the broader "you" (Not you personally) reject. And its a convenient way to deflect from your political and leadership failures by whipping emotion against such folks.
On “On Believing Republican Politicians”
There's no individual or private right enumerated there skippy. Not one. Not even if you read it drunk and sideways. And I say that as a guy who owns and shoots. If we had compulsory military service like Switzerland or Israel you might be on to something. But otherwise, using the original language, its pretty clear (Antonin Scalia not withstanding).
On “If I Gave The State of the Union”
As long as there are loopholes, people and corporations will exploit the loopholes. As long as we refuse to fully fund enforcement there will be uncollected revenue. Private companies don't allow that situation to happen, ever. I remain mystified as to why the government should.
"
Diesel powered personal vehicles in the US are 3% of the market. They are 50% percent in Europe. There is no legal restriction, just a massive marketing campaign aimed at something else. And frankly that will have to change once the Administration's new fuel economy standards go into effect.
On “On Believing Republican Politicians”
Agreed 100%. And our system in the US, such as it is, will never get to this because keeping people healthy through out their lives is just not as profitable.
On “In Defense of a Useful History”
Most of the advocacy for this seems to be in niche defense and foreign policy publications. there is not yet a groundswell in the MSM.
On “On Believing Republican Politicians”
Oh Really?
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171017091849.htm
"
The national median family income for the United States for FY 2021 is $79,900. The median rent is $1,104, which is $13,248 per year or 16.6% of that income. A family of four spends another $10,564 per year (pre 2022) on food. Then there's transportation - $1837 per year per car on gas (again prior to 2022). Add in another $1,655 for car insurance; $2060 in utilities; $1,048.09 for internet (if you have access) - and nearly half your income is spent ($30,412.09). In Mississippi that family would pay a total of $20,018 in state and federal income and payroll taxes, leaving them $29,469.91 in disposable income. That family is already paying $13,824 per year in health insurance premiums. And so without any out of pocket expenses for healthcare, saving for retirement, paying down debt, paying for the kids activities, seeing a movie, or mowing the lawn, that family is left with $15,645 per year. Or $1,303.83 per month.
Both your examples would require that family to sacrifice two months available funds for those procedures. That's not affordable, nor is it sustainable. And those are elective procedures, not something like cancer treatments (Chemo costs between $1,000 and $12,000 per month).
"
You are not alone in reaching that conclusion. You will note, however, that there was ample evidence the "pro life" was all and only about forced birth well before COVID. Just look at all the social welfare programs they DIDN't advocate for.
"
And yet still unaffordable for most Americans.
On “Freedom of Speech and the Heckler’s Veto”
one needn't shout to both heckle or veto.
On “In Defense of a Useful History”
Putin's actions in Ukraine are indeed full of precedent - hell he started rolling in in 2014.
On “Church Shopping, Again”
I do too, and Christ's actual teachings in the Four Gospel's are quite consistent on His view that humans were all God's creation and thus deserving of HIs love.
"
President Biden has also made it quite plain, as a matter of secular policy, where he disagrees with that church.
"
Scientifically, there are at least 6 genders in the human genome:
On “If I Gave The State of the Union”
There's a lot of provocative thinking in here. I don't know that I've ever seen such an interesting mix of libertarian and socialist budget approaches. Thanks for pulling together.
That said - the federal budget is very detailed - that's why its 20,000 or so pages long each year. With charts and tables and graphs and everything. Its actually a problem.
On “Wednesday Writs: Ketanji, I Barely Know Ye (But I’m Trying)”
I went to school with this guy. He's a year younger then me. And he's poised to take his lifetime appointment to the bench as an appeals court judge and then run it into SCOTUS when a Republican gets an appointment slot. Republicans have played a LONG game to try and keep control.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Duncan_(judge)
"
yeah yeah. You must be an Old Fashioned fan then?
I do appreciate your writing and you do a good job of masking obtuse legal information legible for the masses. It is a service we benefit from.
On “On Believing Republican Politicians”
Sit outside clinics in other states. Write down license plates. Run checks through the dozens of websites that data mine government for a fee for background purposes. See what sticks. In the 21st century its not that hard.
"
The donors believe - probably correctly - that they won't be subjected to these laws, and that they can exert control if their preferred party looses. SO they get what they want either way.
The "base" believes the hurt will only be on people they have been conditioned for four or five decades to believe "deserve" the hurt.
"
Except the resources to provide sufficient treatment - and sufficient preventive care - are there. They are in the control of profit motivated entities for whom rationing is a necessary business model component because that's a way to control costs.
On “Wednesday Writs: Ketanji, I Barely Know Ye (But I’m Trying)”
I'll take my usual very left field flyer and say why do we need a deep dive? She's what the president wants on the bench, and no amount of dissecting her record will change that. Just like with ACB, and Kavanaugh and Gorsuch she's too smart to trip over her own coat tails. And frankly her judicial philosophy and her record are not always portents of how she will decide cases before SCOTUS. Gorsuch, for instance, has already had a few "controversial" decisions that were not in line with his prior expressions of philosophy in his earlier decisions.
Slicing and reslicing the pineapple only leaves you with a juicy mess of pulp. Republican politicians tried that in her hearings and mostly failed to deliver. So lets leave the Pina colada aside and get on with the drinking.