Friday, May 21, 2004

Comedic Introduction to High Art

“Ugly-ass picture of baby found in drawer.  Apparently drawn by some Italian ninja turtle guy 500 years ago.”

The intro made me laugh, and the provenance of the baby picture is cool.

Via The Picket Line.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/21 at 05:57 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Cleaning Up My Language

I learned a new word, this morning, which will enable me to cut down on my use of profanity.  Heck, now I can call someone a fat ass, and sound scholarly.  I can’t wait to use the word in everyday conversation.

Via Rufus, the Airedale, at Rod’s Alter Ego.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/21 at 05:33 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Reading in Double Time

I’m a fairly strong reader, with good retention, but that could be because I’m not afraid of taking a pen to a book.  But Harriet Klausner, who reads approximately 20 books a weak, makes me look like I’m kindergartner attempting to get through a basic primer.

“Faster than a speeding bullet—or at least faster than your average fast reader—Harriet Klausner calls herself a “super speed reader”: “It’s like some sort of freak talent,” she says. She can plow through a book in just an hour or two—and she typically reads two or three a day—so when she worked at a Pennsylvania library in the ‘70s, she started writing brief reviews of all the new books for the library’s newsletter.”

From a Book Magazine article titled “America’s Biggest Readers.”

Via Fred Lapides.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/21 at 04:56 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Thursday, May 20, 2004

Did He Say What I Think He Said?  He Did?  Pull the Plug.

There’s a show called Kid’s Say the Darnedest Things?, hosted by Bill Cosby, according to what I Googled up, though I think it was originally an Art Linkletter show.  If I’m not mistaken, most of what the kids said was funny.  Not everything kids say is funny, though, and if something a kid says, at graduation say, during a commencement speech, isn’t funny, or is critical of the school, what is an administrator to do?  Why, pull the plug, of course.

“It was not the speech that school officials approved.

So they pulled the plug on Nicholas Noel’s commencement speech to fellow graduates Wednesday night when in the fourth sentence the senior class president referred to Grand Rapids Union High School as a “prison.”

Besides pulling the plug on the class president’s speech, what else can be done to learn this kid a lesson.

“As more than 1,000 people watched, power to the microphone was cut and Noel returned to his seat at Ford Fieldhouse. Officials later refused to give him his diploma, although a school spokeswoman said he would receive it soon.”

What else did the class president have to say, you ask?

“Noel said he described the school as “the Union High Prison System” because students were expected to act alike. The message of his speech was that high school paints for students “a picture of life that is incomplete,” he said.

“The colors of life are yet to come,” Noel said. “It was really nice, nothing in bad taste. I tried to be different, and I was punished.”

He said the rest of his speech would have been positive if he had been allowed to finish it. A copy of his written speech goes on to call Union a “foul institution” and a “horribly irresponsible and depraved place to learn these life lessons….”

But it also said Union’s mix of cultures provides “bizarre training” for the real world. He wraps up by quoting Hunter S. Thompson: “Who is the happier man, He who has braved the storm of life and lived. Or he who has stayed securely on the shore and merely existed.”

I think this kid is already happier than the majority of his fellow graduates, and definitely happier than the life force sucking administrators in charge of the school.

“Unplugged: School silences graduate’s speech.”

Update:  In a similar vein, Radley Balko points us to a story of renegade poets, renegade highschool poets that is, who, having the audacity to critcize the war against terrorism, and President Bush, in their poetry, have been disbanded, their teacher fired, and jingoistic poems, substituted for the critical poems, recited around the raising of the flag.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/20 at 02:24 PM
(5) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Pedagogue for Philosophy

Though the word pedagogue can carry negative connotations, such as boring or pedantic, at this stage in my life, I wish I would have been exposed to more philosophy, beyond religious philosophy, when I was younger.  Claire Elise Katz appears to think along somewhat similar lines, in that she has penned an essay, published in Cross Currents, titled “TEACHING OUR CHILDREN WELL,” which carries the subtitle of “Pedagogy, Religion, and the Future of Philosophy.”

Katz’s piece notes the kinship between religion and philosophy, and also highlights the division between the two disciplines currently.  Additionally, some of Katz’s ideas in regards to encouraging young individuals to have an interest in philosophy, and to actually think about it rather than feel, will not sit well with those who think any mention of religion in schools is akin to forcing individuals to believe in God, but I think her ideas have some merit.

At 6,896 words, the piece will take a bit of your time to read, but it will not be wasted time.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/20 at 10:24 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Conjuring Up Poverty

This morning, the Washington Post has a longish article on poverty titled “The Hard Times Never Left.”  The article portends to chronicle the hard times in the panhandle of Maryland, commencing with Lyndon Johnson’s visit, forty years ago, when the “war” on poverty was launched.

While thinking about this, I wondered if individuals reading the article understand what living in poverty actually means.  Merriam-Webster defines poverty, primarily, as “1 a : the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.”  A fairly broad definition, if you ask me, and, rather vague, also, when you consider the definition includes “...a usual socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.”  Whatever that means.

When I think of poverty, I recall some of my wanderings through the Philippines.  Individuals living in shacks made from hammered flat tin cans, with no bathrooms, running water, or electricity.  I recall the looks of young kids, who, when I would reach into my extra large backpack and pull out an orange, or an apple, and drop it into their outstretched hands, would run off holding the orange or apple, like a trophy, proudly displaying the fruit to whomever was wandering in the street, and pointing back at me as if I was a god, or Santa Claus.  I recall young women, who, not wanting to work in a local brothel, would stand in dugout canoes in the Olongapo River, which we called the Shit River because of the flowing raw sewage within, begging for coins, and sailors throwing coins to them, and into the river itself, and young boys diving into Shit River to retreive the coins, peso coins, even centavo coins, because that was how they lived.  As scroungers.  In poverty.

Then I thought about the definition of poverty, provided above, and that portion of the definition of poverty dealing with what is socially acceptable as poverty.  As I considered that definition, I thought of areas here locally in Grand Rapids, Michigan where supposed poverty exists, at least according to the media.  Areas I drive through almost everyday.  Similar areas that you may drive through everyday in your neck of the woods.  What I see in this supposed underpriviliged area, an alleged area of poverty, is individuals living in rather shabby homes, with electricity, running water, telephones, satellite dishes, two or three run down cars, wearing the newest $150.00 dollar sneakers, and cell phones dangling from belts.

Is that, now, the socially acceptable definition of poverty?

Posted by John Venlet on 05/20 at 08:07 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

They Can’t Have Just Figured This Out

“Heart study: Devices and drugs save lives.”

This is news?

Via Google News.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/20 at 07:21 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

A Thing of Beauty is a Pleasure to Behold

Take a look at this 1964 Les Paul ES-345.  When I clicked the link to that guitar this morning, and viewed it waiting patiently in its stand, I thought of a fresh scrubbed young man, tuxedoed for a prom date, waiting patiently in the foyer for his dream date.  It is a lovely guitar.

Via Billy Beck.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/20 at 05:59 AM
(6) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

There is Such a Thing as a Free Lunch, I Guess, If You’re A Government Employee

I used to think there was no such thing as a free lunch, but, it hasn’t been true here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, evidently.  The city spent 64K last year on lunches for employees.  What I find even more outraegous than this fact, is the following justification statement from Assistant City Manager Greg Sundstrom.

“We’re a big business,” he said. “Our expenses are not inappropriate or irresponsible.”

I think Mr. Sundstrom is in need of some remedial economic training, if he does not realize the difference between a business and a government bureaucracy.

“City’s meal tab too high, Tormala says.”

Posted by John Venlet on 05/20 at 05:50 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

The Enthusiasm of a 75 Year Old

“Beckoned by a lavish buffet of Internet dating sites, Luizzi, 75, can sound like a teenage boy who has crept into the girls’ locker room.

“I specify women between 58 and 75, and they’ll come up with 25 pages of women. Ten to a page!” says Luizzi, a slight man with a roguish smile and a head of snow-white hair. “That’s a lot of choice and a lot of possibility.”

You go Jack Luizzi.

“Internet Dating Goes Gray.”

Via The Obscure Store.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/20 at 05:02 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

And Here I Thought It Was Motorcycle Awareness Month

The electronic billboards, along US 131 here in West Michigan, have been advertising the fact that it is motorcycle awarenss month.  I didn’t know there was a motorcycle awarenss month, until I saw the electronic billboards.  But, I also didn’t know it was John Stuart Mill Month, at least according to the Mises Economics Blog.  I’d much rather see John Stuart Mill Month advertised along the highway, but not because I have anything against motorcycles.

Gary Galles puts together a collection of Mill quotes, at the link above, to refresh in your mind some of the more pertinent thoughts of Mill.  Here’s one.

“The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it. Each is the proper guardian of his own…Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves, than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest…”

Posted by John Venlet on 05/20 at 04:48 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

A Solzhenitsyn Essay I Hadn’t Read, Until Today

As I mentioned in a post previously, I’ve read quite a bit of Solzhenitsyn’s work.  But today, while following some links on an unrelated subject, I fortuitously stumbled upon, perhaps, Solzhenitsyn’s last essay penned in the Soviet Union.  It is titled “Live Not By Lies.”  Though Solzhenitsyn wrote the essay as a rebuff to his fellows Russians, the essay presents thoughts that are applicable to today, no matter if you live in the East or the West.  An excerpt I particularly enjoyed.

“So in our timidity, let each of us make a choice: Whether consciously, to remain a servant of falsehood—of course, it is not out of inclination, but to feed one’s family, that one raises his children in the spirit of lies—or to shrug off the lies and become an honest man worthy of respect both by one’s children and contemporaries.”

Need I say, read the whole thing?

Via Orthodoxy Today.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/19 at 11:11 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

21st Century Attitudes Don’t Work in Colonial Times

I’ve caught the first four episodes of PBS’s Colonial House and I must say, so far, I’ve been disappointed.  Though it does make an interesting study in human action as Bill Cholenski at Catallarchy hoped.  An example of my disappoint, and the failure of 21st century attitude in colonial times, would be the participants seemingly total helplessness when they first attempted to strike a fire with flint and steel, and, having little success, state they have failed, and instead of try, trying again, venture forth and mooch a coal off of an individual who was able to strike a fire.

A more interesting story, aired on PBS, would be “Alone in the Wilderness.”  The story details Dick Proeneke’s year in Alaska, as this blurb illustrates.

“To live in a pristine land unchanged by man…
to roam a wilderness through which few other humans have passed…
to choose an idyllic site, cut trees and build a log cabin…
to be a self-sufficient craftsman, making what is needed from materials available…
to be not at odds with the world, but content with one’s own thoughts and company…
Thousands have had such dreams, but Dick Proenneke lived them. He found a place, built a cabin, and stayed to become part of the country. This video “Alone in the Wilderness” is a simple account of the day-to-day explorations and activities he carried out alone, and the constant chain of nature’s events that kept him company.”

- Sam Keith

A very enjoyable show.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/19 at 09:22 AM
(4) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Ah, The Good Old Days

“Women of the 1600s, from queens to prostitutes, commonly exposed one or both breasts in public and in the popular media of the day, according to a study of fashion, portraits, prints, and thousands of woodcuts from 17th-century ballads.”

...

“In paintings, breast exposure could have symbolic meaning, particularly when only one breast was shown. Jones explained that high court ladies often were painted in allegories as classical figures or as female saints, whose martyrdom usually involved breast removal.

Far from being a sign of tawdriness, Jones said breast exposure during the 1600s could indicate a woman’s virtue.”

Maybe Jackson’s Superbowl performance was a pining for the nostalgic?

“Study: Breast Baring Popular in 1600s.”

Via Fred Lapides.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/19 at 09:08 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Civil Disobedience Risk Assessment

Each of us runs risks everyday, it’s part of being alive, I think.  But what about the risk when it comes to laws, specifically civil disobedience to laws promulgated by the state?  How do you assess the risks in regards to civil disobedience?  Do you assess the risk of civil disobedience as you would assess the risk of getting in your car and driving to work?  How do you assess the risk of owning, and carrying, a gun without a permit?  How about assessing the risk of acquiring or not acquiring a fishing license?  A dog license, a building permit, or any of the other lesser intrusions by the state into your life?

When I look at my own assessments of risk regarding civil disobedience, I tend to assess the risk based on my perceived chances of being caught, and whether I would voluntarily participate in such and such a program.  For example I don’t license my dog or utilize a leash.  Low risk.  I don’t license my weapon, and I carry.  High risk, if caught, low risk overall, though, because who knows if I do or don’t carry, unless I’m foolishly advertising the fact by brandishing.  (Would writing that be considered foolish or brandishing?)

How about that fishing license?  I bought one, again, this year, though I mulled it over for quite some time, and only acquired my fishing license on opening day of trout season, though the risk of being asked to prove my legality to fish is minimal.  Why did I purchase that fishing license?  Because I would voluntarily pay to fly fish on private waters.  How about plates for my car?  Yes, I have them and a driver’s license.  If I had neither, the risk, as I assess it, is quite high for being apprehended and punished for not having them.

I’ve been thinking about this for some time and yesterday, when I stopped by Karen DeCoster’s blog, I thought about it some more, because Karen has a post up titled “Steenkin’ Permits and the Impossibility of Defeating the State”  Karen has all the requisite permits, and in her post states her reasons why she does, which I can respect.  As for the impossiblity of defeating the state, I’m not certain if I would concede to that.  I may concede to some of the interference from the state into my life, but I think that where I do allow it, I am allowing it voluntarily, though the coercive force behind the state does factor in.

I think the topic is interesting.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/19 at 07:41 AM
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Page 5 of 14 pages « First  <  3 4 5 6 7 >  Last »