The 44th Carnival of Homeschooling...

... is up. This time with a Halloween theme.

College Seeks to Waste Money

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Chancellor John White begged for money on his knees (via ArkFam). No kidding:

White made his pitch for more money during a budget hearing before the Legislative Council.

“If you want me to get down on my knees, I’ll get down on my knees right now,” White said.

He then knelt behind a podium with only the top of his head in view to legislators and the audience.

Laughter ensued.

“Folks, you can’t see him, but he’s down praying, I see him,” said Sen. Tim Wooldridge, DParagould, council co-chairman.

How much does he want?

UA is getting $110 million this fiscal year and will need an additional $37 million for fiscal 2008 to get its fair share under a higher education funding formula agreed upon by state colleges and universities, he said.

Good idea. Let's have the college and university administrators decide what their "fair share" would be and then make decisions based on that. Ridiculous.

What does he want to do with the money:

With the extra money, he would, among other things, set up needs-based college scholarships, something he says Arkansas desperately needs.

Hmmm. I wonder if there's another way to address the problem of people being unable to afford the University's tuition. Let's take a look at University of Arkansas tuition increases. Those are some awfully large percentage increases every year. Perhaps if the University took a few steps back from the trough, more people could afford to go there.

But he did say that those scholarships would be implemented among other things. Like what other things?

Regarding what he would do with the extra money, White said he would raise faculty salaries.

Yeah, that'll excite people around the state. What else?

He said he also wanted to hire more faculty. The student teacher ratio was 14-to-1 in 1997 but rose to 18-to-1 in 2005 and now is 17-to-1, which he said was too high.

Is that supposed to improve the quality of education? If so, how? I've had classes with as many as 100 people, and I've had classes with as few as 9 people. The size of the class never seemed to have any effect on the quality of the class. Why are people obsessed with this measure? Damn it. If this class only had 14 people instead of 17, I might really be getting something out of it."

Back to funding, how has the University managed to go without?

Sen. Terry Smith, D-Hot Springs, asked White what UA had done to “cut corners.”

White couldn’t give him details but promised to provide that information.

Heh. He'll get right back to you on that. Later. Not now, no. But he'll make a list. Sometime. Tomorrow maybe. Not that he can't think of any corners that have been cut... it's just... well, there are just so many. It's all very complicated. TBA and all that.

Meanwhile, graduation rates aren't so hot. Why is that?

White said he wants to improve UA’s six-year graduation rate to 66 percent by 2010, up from 55.5 percent. But he said he wasn’t sure how much he could do. He blamed a “stay close to home” attitude of many students in the state.

“We’ve got to break them from their high school ties and their high school buddies,” White said. “I am very concerned about that. I am beside myself.”

He then nodded to his left. “In fact, there I am right there just beside myself about this issue,” he said.

It's these obscenely primitive ties to family and friends! Horrible! We must break them of such backwater mores!

But perhaps the schools around the state don't get enough money. How much do they get, and how much do they want?

All institutions of higher education received $568 million in state general revenue in fiscal 2005. That was increased to $644 million for fiscal 2007.

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board has recommended $840 million for fiscal 2008 and $967 million for 2009, a 15 percent increase each year.

Good grief! A 15% increase each year?!

Count me as entirely unsympathetic.

Everything Is Racist Now

Have you seen this ad? Some people think it's racist.

Assuming that racist bigots are hiding around every corner, who are they in this case? The people who comment on a man's party-guy lifestyle or the people who think any depiction of a white woman being attracted to a black man is racist? Who are the people holding the racist stereotypes here?

The first time I saw the ad, I didn't even know that Ford was black. I thought that the ad was very funny. The fact that Ford is black doesn't change that opinion. Why would it?

The 43rd Carnival of Homeschooling...

... is up. And if you're up for some kid-related humor, you might also want to check out the Carnival of Kid Comedy.

Food for Gay Marriage Thought

In discussions of gay marriage, one generally finds the same arguments rehashed over and over again. Rare that anyone brings up much of anything new. So, I found this comment by Finn Kristiansen on Althouse , which brings up an aspect of gay marriage that I hadn't thought about, interesting:

Someone, somewhere above, suggested that there was no difference between potential gay marriages and heterosexual ones. And we are often told that the result of gay marriage would be the same as straight marriage, because, after all, homosexuals want the same thing we all do.

Of course, a gay marriage would be exactly the same as a straight marriage if... men were exactly the same as women. But are the sexes the same?

Will two women talking to each other have the same conversations as two men? Likely, and drastically, not. Will a man and woman have the same conversations as two men, or two women?

Men and women - biologically, emotionally, and experientially- are different. Thus, marriages produced by various combinations would be different. You cannot have different INPUTS and produce the same output.

So, realistically speaking, a marriage between two men is likely to be quite different from a relationship between a man and a woman. For better, or worse.

Now if we look at how men are (and not merely gay men, but all men), we can observe that they tend to be more aggressive, in everything. I am generalizing; there are exceptions to any rule, surely and irrelevantly.

Thus, a relationship involving two men is apt to be extremely different than one involving two women, or, a woman and a man. Indeed if we look at both sexual frequency and activity, we are likely to find it higher within a gay relationship, and due to "maleness", not some innate gay characteristic.

There is no reason to assume that two men would fundamentally change natures, producing a result that is found when females enter a relationship, but without the female. Men together tend toward certain behaviors, and even extremes of behavior (in relation to what that behavior might otherwise be if a woman were standing there with raised eyebrow).

Now this can quite possibly be refuted, but I should think the best way to do so would be to pull statistics that contrast the number of partners of men and women, gay and straight.

Or, when was the last time you saw a glory protrusions in dark places where women congregate.

Differences.

All this is to say that allowing gay marrriage will produce results that are different from straight marriage, while at the same time creating a generation of kids who will grow up lacking the parenting of one biological sex or another, and thus rendering the idea of equality between the sexes irrelevant. Society will have determined that there is no adverse impact in lacking the close emotional and instructive attentions of a biological parent of a specific sex: direct male or female inputs go wanting.

It's all a rather experimental turn in society, with the likely result that gay marriage will prove drastically different from straight marriage. Different how, is the question.

We Leaked 'Cause Our Feelings Were Hurt

I was just so upset about "vicious criticism" against the Times by the Bush administration that I had to prove it right by supporting leaks of secret counter terror measures. At least he admits it.

Special Police Rules Just for Muslims

Give me a damn break. And perhaps during Ramadan we could all observe sharia law--you know, just to be sensitive.

Yet Another Reason to Consider Homeschooling

Avoid Marxist social engineering (Via Dr. Helen).

How are students supposed to learn logic and critical thinking if you try to drum out of them any ability to make judgments and to value truth and merit? How do you teach personal responsibility? Or is the point here to forever infantilize the youth and make them dependent upon the great bureaucracy that is government?

At What Point Do You Stop Being a Libertarian and Start Being a Conservative?

I'm a free markets kind of girl. Pretty much a live and let live sort of person. But lately I've been wondering: am I becoming more conservative and less libertarian?

I'm radically pro-life, utterly capitalist, anti federal funding of stem cell research, anti ID in school science classrooms, absolutist on the 2nd amendment, pro values (courage, honor, compassion, etc.) education in school, pro homeschooling, anti euthanasia, anti death penalty (grudgingly), anti drug war, pro tough on crime (i.e. concerned with justice and punishment more than rehabilitation and parole), pro military, anti taxes, anti government-run social programs, and undecided on gay marriage (used to be decidely pro).

So where does that leave me?

Excellent and Engaging Defense of American Exceptionalism.

Just finished Dinesh D'Souza's What's So Great About America. I know, I know--everyone's thinking, "Freeman, everyone's already read that book." Well, I hadn't.

It's very well-written (clear and concise) which makes it a quick read. Highly enjoyable. I think we'll be giving a few copies as Christmas gifts this year.

Taking It to the Streets

No, not a reference to the Doobie Brothers. It's a liberal's election loss backup plan.

If for whatever reason we don’t win back Congress in November the only real answer will be to take to the streets.

So, we're so close to totalitarianism that we might just have to get rid of this whole "democracy" thing?

Nevermind the humor inherent in the image of a bunch of liberals "taking it to the streets." Taking it to the streets with what? They're all on board with gun control. Perhaps they'll whine us to death. Maybe they can recite the Vagina Monologues until everyone dies from overdoses of bad art.

Via Instapundit.

A Snippet of World Happenings

Oops! He made China mad, and the money is drying up. The perennial libertine continues in his same, boring way. Lieberman opens up a (well-expected) large lead. A surprising divorce. Unexpected ouch. Someday we'll see baby pictures... of the universe.

Five Years Ago Today...

... I met my husband for the first time. (Fifth marriage anniversary is in less than two months. Yeah, we were fast like that.)

What were you doing five years ago?

The 42nd Carnival of Homeschooling...

... is up.

I love these. This is the only carnival I've really gotten into. I look forward to it every week.

Banal Thoughts Filling the Mind

I haven't been away from the computer. I haven't been excessively busy. However, as I approach what is to be a weeklong vacation from work for getting the house ready for our son, my mind is filled with thoughts that I cannot imagine anyone would want to read about. What shade of blue for the nursery? I like dark colors, and we have used them in other parts of the house, but is this color too dark? Where should I buy the paint? Who will we hire to do the painting? Where should I store everything going into the garage sale? How do you hold a garage sale? What should go on eBay? I hate the sink in the kitchen; what sink should replace it? Etc. Etc. Etc.

See, I didn't think anyone would want to read about any of that.

UW Speech Code Bias Incident Reporting Form

There's a new speech code program at UW. The program encourages any witness of a "bias incident" to fill out this form for Student Advocacy and Judicial Affairs (SAJA). The form defines a bias incident as

a threat or act of bigotry, harassment or intimidation - verbal, written, or physical - that is personally directed against or targets a University of Wisconsin-Madison student because of that student's race, age, gender identity or expression, disability, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or veteran status.

"Bias incidents" are double plus ungood. I'm sending a form off today, and I hope you'll do the same. My form:

Description of incident (attach separate sheet if necessary):
First I was picking out a sweatshirt with the UW on it, and I asked another student which color she thought looked better on me, and she said, “Well with your skin tone, I think that one.” WTF? My skin tone? So because I’m white I look better in certain colors?

Then I was in the admin building and someone from Student Life said, “Can I help you?” He just ASSUMES because of my age that I’m a student? I could have been a mother, an aunt, or an employee. I’m not, but I could have been.

Then in the commons area some dude asked me out! Hello?! Can we say heteronormative sexual harassment?! (And he was not even cute, so it was even WORSE. Can he get a worse penalty because of that?)

My feelings are hurting so bad. Please do something. You can hardly take a step on this campus without some nazi's oppressive bias stomping on your face! (It's all so 1984.) I will stay in my dorm room until you send someone to let me know that you made them all shut up.

Area where incident occurred (please provide as much detail as possible):
At UW in the shop, admin building, and commons area.

Date and time of incident:
10/11/06

Victim name(s), if known (please indicate if victim is a UW-Madison student):
Freeman Hunt (I refuse to answer the second question. That's enrollmentism.)

Your name, email address, and phone number:
Freeman Hunt, [same email as the one in the left sidebar]

Would you like a SAJA staff member to contact you? YES

UPDATE: I think that this "bias incident" reporting is such a great idea, that I made a banner for UW-Madison to use as a link to the reporting form on its official website:


Other people have produced a number of improvements on the program's official logo.

Stop Being Wusses!

Fantastic. But you won't be seeing that ad on television:

The DRUDGE REPORT has obtained an exclusive copy of a "scary" campaign advertisement created by Hollywood producer and director David Zucker that was intended to be used by GOP organizations in the closing weeks of the 2006 campaign.

However, the advertisement was deemed "too hot" by GOP strategists all across Washington, DC who have refused to use it!

How lame! As Althouse comments on her blog:

Noooooo! It wouldn't be nice! Must be niiiiiiiiiice.

The ad is funny. People will like it. Republicans, please stop acting like a bunch of politico wusses. Use the ad.

The 41st Carnival of Homeschooling...

... is up.

Where I Live, Property Taxes Are Due Today

The day the government seizes your money simply because you continue to own something. Added bonus: The money seized is largely squandered.

He Can't Pick a Side in the War on Terror

Ted Turner illustrating for all the world that money still cannot buy a conscience.

Today's WTH?

Can you believe that this exists?

North Korean Nuke Test

Roundup at Malkin's place. Obviously this is bad for everyone in the world, but I especially feel bad for those in South Korea. South Korea is a great country, an economic and cultural powerhouse. It is a shame that it must continue to exist under the looming threat of its unstable neighbor to the north.

UPDATE: Good:

Bolton told the Security Council meeting that Washington would view a North Korean attack on South Korea or Japan as an attack on the United States

Just as it should be. I like Bolton more everytime he speaks.

More Leafy Produce Recalled

This time: lettuce. And here I just bought a salad spinner.

Iggy Pop's Concert Rider

Humorous. See many more, though none are as entertaining, here.

Haven't Posted on Foley...

... Because at this point, I don't think there's much to say. It was wrong; he resigned. As for all of the other issues such as cover-ups or the exact ages of the teenagers he pursued, I think it will take a while for things to fully shake out. We'll see.

One thing I do find annoying: The MSM seems to be purposely conflating the emails with the IMs. In my opinion, the emails were not actionable. The IMs certainly were. Thus the distinction between the two is extremely important. Knowing about the emails was entirely different than knowing about the IMs.

Another Reason to Consider Homeschooling

Because your local school board has to take everyone's opinion into account--even this lady's. I think that the freedom to make decisions about your child's education by yourself is a huge plus.

Shots of Old

I went for my flu shot today, and everyone in the room was talking about how small and painless the needles in syringes are these days. One of the nurses said that an elderly woman who'd been a nurse many years ago helped them distribute the shots last year. "She said that this was so much better because back in her time, you had to sharpen the needles yourself and clean them everytime for reuse."

I am happy to have been born after all that.

The 40th Carnival of Homeschooling...

... is up.

Autopsy on Amish School Shooter?

Will they do one? The crime is so bizarre, that I think they should. Kind of Charles Whitman-esque. The guy seems fine, then over a few days his mood darkens, and he murders several defenseless children with whom he has no connections. I think giving his brain a thorough check is warranted.

UPDATE: Dr. Helen weighs in with her thoughts on the psychology of extreme violence.

Facing the Giants

On the way to this movie, our expectations were low. Extremely low. $100,000, a cast of non-actors, and being in the Christian entertainment genre does not generally make for a good movie.

We went because we had seen Flywheel, a TV movie by the same director. We flipped past it one day and ended up watching the whole thing. It had no budget to speak of, and it was overtly religious, but the directing was impressive, and the movie was engaging. At the time, my husband commented that the director was very talented and that he would be looking forward to seeing his future work.

Now his future work is here. We were surprised when we walked into a packed theater at the 4:00 matinee. The woman seated next to me said that she had also seen the movie the night before, and that the theater had been just as full. "But now I just realized that I forgot to bring a tissue," she warned. Oh great. It's going to be one of those Christian movies where everything is hokey, and everyone is crying all the time.

I'm a Christian too, but let's face it, the expectations we set for Christian entertainment are extremely low. Most contemporary Christian bands are horrible. Most contemporary Christian fiction, practically unreadable. And Christian movies? Usually very very bad..

Facing the Giants? Who would have thought that you could make a movie for $100,000 using people from your church as actors because you can't afford to hire anyone else, include overt and earnest religious themes, and end up with a movie that stands easily with its contemporaries out of Hollywood? I didn't think it was possible, but I was wrong. The movie is good, not just Christian entertainment "good," but regular movie good.

Is it religious? You bet. And it's not vaguely religious; it's straight-up Christian, born-again, have-you-accepted-Jesus? religious. I have never seen a movie that put itself out there in that way and succeeded, but this movie has. Part of what makes making Christian films hard is the reality of the medium. A guy can't sit on screen and pray or think about God in his head--he's got to express everything to the audience. This is part of the reason that most Christian entertainment is so painfully earnest, but it is unavoidable. It speaks to the tremendous talent of the director that he was able to incorporate these elements in a seamless, non-distracting way. It is downright baffling that he was able to do it with non-actors.

Is the movie predictable? Of course. This is a feel good family film. Being predictable is part of the genre. I only mention this at all because I have seen "predictability" noted as a criticism of this and other films. It's a lazy criticism leveled at films that the critic doesn't like. Predictability doesn't make a movie good or bad unless you're operating in twist-specific genres such as mysteries or suspense pictures. Quality of storytelling is the key.

And there is a bonus: kids love this film. There are no animated characters, no slapstick comedy, but the kids in the theater were on the edges of their seats.

The humor works. That's important and especially hard. Effectively directing comedy (real comedy--not the trite, everything-is-oh-so-ironic type) takes a special talent and a sterling sense of timing. Alex Kendrick has both. The humor is good natured, family friendly, and best of all, it's actually funny.

Why all the gushing about this film when I see so many movies every week and almost never blog about them? Because (1) this movie is better than most of the other films out right now, (2) this movie is amazing given the resources the filmmakers had to make it, (3) the marketing approach has been of the low-key Army of Davids sort, and (4) I've seen intellectually dishonest criticism of this film. It's perfectly fine for someone to say he doesn't like Christianity or doesn't like Christian themes in art; it's dishonest for the same man to shy away from saying the former and instead say that a well made film has been poorly done because he disagrees with the content.

A good movie and well worth the price of admission. I look forward to seeing more from Kendrick, and I hope that his movie marks the beginning of a new standard in Christian entertainment. Christians can make great movies about their faith and have no need to settle for anything less than real excellence. Kendrick has proven the theme of his own movie: with God, anything is possible.

UPDATE: Red State Conservative posts his review.