tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post1221221461039508163..comments2023-10-03T07:01:41.144-05:00Comments on Always On Watch: Semper Vigilans: Alive and well: Leftist EducationAlways On Watchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-38080395532702888592013-08-02T13:58:42.968-05:002013-08-02T13:58:42.968-05:00FT,
We are DISINTEGRATING at an increasingly rapid...FT,<br /><i>We are DISINTEGRATING at an increasingly rapid rate before our very own eyes, and we are so far gone now most of us consider this a sign of PROGRESS. </i><br /><br />It's the devolution of our civilization, perhaps the devolution of Western civilization as a whole.<br /><br />I feel a strong sense of futility and inevitability in all this.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-71581924692815499512013-08-02T10:39:44.770-05:002013-08-02T10:39:44.770-05:00That may be, AOW, but it's no excuse for that ...That may be, AOW, but it's no excuse for that kind of angry, self-indulgent, really <i>self-pitying</i> rhetoric. Adopting such an attitude is not helpful in advancing worthwhile concepts that might possibly improve our situation it is actually destructive.<br /><br />We've become much too good at chastising and condemning others, while we seem to have lost whatever capacity we may once have had for honest examination of our <i>own</i> flaws and failings of which here are many.<br /><br />We do a great disservice to ourselves -- and whatever cause we may think we like to think we are promoting -- when we deflect attention away from ourselves by attacking others -- often with unwarranted ferocity, lack of wisdom, and lack of modesty.<br /><br /><i>"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in <b>ourselves</b>."</i>FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-42555346396657378322013-08-02T10:27:46.629-05:002013-08-02T10:27:46.629-05:00English, as spoken and written today, is a continu...English, as spoken and written today, is a continuous exhibition of wanton ignorance, carelessness, clumsiness, mental laziness, lack of mental acuity, lack of curiosity, near-illiteracy, and generalized contempt for propriety. <br /><br /><b>"He Old School"</b> -- the telling phrase uttered publicly by that paragon of perceptive prose, polished wit, high intelligence and noteworthy academic achievement, Racial Jeantel -- is a perfect example of the regrettable phenomenon in question.<br /><br />It is considered ill-mannered and "insensitive" for teachers to correct students' pronunciation, grammar, syntax, vocabulary and style or lack thereof. <br /><br />The result is what we see <i>everywhere</i> today -- hideous dilution of vocabulary, foolish over-simplification, mangled syntax, spelling and grammatical errors, lack of wit, style, control of form, rambling prolixity by people who like to <i>think</i> they know something, but are in fact woefully ignorant etc. <br /><br />People today -- adults and children alike -- are so hyper-sensitive to criticism they bridle and become ferociously defensive -- or even burst into tears -- at the slightest hint of correction. There appears to be no real desire on the part of most to improve their communication skills anymore -- only a fierce, wholly inappropriate desire to be given CREDIT for having knowledge, skill, expertise and finesse that is in fact totally lacking in many-if-not-most cases.<br /><br />Once upon a time, we were strongly encouraged to respect our elders and to look up to men and women of great accomplishment who possessed a notably higher degree of learning, skill, knowledge, grace and refinement than we. Today such figures are ridiculed, denigrated, mocked, derided and dismissed as "arrogant," "condescending," "conceited," "affected," "stuffed shirts," "old hat," "out of tune with the times," "Old School," "Grandpa's way of thinking," "irrelevant," and above all that ultimately insulting term of condemnation by the proudly ignorant <b>"BAAAAAAAAAWRING!!!</b>."<br /><br />Only a society rotted from within at all levels by the poisonous precepts of Cultural Marxism and Freudian Psychology could achieve such a spectacular regression, perversion of values and cultural degeneration in so short a time. <br /><br />We are DISINTEGRATING at an increasingly rapid rate before our very own eyes, and we are so far gone now most of us consider this a sign of PROGRESS.FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-64111590822681943032013-08-02T09:42:34.812-05:002013-08-02T09:42:34.812-05:00The Republican party replaced the Whigs, who appar...The Republican party replaced the Whigs, who apparently just <i>disintegrated</i> in much the same fashion as the GOP seems to be doing today. <br /><br />At the outset the Republican party was a radical, upstart, anti-Establishment organization. It quickly identified itself as "An Instrument for Revolutionary Social Change," although Marxian terms like that were not in vogue in the mid-nineteenth century.<br /><br />A close study of precisely how and why the Democratic and Republican parties basically exchanged identities would make interesting reading, and might possibly be of help in gaining a better sense of perspective on the disturbing realities we must deal with today.<br /><br />The Republican party has lost its identity today. It's neither fish nor fowl, because politicians of all stripes with rare exceptions are far more interested in remaining in power as long as possible in order to enjoy the perquisites and privileges that accompany it than in pursuing the country's betterment.FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-6226712344964021812013-08-02T07:36:05.075-05:002013-08-02T07:36:05.075-05:00FT,
Rachel Jeantel Accepts Tom Joyner’s Scholarshi...FT,<br /><a href="http://theurbandaily.com/2013/07/18/rachel-jeantel-scholarship-tom-joyner-video/" rel="nofollow">Rachel Jeantel Accepts Tom Joyner’s Scholarship Offer</a>. It's a full ride scholarship.<br /><br /><a href="http://wonkette.com/522858/afternoon-nice-time-rachel-jeantel-getting-college-scholarship-for-lettering-in-awesomeness" rel="nofollow">This source says</a>: <i>[H]e also committed to helping Jeantel graduate high school first. “I will help you get tutors to get you out of high school, tutors to help you pass the SAT and I will give you a full ride scholarship to any HBCU you’d like.” </i><br /><br />HCBU = Historically Black Colleges and UniversitiesAlways On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-74023402978469749552013-08-02T07:30:16.978-05:002013-08-02T07:30:16.978-05:00FT,
Ms. Jeantel has received TWO scholarships alre...FT,<br />Ms. Jeantel has received <b>TWO</b> scholarships already. Maybe more because I haven't done a Google search as to her scholarship status.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-89994041131200921772013-08-02T07:28:47.357-05:002013-08-02T07:28:47.357-05:00FT,
Here's what has happened....Many on the Ri...FT,<br />Here's what has happened....Many on the Right absolutely hate those who support Obama because many on the Right view Obama supporters as their personal enemy.<br /><br />The converse is also true, i.e., many on the Left viewing those on the Right as interfering with the best President evah.<br /><br />In other words, the divisiveness has gotten very personal.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-9993217050163642172013-08-02T07:25:53.514-05:002013-08-02T07:25:53.514-05:00From the body of the blog post: I try to teach for...From the body of the blog post: <i>I try to teach for social justice...</i><br /><br />Isn't that an idiom error with the use of <i>for</i>?<br /><br />On the other hand, perhaps this Alabama teacher said what he meant. Social justice is his employer -- or something.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-41395205417892038902013-08-02T04:21:07.758-05:002013-08-02T04:21:07.758-05:00Z,
As it is, we can't win again; the hate for...Z,<br /><i> As it is, we can't win again; the hate for values, decency, morality and love of country is much too strong.</i><br /><br />It does seem that way, doesn't it?<br /><br />Political movements and political parties die. Is the GOP dying? Very possibly.<br /><br />I hear a lot of talk about establishing a 3rd political party. How viable would such a 3rd party be, however?<br /><br />Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-38270936608557898282013-08-01T22:22:17.292-05:002013-08-01T22:22:17.292-05:00Venality may be a "zinn," but I have a s...Venality may be a "zinn," but I have a sneaking suspicion you were referring venial "zinns," FT. There is a difference between venal and venial you know. Not to scold you, but since you seem to enjoy displaying your expertise with the language, I thought it might cheer you on a bit to realize someone is paying close attention to your considerable store of wit and wisdom, and cares enough to tell you when you're wrong. I for one am sorry you closed your blog. I found it very entertaining, and occasionally informative, but I must chide you for letting the bastards get you down. You disappointed me there. Good luck to you anyway.<br /><br />----------------> Katharine HeartburnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-21158578587203639792013-08-01T19:22:09.152-05:002013-08-01T19:22:09.152-05:00Cube's right...it's SO much worse than our...Cube's right...it's SO much worse than our biggest fears were even five years ago, since Obama. <br />We're beyond help now, I fear, too. people actually DO think like this situation Sam's posted on.<br /><br />The Left HAS won, folks. Obama's divided and he's conquered.<br />You've heard his speeches lately with his guffawing belittlement of any Republican...constant and nasty. Utter disdain and a laughing audience.<br />If we had a media that was a true media, this would NEVER EVER be happening; they'd have torn him apart since before he won; "this guy's never DONE anything..he lied about knowing Bill Ayers, his house was practically given to him by a racketeer, etc etc. ..no grades revealed, nobody knows who paid for Harvard, etc..." But, we all knew those things and the media kept all those questions quiet. As it is, we can't win again; the hate for values, decency, morality and love of country is much too strong.<br /><br />your cheerful friend, Z :-) :-(Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-20536641262352975472013-08-01T18:36:18.533-05:002013-08-01T18:36:18.533-05:00FT,
Marine4Ever is one of the good guys. A bit ro...FT,<br />Marine4Ever is one of the good guys. A bit rough around the edges but one of the good guys.<br /><br />And I don't mean that he's a "good ol' boy."<br /><br />It does seem that you and I are among the few that care about split infinitives. The fact that we <b>DO</b> care about split infinitives may be a sign of the times! I'm sure that I don't have to explain.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-78202492286066227332013-08-01T18:28:45.602-05:002013-08-01T18:28:45.602-05:00Failure to support and participate in solutions me...Failure to support and participate in solutions means that you are in fact part of the problem.<br /><br /><b>One could never explore any subject in "too much" depth.</b> <br /><br />"Proud Ignorance" is every bit as big a curse as Communism or any other form of totalitarianism. In fact it opens the gates, paves they way, and rolls out the proverbial red carpet for a takeover by tyrants.FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-90408877253483044542013-08-01T18:22:08.295-05:002013-08-01T18:22:08.295-05:00Z posted an article on Education by Dennis Prager ...Z posted an article on Education by Dennis Prager today at GeeeeeZ.<br /><br />I particularly liked this part:<br /><br /><i>"If you wish to affirm here an ethnic or racial identity — or a national identity other than American — you will have to attend another school. This includes after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation or whatever else may become in vogue in a society divided by political correctness. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism — an unhealthy preoccupation with the self — while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself.<br /><br />"Your clubs will be based on interests and passions — clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interesting in are those based on ethnic, racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of yourself really interests you."</i><br /><br /><b>I would have added SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS or CONDITION to the list of proscribed topics, because morbid preoccupation with how poor and downtrodden one is juxtaposed to an acute awareness of how rich and "over-privileged" other people are and vice versa is just another item that causes individuals to be vain, selfish, arrogant, greedy, demanding -- and above all ENVIOUS.</b> FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-34713884805314902882013-08-01T18:17:26.630-05:002013-08-01T18:17:26.630-05:00This is WAAAY too deep for this crazy ass cracker....This is WAAAY too deep for this crazy ass cracker... I'm going back to see how many infinitives I can split in a sentence.Marine4everhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08316425122927213322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-42820680305318103652013-08-01T17:59:12.361-05:002013-08-01T17:59:12.361-05:00Reminds me of the hoary old joke about George Lips...Reminds me of the hoary old joke about George Lipschitz. He was so embarrassed by the sound of his name he changed it to <i>Jack</i> Lipschitz.FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-37957834941029270492013-08-01T17:54:58.393-05:002013-08-01T17:54:58.393-05:00Is THAT why you never fail to show up, and make a ...Is THAT why you never fail to show up, and make a nuisance of yourself whenever Sam posts an article?FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-85237862694386333692013-08-01T17:43:53.988-05:002013-08-01T17:43:53.988-05:00Ever since The Fall mankind has been plagued by ZI...Ever since The Fall mankind has been plagued by ZINN.<br /><br />There are ZINNS of COMMISSION.<br /><br />There ZINNS of OMISSION.<br /><br />There are VENAL ZINNS.<br /><br />There are MORTAL ZINNS.<br /><br />So far, nothing has been found that could be said to be UGLIER than ZINN.<br /><br />Here endeth the lesson. ;-)<br /><br />FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-38419352154474902872013-08-01T17:36:17.283-05:002013-08-01T17:36:17.283-05:00The answer to sanitizing the culture and ridding i...The answer to sanitizing the culture and ridding it of "doo doo," is contained in the grammatically incorrect title of an old popular song:<br /><br /><b>"DO DO DO WHAT YOU DONE DONE DONE BEFORE."</b> ;-)FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-7435601291211851252013-08-01T17:00:19.525-05:002013-08-01T17:00:19.525-05:00@ Ducky
The purpose of studying history is to int...@ Ducky<br /><br />The purpose of studying history is to introduce students to actual people, in the context of their own time and place, and the events that propelled them into the history books. Understanding what actually did happen, along with an examination of cause and effect, helps students to appreciate decisions and actions by national and corporate leaders, and private citizens, and the consequences of their decisions and activities.<br /><br />I personally have every confidence that students will bring themselves to a proper conclusion about the Haymarket massacre without telling them which side was most culpable, given our own political persuasions. This was what Howard Zinn did in his so-called textbooks, which were brainwashing tools designed to transform students into accepting Zinn’s view of the world. Zinn was a disgrace to the field of education and the art and science of history.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03945887384596946397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-86037682008417976392013-08-01T16:43:02.435-05:002013-08-01T16:43:02.435-05:00Black celebrities are staring to treat Florida lik...Black celebrities are staring to treat Florida like they did South Africa in the 80's. More of them, like Chaka Khan (whom I listened to in the 70's) Jesse Jackson, , Al, Shatpton, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, and now Harry Belafonte just arrived in Florida to join the sit-in circus from the left. These old farts haven’t the ability to think, or comprehend what the hell went down. All they know is that a Black Boy was kolled by an non-black, and was found to be Not Guilty. <br />Bingo! Time to start boycotting Florida. They say they are doing so until Florida Stand Your Ground Law is repealed or re-considered. Didn't lawyers for Zimmerman claim self-defense not Stand Your Ground? I would think blacks would want to defend families and homes against robbers and murderers and malefactors. In cities around the USA hundreds showed up for demonstrations and to repeal Stand Your Ground and some youths wore “I Am Trayvon” t-shirts. Political and sectarian leaders spoke and wrote against Zimmerman and that their son could be Trayvon. I hope kool-aid drinkers don't end up working against their own best interests. In a side note some who support Stand Your Ground may be glad that certain entertainers will not be performing in Florida.<br />Now that the trial is over, it is amazing after the fact about how so much information regarding both Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman is finally coming out. The media and the koolaide drinking supporters of Trayvon Martin had many people believing that George Zimmerman was a evil racist white dude who was stalking an innocent baby faced boy black boy (Trayvon Martin) who was merely going to the store to buy some candy and a drink. Well, that is how the media orchestrated the script, and many people bought into it. (mostly black) but thanks to that illiterate moron Rachel Jantel who was Trayvon Martin's friend, the truth about the real Trayvon Martin has come out. And the world saw that “innocent unnamed baby faced boy black boy” for the wise assed thug that he was. <br />This Travyon Martin case is the perfect example and please don’t say it an exception to the rule, because it’s more typical than not. You didn’t see the media so railed up with the IRS, or Benghazi, scandals as they were on this case. Sorry folks but I am just calling it like I see it. That’s all. <br />voodookobrahttp://voodookobra1.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-13416849929225080852013-08-01T16:30:18.898-05:002013-08-01T16:30:18.898-05:00Yes and no, Mr. Sinclair. It all depends on what o...Yes and no, Mr. Sinclair. It all depends on what one means by the term Theater Arts. I took two highs school courses one in Speech, the other in Dramatics. Both have proved themselves invaluable to me, <i>because</i> the teacher was a brilliant woman who was member of Phi Beta Kappa, and had graduated <i>summa cum laude</i> from Barnard back when that still meant something. <br /><br />She brought Shakespeare to life as no one else ever has outside of The Old Vic, and was overall the very best ENGLISH teacher one could ever hope to have. In her classes we read whole books, plays, reams of poetry and were required to OUTLINE every chapter in our textbook. we were rigorously examined at regular intervals, and every bit of homework we handed in was thoroughly checked, and copiously marked with red pencil. Studying with this demanding person was positively EXHILARATING. <br /><br />Ergo, I would never be one to dismiss "Theater Arts" as a "breeze" or non-essential subject, unless it was taught in the manner Ducky described above.FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-4945526498605746452013-08-01T16:16:31.126-05:002013-08-01T16:16:31.126-05:00" ... Some of the works were completely stude...<i>" ... Some of the works were completely student written and produced. However, they did touch on topics common to working class student life ..."</i><br /><br /><b>STOP RIGHT THERE!</b><br /><br />You blew any hope of achieving credibility with those pitiful sentiments. GENUINE education in the realm of Theater Arts would not occur in an atmosphere devoted to SELF-expression, SELF-pity, and SELF-indulgence. We can only hope to become <i>educated</i> by pursuing an understanding and appreciation of things higher, finer, deeper, brighter, nobler and cleverer than we in our raw, primitive, untutored state. FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-30700945046686524722013-08-01T16:06:48.027-05:002013-08-01T16:06:48.027-05:00Canardo was taught at the knee of Nicolai Ivanovic...Canardo was taught at the knee of Nicolai Ivanovich Shibbolethsky, a former member of the Russian aristocracy who escaped Lenin's firing squads, and became one of Marxism's most devoted disciples. <br /><br />The former Count, as his name implies, had nothing to offer but shibboleths, hence the dismal rhetoric we are treated to from the beak of The Beantown QuackerFreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-90143363664166795812013-08-01T15:59:23.407-05:002013-08-01T15:59:23.407-05:00Another linguistic atrocity -- this time from YOU,...Another linguistic atrocity -- this time from YOU, yourself.<br /><br />Please review the rules for the use of familiar homonyms. In this case <b>TO, TOO and TWO</b>.<br /><br />The distinction is important if are to have even a faint hope of regaining and retaining proper use of the language.FreeThinkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682678301019952436noreply@blogger.com