Hurlshort

It was so bad it got funny. Huh? Actually I do wonder if these movies would really have the same impact with people who didn't grow up watching the TV show. The best bits are the lampooning of the classic stuff from the show.

I finally broke down and bought a new laptop after fighting my old one for the last couple months. The power jack is not working well. I've replaced it once before, two years ago, and now it is bad again. I already opened it up to see if there was anything I could do, but it doesn't have any loose wires or anything obvious. Most likely the whole port needs to be replaced, and I'm not comfortable removing it and welding on a new one. I could take it back to a shop, but they'll charge me at least $100 for that. Given that it is already struggling to meet the requirements of new games, I figure it isn't worth putting more money into it. I got an MSI laptop that looks decent, has the GTX870M in it so it should get me through a few more years.

Please show me a textbook from the 50s that says Africa never had it's own civilizations. I've got an encyclopedia from the 50s sitting a room away that's got all sorts of information on African civilizations. Vals stop nitpicking, he isn't being literal I was being a bit glib, but I am curious what your encyclopedia says about Great Zimbabwe. I have a few older encyclopedias at work, I'll check them on Monday.

I'm pretty sure we have a racoon under the house too, he's been driving the dog nuts. I know we had a cat under there for awhile, and before that we had a short stay from a skunk. Yay for crawl spaces.

Wow, Africa not having their own civilizations is like something out of a textbook from the 50's. It's incredibly false.

22 Jump Street - I was laughing so hard I could hardly breathe. They somehow went above the hilarious original.

I just picked up Massive Chalice, it was 25% off on Steam. It sounds like a great concept, it will be interesting if they can pull it off. I'm still a bit sore about Spacebase, but I'll give Double Fine another chance since they've done some good stuff.

Injury? Drug taking for the pain? Drugs would be my guess, sadly.

I was driving home from the hockey rink today, and saw someone I knew panhandling on the median. This guy was playing minor league hockey last year. Now they don't make much at the level he was playing, but he is still a young guy in good shape, I would think he would have better options than begging on the side of the road. I was shocked. I would imagine there is more to the story.

Multiculturalism and tolerance don't create ghettos, struggling economies do.

Here is the actual standards: http://www.corestandards.org/ As for the algebra thing that sorophx, brought up, it is false. My school has already adopted the standards. It is also part of our mission statement to have all students take algebra by 8th grade, there is no conflict there. Some of our students are taking Geometry by 8th grade. Common core is not forcing students to work at a lower level than they are capable of (or rather it isn't making it worse than it already is.) When I can't challenge my high level students, it has a lot more to do with the 36 students in each class than any of the curriculum or standards. This is probably the most telling part: So all this fearmongering about brainwashing by the government is ridiculous. As I've said, there are plenty of legitimate complaints about Common Core, but most of what is being bandied about the media is false. Education reform is a big business, pumping out a new program is profitable. You should see all the junk mail I get on Common Core.

http://www.newsweek.com/koran-does-not-forbid-images-prophet-298298 This was an interesting read about the historical aspect of not portraying the Prophet. It really just adds to the idea that terrorists are full of bollocks when it comes to understanding Islam.

The crazy part about those inner city schools is that there are a number of students who feel safer there than they do at home. When we get closer to winter or summer break, they start acting out. A few would even rather be in Juvenile Hall than spend two months at home. As for the good parents pulling their kids out of all the public schools, I completely disagree. Those parents are often more concerned with controlling their children and limiting exposure to different ideas. Considering how often Val talks about brainwashing, he seems quick to support people who wrap their children in a protective bubble. As a public educator, I don't have time to brainwash these kids, there are too many of them and I have too much stuff to cover. It is really up to the individual student to make what they will of a public school education. I just throw a bunch of tools on the table and let them build what they will. Clearly I am simplifying a very complex process that goes on over the course of a school year, but that isn't far from the mark.

The only real issue in education is the community that the school is in. I teach in a great community, my kids score tremendously on any test I give them. My wife teaches in a difficult urban setting where kids deal with gangs and drugs. They test terribly. Is my wife a worse teacher than me because of that? Of course not, in fact she has to work harder because of all the discipline issues. Is her school more run down? No, it's actually a bit nicer, they get more funding because of their socio-economic population. We have the same curriculum across the state, we even go to the same trainings. Credit or blame for a failing school system falls heavily on one thing - the parents.

I'm not anti or pro common core, it's just another way for educational reformers to stay in business. I'm against the politicising of it. It's a smokescreen for the real issues in education, which have little to do with curriculum, teachers, or classroom materials. We all know that No Child Left Behind was terrible, right? What are your actual complaints about Common Core? I have plenty, but I'm interested to hear what you see as a problem.

Yay for the protecting students part, boo for the dig on Common Core. I'm not going to say Common Core is revolutionary, but it does move us away from the terrible standardized testing and puts the focus on developing critical thinking skills. Also, anytime you hear a politician talking about Common Core, right or left wing, ignore them because they have no idea what they are talking about.

So we are basically turning community colleges into extended High Schools, great. I think there should be a point where students are expected to shoulder some financial responsibilities, and community colleges are already very affordable. I'd rather see a push to lower university costs, they've gotten out of control.

Yeah, my wife is not a big fan of Crossfit. But I thought they use barbells for a bunch of exercises? Personally I get enough wear and tear playing hockey, I don't need to speed through gym exercises and risk more injury. I'll take my gym time slow and steady.

I think there is a lot of material between BG1 and 2. How the heck did Imoen become a mage? Ok, that's all I've got.

I'm pretty sure the comic had Mohammad with a bomb in his turban. That is definitely insulting. But I will defend the right to print it, even if I disagree with the message.

Do you have an example of major American news outlets that post insulting Jesus caricatures? I've never seen one, it would be incredibly foolish given the fact the US is still predominantly Christian. It would alienate a large audience. I will criticise anyone that publishes insulting and degrading material about religion. I will certainly not buy such publications, and will not be surprised if they lose advertisers or go out of business. But I will always defend their right to publish such material. That is how freedom works.

Physically lifting cars out of the snow is awesome, but I still wouldn't call it practical.

Val, the moderators aren't paid employees or anything. They can take part in arguments as well as everyone else here.

Calling for the deportation of millions over the actions of 3 terrible people is reprehensible.

He might be right, seems every driver here is a self centered idiot. Speak for yourself. And it's very doubtful he's right, but even if he is in that regards I'd argue the cost for us to even find out is far too high. Wait, you trust the people that are driving around you? How terribly naive. I drive like everyone else is an idiot, because it is true.