Measuring what makes life worthwhile
Sometimes, my prejudice deceive me. There was this guy talking, speaking of “us leaders” and “business world” and blaw-blaw, and I thought “oh no, not another one of those successful career people telling me how to be successful” and I was so close to switching to another talk, but then, the talk took an unexpected, but very pleasant turn. Well worth watching:
Unfair news from the middle kingdom
Again, some news from China I foud interesting:
Livingston School Board wants creationism taught
Again, the American school system provides a good laugh (emphases mine):
The Livingston Parish School Board will begin exploring the possibility of incorporating the teaching of “creationism” in the public school system’s science classes…
…several board members expressed an interest in the teaching of creationism, an alternative to the study of the theory of evolution…
…under provisions of the Science Education Act enacted last year by the Louisiana Legislature, schools can present what she termed “critical thinking and creationism” in science classes…
…Board Member David Tate quickly responded: “We let them teach evolution to our children, but I think all of us sitting up here on this School Board believe in creationism. Why can’t we get someone with religious beliefs to teach creationism?”…
…Fellow board member Clint Mitchell responded, “I agree … you don’t have to be afraid to point out some of the fallacies with the theory of evolution. Teachers should have the freedom to look at creationism and find a way to get it into the classroom.”…
…Board President Keith Martin […] said that one problem with the teaching of creationism versus evolution is that, “You don’t want two different teachers teaching two different things.” … “The American Civil Liberties Union and even some of our principals would not be pleased with us, but we shouldn’t worry about the ACLU. It’s more important that we do the correct thing for the children we educate.”…
I think the “funniest” thing about the whole thing is this line: “all of us sitting up here on this School Board believe in creationism“. Either an entire school board consists of morrons, or, what I think (hope?) is more likely, there are a few morrons and the rest is too afraid to say what they really think.
Dehumanized Killing in Iraq
This unspectacular video appears so clean, so non-violent. It’s unsettling and horrifying and much more that I can not express, I am at a loss for words. I just wish it weren’t real.
If you can’t bare to watch the whole thing, fast-forward to 13:09.
Schlaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand!
4 – 0 gegen Argentinien!!! Ich fasse es nicht! Für das nächste Spiel bin ich in Berlin!!!
Band Of Horses – Factory
And it’s time for some music again. Great song, high on my summer playlist.
[youtube]5yVd-o07jSU[/youtube]
News from China
Time again for some news from the middle kingdom, selected on a whim:
- Shanghai Disneyland evictions
- Xu Zhiyong, et al: “The Chinese Citizens’ Pledge”
- Public Recommendation and Direct Elections in Nanjing to Cover Cities and Countryside, Allow People to Wield Rights
- Gun violence in China is on the rise (also here)
- China’s Export Economy Begins Turning Inward
- Tibetan Environmentalist Karma Samdrup Gets 15 Years in Prison