Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Brainwashing on a collegiate level
Unlike the student who wrote the letter to the editor, I know of very little conservatives on campus (probably because of the groups I run it). I want to know where I can find some of this rare breed on campus.
And as for student brainwashing, it was just last week when I talked to a student who was in one of my classes during my freshman year. We were attending a class called Politics of Difference, where Prof Spike would spend half the class period ranting on capitalism. And, at the end of the year, spent the entire period on her soap box, lecturing us on the evils of the war in Iraq, of the Bush administration, and of capitalism in general, which was the cause of all the world's problems. From Spike, we received such classic quotes as "Capitalism is the cause of terrorism, violence, and discrimination in the world today." In that class, my classmate was a, not particularly conservative student, but a staunch defender of capitalism, so to speak.
This student, who is now the president of RHA at the UA, indicated a few Sunday's ago that after that class he was caused to think (*surprise*) and decided that Spike was right--capitalism was a dangerous thing.
And it was this young man who helped put up the Writing on the Wall project last week.
Sadly, the line between brainwashing and education becomes blurred. And many students fall for the trap set up by professors.
Yes, there might be a multitude of conservative students on campus, but that does not negate the fact that many of these moderate students become indoctrinated in class.
If you hear it enough, you start to believe it. You might first laugh at all your professor's jabs at the Bush administration and even sneer at them. But soon you begin to think that perhaps he is warranted, that the Bush administration erred when it outlawed stem cell research (as one of my biology professors proclaimed in class one day).
If only we had heard the truth, that it wasn't outlawed, just that federal funds wouldn't go to certain lines of stem cells.
But then again, when you have a captive audience who lack much authority, why must you present the other side...the truth.
Students aren't being brainwashed at school. Heck no. I mean, how can they be when the College Republicans have such a big campus voice, your whole dorm floor was filled with Republicans, and there are a multitude of conservatives swarming the campus as it is.
Unlike the student who wrote the letter to the editor, I know of very little conservatives on campus (probably because of the groups I run it). I want to know where I can find some of this rare breed on campus.
And as for student brainwashing, it was just last week when I talked to a student who was in one of my classes during my freshman year. We were attending a class called Politics of Difference, where Prof Spike would spend half the class period ranting on capitalism. And, at the end of the year, spent the entire period on her soap box, lecturing us on the evils of the war in Iraq, of the Bush administration, and of capitalism in general, which was the cause of all the world's problems. From Spike, we received such classic quotes as "Capitalism is the cause of terrorism, violence, and discrimination in the world today." In that class, my classmate was a, not particularly conservative student, but a staunch defender of capitalism, so to speak.
This student, who is now the president of RHA at the UA, indicated a few Sunday's ago that after that class he was caused to think (*surprise*) and decided that Spike was right--capitalism was a dangerous thing.
And it was this young man who helped put up the Writing on the Wall project last week.
Sadly, the line between brainwashing and education becomes blurred. And many students fall for the trap set up by professors.
Yes, there might be a multitude of conservative students on campus, but that does not negate the fact that many of these moderate students become indoctrinated in class.
If you hear it enough, you start to believe it. You might first laugh at all your professor's jabs at the Bush administration and even sneer at them. But soon you begin to think that perhaps he is warranted, that the Bush administration erred when it outlawed stem cell research (as one of my biology professors proclaimed in class one day).
If only we had heard the truth, that it wasn't outlawed, just that federal funds wouldn't go to certain lines of stem cells.
But then again, when you have a captive audience who lack much authority, why must you present the other side...the truth.
posted by Laura Keslar at 5:30 PM | |
I just love the election season...
Is it just me, or has Badnarik, the Young Democrats, Rock the Vote and just about everyone else teamed up to scare the youth and all other conspiracy-minded individuals into thinking that the Bush administration would institute a draft.
What's next, Lydon LaRouche and his tinfoil hat followers get TV airtime?
Especially when the Young Democrats on campus feel that it is their perogative to mention that if you vote for Bush, get ready for a trip to Iraq.
Is it just me, or has Badnarik, the Young Democrats, Rock the Vote and just about everyone else teamed up to scare the youth and all other conspiracy-minded individuals into thinking that the Bush administration would institute a draft.
What's next, Lydon LaRouche and his tinfoil hat followers get TV airtime?
posted by Laura Keslar at 5:13 PM | |
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Spratling is at it again
What is going to happen when he gets a real job and can't devote his time to blogging?
If only he would post more:
Obligatory confused liberal response:
"Uh, um, uh... no blood for oil?"
What is going to happen when he gets a real job and can't devote his time to blogging?
posted by Laura Keslar at 2:08 PM | |
Guns on Campus
But with this in mind, I was reading an Resident Assistant's handbook and their demonization of fraternities and sororities was a little out of hand.
And it goes on. Now my problem isn't so much with the facts. Hey, sororities and fraternities members probably do tend to bring more guns to campus than anyone else. But having this fact sandwiched in between issues of people using violence both with and without guns is a little uncalled for. So what are we supposed to do? Go and keep our eyes open for that young lady in a sorority because she might have a hand gun?
Either you adore the Greek systen or you despise it. Yes, a little extreme, but most people tend to gravitate toward a like or dislike thereof.
But with this in mind, I was reading an Resident Assistant's handbook and their demonization of fraternities and sororities was a little out of hand.
1. The most common form of violent crime on college campuses is aggravated assault. [True]
[...]
3. College students who are a member of a fraternity or sorority are significantly more likely to have a gun at college than their non-Greek counterparts.
True: According to a recent study by Miller, Hemenway, and Wechsler (1999), students who were memebers of a fraternity or a sorority were more likely than non-Greek students to have a gun at college.
4. A person who commits violence on campus is usually violent very early in life, and likely to continue violence throughout their lifetime. [False]
And it goes on. Now my problem isn't so much with the facts. Hey, sororities and fraternities members probably do tend to bring more guns to campus than anyone else. But having this fact sandwiched in between issues of people using violence both with and without guns is a little uncalled for. So what are we supposed to do? Go and keep our eyes open for that young lady in a sorority because she might have a hand gun?
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:38 AM | |
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Hate mail is so scary
Then again, its fun arguing with my coworkers about politics. I absolutely love one young man who thinks that education, healthcare, et al is a right. He is fun to talk to and, to say the least, rational (or at least not emotional). Marvelous except he likes Paul Krugman.
And, what is with the drunk people singing in my living room?
On Wednesday, my editor forwarded three pieces of hate mail. The pain to know that I was rejected. But it was all made better by the one piece of fanmail. Might have my self the start of a fan club. *wink* Not really, but you never know, right?
Then again, its fun arguing with my coworkers about politics. I absolutely love one young man who thinks that education, healthcare, et al is a right. He is fun to talk to and, to say the least, rational (or at least not emotional). Marvelous except he likes Paul Krugman.
And, what is with the drunk people singing in my living room?
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:21 PM | |
Friday, September 24, 2004
No Moore protesting
If Michael Moore comes to campus, why must we be supporting the President. As much as I am going to be voting for Bush out of necessity, I really cannot say that I support all of his policies (fiscally, especially, politically in some cases). As such, how can I hold a Dubya for President sign?
posted by Laura Keslar at 7:45 PM | |
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Mike and Ted
The College Republicans are having a hissy fit over this. Not that I blame them. They want to get Ann Coulter (*cough* yuck *cough*) to come and visit campus as well as either Sean Hannity (eeew...) or Ben Stein. I mean, two out of three of their choice conservative speakers suck. Give us Rich Lowry, instead.
I wonder if there will be any effective protests at either of these to visits. There are always protests when it comes to our Chief Justice coming to lecture, even though he was an Arizona resident. Come on UA conservatives. Show up in droves.
*Actually, I don't have a problem with Teddy Kennedy coming to campus to speak. I don't like it that Michael Moore is given money to come here because we, as the student body, need to be "educated" as the Wildcat put it.
UPDATE: Yeah, I was just checking my blogroll and it looks as though Chris Veck has made a mention of Moore coming to town.
Likewise, Garrett also makes an interesting comment about the activity fee that ASUA wanted to institute.
Both Michael Moore and Ted Kennedy will be showing up to the UA on October 11 and 12, respectively. ASUA is sponsoring the Michael Moore speech and the Law College asked Ted Kennedy. I am so taking a day off of working in the chemistry lab to go see this.
The College Republicans are having a hissy fit over this. Not that I blame them. They want to get Ann Coulter (*cough* yuck *cough*) to come and visit campus as well as either Sean Hannity (eeew...) or Ben Stein. I mean, two out of three of their choice conservative speakers suck. Give us Rich Lowry, instead.
I wonder if there will be any effective protests at either of these to visits. There are always protests when it comes to our Chief Justice coming to lecture, even though he was an Arizona resident. Come on UA conservatives. Show up in droves.
*Actually, I don't have a problem with Teddy Kennedy coming to campus to speak. I don't like it that Michael Moore is given money to come here because we, as the student body, need to be "educated" as the Wildcat put it.
UPDATE: Yeah, I was just checking my blogroll and it looks as though Chris Veck has made a mention of Moore coming to town.
Likewise, Garrett also makes an interesting comment about the activity fee that ASUA wanted to institute.
posted by Laura Keslar at 11:27 PM | |
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Hah! One more way the UA is better than ASU
But then again, they changed the name of hall government to hall council because hall government was too exclusive and whatnot. So, it wouldn't surprise me if RHA decided it would be a great idea to prohibit messages up in the windows.
At least I didn't get in trouble for something as assinine as putting up a sign in my dorm room window like ASU's RHA is doing to the girls and young men in this article. (Last year and the years before, you would always go past windows with signs up for particular political figures. This year, instead of being local, its presidential names adorning the windows.)That is, unless of course they changed the policy.
But then again, they changed the name of hall government to hall council because hall government was too exclusive and whatnot. So, it wouldn't surprise me if RHA decided it would be a great idea to prohibit messages up in the windows.
posted by Laura Keslar at 1:33 PM | |
Monday, September 20, 2004
Wildcat letters to the editor
The woman at the bottom was humorous in her attempt to ridicule the whole tortilla being at fault theory as to why December graduation was canceled. I am of the mind that who really cares about December graduation. I mean, if people were committed about their school work, surely they could graduate in May, right? Most majors do not require you to take so many units that graduation in December is the only time you can graduate. In fact, look at my courses. Over my three years here, I have taken multiple political science courses, random general education courses, odd communication courses, biology courses, and economics courses. And you know, if I wanted to graduate after this year (my junior year) with my chemistry BS, I would only need another 18 units of courses, 24 counting the math courses I need (yes, slacker, I know). So whats the point? Even if people slacked they could graduate in May. My only problem with the whole December cancellation is that student's weren't told in advance so as to make their plans better. That way, they could have opted for a May graduation.
Now, onto the next letter to the editor.
What!? Has this guy taken an economics course ever in the course of his education? Production will mirror the demand. Now tell me, how many of us really want an Uzi? I mean, I am looking forward to turning 21 and being able to own a handgun but hey. But really. In no way would a gun manufacturer--a profit-making company for that matter--want to flood a market where there is no demand for its product. While at first there might be a flood, eventually the equilibrium will be re-established and *viola* no more market flooding. I think its time you wake up for class...or at least stop scheduling your economics courses in the morning.
While I am sitting at work with nothing better to do and forced to read the Wildcat letters to the editor, I found many of them rather...entertaining. Garrett's was right on. No complaints there. But the others were great.
The woman at the bottom was humorous in her attempt to ridicule the whole tortilla being at fault theory as to why December graduation was canceled. I am of the mind that who really cares about December graduation. I mean, if people were committed about their school work, surely they could graduate in May, right? Most majors do not require you to take so many units that graduation in December is the only time you can graduate. In fact, look at my courses. Over my three years here, I have taken multiple political science courses, random general education courses, odd communication courses, biology courses, and economics courses. And you know, if I wanted to graduate after this year (my junior year) with my chemistry BS, I would only need another 18 units of courses, 24 counting the math courses I need (yes, slacker, I know). So whats the point? Even if people slacked they could graduate in May. My only problem with the whole December cancellation is that student's weren't told in advance so as to make their plans better. That way, they could have opted for a May graduation.
Now, onto the next letter to the editor.
It does not matter that criminals will have easier access to assault weapons because gun manufacturers are going to glut the market with Tech-9s, Uzis and AK-47s.
What!? Has this guy taken an economics course ever in the course of his education? Production will mirror the demand. Now tell me, how many of us really want an Uzi? I mean, I am looking forward to turning 21 and being able to own a handgun but hey. But really. In no way would a gun manufacturer--a profit-making company for that matter--want to flood a market where there is no demand for its product. While at first there might be a flood, eventually the equilibrium will be re-established and *viola* no more market flooding. I think its time you wake up for class...or at least stop scheduling your economics courses in the morning.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:36 AM | |
Is it a Conan? Is it a barbarian? No!
While I found the new movie sounds kind of cute in a dorkier Indian Jones way, the subject of the movie is what caught my attention. A librarian. It almost seems to indicate society's respect has shifted from those who produce products to those who produce services, hence the librarian. And not just a shift of who produces but also a shift in ideals, both of the ideal man and ideal traits for society.
What shall be interesting is to see the results of the upcoming election, whether the Texas cowboy or the New England snob gets elected.
It's the Librarian!
While I found the new movie sounds kind of cute in a dorkier Indian Jones way, the subject of the movie is what caught my attention. A librarian. It almost seems to indicate society's respect has shifted from those who produce products to those who produce services, hence the librarian. And not just a shift of who produces but also a shift in ideals, both of the ideal man and ideal traits for society.
What shall be interesting is to see the results of the upcoming election, whether the Texas cowboy or the New England snob gets elected.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:22 AM | |
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Dumb people
I can't believe that Arizona activists want to legislate a ban against assault rifles in Arizona. Bleh.
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:33 PM | |
Ok, I will admit that on most social issues, I tend to take the not-so-Christian-Coalition view. Like with porn. Don't like, but really don't think it needs to be outlawed. Now, abortion, well...thats murder. Different story. But I would never have thought that I would have been termed a liberal. A liberal! I am hurt to the core. Oh wait, there goes my liberal side again, feeling emotional.
posted by Laura Keslar at 6:11 PM | |
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Pathetic College Life
At least I wasn't the weirdos who wore pajamas to class.
Oh I am hurt. I can't believe someone will make fun of people who stay in their dorms surfing the internet. I mean, I am well-rounded, right? I have a full social life, right? Just because I don't drink and I have friends who think that Islam is a country far far away doesn't mean I am pathetic. Does it?
At least I wasn't the weirdos who wore pajamas to class.
Once classes start, and a few weeks go by, these large student clusters disappear. The initial insecurity that binds these groups together begins to dissipate; some students discover that they don't necessarily want to hang out with some of their dormmates; others discover friends with like-minded interests; and now, of course, there are those who stay in their dorm room, in pajamas, pathetically surfing the Internet.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:21 PM | |
Friday, September 17, 2004
Politics in classrooms
I love my organic synthesis professor--after all, who can not love a cute, balding, old man who tries to be humorous--but what is all this talk about compassionate conservatism?
And Professor Bert, what's up with the tangent on how expensive calculators are unfair and cheat the poorer students out of a higher grade? And that the rich stay rich and the poor are forced in their poverty.
Dear Dr. Chem-safety. What does the assault weapons ban have to do with wearing gloves and bicyles in the lab? I doubt any lab tech will be bringing in their AK-47s, unless of course you did something to get them angry. But if that happens, they have a world of chemical reagents at their fingertips. Yes, I doubt that they will opt for the assault weapons.
Wonderfully interesting topics, I might say, if any of them were teaching poli sci or economics (perhaps), but physics and chemistry?
I am beginning to wonder why I ever thought science courses would be free from politics.
Once again, what is with professors in science courses, in physics and chemistry talking politics when their lecture is dealing with a mechanism about how benzopinacol is formed or the rotation of a satellite and calculators?
I love my organic synthesis professor--after all, who can not love a cute, balding, old man who tries to be humorous--but what is all this talk about compassionate conservatism?
And Professor Bert, what's up with the tangent on how expensive calculators are unfair and cheat the poorer students out of a higher grade? And that the rich stay rich and the poor are forced in their poverty.
Dear Dr. Chem-safety. What does the assault weapons ban have to do with wearing gloves and bicyles in the lab? I doubt any lab tech will be bringing in their AK-47s, unless of course you did something to get them angry. But if that happens, they have a world of chemical reagents at their fingertips. Yes, I doubt that they will opt for the assault weapons.
Wonderfully interesting topics, I might say, if any of them were teaching poli sci or economics (perhaps), but physics and chemistry?
I am beginning to wonder why I ever thought science courses would be free from politics.
posted by Laura Keslar at 4:23 PM | |
Idiot Savant
I was reading the letters to the editor at The Statepress and after reading the first editorial, my first thoughts were "idiot savant." So yes, Bush could be an incompetent idiot except in the part where he is an evil genius.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:46 AM | |
What about the anyone-but-Kerry people?
Of course I am not saying that my vote would have made the difference, but the difference between Matt Salmon and Napolitano was not quite that large (if I remember correctly, it was in the 10k range). But of course there were others like me who did not like the choices and went with a third party. But why do that again?
Look at what happened at the last presidential election. Some of the people who voted for Nader felt the pain when Bush did.
I have decided that I am in the anyone-but-Kerry camp. And because of this, I won't vote for Badnarik or Nader, because my vote to them means a vote for Kerry. Last time I voted in an election, I went with the Libertarian candidate, despite the fact that I thought he was blowing smoke out his expletive. When the results of the election came out, Napolitano was elected.
Of course I am not saying that my vote would have made the difference, but the difference between Matt Salmon and Napolitano was not quite that large (if I remember correctly, it was in the 10k range). But of course there were others like me who did not like the choices and went with a third party. But why do that again?
Look at what happened at the last presidential election. Some of the people who voted for Nader felt the pain when Bush did.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:42 AM | |
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Life, what life?
And what is this thing they call leisure? Bah.
(Via Common Knowledge)
So after spending another long day (yes, from 7:00AM to 9:45PM), I am ready to crash. And yet, I wonder how much homework I have to do. Oh wait, two labs. Nevermind.
This has turned into something a little more than a brief review of whats going on, partly because I simply don't have time to do anything else. But along that line, the average American spends 8.6 hours sleeping. I want 8.6 hours. I barely get five hours, at least for this week. And I am exhausted.
And what is this thing they call leisure? Bah.
(Via Common Knowledge)
So after spending another long day (yes, from 7:00AM to 9:45PM), I am ready to crash. And yet, I wonder how much homework I have to do. Oh wait, two labs. Nevermind.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:01 PM | |
Monday, September 13, 2004
Socialists in Education (Part III)
It goes back to what Hayek has stated, that intelligent people place higher emphasis on intelligence and, as a result, will favor a more planned economy because it is just that--planned: a product of one's own faculties.
This gentleman might have been insulting the right, but he did at least make a very lucid point.
Drudge linked to an article about professor donations to political causes. What stood out in the article was a comment made by a professor who said, "'Does it surprise me that smart people should be supporting Kerry?' Appel said. 'No.'"
It goes back to what Hayek has stated, that intelligent people place higher emphasis on intelligence and, as a result, will favor a more planned economy because it is just that--planned: a product of one's own faculties.
This gentleman might have been insulting the right, but he did at least make a very lucid point.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:39 AM | |
Friday, September 10, 2004
Horrific week, explanation for no blogging
On Tuesday, I obviously went to work (where I burned myself with dichloromethane, stupid me) and then to lab. Because some of the reagents in the lab were unavailable that day (they had to be ordered), I couldnt start the experiment I had anticipated on starting and therefore only finished the experiment from the week before. So this made it necessary to go to lab on another day and the only other time that I had available and that coincided with the lab times was on Thursday afternoon and evening, so I ended up attending lab at both times on Thursday, but I will get back to that.
But between work and lab, I ended up having to go take a spectra on the gemini200 (NMR machine thingy) in order to be given permission to use the giant "beer keg" with a computer attached to it. I was there for over an hour and a half trying to get my spectra to come out nicely and by the end of it, my spectra still looked horrible. And because lab had started, I had to attend class.
After lab, I went back into the NMR room to try to finish my spectra. I went in at 5 o'clock and I didn't get out until 8:30. But I did end up with some pretty peaks. But it was still three and a half hours that evening coupled with the hour and a half during lunch. It was horrific.
Then came Thursday: I had an hour and a half before work started, so I decided that I would go into the lab and start one of the experiments I needed to have started on Tuesday. Well, as I had started to clean my erlenmeyer flasks and search for NMR tubes, the fire alarm went off and the building was evacuated. We were outside the building for three hours, from 1:30 to 4:30 and all labs were canceled for the afternoon and the third floor (which was the floor I was on) was effectually closed off during the rest of the evening.
We soon found out it was only a busted steam pipe, but whenever you went over to the other side of the building (it wasn't my side, but the other, or east side), it felt hot and muggy. Standing outside, you could see the water dripping through the bricks and down the building. It flooded the basement. Which was horrible.
While labs on third floor were canceled, my class still went in and started our experiments. Although I was able to start two of them and finish one, I was in the chemistry building until 10 o'clock at night. After which I still had a thirty minute walk home. I was dead tired.
So yes, this week at school has been major suckerage. And almost all because of lab and NMR.
However, that evening of Thursday, I had to take my NMR tube home because they are valuable things and I didn't have anywhere to store it at school without it being broken, stolen, or me locked out of a room. So I took it home and brought it back to school and I analyzed my sample and it was pretty, though there was a bit of acetone still in my sample (acetone was the other product). But even so, my melting point was marvelous as was my spectra for both the carbon and proton experiments. I was so very proud of my mad NMR skills.
This week has been aweful. Not only did I work extra hours on Sunday and Monday to cover for my coworkers who just refused to show up to work, I ended up spending two entire days at school, from 7:30 in the morning to 8:30 and 10:00 in the evening, respectively.
On Tuesday, I obviously went to work (where I burned myself with dichloromethane, stupid me) and then to lab. Because some of the reagents in the lab were unavailable that day (they had to be ordered), I couldnt start the experiment I had anticipated on starting and therefore only finished the experiment from the week before. So this made it necessary to go to lab on another day and the only other time that I had available and that coincided with the lab times was on Thursday afternoon and evening, so I ended up attending lab at both times on Thursday, but I will get back to that.
But between work and lab, I ended up having to go take a spectra on the gemini200 (NMR machine thingy) in order to be given permission to use the giant "beer keg" with a computer attached to it. I was there for over an hour and a half trying to get my spectra to come out nicely and by the end of it, my spectra still looked horrible. And because lab had started, I had to attend class.
After lab, I went back into the NMR room to try to finish my spectra. I went in at 5 o'clock and I didn't get out until 8:30. But I did end up with some pretty peaks. But it was still three and a half hours that evening coupled with the hour and a half during lunch. It was horrific.
Then came Thursday: I had an hour and a half before work started, so I decided that I would go into the lab and start one of the experiments I needed to have started on Tuesday. Well, as I had started to clean my erlenmeyer flasks and search for NMR tubes, the fire alarm went off and the building was evacuated. We were outside the building for three hours, from 1:30 to 4:30 and all labs were canceled for the afternoon and the third floor (which was the floor I was on) was effectually closed off during the rest of the evening.
We soon found out it was only a busted steam pipe, but whenever you went over to the other side of the building (it wasn't my side, but the other, or east side), it felt hot and muggy. Standing outside, you could see the water dripping through the bricks and down the building. It flooded the basement. Which was horrible.
While labs on third floor were canceled, my class still went in and started our experiments. Although I was able to start two of them and finish one, I was in the chemistry building until 10 o'clock at night. After which I still had a thirty minute walk home. I was dead tired.
So yes, this week at school has been major suckerage. And almost all because of lab and NMR.
However, that evening of Thursday, I had to take my NMR tube home because they are valuable things and I didn't have anywhere to store it at school without it being broken, stolen, or me locked out of a room. So I took it home and brought it back to school and I analyzed my sample and it was pretty, though there was a bit of acetone still in my sample (acetone was the other product). But even so, my melting point was marvelous as was my spectra for both the carbon and proton experiments. I was so very proud of my mad NMR skills.
posted by Laura Keslar at 7:35 PM | |
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
He is back!
The adorable Edward Boyd from Zonitics is back. And though this is not his first post after his long break, but it just caught my eye (partly because his first post had to do with the primaries, in which I didn't vote since I didn't get my early ballot in early enough). And despite I am not an adamant fan of the Bush administration (well, except Donald Rumsfeld), I am quite pleased with that double digit lead.
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:09 PM | |
What was with all the socialists today?
There was another weird group, but I really don't remember who it was. But the point remains...the socialists were out in action today. The only thing I missed was the Free Mumia people and the Students for Peace and Justice in the Middle East. With all of them there, I would have sworn they had conspired together.
What was up with today on the mall? Was it Socialists 'R' Us? I mean, we had Refuse and Resist, the Democrat Party, and something about fighting imperialism and its wars. Which I still don't understand. The banner said: "Fight Imperialism and Its Wars." Does that mean to fight against imperialism but to fight its wars, as in join the military or some aspect of the military-industrial complex?
There was another weird group, but I really don't remember who it was. But the point remains...the socialists were out in action today. The only thing I missed was the Free Mumia people and the Students for Peace and Justice in the Middle East. With all of them there, I would have sworn they had conspired together.
posted by Laura Keslar at 7:09 PM | |
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Technology's influence on revolutions
Technology seems to be constantly fueling the net revolution, the next protest, the next something. Recently, it has been text messaging, and according to a professor of mine, it was the fax machine that helped with one of the intifada and the tape recorder that helped Khomeini come to power.
posted by Laura Keslar at 3:58 PM | |
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Updated grammar rules
I hate being a stickler over things like this, but when did snuck become the acceptable alternative to sneaked?
At any rate, media attention to the Youth Convention will probably focus on a 20-second whistling outbreak that disrupted Andy Card’s speech. Three or four anti-Bushies had obtained passes and snuck in, masquerading as young Republicans.
posted by Laura Keslar at 7:06 PM | |
Kerry's suggestion to outsourcing: subsidies
But if these companies were actually successfully able to keep the jobs within the country, being that they were more productive, more cost-efficient, wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that that cost-efficiency was reward enough?
In other words, he is basically giving money to the same corporations he has promised to cut federal subsidies: offer money to do something that is unproductive.
Did anyone else listen to Kerry's little speech about how he plans to prevent outsourcing? How he plans to reward those companies who keep jobs within the United States? Am I the only who finds this questionable (probably not, but that was a nice little catch-phrase)?
But if these companies were actually successfully able to keep the jobs within the country, being that they were more productive, more cost-efficient, wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that that cost-efficiency was reward enough?
In other words, he is basically giving money to the same corporations he has promised to cut federal subsidies: offer money to do something that is unproductive.
posted by Laura Keslar at 6:45 PM | |
Friday, September 03, 2004
Bad geologist joke
At the UA homepage, there was a title of an article from the UANews, which said: "Moho Gone Missing, Geologists Say." And sadly, my first response was, "Well, have they checked the bars?" It took me a second to realize it wasn't the name of a geologist but what the geologist refer to the underlying mantle as.
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:10 AM | |
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Now for some good news about the UA's rankings
Heh.
And according to Michael Savage two years ago (right after the Nursing College shooting and the riot for basketball tickets), the UA was also the #1 party school, which my roommate at the time vehementally denied. (She later went and got herself a fake ID and went to church hung-over. Nice girl though.)
According to the Princeton Review, the University of Arizona's daily college paper, the Wildcat, lists as #7 in the listing of "Great College Newspapers." (So, even if we do complain about the Wildcat, its not all that bad). It is also #18 in the listing of "Jock Schools."
Heh.
And according to Michael Savage two years ago (right after the Nursing College shooting and the riot for basketball tickets), the UA was also the #1 party school, which my roommate at the time vehementally denied. (She later went and got herself a fake ID and went to church hung-over. Nice girl though.)
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:28 PM | |
If there are two things I can do without
Yes, the Bush twins are attractive. But nothing more. Nothing remarkable. In other words, I wouldn't be sitting at a table and get distracted by their stunning beauty. I might get distracted by Jenna Bush's choice in shoes, however, but that is another story. Of course, the Kerry girls would never catch my attention accept for the fact that they dress awefully (not exactly work safe). I almost wish for the days of the Clinton administration where you would only hear whisps of gossip about how Chelsea resembled her mother, and nothing more. (Eh...don't go searching for "jenna" under google images...just don't.)
And gosh, McCain must be the most popular "conservative" ever, considering how much the media seems to love him. All I can say is that its all getting old, and quickly. New topic please?
I think its time to poke out my eyes and puncture my ear drums if I have to hear one more thing about how young, hot, and party-girls the Bush twins are or about how much the media wishes McCain was running for the presidency.
Yes, the Bush twins are attractive. But nothing more. Nothing remarkable. In other words, I wouldn't be sitting at a table and get distracted by their stunning beauty. I might get distracted by Jenna Bush's choice in shoes, however, but that is another story. Of course, the Kerry girls would never catch my attention accept for the fact that they dress awefully (not exactly work safe). I almost wish for the days of the Clinton administration where you would only hear whisps of gossip about how Chelsea resembled her mother, and nothing more. (Eh...don't go searching for "jenna" under google images...just don't.)
And gosh, McCain must be the most popular "conservative" ever, considering how much the media seems to love him. All I can say is that its all getting old, and quickly. New topic please?
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:18 PM | |
While I am on the topic of SATs
Yes, that might be harsh, but they are. They simply do not get the obvious. They ask for a thermometer to tell when water has reached 100 C, or boiling point. Water boils at 100 C. And then, they ask the prep room person (in other words, me) what is this weird looking contraption. Well, its bottom appears around and it is a flask. It must obviously be that microcondenser despite the fact that on the inventory sheet there is a bottle called a "round-bottom flask."
Not only that, but their SAT scores are deplorable. Looking at the scores, and especially the table to the right of it listing the links between grades and SAT scores as well as household income and SAT scores, I realized something that the state doesn't account of exceptional students. But then again, this is only for the average SAT scores. But the point remains that even those students who are expected to do brilliantly don't do rather well; they score above average but not remarkably so.
And sadly, this almost points to some grade inflation. I understand that the SAT tests for potential, not for what students have learned (thats what the ACT does); however, the average SAT scores are rather low given the grades associated with each. Students who are receiving B's, which means above average, are receiving below average scores (500 on the SAT). In other words, what is probably as unbiased of a test that you can get (ignore the screaming cultural-relativists) is indicating that Arizona schools are giving acceptable grades to students who are, in any other context, doing below what they ought to be.
It is grade inflation, pure and simple.
Gosh. Students in Arizona are retarded.
Yes, that might be harsh, but they are. They simply do not get the obvious. They ask for a thermometer to tell when water has reached 100 C, or boiling point. Water boils at 100 C. And then, they ask the prep room person (in other words, me) what is this weird looking contraption. Well, its bottom appears around and it is a flask. It must obviously be that microcondenser despite the fact that on the inventory sheet there is a bottle called a "round-bottom flask."
Not only that, but their SAT scores are deplorable. Looking at the scores, and especially the table to the right of it listing the links between grades and SAT scores as well as household income and SAT scores, I realized something that the state doesn't account of exceptional students. But then again, this is only for the average SAT scores. But the point remains that even those students who are expected to do brilliantly don't do rather well; they score above average but not remarkably so.
And sadly, this almost points to some grade inflation. I understand that the SAT tests for potential, not for what students have learned (thats what the ACT does); however, the average SAT scores are rather low given the grades associated with each. Students who are receiving B's, which means above average, are receiving below average scores (500 on the SAT). In other words, what is probably as unbiased of a test that you can get (ignore the screaming cultural-relativists) is indicating that Arizona schools are giving acceptable grades to students who are, in any other context, doing below what they ought to be.
It is grade inflation, pure and simple.
posted by Laura Keslar at 8:38 PM | |
Wanna complain about low UA rankings? Its because its students are stupid
What seems to be interesting is not so much that the scores are low (yes, those are low scores, or, basically, average scores), but the fact that the university gives unconditional acceptance to students with a 1040 SAT score. Thats less than the state average or, in other words, the University of Arizona accepts anything that breathes, and judging by some of the comments I have heard in class by freshmen and seniors alike, its quite a bit of them too.
But when the school suffers from fair scores in national rankings, in particular because of its low graduation retention, it might behoove the University tighten its criteria for admission.
By decreasing its admissions, the university should be able to effectively increase its graduation rate. After all, if students are only mediocre or even less than average but think they are brilliant and decide, "Hey, I want to become an astrophysicist," is it likely that they will continue to stay at the University considering they have lost their scholarship (grade-based scholarships often maintain that you keep your GPA above a 3.35; they give you a probation period) and have received low scores?
After all, the SATs measure a students potential success at college level. If they weren't successful, at least in some portion, they wouldn't be used as a measuring device. However, as it is, they are pretty accurate. Because the University of Arizona accepts lower than average students, how is it surprising then that the students perform poorly and, as a result, drop out thus causing the school to rank only fairly on a national level.
As long as the University continues to accept mediocre or below average students, as its "unconditional acceptance" policy allows for, its students will continue to drop out as they receive low scores and are unable to maintain their grades and scholarships.
It seems as though Arizona is performing above the national average when it comes to the SAT, but is this really all that commendable? After all, the students who took the test scored, on average, 523 on the verbal and 524 on the math portion.
What seems to be interesting is not so much that the scores are low (yes, those are low scores, or, basically, average scores), but the fact that the university gives unconditional acceptance to students with a 1040 SAT score. Thats less than the state average or, in other words, the University of Arizona accepts anything that breathes, and judging by some of the comments I have heard in class by freshmen and seniors alike, its quite a bit of them too.
But when the school suffers from fair scores in national rankings, in particular because of its low graduation retention, it might behoove the University tighten its criteria for admission.
By decreasing its admissions, the university should be able to effectively increase its graduation rate. After all, if students are only mediocre or even less than average but think they are brilliant and decide, "Hey, I want to become an astrophysicist," is it likely that they will continue to stay at the University considering they have lost their scholarship (grade-based scholarships often maintain that you keep your GPA above a 3.35; they give you a probation period) and have received low scores?
After all, the SATs measure a students potential success at college level. If they weren't successful, at least in some portion, they wouldn't be used as a measuring device. However, as it is, they are pretty accurate. Because the University of Arizona accepts lower than average students, how is it surprising then that the students perform poorly and, as a result, drop out thus causing the school to rank only fairly on a national level.
As long as the University continues to accept mediocre or below average students, as its "unconditional acceptance" policy allows for, its students will continue to drop out as they receive low scores and are unable to maintain their grades and scholarships.
posted by Laura Keslar at 8:24 PM | |
