Big Changes are on tap....

My one-year-as-a-Munuvian anniversary is a little over a week away, and to celebrate, this space is about to undergo a major change! A little old, a little new, a little borrowed, and a lot of blue.... (well, blue-purple)

Still have some bugs to fix (IE SUX!!!), but I may just decide to say "Screw it" and force y'all to adopt Firefox!

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Weird Quiz

Somewhat accurate, but definitely weird.
Found here.

the Questioner

you chose CY - your Enneagram type is SIX. "I am affectionate and skeptical" Questioners are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative. How to Get Along with Me Be direct and clear. Listen to me carefully. Don't judge me for my anxiety. Work things through with me. Reassure me that everything is OK between us. Laugh and make jokes with me. Gently push me toward new experiences. Try not to overreact to my overreacting. What I Like About Being a Six being committed and faithful to family and friends being responsible and hardworking being compassionate toward others having intellect and wit being a nonconformist confronting danger bravely being direct and assertive What's Hard About Being a Six the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations Sixes as Children Often are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent Sixes as Parents are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence worry more than most that their children will get hurt sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele The Enneagram Made Easy Discover the 9 Types of People HarperSanFrancisco, 1994, 161 pages You are not completely happy with the result? You chose CY Would you rather have chosen: AY (EIGHT) BY (FOUR) CX (TWO) CZ (ONE)

Link: The Quick and Painless ENNEAGRAM Test written by felk on OkCupid

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Jill Carroll is Free!

Rusty (as usual) has the latest!

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90K!

Visitor #90,000 arrived at 2:28:22 pm this afternoon from Shepeherdstown, WV on an IP belonging to Verizon Internet Services.

He/She ended up here from a google search: Do Veterans Salute?

Hope you found what you were looking for.

WooHoo!

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Ha Ha, Fooled You!

Your Quirk Factor: 52%

You're a pretty quirky person, but you're just normal enough to hide it. Congratulations - you've fooled other people into thinking you're just like them!

from SF, 68% quirky

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Marriage-- For Whites Only?

Much has been made of the Joy Jones article in yesterday's Washington Post regarding the attitudes of young blacks towards marriage.

The best (bar none) commentary on this article I have seen is this piece by LaShawn Barber.  I'm not always in agreement with LaShawn, but in this case she hits the nail squarely on the head.  She says, in part:

"In my admittedly biased, unscientific observations, it appears that black boys are not being socialized to marry and take care of families, and black girls are not being socialized to accept nothing less than an honorable man who will marry and care for them. Generally speaking, boys are not being groomed to be husbands and breadwinners, and girls are not being groomed to keep their legs closed until marriage.

Why are these things so, and why is “black marriage” in such a dismal state? I believe the reasons boil down to two factions: fatherless homes and the weakening of the social stigma against illegitimacy."

There's a lot more, so do go read the rest.  I'll wait here, I promise.

As an educator in a university that was founded specifically to train minority students in the sciences, these attitudes in the Black community are critical to what I do everyday.  It's hard to combat the idea that a college education and a stable family aren't things that are for whites only.  It's hard to get a kid whose brother is in jail to believe that he or she can get into med school.  The kids (anecdotally) who end up making the decision to commit to college and be successful are more likely to be the ones that have a stronger base at home, either Mom and Dad, or parent and step-parent.

Furthermore, I find it ironic that this attitude reflects a self-imposed social segregation.  Many have written, and eloquently, about the re-segregation of the Black community, from the suburbs back to the urban ghettoes, and the embracing of ghetto culture as something unimpeachably "Ours".  In this mentality, wealth, education, and social well-being are disregarded as anathema to one's ethnic identity.  All under the guise of "keeping it real".

Since when is caring for your children, earning enough money to provide for them properly, and encouraging them to get an education NOT "real".  Or is "real" just another word for "victim"?

Which brings me to my own question about this article.  I get the sense that this attitude is a reflection of the broader feeling that Black=Victim (and, as a corollary, White=Abuser).  Why is it so important for the Black community to be the victim?  Is that the only identity that they can cling to?  Let's look at the evidence (using generalities here): Black communities come together in poor urban centers, they shun education and professional attitudes (see "uncle toms" and "oreos", the NBA Dress Code debacle, or Chris Rock's "Master's" skit), and now apparently devalue marriage and co-parenting.

Maybe the reason that marriage "isn't" for Blacks is that anything that "builds up" a family is incompatible with the community mentality.

I'm sure that I'm going to get a lot of sh*t from Black folks on this.  Yes, I am a white girl talking about Black culture.  But I work in this community.  I teach in this community.  And I see how the choices that people make impact their children's lives and choices.  The real issue shouldn't be who's asking the question, but rather how do we go about answering the problems.

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Blogburst for Guillermo Fariñas Hernandez

Senor Fariñas has rejected food and water for 57 days to protest the lack of freely available, uncensored internet access to the people of Cuba.

57 days.  The latest updates indicate that he will die soon.

Join the Blogburst.  Spread the word.  Read More.  Speak Out.  Sign the Petition.

You can.  You're reading this now, after all.

(technorati tag Guillermo Fariñas, Internet, )

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Two things

I haven't spoken about this yet, but my own thoughts and prayers are with Abdul Rahman, the Christian scheduled to be executed in Afghanistan simply because he is not a Muslim.  Efforts from the United States and others may keep this man from from being killed, but that isn't yet certain.

Also (and more this weekend) Guillermo Farinas is past day 50 of a hunger strike protesting the lack of something you're using right now (internet access) for Cubans under the regime of fidel castro

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Help a Sister Out

Dana of The Origin of Soul has been fighting her own personal war with Dell since THEY ruined her still-under-warranty computer.

She's tried just about everything to get this resolved.  Methinks she needs a lawyer to call them up and threaten.

Anybody got some advice for her?  Drop by here.  (Come on you BFLers.  I know we have a ton of lawyers, somebody should be able to give her some good advice!)

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More Amusement

You Are Cindy Brady

Warm hearted and sweet, you have a childlike innocence that lets you see the good in everyone. But you're also a bit of a baby. You stick your nose where it doesn't belong... and cry when you get caught!

From big sis Jan Brady

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How do you salute?

Matty O'BlackFive and Sgt. Hook (and others) weigh in on this proposal from Maj. Gen. Vernon Lewis (ret.):

I gathered some 16 of my old military friends who agreed to sponsor a movement for Veterans to salute rather than place their hands over their heart when honoring the flag, fallen comrades, and/or the country. I have some from each of the four principal services. Three of them were former Vice Chiefs or Assistant Commandants of their services, and several were former CINCÂ’s.

We refer to saluting when we do the pledge to the flag, when the National Colors pass or are presented, when the National Anthem or honors are played, or when taps are played and firing squads or guns render honors.

At first glance, it seems ludicrous, but the discussion has gotten pretty interesting. I myself am not sure where I stand. Traditionally, the salute is reserved for uniformed soldiers, but as a mark of respect from the duty-bound, a salute seems appropriate from a veteran who has taken an oath for life.

And I admit, I would love to see this:

Just imagine thousands of fans salutiing at NFL, MBA, and Major League Baseball games when the National Anthem is plalyed. It will telegraph a message to all others of how many have served this country in the Armed Forces—it will be a positive and patroitic message.

Wouldn't you?

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Thursday Funnies

Stolen WHOLESALE from here:

How Many Christians Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?

Charismatic: Only 1 - Hands are already in the air.

Pentecostal: 10 - One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Presbyterians: None - Lights will go on and off at predestined times.

Roman Catholic: None - Candles only. (Of guaranteed origin of course.)

Baptists: At least 15 - One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.

Episcopalians: 3 - One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks, andone to talk about how much better the old one was.

Mormons: 5 - One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.

Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Methodists: Undetermined - Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass.

Nazarene: 6 - One woman to replace the bulb while five men review churchlighting policy.

Lutherans: None - Lutherans don't believe in change.

Amish: What's a light bulb?

I had to add this one from my own experience:

Orthodox: None. They would do it the opposite way from the Catholics, but they're too cheap to replace the bulbs when they burn out.

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The Return of Chef

Matt and Trey RAWK.

In last night's SP, they
- blasted Scientology
- Killed Chef off
- Brought Chef back in a way that doesn't need Isaac Hayes' voice.....

Evil Servants of the Dark Lord Xenu indeed....

The Episode is here (download and BitTorrent).
The BBC review is here.

Spoilers below the jump.... more...

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Maywood: A Haven for Illegals?

The South LA area city of Maywood is an interesting anomaly.  Over 95% Hispanic, the city has openly vowed to make itself a "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants.

First, the city eliminated the Police Department's traffic division after complaints that officers unfairly targeted illegal immigrants. Then it made it much more difficult for police to tow cars whose owners didn't have driver's licenses, a practice that affected mostly undocumented people who could not obtain licenses.

In January, the City Council passed a resolution opposing a proposed federal law that would criminalize illegal immigration and make local police departments enforce immigration law. Now, some in the community are pushing to rename one of the city's elementary schools after former Mexican President Benito Juarez and debating measures to improve the lives of illegal immigrants.

Maywood leaders say they hope their actions will serve as a counterpoint to other cities, such as Costa Mesa in Orange County, that have moved forward with crackdowns on illegal immigrants and groups like the Minutemen border patrols.

"You just couldn't keep quiet. I think we needed to amplify the debate by saying that no human being is illegal," said Councilman Felipe Aguirre, 53. "These people are here … making your clothes, shining your shoes and taking care of your kids. And now you want to develop this hypocritical policy?"

Interestingly, this also caused a deep rift in the Hispanic community itself.

The city was developed in the 1920s and '30s as a working-class bedroom community for factory workers of L.A.'s industrial belt. But like the neighboring cities of Bell Gardens and Huntington Park, Maywood saw an influx of immigration as the area's factories began to close in the 1970s.

The campaign for immigrant rights has its roots in a long-brewing political divide between newer immigrants and older immigrants, who consider themselves more "Americanized," said Ceballos, who came to the United States as an illegal immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico, 37 years ago and is a longtime Maywood political observer.

"Many people who came here a long time ago feel that they had to sacrifice a lot more and do with a lot less than people who come to the country now," Ceballos said.

This discord was evident at a recent City Council meeting. On one side sat a group of newer immigrants who addressed the council in Spanish. On the other side sat a few of the city's longtime Anglo residents and Latinos who spoke in English.

At one point, when Anglo resident Kathleen Larsen spoke out angrily against naming an elementary school after Juarez, the audience members sitting behind her applauded. Most of them were Latino, and many were immigrants.

Interesting how Us vs Them has a different meaning in different communities.

All that aside, Maywood authorities are being short-sighted. Cutting their traffic division and refusing to impound cars of unlicensed drivers are dangerous to all citizens, not just a help to illegals and their families. Furthermore, supporting illegal immigrants is a drain on all the surrounding communities. I wouldn't be surprised if they find themselves an a heap of trouble if this becomes their official policy....

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Your Government at Work

Duck and Cover!

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Ok, something interesting to post about

Prof. Reynolds laments a fellow law professor who is getting grief for banning laptops from his class.

He points out that several of his colleagues are fed up with them too, mostly because they encourage goofing off and can be a major disruption if the students don't have the volume off.

Not to mention that a million keys clicking is HIGHLY disconcerting when you're trying to talk.

Our school has a unique solution to this problem.  We have two classrooms equipped with computer consoles for each student and this technology.

SMART Board also incorporates a functionality that allows the user at the front of the classroom to LOCK OUT the other consoles, forcing the students to follow along with the lecturer, although it allows them to use the software to make notes, which can be emailed to the user or printed at the end of the class.

We love our SMART Boards, and we have them in every classroom.

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Nothing to see here, Move along!

More tomorrow, I hope.  Work is catching up with me....

Just a reminder, the new season of South Park starts tonight!

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For Joe

The Top 10 Best Alarm Clocks, guaranteed to WAKE YOUR ASS UP!!!

(our roommate senior year, the aforementioned Joe, was and is a notoriously heavy sleeper. Even kicking him didn't work at times....)

h/t McGehee

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I thought he HATED the little guy....

Seems as if the Supremes are about to side 8-1 with the bad guys:

The Supreme Court justices, with the exception of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, sounded Monday as if they were likely to bar prosecutors from using in court the words of alleged crime victims who speak to authorities but later refuse to testify. Such a ruling would greatly strengthen the right of defendants to be confronted with the witnesses against them, in the Constitution's words. However, it would be a major setback for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, who often are afraid to testify against their abusers.

And no, that "1" isn't John Roberts, it's Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

As James Joyner says,

"The bottom line, though, is that the accused's rights to confront his accuser in a manner that allows the jury to judge the demeanor of said accuser is paramount. A 911 call might be quite compelling but lacks a visual component. For all the jury knows, it could be staged by a spiteful ex-lover. It is harder to lie in open court than via telephone.
The irony here is that it is the liberal Justice (and blogger) taking the side of the accuser while the conservative Justice... [is] taking up for the rights of the accused."

What do you think?

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No House tonight, it's Dog time!

Gosh Darn American Idol...

Of course this means that I am free to watch as much Dog the Bounty Hunter as I like before TAR starts at 10.

Yes. I said Dog the Bounty Hunter. I love it. I'll probably watch it again on the 12am rerun, too.

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