Not every change is bad, but in my opinion, the change over at Tonguetied.us is not exactly good. When the news came that the site was looking for a few good people, I had hoped that it would continue on as before. However, now it looks like the site has been hijacked as a group blog and not as a retainer of the ridiculous. Unless, that is, you want to regard the new people as ridiculous. Now, instead of just snippets of news stories and not a whole lot of opinion, readers are subjected to long political rants and no news stories. Where are my news stories?!
I used to like TongueTied as it pointed out ridiculous PC issues around the country and sometimes the world (again, with a minimum of opinion). It seemed that the only purpose was to bring to light just how close-minded and easily offended people have become. Not anymore. There is a new group of people and instead of offering up tidbits of the ridiculous, they subject the readers to political statements. I'm sorry, but I go to other websites for politics. Also, what the hell are these people trying to say? I cannot tell what issues they're trying to bring up.
At this time, I'm keeping the link to TongueTied on the list, but if this change continues on its present course, I will take it out and not look back.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
On Freedom of Speech
You can find at this address Eugene Volokh's small (and then larger) discussion on Freedom of Speech. What I find interesting is the professor in question's statement:
Wow. Someone actually gets it. (more on this)
Now, I support his right not to be censored. In fact, I think that it is someone's right to express their opinions and a professor's door is his place to do so (not that I approve of doing that, as I would love to see a line placed between political and educational means, but that would be a personally enforced decision, not controlled by law). Let's get this clear, I am by no means a law student. I just want to understand these things, for myself and for any future generations (in case anyone asks questions...). A good overview of the law related to this is here. If you follow all of the Volokh links, you will find your knowledge enriched as a result.
Anyway, back to the quote. Here is someone that represents almost all of my professors from college, a liberal, who actually gets to be on the other side of the fence. I wonder if he would have the same view if another professor was getting the same treatment for putting conservative views up (for example: Pro-Life statements, Pro-Bush statements, etc...). Then again, when is it that you would actually find a conservative professor on campus actually willing to post material outside his or her door? Really, I am truely curious on this issue. In my four years on campus, I cannot remember ever walking past a professor's door and seeing a conservative statement. I also wonder if the veteran in this particular case was just tired of seeing negative statements all across campus and finally took issue with this particular door. It's a big, open hole of information.
All I can say is... finally, someone in academia on the other side gets the feeling of being censored for their political views.
On a sidenote: Whereas this brings up all sorts of topics, one thing I feel I should express is this: I have no opposition to being exposed to dissenting views. In fact, that is really the only way to learn. However, I do object to being subjected to only one side of an argument and having my own right to express an opinion be supressed. That was the gist of my own college experience: agree or be silenced. Yes, at one point during my freshman year, I was told to shut up by a professor. Throughout my stay at the university, I was subjected to classes that were taken over by radical professors who refused to teach the subject matter and instead ranted on their own personal topics (usually on politics, national and educational). To be turned upon and attacked just because you think you drive a larger car than you actually drive (by two cylinders, thank you very much, and the actual result was still a larger car that most people in the class) is so ridiculous but at the same so frightening as a young student. This is about free sppech? What about both sides? Who is it that actually has the right to speak freely in schools (let's not get into the arena outside of schools...)?
I want to know.
"I was investigated because of my political views because someone objected to
them, and that's frightening," Stowell said. "Everyone on campus should be
concerned."
Wow. Someone actually gets it. (more on this)
Now, I support his right not to be censored. In fact, I think that it is someone's right to express their opinions and a professor's door is his place to do so (not that I approve of doing that, as I would love to see a line placed between political and educational means, but that would be a personally enforced decision, not controlled by law). Let's get this clear, I am by no means a law student. I just want to understand these things, for myself and for any future generations (in case anyone asks questions...). A good overview of the law related to this is here. If you follow all of the Volokh links, you will find your knowledge enriched as a result.
Anyway, back to the quote. Here is someone that represents almost all of my professors from college, a liberal, who actually gets to be on the other side of the fence. I wonder if he would have the same view if another professor was getting the same treatment for putting conservative views up (for example: Pro-Life statements, Pro-Bush statements, etc...). Then again, when is it that you would actually find a conservative professor on campus actually willing to post material outside his or her door? Really, I am truely curious on this issue. In my four years on campus, I cannot remember ever walking past a professor's door and seeing a conservative statement. I also wonder if the veteran in this particular case was just tired of seeing negative statements all across campus and finally took issue with this particular door. It's a big, open hole of information.
All I can say is... finally, someone in academia on the other side gets the feeling of being censored for their political views.
On a sidenote: Whereas this brings up all sorts of topics, one thing I feel I should express is this: I have no opposition to being exposed to dissenting views. In fact, that is really the only way to learn. However, I do object to being subjected to only one side of an argument and having my own right to express an opinion be supressed. That was the gist of my own college experience: agree or be silenced. Yes, at one point during my freshman year, I was told to shut up by a professor. Throughout my stay at the university, I was subjected to classes that were taken over by radical professors who refused to teach the subject matter and instead ranted on their own personal topics (usually on politics, national and educational). To be turned upon and attacked just because you think you drive a larger car than you actually drive (by two cylinders, thank you very much, and the actual result was still a larger car that most people in the class) is so ridiculous but at the same so frightening as a young student. This is about free sppech? What about both sides? Who is it that actually has the right to speak freely in schools (let's not get into the arena outside of schools...)?
I want to know.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
On new links
Someday, I hope to expand my link list. Until then, I will just add a link every once in a while.
Links such as:
http://www.thefire.org/index.php/torch
Links such as:
http://www.thefire.org/index.php/torch
Monday, February 07, 2005
On the Superbowl...
(These titles are odd, but satisfying...)
So. Last night was the Superbowl. While some people sat in the living room and watched the proceedings, I turned on my computer and jumped into my other life: World of Warcraft. I did, however, take some time to watch the opening ceremonies, the halftime show, and some commericials. The game was wholly uninteresting to myself, especially since I was not invested in either team. Getting past the introductions, I now take you into the meat of the subject.
Putting the game aside, last night was the best Superbowl I can remember. When was the last time I felt proud to watch the opening cermony (minus the ick I felt, still do, from seeing Clinton's face... nice tie, though)? That was the best... The Best rendition of the national anthem I have ever heard. There is nothing like it in the world. My heart swelled so large it seemed to be searching for escape from the confines of my ribs. Indeed, I was moved to choke back my tears, even as I just think about it as I write a day later. I thought only Air Force commericials from a couple years ago would do that to me.
Moving on.... The halftime show was great. I can say it is the best I have ever seen. Hurrah for being prudish! Paul McCartney seemed happy to be there and I could not find evidence of lip-synching (Shania Twain, you know who you are!), even though I did look. Of course, the best part was "Live and Let Die," but then again, I've always been fond of Bond and that theme in particular. The whole segement was great, though "Hey Jude" is definently one of my least favorite selections (a little too... wishy washy).
As for commercials, I was suprised to see the GoDaddy.com commercial, but at the same time I didn't think anything of it. It did seem out of place among the others. I don't remember much of the commercials, most were for cars, I think. Apparantly I missed a really great one involving a cat, spaghetti sauce, a knife, and an unfortunate circumstance. Hopefully, I'll catch it sometime.
All in all, I can say I'm glad last year's debacle happened. Otherwise, we'd not have had such a great event this year.
UPDATE - Tuesday, February 7th, 2005:
Apparantly, the Superbowl did not go down as well with other people:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,146712,00.html
http://www.danieldrezner.com/archives/001878.html
In a way, I am saddened. I ask, "What more do you want?"
Are people in this society so deadened that they prefer to watch oversexed performers wiggle and gyrate across the screen? Don't get me wrong, I am not a "prude" or whatever you may think I am. I just prefer something light hearted and fun as opposed to watching something so vulgar that I turn away. Last year's Superbowl halftime was almost painful too watch. In fact, I turned away from it in disgust. This year was so well done, and without the oversexed performances of old. I was hoping that this might be a turning point for culture, maybe bring back or support that little known concept of "values." ("Values? What's that mean?"... "oh, nevermind"). If you look at it one way, it seems as though the media (read: popular culture) is pushing an agenda to get rid of values and modesty. I've written about this before (See On Freedom of Religion). It just seems to me that most people wouldn't want to read a book or see a movie if they already know the ending (figure that one out... if you can). Or maybe it's the other way around.
So. Last night was the Superbowl. While some people sat in the living room and watched the proceedings, I turned on my computer and jumped into my other life: World of Warcraft. I did, however, take some time to watch the opening ceremonies, the halftime show, and some commericials. The game was wholly uninteresting to myself, especially since I was not invested in either team. Getting past the introductions, I now take you into the meat of the subject.
Putting the game aside, last night was the best Superbowl I can remember. When was the last time I felt proud to watch the opening cermony (minus the ick I felt, still do, from seeing Clinton's face... nice tie, though)? That was the best... The Best rendition of the national anthem I have ever heard. There is nothing like it in the world. My heart swelled so large it seemed to be searching for escape from the confines of my ribs. Indeed, I was moved to choke back my tears, even as I just think about it as I write a day later. I thought only Air Force commericials from a couple years ago would do that to me.
Moving on.... The halftime show was great. I can say it is the best I have ever seen. Hurrah for being prudish! Paul McCartney seemed happy to be there and I could not find evidence of lip-synching (Shania Twain, you know who you are!), even though I did look. Of course, the best part was "Live and Let Die," but then again, I've always been fond of Bond and that theme in particular. The whole segement was great, though "Hey Jude" is definently one of my least favorite selections (a little too... wishy washy).
As for commercials, I was suprised to see the GoDaddy.com commercial, but at the same time I didn't think anything of it. It did seem out of place among the others. I don't remember much of the commercials, most were for cars, I think. Apparantly I missed a really great one involving a cat, spaghetti sauce, a knife, and an unfortunate circumstance. Hopefully, I'll catch it sometime.
All in all, I can say I'm glad last year's debacle happened. Otherwise, we'd not have had such a great event this year.
UPDATE - Tuesday, February 7th, 2005:
Apparantly, the Superbowl did not go down as well with other people:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,146712,00.html
http://www.danieldrezner.com/archives/001878.html
In a way, I am saddened. I ask, "What more do you want?"
Are people in this society so deadened that they prefer to watch oversexed performers wiggle and gyrate across the screen? Don't get me wrong, I am not a "prude" or whatever you may think I am. I just prefer something light hearted and fun as opposed to watching something so vulgar that I turn away. Last year's Superbowl halftime was almost painful too watch. In fact, I turned away from it in disgust. This year was so well done, and without the oversexed performances of old. I was hoping that this might be a turning point for culture, maybe bring back or support that little known concept of "values." ("Values? What's that mean?"... "oh, nevermind"). If you look at it one way, it seems as though the media (read: popular culture) is pushing an agenda to get rid of values and modesty. I've written about this before (See On Freedom of Religion). It just seems to me that most people wouldn't want to read a book or see a movie if they already know the ending (figure that one out... if you can). Or maybe it's the other way around.