1. This is a very interesting story of how feelings run deep when xenophobia enters its ugly head. I grew up in the South Bay of Los Angeles County, and went to Redondo High. The very affluent families live on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Back then, they had no high school, and shuttled their kids over the decades to Redondo High, Narbonne High, San Pedro High, and El Segundo High. Eventually they built their own Palos Verdes High School, and then another - Peninsula High. These are wealthy families, and have the best opportunities available to them all. Read here how a division between rich white kids, and rich Asian kids make for an ugly situation that is no different than inner-city schools:
2. There are several pieces of news in this Thom Hartmann format, which should be of interest to you:
3. Big College/University football is an attractive money maker for those who are successful. However, just like most big businesses, there are sleazy downsides to it. It troubles me that institutions whose primary mission is to educate become victim to the greedy need to win. In so doing, the money involved in comparison to the faculty and staff that does the educating, is way out of line. It's gotten out of hand:
4. David Brooks seems to be finding it rather dull and boring these days. Same old song and dance over the budget. Nothing really new in politics to talk about (exception being the union rights stripping going on in Michigan). So, Mr. Brooks has found a mish-mash of conversation pieces to play with for today:
5. At this time of year, we hear so much chatter about how secular Christmas has become. Evangelical politicians are harping about the "War on God", and other campaigns on how we have lost our way. This column by Frank Bruni, is just what the doctor ordered. It's all hog-wash. If anything, there is too much Christianity being implored, and resented by many who are a captive audience. Here is one example at West Point, and I have heard about similar tales at the Air Force Academy:
--
Juan
"Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this, that you are dreadfully like other people."
-- James Russell Lowell
-- James Russell Lowell
"None but a coward dares to boast that he has never known fear."
-- Ferdinand Foch
-- Ferdinand Foch
"Nobody can be exactly like me. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it."
-- Tallulah Bankhead
-- Tallulah Bankhead
"At my lemonade stand I used to give the first glass away free and charge five dollars for the second glass. The refill contained the antidote."
-- Emo Phillips
-- Emo Phillips
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