February 13, 2016

Alleged Craigslist Sneaker Robber Chased by Victim, Hit by SUV, Loses Arm: NYPD

So much wrong with this story:

1. We have a sick society that would price a pair of sneakers to $500.
2. Using a gun to steal such sneakers.
3. Using your auto as a weapon over a property theft of sneakers.

Both belong in jail. The driver should be charged with Attempted Murder



http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Craiglist-Sneaker-Robber-Chased-Victim-Hit-SUV-Brooklyn-368674731.html

January 24, 2016

Father and son dead, 2 wounded after shootout at gun shop

http://www.wlox.com/story/31040532/2-dead-2-wounded-after-shootout-at-gun-shop

So who was the good guy with a gun?


The wife of the gun shop owner, who was at the counter, called her husband and son to de-escalate the situation. Both father and son pairs began to argue, resorting to physical violence and eventually gunfire.

The gun shop owner and his son were pronounced dead on the scene.

January 12, 2016

Support for U of Missouri's Melissa Click "Get some muscle"

http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/1/5/missouri-republicans-ask-curators-fire-professor-m/

Over 100 faculty members signed this letter. It is an interesting way to characterize a battery and attempt to restrain the press from doing their job.

"We believe that her actions on November 9 constitute at most a regrettable mistake, one that came, moreover, at the end of several weeks during which Click served alongside other faculty and staff as an ally to students who were protesting
what they saw as their exclusion from and isolation at the University."

December 28, 2015

Daughter discovers her fiance is conservative

My oldest daughter was shocked to find that her fiance did not think much of Bernie. She went on to tell me he did not agree with a higher minimum wage and that most people on welfare were lazy.

Needless to say I was not surprised. I had already determined his opinion on these things from his prior conversations with me. I told her that if she wants the relationship to last she needs to hold her tongue regarding politics and to tell him to also not discuss this with her. I am not sure what other answer I could give. I gave up trying to convince others about their political beliefs a while ago (I am basically the only liberal/moderate in my department at work - my one move to try to convince someone else did not go well).

It is not my life, and her fiance has lots of admirable qualities, but I would not be broken up if it ultimately did not work out. I am afraid that he will always assume that my daughter will subsume her career to his.

December 6, 2015

Video shows Miami Beach police fatally shooting man - Trigger warning

Thoughts on whether this was justifiable?






http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/05/us/miami-beach-police-shooting/

November 22, 2015

KU professor who used n-word in class discussion is placed on leave

I wonder how a discussion of Huck Finn would go? Below is a portion of the quote from the "indictment".

From the newspaper story
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/nov/20/ku-communications-prof-who-used-n-word-class-discu/

"“I tried to preface everything I said with, ‘I don’t experience racial discrimination so it’s hard for me to understand the challenges that other people face, because I don’t often see those,’” said Quenette, who is white.

She said she pointed out that racist incidents on other campuses, including the University of Missouri in Columbia, have been very visible, and she used the n-word when comparing KU to them.

“I haven’t seen those things happen, I haven’t seen that word spray-painted on our campus, I haven’t seen students physically assaulted,” Quenette said."


The complaint letter. It does specify some serious actions like a FERPA violation by revealing grades and discussing confidential information related to graduate student research. On the flip side these are graduate students so you should expect a bit more open discussion.







"We students in the class began discussing possible ways to bring these issues up in our classes when COMS 930 instructor Dr. Andrea Quenette abruptly interjected with deeply disturbing remarks. Those remarks began with her admitted lack of knowledge of how to talk about racism with her students because she is white. “As a white woman I just never have seen the racism…It’s not like I see ‘Nigger’ spray painted on walls…” she said."



https://medium.com/@schumaal/what-follows-is-a-letter-collectively-written-by-the-students-currently-enrolled-in-coms-930-at-the-8f4914d4bbd5#.4amvf5vbw

November 21, 2015

Song about Islam wasn't meant to offend, Ocean View school district says after parent airs concerns

Thoughts about this. I think the song is inappropriate, and I would like to get a look at the curriculum which sanctions it.



http://www.latimes.com/socal/hb-independent/news/tn-hbi-me-1120-ocean-view-song-20151120-story.html

In the Spring View Middle School social studies class, lyrics to the melody of "Fight Song" by pop artist Rachel Platten were changed to include key concepts on Islam. Singing the lyrics was meant to help with memorization, according to a public statement district Supt. Carol Hansen issued Wednesday.

The modified lyrics read: "Like a sandstorm, On the desert, Sending camels, Into motion. Like how a single faith, Can make a heart open, They might only have one God, But they can make an explosion."

November 12, 2015

Another terrorist threat at University of Missouri

Missouri campus police investigating threat calling for black students to 'stop protesting and start killing'




http://sports.yahoo.com/news/missouri-campus-police-investigating-threat-calling-for-black-students-to--stop-protesting-and-start-killing-205508664.html

November 12, 2015

MSA president apologizes for sharing false rumors of KKK on MU campus

Here is his statement:

"Stay away from the windows in residence halls. The KKK has been confirmed to be sighted on campus."

"Confirmed????" It might be one thing to pass on a rumor by saying that someone said this, but to state it has been confirmed when you are in a position of leadership?

http://krcgtv.com/news/local/missouri-student-association-president-apologizes-for-sharing-false-information

September 14, 2015

New Laptop and Windows 10 - Not able to make Recovery USB

My approximately 3 year laptop was experiencing problems booting up into Windows. I thought it might be time for an upgrade so I purchased a Toshiba with Windows 10. I followed the directions but was unable to create a recovery USB even with two different thumb drives. A totally unhelpful message that the operation cannot be completed is the only feedback. Microsoft website comments board shows that others have had problems with other PCs like HP and Dell. I read some 15 line workarounds - definitely not worth the effort.

I am keeping my old laptop and reinstalling the factory setting. The Toshiba goes back. I feel that this is such a flaw that I do not want to invest additional time in it.

From my little time with Windows 10 I am convinced that I want to stay with my Windows 7. It is very confusing and unhelpful. I don't want a touch screen operating system on a laptop.

I just hope I can find a refurbished with Windows 7 once my old laptop gives up the ghost.