Free Republic

No multi-million-dollar contracts. No lucrative endorsement deals. No international fame. For a dozen rats in Alliston Reid's behavior analysis psychology class at Wofford College, it was all about the love of the game. And treats, of course. While Benjamin Johnson Arena may have been rockin' Monday night for the men's basketball conference home opener against Appalachian State, a packed McMillan Theater next door had its own electricity earlier in the day with the thoroughly unique "Hoop-Rat Classic." Throughout this semester, Reid's students in the freshman introductory course have been working in teams of two to individually train each of the...

Brit police inform nurseries to spy out terrorism indoctrination on 4 and 5-year-olds.

Texas and Alaska are the only states not participating in the common standards effort. Scott said Texas is already ahead of the other states in developing tough standards. The U.S. Education Department appears to be "placing its desire for a federal takeover of public education above the interests of the 4.7 million schoolchildren in the state of Texas by setting two different starting lines — one for nearly every other state in the country and one for Texas," Scott wrote last week in a letter to the state's congressional delegation. "Because Texas has chosen to preserve its sovereign authority to...

While looking for something else, I stumbled across this guy's Panoramio collection. So I provide a sampling. He's got 17 pages worth, pretty good. He does some HDR (high dynamic range) -- I think I included one of those. Enjoy. (Click 'em for full-size.)

Drinking coffee does not sober you up – and may actually further impair your judgement, new research suggests. The combination of alcohol and caffeine produces a potentially lethal mix that just makes it harder to realise you are actually drunk in the first place. And the study published in Behavioural Neuroscience suggests popular caffeinated energy drinks could also raise risks from intoxication rather than lessen them. "The myth about coffee's sobering powers is particularly important to debunk because the co-use of caffeine and alcohol could actually lead to poor decisions with disastrous outcomes. "People who have consumed only alcohol, who...

Memo to children — and adults for that matter — everywhere: Don’t try to emulate Flick from "A Christmas Story." Ever. Your tongue will get stuck to a metal pole when the temperature is -2. Boise fire officials were able to help a boy whose tongue was stuck to a metal fence pole... Firefighters didn't ask him his age but said he was probably 10. The boy is OK... The boy’s tongue was bleeding a little bit but there was no visible tearing. When Boise firefighters arrived, they found the boy standing by the 8 foot tall chain link fence...

Looking to park my money somewhere till the dems and rinos are gone.

McNaughton's response to liberal criticisms of "One Nation Under God". (follow the link)

MIDDLETOWN (CT) — A city man was arrested Sunday after reportedly choking his girlfriend after she wouldn’t let him watch what he wanted on TV, police said. Orayne Campbell, 25, was taken into custody after police responded to a reported domestic dispute at his home on Traverse Square. Campbell began arguing with his girlfriend after he returned home from work and wanted her to change the channel, police said. She refused, and when Campbell attempted to change channels, she reportedly pushed his hands away. At that point he became angry, police said, grabbing the woman by the throat and shoving...

At this link you will find a pretty good civics test. Take it cold - no cheating! See if you know as much as you think.

ANNAPOLIS | U.S. Naval Academy officials said Monday that they were exploring ways of working knowledge about cyberwarfare into the core curriculum for all students because of the rising significance of cybersecurity. Right now, the academy offers some elective courses, classes mostly taken by computer science and information technology majors. But unlike the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the Annapolis school does not even have a club for students interested in the field. "On a bunch of different levels, in terms of opening up to cyberwarfare, outside...

I am a representative in student government at the University of Texas at Austin. I'm also uniquely positioned to discuss the issue of firearms and classrooms as an alumnus of Virginia Tech. I was there in 2007 when the shooting happened, and I lost the girl I love. In no way was that tragedy the fault of those licensed to carry concealed handguns. With that said, our tragedy has been used by proponents of a "guns everywhere" policy to push a political agenda. I cannot speak to the decision of CSU's Associated Students or their reasons for voting the way...

(AP) – 1 day ago OXFORD, Pa. — Obese students at a historically black college near Philadelphia won't have to take a fitness class to graduate after all. Lincoln University faculty nixed the idea this week amid complaints the so-called "fat course" undermined a school principle of equal treatment. The school had initiated the policy to address high rates of obesity and diabetes, especially in the African-American community.

Sorry for the vanity but had to brag that my son was accepted to Hillsdale College today! It was recommended on this forum so I thought I would give him a shout out here. Congratulations Hayden!

"Happy Winter" just doesn't have the same ring as Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, but in one Connecticut elementary school, that's about all you'll see and hear this holiday season. Erik Brown, principal of Walsh Elementary School in Waterbury, Conn., has reportedly banned all religious festivities and many decorations from the classroom since arriving at the school five years ago. Brown, who declined comment through a spokeswoman to FoxNews.com on Friday, explained to The Republican-American newspaper that state law mandates that a public school cannot knowingly exclude children. Erik Brown, Principal Walsh Elementary School Waterbury, Connecticut Telephone (203) 574-8164

I've been reading about our "bigotry" in desiring that our children (generic: I have none, love a few, and care about all) not be indoctrinated with the homosexual agenda, or indeed with certain elements of the scinece curriculum (dealing with climate, or origins, or what have you).This morning I saw this thread from last night: "Judge: Parents bigots for opposing 'gay' lessons ". Something occurred to me just then, and I thought to reply on the thread; but given its age I thought better to post afresh this morning.(May those who are offended by Vanities forgive me.)Here it is: "Force-feeding...

Wei-Chyung Wang is a climate researcher at the University at Albany, State University of New York. He has co-authored with Phil Jones and provided data used to prepare the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC (2007). The accuracy of his work is dubious: http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/05/03/climate-science-fraud-at-albany-university/ http://www.informath.org/pubs/EnE07a.pdf http://www.informath.org/apprise/a5620.htm FReepers living in NYS are encouraged to contact their senator and assemblyman and demand an accounting of the policies concerning academic honesty at the University at Albany. And tax dollars are being used for Wang's salary and pension fund. Why?

If you remember Frank from Queens and his rants on the Bob Grant Show and others and John from Staten Island and what great callers they are you will enjoy their show. Click the listen live button, it starts now and every Friday at 10 PM. They also have a free archive to listen to past shows.

WATERBURY — In the weeks leading up to Walsh Elementary School's Dec. 21 "winter celebration," staff will carefully avoid religious and secular symbols of Christmas such as Santa Claus and Christmas trees. Walsh Principal Erik Brown has banned Christmas parties in classrooms and many decorations since arriving at the school five years ago. These, he said, can offend some students, who would be forced to leave while celebrations are ongoing. "It is a state law that a public school can't knowingly exclude children," Brown said. "This is not a church. It's a school and it's a public school. I have...

City Newspaper: So you don't share the same views as the Obama administration on how to get out of this recession and grow the economy? Mark Zupan: No, I don't. I think we need to have a little more humility and trust in what common men and women are able to accomplish, compared to a few policy makers.

As in The Wizard of OZ, we are instructed by The White House to "pay no attention to that man behind the curtain", as President Obama clings to his global warming idiocy.

So I saw this scene, and I wondered -- can I find Ship Rock at this resolution? (Click the little picture to see the full-size 250m resolution image, which is about 5 MB, if that's a problem.) Turns out that I could. Can you? Here's Ship Rock from the ground; a place I'd like to visit someday. Likewise click for full-size. Now, here's another volcanic feature that's also in the image; on my last flight to the West Coast, I flew over it.

The St. Augustine High School JROTC is leading the Christmas parade on Saturday. Today was the last chance to practice. This is my grandson drilling some of the troops. His patience is amazing, they keep recruiting people with two left feet! I forgot that the mic would pick up the radio program, that's the Paul Porter Show in the background. Paul is our local Patriot talk show host. CLICK THE RED LINK

Making the World's Knowledge Computable Today's Wolfram|Alpha is the first step in an ambitious, long-term project to make all systematic knowledge immediately computable by anyone. Enter your question or calculation and Wolfram|Alpha uses its built-in algorithms and a growing collection of data to compute the answer. Based on a new kind of knowledge-based computing...

Oh this truly is sad. Image at link.

Using a highly reliable measuring system know as the five senses, human beings in their billions have come to the conclusion, that the only certainty about the weather on planet earth, is that it keeps on changing in very strange ways. Some times hot, sometimes cold, sometimes wet, sometimes dry. This mind blowing discovery that affects all our lives has been dubbed Global Norming. Otherwise know as Climate Strange. What effects this will have on future generations nobody knows, but one thing everyone agrees on is that the effects of Global Norming will be devastating.

A computer administrator with the Higley Unified School District in Gilbert, Arizona, has resigned during an investigation into suspicious activity. He's accused of wasting district resources, totaling more than a million dollars to search for UFOs. The IT administrator is accused of installing a program on every one of the district's 5,000 computers. The school district was unknowingly the largest contributor to the "SETI" program, the search for extra terrestrial intelligence. Authorities say 38 year old Brad Nezloochowski rigged up Higley School District computers to help look for intelligent life in outer space. Superintendent Denise Birdwell says the district recently...

Check out this video of Jack Webb schooling Obama in what it means to be an American. It's a great way to get the day started on the right foot. Jack Webb educates Obama on America

I am having an email argument/discussion with my son's social studies teacher. He distributed a study guide about how unfair it was that the founding fathers at the Constitutional Convention did not include African Americans, Native Americans, women and poor people. I discussed with my son who is 12 that the only people who received an education at the time were white wealthy land owning men. I disagree with the use of the word unfair and let the teacher know my feelings politely. It was indicative of the era. Why would we send uneducated people to a meeting to start...

I am having an email argument/discussion with my son's social studies teacher. He distributed a study guide about how unfair it was that the founding fathers at the Constitutional Convention did not include African Americans, Native Americans, women and poor people. I discussed with my son who is 12, that the only people who received an education at the time were white wealthy land owning men. I disagree with the use of the word unfair and let the teacher know my feelings politely. It was indicative of the era. Why would we send uneducated people to a meeting to start...

You gotta see this video of Dragnet's Jack Webb giving Obama a lesson on what it means to be an American. Jack Webb Of Dragnet Fame Scolds Obama

I'm seeking help finding a new author and/or book suggestions for my daughter for Christmas. She is 12 going on 13, and very smart (gifted student, genius IQ, home-schooled.) She is moving beyond her pre-teen books. I'm looking for books/authors that are early adult, without graphic sexual/horror situations. She enjoys mystery, history (fiction or non-fiction), adventure, and romantic comedy. She is a big fan of Brian Jacques and Gail Carson Levine.

If I could give Obama an earful of what it means to be a good American, I think I might be inclined to say what Jack Webb said in a Dragnet episode. Well this was emailed to me by a friend who edited Obama into the video and edited out the Hippies Jack was speaking to. It works for me, and it hits the mark with a perfect bulls eye. Jack Webb Of Dragnet Fame Scolds Obama If for no other reason than you need a good chuckle it is worth the 1:34 it will take to watch. While there...

Luis Gutierrez is sounding like a human kazoo, demonstrating what he calls the "evilbuster breath." As the speaker's hands tent his nose and he exhales in a loud hum, few of the two dozen freshmen at Overfelt High in San Jose are smirking or rolling their eyes. After the students try this newest yoga technique and report vibrations in their noses, throats and brains, Gutierrez explains the breathing will help calm their nerves

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Mackenzie McCollum was about four months pregnant as she darted around the volleyball court, angling to get under the ball in her team's first game of the district playoffs. Although her team lost that Nov. 3 contest, simply getting to play was a victory for the 17-year-old senior, who battled several obstacles to get back on the team at Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Among the many issues raised was concern about whether being that active was good for her and her baby. "I've had times where I've been short of breath on...

Parents who teach their own children at home must undergo criminal records checks, say Government education inspectors. The estimated 40,000 parents who choose not to send their children to school should be vetted, says Ofsted. It said that parents whose records throw up suspicions should be barred from teaching their own children. Vetting to root out any record of violence against children would be by the Criminal Records Bureau. It would reveal to local authorities parents’ criminal convictions, cautions and warnings, and even information that did not lead to a criminal conviction. It would also show any unproven complaints noted...

Year after year surveys reveal that only 37 percent of young Americans know where Iraq is and a large minority cannot locate the Pacific Ocean on a map. Like clockwork, commentators then write how horrible it is that America is so geographically illiterate. While it is true that geographic ignorance is a big problem, these commentators do geography no favors. Geography has long been thought of as merely the memorization of places. This is how it is taught by many schools. The notion that geography is just a memory game and not a science led some of the nation’s finest...

It happened at least once a year, every year. In a roomful of a dozen Harvard University financial officials, Jack Meyer, the hugely successful head of Harvard’s endowment, and Lawrence Summers, then the school’s president, would face off in a heated debate. The topic: cash and how the university was managing - or mismanaging - its basic operating funds. Through the first half of this decade, Meyer repeatedly warned Summers and other Harvard officials that the school was being too aggressive with billions of dollars in cash, according to people present for the discussions, investing almost all of it with...

A song that pokes fun at the Politically Correctness in society and in our public schools

KABUL — A dozen prisoners escaped jail through a tunnel they dug from their cell to the outside in western Afghanistan, police said Saturday. Afghan police arrested three men for the shooting death of an Afghan Red Crescent official in northern Afghanistan. The shooting Friday was an apparent attempt to settle a long-standing dispute. In the prison escape, the inmates included low-level Taliban militants, drug-dealers and other minor criminals, said Farah province police chief Gen. Mohammad Faqir Askar. A 13th prisoner arrested during his attempted escape said the tunnel took 10 days to dig and the plan was to slowly...

While the idea was tabled several years ago, with suggestions it could even have launched by 2007, no progress has so far been made. However, now Nasa has issued a “teaming opportunity”, offering private companies and designers the chance to help create the craft. The team behind the concept hope that it will be accepted as one of the space agency’s “Discovery” missions, aimed at swiftly and (relatively) inexpensively exploring other worlds in our solar system. Other recent proposals that been put forward for Discovery include a nuclear-powered robot sailing-boat to plough the seas of Saturn’s moon Titan.

Women now hold 26 percent of the ladder-faculty positions (professor, associate professor, assistant professor) at the University—395 positions out of 1,507—and minorities 17 percent—258 positions—according to the 2009 annual report of the Office of Faculty Development and Diversity (FD&D), published today. The report and accompanying exhibits are posted at the FD&D website. According to the report, the number of ladder faculty members rose by 96 (7 percent) during the past six years; senior appointments rose from 888 to 997, and the junior-faculty census declined from 523 to 510. Two-thirds of Harvard’s ladder faculty members are full professors, and just one-third...

This is a film taken from the dash of a San Francisco Trolley in 1909. The image flips just a few times but 99% of the video is good quality footage. It's interesting to see how the people on the street acted in those days. If there were any traffic or jaywalking laws at the time they clearly weren't enforced. If you can't stand modern drivers then take a look at what your grandparents and great grandparents had to deal with.

This is an older video, by a couple years but it is amazing to watch. The experiment pits Japanese researchers vs chimps in a memory experiment.

12a-2a PT: Environmental consultant Tim Ball discusses 'Climate Gate,' a coordinated effort to hide information about global warming.

Water-on-moon discovery doesn't align with 'trends' Tuesday, November 24, 2009 3:18 AM By JOE BLUNDO A few days have passed since we learned that the moon has water, but I'm still not over it. Water on the moon! It's astounding, isn't it? At least a little? I checked Google Trends for Nov. 13, the day NASA made the announcement. "Water on the moon" finished 10th -- behind search terms such as "Tony Alamo," "Tia Mowery wedding pictures" and "Wal-Mart Black Friday." The next day, the topic didn't make the list. Granted, Google Trends -- a daily look at the most...

Whether you like history or not... These are pretty amazing considering they were taken up to 145 years ago: A compendium of photos from the Civil War era. Truly fortunate that so many of these have survived. Probably a million wet plate photos were made during the civil war on glass plate. Popular during the war, they lost their appeal afterwards and so many were sold for the glass.

Laying a foundation Dear Dave, My wife and I are both in our mid-thirties, and the only debt we have is $14,000 in credit cards, student loans and a car payment. We've got $40,000 in our 401(k) plans, plus we have no children. What steps can we take toward becoming good investors? Kirk Dear Kirk, A rock-solid foundation is a must, whether you're building a house or building wealth. Without this, everything will fall apart. The first brick you want to lay in your financial foundation is to become debt-free. The second one is to have an emergency fund of...

Dismayed by the lack of marksmanship shown by their troops, Union veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate formed the National Rifle Association in 1871. The primary goal of the association would be to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis," according to a magazine editorial written by Church. After being granted a charter by the state of New York on November 17, 1871, the NRA was founded. Civil War Gen. Ambrose Burnside, who was also the former governor of Rhode Island and a U.S. Senator, became the fledgling NRA's first president. An important facet of...

Sorry about not putting up an image last week -- circumstances intervened. But I had already come up with this idea, and I think it's appropriate for a holiday (at least in the U.S.) week where there are a lot of travelers. Also, this is a user participation thread. I invite readers to find other examples and post them here. If you've never done that before, if you find an image, you can (in Windows) click on it and get an option to "Copy Image Location". If you do that, then in a response you use HTML code: img src="image...