A nice video tour of some aspects of Freemasons Hall in London, England. I would absolutely love to visit it someday, even if not in a lodge meeting. The museum and the building itself would be enough of a treat. Only drawback of the video is the music. Don't get me wrong, I love Nimrod, it's a beautiful piece. But who decided to end the music on that chord and what were they thinking!? I want resolution!
Freemasons Hall from STAMP Productions on Vimeo.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Forward Progress
It's one of those beautiful mornings where you're wide awake because your mind is swirling with excitement over ideas you can't wait to implement. That feeling of being on the cusp of something new, a positive direction for your life. It's mornings like this that I've needed for awhile now. After spending more than enough time in a bit of a rut over things, it's nice to have a bit of a fresh take on things. Even though my worries and fears haven't gone, theres some hope and light shining in my mind now, perhaps guiding me towards a new path. Or perhaps a path period.
I guess what it boils down to is that, even when one doesn't have certainty in one's life, you at least need to know when to put one foot ahead of the other and keep going forward. And that's what I'm going to try and do right now. And where there's a will, there's a way, eh?
I guess what it boils down to is that, even when one doesn't have certainty in one's life, you at least need to know when to put one foot ahead of the other and keep going forward. And that's what I'm going to try and do right now. And where there's a will, there's a way, eh?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Business Owner Casts Reasonable Doubt on Accuracy of Speed Cameras - Washington Times
As if there wasn't any before.
Wait, so the technology isn't 100% accurate? You mean its just a money grab by your government? They would never do that, would they?
"Will Foreman has beaten the speed cameras.Though honestly, even all this aside, I have fewer problems with speed cameras than I do red light cameras, which have had a multitude of problems associated with them, among them increased accident rates at intersections (Study: read the abstract), and police being caught violating the traffic laws, yet no punishment being handed down for their actions.
Five times and counting before three different judges, the Prince George’s County business owner has used a computer and a calculation to cast reasonable doubt on the reliability of the soulless traffic enforcers.
After a judge threw out two of his tickets Wednesday, Mr. Foreman said he is confident he has exposed systemic inaccuracies in the systems that generate millions of dollars a year for town, city and county governments"
Actually, there's a good bit of evidence that the best way to reduce accidents at intersections is simply to increased the length of the yellow light by as little as one second, reducing accidents by as much as forty percent. Yes, thats 40%! But, that doesn't generate revenue for the government, so that simple action isn't taken. In fact, some municipalities have been caught shortening yellow lights after installing red light cameras. This is your government, people.
Related Articles:
Watch the Watchmen - Reason Magazine
An article written by the rational John Stossel, of whom I am rapidly becoming a bigger and bigger fan. Whole point being, there ought to be more transparency in police matters, as they are public servants and given their special position in society, the potential for abuse of powers is great.
Personally, as I go into public teaching, I realize that I in many way give up my right to privacy, at least as an educator. I forfeit my right to anonymity as soon as I'm paid at the tax payers expense. The same ought to apply to any public employee, yet some institutions manage to get a special pass. Why is that, and why is it such a problem? Stossel writes:
Watch the Watchmen - Reason Magazine:
"I believe in the right to privacy.
Yet I can think of someone who deserves very little privacy—a policeman making an arrest. Unfortunately, in some states it's a crime to make a video of a policeman doing just that. People recording police have been threatened, detained, or arrested. Some were jailed overnight.
That's wrong. Police work for the public, they're paid with tax money, and most importantly, they have tremendous power. They've got the legal right to pull guns, detain us, lock us up and, in some cases, shoot us. The potential for abuse is great. So it's a good thing that modern video cameras are now so commonplace. Any abuse of police power in a public place is likely to be recorded. Why should that be a crime in some states?"
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Opening Ceremony Blog - Spike Jonze Presents: Lil Buck and Yo-Yo Ma
Only discovered this video because of James Barger. Simply amazing.
Student Protests Of Teacher Layoffs And Limited Rights Yield Harsh Punishments
I have to say, I've never understood the mindset that students are somehow lesser human beings and, upon entering a school, become devoid of all civil rights. Yes, there needs to be a pecking order, and no, students shouldn't have the run of the school. But I can't count the times politicals on both sides of the aisle have trounced upon freedom of speech in schools, as if the First Amendment is somehow defunct when in the presence of state employees. (How does that logic follow? Not sure I understand.)
And I do believe that the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances is, in fact, protected under the First Amendment. (The Amendment most commonly ignored, I think.)
Yet, when students protest harsh cuts to the schools they attend?
From a brief article at the Huffington Post. The article continues:
But that said, when did the assumption enter into the education system that students are completely devoid of Civil Rights? That is the state stripping students of their rights as guaranteed by their own Constitution's Bill of Rights. It's absurd. One can maintain an orderly and mature campus without oppressing the students. But I think, perhaps, that oppression is easier for most administrators, and the preferred method of maintaining order.
And then are we surprised when the students fall in line like sheep and are incapable of critical thought, when any original thoughts and aspirations are stomped out like disease? Cut out like a cancer? Perhaps our inability to make our schools an emulation of true society is one of their greatest weaknesses and flaws today. I wouldn't be prepared for the real world either if I lived in a fairy land of a nanny state that held my hand for eighteen years.
No, I think the problem isn't the concept of public education itself, but the way those in power tend to twist it. And by extension, the lack of effort on anyone's part to correct this flawed paradigm.
And I do believe that the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances is, in fact, protected under the First Amendment. (The Amendment most commonly ignored, I think.)
Yet, when students protest harsh cuts to the schools they attend?
More protests against school budget cuts and limitations on teachers' rights are taking place across the country -- except at these rallies, attendants have backpacks and braces.High school students nationwide are standing up for their teachers by protesting or walking out of class. And some schools are threatening hardcore punishments.
From a brief article at the Huffington Post. The article continues:
And it's not just happening in Texas. In Aurora, Colo., 100 students staged a walkout earlier this month to protest layoffs.One mother who supports her daughter walking out of class told the Denver Channel that a school clerk said to her:"Ma'am, your daughter loses her civil liberties when (she) walks into Hinkley High School."Not that I'm trying to pretend the Huffington Post gives the Bill of Rights much regard. They pick and choose which amendments suit their political needs, just like most politicians.
But that said, when did the assumption enter into the education system that students are completely devoid of Civil Rights? That is the state stripping students of their rights as guaranteed by their own Constitution's Bill of Rights. It's absurd. One can maintain an orderly and mature campus without oppressing the students. But I think, perhaps, that oppression is easier for most administrators, and the preferred method of maintaining order.
And then are we surprised when the students fall in line like sheep and are incapable of critical thought, when any original thoughts and aspirations are stomped out like disease? Cut out like a cancer? Perhaps our inability to make our schools an emulation of true society is one of their greatest weaknesses and flaws today. I wouldn't be prepared for the real world either if I lived in a fairy land of a nanny state that held my hand for eighteen years.
No, I think the problem isn't the concept of public education itself, but the way those in power tend to twist it. And by extension, the lack of effort on anyone's part to correct this flawed paradigm.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The Hobbit: Peter Jackson's First Video Blog from the Set
Yeah, I'm nerdy enough to find this super exciting. What of it?
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Genesis
What is Elijah?
Is the question so profane?
From whence does he come?
How should I know his form?
Shall we whisper his name,
Lest we conjure his presence?
Ought our fate be known?
Shall he bear hope or destruction?
Deliverance?
Certainty.
Is it so wrong to ask?
What is Elijah?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)