Stories and Topics from Past Shows - Oct. to Dec. 2010
November, 2010
THE STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS:
BULLYING, HAZING, and the MISSING SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Serendipitously, but sadly, our topic leading up to this week's show was already going to be the still real plight ot GLBT youth in schools and by extension really, all students of difference. Of course this past week saw a brand new incident of bullying and hazing in our public schools - in Needham, MA. But Needham does not really deserve the harsh spotlight. The cycle of bullying and hazing the rears its ugly head regularly in schools is our own fault.
Any society that pays lip-service to civility in its public discourse and gets enjoyment from highlighting difference deserves these episodes - especially ones that end in parents and students wanting to simply brush the events under the rug so we can learn from them at a more convenient time. The only convenient time people - is the present.
Routinely, our culture puts an emphaisis on standardized tests and not on character development. As a teacher of eight year, I can tell you from first hand experience, that this message gets through loud and clear to students. As I always say, x+y=z in both math and life. If you put in x amount of time on y issue, you will get z as a result. Not enough time spent on examinging behavior and difference leads to fear of the other and turing a blind eye to its ramifications. How else can we explain, in the latest episode, the coach knowing about the practice of leading girls around by a leash and the fact that parents cared more about winning then focusing on having woman paid more respect in their town
Any society that pays lip-service to civility in its public discourse and gets enjoyment from highlighting difference deserves these episodes - especially ones that end in parents and students wanting to simply brush the events under the rug so we can learn from them at a more convenient time. The only convenient time people - is the present.
Routinely, our culture puts an emphaisis on standardized tests and not on character development. As a teacher of eight year, I can tell you from first hand experience, that this message gets through loud and clear to students. As I always say, x+y=z in both math and life. If you put in x amount of time on y issue, you will get z as a result. Not enough time spent on examinging behavior and difference leads to fear of the other and turing a blind eye to its ramifications. How else can we explain, in the latest episode, the coach knowing about the practice of leading girls around by a leash and the fact that parents cared more about winning then focusing on having woman paid more respect in their town
October 25, 2010
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE ANGRY
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE STUPID
ANGER is the word of the year. It is driving the incredibly reactionary political lashing that is aimed squarely at the Democrats. The question isn't really whether it should be, because that is what happens in elections. But for people who know better to sit and take the distortions of the record that are being allowed to float free as fact and argument is unacceptable.
Whether you think the Health Care Bill was supposed to cut costs imediately or whether you think taxes are at the heart of Job Creation - you are being taken for a ride. The Cohen Side will try to clear these things up as the election gets closer. Watch for Tweets and Facebook posts for links to more in-depth coverage.
Whether you think the Health Care Bill was supposed to cut costs imediately or whether you think taxes are at the heart of Job Creation - you are being taken for a ride. The Cohen Side will try to clear these things up as the election gets closer. Watch for Tweets and Facebook posts for links to more in-depth coverage.
October 4th - Dysfunctional Dems
What We're Talking about
This Week
- Democratic Dysfunction
- Rahm Emanuel's Departure
- Baker's Attacks on Patrick
- Abbas, Erkat and Settlements
Links/Videos/Quotes/Cartoons
of the Week
DYSFUNCTIONAL
DEMOCRATS
Tax Cuts and Backyard Meetings Just Won't Do
Backyard meetings? Really? Is that the best David Axelrod could come up with.
How could any strategist have actually thought these were a good idea? Talk about losing the "Presidential Voice." Obama seems to have been convinced that we want a best friend and not a comander in chief.
How could any strategist have actually thought these were a good idea? Talk about losing the "Presidential Voice." Obama seems to have been convinced that we want a best friend and not a comander in chief.
COLBERT P.R.
BETTER THAN DEMS
How Saving the Auto Industry Saved America
In response to many of my friends and colleagues on the right - who say we should have let GM and Chrysler fail - they need to watch this video clip that explains how, contrary to what they say over and over, we actually DO know what would have happened had we not intervened.
