What the hey?

Destroy the Constitution of the US.

Support Torture.

1000s dying every year.

Billions wasted.

Bridges falling down.

New Orleans is still a wreck.

More people without health care.

Housing bubble collapsing.

These can wait.

Lewd Behavior in a public bathroom (is there any other kind of behavior in a public bathroom?)
and why, the machinery of the Republican party rolls as fast as anything.

God bless America*

(perverts don't count)

Here endeth the lesson.

John Edwards

www.johnedwards.com

I must say, that I have changed my mind. Having been an Obama fan for quite some time, I have already switched horses, jumped ship...whatever.

I have just been so impressed by what John Edwards has said and continues to say. Given that. I am strongly endorsing him for the Democratic ticket.

He seems to be the only candidate willing to fight corporate greed and environmental degredation head on. He is the only one who speaks for the lower classes and understands the fight we are in against the rich.

The government, and even the democrats are too beholden to business interests and not to We the People.

Please support his candidacy in any way you can. Especially at the ballot box.

Turn on the infinite money feature please!

Harry Butter as promised.


Also, take a look at the following article:http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/science/14tier.html?em&ex=1187409600&en=2599bf4760a9a447&ei=5087%0A

I've always suspected as much.

Thankful Sunday

Alright, here's a thankful Sunday the day before I'm heading out to the Iowa State Fair.

Thanks to all my farming friends who have made the pasture hay a successful venture this year, thanks to the audiences that have supported community theater this summer, and thanks to the QCTimes, and all the bloggers who were at the meeting this past Tuesday. It was great having a face to face discussion and, although I disagree with some of the times policies, at least they let us come and offer our opinions on such things. Thanks (I know, I'm over the limit AGAIN) to those who mentioned reading this blog. I don't get tons of comments, and that's because I tend not to be so "in your face" about things, so the occasional feedback is very appreciated.

Have a good week. I'll save you an Elephant Ear or a deep fried twinkie! I'll try to bring back a picture of the butter Harry Potter.

SCHQC

My school (at the invitation of Moline Schools)

A little while ago, I was reading the Dispatch (Hard to believe, but true), and in it the Moline Superintendent (at least that's who I think it was) wanted people to call/write/whatever with their ideas for what the "perfect" school would look like.

Nearly 60 years ago this was done for me by A.S. Neill in a book called "Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing". This book described a school in England that was based on radical Child Centered learning, and true Democracy. This school can be found at this http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/ website. We have our own version in America. We call it the Sudbury Model. The American school can be found here http://www.sudval.org/.

These sites and A.S. Neill's book will cover the territory better than I ever could.

I just would also add, in passing, that we have had the same grade based, graded, Germanic style of Education for well nigh 100 years (if not more). Isn't it time to try something different?
We build New Schools, fill them with New Tools, give New Tests, Change the Curriculum and the Textbooks, yet we still teach, primarily, like the Prussians did in the 19th century.

I mean, if Summerhill is a little too Radical for you (shouldn't be, but there you go), then look at Howard Gardner's ideas. Or Montessori's. Let's decide whether education still needs to be about creating sheep to work in factories, or if it should be about leading children to lead fulfilling lives beyond that of "consumer".

Let's try Apprentice programs for kids who don't fit in the classroom. Let's try asking the kids what THEY want to learn. You'd be surprised. Let's try integrating students with the society around them, not locking them up in an artificial environment that has nothing to do with real life. Until we address the foundation of education, everything else is window dressing and lies to keep your jobs and wrest more money from taxpayers. More and more of whom are homeschooling.

Falling in Love again, what am I to do

It is Hillsdale, the object of my love. A little town. A very little town. I've been riding my bike around it and just enjoying the fun and the flatness. I'm amazed these towns haven't become thriving meccas for the overly-stressed city dwellers. I think these towns are the future. With computers connecting us every which way, there is no need to be surrounded by the city's chaos. Such little gatherings of buildings, and railroads, and sky and fields just get my creative juices flowing, and clear the senses. So does riding my bike. If I didn't hate cars before, I loathe getting in my car now.

We'll see what happens come winter.


Oh, I also had the joy of eating our own, home grown sweet corn last night. Finally, though the Japanese beetles did descend upon it, they were too dang late! The deed was done, the silks, by the time they were eaten, were no longer needed. Looks like we'll have some pumpkins and a watermelon this year too.

Anyone else for small town, and farm living? Let's leave the cities and head back to the country. A few good hippies could take over a town like Hillsdale.

Another Thankful Sunday

Alright...this Sunday.

Those who made and maintain my biking roads, "Hearts of Space", and all those who have spurred me to anger and indignation (I wouldn't know how to waste my time without them)

I encourage visitors to add their three to the list. It's fun and easy and anons are always welcomed.

(How strange, "O Holy Night" just popped up on my CD player. A singer I don't recognize. Right after some Native American music I was listening to)

Ohhh, PS...Come see the Frogs at Genesius Guild.