Friday, November 28, 2003
One Turkey of a P.R. Stunt
So, how do you top showing up on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier to declare victory in a war that has barely even begun? Easy, you make a Thanksgiving day campaign stop in Baghdad. Bush can't show up at a solider's funeral or meet with the families of those who have sacrificed their lives for his war, but he can pull an elaborate and risky stunt no one seeking to replace him next year could even fanthom attempting. So, you still think the president doesn't care about the troops after you saw him serve up some turkey? You still question his integrity with regard to his military service and his missing years during Vietnam? You wonder how the cheerleaders from Faux News found their way onto the top secret flight? Yes, Yes, and Yes.
For more on today's publicity stunt, check out...
Democrats Temper Praise for Bush Visit with Criticism-New York Times
Some Understand Covert Journey; Others Fear Bad Precedent-Washington Post
Families of Minnesota Soldiers have Mixed Reactions to Bush's Visit-Minnesota Star Tribune
So, how do you top showing up on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier to declare victory in a war that has barely even begun? Easy, you make a Thanksgiving day campaign stop in Baghdad. Bush can't show up at a solider's funeral or meet with the families of those who have sacrificed their lives for his war, but he can pull an elaborate and risky stunt no one seeking to replace him next year could even fanthom attempting. So, you still think the president doesn't care about the troops after you saw him serve up some turkey? You still question his integrity with regard to his military service and his missing years during Vietnam? You wonder how the cheerleaders from Faux News found their way onto the top secret flight? Yes, Yes, and Yes.
For more on today's publicity stunt, check out...
Democrats Temper Praise for Bush Visit with Criticism-New York Times
Some Understand Covert Journey; Others Fear Bad Precedent-Washington Post
Families of Minnesota Soldiers have Mixed Reactions to Bush's Visit-Minnesota Star Tribune
Friday, November 21, 2003
Protect Academic Freedom in Area Studies
On Sept. 11, 2003, Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., introduced a bill to amend Title VI of the Higher Education Act. For those of you not familiar with the Higher Education Act, Title VI was first authorized in 1965 as a means by which the government provides funding for foreign language and area studies programs. For many area studies programs across the country, Title VI is a major source of funding and is becoming more and more important in these times of state and university budget cuts.
Hoekstra's bill would create an International Advisory Board to oversee and advise the Secretary of Education and Congress on international education issues within higher education. Supporters of this bill see such an advisory board as being a means to curb perceived biases in higher education. Opponents of the bill see it as a move towards censorship and a loss of academic freedom in higher education.
As the nightly news so proudly displayed the production of new textbooks in Iraq, free of Saddam's propaganda, few news outlets discussed Hoekstra's plan to fight academics critical of American and Israeli policy. Why is it that Iraqis deserve an education without govenment intervention, but Americans must accept more intervention?
This bill passed the house on Oct. 21st and will come before the Senate early next year. I encourage everyone to contact their Senators and let them know how you feel about attacks on academic freedoms in America.
For more information...
Academics disagree on Title VI overhaul - Duke Chronicle
Read the bill's text (H.R. 3077) as it was referred to the Senate.
On Sept. 11, 2003, Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., introduced a bill to amend Title VI of the Higher Education Act. For those of you not familiar with the Higher Education Act, Title VI was first authorized in 1965 as a means by which the government provides funding for foreign language and area studies programs. For many area studies programs across the country, Title VI is a major source of funding and is becoming more and more important in these times of state and university budget cuts.
Hoekstra's bill would create an International Advisory Board to oversee and advise the Secretary of Education and Congress on international education issues within higher education. Supporters of this bill see such an advisory board as being a means to curb perceived biases in higher education. Opponents of the bill see it as a move towards censorship and a loss of academic freedom in higher education.
As the nightly news so proudly displayed the production of new textbooks in Iraq, free of Saddam's propaganda, few news outlets discussed Hoekstra's plan to fight academics critical of American and Israeli policy. Why is it that Iraqis deserve an education without govenment intervention, but Americans must accept more intervention?
This bill passed the house on Oct. 21st and will come before the Senate early next year. I encourage everyone to contact their Senators and let them know how you feel about attacks on academic freedoms in America.
For more information...
Academics disagree on Title VI overhaul - Duke Chronicle
Read the bill's text (H.R. 3077) as it was referred to the Senate.
Richard Perle Concedes that the Invasion of Iraq had been Illegal
Pentagon hawk and key member of the defense policy board, Richard Perle admitted in London on Wednesday that the US invasion of Iraq was illegal. Check out the full story at Common Dreams (originally published in the Guardian/UK).
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1120-01.htm
Pentagon hawk and key member of the defense policy board, Richard Perle admitted in London on Wednesday that the US invasion of Iraq was illegal. Check out the full story at Common Dreams (originally published in the Guardian/UK).
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1120-01.htm
Welcome to the Last URL
What's this Blog about? Nothing. Enjoy.
What's this Blog about? Nothing. Enjoy.
