I got the following video from Prometheus6. I’ve seen this over a dozen of times–was watching on television when it first aired, and remember celebrating the 1990 Detroit Pistons Championship to it (when CBS had the NBA contract they would play it at the end of every season).
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/QRvVzaQ6i8A" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
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I picked up this story before getting to work this morning. Given the slowly awakening giant that is China, every now and again we get a story comparing Chinese ability in one field or another to European ability in some field or another. Although I’m glad that we’ve improved to the point where we’re not making racial arguments, there are some cultural arguments here that are a problem. And some inconsistent logic as well. The blog entry talks about Asians, but there are differences not just between Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, and China…but there are significant differences between immigrant populations and native populations. Note for example, how the author switches between talking about Chinese practices, and the practices of Chinese immigrants to the US. Or how the author talks about how hard the curriculum is without actually providing details. You wouldn’t know from reading his post for example that Chinese are only required to go to school for nine years, or that there are stark differences between the ability to even provide this level of education for large swaths of rural and urban China.
So when I read this entry, I did some quick reading on the context of the Chinese education system. (more…)
I got the following from Mike who in turn got it from Avery. Here’s what you do: Take an mp3 player, put that mug on shuffle, and use the track titles to answer the following questions (again, check Ave for the full list…I’m already married so I didn’t need to answer “what song would you play at your wedding?”) Some of my results were pretty poignant (one of my best friends was murdered several years ago, another is AWOL as he’s dealing with serious addiction issues).
How do you feel today?
North of the Sunset by Thelonious Monk
What is your outlook on life?
As Long as the People Got Something to Say by Public Enemy
What does your family think of you?
My Ship by Herbie Hancock/Michael Brecker/Roy Hargrove
What do your friends think of you?
What’s the Time Mr. Templar? by Mr. Templar
What do strangers think of you?
The Lesson Part III (It’s Over Now) by The Roots
What do you exes think of you?
Drug Ballad by Eminem
How’s your love life?
Footprints by Wayne Shorter (Remix by DJ Mehdi)
How will your love life be in the future?
The Left Side by Roy Hargrove
Will you be successful?
Mental Framing by Roy Hargrove
What song should they play on your birthday?
In Walked Bud by Art Blakey and Thelonious Monk
What is the soundtrack of your life?
Asteroid by Jeff Mills
You and your best friend are?
My Man’s Gone Now by Herbie Hancock
Happy Times:
Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Sad Times:
What’s the Five-O by Jungle Brothers
Everyday:
Yesterday by Wes Montgomery
For Tomorrow:Â
Sivad by Miles Davis
For You:
The Smallest Weird Number by Boards of Canada
What does next year have in store for me?
Buggin’ by Jungle Brothers
What do I say when life gets hard?
Right on for Darkness by Curtis Mayfield
What do you want your mark to be (MY ADDITION)?
My Favorite Things by John Coltrane
Your favorite saying?
Earth is the Place by Nathan Haines
How will I die?
Honey Bee by Cassandra Wilson
Pass it on and link back to me and Ave!
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/zkHM8xG6i8o" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
I’m a sucker for this stuff.
Felons who have completed their sentences will be able to register to vote in Maryland under a new law signed by Gov. Martin O’Malley yesterday.
The law, which takes effect July 1, was one of 178 measures the governor signed, including legislation to require stricter emissions limits on new cars and protect the diamondback terrapin.
Advocates say more than 50,000 Marylanders will be eligible to vote as a result of the legislation. Thirty-eight other states allow ex-convicts who have completed their sentences - including any parole or probation - to vote. But the Maryland legislation was among the most hotly debated bills in the recent General Assembly session.
“It certainly doesn’t mean the floodgates are going to open, but this underscores the full meaning of citizenship,” said Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt, a Prince George’s County Democrat who was a sponsor of the measure. “When you have paid your debt to society … you should be free to register to vote.”
Amen.
