Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
CAR FIRE IN SEATTLE
Here in Fremont at the intersection of Fremont Ave and NW 39th St. Everyone is fine… for now.
What happened to Trader Joe’s Kefir supply?
Okay, I must admit that I’m a fan of Trader Jose’s awesome pomegranate Kefir. Mostly because I like the protein and pro-biotics offered in a little swig of the bottle. Also, I’m hip to having the same benefits of yogurt in a drinkable resealable bottle… without having to gulf down the entire contents of a typical yogurt cup, which often times seems like too much. But what happened? It’s been gone now for over a week! Please come back, you little cute Kefir..!
Yum!
FAKING SMART! The Greatest Book Ever Written!
It’s that time of year when you’re looking around for that perfect gift for someone. You look here, you look there, but you just can’t make up your mind. You think “Man, I wish there was a good book out there to give to someone. But there just aren’t any good books written any more…”
THAT’S WHERE YOU’RE WRONG! There is a good book written out there and it’s this book (…er, my book): FAKING SMART!
Profiles in Protest – Occupy Seattle
Here’s a short video of some of the people I met at the Westlake Park protest this past week. Candid and well-spoken, each of them had good reasons for making their voice heard and for exercising their First Amendment rights.
OCCUPY SEATTLE Protest This Sunday
Had some time to visit the Occupy Seattle protests today. Took a few pictures and a video or two and got the chance to meet a few of the protesters. It was interesting to see how the speakers communicated without bullhorns: the people in the crowd shouted out what was said so that those standing farther back could hear. Lots of cool signs. Wish I was able to meet with more people, but I ran out of time.
Shepard Fairey in Fremont
WHEN PHENOMENOLOGY MEETS MARKETING
Okay, there is some nice Shepard Fairey art right here in our neighborhood, curtesy of the folks down at EVO. Like Banksy or Mr. Brainwash, Fairey is one of the biggest names in street art. His Obama likeness (the neon-highlighted contemplative Obama) is probably his most famous piece. I guess Evo has put his art on their wall because they are selling Fairey’s “OBEY” line of clothing. Wait… Shepard Fairey has a clothing line? Please.
Books Banned From Texas Schools
Harrisford, Texas – According to the Dallas Morning News, the local school board in Harrisford, Texas has implemented a round of book-banning that will take effect before the beginning of the next school year. The list of 50 banned books was revealed at the end of the July board meeting under a unanimous decision by board members. Some of the titles marked for banning in the district include the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling for anti-Christian leanings and “promotion of teen witchcraft,” Cory Doctorow’s For the Win for exploiting adolescent violence, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are for its themes of beastiality and Karl Wolfbrooks Ager’s Faking Smart! for its “sexualized content and moral relativism.”
“These were all books that have been brought to our attention by honest people with the intention of protecting our youth. There’s no bias involved here,” said Harrisford Superintendent of Schools, Errold Multch. “In some cases a child has to be shielded from undue influence, and this is just what this board set out to do.”
Some Harrisford school librarians, however, feel caught in the middle. Sheila Roman, head librarian at Harrisford High, thought the school board was acting a bit overzealous. “They do this every now and then and it’s just a drain on resources,” she said. “Kids are going to read Where the Wild Things Are whether it’s at their school library or not,” Roman said. “It’s an award-winning book. Everyone has it at home.”
The Harrisford book ban raises some concern over legal issues and the right for school boards to determine what is, in the words of the Harrisford board, “morally sound”. When asked if book banning might be perceived as censorship and consequently a violation of the 1st Amendment, Superintendent Multch had this to say: “You can talk the 1st Amendment all day long if you like, but you can’t give my child access to trash.” Another member of the board, who wished to remain anonymous, argued that censorship wasn’t at issue here. “What we got is books that are filth and polluting the minds of the young,” she said. “Where kids is at stake, the Harrisford board makes its own constitution,” she added.
In Harrisford, where the needle has been pinned at 102 degrees over the last two weeks, this move by the school board is sure to raise temperatures even further. “We have to grin and bear it,” added Ms. Roman. “The problem is, every time the board makes another round of bans our collection gets smaller,” she said. “Pretty soon I’ll be obsolete,” she said.
Harrisford schools open at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday September 6th.
