End-of-June Update

Hasn't June gone by so fast? Happy school's-out-for-summer, everyone!!

Starting with some public interest pieces from the New York Times.  This article about the horrendous landscape of care in military hospitals in lengthy, but worth reading.  The other day Zoe came home with a frisbee from the park with this image on it, which only makes me question just about everything related to funding...

Continuing with a feature on the first five legal same sex marriages to be announced in the New York Times ten years ago-- where are they now?  Scroll down on this link to see some graphics that may make you feel optimistic (assuming you are rooting for gay marriage).  I'm still a little confused because I've gotten feedback that I need to present two sides here-- do I always???

Marni submitted this specifically for Christina and I'm neither sure why that is true or why this business that delivers you quarters to do your laundry ever existed, even for a moment, but I do understand why it didn't last.  

Now, some homework for you-- pay attention early this week (likely Monday) to see the results of the Supreme Court's decision on Obamacare's birth control mandate.  Oh, Hobby Lobby.  I knew there was a reason I could never get into scrapbooking.  More info here. 

And keeping you informed about Iraq-- the upheaval is creating large numbers of refugees.  

Are you offended by or enjoying news that in no way should be news?  Here is a little more.  Can't resist b/c I just started watching Orange is the New Black because Christina insisted on it!

Did you hear about this currently living and flying Amelia Earhart?  So strange.  It is making me second guess my baby name choices-- should I choose someone famous who didn't get to finish something so this baby will have direction in life? 

This is very funny to me.  Grenada or Greneda.  I think I'd prefer Grenada.  (I did have to check 3 times for spelling, myself, just now.)

You all may not find this funny.  If you don't, you are more than welcome to spend more time with my 3-year-old, please.  I find it actually laugh-out-loud funny, myself. 

June 22nd Update

Happy beautiful June weekend!

Some feelgood news first- I am no longer boycotting Starbucks, which I've done since my first year in NYC when I wanted to find a cute little coffee shop and walked 30 blocks, passing 7 of them.  But, I have been told they have good practices, and their new plan to pay for college tuition for employees really takes the cake!

And in case you need something to pass the time-- 56.1% of the "Christina's" out there are democrats.  Want to check out your name?  All your friends?  Go for it. 

In World Cup news -- some pushback is given around enjoying the World Cup amid other global disasters, or because of the Brazilians relocated as a result,  though these guys say it is ok...  What do you think?

This commercial which was aired during the World Cup is pretty powerful regarding the use of the name "Redskins".  And, it seems like it is working, as the US Patent Office canceled trademark registration for the name Redskins on Wed..  But some people think it is "baloney" and in fact will threaten appreciation for Native Americans if we wipe out references like this from our pop culture.  Hmm.  

And still more movement in regards to the instability in Iraq, the ISIS has captured a Syrian border post and 300 troops were sent there to "assess the situation."

Speaking of Obama- he is trying to take drastic measures to truly fight climate change (some amazing visuals in this link, as well as information about New York floods that could happen as early as 2050!)  A group of republican scientists tried to convince their party buddies at a hearing about EPA standards that climate change is real, but some will not be convinced. 

And we haven't heard about Sarah Palin in a while- she actually feels so strongly about immigration that she said she could renounce her republican ties!

Stepping away from gun control and towards the question of mental health and support for would-be-criminals-- this NY Times article about how to help families who know their sons are or may be violent is quite discouraging.

Finally- did you see this guy's mug shot when he went viral this week?  Sometimes I think anything that ends up viral is silly business, but for real, check him out!!!

 

Marni's Update- June 14th

Hi all,

I've been begrudgingly handed the reins by Carey in her absence.  The only requirement is that nobody's allowed to like my version better (or at least you can't tell her if you do.) Because Carey won't let me hack into her account, you won't be getting the pretty linked version.  Sorry!  On the plus side, if you want to comment, just hit "Reply all" and tell everybody what you think.

Following up on the sports news:

The World Cup started last week.  It's really cool to like soccer, but even if you don't you should be able to talk about it.  Here's a guide:  http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/06/world-cup-guide-for-the-vaguely-interested.html

The LA Kings beat the NY Ranges last night to win hockey's Stanley Cup (this might be the most interesting story to come out of it:  http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/stanley-cup-final-produces-the-lamest-governors--bet-ever-151700207.html), 

The NBA play-offs are happening between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs.  The Spurs are up 3-1 and need one more game to win the championship.  The star player on the Heat (and maybe of the league) is LeBron James (have you heard of him?)  Apparently, there was some to-do about his cramps and the media reaction to them.  Read about it here: http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/11070702/skip-bayless-lebron-james-intangibles

In political news, Eric Cantor, the house majority leader for the Republicans, lost his primary to an unknown and unfunded Tea Party Candidate.  Lots of waves here with both implications for the elections in November and the picking a Republican leader to replace him in the Senate.  There are several theories on why he lost, but the prevailing view seems to be that it's not necessarily a resurgence of the Tea Party, rather a guy getting too big for his britches and losing touch with his constituents.  http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/2014-virginia-primary-eric-cantor-campaign-107815.html

Looks like the House Whip, Kevin McCarthy is likely to replace him, but has not been confirmed as of press time.  He's friends with Frank Underwood!  http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/kevin-mccarthy-eric-cantor-107805.html?hp=f2

Lots been happening in Iraq.  Let's start with a quick break-down of the major players:  http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/06/13/world/middleeast/in-iraq-crisis-a-tangle-of-alliances-and-enmities.html?hp&_r=0

There's a lot to read on this topic, but this is a good read on Obama's role and reaction to the crisis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/14/world/middleeast/obama-finds-he-cant-put-iraq-behind-him.html?ref=middleeast


Following Carey's lead, there's more talk about gun violence this week.  It is definitely terrible what's been happening lately and particularly embarrassing that this is such a problem specific to American culture.  However, all this coverage makes me get angry at the media and people's tendency to jump on the bandwagon about high profile issues.  Can we solve gun violence?  Would a sustained effort (beyond just posting articles/stats on their Facebook walls) by critical mass of Americans accomplish something?  Could we make it happen?  (Bloomberg is trying to throw money at the problem, will that work?    http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/16/us/bloomberg-plans-a-50-million-challenge-to-the-nra.html?_r=0)
Enough of my whining about it, here are two articles I found interesting and refreshing in the wake of all the sensational coverage:

http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/06/mass-shootings-arent-on-the-rise.html

http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/06/why-school-shootings-happen-how-stop-them.html

Have we talked about education in a while?  I think it's been too long since any of us thought about teaching, learning and ed reform.  Did you hear the Common Core is a Gates-funded conspiracy? http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/common-standards-for-nations-schools-a-longtime-goal/2014/06/09/cbe7e9ec-edb1-11e3-92b8-52344c12e8a1_story.html 

Interesting that the same week this article came out, the Gates Foundation, a proponent of data-based teacher evaluation, came out recommending a two-year moratorium on using assessment data so that teachers and students could get used to the new standards and tests.  Yay!  Let's all take a deep breath and be thankful that we might have more time to get better at teaching these brilliant Standards which will change the face of education.  Too much?  I really just want to see if Chuckles is reading this.
Interesting stuff happening in California, where parents of kids in bad schools are taking their outrage to court.  Michelle Rhee and Arne like the outcome, Diane Ravitch doesn't, so it's probably related to the Bill Gates conspiracy.  A couple different opinions posted here:
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/06/11/does-tenure-protect-bad-teachers-or-good-schools but my personal favorite is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/13/opinion/california-ruling-on-teacher-tenure-is-not-whole-picture.html?hp&rref=opinion&_r=0

The most important news of last week:
The Tonys happened last Sunday.  Do you remember when Carey explained to you what they are?  http://lastweeksupdate.blogspot.com/2014/03/march.html
Neil Patrick Harris won for Best Actor in a Musical and everyone needs to see the clip of him performing.
http://canstatic.cbs.com/chrome/canplayer.swf?pid=Ir6qzxbglRiv&partner=cbs&gen=1

If you loved that clip, go see the show!  NPH is only in it through August 17th, then Andrew Rannells takes over.  So get your tickets now, Jordan.
Also, In Christina-related Tony news, although If/Then was nominated for 2 Tonys (Best Actress for Idina Menzel and Best Original Score) it lost both, proving Tony voters have good taste!

Bonus item:
Not sure if everyone's a Lost fan, but I know we have quite a few in the readership.  Here's an interesting profile of one of creators.  Spoiler alert:  he might be more sensitive than Becca!
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/magazine/damon-lindelof-leftovers-lost.html

First Week of June

We'll start with a sports update, because it has been a while.  Aaron believes that many of you may not know this, and also believes you should-- The New York Rangers are playing the LA Kings in the finals for the Stanley Cup.  Did my readers already know this? We are people who believe you should know who your local team is and what they are up to, even in NYC.

I think I may have just had a Midwestern moment, so I'll link to this explanation of "Why Midwesterners Find New Yorkers Weird."  I'm not sure I buy it- Ohio is not any different than Michigan!  I do think that perhaps I've always been meant to live in one of the green states, but that may not be meant to be.

Thoughts on this?  Is it important to teach students handwriting, or is it outdated?

Moving into some less feel good issues....a couple of horrific stories that you'll either want to skip or discuss. This story of the 12 year old girls attacking their friend outside Milwaukee is beyond understanding-- and, for me, makes me think about a lot of  parenting and educator issues- how much to control your kids' socializing, internet use, etc.  And, yet another shooting, this time in a college- but stopped by a hall monitor with pepper spray.  Nice to know it was pepper spray and not another gun....

Christina, if you haven't heard anything about Bowe Bergdahl, this is an issue with all kinds of varied opinions.  He was released from the Taliban in exchange for five Guantanamo detainees, and depending on who you get your news from this may represent Obama's fine work or that he should be impeached.  You know, one or the other.

Tracy Morgan is in critical condition after a limo crash. 

Hmmm. A "male loving gene?"  Thoughts?

Just showing Barack a little love in regards to climate change...

Ending with some good news for all of us (at least, if you get your news from me, because I get my news this way-- assuming that The Daily Show falls under the same rules as Colbert!)

June 1st

Did you hear about Exceed's new garden?  I do have to say, with no offense meant to Carson here, that when I signed up for the gardening committee I did NOT realize that I was fighting hunger.  Stay tuned to hear how that plays out.  He must be anticipating a hefty yield at harvest time.

In frivolous news- I wish somebody leaked a Malia prom picture for me.  Why is that something I want?  I don't know, but it is.

 

Last week, Marni and I discussed whether the Elliot Rodger shooting was a gun control or a mental health issue (or both).   This follow up about "misogyny, entitlement, and nerds" is an interesting additional dimension to this discussion.  What do you think?

And speaking of-- to politicize for a moment-- to me, this is one of those quick and easy ways to act that we really should all shame each other into doing.  If you agree with me, go for it.  (If you don't, you can dispute the points made here or here and explain your stance to me.)

Maya Angelou died at 86 this week.   I won't link to any stories about these guys, but apparently Westboro church intends to picket at the funeral.  Outrageous. 

Oh, Bieber.  What has become of you?

What's to be done about the lack of interest from "young people" in politics?  (While I don't technically fall in the "young people" range in the poll cited, I do JUST make this author's definition of millennial-- not sure I want to, though...)  I suppose I can do my part and try to keep us informed here-- let's start with some news about this year's race for governor.  Update:  Working Families endorsed Cuomo yesterday...

And as someone who always tries to abide by my own rule of looking up and out the window while on the Q train across the bridge, I appreciated this.  I feel the same about looking out and around whenever near the water in this city.