Teacher ratings

At the end of a long and weary first year teaching, I am reflecting on my own job performance. Although I put in a lot of hours at times, I see in retrospect that a lot of my time was wasted on things that didn't necessarily translate to student learning or teacher improvement. I think I learned more about teaching this year than the students learned about chemistry...

What I would like to find out is some objective student feedback. Preferably feedback during the summer so that I can adjust my tactics accordingly and also because they'll have time to reflect and be a little less emotive in the ranking itself.

I remember discovering during my TA days at UF the ratemyprofessor.com site, and finding myself pleasantly surprised at my statistics there:

Daniel Morgan's Scorecard:

* No. of Ratings: 13
* Average Easiness: 4.2
* Average Helpfulness: 4.9
* Average Clarity: 4.5
* Hotness Total: 0
* Overall Quality: 4.7

These are all ranked out of an upper bound of 5. I was pleasantly surprised with the results I saw, and I asked my students one or two semesters to please go online and throw in their $0.02 some time. What really broke my heart is that no one gave me a Chile pepper (a "hot" rating)...

I checked ratemyteachers.com and found my name absent from the Hammond School listings, so I just went in and added it. Looking at the dates on some of the reviews, it doesn't seem all too popular a site for the students. Perhaps they have another one that is favored, or perhaps (as is my experience with them) they really aren't as into online tools like this as the hype attributed.

Gator Freethought media coverage

The following list compiles some of Gator Freethought's media records -- from LTEs, incidental mentions of the group's activities, to interviews with our members on radio shows and full-blown newspaper articles on the group and its activities. We feel that making our voices heard in local media is extremely important to the goals and purposes of our group. This post will be updated as needed.

Because The Alligator's website underwent a great deal of revision, many of the old links to articles there are dead, and the archives are not yet working that far back. According to the editors, it may be a very long time for the pages to be updated. Thus, I decided to go in to my cached versions of these pages & articles (thank you Google Desktop) and paste the text into posts on this site, then provide additional links below so readers may enjoy the publications.

1. Alligator LTE: Without a preacher, students are condemned, by Ryan H, 9/28/07 (about Joey Johnsen's departure from UF)
   


2. Alligator LTE: Religious frat lawsuit not pious, by Daniel M, 7/12/07


3. Chicago Reader: article on Hemant Mehta, "The Atheist Who Went to Church" - he gives us props in a brief mention in paragraph 11, "...He likes the University of Florida group that offered “free hugs from atheists” to publicize an upcoming event...", 4-13-07


4. Institute for Humanist Studies: HNN Article Highlight of our "Free Hugs" Event, 4-11-07


5. Tabash Events/Video: Tabash Lecture at UF, 3-25-07 & Tabash-Friel Debate, 3-26-07


6. NinerOnline: "'You're going to hell' says campus preachers: An in-depth look into the practice of campus preachers", quotes Daniel M, 3/26/07


7. Campus Sun Article: "Atheists give free hugs to fellow students" by Jessica Palombo, 3-23-07


8. Alligator: What's Happening, "The Atheist, Agnostic and Freethinking Student Association at UF presents "Who Made Who? God and Man" with Eddie Tabash." 3-23-07


9. Gator Times: Advertisement, "The Great Debate: Does God Exist?"


10. Alligator LTE: "Constitution protects religious freedom" by Stacey Kroto, 2-12-07 (Alligator link broken, read it here)


11. Alligator LTE: "Separation of church and state needed" by Daniel M, 2-9-07 (Alligator link broken, read it here)


12. Dixie County Advocate Article: "Ten Commandments Controversy goes National" by Terri Langford, 12-7-06*


13. Gainesville Sun Article: "Plea for a plaintiff" by Karen Voyles, 12-2-06*


14. Alligator Editorial: "Darts & Laurels" by editors, 12-1-06*


15. Alligator Article: "Student debates on Fox" by Brittney Davis, 11-30-06*


16. Hannity & Colmes: Interview regarding Dixie County 10 Commandments, YouTube video, .mpg video (59MB), 11-29-06*


17. Alligator LTE: "Evangelicals Deserve some Criticism" by Stacey Kroto, 10-20-06 (Alligator link broken, read it here)


18. Alligator LTE: "Christianity Itself Relies Upon Fear" by Daniel M, 10-3-06 (Alligator link broken, read it here). The next day, a response came in another Alligator LTE: “Preacher responds to campus critics” by Joey Johnsen, 10-4-06.


19. Point of Inquiry Radio Show: Podcast about the CFI On Campus Summer Conference, includes interview with Gator Freethought member Eric Toedter (5 attended), 7-28-06


20. USA Today: Interview with Gator Freethought's first treasurer, Chelsae Pavey (article), 7-26-06


21. Secular Student Alliance: SSA Affiliate Creates some Beautiful Banners, [thanks to Dave Misvel], 4-25-06


22. Alligator LTE: "Human Life Doesn't Begin at Conception" by Daniel M, 3-21-06 (Alligator link broken, read it here)


23. Alligator Column: "Intelligent Design not a True Science" by Daniel M, 8-26-05 (Alligator link broken, read it here)

I'll try to keep this updated as much as possible.

Alberto Gonzales at UF

Despite my (continued and unresolved) anger that they invited him in the first place, I'm proud of the UF student body for protesting the criminal's speech.

Also check out the Alligator's article and their video of the protests.


Go Gators!

New IPCC report, politics & football

But it's all a hoax!!

As early as 2020, 75 million to 250 million people in Africa will suffer water shortages, residents of Asia's megacities will be at great risk of river and coastal flooding, Europeans can expect extensive species loss, and North Americans will experience longer and hotter heat waves and greater competition for water, the report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says.

Keep your eye on this hot new item on Clinton supposedly having dirt on Obama.

Dammit, no SEC championship for UF, despite my prognostications else wise. Even if UT loses next week against UK and UGA loses against GT, it won't make a difference. The good news is, Tebow's Heisman talk is heating up. Also in good news, the Hokies are pounding on the 'Canes.

FSM & UF

I saw this article at CNN about three grad students from my alma mater putting together talks on the FSM at their upcoming religious studies conference. Some courageous Pastafarians from GF once went out to Turlington Plaza to preach the gospel of the FSM:

I loved the juxtaposition against Joey Johnsen.

From the CNN article, one of the UF grad students' talks is entitled, "Noodling around with Religion: Carnival Play, Monstrous Humor, and the Noodly Master." This makes me wonder if perhaps these guys saw or were influenced by this display at UF, or if it is just coincidence...?

Although we always thought it hilarious, some people apparently don't like this sort of thing on college campuses.

*UPDATE (12/17/07): Here is another campus FSM preacher*

Great college football weekend

A good football weekend all-around for my two teams:

• We went to the UF-USC game -- see a picture here. We had great tickets, but had to pay $130 each (section 1, row 20, seats 3 & 4), close enough to Tebow for my wife to swoon (yet again). Watching him put up 7 touchdowns was amazing, and I can see why he's in the running for the Heisman. And do keep in mind that he's just a sophomore...wait until next year! Florida is #12 in the BCS, and they need Kentucky to beat Georgia and either Vandy or UK to beat UT to get a shot at the SEC title. Then, if they beat LSU in the title game, they would have an excellent shot at the BCS title. (yes, I'm being a little irrational here) More likely, they will end up with a nice top ten finish with no berth in the Sugar Bowl.
  


• VT finally beat FSU. They're now ranked #10 in the BCS. Go Hokies! They need to beat Miami this Saturday and UVA next Saturday. UVA looked really strong stomping the shit out of the 'Canes.

You have got to be shitting me

Alberto fu%*ing Gonzales is getting paid $40K to come speak at my beloved UF?!?!?!?

Alberto Gonzales to speak at UF
By KIM WILMATH, Alligator Staff Writer
Thursday, November 8, 2007 1:38 AM EST

Alberto Gonzales, the former U.S. attorney general who resigned in August, will speak at UF on Nov. 19.

Student Government records state Gonzales was paid $40,000 for his speech at UF, which is the first college appearance since he resigned, said Steven Blank, Accent chairman. Accent, SG's speakers bureau, is sponsoring the appearance.

The speech will take place 7:15 p.m. at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, stated a press release from Accent.

The event has been in the works for a few weeks, Blank said.

Free tickets will be available for students with Gator 1 cards on Nov. 14 and for the general public Nov. 15 at the Phillips Center and the University Box Office, the release stated.

Blank said he expects a full house.

In 2005, Accent brought another former state attorney to UF - Janet Reno.

The show was so successful that the bureau jumped at the chance to host Gonzales, Blank said.

Gonzales was appointed the first Hispanic attorney general in February 2005 and later played a role in President Bush's fight in the war on terror after Sept. 11.

Gonzales resigned in August after a controversial tenure.

Gonzales faced scrutiny over his leadership of the Department of Justice in 2006, after he dismissed nine U.S. attorneys.

The White House administration said the dismissals were solely based on performance.

Gonzales called the issue "an overblown personnel matter."

However, some officials have said that the Bush administration was trying to politicize the justice system.

Questions were raised about whether Gonzales testified truthfully about the National Security Agency's abuse of surveillance programs.

Bush denied the accusations against Gonzales.

Meanwhile, Democrats cheered his resignation.

Bush appointed Peter Keisler as acting attorney general Sept. 17.

Gonzales wasn't the only high-level official to resign during Bush's second term.

Gale Norton, Bush's former secretary of the interior, resigned in March 2006. Andrew H. Card Jr., former chief of staff, resigned the same month.

Norman Mineta, former secretary of transportation, left in June 2006.

October's "Girls of the SEC"

I mentioned back in April that UF was hailed as "talented" by the photographers with Playboy, who boasted that UF puts out (pun intended) 3-4 times as many girls in the "Girls of the SEC" special than any other school in the conference:

Photographer George Georgiou and project coordinator Cynthia Kaye, a four-time Playboy cover girl, met nearly 20 University of Florida students Monday and expect 40 more women to show up for auditions today.

"There's absolutely a lot of talent here," said Georgiou, who has been shooting for Playboy for 18 years. "We always have at least one girl from each school featured in the pictorial. But usually we take three or four from UF."

Today, I was reading the Alligator after a friend of mine published an LTE there this morning about Joey Johnsen and his recently-announced departure from UF (yeah, I shed a tear), and I noticed this article highlighting the seven girls chosen for the Playboy "Girls of the SEC" feature (only five are pictured in the article).

Two seconds ago, after Googling Playboy + UF, I stumbled across this interview with one of those Playboy-hopefuls from UF speaking about her experience trying out for their "Girls of the SEC" edition. The interviewee, Brandy Jones, was unsure if she got in or not at the time.

NSFW: Judge for yourselves if you think these lovely ladies were worthy.

Being in Columbia now, I decided to check out the local reaction to this -- does it surprise you that this fucknut is speaking out against it on behalf of USC's community? Just look at him for God's sake...

VIDEO: "Is Christianity Based on a Lie?"

For those of you who missed the Green-Price debate on Saturday evening, you missed a great event. Many thanks go to Ryan, Brandon and others in GF for the work they put in to make this event go smoothly.

The room seated 500 people, and we had them lined along the walls and sitting in the aisles by about 15 after 7. By 7:30, people were turned away as there was no longer any standing room. Thus, it was enormously successful in terms of turnout and participation. Thanks to all of you who made it so.

I am in the process of uploading the raw .mpg files to GV, and will also send them to co-President Ryan, who intends to use them to create a much prettier (better-edited) video version. But for those of you who (like me) can't wait:

1. "Is Christianity Based on a Lie?" part 1 of 5
2. "Is Christianity Based on a Lie?" part 2 of 5
3. "Is Christianity Based on a Lie?" part 3 of 5
4. "Is Christianity Based on a Lie?" part 4 of 5
5. "Is Christianity Based on a Lie?" part 5 of 5

The video is embedded below the fold:

"Is Christianity Based on a Lie?" part 1 of 5


"Is Christianity Based on a Lie?" part 2 of 5


"Is Christianity Based on a Lie?" part 3 of 5


"Is Christianity Based on a Lie?" part 4 of 5


"Is Christianity Based on a Lie?" part 5 of 5


Video for the debate was filmed, processed and uploaded to GV by me. All rights reserved.
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Technorati tags: Gator Freethought

UF Speaker Harun Yahya now in the NYT

Harun Yahya made NYT headlines last week for mass-mailing his book of lies to hundreds of university professors around the US.

He was at UF in February:

Why Did I Choose UF?

Did I choose UF for its academic rigors? Its location and subsequent sunny warm weather? Its amazing atheletics?

No.

I chose it for its "other" talents:

"There's absolutely a lot of talent here," said Georgiou, who has been shooting for Playboy for 18 years. "We always have at least one girl from each school featured in the pictorial. But usually we take three or four from UF."

;-)
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Technorati tags: Humor

Gators: National Champs, Yet Again

Yeah, baby!

Go Gators! Go Gators! Go Gators! Go Gators!

Go Gators! Go Gators! Go Gators! Go Gators!

Go Gators! Go Gators! Go Gators! Go Gators!

It is so sweet to be here in Gainesville right now. The smell of charred nuts (buckeyes, not testes), stale vomit, and victory is once again in the air, as on January 8th:


It is indeed great to be a Florida Gator.
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Technorati tags: Sports

Homeless Shelter Locale Approved

So the city commissioners finally decided on a place to put the homeless shelter -- 3335 N. Main Terrace (MAP). I've mentioned the issue here in Gainesville before, and I sincerely hope this does something to alleviate human suffering. Recently, some students tried to stage a camp-out in the Plaza area, in protest of the plight of the transients in Gainesville, and were forcefully removed, only the latest in a long series of efforts to raise awareness and concern.

The center, named the GRACE Marketplace, will contain beds, showers, phones and laundry facilities. Social services, including budgeting help, legal aid, drug intervention and vocational training, will also be offered.

About $1.4 million will be spent per year in aid and services.

To me, the only responsible city policy is one in which panhandling is outlawed...IF you have a city-run shelter that will provide basic needs for those people panhandling. If you don't have such a shelter, then it is morally reprehensible to kick people off the sides of the roads (or arrest them) for trying to get money that may or may not be used for food and survival.

I think the former option is the most humane and intelligent solution -- panhandling is bad for everyone involved, and those who wish to give to the homeless now have a central location to find them and an associated charity (and responsible, accountable administration over it) to give to.
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Technorati tags: Politics

In Which it is Necessary to Defend (one more time) Science from Religious Kooks

Bernie Machen was disappointed that his buddy Jeb didn't get an honorary sheepskin from UF. You know why he didn't, Bernie?

Because of dumbass moves like this one: presiding over the appointment of a young-earth creationist idiot politician, Cheri Pierson Yecke, who was basically fired from her previous job for trying to corrupt the science education of Minnesotan schoolkids (only through the hard work of these guys), as CHANCELLOR of Florida's state K-12 education!!! Had Jeb made any effort, whatsoever, to cleanse Florida's state education of incompetent boobs and fanatical religious right puppets, perhaps he would've earned the esteem of a degree from Florida's flagship university...

...then again, I doubt he had a GPA of 4.0 and an SAT of 1300, so he doesn't deserve it anyway.

Guess who will be fending off the drooling cretinists this time around? You know who.
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Technorati tags: Intelligent Design, Evolution, Creationism

Free Hug from an Atheist

We've been discussing a simple and fun way to advertise our event, and to raise awareness of the group in general, on Facebook: "Free Hugs from Atheists." We will be out in Turlington Plaza on Thursday (3/22) from 12-2 pm, and we will bring our large sign from the SOF event, lean it up against a tree or plant, put together a simple poster that says, "Free Hugs from Atheists" and hug away. We will offer the hugs with no strings attached, but at the same time, afterwards, inform people about the event this Sunday and ask them, if they are interested, if they would like a flyer with more information.

What I would really appreciate from you guys is to bring handouts using flyer_05. Just save it to your disk, and open it using something simple (like MS Picture Viewer), then print 4 to a page, preferably with borders outlined for easy cutting. I did this, and the print is still very legible. Anyone interested in the free hugs, please do this, just print out a few (5-6) pages of 4 per page, of flyer_05 (easier to read than flyer_06 at low res and small font), cut them and bring them with you on Thursday 12-2 pm. See you then!
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Technorati tags: Atheism

Promoting the Event via Advertising, Facebook and Emails

The big day is almost upon us, and I wanted to post a last (hopefully) note with an emphasis to help promote the event and spread the word, reiterate the link to our flyers, and encourage you to help out. I know that some of you have already seen some of this, but it is important to ensure that everyone receives the event information:

• Atheist Eddie Tabash, "Why There Really Is No God." Sunday, March 25th, 2 PM, Norman Hall 137 (SW 5th Ave & 13th St)

Eddie's title isn't "Does God Exist?" anymore, but it doesn't really matter. We are advertising the event as a lecture by an atheist, so I doubt that many of them will come in unsure as to which side Eddie will be taking.

Now, I don't ask for much of our members, but there are two things I ask of you now to help us promote and advertise the event:

1. First, you can find the flyers, generously created by Brandon, here.

Please download them, print some off, and post them around your residence, and at any available bulletin board you see. Since we are a registered student organization, and since this event has been planned and permitted, you can post the flyers basically anywhere. Here are the details concerning on-campus restrictions -- most important (and simplest) is to use a stapler, not glue or tape, and not to use trees.

I went this morning at University Copy and had 150 copies of flyer_06 made on purple paper, then I put them all around the NW area of campus, including Turlington, the Hub, Library West, and even around Reitz. I noted someone came behind me and tore down two of mine at Library West within an hour of them being posted...sad (I bet it was motivated by someone who can't stand challenges to their mindset/beliefs, but I could be wrong). Please join me, either working independently or working with me this week: if you need copies, just call my cell (number here)!

2. Second, please go to the Facebook event tool and RSVP, if you already haven't. Then, invite people!!!

As of this morning (6 AM), there are 75 "yes" and 60 "maybe" responses. We can do better. The hall has a capacity of almost 400, so please help us to keep it from looking empty.

If you don't have Facebook, or if some people you know don't, please email friends an invitation, and/or a flyer, for the event. Emphasize that there will be Q&A afterwards, and that this event is free and open to the public, and that they can bring guests.

You may have noticed that our event (finally) appears on the Reitz calendar. We also got a listing on the Gator Times. I've already noted a lot of web traffic to the AAFSA site from that URL.

Unfortunately, and I don't know why, they refused to post the event to the "Stuff to Do" Calendar, and the UF Calendar.

It's okay though, as the visibility of flyers, use of word of mouth and the Facebook tool will certainly draw in a packed crowd...IF you all help out!! Now, I'm done being the cheerleader/broken record, no more notices or posts encouraging participation, so it's up to you to help make this event what I hope for it to be.

I would love for a few of you to come a little early to the event, just in case we run into any problems with setup/sound/unforeseen issues, and need some help.

Thank you, AAFSA members, for making this group successful with your time and support. I am looking forward to a successful event. I figure that some of you will want to socialize with Eddie, so clear your calendar that evening, if you want to go out and eat and have some beer (or Kool-aid, or whatever) afterwards.

Finally, if there is anyone who is willing to video record this event, please contact me asap, and if any of you have a video camera that we can borrow, preferably digital and with either DVD or HD-recording format, please let me know. I'll see you Sunday, if not sooner.
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Technorati tags: God, Religion, Atheism, Philosophy

UF Walkout for Peace on 3/20; Red Dawn Analogy

Activism:

Join the UF Walkout for Peace with the Students for a Democratic Society in Gainesville. See the Facebook event for more, and use it to invite friends. For me, it doesn't impact any classes or anything, since I'm a grad student.

On that note, I read a very poignant take on Iraq, using the comparison to the film Red Dawn, by Jim Downey. His major point is that rightwingers love that movie, and the ideals it embodies, but fail completely to apply that perspective to Iraq:

But what gets me is the complete disconnect that occurs with those on the right when it comes to applying the ostensible lessons of the movie to the real world, and specifically to Iraq. Red Dawn is all about how Americans would resist an invasion, even unto death, and is glorified on the right for this reason. People don't take kindly to being "ruled" by outside invaders or illegitimate government. Why on earth do the Republicans who still support this war think that the Iraqi people are any different from us in this regard?

Perhaps that's just it - early on the rhetoric was how we would be 'bringing democracy' to Iraq, and the repressed Iraqis would welcome us and quickly adopt our ways, because all people yearn to be free. But now the notion is that the Iraqis are somehow different from us in this regard, 'less' than us, and all we have to do is to continue to occupy their country long enough, with enough troops, as we did to the evil Germans and Japanese after WWII.

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Technorati tags: Politics

Campus Preacher Gary Birdsong on Racism: Why it Isn't THAT Bad

Birdsong is a regular at UNC, and other NC colleges, but we don't see him much here at UF. He has his own wiki, and paid a visit to us last week, living up to all that was recorded there. See his 6-part diatribe on the evil of interracial relationships ("...I'm not racist...it [interracial marriage] just causes a lot of confusion in the family.") and his other general rantings here.

1. Part 1
2. Part 2
3. Part 3
4. Part 4
5. Part 5
6. Part 6
   

Thanks again to Adam for those vids.
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Technorati tags: God, Religion

SOSDD: More of the Same

"Creation Scientists" are frauds and cons, and this guy is no different. Their tactics may evolve, but their arguments, quote mines, and obfuscations are pretty well-worn...Except that this one will be here at UF on 2/27 to spew distortions and lies to a crowd of university students:

He's so bad he throws out the PRATTs from the get-go:

No one has ever produced a species by mechanisms of natural selection

Lie. And a bold one.

The "greatest" evidence put forward since Darwin has been able to go no further than the "industrial melanism" of the moths in England.

1) This is a complete distortion of the peppered moths' value as evidence of evolution
2) citing this particular evidence as being the "greatest" for speciation is a strawman, many better ones exist

"Natural selection can do nothing until favourable variations chance to occur".8 This is why neo-Darwinism has had to elevate mutations next to natural selection as the "cause of beneficial changes". However as we shall see, mutations can only be "the cause for harmful changes".

Yet another canard of creationism.

I don't have the stomach to dissect the rest of this dreck, but you can feel free to do so on your own, here's the list where you will find all of his points refuted. It's been done a million times, to a million different people repeating the same silliness.

I don't have much hope for non-skeptics who attend such events, as it basically means they're looking for confirmation of something they already believe, and not education on something they're ignorant of. It's sad that people who come to a university to broaden their horizons would seek to fill their heads with nonsense in order to prevent their religious notions from being challenged.

PS: See more on Harun Yahya here, here and see this and this long article in Science about him.

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Technorati tags: Intelligent Design, Evolution, Creationism

The Homeless in Gainesville

I'm not sure if it's the location of Gainesville, its proximity to I-75, its geographic resources for people who sleep outdoors (apparently, the Rainbow Family loves Ocala National Forest), or the generosity of its citizens, but the number of vagabonds is now a city-mandated issue, with a "10 Year Plan", including shelter construction, to affect homelessness in G'ville. It's been a boilerplate issue in city politics.

I mentioned my own interactions with "Radical Bill", aka William H. Abney, a vagrant 70s-era activist who lingers about the UF campus throughout the day and still engages with campus preachers (he's still radical, I guess) in my review of the campus preachers, parts 1 and 2. Some of them fall into the well-worn "pretend to be a vet/disabled/have my pet with me to evoke sympathy" category to elicit more money, but some don't even ask for it, and I find these people fascinating, if I can say that without sounding condescending. Of course, most generic bums don't qualify, but some transients leave me with the impression that they enjoy life more than I do, and Bill is one of these. He is always smiling and happy, always reading a book or newspaper, always ready to share an anecdote.

There's something about the ones who are mentally healthy and "just choose to live that way" that is strangely appealing to me. Like Thoreau at Walden Pond, they seem more liberated to me than destitute -- like they've transcended the petty stuff we shackle ourselves to and have returned to nature...or something.

And then I remember how much I like a hot shower and a clean bed and fine wine and food. I'm just a weenie.

Maybe I just need to do a few weeks in the wilderness every once in a while to put that wild impulse in perspective.

I bring this up because I read about some overlap with this concern (homeless) in Jacksonville, where an Ass. Prof. was recently charged with violating a city ordinance for feeding the homeless without a permit. The charges were later dropped, but I found it both sad and exasperating that such a law would exist in the first place. He is now challenging the constitutionality of the law on the grounds of religious expression. (HT: Religion Clause)
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Technorati tags: Politics