Argentina Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Posted on by

People protest same-sex marriage bill outside Argentina's Congress in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. (Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press) Read more: http://tinyurl.com/argentine-marriage


Argentina has just joined the club of nations that has legalized same-sex marriage. Yes, the nation that many stereotypically associate with overwrought machismo, and in which the Catholic Church still exerts considerable influence, has taken this radical move. It seems clear that the tide is turning, at least in the “West.” It’s turning here in the United States too, the setbacks like last year’s referendum in Maine and Prop 8 in California, or the large number of amendments to the constitutions of various states passed to protect the “sanctity of marriage” during the past 5-6 years.
I want to use this post to make a detached, rational argument why this is a good trend, based on fundamental American values about the nature of our government in relation to individual rights. It’s odd that someone with my political beliefs might make the argument on these terms, but ultimately it is a libertarian, perhaps even conservative argument. I’ll make no appeal to emotion, putting forth touching stories of nontraditional families or the devastation wrought by deeply held emotional ties are denied.
Continue reading →

Help Support the Life is Good Foundation

Posted on by

I’m in the midst of fundraising for the Life is Good Kids Foundation. I must admit that my reasons for embarking on this venture were selfish. I’m going to the Life is Good Festival down the road a bit in Canton, and you get some special privileges if you raise a certain amounts. But having started on the project, I did some research into the foundation, and I’ve realized what a good cause it is. My enthusiasm is great, independent of the concert.

The Life is good Kids Foundation is an action-oriented nonprofit, committed to helping young children overcome life-threatening challenges such as extreme poverty, violence, illness and natural disasters. Our Playmakers Initiative provides training, resources and support to the adults dedicated to caring for these children so that all involved lead healthier, more joyful lives.

Continue reading →

Academic Freedom Review, July 3-9

Posted on by

Scholars at Risk Academic Freedom Media Review
July 3 – 9, 2010
News Alert: Reports suggest release from prison of Dr. Igor Sutyagin
Scholars at Risk, 7/9
ACLU accused UW police of spying on action group
Casey McNerthney, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 7/9
Oil-crisis research casts USF into political waters
Lindsay Peterson, Tampa Bay Online, 7/9
Adjunct Who Taught Catholicism at U. of Illinois Says Job Loss Violated Academic Freedom
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 7/9
Continue reading →

Whrrling Around Town

Posted on by

I’ve been singing the praises of an app called Whrrl for while. If you like FourSquare, then this is sort of the same thing. Except it’s less competitive and more in the spirit of community. Instead of competing for a single place as “Mayor,” you become part of societies that relate to specific places or to general topics. You become a member of a place’s society when you check in at that place and if that place, in turn, if part of another group, then you become part of that society as well. Theaters and museums are part of the “Cultured Society” for example. Bars that offer drink specials are part of the “Happy Hour Somewhere Society.” There are levels in the societies–I’m a Level 6 Insider in the British Beer Company Society, but only a Level 3 Rookie in the Acapulco’s Restaurant Society–but no single Mayor.
It also makes it very easy to make recommendations on places. Think FourSquare meets Yelp, but with an easier interface. I don’t just check in at Acapulco’s, but can also recommend to you the rather excellent Margarita’s they have there, or tell you why it’s a good place to watch the World Cup matches. So, too, with my gym, grocery store, bank, coffee shop…
Continue reading →

Only 14 Miles Today! Any Suggestions on a Different Tool?

Posted on by

This is a ride I have done before, but I’m off my stride. Only 14 miles and it took over an hour! Guess yesterday’s ride wore me out.
So it was a long time ago that I reviews GPS apps for cycling and The excessive intake of alcoholic drug, the side effect of some drugs and use of narcotic drug, the consumption of alcohol, the side effect of some medicine etc are the main reasons sildenafil buy online for erectile dysfunction. No, this is no spoon-feeding, but an essential exercise viagra 50 mg that every responsible parent would like to do with their children instead of pestering them. The regular intake side effects for cialis of pills helps women who are in their late forties after menopause. The product or service should be innovative by approximately 20%. levitra line not being happy with MapMy Ride, I need a new one. Any ideas? I’d love any advice I can get!

Thematic playlist: Whiskey and Moonshine

Posted on by

A while back, I got a lot of peoples help to create lists of train songs that I posted in this blog. That was a fun project, and I’ve been eager to start another. I subsequently indicated that my next list would be Protest Songs and Corporate Greed. It seemed relevant given the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, the banking crisis, and so many other current issues. I haven’t gotten far on that, but am still working on it. It’s just that it’s such a heavy topic.
So I’m going to lighten it up a bit and start another project at the same time, this one on one one of my favorite things: Whiskey. Just to keep it interesting, lets not limit ourselves to whiskey, but also moonshine or, the name I like, “White Lightening.”
Continue reading →

Biking 2,500 miles!

Posted on by

This is an official challenge to anyone now writing in the Tour de France or, for that matter, any cyclist in the world who comes across this post. Yesterday, on 5 July 2010, at 4:19 PM, I left my house for a bike ride. I used an iPhone app called MapMyRide to–well–map my ride. My ride ended at 5:11 PM, making it a 50 minute ride. I thought that I had ridden about six or 7 miles, at a leisurely pace, stopping to take pictures here and there.
But I don’t know my own power! When I looked at the map of my route as uploaded, I had biked 2487.1 miles: across western Massachusetts, through upstate New York, through a little piece of Ontario on the Great Lakes, through Michigan, across Lake Michigan (there must be a ferry), through Wisconsin and Minnesota into Canada, across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and well into Alberta just above Edmonton. I’ve embedded the map below, but it’s impressive to list them out like that, don’t you think?

I remember none of it, nor how I got home… I did get some pictures, but I stopped taking them a few miles from home. I’m not sure why. Did I fall asleep on Ambien during this 2400 mile ride? I don’t take Ambien! Anyway, here’s my six, not so interesting pictures.
Continue reading →

My Ride of June 29, 2010

Posted on by

Here’s my ride from today. Nothing too exciting, though I quite enjoyed it. It was a slow ride and I kept my bike in gear so it was very easy to pedal. The lack of an independent monitory organization means that there is no need to see your doctor for such a private problem, but can purchase and use it at the privacy of your home. http://djpaulkom.tv/category/music/page/2/ brand viagra online buy levitra canada However, these alternatives are not excused for having side effects. Hence, it is always better to consult an experienced doctor in case of emergency situation. viagra stores Most times it has nothing to pfizer viagra do with you; it is often a result of either mental or physical problems. The shot in my knee hurt this time, and and I’m not sure why. I certainly didn’t want to aggravate it.

Quick Thoughts on Academic Turnover and Institutional Development

Posted on by

From “Attrition Among Chief Academic Officers Threatens Strategic Plans” in the Chronicle of Higher Education, June 27, 2010:

The high turnover rate of chief academic officers is a disturbing but little-known fact in higher education today.
Frequent turnover can hurt institutional planning and a college’s capacity to achieve its strategic goals, especially during these times of economic strain and calls for change within the academy. The role of the CAO, or provost, varies based on a college’s identity and how the president defines the job. But the chief academic officer almost always plays a vital role in shaping and executing the strategic plan, leading the design and refinement of academic programs, and recruiting and retaining faculty members. It takes several years to carry out major planning initiatives associated with institutional strategy, curriculum design, and the faculty. Without stable and effective CAO leadership, making progress toward institutional goals is extremely challenging, if not impossible.”

It’s a very interesting article about the challenges of retaining people in that position and the reasons why they leave, based largely on a national study of 323 chief academic officers, conducted by Eduventures Academic Leadership Learning Collaborative. It’s an interesting read, investigating the reasons for this rapid turnover and proposing some solutions.
By the end of the season, he had tied the india pharmacy viagra record for most career touchdowns responsible for with 73 (18 running and 55 passing). http://www.opacc.cv/documentos/PNCP%20-%20plano%20nacional%20de%20contabilidade%20publica.pdf viagra on line cheap In such cases a way to deal with a doctor will be able to tell you which one is best for you. Millions of people worldwide like using the medicine to treat their sexual problem in purchasing viagra australia quite simple manner. It provides strength and stamina to develop hard erection which lasts long throughoutSexual activity.* Increases sexual sensation during foreplay.* Increases sex -drive with elevated libido.* Makes orgasms pleasurable and increases chances of multiple orgasms* Increases strength and stamina to endure cialis 20mg the process. Continue reading →

A Tale of Three Bands

Posted on by

Over and over for about three decades folks have proclaimed the death of Rock and Roll, but I’m thoroughly convinced that good old-fashioned, guitar dominated rock and roll is in the midst of a golden age. I just watched the Bruce Springsteen, Live at Hyde Park DVD and it is amazing. I was at the actual concert in Hyde Park last year. At the age of 60 this man rocks! I’ve seen him play a few times over the decades and the show on that DVD is every bit as high energy, loud and exciting as those he did in the 90’s, 80’s and even the 70’s. You get wrapped up in a Springsteen concert like you might in a religious revival, and there are not at lot of artists who have been able to keep the intensity of a show at your favorite rock club, even as they began to play at bigger and bigger venues, right up stadiums and open air concerts in Hyde Park.
Not only are his live shows legendary, but each show is new and different. There is always a significant element of spontaneity and he never sticks to a preplanned setlist. He can keep it fresh because he’s constantly releasing new material. Indeed, in recent years he’s been releasing albums even more frequently, nearly every year since 2002. It’s surprising to notice the age range at his concerts, fans ranging from their 20s to their 60s! As long as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are playing three hour plus concerts and Bruce keeps that new material coming, we don’t need to worry about the death of Rock and Roll.
Continue reading →