Recently in Spit-Seeds Category
Stats from the Surge!
IRAQ
U.S. casualties for the month of August: 23
Total U.S. casualties since the war began: 4,152
Total coalition deaths: 4,466
Total US wounded: 30,568
AFGHANISTAN
U.S. casualties for the month of August: 19
Total US casualties since the war began: 579
Total coalition deaths: 940
Total US wounded: 2,409
Electric Elliot Loses Chalk Offs!!!
Melonites,
For those of you that have been following the Frost Park Chalk Offs (which take place every Friday at noon), you'll know that this past Friday sported an unprecedented prize for the loser as opposed to the victor. That's correct, to the loser goes the spoils.
The thought of losing to win, however, didn't stop the Chalkies from producing a myriad of stunning pieces.
...more.Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Attack Ad
In what we can only hope doesn't become a major development in this year's presidential campaign, Paris Hilton has responded to John McCain's widely-panned "celebrity" attack ad. It's really pretty funny, so everyone should check it out. It's worth noting, of course, that while she sounds more intelligent and articulate on energy policy than McCain, her plan makes absolutely zero sense, just in case anyone was worried that Paris had suddenly become serious. She's got some great writers, though, the line "See you at the debate, bitches!" is just awesome.
Thank You City Arts Magazine!
I just wanted to thank Tacoma's City Arts Magazine for publishing my letter regarding the need for local politicians to support our civic arts programs. Hopefully we'll get some mileage out of it, especially given the interest State Representative Dennis Flannigan appears to be taking in our local arts projects.
The GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY ( Higher Education)
THE GOOD
Not much, sorry ☹
THE BAD
July 24, 2008
The State Board of Education approved the Core for 24 framework, thus moving the League of Education Voters' campaign one step closer to victory while further undermining the ability of students to tailor their scholastic experience to their individual interests.
THE UGLY
July 29, 2008
McCain comes out against affirmative action in higher education while Obama calls for a system that recognizes socio/economic class as the unequivocal denominator in determining both admission and aid.
August 1, 2008
After seven years of study and strife, Congress passed the expansive (1,158 page) Higher Education Accountability Act to address issues in higher education ranging from students pirating music in their dorms to drug use to PELL grants. It goes without saying that I didn’t read this, and I doubt Congress did either.
Take Back the Media PSA
A public service announcement.
Spit-Seeds: Local Man Spots UFO-WB
(Bloatsburg, KY) In an event that has shocked local Bloatsburg news agencies, Dave Larry has spotted a UFO-WB.
“I was just sitting on my lawn admiring an evening moon, when I noticed something out of the corner of my eye,” says Larry, who is the owner of the Bloastburg Natural History Museum. “At first I thought it was a bird, but I was sorely mistaken.”
THE MELON QUIZ: CAMERAS IN CONTEXT
This is probably the most famous footage of the American slave experience on record. I've seen this photograph in a million textbooks and documentaries but like almost everyone else I'd never thought to ask until recently: "who was that man." I'm still trying to find out, but thus far I've garnered the following details from a google/wikipedia search.
The slave in question was named Peter, and was a field hand from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This photo was taken on April 2, 1863 and originally came with the following caption:
If anyone knows anything more about this individual, and can provide accessible sources for us to reference, I'm prepared to offer an award of a free used book from my personal collection.
A CALL FOR PIERCE COUNTY'S UN-SUNG HEROES
The following email was sent out by State Representative Dennis Flanngian earlier today. It reads:
This is an a political inquiry. I'm looking for your short list of thinkers and dooers in Tacoma and Pierce County. Worth knowing because they're bright, creative and when they're in the room, the world seems virtually be reborn.
Think of them as the three people you'd call together to save the hemisphere, or improve education, or create a low cost, non-oil based fuel, or whatever. People with ideas that exceed the normal. People able to think straight, not Left or Right, or my way or the highway. People who "get it," as the phrase goes. I'm asking for three names - I ask that they not be your relatives, a boss, or someone in your employ. This is not about friends, but smart accomplished people. Give me three names of folks you would want in the room with you as you tackled the next great problem.