Flipboard for iPad is UNBELIEVABLE! CLICK on the picture above to read about it!
My daughter Karen first turned me on to FLIPBOARD; but unfortunately for me, at the time, flipboard was swamped! It was like a million people trying to rush through a very small door… and they put me on their waiting list! Today, I was sent a kind email saying that my turn came up… and I rushed to the iPad to log it all in!
With Flipboard you can read all of the social media sites you wish to keep up on! For me that is twitter and facebook! On facebook, I can keep up with friends and family… and then follow a small group of friends and other culinary folks on twitter!
zooming in on a picture or a message is easy! Here I am reading a comment of Laura's
However, iPad jealousy is a sad thing! The critics of the iPad sound all too much like the folks who originally dissed the personal computer, the lap top and the smart phone. Some people just hate technology and the social connectivity that it offers all of us. Some understand that information is power and they really don’t want us to share and connect… let’s face it, some folks just don’t want you to have fun! In the meantime, flipboard for ipad is a wonderful addition to the social media experience!
Ms. Patricia Ann McGuire, President of Trinity Washington University wins the coveted 'big weenie'!
I cannot confirm or deneigh that I have Neanderthal DNA in my makeup. However, the latest scientific research has pointed out that many with european ancestory actually have some and — oddly enough — it may actuallybe harmless. So, on behalf of all of those with possibly some Neanderthal ancestry, I object to her ‘homo sapien centric world view’ that is so free to use a biological fact as an epithet! With actions such as these, it is hard not to understand why the institution of higher learning has fallen in the eyes of the American people.
So why is academia failing us?
Recently, the AAUP ( the American Association of University Professors) presented an award to the President of Trinity Washington University Patricia Ann McGuire for her outstanding contribution to ‘academic freedom.’ When any organization holds someone up for acclaim, it is worth seeing who she really is and what goes on at her university?
You may not have heard of tiny Trinity Washington University ? Well, you are not alone. This is a small Catholic school of 1700 students accepting 74% of their applicants, which – let’s be kind – means they are ‘less selective.’ Nancy Pelosi is an alumna and are we surprised? Ms. McGuire holds a bachelors and a degree in law. BTW, the closest she ever got to teaching was as an adjunct professor (read part time).
When Ms. McGuire, in addressing graduates only months after 911, she delivered a lengthy speech which I have linked, but here is an interesting and revealing segment (May 2002):
“…Where is that energy today? Where are the voices of the universities in this time of war and global danger? Where is the exuberant exercise of free speech in a raucous debate over the conduct of this new war? Do we have it in us to be as passionate about the ethics of the camp in Guantanamo as we can be about parking on campus? Where is the expression of outrage over the increasingly ominous threats to civil liberties in the name of national security? New federal regulations treat international students with suspicion and limit their fields of study… It’s high time for a little outrage.”
You can read more about Ms. Patricia Ann McGuire on her many Presidential Blogs. Here are a couple of provocative thoughts in her most recent blog:
On President Obama:
“President Obama is one of the most thoughtful, intellectual presidents we’ve ever had. But he’s surrounded by political operatives who repress his ability to exert true leadership on tough topics like race because they are afraid that he will be perceived as “too Black” or “too liberal.” Well, heck. He needs to be himself. He needs to liberate himself from those advisors who are making him plain vanilla. That’s not what the voters ordered in 2008, and not what they want now.”
“No, the greatest educational threat today is that people who are already well educated are acting like ignorant Neanderthals, abandoning the most fundamental principles of liberal education — “liberal” in the true academic sense of the large perspectives of the liberal arts, not as a political word (yet) — in favor of the most narrow-minded anti-intellectual hate-stirring race-baiting views of the polity and community life.”
The only question I have to ask Ms. Patricia is whose academic freedom are you protecting, your own? One doesn’t have to read too many of the Trinity President’s Blogs to realize that ‘free speech’ may be limited to the University President and that a severe penalty may be applied on all others. I wonder how she handles disagreement and discussion? I found a couple of items in their lengthy ‘rules’ sections that seem to get to the core of this issue:
“Students who speak to faculty members or other students during class periods in ways that are disrespectful and disruptive will be dismissed from the course without reimbursement, and in such cases the students may incur an “F” grade as well as additional penalties.”
“In keeping with its historic mission as a Catholic college with a special emphasis on women and action for social justice…”
SUMMARY
In an age when the free expression of ideas should be encouraged in academia, referring to those who you disagree with as ‘Neanderthals’ establishes a high bar of intolerance one must pass or remain silent in order to survive on campus.
The AAUP made a very poor decision and I truely wonder if Ms. McGuire was the best they could find? The AAUP should have chosen as a supporter of ‘academic freedom’, someone who encourages and nurtures all sides of a debate and supports free speech for faculty, staff and students. Yes, Ms. McGuire is entitled to her ‘free speech’, but using her position as a bully pulpet casts a shadow of censorship and intimidation on any campus.
I am lecturing tomorrow on the contributions of ‘spice’ over the ages to our culinary world. The attendees will not be culinary experts, except those who come by it naturally; they are college students. Yes, they will be fed.
Although spices have had an important place in collective history, many spices have virtually been forgotten in the last century. Few remember the uses of fenugreek, cardamon or mace. This is possibly why that all of my favorite cookbooks are well over 100 years old! However, with a renewed interest by both the professional and the skilled amateur has brought the use of spices back to the forefront.
History tells us that spices were often used as a preservative and anyone making corned beef or pastramiknows that to be true! It is impressive that someone could throw meat (often brisket) into a container covered with liquid and spices to ‘cure’ the meat over a couple of months, cook and consume the meal and suffer no ill affects, hopefully.
According to a recent study, oregano, garlic, allspice and oregano were 100% effective against a host of bacterial species they were tested against! In addition, thyme, cinnamon, tarragon, cumin, cloves, lemon grass, bay leaf, capsicums (hot peppers), and rosemary all inhibited more than 75% of the bacteria they were tested against. If you enjoy sushi, as you might imagine having Wasabi and ginger placed along with your meal has more meaning than just being a tasty flavoring!
Also spices are most often used in the hotter climates with Ethiopia,Kenya, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria and Thailand being the biggest consumers! (Of course , it helps that the production is done right next door or locally!)
Today, people making changes toward a healthy diet are finding that spices not only add the little bit of zing they want to their meal, but are low in calories and high in anti-oxidants.
I have always admired new immigrants, people willing to give it all up and try for a better life on another land. What always amused me in history was that after the trail was blazed, civilized and made safe; then others followed bringing with them their bureaucratic class ideals and ineffectual old fashioned ways. In fact, the later wave brought with them those same values that the original settlers found so repugnant and desired escape.
In a marvelous book that I was fortunate to acquire by William James, America’s eminent Psychologist of the last century, entitled ‘Memories and Studies’ (1911) published a couple years after his death, James was concerned that we were adapting some of the failed ways of thinking that handicapped much of Europe at the time. Ironically, it does seem like we are facing the same challenge again today. I have linked the entire essay on the photo above. Here are a few of his observations.
“…whatever evolution our state-examinations are destined to undergo, our universities at least should never cease to regard themselves as the jealous custodians of personal and spiritual spontaneity. They are indeed its only organized and recognized custodians in America to-day. They ought to guard against contributing to the increase of officialism and snobbery and insincerity as against a pestilence; they ought to keep truth and disinterested labor always in the foreground, treat degrees as secondary incidents, and in season and out of season make it plain that what they live for is to help men’s souls, and not to decorate their persons with diplomas.”
“It is indeed odd to see this love of titles — and such titles — growing up in a country of which the recognition of individuality and bare manhood have so long been supposed to be the very soul. The independence of the State, in which most of our colleges stand, relieves us of those more odious forms of academic politics which continental European countries present.”
“But are we Americans ourselves destined after all to hunger after similar vanities on an infinitely more contemptible scale? And is individuality with us also going to count for nothing unless stamped and licensed and authenticated by some title-giving machine? Let us pray that our ancient national genius may long preserve vitality enough to guard us from a future so unmanly and so unbeautiful!”
Genius is obvious to all who see it; however, it needs development and encouragement. food for thought.
There is no secret that I have a fondness for the University of Southern California and SC’s reputation for excellence is well deserved. If I were to point to any one issue that SC clearly stands out amongst the rest; it is what folks call ‘the service after the sale!’ When you leave SC, you and your degree still means something to the university and those who came before you.
Most universities have something to offer or they wouldn’t exist, but the experience for many usually ends after the last tuition check is paid. However, at SC, there exists what we fondly call the “Trojan Family.” No matter where you travel in the world, when you meet someone from ‘SC’ an instant smile appears and a bond reemerges that truly lasts a lifetime.
I thought I’d pop in and see what was happening at Annenberg and found this nice video on youtube. SC doesn’t need my props, but I am continually impressed with their results oriented, practical approach to success and the accomplishments of their graduates.
