The NYPD arrested a group of men for playing chess in a park with stone chess and backgammon tables. This was next to a children's play area and signs posted made the area off limits to anyone unaccompanied by children. The NYPD defended the actions of the officers. Read the story here.
First in all fairness, the officers were trying to clean up an area that has a drug trafficking problem. This occurs next to a children's playground. Okay. Fair enough. I think we can all get behind that.
However, this was a PUBLIC park and set up specifically for that purpose. The chess area is separated from the playground by a fence. Little children are not known for playing chess and backgammon. Adults are. Adults with small children do not have time to play chess while their little one's play in the park. They have to watch the kiddies.
These men are not bothering the kids. Based on the reports, they are not dealing drugs. They were simply playing chess in a public area. Why would anyone want to harass folks doing that?
Shame on the NYPD. Do you agree?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
How To Communicate With An Idiot
I've been out of action for a while, but I thought I'd provide a little humor courtesy of Dilbert.
Monday, June 28, 2010
How To Buy Congressmen
This is a cool discussion of how the political system is manipulated by special interests and how the people pay the price. It doesn't matter what your political position may be, this is worth watching. Check it out now.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Speak The Language Or Your Fired And Breastfeeding Sucks
I apologize in advance for the (mini)rant that's about to occur.
Freedom of speech. We talk a lot about it in this country, but do we really believe in it? Think about it for a minute. Our democracy was founded on the principle of accepting all sorts of different people and insuring that those differences could not be trampled by the majority. We have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right NOT to be discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, etc.
Our laws intentionally place very few restrictions on speech. We have the right to express our opinion even if we are a minority of one. We also have the right to tune out the opinions of others if we don't want to listen. But freedom of speech has subtle enemies everywhere. For example, the political correctness movement has at its heart the notion that their is a "correct" way of saying things. Others are viewed with disdain for failure to conform to the politically correct standard. This is just a simple example of the broader "that's not the way WE do it" mentality that creates an us vs. them dynamic.
Don't misunderstand me. I respect your right to your own opinion. I respect your right to choose to be around those with similar beliefs to your own. Even if we disagree, I will defend your right to say what you wish to say. Censorship, in any form, is evil and a threat to the very fabric used to create this country.
That is why the two stories I read today pissed me off!
The first story was about 4 hospital nurses from the Philippines who were fired for speaking in their native language while on their break. Read the story here. This followed a 2005 case where a hospital fired 5 hispanic housekeepers who said "hasta la vista" (see you tomorrow) as they left work for the day. In both cases, the hospitals had a policy that only English was to be spoken.
The second story involved the deputy editor to a parenting magazine who offered a dissenting article with an explanation why she did not want to breastfeed and her strong personal feelings against the practice (including calling it creepy). Read the story here. This one really stirred the pot within the breastfeeding community.
Who cares what language is used to shoot the breeze on a work break? Who cares about a dissenting opinion on a topic of interest to parents? Have we really gotten so weak that we cannot stand any ideas/actions/people different than our own?
Seeking to fire the nurses or the editor simply because they are different is just wrong.
Freedom of speech. We talk a lot about it in this country, but do we really believe in it? Think about it for a minute. Our democracy was founded on the principle of accepting all sorts of different people and insuring that those differences could not be trampled by the majority. We have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right NOT to be discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, etc.
Our laws intentionally place very few restrictions on speech. We have the right to express our opinion even if we are a minority of one. We also have the right to tune out the opinions of others if we don't want to listen. But freedom of speech has subtle enemies everywhere. For example, the political correctness movement has at its heart the notion that their is a "correct" way of saying things. Others are viewed with disdain for failure to conform to the politically correct standard. This is just a simple example of the broader "that's not the way WE do it" mentality that creates an us vs. them dynamic.
Don't misunderstand me. I respect your right to your own opinion. I respect your right to choose to be around those with similar beliefs to your own. Even if we disagree, I will defend your right to say what you wish to say. Censorship, in any form, is evil and a threat to the very fabric used to create this country.
That is why the two stories I read today pissed me off!
The first story was about 4 hospital nurses from the Philippines who were fired for speaking in their native language while on their break. Read the story here. This followed a 2005 case where a hospital fired 5 hispanic housekeepers who said "hasta la vista" (see you tomorrow) as they left work for the day. In both cases, the hospitals had a policy that only English was to be spoken.
The second story involved the deputy editor to a parenting magazine who offered a dissenting article with an explanation why she did not want to breastfeed and her strong personal feelings against the practice (including calling it creepy). Read the story here. This one really stirred the pot within the breastfeeding community.
Who cares what language is used to shoot the breeze on a work break? Who cares about a dissenting opinion on a topic of interest to parents? Have we really gotten so weak that we cannot stand any ideas/actions/people different than our own?
Seeking to fire the nurses or the editor simply because they are different is just wrong.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Naked Woman Escapes From Psych Eval
I am just going to post two quotes from the story. You can read the full details here (and its worth it).
"A woman was undergoing a mental evaluation Tuesday after police say she stole two vehicles, including a police cruiser, and led officers on a chase through two Salt Lake City suburbs — all while naked."
So, I'm thinking that the evaluation results are pretty clear.
But the police weren't so sure. "It appears there may be mental issues involved."
"A woman was undergoing a mental evaluation Tuesday after police say she stole two vehicles, including a police cruiser, and led officers on a chase through two Salt Lake City suburbs — all while naked."
So, I'm thinking that the evaluation results are pretty clear.
But the police weren't so sure. "It appears there may be mental issues involved."
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Punish Bad Kids And Dept Of Education Will Investigate
This just in from the WTF zone . . . Some students who defaced school property were forced to clean toilets as a punishment. Some parents are in an uproar and the department of education is now investigating. Read the story here.
One parent stated "They're here to get an education, not to learn how to do janitorial work."
Point taken.
However, if little Mr. Troublemaker is not made to face some consequences for his serious transgressions, he will likely end up behind bars. Schools are required by law to admit children and children are required to attend. There must be some consequences for bad behavior or anarchy rules and education diminishes. My guess is that the parents who oppose the punishment handed down by the Dean of the school have no control over their little princes and princesses. Then their undisciplined kids become a problem for everyone at school.
And as a side note, when did it become a crime to do a little hard or dirty work? The kids who are following the rules do not have to do these tasks.
What do you think?
One parent stated "They're here to get an education, not to learn how to do janitorial work."
Point taken.
However, if little Mr. Troublemaker is not made to face some consequences for his serious transgressions, he will likely end up behind bars. Schools are required by law to admit children and children are required to attend. There must be some consequences for bad behavior or anarchy rules and education diminishes. My guess is that the parents who oppose the punishment handed down by the Dean of the school have no control over their little princes and princesses. Then their undisciplined kids become a problem for everyone at school.
And as a side note, when did it become a crime to do a little hard or dirty work? The kids who are following the rules do not have to do these tasks.
What do you think?
Friday, June 11, 2010
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