Forget Legalization, Let's just RELAX!

I'm not going to sit here and say I'm all for legalization of marijuana, although I could point to dozens of reasons why it makes sense. One that strikes me right now is that if was legalized we'd be spared of some legal cases like this one: http://www.mapinc.org/norml/v07/n341/a02.htm?134

This guy tested positive for weed once and was sentenced to life in prison...when he was 17!! He had the bad luck of being young, black, and living in Texas. The proof is in the story. It points out a grossly disproportionate case to provide some sad contrast:

"The drug test and life sentence that followed contrasted sharply with another case in the same judge's court, both of which were profiled last spring by The Dallas Morning News. In the other case, a well-connected white man got probation for murder and, despite several positive tests for cocaine and other violations, still avoided prison. "

This kid was in jail until recently. He's now 34!!!

Another story that suggests we need to take a deep breath (we mostly meaning the media) and re-examine the war on drugs. (both in print and on the streets) is this:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/03/19/free.speech/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

This one is pretty self-explanatory. True, the kid was dumb and should have gotten some punishment...but does this really need to get all the way to the front page of CNN.com? Bong Hits for Jesus would make a great T-Shirt though....


Go Bills,

Colin

Battlestar Galactica: Coversation Starter or Killer?

Try this: Next time you're at a party or bar, anyplace where 10 or more people are congregating, ask if anyone has heard of the TV show "Battlestar Galactica". I'm willing to bet that at least 9 of those 10 people will avert eye contact and let out a little nervous laugh. Just the name, Battlestar Galactica sounds so amazingly dorky that people will shift uncomfortably in their shoes. I was turned onto the far out space Sci-Fi drama by two kids known affectionately in my circle of friends as Cornbread and Buckles. True, they sound more like two 1950's blatantly racist cartoon characters rather than TV critics, but they were right about this show. IT IS AWESOME! Fracking Awesome! (to use some BSG lingo). Its got great special effects, gripping story lines (bleak, slim odds of survival stuff), and hot cyborg chicks! It's got some quirks, such as paper with trimmed corners ( think octogon-shaped), and phones with cords....in outer space....in the year 3000. The best part is the earnestness of the show. The makers of the show are going for it, not stopping to care if it looks campy or cheesy. As New Yorker TV critic Nancy Franklin put it, "Battlestar Galactica, refreshingly, is as real as science fiction gets". I'm including the link to the review as well as a fan site and a link that my change your life (for as long as it's legal). TV links lets you watch hundreds of TV shows streaming online. There you can watch the entire BSG series, as I have. I hope your like it. So say we all!! (you'll have to watch the show)

http://www.newyorker.com/critics/television/articles/060123crte_television?060123crte_television

http://www.battlestargalactica.com/

http://www.tv-links.co.uk/


Go Bills,


Colin

The "Brain Man"

I love hearing about geniuses, and this one was really interesting in that he's a sane genius. This guy, known as "Brain Man" to his friends and family, Daniel Tammet, to the world, can recite about 23,000 numbers in Pi, without getting one wrong. I want to try and find the pictures he sees in his mind that represent the numbers, its nuts. Here's the story:http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/26/60minutes/main2401846.shtml

And his website: http://www.optimnem.co.uk/

Go Bills,

Colin

Quick, you can still click the back button!

If one person reads this...it'll be someone I know who I told to "check out my blog".

I want this foray in to world wide web to focus on Education because I believe that's what I want to do with my life (see soon-to-come manifesto-i.e. Jerry Maguire). I promise to make at least three jokes per entry. I promise to never think this "blog" to be anything more than my opinions mixed in with links to interesting (to me) news. I am a teacher and would like other teachers to connect with me through this blog. Also, I promise to make multiple Buffalo Bills references because any mention of them, to me, immediately gives anything credibility (Buffalo Bills Style).

That's what this blog is for now. I should say that The World Of Inquiry was my first school, also known at PS #58, here in Rochester NY.


Go Bills,

Colin