Tony Woodlief has a good column on so many people’s acceptance of pornography. The damage is never limited they way many argue. “How dare anyone deprive these women of their self-esteem,” he asks, “by telling them that, in blunt terms, they’re simply taking off their clothes for money and applause?”
All posts by philwade
Zero Tolerance Bible Policy
Apparently, the Nampa Classical Academy of Boise, Idaho, received praise from school officials in 2008 and several months following for its curriculum plans. Now, things have changed.
Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed an appeal Monday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, contesting a federal judge’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit that challenges the Idaho Public Charter School Commission’s across-the-board ban on the use of texts and documents deemed to be “religious.” ADF attorneys filed the lawsuit on behalf of Nampa Classical Academy last November after the commission threatened to revoke the academy’s charter if it used the Bible or other religious texts on its classroom resource list for any purpose whatsoever.
Eight Habits, Make That Nine, for Best Bloggers of Greatness
Guest blogger Celestine Chua writes, “Top bloggers of excellence have 8 consistent habits – 8 habits, which, when we practice duly, are guaranteed to bring you results.” I don’t see wordiness on the list, so that may be a ninth habit thrown in for free. [/snark]
Why Translating Literature Matters
Bill Bryson said, “Ages are generally pretty incompetent at judging their own worth.” This is why we need to read old books and translated books, says this Dane who lives in New York.
Friday Fight: Throw That Axe
Is Beck's Novel a Screed for Extremists?
The Washington Post thinks it is. Steven Levingston, senior editor of Book World, states Glenn Beck’s purpose for The Overton Window is not educational fiction, but to incite rebellion. Levingston states, “If the book is found tucked into the ammo boxes of self-proclaimed patriots and recited at “tea party” assemblies, then Beck will have achieved his goal. . . . The danger of books like this is that radical readers may take the story’s fiction for fact, or interpret the fiction — which Beck encourages — as a reflection of a reality that they must fend off by any means necessary.” Books like this, he claims, are what end up inspiring people like Timothy McVeigh.
A book for terrorists. Really?
In related stories on Beck’s novel, Newsweek’s reviewer only read ten pages and talks about another book in the article.
"Ulysses" By Other Names, Other Writers
Yesterday, those who care, who give a rip, who find interest in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses (or perhaps just want another excuse to drink beer), did something or other to celebrate Bloomsday, June 16. For your literary edification, The Daily Beast has a run down of novels from various countries which have been called the Ulysses of that county. (via Literary Saloon)
In related news, Apple will not allow a webcomic version of Ulysses to be on its iPad product because of “frank nudity,” to quote the co-illustrator, Rob Berry. Though it wasn’t illustrated, Joyce’s novel was banned from the U.S. when it was released in 1920. Several years later, Random House staged a customs incident to get the courts to review the ban, and judges released it for print in 1934.
Movie Treader
The next The Chronicles of Narnia movie is coming: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Hearing from the Astronauts
Mrs. Yates’ 3rd Grade Class Receives A New Message From Space, a funny monologue from Christian Lynch.
Natalie Merchant
Poet Natalie Merchant talks poetry and receives praise in this four part video.