Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Ten Things to Do in College That
Have Nothing to Do with College
This fall I'll have two kids in college -- a freshman and a junior. By the time each graduated from high school they had been immunized against any adult advice about college -- words that typically follow the same line of thought regardless of whoever is offering them: "study hard, take care of yourself, don't get into trouble and have fun."
Life on most college campuses is a bit like living in the Biosphere. There's a barrier between students and the "real world" that exists for a lot of reasons that I won't get into here. Suffice to say that a complete education that prepares one for that world requires getting outside the dome that insulates students from the rest of society.
Here's 10 ways college students can improve their education that don't have anything to do with college. Feel free to share this with your student.
1. Take the local newspaper.
Sure there's news galore on the Web and in the college paper, but student's who only get their news from these sources miss a lot of what's really important to people, like who won the local Little League tournament and the stories about the town council debate over sewer rates and replacing the holiday decorations on main street.
2. Make friends with someone who's not connected to the school.
Most college students have few, if any, friends who are more than 4 years older or younger than they are. It clouds their perspective on what's important to people. Make friends who are vastly different by joining a church, getting a job off campus, joining a club or other group with membership outside the campus community. You'll find out what people do for a living, how they pay the mortgage, and what they care about day in and day out.
3. Get a local library card.
The local library won't hold a candle to anything on campus, but sometimes it's nice to share a study table with a retiree and a junior high kid, or re-read a chapter from "Beezus and Ramona."
4. Go a local or regional festival.
Instead of going to the beach or visiting friends on another campus for a road trip, take in a local festival and cheer for your favorite watermelon queen or dance to the kind of music that never makes it on the campus radio station.
5. Take up a hobby that crosses age boundaries.
Become a triathlete or learn to quilt -- anything that lets you interact with people of all ages and backgrounds who share your passion.
6. Volunteer with a community organization.
Google volunteer opportunities in the community and choose an organization to help out that sounds interesting or supports a cause that you used to care about.
7. Get a county map and explore.
Most college students graduate without ever seeing anything that's more than a mile off campus. Go to the local chamber of commerce and get a county map. Then get on your bike or hop in a car with friends and explore. Stop in at the local museum, grab a cool one at an out-of-the-way gas station, buy something for your room at a yard sale.
8. Compete in something.
Take up running, mountain biking, orienteering, rock skipping, competitive eating -- anything that gives you an excuse to say "No" to late night campus craziness and takes you beyond campus intramurals. If you're athletic, competing will give you a reason to take better care of yourself, eat better, and stay fit.
9. Follow local and state politics.
If you take the local paper, you'll get a healthy does of politics and learn more about the issues of the day -- big and small. It may help shape your course of study or introduce you to a cause you'd like to get involved in. I'll let you choose where you want to register to vote.
10. Write a letter to the editor of the local paper.
If you follow suggestions 1-9, you're likely to develop enough of an interest in the world around you to speak up publicly. You will have grown into a adult citizen of somewhere besides campus.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Supreme Court Upholds Individual Liberty in Chicago Gun Ban Case
Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence issued this statement in response to the June 28 ruling by the Supreme Court that effectively strikes down Chicago's 28-year ban on handguns:
“We are pleased that the Court [in today's decision] reaffirmed its language in District of Columbia v. Heller that the Second Amendment individual right to possess guns in the home for self-defense does not prevent our elected representatives from enacting common-sense gun laws to protect our communities from gun violence."
It was Helmke's positive spin on yet another major defeat of the anti-gun lobby.
Essentially at issue in the gun debate is what should be regarded as "common-sense gun laws" -- a term that the Brady Campaign displays as its badge of reason. To the Bradyites, if you follow their opinions regularly, common sense means taking away nearly all rights of Americans to own or possess a firearm by either outlawing gun ownership or making ownership so prohibitively expensive and cumbersome to essentially end it. In some ways, their reasoning is sound -- people, often innocent people, die from gun shots. Simple logic would assume that if guns were outlawed then fewer people would die from gunshot. The logic doesn't hold up -- in Chicago, where handguns have been prohibited for nearly three decades, 12 people were shot just last weekend by people who weren't supposed to have a gun.
Common sense has always been a matter of opinion. Common sense is the will or the reasoning of the common people. What the Supreme Court has stated in its opinion in the Chicago gun ban case is that the common will of the people often runs counter to the constitution, and when it does, the constitution wins. When the basic rights of even one American is being infringed upon by the common will of the people, the individual wins.
In its opinion on this case, the justices reflected on the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, established in 1868. The Amendment was passed as a response to the common will of the citizens of certain states to infringe on the rights of black citizens following the Civil War. In those states, lawmakers passed numerous laws intended to allay their inherent fear of blacks -- restricting their rights to gun ownership, voting, serving on a jury, and a host of other oppressions running counter to federal law. The Supreme Court in response passed the 14th Amendment guaranteeing that the constitutional rights of citizens outweighs local will -- even when that local will is a majority.
The 14th amendment sealed what the Founding Fathers of the United States envisioned -- a land where individual freedom trumped public opinion -- even when public opinion seems logical to the masses. It meant that common sense -- the opinion of the many -- could not infringe on the guaranteed freedoms of any one citizen or group of citizens.
The 14th Amendment also affirmed the concept of due process. It acknowledged that all citizens are guaranteed a set of rights that can't be restricted by the State without reason. It is why we can lock up criminals and why we can't lock up political opponents.
Due process has been an essential component of indivudal freedom since King John signed the Magna Carta 800+ years ago. That document states: "No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land."
It's a notion that the Brady Campaign disagrees with when it seeks to restrict the rights of individuals on the terrorism watch list to own a gun. Again it cites "common sense" as the reasoning for taking away a guaranteed right of an individual without the benefit of "lawful judgement of his equals." It certainly makes sense to me that we should keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, but as an American, I am bound by the notion that the rule of law should not be bendable to convenience or what seems to make sense on the surface.
So what constitutes common sense when it comes to gun laws? The Supreme Court has established that since it is an individual right to own, possess and shoot a gun, then it make sense that laws should not be in place that restrict citizens from exercising this right unless they have been ajudicated by their peers who have limited their rights. Therefore, it makes sense that criminals serving sentence be restricted from gun ownership or possession. Should those who have done their time also be denied -- certainly not. If we want to restrict gun ownership permanently for any individual who has ever created a crime, we need to amend our laws to specifically state so -- and since gun ownership is a federal right, then only federal crimes can carry sentences that restrict gun ownership. Should we restrict gun ownership to those we deem mentally unstable? Not without guaranteeing them due process of law -- meaning those who have been adjudicated to be mentally unstable can be restricted, but not those who visited a therapist once a week after their grandmother died. Can we put certain restrictions on gun owners? That is certainly reasonable so long as those restrictions don't significantly interfere with exercising of their right. That means taking a short class to own a gun is certainly reasonable. I'm not sure that registration of guns and gun owners is reasonable, or that overtaxing ammunition is legal, or that requiring that guns be locked at all times making them somewhat useless for self defense.
Do I realize that with freedom comes responsibility? Certainly. And with freedom comes a certain level of discomfort and a certain level of fear. And I realize that freedom often runs counter to "common" sense. But that is what makes America great. We have decided that the rule of law trumps the rule of the mob. Let freedom ring.
“We are pleased that the Court [in today's decision] reaffirmed its language in District of Columbia v. Heller that the Second Amendment individual right to possess guns in the home for self-defense does not prevent our elected representatives from enacting common-sense gun laws to protect our communities from gun violence."
It was Helmke's positive spin on yet another major defeat of the anti-gun lobby.
Essentially at issue in the gun debate is what should be regarded as "common-sense gun laws" -- a term that the Brady Campaign displays as its badge of reason. To the Bradyites, if you follow their opinions regularly, common sense means taking away nearly all rights of Americans to own or possess a firearm by either outlawing gun ownership or making ownership so prohibitively expensive and cumbersome to essentially end it. In some ways, their reasoning is sound -- people, often innocent people, die from gun shots. Simple logic would assume that if guns were outlawed then fewer people would die from gunshot. The logic doesn't hold up -- in Chicago, where handguns have been prohibited for nearly three decades, 12 people were shot just last weekend by people who weren't supposed to have a gun.
Common sense has always been a matter of opinion. Common sense is the will or the reasoning of the common people. What the Supreme Court has stated in its opinion in the Chicago gun ban case is that the common will of the people often runs counter to the constitution, and when it does, the constitution wins. When the basic rights of even one American is being infringed upon by the common will of the people, the individual wins.
In its opinion on this case, the justices reflected on the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, established in 1868. The Amendment was passed as a response to the common will of the citizens of certain states to infringe on the rights of black citizens following the Civil War. In those states, lawmakers passed numerous laws intended to allay their inherent fear of blacks -- restricting their rights to gun ownership, voting, serving on a jury, and a host of other oppressions running counter to federal law. The Supreme Court in response passed the 14th Amendment guaranteeing that the constitutional rights of citizens outweighs local will -- even when that local will is a majority.
The 14th amendment sealed what the Founding Fathers of the United States envisioned -- a land where individual freedom trumped public opinion -- even when public opinion seems logical to the masses. It meant that common sense -- the opinion of the many -- could not infringe on the guaranteed freedoms of any one citizen or group of citizens.
The 14th Amendment also affirmed the concept of due process. It acknowledged that all citizens are guaranteed a set of rights that can't be restricted by the State without reason. It is why we can lock up criminals and why we can't lock up political opponents.
Due process has been an essential component of indivudal freedom since King John signed the Magna Carta 800+ years ago. That document states: "No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land."
It's a notion that the Brady Campaign disagrees with when it seeks to restrict the rights of individuals on the terrorism watch list to own a gun. Again it cites "common sense" as the reasoning for taking away a guaranteed right of an individual without the benefit of "lawful judgement of his equals." It certainly makes sense to me that we should keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, but as an American, I am bound by the notion that the rule of law should not be bendable to convenience or what seems to make sense on the surface.
So what constitutes common sense when it comes to gun laws? The Supreme Court has established that since it is an individual right to own, possess and shoot a gun, then it make sense that laws should not be in place that restrict citizens from exercising this right unless they have been ajudicated by their peers who have limited their rights. Therefore, it makes sense that criminals serving sentence be restricted from gun ownership or possession. Should those who have done their time also be denied -- certainly not. If we want to restrict gun ownership permanently for any individual who has ever created a crime, we need to amend our laws to specifically state so -- and since gun ownership is a federal right, then only federal crimes can carry sentences that restrict gun ownership. Should we restrict gun ownership to those we deem mentally unstable? Not without guaranteeing them due process of law -- meaning those who have been adjudicated to be mentally unstable can be restricted, but not those who visited a therapist once a week after their grandmother died. Can we put certain restrictions on gun owners? That is certainly reasonable so long as those restrictions don't significantly interfere with exercising of their right. That means taking a short class to own a gun is certainly reasonable. I'm not sure that registration of guns and gun owners is reasonable, or that overtaxing ammunition is legal, or that requiring that guns be locked at all times making them somewhat useless for self defense.
Do I realize that with freedom comes responsibility? Certainly. And with freedom comes a certain level of discomfort and a certain level of fear. And I realize that freedom often runs counter to "common" sense. But that is what makes America great. We have decided that the rule of law trumps the rule of the mob. Let freedom ring.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Undateable: A Women's Guide to Turning Away Men
Just what is it that makes women decide a first date will not lead to a second or third? The new book, Undateable, details 311 things women don't like in, on or about men. In the interest of fairness, this post lists some of the things women do, wear or say that turn most men off. If you're in the market for a guy -- and you're a girl -- you might try scoring yourself to see how you stack up against the competition. It's easy, if you disagree with more than 5 of the items in this list, you either already have a guy and don't care any longer, or you need a personal brand renovation to get to second base.
Let's start with the eligible man's guide to what not to wear on a first date:
Coke Spoon Necklace
You may not think we notice your jewelry, but if it's hanging between your girls, think again. We're going to notice it quicker than a sign for barbecue ahead. Not that we don't appreciate nice bling, but the coke spoon says we might not be able to afford to keep you around very long.
The Oversized Pocketbook
Anything larger than you can carry on an airplane without paying extra implies you might be spending the night or you don't have a permanent place to live. On the other hand, if you show up with a tiny clutch and want us to carry your keys and phone, we're already thinking we may have made a mistake. The perfect bag? One that holds the basic items you need for three or four hours away from home.
The Sweater Coat
Most of you own one. It's usually kept at the office on the back of your chair for those chilly days and doesn't go with anything but old age. It should only be worn in public if it was purchased in the past year, is not made of acrylic, does not resemble an afghan you're grandmother made you from yarn she bought in the 70s, and doesn't have plastic buttons the size of silver dollars.
Boots with Fringe or Fur Showing
Unless you're going to dinner at a ski lodge, boots that look like they were stolen from Nanuck of the North or Sitting Bull don't impress us with your otherwise good taste (hey you picked us). And frankly Uggs are called that for a good reason. They don't look good on anyone over the age of 7 no matter how comfortable you claim them to be.
The Christmas Sweater
Not even on Christmas Day. Just make a stocking out of the one you have.
Team Logo Wear
Unless you're going to a game, we're going to wary if you show up for any other date in a Packer's jersey or a NASCAR jacket. We're concerned that you'll know more about sports than we do, and can probably outdrink us, and that's scary for guys.
Onesies and Jumpsuits
Plumbers and Airforce pilots are the only one's that look good in jumpsuits, and onesies -- jumpsuits with the legs cut off -- are just too darn cute. If my nephew has one just like it, keep in for your nappy.
Band T-shirts
For that matter, the same goes for shirts that advertise where you work, he beer you drink, how great a mom you are, or if you're underwear is PINK.
Sensible Shoes
It's okay to wear sport-specific footwear if you're headed out for a run, walk, hike, bike, or paddle, but clunky shoes especially if they lace up or have buckles make you look like my Aunt Edna. If you're defense is how comfortable they are, you ARE my Aunt Edna.
The Sweater Vest
This is a less conspicuous version of the sweater coat, usually worn unbuttoned over a pastel blouse. I think Pam on The Office has some of these and you can see how long it took her to get a date with Jim.
An Oversized Shirt
Think men's dress shirt in a jewel tone satin usually meant to disguise breasts that are either way too small or way too big -- usually the later. If the shirt makes you look like a defensive linebacker, we're afraid we might get hurt in the huddle.
Plastic Raincoats
We pick you up and it's raining. You have on this see-thru, pink plastic raincoat that came with a free plastic rain bonnet. Better take our picture now to remember us by.
And Plastic Rainboots
Okay, plastic or rubber rainboots are fine if it's raining or you're deer hunting and don't want to leave a scent trail. But if it is dry out, and you just think the Burberry plaid is sooo cute, take the picture now.
Mom jeans
If the tag has any of these words on it: comfort, relaxed, missy, just say no. If the jeans are more than five years old, make a stocking out of them to match the one you made from your Christmas sweater.
Mom Swimwear
Why do women always think they look worse in a bathing suit than men do? If the leg openings go straight across, stay off the beach. If the top looks like it has the structure of a battleship -- you get the picture.
The Hippie Dress
Let's pause here to say that Cameron Diaz can pull this off. She can also pull off Uggs, the oversized shirt, and just about everything else on this list. We make an exception for Cameron Diaz and any of the women in the Victoria's Secret catalog. But not for you.
Too Tight Jeans
Jeans are too tight if it looks like they pushed part of your butt up around the spot your waistline should be. If the result is a muffin top, go one or several sizes up, of maybe try the hippie dress.
Converse Chucks
Especially in a color other than black or white; and double bad if you've doodled on them with a marker.
The Bluetooth Earpiece
It looks like you have a beetle stuck in your ear. Five years ago if you talked to people who aren't there, we used to worry. We still do.
Too Much Makeup
If we have to guess what you really look like in the morning, we've alreay decided we don't want to find out.
Loads of Cat Hair
If you show up looking Is there really room in your life for someone else?
Writing On Your Hand
Yeah, we'd do you, but you don't get past the primaries with us.
Rubber Bracelets
If you have one and it's yellow, that's okay so long as you're not wearing a black dress and heels, or you're dating Lance Armstrong. If you have two or three in multiple colors and we're going somewhere nice, then don't say a word about our Casio Compass Altimeter watch with the pinstripe suit.
A Zippo
If you carry a Zippo, I'm already scared and I'm not quite sure why.
The 14-lb Charm Bracelet
And, there's a story with everyone one that we just can't wait not to hear.
Let's start with the eligible man's guide to what not to wear on a first date:
Coke Spoon Necklace
You may not think we notice your jewelry, but if it's hanging between your girls, think again. We're going to notice it quicker than a sign for barbecue ahead. Not that we don't appreciate nice bling, but the coke spoon says we might not be able to afford to keep you around very long.
The Oversized Pocketbook
Anything larger than you can carry on an airplane without paying extra implies you might be spending the night or you don't have a permanent place to live. On the other hand, if you show up with a tiny clutch and want us to carry your keys and phone, we're already thinking we may have made a mistake. The perfect bag? One that holds the basic items you need for three or four hours away from home.
The Sweater Coat
Most of you own one. It's usually kept at the office on the back of your chair for those chilly days and doesn't go with anything but old age. It should only be worn in public if it was purchased in the past year, is not made of acrylic, does not resemble an afghan you're grandmother made you from yarn she bought in the 70s, and doesn't have plastic buttons the size of silver dollars.
Boots with Fringe or Fur Showing
Unless you're going to dinner at a ski lodge, boots that look like they were stolen from Nanuck of the North or Sitting Bull don't impress us with your otherwise good taste (hey you picked us). And frankly Uggs are called that for a good reason. They don't look good on anyone over the age of 7 no matter how comfortable you claim them to be.
The Christmas Sweater
Not even on Christmas Day. Just make a stocking out of the one you have.
Team Logo Wear
Unless you're going to a game, we're going to wary if you show up for any other date in a Packer's jersey or a NASCAR jacket. We're concerned that you'll know more about sports than we do, and can probably outdrink us, and that's scary for guys.
Onesies and Jumpsuits
Plumbers and Airforce pilots are the only one's that look good in jumpsuits, and onesies -- jumpsuits with the legs cut off -- are just too darn cute. If my nephew has one just like it, keep in for your nappy.
Band T-shirts
For that matter, the same goes for shirts that advertise where you work, he beer you drink, how great a mom you are, or if you're underwear is PINK.
Sensible Shoes
It's okay to wear sport-specific footwear if you're headed out for a run, walk, hike, bike, or paddle, but clunky shoes especially if they lace up or have buckles make you look like my Aunt Edna. If you're defense is how comfortable they are, you ARE my Aunt Edna.
The Sweater Vest
This is a less conspicuous version of the sweater coat, usually worn unbuttoned over a pastel blouse. I think Pam on The Office has some of these and you can see how long it took her to get a date with Jim.
An Oversized Shirt
Think men's dress shirt in a jewel tone satin usually meant to disguise breasts that are either way too small or way too big -- usually the later. If the shirt makes you look like a defensive linebacker, we're afraid we might get hurt in the huddle.
Plastic Raincoats
We pick you up and it's raining. You have on this see-thru, pink plastic raincoat that came with a free plastic rain bonnet. Better take our picture now to remember us by.
And Plastic Rainboots
Okay, plastic or rubber rainboots are fine if it's raining or you're deer hunting and don't want to leave a scent trail. But if it is dry out, and you just think the Burberry plaid is sooo cute, take the picture now.
Mom jeans
If the tag has any of these words on it: comfort, relaxed, missy, just say no. If the jeans are more than five years old, make a stocking out of them to match the one you made from your Christmas sweater.
Mom Swimwear
Why do women always think they look worse in a bathing suit than men do? If the leg openings go straight across, stay off the beach. If the top looks like it has the structure of a battleship -- you get the picture.
The Hippie Dress
Let's pause here to say that Cameron Diaz can pull this off. She can also pull off Uggs, the oversized shirt, and just about everything else on this list. We make an exception for Cameron Diaz and any of the women in the Victoria's Secret catalog. But not for you.
Too Tight Jeans
Jeans are too tight if it looks like they pushed part of your butt up around the spot your waistline should be. If the result is a muffin top, go one or several sizes up, of maybe try the hippie dress.
Converse Chucks
Especially in a color other than black or white; and double bad if you've doodled on them with a marker.
The Bluetooth Earpiece
It looks like you have a beetle stuck in your ear. Five years ago if you talked to people who aren't there, we used to worry. We still do.
Too Much Makeup
If we have to guess what you really look like in the morning, we've alreay decided we don't want to find out.
Loads of Cat Hair
If you show up looking Is there really room in your life for someone else?
Writing On Your Hand
Yeah, we'd do you, but you don't get past the primaries with us.
Rubber Bracelets
If you have one and it's yellow, that's okay so long as you're not wearing a black dress and heels, or you're dating Lance Armstrong. If you have two or three in multiple colors and we're going somewhere nice, then don't say a word about our Casio Compass Altimeter watch with the pinstripe suit.
A Zippo
If you carry a Zippo, I'm already scared and I'm not quite sure why.
The 14-lb Charm Bracelet
And, there's a story with everyone one that we just can't wait not to hear.
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