Here I was planning to grade some online quizzes tonight and then do a blog entry on Edmund Ross. Well, you'll have to wait until next time to find out about Senator Ross. Those plans went up in smoke about an hour ago. I was grading a quiz when the system kicked me out. Like anyone else, I tried to log back in. No luck. What to do?
Go to e-mail! Why? Because students taking the quiz were kicked out also. Those attempting to take the quiz who can't get in also email their concerns. I have spent the last hour responding to questions with the same mantra: "System crashed. Quiz extended by 24 hours."
I am being optimistic. The first semester I taught an online class the system crashed during finals. It took more than a week for it to come back online.
Online learning could be a great tool but there are still many bugs in the system.
Gotta go before my inbox explodes.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
Why in the world would I write about Andrew Johnson? Because his story provides insight into what a small cross section of the college students of 2010 are thinking. To refresh your memory: Andrew Johnson was a Democratic senator from Tennessee in 1861. He was the only Senator from a seceded state not to resign and go with his state. He represented people who were Unionist, poor white, anti-planter hierarchy. Because of his stand, Lincoln chose Johnson as his vice-president on the Union Party ticket in 1864. Upon his accession to the Presidency, Johnson tried to continue Lincoln's policy of letting the South up easy. Congress, led by Radical Republicans such as Sumner and Stevens did not agree. Johnson vetoed numerous bills dealing with Reconstruction and also fired Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, a holdover from Lincoln's administration and an ally of the Radicals. Charges were brought against Johnson for obstruction of justice (the vetoes) and violating the Tenure of Office Act (firing Stanton). The House impeached him but he escaped conviction by one vote in the Senate. Was his impeachment justified?
The historical interpretation for years has been no. These crimes did not constitute impeachable offenses. Perhaps a legal battle over the Tenure of Office Act, but not impeachment. Would the President be serving at the whim of Congress? Would we now have a more parliamentary system?
Yet this is not how college students view this event today. Here is one student's response (warts and all):
Johnson's actions were the complete opposite of the what would be good for society. The point of the war was to establish equality, and eliminate slavery, not keep people in a state of captivity and as second class citizens. Johnson wanted to keep the status quo, not change it. I believe that Congress' actions were completely justified because they were very lenient and patient with him as far as allowing him to challenge all of their new reconstruction laws, but when someone tries to put themselves above the law to suit their own self interest; there should always be consequences to those action. In Johnsons' case it is being impeached
Ignore (if possible) the grammar and spelling. This was a response given in a test. How were Johnson's actions the complete opposite of what would be good for society? Was the point of the war to establish equality and if so, what type of equality? Political, economic, or social? Was the elimination of slavery one of the goals of the war? Status quo is not defined. Is it the status quo in the South? Did Johnson want the planter aristocracy to remain in control? How was Congress lenient and patient with Johnson? Did that matter? Notice there is no mention of the Constitution or of Due Process. Also lacking is any sort of idea as to what the ramifications would have been if Johnson had been convicted. The President must respond to the will of the people, vox populi, vox deo. We don't want leaders, we want opinion poll watchers.
The historical interpretation for years has been no. These crimes did not constitute impeachable offenses. Perhaps a legal battle over the Tenure of Office Act, but not impeachment. Would the President be serving at the whim of Congress? Would we now have a more parliamentary system?
Yet this is not how college students view this event today. Here is one student's response (warts and all):
Johnson's actions were the complete opposite of the what would be good for society. The point of the war was to establish equality, and eliminate slavery, not keep people in a state of captivity and as second class citizens. Johnson wanted to keep the status quo, not change it. I believe that Congress' actions were completely justified because they were very lenient and patient with him as far as allowing him to challenge all of their new reconstruction laws, but when someone tries to put themselves above the law to suit their own self interest; there should always be consequences to those action. In Johnsons' case it is being impeached
Ignore (if possible) the grammar and spelling. This was a response given in a test. How were Johnson's actions the complete opposite of what would be good for society? Was the point of the war to establish equality and if so, what type of equality? Political, economic, or social? Was the elimination of slavery one of the goals of the war? Status quo is not defined. Is it the status quo in the South? Did Johnson want the planter aristocracy to remain in control? How was Congress lenient and patient with Johnson? Did that matter? Notice there is no mention of the Constitution or of Due Process. Also lacking is any sort of idea as to what the ramifications would have been if Johnson had been convicted. The President must respond to the will of the people, vox populi, vox deo. We don't want leaders, we want opinion poll watchers.
Friday, July 16, 2010
How Should We Honor Jayne Peters?
Yesterday, I mentioned how tragedy was an overworked word: LeBron James no, Pat Tillman yes. Today we have a real tragedy. Evidently, Jayne Peters, the mayor of Coppell, killed her daughter and then turned the gun on herself. Speculation has led to the motive being despair over her husband's death from cancer two years ago and ensuing financial difficulties. Some are outraged that the city flag has been lowered to half-staff. Others are equally incensed that the memorial service held today was a joint one. "How could you honor someone who murdered their daughter?", they ask in self-righteous indignation.
How should we honor her indeed?
Apparently, this was a human being who was suffering. Suffering so greatly that the only way out was suicide. She was trapped. It has been reported that twice within the last year the bank almost foreclosed on her house. Could she have sold it? I don't know, she may have been underwater on the mortgage. Perhaps she was trying to maintain appearances. She didn't want anyone to know of the difficulty she was in. It is possible that she believed such a revelation would be politically harmful. She would not be the first person who was guilty of 'keeping up appearances.' It is more pervasive than we like to think. "Never let them see you sweat", and "Keep a stiff upper lip," are just two cliches that come to mind. Often we believe that friends and family don't want to know of our problems. They have enough of their own. Yet sharing difficulties can be therapeutic. Doesn't the definition of friend include the concept of one whi is with you through good times and bad? It is my belief that those who are so quick to condemn Jayne Peters either have never been in her shoes or are in denial that they have been there. Depression is easy to condemn, it is difficult to treat because the cure is love, which means giving of one's self.
So, how should we honor Jayne Peters appropriately?
By listening to those we love.
How should we honor her indeed?
Apparently, this was a human being who was suffering. Suffering so greatly that the only way out was suicide. She was trapped. It has been reported that twice within the last year the bank almost foreclosed on her house. Could she have sold it? I don't know, she may have been underwater on the mortgage. Perhaps she was trying to maintain appearances. She didn't want anyone to know of the difficulty she was in. It is possible that she believed such a revelation would be politically harmful. She would not be the first person who was guilty of 'keeping up appearances.' It is more pervasive than we like to think. "Never let them see you sweat", and "Keep a stiff upper lip," are just two cliches that come to mind. Often we believe that friends and family don't want to know of our problems. They have enough of their own. Yet sharing difficulties can be therapeutic. Doesn't the definition of friend include the concept of one whi is with you through good times and bad? It is my belief that those who are so quick to condemn Jayne Peters either have never been in her shoes or are in denial that they have been there. Depression is easy to condemn, it is difficult to treat because the cure is love, which means giving of one's self.
So, how should we honor Jayne Peters appropriately?
By listening to those we love.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
It's Been a While
I'm back.
The last two weeks have been hectic with the first term of summer school ending, the second beginning, a death in the family. So what has been going on in the world?
LeBron James signed with the Miami Heat. Will this be a moment where, years from now, we will ask, "do you remember where you were when LeBron announced?" No. The reputation of ESPN as Sports Journalism is circling down the drain. They are now hucksters caught up in the moment. The day ESPN became a part of Disney was the beginning of the end. It is now LeBron, Tiger, Brett. Nothing else matters. No perspective, nothing. LeBron leaving Cleveland is supposed to be a great tragedy for the city by the lake. No. Tragedy is Pat Tillman leaving a high paying job in the NFL in order to serve his country only to be killed by friendly fire. Tragedy is so many things: "The Decision" is not one of them. What it is is Comedy. The old fashioned definition that points out the follies of our life. I do not believe that the textbook publishers began palns for new editions of their history textbooks because of "The Decision."
But I could be wrong.
The last two weeks have been hectic with the first term of summer school ending, the second beginning, a death in the family. So what has been going on in the world?
LeBron James signed with the Miami Heat. Will this be a moment where, years from now, we will ask, "do you remember where you were when LeBron announced?" No. The reputation of ESPN as Sports Journalism is circling down the drain. They are now hucksters caught up in the moment. The day ESPN became a part of Disney was the beginning of the end. It is now LeBron, Tiger, Brett. Nothing else matters. No perspective, nothing. LeBron leaving Cleveland is supposed to be a great tragedy for the city by the lake. No. Tragedy is Pat Tillman leaving a high paying job in the NFL in order to serve his country only to be killed by friendly fire. Tragedy is so many things: "The Decision" is not one of them. What it is is Comedy. The old fashioned definition that points out the follies of our life. I do not believe that the textbook publishers began palns for new editions of their history textbooks because of "The Decision."
But I could be wrong.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Long Time, No Write
I must apologize for my absence this week. We are getting to the end of the first term of summer school and I have been trying to avoid getting caught in the trap of catching up on all my paperwork on the last day of classes.
The Fourth of July is once again upon us. Tomorrow will be our neighborhood parade (Everybody Marches!). Its fun and a good stretch of the legs. Sunday will be the big show. Once again, our church is putting on its annual " A Musical Fourth". Much preparation goes into this. The singers have been rehearsing for the last month and there are several difficult pieces. The signs have been put up, the decorations will be finished tomorrow, and all should be set to go. My part in all this is minimal, I'm a singer. Afterwards there will be barbecue and pie tasting. A good time will be had by all.
There is one person who, more than anyone else, is responsible for this. It is her initial vision of a concert of patriotic music on the Fourth of July that has led to all this. She is a singer. She is in charge of publicity, she oversees the program and the decorations. She is an organizing dynamo. Every year , the rest of us gripe and complain, but she sticks to the vision and gets the job done. I would mention her by name but that is not her style. She is the one I hold especially dear in my heart.
The Fourth of July is once again upon us. Tomorrow will be our neighborhood parade (Everybody Marches!). Its fun and a good stretch of the legs. Sunday will be the big show. Once again, our church is putting on its annual " A Musical Fourth". Much preparation goes into this. The singers have been rehearsing for the last month and there are several difficult pieces. The signs have been put up, the decorations will be finished tomorrow, and all should be set to go. My part in all this is minimal, I'm a singer. Afterwards there will be barbecue and pie tasting. A good time will be had by all.
There is one person who, more than anyone else, is responsible for this. It is her initial vision of a concert of patriotic music on the Fourth of July that has led to all this. She is a singer. She is in charge of publicity, she oversees the program and the decorations. She is an organizing dynamo. Every year , the rest of us gripe and complain, but she sticks to the vision and gets the job done. I would mention her by name but that is not her style. She is the one I hold especially dear in my heart.
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