I recommend the GOP filibuster Elena Kagan's Supreme Court nomination. Though elections have consequences, and presidents understandably nominate judges who share their ideology, Kagan went beyond the proper bounds of jurisprudence in her politically-motivated intervention with the partial-birth abortion report by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Senator Orrin Hatch is right to oppose her on these grounds, and others should follow his lead. [GOP leader Mitch McConnell is also a no vote.] For background on this issue, see these two posts and this essay in Slate by William … [Read more...] about Elena Kagan Should Be Opposed
Does the Internet Make You Dumber or Smarter?
These two WSJ articles are a good introduction to the ongoing debate as to whether the Internet makes us dumber or smarter. Nicholas Carr argues that we're turning into shallow thinkers. And Clay Shirky gives the opposite perspective, noting that Carr's concerns of intellectual collapse have been raised at the onset of past technological breakthroughs (e.g., Gutenberg's press), and were proved false. … [Read more...] about Does the Internet Make You Dumber or Smarter?
More on Grade Inflation and Student Academic Performance
A few weeks ago I wrote about Student Evaluations, Grade Inflation, and Declining Student Academic Effort. In short, the data unambiguously reveals: 1. Average GPAs are higher than in past times: The average college GPA has rised from the 2.5 or 2.6 range in about 1960 to well over 3.0 today. At some prestigious private universities, like Harvard, 50% of students receive As in courses. On the one hand, Harvard is only drawing from the most promising, most academically gifted students in the nation. On the other hand, such a practice still degrades the meaning of an "A" at Harvard, as Harvey … [Read more...] about More on Grade Inflation and Student Academic Performance
Abortion as “The Lesser Evil”
An amazingly brazen article by Antonia Senior in the London Times argues that life begins at conception, but the destruction of that life is a lesser evil than the denial of a woman's full control over her fertility. The article's conclusion: The mystery pondered on many a girls’ night out is how on earth men, bless them, managed to hang on to political and cultural hegemony for so long. The only answer is that they are not in hock to their biology as much as we are. Look at a map of the world and the right to abortion on request correlates pretty exactly with the expectation of a life … [Read more...] about Abortion as “The Lesser Evil”
Walking with the Wise
Our family is enjoying the latest album from Sovereign Grace Music. This one, like several of their previous albums, is specifically for children. The themes deal directly with the struggles that children commonly have (selfishness, covering up wrong, laziness); in several songs, the lyrics combine Scripture texts with the voices of children expressing various common utterances. The overarching message of the album (at least what I pick up on) is the importance and beauty of gaining wisdom, living obediently, and being a blessing to others. In fact, the more I listen to the songs the more I … [Read more...] about Walking with the Wise
Christopher Hitchens Has Cancer
Pray for Christopher Hitchens, that the God whose truth he suppresses would save him. Hitchens released this statement through his publisher, noting the suspension of his Hitch-22: A Memoir book tour: I have been advised by my physician that I must undergo a course of chemotherapy on my esophagus. This advice seems persuasive to me. I regret having had to cancel so many engagements at such short notice.The LA Times writes that this chemotherapy treatment is due to a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. HT: @Hunterbaker … [Read more...] about Christopher Hitchens Has Cancer