The New Balkanism?
I've alluded before to projects like the Free State Project, and to various half-serious secession efforts in different states.
Now comes Christian Exodus, which is "moving thousands of Christians to South Carolina to reestablish constitutionally limited government founded upon Christian principles."
Their webpage proudly features the First Amendment to the Constitution to which they allude: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...."
The phrase "deaf to irony" comes to mind.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
"You eat an apple one bite at a time...."
The Economist argues that the political power of U.S. theocrats will continue to grow. The article features a very nice photograph of the Southern Baptists meeting to worship their deity.
The Economist argues that the political power of U.S. theocrats will continue to grow. The article features a very nice photograph of the Southern Baptists meeting to worship their deity.
And while I'm ranting about libraries
... I'll point out that the current edition of UtneReader contains a couple of interesting articles about American libraries:
Knowledge for Sale
The New Monastic Librarians (subscription required for full article but a short abstract is free.)
... I'll point out that the current edition of UtneReader contains a couple of interesting articles about American libraries:
Knowledge for Sale
The New Monastic Librarians (subscription required for full article but a short abstract is free.)
Books, schmooks
The University of Texas at Austin, once reputed to be a prestigious and intellectually respectable institution of higher learning, no longer expects undergraduates to actually look at books. A local news channel, among other sources, reports that the U. of T. has removed practically all the books from its undergraduate "library" in favor of installing computers, "flexible furniture", and staff trained in making "multimedia presentations" (i.e., PowerPoint).
The predictable result: in about four years, instead of undergraduate students who can't read, think that research consists of doing a Google-search, and think that a "library" is a place to play Solitaire between classes, UT librarians and professors will have graduate students who can't read, think that research consists of doing a Google-search, and think that a library is a place to play Solitaire between classes.
We are assured, say the UT head honchos, that the books will be readily available to anyone who asks for them. If they know the right title to ask for. At the proper desk. At the proper time. On the proper form. A day, or a week, or six weeks in advance. If the "multimedia presentation"-trained staff can remember where the storage area is. If the requestor has the proper authorization to the proper specialized graduate library. If the administration hasn't appropriated that space for other purposes.
Disciplina praesidium civitatis, indeed.
The University of Texas at Austin, once reputed to be a prestigious and intellectually respectable institution of higher learning, no longer expects undergraduates to actually look at books. A local news channel, among other sources, reports that the U. of T. has removed practically all the books from its undergraduate "library" in favor of installing computers, "flexible furniture", and staff trained in making "multimedia presentations" (i.e., PowerPoint).
The predictable result: in about four years, instead of undergraduate students who can't read, think that research consists of doing a Google-search, and think that a "library" is a place to play Solitaire between classes, UT librarians and professors will have graduate students who can't read, think that research consists of doing a Google-search, and think that a library is a place to play Solitaire between classes.
We are assured, say the UT head honchos, that the books will be readily available to anyone who asks for them. If they know the right title to ask for. At the proper desk. At the proper time. On the proper form. A day, or a week, or six weeks in advance. If the "multimedia presentation"-trained staff can remember where the storage area is. If the requestor has the proper authorization to the proper specialized graduate library. If the administration hasn't appropriated that space for other purposes.
Disciplina praesidium civitatis, indeed.
Nyah nyah nyah!
My ribbon is bigger than your ribbon! So there! That makes me a better American!
(Thanks to Louise for the link)
My ribbon is bigger than your ribbon! So there! That makes me a better American!
(Thanks to Louise for the link)
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