Here is a brief look at what's going on around the country this week.
Porn or Project?
A New York University student was told that a film project could not be completely because it would carry an X rating. The school trampled on her intellectual rights, and the censorship is the opposite of what NYU is supposed to be promoting among students. The film idea was approved by students and the teacher, and should be allowed to proceed.
The student, Paula Carmicino, wanted to film a sex act in the classroom and juxtapose that image with those students doing other, less obscene activities. She found students willing to engage in the act and then conferred with students and the teacher, making sure that everyone was aware of and comfortable with the film.
NYU has a right to be wary, but much more is achieved by allowing students to push the limits. The immediate reaction is one of moral outrage, but given the correct environment, it can be a legitimate learning experience. Since there is a clear purpose and the path leading to it was correct, there is no reason for the school to uphold their ban.
False Impressions in Texas
While running for President in 2000, George W. Bush trumpeted the success of the Texas school system as an example of his dedication to education. Unfortunately, the achievements were a complete fraud, as they hid dropout rates and made tests easier so that students could get higher grades. Now, those students are having difficulty in college and the nation's educational system is based on this disastrous model.
The first scam, of changing scores on tests, allowed students who would be in the fifth national percentile to pass. Next, students who dropped out were simply not counted. The reported rate of 1.5 percent was actually closer to 40 percent. Those who blew the whistle on that glaring discrepancy were reassigned. Lastly, the high school students were taught to write simplistic five paragraph essays that did not require any critical thinking skills, leaving only 29 percent of students prepared for college.
The miserable failure of the Texas school system is made worse by the apparent cover-up and wanton lying. Hopefully, the nation's school systems will take notice, and the Texas example will be used as a guideline of how not to run a school system or how to teach students.
Reagan Dime?
In a misguided response to the controversial Reagan miniseries, Republican lawmakers began circulating a bill to enshrine the president on the dime, replacing Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The "Ronald Reagan Dime Act" has the support of almost 90 Representatives, but is a terrible idea that serves no productive purpose.
First of all, Ronald Reagan is still alive. His name has already graced a major airport and aircraft carrier, as well as numerous federal buildings. There is a project run by conservative groups to put his name on a street or building in every township in America. Those groups will make sure that no one forgets about his legacy, even though they will never discuss the actual consequences of some of his decisions.
The dime project has hit a snag, as Nancy Reagan, Ronald's wife, has expressed dismay. Hopefully, the idea will fall to the wayside, and lawmakers will spend their time fixing problems and addressing the needs of people instead of changing people's faces on pieces of currency.
Shattering Young Dreams About Santa
A teacher in Miramar, Florida, informed students in her first-grade class that Santa didn't really exist on Dec. 1. When the class began to discuss the difference between things that are "real" and "make believe," the existence of Santa Claus was mentioned.
The teacher in question, Geneta Codner, rhetorically questioned whether a portly man could climb down a chimney or if reindeer could actually fly. While she claimed that students showed no outward surprise or unease during class, many members of the class returned home, some in tears, to explain to their parents how their belief in Santa had been shattered.
Codner did not violate any educational laws telling her students about Santa's falsity, but she could have better handled the situation. The children would have certainly found out in time, but her actions were quite insensitive, especially in light of the upcoming Christmas season.
Homophobia in the Navy
A group of homosexual, bisexual and transgender alumni from the U.S. Naval Academy have recently had their application to form an exclusive alumni association dismissed on the grounds that it did not meet the guidelines for official recognition by the Academy.
According to the guidelines of the Naval Academy, it will only recognize alumni organizations based on geographical location, not special interests. Jeff Petrie, one of the supporters of USNA Out, pointed out that there was an RV Alumni organization; the academy replied that this specifically helped those graduates who did not have a permanent place of residence and had a difficult time maintaining their involvement in more traditional geographically based alumni-association chapters.
While the Naval Academy and other branches of the armed forces have been historically unsupportive of non-heterosexuals, it is time that they recognized that gays and lesbians should be accepted into military services. By accepting their presence they will involve a number of successful graduates, which will serve to strengthen and diversify the College's alumni base.
Tradition may dictate otherwise, but every aspect of the armed forces has evolved in recent years; it would be heartening to see a more progressive stance towards sexual acceptance as well.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
