Calling the Grimm Brothers

After the November congressional elections, a sinking approval rating  for “W”, and popular opinion against the war, it is looking like  Dems might get their way. Bush has become a lame duck president struggling to save his legacy. With all of this working for the Democrats come the 2008 election, it could back fire if [...]

Good Job Dorian Ojeman!!

Dorian Ojeman has been one of the most impressive students I have taught over the past few years. He is always ready to learn, ready to challenge my ideas, and the ideas of others. More than anything, Dorian is an intellectual who embraces knowledge for the sake and desire of learning. Unfortunately for me, this [...]

Is Kobe Bryant better than Michael Jordan?

I am convinced that MJ and Kobe are more alike than most people think; I do believe Kobe is a better basketball player than MJ. For the most part, Kobe is doing things MJ did on the court, but better. When MJ retired from the Bulls, a number of books and articles were published discussing [...]

Helen Keller

My AP U.S. History class spent today addressing popular culture during the 1920s. One of the characters we discussed was that of Helen Keller. We all remember Helen as the mean little girl who was frustrated with the world due to her blindness. She would later learn to manage her temper with the arrival of [...]

Thinking Sabbaticle, Independent Schools, and Research

Because of a few academic projects I am working on, as well as a busy professional travel schedule that has allowed me to visit a few elite independent schools and colleges around the country, I have been fortunate to meet a number of intelligent and passionate academics who possess the same goals as I do. [...]

Carson’s Favorite Literary Works

I think it is age, maybe not. I have found my thirst for reading good classical works increase more and more over the years. My wife suspects it has more to do with teaching bright students instead of age; I hope she is right. The most books I have read in a year is 35; [...]

Iran and 300

Iran is complaining again; however, this time they are not attacking “W.” They are mad at Hollywood’s recent movie, 300. I have not seen this movie yet, but I am more than a little curious. Most people believe Islamic states hate the U.S. because of our foreign policy. Yes, this is true. However, I think [...]

Obama is a True Liberal

After reading Barack Obama’s The Audacity of Hope, I have concluded that he might be the new hero for the Democratic Party. Democrats have been searching for a new person to champion liberalism since Bill Clinton was forced to abandon some of his liberal policies. This is not an easy task, especially after the recent [...]

Cultural Literacy and Gilmore Girls

Because Janette and I work fairly late on most evenings, we often miss our favorite television shows. For the past four years, Janette would watch half an episode of Gilmore Girls or catch an occasional re-run. I decided to buy her all six seasons for Christmas; in doing this, she told me that I would have [...]

James Dobson & Newt Gingrich

While driving to work on Friday listening to National Public Radio (NPR), Focus on the Family leader and founder James Dobson was granting an interview to former Speaker of the House and author of Contract with America — Newt Gingrich. Mr. Dobson found time to interview Gingrich about the ethical issues he faced while in [...]

Two Sides of Love: The Intellectual Side and the Southern Side

The philosopher John Stuart Mill (1860 – 1873(?)) was the conscience of liberalism. While supporting the activist morality of utilitarianism, he focused again on the fundamental issue of individual freedom. In his essay On Liberty, Mill argued for respecting the absolute liberty of the individual, despite the pressures of communitarian needs. Free speech, for example, [...]

Carson’s Exams – Too Easy for Cavemen

Geico

My AP European History, AP U.S. History, and World History students are taking exams this week. I really do feel for many of them. I think many of my colleagues and myself learned from our days of high school and college how to give all of our exams right before spring break. [...]

Discussing Richard Hofstadter on the Lawn

So, because it was my last section of class on a warm Houston afternoon, I felt it was only best that we enjoy our seminar on one of the lawns surrounding the HCHS campus. And, because it was a Friday, students have what we call free dress (no uniforms). A quick thanks to Patricia Jonesi [...]

Again, Blacks on Obama

Trust me, I find the news piece below to be very interesting regarding blacks on Obama. I posted a blog addressing this very issue a couple of weeks ago.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — In recent months, ABC News-Washington Post polls showed Sen. Hillary Clinton running 40 points higher than Sen. Barack Obama among blacks voters asked to [...]