Trump: Bully Boy and Liar

Have a read:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trumps-latest-sparring-partner-a-saudi-prince/

Twitter Posts in News Articles

It has become commonplace for internet news articles to include copies ('screen grabs", if you will) of Twitter postings.

This practice bothers me; it does not appear to be professional journalism.

In the past, when a news article wanted to quote a source, it did so.

Now, we have a repetition of statements; the Twitter account is copied into the news article, and then the article repeats what the twitter posting said.

Here is an example:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/01/29/pulitzer-prize-winning-techie-denied-white-house-security-clearance-ashkan-soltani/79544124/

If one of my students gave me this I would think "This is repetitive crap!" and give it right back.

However, I see this pattern in the internet news almost every day.

How has it come to be accepted as standard practice, given that it is an unnecessary restatement of information?

Lunch

I had fish cutlet (Japanese style) today--very nice!

About Teaching at an Academy in South Korea

One of my 6th grade students told me last week that she didn't have time to do the homework that I assigned.

I asked her why, and she responded that she was going to 5 different academies (math, art, English, music, and Korean).

I like my job, teaching English to Korean elementary and middle school students, yet sometimes I feel the weight of it, knowing that I am responsible for some of the stress in their lives.

Kids should be free to play and have fun, right?

Clearly there is a problem with the Korean educational system; it is so structured towards preparing for the university examination, including a lot of rote learning and memorization.

At my academy we try to allow students to have some enjoyment in the learning process, whether by writing on the whiteboard, working in pairs, or doing presentations.

Children should have a balance in their lives between education and play.

Both are needed for personal development, yet one should not dominate the other.

The girl,  now a 6th grade student, who complained about homework, started in our school as a 1st grade phonics student (ABC's). Now she is typing essays, in English.

Reading her diary, however, I know--and am glad to read--that she gets to play some on her weekends.

Trump's Self-centernedness

Who would make a statement like this:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/23/464129029/donald-trump-i-could-shoot-somebody-and-i-wouldnt-lose-any-voters

and why would anyone support such a person, let alone a presidential candidate?

How could such a person have the best interests of America in their heart?

Trump Campaign: Oops!

We all make mistakes, but . . .

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-video-american-veterans-shows-russian-military-ribbons/story?id=36456488

Maori Article, Video

Read the article first (from BBC news) and then watch the video:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35378875

Donald Trump: Braggart and Liar

Read this article:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/election-2016-donald-trump-claims-credit-for-iran-release-of-americans/

Strange But Good Short Film

"Voyage of the Galactic Space Dangler" (8 min.):

https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2016/01/14/voyage-of-the-galactic-space-dangler/

Minions Mini Movie

Watch the "Minions Mini-Movie":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjfP2tmjtQM

Space X Falcon 9 Launch/Land Video

Watch the video--amazing!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANv5UfZsvZQ

VW CEO Interview

If you haven't already, read this interview with the CEO of Volkswagen:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/11/462682378/we-didnt-lie-volkswagen-ceo-says-of-emissions-scandal

Another Animation

Here is a short animation about an English immigrant to North America:

https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2015/12/31/wild-life/