Angloesque

Reply to God Hates... in Religion JoeUser Forums

Mark 7, I see you there. I kind of think, though, that Jesus was trying to say, Hey, it's not about keeping rules; it's about the kind of person you are. The pharisees and sadducees were super legalistic and Jesus was not--he was more about showing what God was like than he was interested in rules and regulations. I think that the Bible illustrates the different ways God led his people: more strictly at first, and the stories show that they were apt to

Reply to God Hates... in Religion JoeUser Forums

Yeah, well, Bulbous, I'm no expert on God. That's just kind of what I think either he meant or what they understood. Maybe if he'd said "Don't feed your pigs moldy scraps" the Israelites wouldn't have believed him. "Why not? Stupid animals, but good for cleaning up." And I'm not aware that Jesus repealed the kosher laws. And I hate your point by point argumentation.

Reply to Today I failed a student for plagiarism in Misc JoeUser Forums

Addendum: I caught another plagiarizer today. Same assignment. Same stupid cut and paste. -T.

Reply to You want it when? in Business JoeUser Forums

I was just thinking this! Yesterday I was buying a skirt and the two girls behind the counter were gossiping, complaining, and bitching about whatever and everything, about past customers, the slow debit machine (and I was about to pay with debit, I could imagine the daggers), everything. I left without saying a word because I'm introverted and because i was put off by their conversation, and one whispered to the other, "Wow, she's not very friendly."

Reply to Help! What do I do?? in Blogging JoeUser Forums

What a crappy situation. Were I you, I'd ask my fiance to confront the man. Seems that that's the closer relationship, not you and D. If fiance chose not to, then I'd stay out of it. But I'm not in it and I don't know all the facts. If and when she does find out, though, that'll be an interesting situation, since you're friends with her and your fiance works with him and theoretically you're all four of you f

And the award for Great Parenting goes to... in Home & Family JoeUser Forums

There's a PSA on television about parental involvement that leaves the viewer with the impression that you should grill your children on where they're going and where they've been and what they've been doing and on, and on, ad nauseum. In the PSA, a girl says something to the effect of, "Mom, you read my diary--my innermost thoughts. ...Thanks." Yeah, right. Like I'd want my mom reading about the s

Reply to God Hates... in Religion JoeUser Forums

I think it's funny and sad, and I'll digress on a serious note, with my apologies since that's probably not what you intended when posting this: From what I understand, God made rules about health for the healthcare of the Israelites (dunno why he didn't seem to care so much about everyone else...), so in a way, he was the first dietician. That's what those rules were for, and I think that's why the rules on gay or anal sex and what is edible

Reply to The absurd plethora of advertising in Business JoeUser Forums

Psychx, that's interesting for two reasons: (1) that according to the Bible, Jesus cleansed the temple of such riffraff when he was around, and (2) because Chaucer's Canterbury Tales tell about selling sacraments and whatnot to those poor folks on their pilgrimmages; church is certainly not immune to commercialism, and they've made a killing on it in the past. ;-) Poet, I'll *always* fight against the current (unless I like it--my J.Crew jeans

The absurd plethora of advertising in Business JoeUser Forums

I watch the Today show from time to time, and it struck me this morning how commercialized every part of our lives are becoming. When you watch an NBA basketball game, what do you see on the backboard frame of the hoop? "NBA.com" What is our weather brought to us by? The local Dodge dealer. Who's telling us about the birthdays today? Smuckers. Think that magazine in the seat pocket is for your entertainment while you're on the plane? Nope, it's making money for the airline. Even ski

Reply to Gay Marriages Halted in Current Events JoeUser Forums

I heard Massachusetts is slated to start performing gay marriages in May or June, but their legislature is working on a bill to disallow same-sex marriage but allow same-sex unions. That's an interesting legal paradox, or as the Chicago song says, "A paradox / full of contradictions" which, actually, is just redundant.

Reply to Antisemitism claims about "The Passion of the Christ" in Movies & TV & Books JoeUser Forums

p.s. the verse Wahkonta is referring to is Matt. 27:25.

Reply to Antisemitism claims about "The Passion of the Christ" in Movies & TV & Books JoeUser Forums

I thought it was a pretty traditional Christion take on the subject. I personally thought the Roman guards came out the worst--they seemed the most bloodthirsty. And in the end of the movie, the Jews walked into their sanctuary and saw the curtain dividing the sanctuary from the Most Holy Place rent in two; there was a look of horror and dawning comprehension on their faces, which I thought made them look as though they'd realised their error. That's m

Reply to Today I failed a student for plagiarism in Misc JoeUser Forums

Matt, I like your ideas. Were it inadvertant plagiarism, I might do something like that. I agree about the levels of plagiarism and I've seen them all. Blatant is what I fail people for; inadvertant is where an in-class punishment (and not an easy one) is more advisable. At the same time, though, prevention is key, and I hope I adequately warn my students about it. Solitair, you make a great point. I hate regurgitation and hopefully my student

Reply to Today I failed a student for plagiarism in Misc JoeUser Forums

Sir Peter--I think I've been to a cathedral around there...Gloucester Cathedral? or was it an abbey?...it's been awhile. I'm pretty sure it was a cathedral. First one I'd been to, actually, and that was back when I thought you pronounced it "Glow-chester-SHIRE." Unfortunately, we'd probably settle in London, though I'm hoping for one of the better boroughs. I am really not a city person, but he is

Reply to My wedding is NOT a transaction in Home & Family JoeUser Forums

[quote]I came back because I thought people would blast the hell out of me for what I wrote. I do hope the best for you and yours. A good marriage is so good it extends life expectancy. Good luck.[/quote] Gee, thanks. ;-) Actually, yours isn't the first "Ah, just wait 'til you're divorced" comment I've gotten and I blow them off. And I'm not offended. As for the meaninglessness of weddings, I would tend to agree. We're pretty non-trad

Reply to Today I failed a student for plagiarism in Misc JoeUser Forums

[quote]Ask yourself if you've done anything to help that cheating student, or if you've just scored an easy vengeance on a helpless target. There are plenty of ways you can punish for wrongdoing that are object lessons (trust me, I know) and will result in a punished (accountable) student as well as an educated one.[/quote] First, I wouldn't call her "helpless" as you do. Second, I go over plagiarism the second day in class, every class, every

Reply to Today I failed a student for plagiarism in Misc JoeUser Forums

I'm American, but I went to Oxford, and have traveled the isles and generally enjoyed the place. My fiance and I are looking into moving there once we marry. It's refreshingly un-American. What part of the UK are you from? -T.

Reply to Today I failed a student for plagiarism in Misc JoeUser Forums

Sir Peter, I have appreciated the British educational system. Whilst I will not pass judgements on British children, particularly the "peasants" who egged me last Halloween, I would say that yes, this is a larger problem with kids thinking they can weasel their way out of tight spaces and parents who seem to support them (I'm thinking hockey dads who kill other hockey dads aren't setting great examples for their kids, but hey, maybe that's the American

Reply to Today I failed a student for plagiarism in Misc JoeUser Forums

That's one way. But I'd hate to tip off any students reading this.... ;-)

Reply to My wedding is NOT a transaction in Home & Family JoeUser Forums

Imajinit: I'm not really worrying about that; my fiance and I feel the same about this, though (ahem) he's the reason we're not eloping. ;-) Karma: Wowsers, good point about the wedding night. And personally I'm all for cake and punch receptions; it seems like the rest of the world, however, is not, including mother and fiance. (Father agrees with me but keeps his mouth shut. There's something to be said for peace.) Cheers.</fo

Reply to Today I failed a student for plagiarism in Misc JoeUser Forums

Regarding the expulsion, this incident alone did not expel her. It was simply the straw that broke the camel's back, though I think there'd be less plagiarism if students knew their college careers were riding on their honesty. At any rate, the events leading up to this had nothing to do with me or my class. -T.

My wedding is NOT a transaction in Home & Family JoeUser Forums

I'm mightily pissed off tonight. I've signed at least three contracts for the upcoming...thingy...event...and all of them basically say, "No, we won't give your money back even if you die or if your fiance dies or if the world ends" (and in any of those cases I don't think I'd much care about it), "NOR will we give your money back if we do a shoddy job and screw things up, or if we decide to spill acid on your negatives and throw D-CON in the punch bow

Reply to Does Bush have a "right" to use 9-11 in his campaign ads? in Politics JoeUser Forums

*claps hands with glee, having gotten one up on Lunaticus* --Miss Manners II

Reply to Does Bush have a "right" to use 9-11 in his campaign ads? in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Angloesque: Who says what you feel is good taste is what I find in good taste? Who died and made you God of our moral conscience? That's the problem when you said it's in bad taste and Bush thinking it demonstrates what he is looking for. [/quote] 1. No one, you crazy. I said "I think it's poor taste..." That's me thinking and phrasing it as my opinion. 2. Actually, the original Miss Manners gave me the right to dicta

Reply to Today I failed a student for plagiarism in Misc JoeUser Forums

I check when it grabs my attention. I try to have a good handle on each student's voice and knowledge, and when they deviate from that even a little, I check. I also do spot checks and periodic checks. But every time I've seen plagiarism it's been because their writing voice changes from what I am used to. --T.