Wish we could have been there! More Texas meet-ups, please!

We too got a Carpathian Mountain Otter for Christmas. The vet insisted on calling him a cocker spaniel. We compromised and named him Buckley. One guess as to his namesake, Ricochetti. P.S., I think our eponymous hero would have come down on the side of "who," for purely sentimental reasons.

I've attended the Charter School Symposium at Hillsdale, my alma mater, for the past two summers.  It is a wonderful experience, and just the antidote to the Eeyore-ism that seems to have taken hold in conservative circles  Just take a tour of the Hillsdale Academy, listen to the passion and experience that Headmaster Kenneth Calvert brings to his role, and then tell me all is lost.  I'm interested in beginning a Hillsdale Charter School here in Austin, Texas (the blue heart of the beast), and if you're in these parts and would like to join us, please send me a PM.

I'm a Latin teacher in a private classical school, but I am strongly convicted that classical education -- the education of many of our founders -- cannot be limited to the wealthy few.  Like Thomas Jefferson, I think that we have to educate and enculturate the broad electorate in order to ensure the survival of our republic.  As Mr. Jefferson famously put it, there is a difference between "education which democrats like" and "the education which will preserve democracy."

DutchTex,I think this would be a perfect question to pose Ricochet's own Rob Long. Based on the episodes I've seen of Law & Order (another great serial drama when recovering from a cold) I'd say that there is a general paranoia/time warp on the part of TV writers of the following; neo-nazis (they're everywhere!), televangelists (party like it's 1989), Mormons, ultra-Orthodox Jews, and of course, the Catholic Church. I love mysteries very much, but I prefer to be kept guessing. Most TV procedurals are completely predictable if you know the ideological matrix.PS - at the Dog & Duck right now, enjoying a cider.

I also am a huge fan of Audible.  I just finished the Steve Jobs biography as well, and am now listening to Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard.  I have been a member for over three years now, and I have been able to "read" many books that I wouldn't have picked up in a codex format.   Audible is a an enriching diversion while driving, doing routine chores, or working out.

You are right, Jimmy Carter. The outrage expressed over it  is out of all proportion to the phenomenon.

Ryan did win on substance. Could he have been more aggressive? Of course. But by letting Biden ramble, Ryan let America see what a truly unpleasant character his opponent is.

Not to be square or anything, but wasn't the point of the original article that smoking weed during one's teenage years was likely to do damage?  The developing brain is a very delicate thing and it is not surprising that habitual marijuana use would be harmful.  But most advocates of decriminalization that I know (and I count myself one of them) do NOT take the posture that minors should be allowed access to pot.   We restrict sales of alcohol to minors, and this seems most sensible.   The argument in favor of decriminalization or legalization (for me at least) centers on the idea that the rule of law is undermined by the prohibition of a widely used substance. 

Well, today was a fine start to the seminar, and not just because the weather is picture-perfect.  Dr. Terrence Moore kicked things off, in his customarily "understated" manner, by challenging us to beware of the many ways that progressive educational assumptions and ideology can sneak into classical schools.  Some of these include project-based and student-centered activities, a foolish reliance on technology as panacea, and the trendy new anti-bullying "cause" (or hoax, as Dr. Moore put it).  I really can't do his lecture justice.  Fortunately for all of us, it, along with all of the talks, will be posted as streaming videos on the Charter School section of the Hillsdale College website very soon.  If you can't wait, they've posted last year's talks, and I would recommend that you check them out.  It's quite bracing stuff, but it's also very sobering for those of us who take the future of our republic seriously.  I'll post on the other speakers later... it's time for the reception, and I don't want to miss out on the fine fellowship and refreshments.

Lucy - great question!  As a matter of fact, Hillsdale Academy's entire curriculum guide can be found on the website (all 150 pages, PDF) for FREE.  Here's a link.  It's the basis of what these charter schools are setting out to accomplish.  Lots of homeschooling-friendly folks around here, and as a formerly homeschooled student myself, I commend your efforts.  If you ever want to talk Latin/Greek curriculum offline, message me!

Dr. Rahe -- you are in our prayers.  May God grant you a swift recovery. 

"I'm trapped in a glass cage of emotion."

"Careful, man, there's a beverage here."

Hillsdale's Constitution 101 course (all 10 lessons) is now archived and available gratis.  Maybe if Hillsdale pegged the price of the course to a head of organic kale in NYC, Mayor Bloomberg would watch it.

Love it! 

You're welcome! And here's a link to a video clip of Peter's speech from our local NBC affiliate...