Frederick, I, too, enjoy your op ed commentary and betcha get some "goodies."

Betty

Gibson Brown:

Sharron, our very own "F squared times the M in the middle" knows how to micro-rant with class alright.

I'll say this for Frederick:  He swings both left and right -- and he even took a deprecatory jab or two at himself.  I might argue that he put his full body weight into it when he swung right and pulled his punches slightly when he swung left, but I'm hardly a neutral judge. 

How much does a big article like that set you back, Frederick?  Every once in a while I have a sentence or two that I'd like to advertise on that page, but I've always assumed that I couldn't afford it.  I'm pretty tapped out from paying the RT to publish all of my offspring's engagement and wedding announcements, but I might be able to skim off a little from Mrs Yearout's kitchen utensil maintenance and replacement fund.  I don't think she's getting full wear out of those things anyway, I mean, what's to wear out about  wooden spoons and cast iron skillets?

Clonnie Yearout:

How much does a big article like that set you back, Frederick? 

Actually, Clonnie, I don't pay to get them in the paper. The Times has a penchant for quality BS, of which I have heeps. You might try it; I think we each have an abundance of the required caliber of bovine excreta. No offense; I just like your style.

Frederick Fuller:

Clonnie Yearout:

How much does a big article like that set you back, Frederick?

Actually, Clonnie, I don't pay to get them in the paper. The Times has a penchant for quality BS, of which I have heeps. You might try it; I think we each have an abundance of the required caliber of bovine excreta. No offense; I just like your style.

Indeed, it was a fine little sermon, Reverend Fuller.  Dave read it out loud yesterday and both Lib and I found it delightful.  Like any sermon, it has its ponderous moments, but then it lifts and tickles the brain with a gentle pr ick.  It's a fine art--needling without inflicting pain or drawing blood--and you have mastered it.  None of our acerbic panelists (no names mentioned) can rival you in that regard.  The master here in our household tends to pinch the neck or grip the throat a bit too firmly sometimes.  And then there's our one-eyed curmudgeon who constantly (and tiresomely) whines about unfair rules, cheating opponents, and biased refs (sigh), year in and year out.  You, fine gentleman, have earned the black belt.  Wag and Woof! [Kudos.]

Humans have many gifts--including the ability to write, hold and read a book--that have served them well for thousands of years.  It seems to me that anytime a book is banned, for whatever reason, it's a small step back toward the Paleolithic era (better known as the "old stone age").

 

Frederick Fuller:

Clonnie Yearout:

How much does a big article like that set you back, Frederick? 

Actually, Clonnie, I don't pay to get them in the paper. The Times has a penchant for quality BS, of which I have heeps. You might try it; I think we each have an abundance of the required caliber of bovine excreta. No offense; I just like your style.

Well said as usual Prof. Fuller!  You are a charming intellectual and I appreciate the courage!

Ricky to Frederick..."Indeed, it was a fine little sermon, Reverend Fuller.  Dave read it out loud yesterday and both Lib and I found it delightful.  Like any sermon, it has its ponderous moments, but then it lifts and tickles the brain with a gentle pr ick.  It's a fine art--needling without inflicting pain or drawing blood--and you have mastered it.  None of our acerbic panelists (no names mentioned) can rival you in that regard.  The master here in our household tends to pinch the neck or grip the throat a bit too firmly sometimes; our resident curmudgeon, year in and year out, strikes below the belt and after the bell (with a wry grin and "sincere," humble apology, but a foul is still a foul).  You, fine gentleman, have earned the black belt.  Wag and Woof! [Kudos.]  Humans have many gifts--including the ability to write, hold and read a book--that have served them well for thousands of years.  It seems to me that anytime a book is banned, for whatever reason, it's a small step back toward the Paleolithic era (better known as the "old stone age")."

Ricky, somebody took a nap between classes, or slept well last night. That is some "A" game pondering above, and well said sir. I am so proud of Frederick. When I first started working with him on his occasional "less than nice" micro-rants and such, I thought it was hopeless. But what a polished gem writing before us today he is. I'm not trying to take ALL the credit, he showed up and what not when I was helping him. You may have noticed how Frederick "gets it" in the "love" realm too. Gip

 Frederick, AKA "F2" - I have to add my congratulations also. You made us proud! Your article was well written and very enjoyable to read. Of course, I am biased because we often agree on issues, but even Clonnie was impressed!!! Deb

Dave Hanson:

this week the topic is schools being challenged by lay parents.  Most high school teachers are good, hardworking professionals.  They need parents' support, not challenges over a book given from one student to another.  For myself, getting a bachelor's, master's and doctorate in history, and then teaching college classes for over three decades, does not make me an expert on everything in my field.  Far from it.  But it does make me "an authority" and I expect some degree of respect from students and peers.  (As a college professor teaching adult students, I never hear from parents.) 

Just wanted to add another thought regarding this week's topic:  One of my kids (who also teaches college students) has been confronted by parents. The confrontations are always subtle (and she doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what's going on...), presented politely, & leave no question re intent.  My point is that the children (adults!) of these helicopter parents are often too anxious & depressed to be able to truly enjoy college life. 

Great article, Frederick!

Ricky:

our resident curmudgeon, year in and year out, constantly (and tiresomely) whines about unfair rules, cheating opponents, and biased refs (sigh).

My compliments, sir -- so subtle that others might have missed it, but not the one who has been hearing lines like that for years.  I've spent a lifetime seeing formerly humorless folks suddenly become instant comedians and comediennes just after hearing my name.  I had a cousin who called me Clonniebaloney for years, and I sometimes scribble "Year-in" on the signature line just for laughs.  Just the other day I was sitting in a doctor's office and the nurse sticks her head out and says that they're ready for "Mrs" Yearout.  When I stood up to follow her she seemed a little annoyed, but then her face reddened as she realized her mistake.  I stand daily as a witness that if you want to warp your kid's personality for eternity, just give 'em an unusual name.  Their childhood friends will do the rest.  I had almost reached a state of healing, but now with this incident I'm back to square one.

Seriously -- and speaking of years -- do you realize that we're near the one year anniversary of this panel's inception/conception?  I just checked my records , and it was on Dec 14th of last year that Dan The Man With The Plan announced that the RT was looking for suckers volunteers to take part in a literary lab experiment.  Thesis: Would it be possible to convince a group of outspoken, opinionated, egg-heads to work for less than peanuts in order to fill up to a half a page of the Sunday paper?  Answer:  How come they're only offering us half a lousy page?

Lately I've been forcing myself to go several hours or even a day or two without checking this site -- with mixed results.  I shake a lot, eat a lot more, and then there's the heavy workload to catch up with once I return.  I get behind in reading posts, behinder still on replying to provocative posts, and I'm forced to work overtime, just to catch up.  I know we're paid time and a half for overtime, but naught times any number is still naught.

Clonnie Yearout:

I know we're paid time and a half for overtime, but naught times any number is still naught.

 

 

And to think that all our efforts also come to naught!

Clonnie..."My compliments, sir -- so subtle that others might have missed it, but not the one who has been hearing lines like that for years.  I've spent a lifetime seeing formerly humorless folks suddenly become instant comedians and comediennes just after hearing my name.  I had a cousin who called me Clonniebaloney for years, and I sometimes scribble "Year-in" on the signature line just for laughs.  Just the other day I was sitting in a doctor's office and the nurse sticks her head out and says that they're ready for "Mrs" Yearout.  When I stood up to follow her she seemed a little annoyed, but then her face reddened as she realized her mistake.  I stand daily as a witness that if you want to warp your kid's personality for eternity, just give 'em an unusual name.  Their childhood friends will do the rest.  I had almost reached a state of healing, but now with this incident I'm back to square one."

Hey Clonnie. That is killer material, I don't care who you are. What did you do to make me read it in Johnny Carson's voice the first time through? I have heard the same "naught" rumor, so I asked. They were very friendly and made time for me. Here's the first part I heard before I started daydreaming..."The first year"... we double your pixel properties or something, and we get a prime number year bonus if it is divisable by 3.142 maybe. I know they said we could even triple that...time went on for a bit...and then they assured me that the check was in the mail, shook my hand, and even called security to help me down the stairs. I will say...the "learning" and growth benefits for me personally, and the best dang panel ever as a whole, is a great thing money can't buy. Gip  

Hey, fellow VoV writers, thank you all for your kind words. I have fortified myself to face a storm in the RT, and I will be extremely disappointed is someone doesn't take a shot at me. After all we write to be read.

Hey team, did you read the article on the front page of last Sunday's Horizon section, "Politics as religion"?  I'd saved it, and then just read in today's paper that "the parent who complained [to William Byrd] said... 'It's not really anything I was looking for except making folks aware...I was hoping to get the Gospel out some more.  We need repentance in the land.'" 

Don't know what to say...

Clonnie Yearout:

 I've spent a lifetime seeing formerly humorless folks suddenly become instant comedians and comediennes just after hearing my name.

Do you have an aunt Connie and uncle Lonnie?  With acknowledgement to Johnny Cash, your parents could have named you Sue.  It would have given you one more reason for complaining that life is not fair.  BOL

Sandy Light:

Hey team, did you read the article on the front page of last Sunday's Horizon section, "Politics as religion"?  I'd saved it, and then just read in today's paper that "the parent who complained [to William Byrd] said... 'It's not really anything I was looking for except making folks aware...I was hoping to get the Gospel out some more.  We need repentance in the land.'"  Don't know what to say...

Not sure if it's truth or rumor, but we heard that what caught the attention of this concerned parent was noticing his son READING A BOOK.  That was out of the ordinary so he inquired about what book was shockingly being read.  So, by all means let's rid the high school library of a book that is being read!  Can't have that! 

But wait,,, let's get the Bible into every classroom.  Or maybe the Koran?  BOL