Transgender First Grader

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/27/us/colorado-transgender-girl-school/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Reading for Wednesday, February 20

For Wednesday, 2/20, please read chapter 1 of the Communist Manifesto. Link follows here... the site also includes translations in a variety of other languages, including the original German.

http://marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/ch01.htm

XC Opportunity with Larry Lujan's WH Classes

The movie Lincoln is still playing at two nearby theaters: the Century 12 in downtown San Mateo and the Century 20 in downtown Redwood City.  I phoned both theaters and they said it would continue to be played through next Thursday--they were doubtful that it would be carried beyond that date.  It'll probably come back after Daniel Day-Lewis wins his Oscar (if he doesn't win, I want a recount of the hanging chads) and eventually it will be available on DVD, but I think we should act now.

    I pitched it to my classes today and got a signup.  It'll be in the evening, it'll be extracurricular and voluntary.  But they can write a short extra-credit reflection paper on it--most of them have written reflection papers for FYE, so they know what that means.  I suggested two approaches to the paper: describe one scene, one moment, that particularly struck you and explain why.  Or talk about what you learned about how a President really goes about getting difficult legislation through a reluctant Congress.  They can talk to me if they want to take another approach.  And if they can't make it the night the group goes, they can go on their own and still write the paper.  I talked to Rich Watters about using a school bus, and he said that would only be possible if they had an authorized driver (which I'm not).  So they'll probably be on their own for transportation, admittance, and snacks.

    Twenty-six people signed up.  As for a date, I'm leaning toward next Wednesday or Thursday, so people will have maximum time to get their acts together.  It's showing in San Mateo at 7:15, so I'm going to suggest gathering in the Quad about 6:15 and taking off from the quad.

Neolithic/Classical Era violence

http://news.yahoo.com/battered-skulls-reveal-violence-among-stone-age-women-122118736.html

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/declaration.html

Military Working Dogs no longer classified as "equipment"

Good news for those concerned with the rights of animals. HR 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, prohibits classification of military working dogs as "equipment." Relevant summary excerpted below if you're interested in the details. Full link at the bottom.

Subtitle G - Other Matters

Section 361 -

Directs the Secretary to classify military working dogs as canine members of the Armed Forces. Prohibits their classification as equipment.

Authorizes the Secretary concerned, after determining that a military working dog should be retired and that no suitable adoption is available, to transfer the dog to the 341st Training Squadron or to another location for adoption.

Authorizes the use of frequent traveler miles to facilitate such adoptions.

Requires the Secretary to:

(1) establish and maintain a system to provide veterinary care of retired military working dogs, and

(2) create a decoration or other appropriate recognition to recognize such dogs that are killed in action or perform an exceptionally meritorious or courageous act during their service.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr4310#summary/libraryofcongress