What's That You Say?
What's happening out there in comment land? Since the last time we sat down and had a heart-to-heart, a lot has happened in the world around us. Maybe you're still coming down off of a Saturday spent viewing all five Best Picture nominees in one sitting before last night's Academy Awards; or perhaps you spent the weekend attempting to score Radiohead tickets. But, fear not, for now it's time to recognize you, our beloved pundits and responders.
But let's just get one thing straight. When you take an ordinary Morning Roundup thread and turn it into a discussion about Yoda's physical condition (and precise age), the curse of the Sith Lords being murdered by their apprentices, and Wookiepedia - well, you make it really hard to pick one of those comments as our Comment of the Week. So, due to these extraordinary circumstances - and, admittedly a bit inspired by those Achievement in Audio Editing Oscars that go to four or five different people - we're giving out our first Thread of the Week Award.
To the 15 commenters who participated, congratulations. You'll now go down in history as the biggest, most impossibly nerdy commenter collective that we've ever honored. A finer acclaim we could not imagine.
After the jump, this week's best of the rest. Less Star Wars. But more Rick Santorum's crying children. So, it kind of evens out.
Photo by Bullneck.
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Always one of the first places we expect good comments: responses to DCPS' recent actions - this week, it's the banishment of foreign language study. Nate, what say you?
I'm okay with a foreign language not being required, but it makes no sense at all to me to forbid 9th graders from taking one. The rationale from Rhee's spokesperson would be absolutely laughable if it wasn't such sad proof of the incompetence of the system's guidance counselors and schedulers.
Is it possible that this is just a ham-fisted way of dealing with a serious shortage of foreign language teachers in the system and/or cutting that part of the budget? After all, it potentially cuts the number of class hours that need to be taught by up to 25% . . .
Regardless of the motives, there were strong opinions about the program - and tangentially, the system as a whole.
erahk0 took off the rosey red glasses:
Gee, i wish my child had a counselor in his DCPSshool. What school does yours go to? BTW, regarding music, language and anything else taught in school, I would rather have the subject NOT taught to my child at all then to have it taught by an ineffective teacher.
Whereas IMGoph offers up a compromise:
ok, i can see where they're coming from with regards to the need for core classes, etc.
but why not carve out an exemption for high-performing students. if i was an eighth grader going into ninth grade in DCPS, and i was a 4.0 student, why shouldn't i be allowed to enroll in spanish, french, german, etc.? it doesn't makes any damn sense to completely pander to the lowest common denominator...
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Every now and again, we like to throw a softball out there for you. You're welcome.
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Meeg puts the arrest of James Jay Lee, otherwise known as the Discovery Channel protester, in perspective:
You all, Lee is the only person who is fighting against the evil that is the Discovery Channel! We should be joining him, not locking him up! If we tolerate this, where will it stop? Are [sic] children will probably have to endure an entire Shark Month!
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Street cameras are going to be increasing in numbers. Good for fighting crime, or another invasion of privacy with little payoff?
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MarketLunch, on the doom and gloom forecast:
"WE"RE ALL GOING TO BE MILDLY INCONVENIENCED!!!"
Also note, from DCfist:
Quick, to the Soviet Safeway to deplete their entire stock of eggs, bread, milk, and buttwipe!
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Total Eclipse of the Moon Tomorrow? Umm, no, let's talk about Project Runway, instead. Oh, and thanks for the spoiler alert people, some of us are still catching up on DVRed episodes.
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Time for this week's awards. Unfortunately, we couldn't get Jon Stewart to host.
The Avatar Award for Achievement in the Field of Avatars is not a weak field - there are always plenty of heavyweight contenders. This week, it was a pretty close call. But how can you not laugh at Rick Santorum's children, sobbing after he conceded defeat to current Senator Bob Casey? Listen, I know it comes off as "mean" and all, but if you spent any time at all in Pennsylvania, you'd understand. Trust me, ballsdudeballs and I will be enjoying it, even if you're not. Add those crying kids to the list of the best avatars ever!
Also, minimalist plaudits are in order for honk and i will def get in your cab. See, you don't need a clever or succinct username, only a sentence without complete spelling or punctuation. Congratulations, your rebellious nature has earned you Username of the Week.
As always, keep watching the stars. And commenting. Don't stop doing that, either.