Musings, half-thoughts and loose brain cells from vacation

School talk

Last week brought to an end an extremely volatile school year. And, as much as I’d like to say it’s over, I suspect the fun is only just beginning. Certain words are being whispered in relation to Jeffco that, well, nobody likes or wants to hear. Strap in, folks–;it’s going to be an interesting fall.

By the way, in case you were wondering if the controversy over the Advanced Placement U.S. History (APUSH) class had gone away, last week a group from the National Association of Scholars–;academics, historians, politicos from across the political spectrum–;released a statement saying the College Board’s new curriculum framework for APUSH was irreparably flawed. In case you were wondering …

Vacation plans

When I write or speak, I try to keep one thought in mind: Know your audience. The same, it turns out, is true of vacations. So, for instance, if your family is active, enjoys entertainment and is a big fan of not having to clean up after itself on vacation, then renting a houseboat may not be the greatest plan.

That said, Lake Powell is unbelievable in its grandeur and beauty.

And, while trying not to sound like a member of the Utah Tourism Board, I have to say Utah fascinates me. Parts of it match the majestic beauty of Colorado. Parts are like a landscape out of an Edgar Rice Burroughs story. And still other parts look like a post-apocalyptic wasteland. If you’ve never been there, I would highly recommend it.

Ninja fun

Admit it–;half the fun of “American Ninja Warrior” is watching the really cocky ones splash down in spectacular and ignominious ways.

And, of course, the other half is that it gives us adults a good excuse to play on the playground equipment while “watching” our children.

Smart debate

There’s a rule of debate someone once taught me: He who invokes a Hitler comparison first, loses. The idea is there has actually never been a situation truly comparable to the Nazis, so to compare anything to that regime is to admit your arguments are weak and you have to stretch for hyperbole. One should also be particularly circumspect, for that very same reason, whenever one wants to compare something to Jim Crow laws in the south before the Civil Rights Act.

Especially when the one making the comparison knows–;or should know–;that anything they say wrong will be amplified a million times to make them look bad.

Be competent

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again–;I think Americans are a forgiving bunch, in general, and are willing to overlook philosophical differences, to a degree. What they are not, I believe, is tolerant of incompetence. It’s true at every level, from sports franchises to local boards to the federal government. Be bold, be different, but, for gosh sakes, be competent.

Horsing around

Wonder if 25 years from now, after siring hundreds of other horses, American Pharoah will have any confusion about his gender identity, and what could be done about it if he did? Maybe that ridgling rumor will have long-term effects …

Too soon for that joke?

Just do it

And, finally, a reminder from my favorite movie milieu: You may not always know what you should do, or what a better person might do in your place–;all you can do is what you can do. So do it.

Golden Transcript – Latest Stories