About
Carl Sagan on the human conceit
Man created god in his image: intolerant, sexist, homophobic, and violent.
(Source: milkywaymusings)
This week is Parent Conference week. We meet with all of the parents of the kids in our advisory class. Today I met with a bright young student and her parents. She is succeeding in almost every subject. On top of doing well in school, her parents are having her learn to play the piano, she’s enrolled in a local gym, and is running every weekend on the school track.
She’s just having problem in one subject: science. The only unit that’s been covered so far? Evolution.
I offered to help her study.
On the way out, one of the parents grabbed my arm and said, “I really want you to stress that evolution is just a theory.”
I was too in shock to say anything. I mean, yeah I know I’ve heard about it happening, but I’ve never had a PARENT tell me that they want me, as a teacher, to tell the child that a standard of education isn’t important.
Sure. We’ll go over theory when I help her study.
The theory of gravity.
The theory of plate techtonics.
The theory of germs.
Fuck you. You’re harming your child’s education. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Helvetebrann being a total badass.
A 30-year-old Portland woman who botched a home circumcision of her 3-month-old son has been sentenced to five years of probation.
Keemonta Peterson was arrested last April after a lengthy investigation into the October 2010 incident. Peterson, inspired after reading the Old Testament, decided she wanted her son to be circumcised.
But because she believed he was too old to be circumcised by doctors, she decided to do it herself, after watching YouTube videos. She called 911 after the botched circumcision left her son bleeding uncontrollably and in great pain.
On Monday (Aug. 15), Peterson pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mistreatment and agreed to undergo mental health treatment and to work with a mental health probation officer. Two other charges of abuse were dismissed.
Doctors completed the circumcision and the boy has fully recovered, said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney John Casalino. The boy and his three siblings are in the state’s care, although Peterson can see them under supervision.
