Pardon, but it's Time

Here's hoping President will pardon the soldiers like Lynndie England that were convicted for torture when they were actually only following orders and/or reacting with dark humor to the prevailing attitudes of the policy in place! Here's hoping that the murky line of who gives the orders--DOD government employees, CIA, or ranking military--is quickly cleared up so no more of our patriotic enlisted get in trouble for carrying through with poor policies from higher up.

Teaching Science with Theories

Why do we science teachers teach theories in science?

"Facts and evidence" are important for one to know so that students have some practical knowledge about the world. But the meaning of "facts and evidence" is what allows students to predict "what will happen if...?" and how to make and use technology to get the job done. Theories are the framework that give the "facts and evidence" meaning so that predictions can be made more accurately and so that technology that works can be produced.

In modern science, students are expected to learn both facts and theories for a more complete understanding of what we currently know about the universe--especially our world; and to more effectively predict what will happen in our world and be caused by our interactions with it.

Man has come a long way since nature's response to man's activities was considered magic or curse or blessing. It is the theories of science, even the ones that have been replaced with better theories, that have brought us to our current state of understanding of "cause and effect" in all realms of science and human endeavor and to our current state of technological achievement.

Think about the power of the Germ Theory in curing disease. Think about the Theory of Relativity in space travel and faster cars; the Electromagnetic Theory of light in developing lasers; the Atomic Theory is making plastics and MEMS and computers; and, yes, the "Theory of Evolution" in establishing principles of ecology and sustainability and in designing programs that will allow man to maintain society/civilization in response to the changes in the biosphere that are coming as the result of global warming.

I say teaching theories is a good thing.

Read a previous post on theories for a partial list of scientific theories.

Read some of my thoughts on responding to the results of global warming.

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I just read a blog post and its comments. That inspired me to comment back. The above is what I had to say about presenting scientific theories in the science classroom (k-12). Another reader had commented that today "facts and evidence" were being replaced by theories in the science classroom, or something to that effect. So here I am on my soapbox again.

New SpringWidget: UCTV Teacher's PET

Visit the Widget Gallery

I'll be writing about these programs from time to time. Meanwhile, enjoy the shows. The webpages have podcast links &/or ways to watch the streaming videos. These videos are geared towards teachers and faculty as professional development. They are entertaining and perfectly suitable for homeschool parents to stay up to date on educational practice.

Later!

Valerie

Ning Network

Vote 2008

This is from Simply Audiobooks. It may be purchased at a 24% discount.

Joe Biden: Promises to Keep

I will be voting for Obama and Biden (in case you haven't figured that out from my previous postings!).

I am extremely concerned about dishonest election strategies. Please encourage your local press to keep a sharp eye out for local shenanigans. Report anything you know of to network news and CNN blog sites. DO LET THE VOTE BE STOLEN EVER AGAIN.

Redefining the Constitution

I found it interesting that Governor Palin was willing to continue the practice of expanding the powers of the vice-president beyond those defined in the United States Constitution.

I was under the impression that a belief in the strict interpretation of The Constitution was a criteria of the Republicans for choosing justices to serve on the Supreme Court. Yet Cheney has managed to redefine the role of the Office of Vice-President without recourse to the intentions of the Founding Fathers, the authors of the Constitution of the United States.

The leaves of change can be had on items at Picket Fence Friends, a cafepress.com store.

Another surprise is the unquestioning acceptance of The Press for this expansion of VP-Power. Now that the new, expanded role of the Vice President is not subject to question and that now that the office is more powerful than was defined by the Founding Fathers, no one will say nay to such expansion of power--so says CNN when reporting on Palin and Biden's responses to the role of the Vice-President during their debate this past week.

Seems like expanding those powers, as would be the case if she is given the agenda of issues to work on as VP which she described during the vice-presidential candidates' debate this past week, would be a progressive interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. I find it interesting that such a progressive interpretation is anathema to the pro-life movement. A strict interpretation of the Constitution is required to support the pro-life claim that the Roe vs Wade decision is actually unconstitutional and should be repealed as such.

Why is no one suprised that this lady who is now the key role model of feminist accomplishment is not pro-choice?

For that matter, why is no one objecting to the politics that will force a seventeen-year-old into a marriage for which neither bride nor groom is mature enough?

Maybe she is not the Conservative that I thought she was.

I will be voting for Obama and Biden.
I am not an Originalist in terms of Constitutional Interpretation.

I believe that our Constitution is a flexible document with meaning that is to be interpreted against the needs of current society. I believe that the strength of our country lies in the value of our heritage that guides us in making ethical, democratic decisions that are held in check by the principles of our Constitution and Bill of Rights, yet allowing us to evolve into a an advanced society of the modern world.

Watch The Supreme Court on Trial on Link TV.
Here are some videos from Link TV on American Politics.

Change: the Byword of the 2008 Presidential Election

Ever since the motto of "Change" was stated by Obama, McCain has termed himself a maverick and has seemingly co-opted the slogan "Change" for his campaign byword. Which candidate used the word first? What is the meaning of this Word for each candidate? What spin is being spun?

Get this transforming image on items at Picket Fence Friends, a cafepress.com store. Name of image is Transforming and is a collage of Apophysis fractal flames.