Posts

Undermining History

  There is a common phrase that I believe to be absolute truth. “Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Unfortunately, there is another phrase this becoming more relevant and for the wrong reasons, “History is written by the victors.” We are living in a time where some people in power are afraid of the history that has shaped our country. All civilizations throughout history have had blackspots or moments that they are not proud of. These moments help define and even can help direct the direction that civilization will go. Those that learn and adapt, will grow and move beyond that blackspot. Our country is no exception. Our history is filled with negative moments that show us in a less than ideal light. However, learning from these moments to be better and to strive to do better is what is going to keep our country moving forward. Yet, there are so many that would rather sweep these moments under a rug and forget that they happened. Take this example fro...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Graduation Wrap-up

  This is the last Wrap-up for the academic year and I share this content to recognize our graduates. Although full access to JSTOR is not available to students registered on the Gallup campus, it distributes information and news through several widely available channels.   JSTOR Daily is where “news meets its scholarly match.” In other words, it “ contextualizes current events with scholarship.” And importantly, any research germane to the Daily is available in full text. The Daily from June 18, addresses the History of Graduation Ceremonies and Other School Rituals . The information is timely and well-researched.   Readers may wish to subscribe to the Daily and receive the Daily (comes as a weekly digest) as well as related readings from the Web. The splash page of the Daily also includes a search box accessible by clicking on the menu icon next to the JSTOR logo. The menu icon also activates a pull-down browsable selection of topical areas including: Arts & Cul...
Post a Comment
Read more

Earth Day and Environmental Policies

 This week’s Wrap-up is reference to environmental policies and decisions affecting the desert Southwest, It is also a brief history of the government action and actors.    In 1906, the Congress of the United States passed The Antiquities Act which authorized the President of the United States to set aside lands intended for:  With that authority, President Bill Clinton, in 1996 designated the Grand Staircase-Escalante area of Utah as a National Monument.  For the First time in history, the Bureau of Land Management assumed administrative control of a National Monument.  In 2016, President Obama designated Bears Ears a National Monument .  Also, for the first time, the proclamation came at the request of Native tribes in the area. Today, five tribal entities share in its management. In 2017 though, President Trump reduced protected areas by 85% and 50% of Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase Escalante respectively.  Litigation followed as...
Post a Comment
Read more

The World Press Review Online

  It is an understatement to suggest that other nations often view the United States differently than we do ourselves.   This fact is particularly true today as there is no international consensus relative to many international issues.   Although many of you may not agree with those other points of view, as students and citizens of the world, our time might be well-spent becoming familiar with how others understand the issues of the day.   The World Press Review Online is not only a digest of world press clippings, it is a portal to international information resources, and it is a featured website. Its homepage features “In the Spotlight,” a collection of excerpted articles and analysis of news stories from around the world.   You may also select the link “World Headlines” to access a regularly updated headline service or links under the menu heading, “Features.”    Of those links, “ Think-Tanks/NGO’s ” may be particularly helpful to those looking f...
Post a Comment
Read more

Center for Inquiry

  Weekly Web Wrap-up This week’s entry is the Center for Inquiry , which may raise some eyebrows. Richard Dawkins, best known for his atheistic views, is its founder.    Although some may find his non-religionist beliefs discomforting, his purpose is not to proselytize but to advocate for the separation of theistic thinking from public policy and science.    In addition, the Center actively supports those individuals who may be subject to scorn because of similar beliefs. The Center is program-driven . Some program examples follow: Through the auspices of the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) , the Center publishes materials for middle school teachers who teach evolution science in their classrooms.    The Young Skeptics program promotes Inquiry-based learning and critical thinking.   One activity supporting these objectives is the Cranky Uncle app. One other program may be of benefit to many. Quackwatch markets itself as a ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Counterbalance

  Counter Balance is a database having Science as the focus.   It is also about connections.   The creators, of Counterbalance (2023) describe their work as “a non-profit educational organization working to promote the public understanding of science, and how the sciences relate to wider society.  It is our hope that individuals, and society as a whole will benefit from a struggle toward integrated and counterbalanced responses to complex questions.”   Many of the complex questions carry theological themes and matters of faith.   Its intended audience includes both the general population and undergraduates.   Hypertext links found on the Website exceed 300,000, and it includes over 200 hours of streaming media.   Its essayists and contributors are experts and academics from a variety of fields such as in the life and physical sciences, philosophy, law and theology.   Unlike most databases, Counter Balance is organized along several differen...
Post a Comment
Read more

Wretched Writers Welcome

  It was an overcast and dusty d ay on the campus mesa of UNM-Gallup.   The few students who had intrepidly braved the flight of tumbleweeds rolling across the parking lot were busy guessing what facts and concepts they may need to recall for their final exams.   Others sought refuge in the sheltering corners of adobe-style buildings where the orbs of Russian sage pile high or pass overhead. Although the wise and sage college librarian was equally quiet, his mind busied itself with thoughts of new LibGuides, student research, keywords subject headings and controlled vocabulary.   And then … Actually, this might be my submission to the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest , named after a 19th century Victorian author who first penned the words “it was a dark and stormy night.” Here, “WWW means Wretched Writers Welcome.”   The website documenting the contest is this week’s Wrap-up.   Visitors to the site can read the winning submissions from this year’s contest, ...
Post a Comment
Read more