C'mon Irene...Let's Get This Over With

The build up to this hurricane has been one of the most tedious events of my life.  Day after day of impending doom.  Well it looks like Irene will be here on Long Island some time tomorrow.  I am praying for the best.  The family and I are hunkered down en mi casa and everything is all battened down.  Let's get this over with so we can get on with life.

Stay safe my friends...

Dear Gov. Perry

I heard you say that Evolution is some idea out there and that in Texas you teach our children Creationism along side evolution as another theory.  As a science teacher my students understand that a theory is not some "best guess" thrown out there to explain something.   A theory holds all the weight of the experimental evidence behind it.  A theory is something that explains the data and is not something we take lightly.

Creationism is not science.  There is no data to back it up.  For example, some say that the earth is thousands of years old, however uranium dating (accurate to the time frame of a presidents term) puts it at something like 4.5 billion years. The data doesn't lie.  Taking something that is faith based and trying to put it forward as science minimizes the importance of each.

My students always ask me if I believe in evolution.  Science is not something to believe in.  Science is the response to observations and experimentation.  Belief is an issue of faith.  As a person of faith I have long since reconciled my understanding of science and the universe with my religious beliefs as have countless people (including the current Pope) over the many years since Mr. Darwin published his work.  My faith is important to me but it has no place in my classroom.  I will share my knowledge of science with my students but my beliefs remain my own...remember separation of Church and State.

What you have done to schools in Texas with respect to science is disgraceful.  No matter what the residents think on issues of faith, no matter whether or not they believe in a higher power, teaching Creationism as science is just wrong.  If you think this belongs in school show me the data...

Shooter Jennings - Outlaw You

A lot of folks in NashVegas are not gonna like this.  Not one bit.  Fuck 'em.

Hey Justin Moore and Eric Church...I think he's talking to you.

Jeff Bridges New Album

I've been streaming the new Jeff Bridges album on Spotify this morning.  It's not bad.  Unfortunately what it is is boring.  Mr. Bridges was great in Crazy Heart where his warm, comfortable vocals were on display.  Removed from the movies he sounds a tad too comfortable...almost sleepy.  T-Bone Burnett does his usual production which too is getting a tad bit predictable.  All in all not worth my time for a second listen.

The Wood Brothers - Looney Tunes 8/15/11

 The Wood Brothers played a nice little one hour set at Looney Tunes CDs yesterday in support of their new album "Smoke Ring Halo".  They played most of this fine album (review to follow in a few days), a couple of older songs and a cover or two. 

I was never a big Medeski Martin & Wood fan but I have to say I really enjoyed yesterday's set.  It had a kind of quirky Americana feel to it, and Chris Wood is simply a killer bass player.  Check out the video below for "Chevrolet".



Sorry for the crappy video quality, I shot it on my phone.

Wood Brothers promo for Luckiest Man


Here's Luckiest Man from Looney Tunes yesterday...