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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
July 27, 2011
/ 25 Tamuz, 5771
Only in California? Don't bet on it
By Marybeth Hicks
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
I recently heard the first radio ad of the season for school supplies, so it won't be long before the bell rings and America's children file back into the classroom for another year.
Perfect timing for a pop quiz. Everyone grab a No. 2 lead pencil and join in.
Question 1: At the end of the past school year, an elementary school in Oakland, Calif., took some heat from parents for telling their students there are more than two: A) ways to skin a cat; B) political parties in America; C) sides to every argument; D) genders.
The answer is D, of course.
At Redwood Heights Elementary School, the gender-bending "Gender Spectrum and Diversity Training" program - lasting two days - included the notion that there are "different ways to be boys and different ways to be girls," according to a report by the Culture and Media Institute. The public school used a $1,500 grant from the California Teachers Association to fund the program, which also featured a visit from single-sex Hawaiian geckos and transgender clown fish.
Must be the kids in Oakland are already so well-versed in the core curriculum that they have time on their hands to consider the New Age issue of sexual identity, that being, "With which gender do I identify today?"
Really, if you don't know by now that gender identity is "fluid" and can change throughout the life cycle, you're clearly not paying attention.
Let's move on to the next question and come back to this issue later.
Question 2: According to a report by the Civic Engagement Research Group (CERG) at Mills College, Calif., students' knowledge of civics can be described as: A) comparable to that of John Adams; B) comparable to that of Speaker of the House John A. Boehner; C) comparable to that of Killer Clown John Wayne Gacy; D) comparable to that of a potted plant.
The answer is D, potted plant.
OK, that's not exactly what CERG's California Survey of Civic Education said, but here's what it did say: "v verall students only averaged a little over 60 percent correct on the commonly used survey items designed to test civics content knowledge, a low 'D' on most grading scales. While these results are consistent with national assessments, they are especially disturbing considering that the 12th graders surveyed had taken a course in U.S. government during their senior year."
California - and the nation - has a big problem when it comes to the civics education of our children. What little they learn through the social studies curriculum amounts to a watered-down version of "democracy" (small d), and certainly not an understanding of the sophisticated and complex constitutional republic that is our form of government.
But just in time for the new school year, Gov. Jerry Brown and the California Legislature are beefing up their social studies standards. Earlier this month, the governor signed into law "gay curriculum standards" that will require the Golden State's children not only to learn about "gay history" in America, but will also seek to identify the sexual orientation of historical figures and highlight those who are gay, lesbian, transgendered or bisexual.
The new standards are meant to indoctrinate California's children on the issue of homosexuality, and portray those who don't accept the normalcy of such behavior as bigoted (that would be you, Christians, Orthodox Jews and Muslims).
As for the question of how an LGBT curriculum will improve the already dismal civic education of California's children, the answer is pathetically obvious. It won't.
Now, the last question on our pop quiz: How long will it be before the California social studies standards on LGBT figures in history sweeps the nation and becomes the law of the land?
The answer is A - A New York minute.
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JWR contributor Marybeth Hicks, a wife of more than 20 years and mother of four children, lives in the Midwest. She uses her column to share her perspective on issues and experiences that shape families nationwide.
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