I just proved plancks constant with this kid I tutor in chemistry. I could
never do that when I was in high school.

Blue Line SMS post:
Just got back from 2 day college trip in San Diego. 48 tenth and eleventh graders to 4 colleges. They were angels, although a suspicious odor permeated the halls around 2 a.m.

I got a great report from the sub with very nice things to say about the school, but a negative report via text message from another teacher who got the scoop from a student in my 4th period. Bottom line is, four 10th grade boys are going to be surprised they have 1 hour detentions on Monday.

Fan-fucking-tastic talent show and awards ceremony. APB has got spirit afterall.

Obama Faces Gay Groups' Growing Anger - Political Hotsheet - CBS News

I hope you've been following President Obama's recent actions on the equality. I know I have. To catch up, go here.

I've been stewing about this since the news broke last week, but something I read tonight just pushed me over the edge. Apparently equality is low priority for our president. According to his highest-ranking gay official, he plans to get around to matters of social justice sometime before this administration ends. We don't know when that is. After the midterms? When he is a lame duck in 3 or 7 years? The best we get is a vague timeline of "before the sun sets on this administration." Obama is apparently not willing to use any of his political capital to make sure that all Americans are treated equally under the law. Here's the straw that broke it for me:

Obama Faces Gay Groups' Growing Anger - Political Hotsheet - CBS News:

"It should be noted that there do appear to be efforts on behalf of gay Americans in the works: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday he is looking to pass hate crimes legislation before the August recess, and the extension of benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees is said to be on the way. But these are widely viewed as significant but relatively minor potential victories, and are not likely to quiet the growing anger among gay advocates if they do go through.

To do that, the president would likely need to take action on either DOMA or 'don't ask, don't tell.' And that probably won't happen anytime soon. On Sunday, John Berry, who is director of Office of Personnel Management and the highest-ranking gay official under Mr. Obama, told The Advocate that the administration plans to take action on both DOMA and 'don’t ask,' as well as an employment nondiscrimination bill, 'before the sun sets on this administration.'

Asked if that timeframe included a second term, Berry said, 'I say this in a broad sense -- our goal is to get this done on this administration's watch.'"

I'm just about finished with Obama. At this point, I'm supporting a primary challenger in 2012 and/or any sane Republican who has a shred of integrity and does what he or she says. Equality is clearly not a priority in the Obama administration. No action on Don't Ask, Don't Tell and a stab in the back with a rusty knife on the "Defense of Marriage Act." The winds of public opinion are even blowing on his back full force on DADT. This president has no courage and no convictions.

Americans shouldn't have to wait for Obama to become a lame duck before he tackles equality. What kind of president spits in the face of millions of Americans over and over before finally helping them up when its politically convenient? This coming from the president who said he could handle more than one thing at a time. Apparently he meant going out for burgers with Joe Biden while planning dates with Michelle in New York.

Our fierce advocate is a fraud.

We were better off under George W. Bush. At least he was open with his contempt for us.

Very dramatic day at school. Second instance of hate speech in a week. I'm sure they weren't the only two, but two extreme cases in the common area for students that somehow I was the only adult to witness. Never thought our wonderful 9th graders were capable of such hate. Lots of work to be done on that front.

On the other hand, the students published their first edition of their literary magazine. It was a work of pure genius that shows our students are capable of true greatness. Lots of blubbering students in awe of our students' writing.

Good thing the year is almost over. I can't handle too many more days of extreme highs and lows without a vacation.

9th graders totally have the best school spirit. Now, how do we exploit this next year to make sure it starts carrying over into the other grades?

I'm going in the dunk tank tomorrow during the spring carnival. How should I feel if I raise the most money from students willing to pay to dunk me? Probably not good. At least there will be bacon wrapped hot dogs to ease the pain.

Physics teacher put a screwdriver through his cheek over the weekend. He's alright, but damn that's terrifying. It was fun watching his class squirm while he told the story though. I bet they follow his safety directions when they start their robot project next week though.