Comments for Crazy Like A Fox http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:28:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Racist? What? by Daniel http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/2011/10/racist-what/comment-page-1/#comment-4629 Daniel Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:28:06 +0000 http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/?p=323#comment-4629 The idea that Dr. Chavis is a racist is just plain silly. People need to chill a bit and think about what he is really saying, which is that regardless of race, getting a good education consisting of those core fundamental skills that Dr, Chavis espouses is the best way to become a high-achieving and productive member of society. The idea that Dr. Chavis is a racist is just plain silly. People need to chill a bit and think about what he is really saying, which is that regardless of race, getting a good education consisting of those core fundamental skills that Dr, Chavis espouses is the best way to become a high-achieving and productive member of society.

]]> Comment on Three Cups of Bitter Tea: One Man’s Mission to Deceive the World…One Lie at a Time by admin http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/2011/04/three-cups-of-bitter-tea-one-mans-mission-to-deceive-the-world-one-lie-at-a-time/comment-page-1/#comment-4615 admin Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:01:29 +0000 http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/?p=308#comment-4615 It's very disappointing. I recently read Jon Krakauer's expose of Mortenson and his charity, and the allegations of wrongdoing are extensive. Mortenson essentially treated his charity like a limitless personal bank account, where he wrote off incredibly expensive book costs (chartered flights, $100,000 ads, etc.) without sharing his royalties/earnings with the charity. Krakauer even claims that Mortenson used some of the "pennies" donated by school children to buy copies of his book. Mortenson allegedly had his charity buy large numbers of his books--all at the retail rather than resale cost--which inflated his sales numbers, hoisted him onto the bestseller list, and personally profited him because you make royalties on books purchased at retail rates. It’s very disappointing. I recently read Jon Krakauer’s expose of Mortenson and his charity, and the allegations of wrongdoing are extensive. Mortenson essentially treated his charity like a limitless personal bank account, where he wrote off incredibly expensive book costs (chartered flights, $100,000 ads, etc.) without sharing his royalties/earnings with the charity. Krakauer even claims that Mortenson used some of the “pennies” donated by school children to buy copies of his book. Mortenson allegedly had his charity buy large numbers of his books–all at the retail rather than resale cost–which inflated his sales numbers, hoisted him onto the bestseller list, and personally profited him because you make royalties on books purchased at retail rates.

]]> Comment on Three Cups of Bitter Tea: One Man’s Mission to Deceive the World…One Lie at a Time by Eugene http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/2011/04/three-cups-of-bitter-tea-one-mans-mission-to-deceive-the-world-one-lie-at-a-time/comment-page-1/#comment-4614 Eugene Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:53:52 +0000 http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/?p=308#comment-4614 Unbelievable. I actually bought his book for a friend who is into philanthropy. Good job 60 Minutes for exposing him. Unbelievable. I actually bought his book for a friend who is into philanthropy. Good job 60 Minutes for exposing him.

]]> Comment on Three Cups of Bitter Tea: One Man’s Mission to Deceive the World…One Lie at a Time by Kerry http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/2011/04/three-cups-of-bitter-tea-one-mans-mission-to-deceive-the-world-one-lie-at-a-time/comment-page-1/#comment-4613 Kerry Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:18:47 +0000 http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/?p=308#comment-4613 I am so angry about this revelation! I had a very difficult time getting through the book due to the density of description and lack of interesting style. I did finish the book though because I was compelled to know the entire story; after all, it combined two of my biggest interests: philanthropy and education. I found the section where he was kidnapped by the Taliban to be the most interesting and incredible. I guess I'm not totally shocked that the section is untrue. I want my time and money back! Worst of all, Mortenson has made an incredible amount of money and apparently lives a fabulous jetsetting lifestyle and isn't even supporting the charities he writes about in the book. Shame on him! I don't know how reasonable it is to expect publishers to fact check non-fiction books they publish- especially ones that would seem to be as difficult and likely expensive to check as Three Cups of Tea seems it would be, but I think there should be some accountability somewhere. The integrity of the genre is at stake. I am so angry about this revelation! I had a very difficult time getting through the book due to the density of description and lack of interesting style. I did finish the book though because I was compelled to know the entire story; after all, it combined two of my biggest interests: philanthropy and education. I found the section where he was kidnapped by the Taliban to be the most interesting and incredible. I guess I’m not totally shocked that the section is untrue. I want my time and money back! Worst of all, Mortenson has made an incredible amount of money and apparently lives a fabulous jetsetting lifestyle and isn’t even supporting the charities he writes about in the book. Shame on him!
I don’t know how reasonable it is to expect publishers to fact check non-fiction books they publish- especially ones that would seem to be as difficult and likely expensive to check as Three Cups of Tea seems it would be, but I think there should be some accountability somewhere. The integrity of the genre is at stake.

]]> Comment on The National School Lunch Program: Contributing to Childhood Obesity? by llmc http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/2010/02/the-national-school-lunch-program-contributing-to-childhood-obesity/comment-page-1/#comment-4605 llmc Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:54:40 +0000 http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/?p=145#comment-4605 Ok, perhaps the school lunches aren't as healthy as we'd like them to be...but I'd like to know how ONE unhealthy meal contributes to obesity. I've had lunch at school with my son and have eaten the food myself; they give me a little more bc i'm an adult but the portions they're serving to the kids are not big. How about the foods that are served at home? Has anyone noticed that most obese kids have obese parents? Has anyone ever glanced at a shopping cart of an obese person? It's not filled with fresh fruits and vegetables that's for sure! Keep in mind the weekends and holidays the kids AREN'T in school--what are they eating at HOME during this time? Healthy eating habits come from the HOME, and it's pretty simple really. Soda, pastries, fatty meats, NOT HEALTHY...Water, fruits, veggies, LEAN meats, HEALTHY...how hard was that? Those were just a few examples; with the internet available, I'm sure if parents didn't know and wanted to, they can look it up. There's no excuse (except for perhaps a medical reason) for being obese, and being ignorant as to how to eat healthy. Ok, perhaps the school lunches aren’t as healthy as we’d like them to be…but I’d like to know how ONE unhealthy meal contributes to obesity. I’ve had lunch at school with my son and have eaten the food myself; they give me a little more bc i’m an adult but the portions they’re serving to the kids are not big. How about the foods that are served at home? Has anyone noticed that most obese kids have obese parents? Has anyone ever glanced at a shopping cart of an obese person? It’s not filled with fresh fruits and vegetables that’s for sure! Keep in mind the weekends and holidays the kids AREN’T in school–what are they eating at HOME during this time? Healthy eating habits come from the HOME, and it’s pretty simple really. Soda, pastries, fatty meats, NOT HEALTHY…Water, fruits, veggies, LEAN meats, HEALTHY…how hard was that? Those were just a few examples; with the internet available, I’m sure if parents didn’t know and wanted to, they can look it up. There’s no excuse (except for perhaps a medical reason) for being obese, and being ignorant as to how to eat healthy.

]]> Comment on The National School Lunch Program: Contributing to Childhood Obesity? by Haywood Jablome http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/2010/02/the-national-school-lunch-program-contributing-to-childhood-obesity/comment-page-1/#comment-4599 Haywood Jablome Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:51:32 +0000 http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/?p=145#comment-4599 If you qualify for subsidized lunch then you also qualify for food stamps. If you don't like your options at school you can pack something else from the subsidized food you have at home. Are the children poor and hungry, or obese? The two are mutually exclusive. The problem is not childhood obesity, it is parental defect. Further, you are supposed to learn to cook at home. We can't afford to hire teachers to train you in basic life skills and the students should not be subjected to this waste of time. If that were the case we would also require coursework in how to clean a toilet and how to cut your grass, assuming of course you do not exploit illegal labor to perform these tasks. If you qualify for subsidized lunch then you also qualify for food stamps. If you don’t like your options at school you can pack something else from the subsidized food you have at home. Are the children poor and hungry, or obese? The two are mutually exclusive. The problem is not childhood obesity, it is parental defect. Further, you are supposed to learn to cook at home. We can’t afford to hire teachers to train you in basic life skills and the students should not be subjected to this waste of time. If that were the case we would also require coursework in how to clean a toilet and how to cut your grass, assuming of course you do not exploit illegal labor to perform these tasks.

]]> Comment on How is technology affecting children’s concentration, empathy, impulse control? by admin http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/2010/06/how-is-technology-affecting-childrens-concentration-empathy-impulse-control/comment-page-1/#comment-4384 admin Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:56:23 +0000 http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/?p=266#comment-4384 I agree that parents placing limits on disruptive technology use is important; however, it's also rather frightening how without external controls many individuals (adults and children) struggle to turn off the devices and engage in more natural activities. I agree that parents placing limits on disruptive technology use is important; however, it’s also rather frightening how without external controls many individuals (adults and children) struggle to turn off the devices and engage in more natural activities.

]]> Comment on How is technology affecting children’s concentration, empathy, impulse control? by Eugene http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/2010/06/how-is-technology-affecting-childrens-concentration-empathy-impulse-control/comment-page-1/#comment-4383 Eugene Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:59:24 +0000 http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/?p=266#comment-4383 I think this is just another case of disruptive technology and the process of adapting to it. As with TV, video games, and other entertainment, the amount of time kids spend on Facebook, messaging, emailing, and chatting need to be limited by the parents. I think this is just another case of disruptive technology and the process of adapting to it. As with TV, video games, and other entertainment, the amount of time kids spend on Facebook, messaging, emailing, and chatting need to be limited by the parents.

]]> Comment on “The Dance of the Lemons” in Los Angeles Unified School District by admin http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/2010/02/the-dance-of-the-lemons-in-los-angeles-public-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4373 admin Thu, 06 May 2010 16:46:40 +0000 http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/?p=150#comment-4373 LA Teacher, thank you for expressing your opinion; that's not easy to do when most of the comments express views contrary to your own. I must say, though, that in my experience and observations, the percentage of lame teachers is much higher than 1% (as you estimate) and that tenure and seniority allow unmotivated teachers to stay on the payroll without improving their teaching performance. I also believe that tenure and seniority favor adults, not the children they are supposed to educate. LA Teacher, thank you for expressing your opinion; that’s not easy to do when most of the comments express views contrary to your own. I must say, though, that in my experience and observations, the percentage of lame teachers is much higher than 1% (as you estimate) and that tenure and seniority allow unmotivated teachers to stay on the payroll without improving their teaching performance. I also believe that tenure and seniority favor adults, not the children they are supposed to educate.

]]> Comment on “The Dance of the Lemons” in Los Angeles Unified School District by LA Teacher http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/2010/02/the-dance-of-the-lemons-in-los-angeles-public-schools/comment-page-1/#comment-4372 LA Teacher Wed, 05 May 2010 13:36:00 +0000 http://crazylikeafoxthebook.com/?p=150#comment-4372 Admin, the tenure and seniority systems are necessary to maintain the professional status of teaching as a profession. Without them you will have a much lower quality of person in all classrooms across the board. This is because without these reasonable safeguards against pesonal politics and the subjective whims of a principal, people of intelligence and character simply will not subject themselves to $23,000 a year hell. Finally, the percentage of truly lame teachers is low in the LAUSD schools I have observed. What you find sometimes are the goodie two shoes type teachers lambasting the creative standout teachers, or teacjers with charisma who make a real positive impact on the lives of their students. Truly deadbeat teachers are at maybe 1%. Let them stay if it means - and it does - that the safeguards that protect these 1% lemons are also responsible for maintaining a higher caliber of teaching corps overall. Admin, the tenure and seniority systems are necessary to maintain the professional status of teaching as a profession. Without them you will have a much lower quality of person in all classrooms across the board. This is because without these reasonable safeguards against pesonal politics and the subjective whims of a principal, people of intelligence and character simply will not subject themselves to $23,000 a year hell.

Finally, the percentage of truly lame teachers is low in the LAUSD schools I have observed. What you find sometimes are the goodie two shoes type teachers lambasting the creative standout teachers, or teacjers with charisma who make a real positive impact on the lives of their students.

Truly deadbeat teachers are at maybe 1%. Let them stay if it means – and it does – that the safeguards that protect these 1% lemons are also responsible for maintaining a higher caliber of teaching corps overall.

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