Unfortunate Allegations of Common Core Corruption

As I've mentioned, when our kids' school implemented the Common Core State Standards, I was optimistic. After the tests were behind us I was very pleased with the way my son's teacher had prepared them, both academically and emotionally. He came home happy that he had a break from homework. His most unpleasant experience with the state testing was after he had completed his tests, having to wait until the allotted time was over. I thought it all was behind us.

Boy Scouts Lift Ban on Gay Youth, But...

I've written before about my challenges with the Boy Scouts discriminatory policies against atheists. As much as this policy bothers me, their discrimination based on sexual orientation has always seemed worse. At least atheism goes against their "Fundamental Principles." Sexual orientation based discrimination requires interpretation of specific beliefs and/or values.

Can Quantum Physics Renew The Quest For Cosmic Consciousness?

Two scientists are proposing this quantum theory of consciousness that the essence of our soul is contained inside structures called microtubules within brain cells and that our experience of consciousness is the result of quantum gravity effects in these microtubules.

This theory, which they dubbed orchestrated objective reduction (Orch-OR), is practically identical to what I used to believe when I was a teenager.

Mother's Day Eat And Run

For Mother's Day we had a delicious brunch at The Beehive. Then we went hiking at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

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Ezra's Bar Mitzvah

We went to Baltimore for Ezra's bar mitzvah. It was great to see our family. We had a lot of fun.
                             
More pictures below:

Inner Harbor

While we were in Baltimore for Ezra's bar mitzvah we went walking around the Inner Harbor. Then we went for lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Later we went bowling with the Seegulls.

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Social Media Pet Peeves

The Brian Lehrer Show asked What are your biggest social media pet peeves?

Here are a few of my twitter pet peeves and recommendations, followed by their favorite responses: