The Peel district I would guess wants to hurry along the new world order. No reminders of those pesky historical facts or fiction. This way their desired effect will be much easier to implement. Are the citizens there really going to allow this? Very scary indeed. This is the first I have heard of using a date to decide what is taken away. I hope they all fight this.
I hope so as well. I found 2008 is the new Year Zero absolutely shocking. So very sinister. I had not heard of it before either. Thus was before they started sifting the remaining books for 'inclusivity'. That movement should not be imported into the US or the UK.
The US does have the Freedom to Read statement which the major publishers and indeed libraries have signed. The UK doesn't. Neither would it appear does Canada.
I have been looking for your input in The Free Press comments and finally tracked you down and subscribed. I’m stateside but I enjoy your view of the world across the pond. My family emigrated to the US before the Revolutionary War and we date back many generations in The British Isles. London is one of my favorite cities. I enjoy your updates very much and am delighted to have found you.
Ah I had some jip from other commentators including one woman asking me not to post anymore. Thus I thought I'd just keep it here. The Free Press has become huge.
I am delighted you found me.
Fabulous that your family was pre Revolutionary War -- some of mine were as well. One of the odd things when I first came over here was going to old houses where they had various objects from the great General Cornwallis -- made me realise that history can vary depending on which country is telling the story.
Well I enjoyed your posts. Well-written and informative. You might be interested in this: www.burgwinwrighthouse.com. General Cornwallis stayed here for a few weeks after capturing Wilmington, which is not far from me. We call it the Cornwallis House, although he was there only a short time. Funny coincidence.
I love and adore old houses. One of the reasons I used to really enjoy writing Regency/Victorian. The Viking built in wood and there is not much that remains except the stave churches. I just find everything fascinating.
People forget the American Revolution in the Carolinas was neither pretty nor straightforward. It was a fairly brutal war of attrition and the 'Wild Geese' who had flown after the Jacobite Rebellion were not inclined to give much quarter to British troops. (NB -- some of my ancestors were from the Carolinas) but it is really where America won the war.
I loved Alison's photo. So v kind of her to do that.
And I forgot to say I am so pleased for Graham Lineham. I know some of the people who worked on his book. Apparently the chapters on comedy writing are a masterclass and more than worth the price of the book.
Hello Northumberland... This is Ohio calling... Better late than never? (I picked the wrong day to have insomnia. Ugh.)-:
That's interesting about the Chinese kids. That's the same over here. They put the lie to the idea that minorities can't get ahead. I guess that's why they're called "white adjacent," because they place emphasis on getting ahead.
I think that's just *great* how well Roisin Murphy and Graham Linehan are doing. #2! More power to them. TRAs are so bigoted, they hafta cancel everybody that doesn't agree with their trash. And them to call others bigoted. I think Kathleen Stock's comment is right on the money:
“This is about the performance of moral goodness and guilt-expiation by posh, publicly-school educated people, and not much else. There is no link between talent and identity, though you can market identity to a certain kind of gullible reader."
Posh, publicly-schooled educated people are the main problem over here too. The elites who run the world.
But Canada now... They're about as bad as Scotland, if not worse. Empty shelves indeed! I just hope Your government can get its act together on the trans guidelines.
And I saw that about Scott Smith getting pardoned. That whole affair was a travesty.
I thought you'd find it interesting about Chinese kids -- the whole table is interesting. Asian students overall do far better than white. Every group except white British does better on educational mobility. The only people to do worse than white British at Key Stage 2, particularly poor white British boys are the travellers and the white Irish.
I know you can't compare apples with oranges, but I have to wonder if someone has looked at deindustrialization and the tendency of people to stay within their communities because they are receipt of social benefits v those who are willing to leave the family behind as a factor in social or occupational mobility. We have a lot of old pit villages in Northumberland and Durham where a certain section of the populace has not worked since the pits closed down. It is also about which groups value education.
I don't what the answer is but skin tone/ethnic background is overly simplistic in my humble opinion.
TY for writing, Michelle. My timing's off today. Just got back from walk.
Your humble opinion is right.
And I think we have similar situation here in Appalachia and elsewhere. For some people, roots don't matter a lick. Free to go wherever. "Loose ties" mean as much as family. Peers more important than parents. Citizens of the world. I guess I'm sort-a like that, but I've lived my whole life where my parents moved in '64. For other reasons, I suppose.
I was real lucky. Parents valued education. So tho I'm awfully ignorant, I do like to read. Had a good career, although no diplomas. Others not so fortunate. People that don't value education are hopeless, AFAIK.
It is about what people do with what they are given. When I first arrived in the UK back in 1984, I was really surprised to learn that only 7% went on to higher education. They had a lot of apprenticeships etc. Vocational training. Most teachers went to teacher training college. Nurses to nursing college and so on.
One of the big growth industries in the US during the 1960s was higher education -- the question is was it necessary for all sorts of jobs? For example you don't need a MFA (Masters in Fictional Arts) to be a published author -- some people think you do and the MFA does provide employment for some author/academic types but it is no guarantee you can tell a good story.
By in large people who value education do seem to do better in life.
My timing has been off all day. Just got back from library. Reading Vonnegut and Terry Pratchett.
I wonder if Vonnegut had same opinion of MFA as You did. I think he taught at Iowa, but I think also that it was brief. And, yeah. This idea that only people who have degrees are worth anything was spawned by college administrators who decided it should be Big Business. Also where idea of kids going to college are "customers" instead-a students.
If vocational schools were subsidized the way colleges are, the world would be a different place. A better place, IMHO.
Vonnegut founded the first MFA. It is one of those things-- there has been proliferation of courses and degrees which put up barriers. Pratchett is great. I am currently finishing up the Wheel of Time as I saved the Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan co-written ones. They are v good. The next Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling) is out on 26 Sept The Running Grave -- make sure to reserve from the libaray.
I do wish vocational schools were valued more. Artisans builders and indeed people who can do the maintenance work are desperately needed. Yes people can buy mass produced (and I know the reasons and do buy as well) but the skills in creating a chair or indeed table are incredible. We don't want to lose those skills. It is why the King for many years has sponsored apprenticeship for people to learn the crafts which are dying out. Dry stone walling, thatched roofing, hedge laying etc. Also some people are far more hands on than academic and vocational schools are places where they can shine.
TY for the info, Ma'am. I didn't know that about Vonnegut.
And I didn't know that about JKR's book. I'm number 171 on list of people asking for it. Luckily there's 71 copies of the book in the system, but still...
And You're so right, Michelle, about vocational schools.
And a quick comment in case you haven't seen it but Youngkin pardoned Scott Smith, the man who was hauled out of the Loudon County school board meeting. This is a UK take op ed take: https://archive.ph/2023.09.13-183838/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/09/13/glenn-youngkin-trans-toilets-gender-self-id-loudoun-county/
The Peel district I would guess wants to hurry along the new world order. No reminders of those pesky historical facts or fiction. This way their desired effect will be much easier to implement. Are the citizens there really going to allow this? Very scary indeed. This is the first I have heard of using a date to decide what is taken away. I hope they all fight this.
Oh-Alison’s pic of your book is wonderful!
I hope so as well. I found 2008 is the new Year Zero absolutely shocking. So very sinister. I had not heard of it before either. Thus was before they started sifting the remaining books for 'inclusivity'. That movement should not be imported into the US or the UK.
The US does have the Freedom to Read statement which the major publishers and indeed libraries have signed. The UK doesn't. Neither would it appear does Canada.
I have been looking for your input in The Free Press comments and finally tracked you down and subscribed. I’m stateside but I enjoy your view of the world across the pond. My family emigrated to the US before the Revolutionary War and we date back many generations in The British Isles. London is one of my favorite cities. I enjoy your updates very much and am delighted to have found you.
Ah I had some jip from other commentators including one woman asking me not to post anymore. Thus I thought I'd just keep it here. The Free Press has become huge.
I am delighted you found me.
Fabulous that your family was pre Revolutionary War -- some of mine were as well. One of the odd things when I first came over here was going to old houses where they had various objects from the great General Cornwallis -- made me realise that history can vary depending on which country is telling the story.
Well I enjoyed your posts. Well-written and informative. You might be interested in this: www.burgwinwrighthouse.com. General Cornwallis stayed here for a few weeks after capturing Wilmington, which is not far from me. We call it the Cornwallis House, although he was there only a short time. Funny coincidence.
I love and adore old houses. One of the reasons I used to really enjoy writing Regency/Victorian. The Viking built in wood and there is not much that remains except the stave churches. I just find everything fascinating.
People forget the American Revolution in the Carolinas was neither pretty nor straightforward. It was a fairly brutal war of attrition and the 'Wild Geese' who had flown after the Jacobite Rebellion were not inclined to give much quarter to British troops. (NB -- some of my ancestors were from the Carolinas) but it is really where America won the war.
Oops. I forgot to compliment You and Alison on Your book cover and the book itself.
I loved Alison's photo. So v kind of her to do that.
And I forgot to say I am so pleased for Graham Lineham. I know some of the people who worked on his book. Apparently the chapters on comedy writing are a masterclass and more than worth the price of the book.
V kind.
Hello Northumberland... This is Ohio calling... Better late than never? (I picked the wrong day to have insomnia. Ugh.)-:
That's interesting about the Chinese kids. That's the same over here. They put the lie to the idea that minorities can't get ahead. I guess that's why they're called "white adjacent," because they place emphasis on getting ahead.
I think that's just *great* how well Roisin Murphy and Graham Linehan are doing. #2! More power to them. TRAs are so bigoted, they hafta cancel everybody that doesn't agree with their trash. And them to call others bigoted. I think Kathleen Stock's comment is right on the money:
“This is about the performance of moral goodness and guilt-expiation by posh, publicly-school educated people, and not much else. There is no link between talent and identity, though you can market identity to a certain kind of gullible reader."
Posh, publicly-schooled educated people are the main problem over here too. The elites who run the world.
But Canada now... They're about as bad as Scotland, if not worse. Empty shelves indeed! I just hope Your government can get its act together on the trans guidelines.
And I saw that about Scott Smith getting pardoned. That whole affair was a travesty.
TY as always Michelle! Cain't thankee enuf. ;-)
Hello Ohio!
I thought you'd find it interesting about Chinese kids -- the whole table is interesting. Asian students overall do far better than white. Every group except white British does better on educational mobility. The only people to do worse than white British at Key Stage 2, particularly poor white British boys are the travellers and the white Irish.
I know you can't compare apples with oranges, but I have to wonder if someone has looked at deindustrialization and the tendency of people to stay within their communities because they are receipt of social benefits v those who are willing to leave the family behind as a factor in social or occupational mobility. We have a lot of old pit villages in Northumberland and Durham where a certain section of the populace has not worked since the pits closed down. It is also about which groups value education.
I don't what the answer is but skin tone/ethnic background is overly simplistic in my humble opinion.
TY for writing.
TY for writing.
TY for writing.
TY for writing, Michelle. My timing's off today. Just got back from walk.
Your humble opinion is right.
And I think we have similar situation here in Appalachia and elsewhere. For some people, roots don't matter a lick. Free to go wherever. "Loose ties" mean as much as family. Peers more important than parents. Citizens of the world. I guess I'm sort-a like that, but I've lived my whole life where my parents moved in '64. For other reasons, I suppose.
I was real lucky. Parents valued education. So tho I'm awfully ignorant, I do like to read. Had a good career, although no diplomas. Others not so fortunate. People that don't value education are hopeless, AFAIK.
It is about what people do with what they are given. When I first arrived in the UK back in 1984, I was really surprised to learn that only 7% went on to higher education. They had a lot of apprenticeships etc. Vocational training. Most teachers went to teacher training college. Nurses to nursing college and so on.
One of the big growth industries in the US during the 1960s was higher education -- the question is was it necessary for all sorts of jobs? For example you don't need a MFA (Masters in Fictional Arts) to be a published author -- some people think you do and the MFA does provide employment for some author/academic types but it is no guarantee you can tell a good story.
By in large people who value education do seem to do better in life.
My timing has been off all day. Just got back from library. Reading Vonnegut and Terry Pratchett.
I wonder if Vonnegut had same opinion of MFA as You did. I think he taught at Iowa, but I think also that it was brief. And, yeah. This idea that only people who have degrees are worth anything was spawned by college administrators who decided it should be Big Business. Also where idea of kids going to college are "customers" instead-a students.
If vocational schools were subsidized the way colleges are, the world would be a different place. A better place, IMHO.
Vonnegut founded the first MFA. It is one of those things-- there has been proliferation of courses and degrees which put up barriers. Pratchett is great. I am currently finishing up the Wheel of Time as I saved the Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan co-written ones. They are v good. The next Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling) is out on 26 Sept The Running Grave -- make sure to reserve from the libaray.
I do wish vocational schools were valued more. Artisans builders and indeed people who can do the maintenance work are desperately needed. Yes people can buy mass produced (and I know the reasons and do buy as well) but the skills in creating a chair or indeed table are incredible. We don't want to lose those skills. It is why the King for many years has sponsored apprenticeship for people to learn the crafts which are dying out. Dry stone walling, thatched roofing, hedge laying etc. Also some people are far more hands on than academic and vocational schools are places where they can shine.
TY for the info, Ma'am. I didn't know that about Vonnegut.
And I didn't know that about JKR's book. I'm number 171 on list of people asking for it. Luckily there's 71 copies of the book in the system, but still...
And You're so right, Michelle, about vocational schools.
Oops again. Forgot to hit [Enter]. Sheesh on me!
Oops.