I spent two seasons attending a Christian school, long since closed, which was sitting on the Troy-Lansingburgh border, from 1977-9. Could've stayed longer, by my late parents couldn't afford the rising cost of tuition, so I transferred to Troy High, and the rest, of course, is history.
But, enough about my history. Let's talk about a decision by a school superintendent in Oklahoma that mandates that the Bible be taught in public schools.
What Oklahoma superintendent Ryan Walters wants is to link the Bible with different points in world or American history. In an interview on The PBS News Hour, shown below, Walters cites the Pilgrims arriving in 1620, and the civil rights movement of the 60's, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as examples of his rationale.
Ah, yes, the dreaded Christian Nationalism, once again being shoved down the throats of average citizens by a Republican with an agenda. Some colleges offer courses in theology. What Walters is aiming for is to teach children about the Bible and its rich history well before college, much less high school. Notice how Walters dodged the question about Christian Nationalism, as it made him feel uncomfortable.
Here's my take. I would not start in elementary schools with Bible lessons. Save that for Sunday School. I would consider the prospect of making a course on the Bible and its relation to American or World history an elective, not a mandatory course, which is what Walters seems to be pushing. How can children between the ages of 5 to, say, about 8 or 9, grasp the story of, for example, Daniel in the lion's den without being scared? This is the part that Walters doesn't get.
Walters' proposal has gotten pushback from representatives of other religious groups (i.e. Muslims), which is not surprising. If I'm Walters, I would set an example for the children by inviting them and their families to a special service at his church, assuming he actually attends one, given how some high profile Republicans pretend to be full-on Christians, but don't practice what they, ah, preach. If it happens that he's not a regular at church, well, it'll seem like he's another GOPer talking through his hat.
The Three Stooges took time from their shooting schedule at Columbia to try a pilot for a possible TV series, bringing along repertory player Emil Sitka for Jerks of All Trades.
First produced in 1949, this was reissued nearly 30 years later.
Performed live, Jerks was a test to see if the Stooges could adapt to the new medium, using the same slapstick comedy we'd come to know & love for more than 15 years. However, the live format took away some of the charm of the classic shorts.
Here's a beach movie that didn't have Frankie Avalon or Annette Funicello.
United Artists released "For Those Who Think Young" in 1964. Our ensemble includes James Darren, Nancy Sinatra (papa Frank had gotten the rights to an earlier treatment for the movie), Paul Lynde, Sammee Tong (ex-Bachelor Father), Tina Louise, Bob Denver, Roger Smith (ex-77 Sunset Strip), George Raft, Robert Middleton, and, appearing as himself, Woody Woodbury, who had the enviable task of succeeding Johnny Carson on Who Do You Trust? after Carson left 2 years earlier for The Tonight Show.
We've previously showcased Denver performing "Ho Daddy (Surf's Up)". Now, you've got the whole film.
George O'Hanlon (The Jetsons) co-wrote the script. Just a few months later, Denver & Louise would team again on Gilligan's Island. Paul Lynde began recurring as Uncle Arthur on Bewitched a year later. James Darren contributed to another movie soundtrack in 1964----"Hey There, It's Yogi Bear"!
No rating. Just a public service as we begin what could be a long July 4 weekend for most folks.
Heart just missed the top 10 in 1977 with "Barracuda", which has become an FM radio staple, more than 45 years later.
Vocalist Ann Wilson explained that she wrote the song after she'd been disrespected by a promoter who was under the mistaken notion that she was in some sort of incestuous relationship with her sister, Nancy.
Heart were scheduled to play in Albany next month, but Ann Wilson recently underwent surgery to remove some cancerous cells, and has to undergo chemotherapy, forcing the band to cancel the remaining dates on their 2024 tour, which will be made up next year.
The New York State Office of General Services, which organizes the annual July 4 festivities at the Empire State Plaza, will need a new headliner for this year's edition on Thursday.
Grammy winner Bruce Hornsby and his current band, the Noisemakers, have cancelled due to Hornsby coming down with a case of laryngitis, leaving him unable to perform at this year's event.
File photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.
The program will still go on from 5-10 pm on Thursday, with a headliner to be announced.
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Embattled former NY Mayor and US Attorney Rudy Giuliani has been disbarred in New York due to his persistent and false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former president Donald Trump.
In all probability, Giuliani will likely be disbarred elsewhere as well. Should've stayed retired, Rudy.
Speaking of Trump, the US Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the former president has limited immunity from prosecution for official acts undertaken while in office.
Trump's ambulance chasers are now trying to argue that his 34 felony convictions in the Stormy Daniels hush money case should be overturned, claiming that some of the payments were made while he was in office.
I doubt that very, very seriously. Trump may not have had the entire ruling read to him, or his limited intellect tells him that he got what he wanted. Well, not all of it. In other words, the horse already left the barn on the Daniels case, so, with sentencing due on July 11, Trump is trying to avoid whatever punishment awaits him. Given his advanced age, probation seems likely, although any confinement needed would be in someplace like a psychiatric hospital. Just sayin'.
Lalo Schifrin's iconic theme from Mission: Impossible gets a 90's makeover from U2's Larry Mullen & Adam Clayton from the soundtrack to the first film in the Tom Cruise movie series version of the franchise.
