For years, I’ve heard the story that so many slaves were tossed overboard during the middle passage from Africa to the New World that to this day, you can still trace the path of the ships by the migratory patterns of sharks.  It’s one of the articles of faith among Black Studies “scholars.”

Now I just heard on the History Channel that so many Irish died on ships traveling to North America during the Great Famine that you can still trace the path of the ships by the schools of sharks.

Did the Irish “scholars” borrow this lunacy from the African “scholars” or vice versa?

I can’t believe that anyone with a brain would believe this nonsense. Next someone will come up with the story that so many Cherokee (my own ancestors) died on the Trail of Tears that to this day, buzzards still follow the trail.

Hey. Buzzards are just as migratory as sharks. Why not? I’m sure there’s a dissertation and a Ph.D. waiting for someone out there who wants to pursue the idea. Then they spend their entire career defending the story and accuse anyone who doubts it of being racist against Indians.

Here’s the latest stupidity from the people who are supposed to be smart enough to run Michigan’s schools.

The latest set of rules for the MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) says that students can use calculators that require cords, but the cords cannot be attached.

No. Really.

Here’s some more stupidity from the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP).

The rules for the test state that, for ten days prior to the test, teachers are forbidden from giving assignments or assessments that cover material that may be on the MEAP test.

Ok. So I teach social studies. And there’s a social studies test. I don’t know what’s going to be on the test, since the state keeps that a secret.

So what do I do for ten days before the MEAP? Have the kids play eraser tag?

The people who are in charge of the MEAP should just do the honorable thing and commit hari-kiri.

The MEAP test has become so secret that teachers are not allowed to look at the test, even after it is given.

This is just brilliant. If teachers don’t know what’s on the test, then how are we supposed to help the students? If the test showed that my students tended to miss questions relating to the Great Depression, then wouldn’t it be helpful for me to know that? That way, I could revise my teaching for next year.

Stupid?

No. On second thought, it is brilliant.

You see, over the last several years, teachers examining the tests have identified questions that were poorly written, off-topic, not aligning with state standards, had no correct answer, or that just plain gave wrong information. A couple of the questions would have been considered by some people as just plain immoral or not appropriate for the particular age group. Those questions were publicized in the newspaper, and the MEAP administrators suffered a great deal of criticism.

What’s the solution? Don’t let those troublesome teachers see the test. That way, when the MEAP administrators screw up, no one will know.

Do you know what was on the MEAP test that your elementary student was given? If you don’t, shouldn’t you?  What agenda is the state pushing on your children?

They don’t want you to know.

I’m taking a step away from serious politics today to share a site that I’ve found: The Tiki Room

I’ve always been kind of a retro guy. When my friends were listening to Led Zeppelin and Fog Hat in high school, I was listening to Frank Sinatra. Bogart was my hero. I wore a white dinner jacket and fedora to the prom. I still think Arnold Palmer is the king.

And ... here’s a frightening confession ... I like Tiki culture.