The Week in Review, in list form!

At long last the first week of the semester has come to a close. My travels down to Central America are but a distant memory and I’m back– as they used to say in ‘Nam (or at least in movies about ‘Nam)–“in the shit.” By “in the shit” I mean, but of course, back in my neighborhood where the WASPs run wild. Seriously, little toe headed kids running around, half-drunk mom’s going wild with that extra olive in the martini, Dad carrying his golf clubs into the car because maybe just maybe tomorrow will be close to 60 degrees, this after the holidays in which Moms and Dads dressed in the same sweaters and attended “holiday” parties where they discussed the old house they will tear down and build in its place a monstrosity that will inevitably ruin the historical quality of the neighborhood. WASPs-always bearing the wrong kind of history. I will have to digress…for this week was also the first week of the semester. 4 sections of Logic and Critical Thinking, 1 section of the History of Philosophy. Not to mention, masochist I am, I am putting together content for an online version of Logic and Critical Thinking. Now, I think that in general that distance learning is pretty stupid and works well for only the most motivated, skilled in both reading and writing, as well as independent minded student. But hey, “it’s a living.” To mark the end of the week I’ve decided to generate “off the cuff” a short list (in no order) that highlights its most awesome, if not largely political aspects (at least that I can recall). Here is a list of five since I’m pressed for time this morning.

1. Best student moment of the week: When I received this email from a student from last semester: Dear Prof Shahar: I took you <sic> Logic and Critical Thinking class this past Fall Semester and received a F in your class. I would like to appeal this grade for a better one (passing one) please feel free to e-mail me or call me directly on my cellular phone at XXX-XXX-XXX, anytime will be fine thank you very much and have a pleasant day.
2. Best Hillary moment of the week: “It’s not easy, it’s not easy,” Clinton said shaking her head. Her eyes began to get watery as she finished answering the question, “I couldn’t do it if I didn’t just passionately believe it was the right thing to do,” she said. “I have so many ideas for this country and I just don’t want to see us fall backwards as a nation. This is very personal for me,” she said to a quiet round of supportive applause. “It’s about our country, it’s about our kids’ future, it’s really about all of us together,” she said tearing up, her voice cracking.
3. Best Mitt moment of the week: “Right now it’s a neck-and-neck race. But with the debate last night and the support I received from that debate I anticipate winning tomorrow.”
4. Best George Bush “I’m making a very obvious statement” moment of the week: “Achieving an agreement will require painful political concessions by both sides,” (what a sharp, penetrating analysis Mr. President!) said Mr. Bush, speaking on the second day of a week-long Middle Eastern tour. “While territory is an issue for both parties to decide, I believe that any peace agreement between them will require mutually agreed adjustments to the armistice lines of 1949 to reflect current realities and to ensure that the Palestinian state is viable and contiguous.” (Yes, way to state the obvious.)
5. Best Possible Typo (but hopefully not) Moment: (via Jewcy) Chris Beam at Slate‘s campaign blog Trailhead titles his liveblogging debate post: “Thompson Teabags Huckabee”
   
6. Best Purchase of the Week (not including alcoholic beverages): Thurston Moore’s (of Sonic Youth) newest solo recording, cleverly titled Trees Outside the Academy.