Mark Giselson at Norwegianity has been discussing Ahmad al-Qloushi over on my blog since Ahmad's appearance on our show Saturday. The gist of Mark's comments has been that Ahmad did a lousy job answering his professor's essay question and deserved to fail. I have no idea if that's true, though reading the essay didn't lead me to think Ahmad deserved an 'A' either. I have to add that as a department chair of an academic institution I hear a fair number of grade complaints, and this one appeared to me as fairly run-of-the-mill. Like Mark, I've had a few essays sent back to me as irrelevant to the assignment. I didn't get national attention for them.
So why this student? Here was my answer to Mark in the comments:
"There's a fair part of his answer that is off topic, true. I think the question is begging for an answer; it is obvious that the professor is seeking answers that state the grand experiment of the Constitution was flawed by slavery. He doesn't say "explore" or "discuss" -- he says "show". So to the professor there was indeed one answer, and no, al-Qloushi didn't give it to him. (I will note too, Mark, that it's only the last sentence that defines the task. The remainder is providing context.) I don't like the question, and if it was me as a department chair I would have asked the faculty member to re-test the student with a different question that was a little less leading.
"We do not know the context of the course. From the surrounding journalism it appears that the professor used the course to editorialize often about the evils of the current administration. al-Qloushi had already been attacked publicly, by a person with power over him, and told his country was Iraq's, or the U.S.'s 51st state. The professor had not confined himself to the question of the U.S. system of government, so al-Qloushi may have thought his answer was within the spirit, the context of the course.
"But this misses the main point of the story. If this had been only about a grade it would not have received any airtime or print. It does because the professor not only failed the student -- an act which based on the available evidence we cannot judge to be fair or unfair -- but then threatens him with deportation if he does not seek psychotherapy for his behavior. Unless the news reports have completely missed errant behavior by al-Qloushi in the classroom or in the faculty member's office, the professor's actions beyond the grade are the story here. I could stipulate to your point and it would not change my outrage over the faculty member's behavior."
Mark replied that "I don't think it's uncommon for professors to suggest counseling, but I would expect such referrals to be based on personal observation of the student." Again, we don't know that: in our conversation on the air I heard nothing to indicate a problem, and I've been doing this for twenty years. On that point, I think we're going to have to disagree.
The following was written by Ryan Pacyga, attorney for Minnesotans against Smoking Bans, and is posted on this site as part of a new plan - to carry on discussion of the show's topics here on the show blog.
The Minnesota Legislature is considering the adoption of a bill entitled "The Freedom to Breathe Act of 2005." Essentially, the proposed bill seeks to ban smoking in bars, restaurants, and private clubs. Recently, an amendment was introduced to exclude bars whose liquor sales amount to 50% or more of their revenues. The next committee to consider the bill is the House Commerce Committee.
Proponents of the bill maintain that the purpose is to protect the health of restaurant and bar employees. They cite flawed stistics to further their cause. For example, during testimony before the House Health & Finance Committee, several proponents referred to the Helena, Montana study that purportedly found that heart attacks dropped 40% after Helena implemented a smoking ban over a six-month period. What they did NOT tell the Committee is that the number of heart attacks dropped from 7 to 4, a statistically insignificant number. Moreover, the town experienced the same decline four years ago--long before it implemented a smoking ban.
Proponents of the bill also argue that business will suffer adverse economic consequences as a result of the proposed ban. This is not true. Other states and localities who have implemented similar bans have caused bars and restaurants to close their doors. If a ban is adopted, some businesses will benefit, while others will close down. Government should not be able to regulate a business out of existence, expecially when the product at issue (tobacco) is legal.
If you support local business, or if you are opposed to governmental infringement on civil liberties and property rights, then we could use your help. Proponents of the bill have launched a massive effort to sway public opinion and their representatives. They are backed by hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as groups like MPAAT and the American Lung Association. Clearly, this is a David v. Goliath fight, but we can do it. Please contact your local representative and urge them to vote "no" on the Freedom to Breathe Act. Please write to the opinion section of your local newspaper. Please visit minnesotansagainstsmokingbans.com and view its resources. Finally, please support our constitutional rights. If you have other ideas, please contact me at 612-991-6000, or email me at [email protected]
Please discuss!
Tomorrow on the Northern Alliance Radio Network:
Noon-3 tomorrow on AM1280 The Patriot, as well as online.
Join the whole Northern Alliance at the Patriot Forum,Thursday 2/10, for the debate between Hugh Hewitt and Peter Beinart.
Click here for tickets; it's going to be at the Downtown Minneapolis Hilton, which is always a lot of fun. And...it's Hewitt v. Beinart!. C'mon, folks! This is going to be a hoot!
We NARNies will be sitting near the front - and we'd love to see you all there!
...where the magic happens week after week, Radio Blogger has provided a picture of the AM-1280 studio compound. And you wonder why you can't always pick up the signal.
We thank Elizabeth Mische of the Partnership for Choice in Education and Craig Westover of the Pioneer Press for joining us today on the show. Elizabeth announced an event at the end of the show, and it was too fast for some to hear perhaps. Hispanic Educator and School Reformer Rebeca Nieves Huffman, President of Hispanic CREO (Council for Reform and Educational Options) will be speaking Tuesday, January 25th, 11:30am-1pm at Jerome Hill Theater - First Trust Center, 180 East 5th Street, Downtown Saint Paul. This is part of a series PCE is doing of national speakers on educational choice.
Be sure to catch tomorrow's NARN show which will include, in addition to our award winning hour one Week in Review, the following choice cuts:
Second Hour- A conversation about school choice with Elizabeth Mische, of Partnership For Choice In Education and Pioneer Press columnist, Craig Westover.
Third Hour- A history making moment in radio. You think everything's been done before? Well, this hasn't. We can't let the cat of the bag yet, but we can assure you that it does not involve lesbian conjoined-twin midget tossing. We're saving that for next week. Tune in, turn on (in the privacy of your home), and drop Dave Thompson.
Remember that this Saturday, January 22nd is the second gathering of the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers at Keegan's Irish Pub in Minneapolis. The event kicks off at 5pm and lasts until the last blogger is told to go home.
Members of the Northern Alliance of Blogs will join other local bloggers, politicians, media types, blog readers, and anyone else who happens to show up in lively debate, discussion, and the downing of a beer or two. Admission if free, but get there early 'cause I have a feeling that the joint is gonna be jumpin'.
Join us today, as Yale military historian Mary Habeck joins us for an interview on her research for a couple of books on jihad.
Also a very busy Week In Review (hint: Thornburgh/Boccardi), plus we'll discuss whether sports figures should be role models.
That's noon-3 today on AM1280, The Patriot!
Make sure you tune in for the Northern Alliance Radio Network tomorrow, Noon-3 Central time on AM1280 The Patriot in the Twin Cities, or via the web.
By the way - we'd like to extend special new years thanks to our sponsors, Axis Consulting, Keegans Irish Pub, and our web streaming sponsor, the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. Please talk to them for all of you IT consulting, food/beverage/night out on the town and holding-the-line on taxes needs!
The next MOB (Minnesota Organization of Bloggers) party is set for January 22nd at Keegan's Irish Pub in Nordeast Minneapolis. Bloggers, readers of blogs, local media luminaries, and King Banaian groupies are all welcome to join the fun, which will kick off at 5pm.