15 Replies to “Oddments For The Weekend”

    1. A class in public speaking and ethics was a requirement when I took engineering. As I already had an arts degree, had already defended written works in class, and had a class credit for ethical philosophy, I should be allowed an exemption for the course. I got the exemption and saved myself 3 precious hours a week and preparation time for work in other courses. I was required to give a final speech at the end, so I re-wrote Marc Anthony’s speech praising Julius Caesar. “Friends, Professor, and fellow students, I have not come to praise engineering, but to bury it…but engineering is an honorable profession (etc)”. I gave the speech, the room went completely silent, and then I asked “Well, what do you think?” Only one student responded and said “I think I should be offended”. I responded “Good, for you there is hope” and left the stage.

      I am an engineer, my father was an engineer, and both my sons are in engineering. We love the profession and every profession still needs to look at itself critically as improvement can always be made. BUT engineering is not primarily about social justice issues, and wasting valuable time worrying about stuff that doesn’t really matter in reality is just that – a waste of time that can be solved by reading a few book after you graduate. And in my elder son’s graduating class, there were a few women and only about 3 white guys, the rest were largely Chinese and Arab.

      1. I would love to read your entire speech. Hubby and I are re-watching “Rome” and, being a student of Shakespeare, I read Marc Antony’s speech to him. Curious to know how you handled “the evil that men do lives after them” line, as it applies to engineering.

        1. That’s an interesting point. A single failure, even one which one wasn’t directly responsible for, can be one’s legacy.

          For example, Leslie Robertson will likely always be remembered for what happened at the World Trade Centre. Never mind that when he designed the buildings, he never foresaw that someone would commit a deliberate act of malice by flying fully-loaded airliners into them.

  2. A little off topic here but I need some confirmation about a certain subject that I am finding myself becoming more and more concerned about. The boycott by the major sports leagues that we are witnessing at the moment has me questioning why we have come to the position that we are watching and paying for high priced sports figures that are now telling us that we are all racist because we will not follow their lead in condemning our society. This society that has allowed them to lead a lifestyle that is unparalleled to the function that they bring to that society. It is enough that we elect politicians, and reward them to pretend to govern us. It is beyond the pale to voluntarily pay exorbitant ticket prices to be entertained by a group that threaten to withdraw their “value” from society if we don’t agree with them. Perhaps it is about time to evaluate where we spend the money that allows these athletes to live a life far beyond their contribution to the society that they judge and condemn. Is it indeed time to boycott, devest, and sanction all major league sports that attempt to ransom their entertainment value to further a political agenda?

    1. It appears that the notion of bread and circuses pacifying the masses has finally reached its limit.

      To quote Russell Crowe’s line from the movie Gladiator, “Are you not entertained?”. Uh, no. We won’t be paying usurous prices for tickets if, after we purchase them and attend the games, we are berated and scolded. We can get that for free just about anywhere else.

    2. The SJW started infiltrating’s Sports by condemning Player domestic violence ( a valid issue) and continued on to trivial personality issues, like Peterson (MN) approved using a Switch to discipline children… The creeping SJW have activists in the Corporate League offices…. The players know they may get targeted if they don’t follow the Agenda..

      That the agenda is leading to Communism is beyond their comprehension…. they willingly destroy their Sport & livelihood not even understanding WHO is leading them…. Brains don’t have much value for the entertainment of Sports fans……

      BTW: I was not aware that such a large group of Canadian Indian Men are/were GAY… That may help explain why they traded their tribal females for Rum & Horses…..

      1. Brains don’t have much value for the entertainment of Sports fans……

        I wouldn’t know about that. After all, a lot of professional wrestlers, particularly the baddies, claim their methods are “scientific”.

    3. Antenor, Yes.
      For me, I have never followed sports, and have never once paid to attend a live sports event, and never paid to watch them on TV either. I have zero interest. This attack on the citizenry will backfire on them. Bringing politics and virtue signaling into sports will be their downfall. Politics are my entertainment, but most folks don’t want politics in their entertainment!

    1. I would caution him against using civil lawyers exclusively. One of the felony charges, crossing state lines in illegal possession of a firearm is pretty much a slam dunk.

      I also hope he sues the crap out of Biden and CNN.

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