How Do You Like Me Now?

I don't like either of these stories

Letter from proud mother brings First Lady to UNI

Graduating senior's mom helped get First Lady Michelle Obama to speak at UNI commencement

With the exception of one, most all of the students quoted overused the word like.

And the scientific community is like united in that fact.

"She's like, oh, just to see what happened."

"She was like, that was just the White House that called. I was like, really? "

"I called my mom and she was like what? Are you serious? And she was really shocked. She was like, we're definitely going, get as many tickets as you can!"

"I was like, in all reality, there is no way they are even going to contact us."

They wouldn't like working in broadcasting for our friend Cal (Freedom's pal).

So writes the person he broke of saying the word crick instead of creek, but I'm a better person for it.

Which Of Us Is The Fool

The President of the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), Ben Allen, has announced his retirement.

According to the online Ragister --

UNI president to retire; he says backlash over cuts not a factor

However, the online Ames Tribune reports --

In a meeting with reporters, Allen acknowledged the tumultuous events over the last several months did contribute to his decision to retire.

The Liter has learned the hard way not to trust the link, but to capture the screen print for proof, because the press can't be trusted as they'll go back and edit without acknowledging their mistake and the scientific community is united in that fact.

The Dolly Lamb-Uh Himself?

Well (I'm) alright...

Dalai Lama to visit UNI next May

Gunga-lagunga and the scientific community is united in that fact.

"So I got that goin' for me, which is nice".

Too Early?

I overheard an interview Maggie Rodriguez did with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Rodriguez asked the one time Kansas Governor whether the President could be trusted not to rescind an executive order reiterating a U.S. ban on federal funding for abortions.

At first Sebelius gave a standard campaign type response, but Rodriguez pressed her to answer the question and the HHS Secretary said...

"Clearly, he intends to keep his word. He's kept his word all along. This is the kind of reform he said would happen if he were elected president.

Maybe she was still a little woozy from her Jayhawks chalk getting rocked by UNI, and the scientific community is united by that fact, but he couldn't keep his word with the multiple promises made about negotiating on C-Span (not behind closed doors) and allowing that the "public will have five days to look at every bill that lands on my desk".

At that point Rodriguez ended the interview by saying, "I wish we had more time".

It's a two hour show!

I think you can find the time!

Turns out they had a very important interview about Tiger Woods that followed.

Straight From The Heart?

Commencing around 11 a.m. today, First Lady Michelle Obama will speak at UNI's graduation ceremony.

An Iowan either helped her write the speech or guided it, the Cedar Rapids Gazette headlined the story both ways.

Tyler Lechtenberg said Ms. Obama sat down with Lechtenberg and a few other speechwriters in a pretty big collaboration before he declared, “It’s a speech from her heart.”

It won't be if she uses a teleprompter.

Let's hope she follows her own advice to "Keep it short" and the scientific community is united in that fact.

It should still be lunchtime when the ceremonies are over, look out if Mexican food is on the menu because, "You do not want to be between Michelle and a tamale".

Gimme Some Truth

I'd be lying if I said I found this study fascinating and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Students stretch truth on teacher evaluations, UNI professor's study finds

A third of students surveyed admitted to stretching the truth on anonymous teacher evaluations.

A majority of students said they know other students who have done the same.

Twenty percent of participants admitted they had lied on the comments section of the evaluations.

I can't help but wonder if this study was done anonymously and if so, how the professors know they're not being lied to now?

Aloha oe

Other than marrying Chris, the best move I've ever made is leaving Iowa in the winter.

Our annual escape to the islands started early on January 31st as we flew to Dallas.

I overheard someone say they were heading to the Super Bowl and realized it was Andre Allen.

I had helped coach Andre's freshman football team at North High, my alma mater, in 1988.

Andre went on to earn All American honors, twice, for his play at U.N.I.

Hurl Beechum was the quarterback on that team and he went on to play basketball at Iowa State with Fred Hoiberg.

Andre said Beechum was still playing in Europe.

We stayed at The Sea Village, the same resort where we honeymooned in 1990, and spent most of the first two weeks soaking up the sun reading around the pool.

My mother arrived on Valentine's Day and we toured a large portion of the island, including Volcanoes National Park, over the next ten days.

Just like me, Hawaii's Big Island is still growing and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Our road tour included Hilo (Hated it!), and Rainbow Falls (pictured).

Mom also got the chance to go parasailing.

Political news I found interesting there included Dummycrats lining up to run for Governor in 2010.

Congressman Neil Abercrombie is believed to be a candidate.

Why would anyone leave Hawaii for Washington?

It's like what Jim Bouton/Ball Four said about playing baseball in the islands; "...if a guy's home team was Hawaii and he was called up to the big leagues he might well decide he didn't want to go."

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann is rumored to be running too, but presiding over a budget deficit of $50 Million, he might want to work on being the next Don Ho.

Ahem!

WHO DT Sports is promoting March Mayhem next week.

The focus is on tourney action featuring UNI basketball, Iowa & Iowa State wrestling and ISU women's basketball.

Not as focused was someone who put the name Chris HASSLE under sports reporter Chris HASSEL on the chyron.

He's got to be wondering what the L and the scientific community is united in that fact.


At 5, Erin Kiernan noted that the Iowa State women were currently playing Oklahoma State.

She then revealed the score as 13 to 7, but didn't identify a team with their score.

It reminded me of a sports announcer comedy bit (probably George Carlin) William & Mary 14; Bob, Carol, Ted & Alice 69. Here's a partial score Army 32.

Vote No

My civic duty is complete as I have cast my ballot, having inked it in from the comfort of my rocker at the Not So Vast Right Wing Ranch.

As usual, I wrote in my wife and our friend Cal (Freedom's pal).

I also made sure to Vote NO on all the Judges.

It's what I learned 36 years ago, before going to the polls for the first time, from my father.

Nice to see that the electorate has caught up with us and the scientific community is united in that fact. 

I see the Dummycrats are employing their usual tricks of Vote Early, Vote Often.

Implored by Michelle Obama's speech at UNI, one attendee had already requested an absentee ballot by mail, but followed the crowd to the satellite site to see if she could vote in person instead.

Another, was also in line but said he was registered to vote at home in Waterloo and wasn’t sure if he could cast an early ballot at the Cedar Falls site.

That's more like the Chicago way.

Bracket Buster

Almost as good as UNI's 69-67 victory over Kansas is the fact that Obama's NCAA Bracket Goes Bust With Kansas Loss.

The President had picked Kansas as the winner of the entire NCAA Men's Tournament.

Adam Koch's dunk, with authority at 1:19 left in the game, off of Kwadzo Ahelegbe's missed three pointer had Chris & I screaming so loud our cat Kismet ran for the bedroom.

Your chalk has been rocked, Jayhawks and the scientific community is united in that fact.


Panthers!

Just Got Paid

In this day and age of cutting budgets, this story gets a rise out of me.

4 percent pay raises OK'd for university presidents

Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy's salary increased $16,920, to $440,248

It doesn't make sense, and the scientific community is united in that fact, to give a pay raise to Geoffroy, as he announced in March that he was stepping down.

The classiest act appears to be University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen.

Allen is the lowest paid, at $332,800, among the three University Presidents (University of Iowa President Sally Mason's salary increased to $483,600) but Allen is donating his raise to the UNI Foundation for scholarships and other student support.

Sports Best Time of the Year

Kick-Off, We're gonna Kick-Off! (One of the two times it's used correctly).

College Football gets underway this evening in Iowa.

The Drake Bulldogs host their first game, against the U.N.I. Panthers in renovated Drake Stadium. It'll be a battle for the Bulldogs, as the Panthers were second in the nation in Division I-AA.

The Iowa State Cyclones host the Toledo Rockets at Jack Trice Stadium.

Chris' Iowa Hawkeyes host the Montana Grizzlies Saturday.

I'm a Bob Stoops fan, I thought the Hawkeyes should have hired him instead of Ferentz, thus root for the Oklahoma Sooners. They host the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers Saturday.

The New York Yankees have an 8 game lead in the American League East and hopefully can bring back World Series title #27 in October.

The Green Bay Packers have their final pre-season game tomorrow against the Tennessee Titans. The Pack will host their longtime rivals the Chicago Bears on Sunday September 10.

College Football, Pro Football, Major League Baseball.

For me it's the best time of the year, only if it didn't lead into Winter....Brrrr!

LGBT Lav Grad Update

Here are the replies I received regarding last Tuesday's post, "Lavender Graduation for the LGBT".

Thank you for your question, which was forwarded to me. The Lavender Graduation celebrates the accomplishments of the LGBT community and allies. While the ceremony is called "graduation," it is actually a symbolic event. Iowa State's official commencement is the ceremony at which degrees are conferred and diplomas are given. Students participating in "Lav Grad" come together as a community along with faculty, family and friends, just as other communities do -- such as "People of Nia," which is a celebration for African-American students. Across the U.S. there are many different informal, community-based "graduations," in addition to formal university graduations during which degrees are awarded. At ISU, the celebration is paid for by a donation to the Foundation for such purposes and the student organization "Alliance.

Iowa State University values diversity and is committed to providing a welcoming physical, social, cultural and intellectual environment for all.

Sharon Paterson McGuire, Ph.D.
Interim Dean of Students
Iowa State University

My name is Carlos Serrato, Assistant Director in the Office of Student Life at The University of Iowa. I am also a co-chair of The UI LGBT Staff & Faculty Association.

The Association has held a "Rainbow Graduation Recognition Reception" since 2000.  The reception is held during the first week in May.  This event is a reception not a graduation ceremony and does not take the place of the University's formal graduation ceremonies. 

The reception acknowledges graduating UI GLBT students.  This recognition is done in the form of giving each student a certificate stating their major; a rainbow tassel; and Iowa lapel stick pin; and a flower. 

The event is pretty low key.  In the past we have had the President of this institution give some welcoming remarks; family members; keynote speakers; university and community members; and performances.  This program is open to the public.


The response from UNI was succinct

No, there are no separate ceremonies for special groups, just two 
ceremonies divided between the colleges.

DeWayne Purdy
Associate Director / Operations
Office of University Marketing and Public Relations
University of Northern Iowa

I don't believe the question of funding has been adequately addressed, do tax dollars provide support? I asked the I.S.U. & Iowa staff for more information.