A Reflection I think Christians should stay out of politics, she said firmly. We should be peacemakers. But peacemaking is a political position, I noted . So which is it? “Stay” out or go in and make peace ? Uh, well. Hmmm. I’d also note that “staying” out implies you’re already out, and not in.… Read more »
A Constitutional Classroom at California State University by Lucas J. Mather Let’s get back into the Marriage Equality lecture here picking up from last week, the professor said. So what do you notice about these dictionaries?, the professor axed. They all have the “man-woman” definition of marriage in them, the student said. [It was quiet].… Read more »
It’s Grammatically Awkward By Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. The reason I never say “arm teachers”: “Arm teachers” as misleading as “car teachers” is for letting1 teachers drive their own car to work, at their own expense, after they’ve been minimally trained and licensed by the state, again, at their own expense. All school districts car… Read more »
Talking About Abortion in Ventura County, California (Moorpark College) By Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. Professor, I can stump you. The professor yawned, took a sip of coffee, and said, okay, if that’s what you want to do. You’re pro-life. And I get that. But can you name even a single law that regulates what a… Read more »
Student: Professor, RU 4 traditional marriage? [Professor drops huge dictionary on student’s desk. It makes a loud , boisterous thud !] [Professor smiles. ] Prof: Please turn to the “T”s , look up “traditional marriage.” Student: ok. [Students smile.] [This takes a while. The professor is patient. The student is not used to turning pages… Read more »
From a Constitutional Law Class in Orange County, Cal State Fullerton By Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. When my friend Abby gave birth to Kate, she was premature . I can’t recall exactly how premature . It was perhaps by 2 months . Kate was very small. She had to be in the NICU for a… Read more »
A Con Law Classroom in Orange County By Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. Professor, you have this ability to make both sides sound plausible and …good. Like, I can’t tell which side you’re seriously on. [The professor smiled and then furrowed his brow, and gently grunted. It was a gentle grunt. His eye sparkled, like Santa].… Read more »
Just after the Election of 2016 By Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. “And now I’m going to tell you about a recent Logic class and Donald Trump. The past week I had students present their papers on fallacies they found in the media and popular culture. They didn’t realize I was going to have them present… Read more »
Teaching the Kids to Listen Well By Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. Here’s a funny story: A student asked to make up a quiz he missed due to his absence . He said he lost his keys. I referred him to the syllabus, which says no matter what the reason for the absence , quizzes aren’t… Read more »
A Classroom in Lost Angeles By Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. From Facebook , Monday March 14, 2014 at 5:41 pm PST “Feel free to twit this lecture out on your Tweeter accounts,” I said, making a combination of bird-chirp noises with gastro-intestinal/sheep bleating sounds. [Which if i may say so myself, I do perfectly after… Read more »
