I lost my ability to handwave at Numb3rs a while ago. There were just too many things that just wouldn't work.

The math is hand-wavy, the way the FBI works is hand-wavy, but the hottness of Morrow and Krumholtz? It's all real, baby.

G'morning. It's a lovely, grey day in Oshkosh, WI.

That's all I got. Except I gotta sit in the lobby of Howard Johnsons (eating my continental breakfast) to get WiFi.

What Robin said. Plus, how cute was it that they all gathered together to watch Larry blast off?

Interesting article about how some schools are trying to figure out what holiday symbols are OK to display, and which aren't. [link]

The Yorktown policy identifies specific religious symbols, which it says “include, but are not limited to, star of David, crèche, cross, Buddha, crucifix and menorah with candles or lights,” and says that such symbols are to be used primarily for educational purposes in the classroom.

“Holiday cultural symbols” — defined as those with no religious significance themselves but which are associated with a particular religion, like Santa Claus, menorahs without candles or lights, star and crescent, candy canes and dreidels — may be used for decorative purposes elsewhere in schools.

The distinction between a menorah with candles and one without candles is interesting.

I didn't think that the Star of David, properly speaking, was a religious symbol -- more of a cultural/ethnic symbol. I thought Hebrew religious symbols would be more like the Tetragrammaton, prayer shawls, menorahs, yarmulkas and like that.

I expect my definition of religious symbology derives from "if a vampire would recoil from it"...

I think a yarmulke would definitely be a cultural symbol, more than a religious one. The religious commandment is just for men to cover their heads -- the yarmulke is just one way to do it. (I also think it's relatively recent -- I've seen pictures of my grandfather's bar mitzvah, and none of the men are wearing yarmulkes -- they're all wearing this sort of fabric hat that covers a lot more of their heads.)

I can definitely see the reasoning for classifying the Star of David as a religious symbol, but I can't see the reasoning for saying that that the star of David and the cross are religious, but the star and crescent is cultural. Seems like all those go in the same category.

But, I got to spend a day with msbelle and mac! OH MY GOD! He's adorable. So adorable that you want to scoop him up and feed him soup and swing him around and teach him to jump on the bed.

And yet, still no pictures.

I always pronounce my name the Spanish way. I wish some more Americans would give that a shot.

I always say your name with the T, fyi. In English, but definitely with a T.

I can definitely see the reasoning for classifying the Star of David as a religious symbol, but I can't see the reasoning for saying that that the star of David and the cross are religious, but the star and crescent is cultural. Seems like all those go in the same category.

Yeah, I think so, too. If anything, wouldn't the cross be the most religious symbol among them? I don't see the distinction they're making.

Timelies all!

Quiet day here. Probably do some shopping/browsing, watch some tapes, etc.