Sparky, do your students also complain about people coming to the US and not speaking English there?

I haven't heard them complain about that, Calli. I did however deal with a law student today who was livid because he had to take 60 seconds out of his precious day to sign up for summer access to one of the legal databases (required by the vendor, not by us). He pays a lot of money in tuition, you know!

Ah, good. At least they're avoiding that particular form of hypocrisy.

Most of the students are very nice, but sometimes their lack of real-world-ness shows.

msbelle may be the nicest, but she's much too sensible in the mornings.

Oh my god, save me from nice nice people who "hate" Obama because he is ruining the nation. I don't understand what they think he is doing/causing. I am mad enough at him for being too conservative, but do they really think he is to blame for the oil spill/recession/doctors quitting/no more space shuttles? Also, how the f*ck do people who think that taxes should be low get upset because public services/space programs get cut. Aaargh! I really like this woman too, she is so nice, and kind and actually brings me to work because she drives my house.

I saw a documentary about this and was surprised I'd never heard about it before - anyone else heard of this?

June 8, 1967 - Israel attacks USS Liberty

During the Six-Day War, Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats attack the USS Liberty in international waters off Egypt's Gaza Strip. The intelligence ship, well-marked as an American vessel and only lightly armed, was attacked first by Israeli aircraft that fired napalm and rockets at the ship. The Liberty attempted to radio for assistance, but the Israeli aircraft blocked the transmissions. Eventually, the ship was able to make contact with the U.S. carrier Saratoga, and 12 fighter jets and four tanker planes were dispatched to defend the Liberty. When word of their deployment reached Washington, however, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara ordered them recalled to the carrier, and they never reached the Liberty. The reason for the recall remains unclear.

Back in the Mediterranean, the initial air raid against the Liberty was over. Nine of the 294 crewmembers were dead and 60 were wounded. Suddenly, the ship was attacked by Israeli torpedo boats, which launched torpedoes and fired artillery at the ship. Under the command of its wounded captain, William L. McGonagle, the Liberty managed to avert four torpedoes, but one struck the ship at the waterline. Heavily damaged, the ship launched three lifeboats, but these were also attacked--a violation of international law. Failing to sink the Liberty, which displaced 10,000 tons, the Israelis finally desisted. In all, 34 Americans were killed and 171 were wounded in the two-hour attack. In the attack's aftermath, the Liberty managed to limp to a safe port.

Israel later apologized for the attack and offered $6.9 million in compensation, claiming that it had mistaken the Liberty for an Egyptian ship. However, Liberty survivors, and some former U.S. officials, believe that the attack was deliberate, staged to conceal Israel's pending seizure of Syria's Golan Heights, which occurred the next day. The ship's listening devices would likely have overheard Israeli military communications planning this controversial operation. Captain McGonagle was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic command of the Liberty during and after the attack.

anyone else heard of this?

Yes, but polite people don't talk about it. t /sarcasm

ie, it pops up in military history discussions I've seen, as well as more esoteric discussions of Middle East politics. Though not often.

Also, how the f*ck do people who think that taxes should be low get upset because public services/space programs get cut.

This is what always boggles me.

Relatedly: I watched an interview with our governor recently where they asked both how he was going to lower unemployment AND when he was going to lay off more state employees to save money.

Oddly enough, I was taught that in high school.