The Republicans make schools a battleground

This is not about guns, silly.

Two news stories just hit my eyes in short order, and everyone knows that two things make a trend.

First up, an Indiana state senator introduces a bill that calls for a mandatory reading of the Lord's Prayer at the beginning of every public school day. Unconstitutional on the face of it, so this is not likely to go anywhere, but shouldn't our law-critters know that?

Whereas in Arizona, a whole passel of Republican lawmakers have called for a loyalty oath as a requirement to graduation:

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose or evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge these duties; so help me God.

I'm a little curious how freely students can take this obligation, when it is a requirement for a diploma. And that little appendix could cause some problems.

aromatherapy track 2

Today we decanted our second major experiment in aromatherapy. This time, home-made bitters. They may have more clove than necessary, but still a useful cocktail condiment.