HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 92 16:44:00 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

If the cooler weather is upsetting your toilet routine, pity the poor pupils at the local school in the tiny township of Irvinebank, on the Atherton Tablelands (Far North Queensland).

If they're caught short during a sports session on the school oval, they face a race of three-quarters of a kilometre against nature's clock to the school toilets.

Running, metaphorically, crosslegged would be bad enough - but its uphill all the way. And a steep hill at that. Maybe the school is just unlucky - it has 13 pupils - or perhaps public servants in the Education Dept have forgotten how demanding the call of nature can be. But in 12 years of pleading by the school, the department has steadfastly refused to provide funds for a toilet at the sports oval.

The official attitude appears to be that 13 children just don't warrant the expenditure. Try explaining that to a child in need.

It is not as if the department has to bear all the cost (Q-Builds estimate for the job is A$5921). The Mareeba Shire Council has offered to contribute up to A$3000 on a dollar for dollar basis.

So the department's contribution need only be a paltry A$2921. Surely a reasonable amount, if only for 13 kids.  But the department still seems strangely reluctant to dip into the public purse for the funds. At the same time, State Member for Mulgrave, Warren Pitt, announcing a Government grant of A$8420 for a fence and cricket practice  enclosure for Yungaburra state school, boasted that the State's school improvement scheme, had a budget this year of nearly A$5 million.

Perhaps during its 12 years pondering the Irvinebank issue, the

 been washed out.








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Internet: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: Lowell.Herr@f32.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Lowell Herr)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimsey Question
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 20:10:02 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/32 - On-Line Mutual Fund, Portland OR

 > JFWhat is the shortest sentence in the bible?

Would it be, "Jesus wept?"


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uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!32!Lowell.Herr
Internet: Lowell.Herr@f32.n105.z1.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys.
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 92 10:16:48 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

G'day All, (popular person!)

If you have just seen a "Whimsey" in Channel 2, I was just checking you out to see if you were awake!  :-)

ooroo

(My apologies Helen)...


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uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!3!640!706!John.Feltham
Internet: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 92 21:48:10 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

In keeping with the equine theme......

The Townsville City Council is suing a Magnetic Island (birthplace of
golp master, Greg Norman) woman for A$156 owing on a bill for the
disposal of the woman's dead horse.

But Horseshoe Bay (I told you it had an equine flavour!) resident,
Stephanie Metcalfe said she did not even ask the Council to dispose of
the horse.

"I never authorised anybody to get rid of the horse", Miss Metcalfe
said. "For all they know I might have wanted it stuffed."

Miss Metcalfe, 23, said her horse "Rocky" had died despite hours of
trying to keep him walking.

Miss Metcalfe said because she was upset and had not had any sleep for
about 36 hours, she had gone to a friends place to sleep immediately
after Rocky's death.

Miss Metcalfe said she did not know who called the Council to dispose of
the body.

In August she received a bill for A$493.54 for the horse's disposal.

"When I saw the bill I nearly fell over backwards." Miss Metcalfe said.

"I could habe had it done privately for A$80. I couldn't believe it
would cost the Council A$500."

Miss Metcalfe said she had tried to to get a breakdown of the price but
had been unable to get one. She then contacted ward Alderman Jim
Cathcart. Eventually the Council reduced the bill to A$246.77.

Miss Metcalfe said she could not understand why the bill was so high.
"If he had died on the footpath the Council would have disposed of him
for free," She said.

Miss Metcalfe said she paid the Council A$80 to the Council because that
was the amount private businesses would have charged.

The Council is now suing Miss Metcalfe for the A$156.77 outstanding.

Mr cathcart said high Council charges would only force people to dispose
of animals themselves and could pose a health risk.

"A large animal buried in the wrong spot can affect the water table and
be a danger to neighbours who use underground water," Mr Cathcart said.

"I think the Council would better serve the ratepayers if we set an
affordable nominal charge of between $80 and $100." Mr Cathcart said he
did not agree with the Council decision to sue Miss Metcalfe.

"It seems in this case they are floggin the owner of a dead horse," he
said.

A City Council spokesman (this a provincial newspaper, they haven't
got round to non-sexist language yet, JF) said that acting on a request,
Council removed a dead horse from a private paddock and buried it.

"Subsequent to the receipt of an account the owner quried the account
and the Council reduced this to 50% of the original charge," the
spokesman said. "The Council has received part payment of $80 and the
matter is subject to recovery acction for the outstanding balance." The
spokesman said he could not comment further because the matter was
before the courts.


 * SLMR 2.1a * Coral Sea Views, Wulguru, Townsville.


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!3!640!706!John.Feltham
Internet: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 92 21:17:06 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

A letter in a recent edition of the "Veterinary Record" by R.G. Allpress
tells of some surprising objects retrieved from dead animals. according
to Allpress, who works in an equine clinic, in 1888 a horse was found
with a persistant respiratory problem was found on the knackers floor
(then as now, a valuable teaching area (for vets that is :-) )), to have
a toad at the bottom of its trachea. The toad was apparently alive, and
had changed its colour to blend in with its new environment.

Was this Allpress wonders, the origin of the expression "a frog in the
throat"?


 * SLMR 2.1a * Coral Sea Views, Wulguru, Townsville.


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!3!640!706!John.Feltham
Internet: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: Judy.Sneed@f70.n147.z1.fidonet.org (Judy Sneed)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 92 20:50:00 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:147/70 - The Teacher's Pet, Oklahoma City OK

JF>Hear Ye, Oh Hear Ye.

JF>Let it be known that this Channel is open for any scurvy knave, (or
JF>scurvy wench for that matter!), to enter scurrilous rumours or humerous
JF>facts for our delictation or edification.

JF>Grab your quills forthwith.

JF>ooroo

OK-this was on our company newsline a week or so ago: It seems that in
Japan people can now rent families to visit their family members they
don't have time to visit. The rented family members are actors with
training in psycholoy and act as care-givers and so forth for older or
shut-in members. The entire thing is supported by a Department of the
Japanese Government, but I can't remember exactly what they said the
name of it is.

Judy
___
 X SLMR 2.0 X My reality check just bounced.


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!147!70!Judy.Sneed
Internet: Judy.Sneed@f70.n147.z1.fidonet.org
From: 8schutting_r@spcvxb.spc.edu
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Re:PORT. ORE.
Date: 28 Jul 92 19:25:45 GMT
Organization: St. Peter's College, US

I have problems with this approach to multicultural education.  The problem
is that despite the fact that minorities may feel better about themselves
they will not do any better because of it.  If you're going to teach science
you need to use the language accepted by the profession.  That way when a
student reads a contemporary essay on science they will be able to understand 
what is being said.  It sounds like much of what is being taught is closer to 
myth.  The power of myth is obvious for the educated person.  Even scientists
can appreciate myths because they see them as analogies.  The myth represents a 
greater truth cloaked in language of that day.  It doesn't make it a verified 
observable fact, but insightful to what could be.  Science is based on empirical
evidence.   If the multicultural curriculum presents what ancient cultures have
done as "science" with greater weight than that which has been observed and 
verified through scientific studies then those who chose the curriculum are 
wrong!  If they teach the material as insightful and as analogous, but don't
state it as empirical then they aren't far off.  I would also like to say if 
they are going to teach the "myths" of these other cultures then they should 
also make sure the myths off all cultures are sprinkled in their curriculum,
including the Greeks.  If we are going to promote equality then we need to make 
sure it is truely equal.  Just because we live in a european dominated culture
doesn't mean that it is put on the back burner.  This is also unjust.  To 
promote equality means to treat everyone as equal.  Not to favor some groups at 
the expense of others because of the mistakes of their ancestors.

Bob

The following is not the opinion of St. Peter's College or any other group that 
I may associate with.
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 92 21:20:08 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

Continued from previous Whimsey......

Allpress also reports on a racecourse in South Africa where a horse that
was coughing blood after a race was endoscoped to reveal a live mouse
trapped in its pharynx. The horse had apparently won the race by a
narrow squeak........

 * SLMR 2.1a * Coral Sea Views, Wulguru, Townsville.


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!3!640!706!John.Feltham
Internet: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: Judy.Sneed@f70.n147.z1.fidonet.org (Judy Sneed)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 20:55:08 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:147/70 - The Teacher's Pet, Oklahoma City OK

JF>Attila the hun was killed by a tortoise which fell on his
JF>head. A hawk had been carrying it, but dropped it.

JF>So now you know.......

I wonder if one of todays insurance adjusters would call that an "Act of
God?"


Judy
___
 X SLMR 2.0 X The only completely consistant people are dead.


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!147!70!Judy.Sneed
Internet: Judy.Sneed@f70.n147.z1.fidonet.org
From: Judy.Sneed@f70.n147.z1.fidonet.org (Judy Sneed)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimsey Question
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 20:51:04 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:147/70 - The Teacher's Pet, Oklahoma City OK

JF>Question.

JF>What is the shortest sentence in the bible?

Jesus wept.  People in the Elizabethan age used to memorize how to find
it and read it to prove they were a certain class of society. Some
hing to do with sumpter laws and the right to wear or own certain
things....like silk, I think!
___
 X SLMR 2.0 X Neutral? Isn't that the best forward gear?


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!147!70!Judy.Sneed
Internet: Judy.Sneed@f70.n147.z1.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f702.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 92 20:05:08 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/702 - Grammar BBS, Townsville Qld Australia

Attila the hun was killed by a tortoise which fell on his head. A hawk had been carrying it, but dropped it.

So now you know.......

Our Maggie a hen?   You must be joking...... :-)




--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!3!640!702!John.Feltham
Internet: John.Feltham@f702.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 92 16:52:00 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

LH> > JFWhat fell to the ground in Western Australia, on 12 July,
LH> > JF1979?

LH>I think this was the remains of SkyLab.  Correct?

As they used to say on a radio program in the UK many years ago, "Give
the man the money, Mabel."

Quite right Lowell.

The first response to a question in the First Annual K12Net Whimsey
compettion.

 * SLMR 2.1a * Coral Sea Views, Wulguru, Townsville.


--  
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Internet: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: A teacher's lament....
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 92 21:28:28 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

I've just found a song, in a book of Unionist folksongs, that I think you might like.  It's sung to the tune of "Sixteen Tons" and was written while that song was first 'in the charts' in the late 40s or early 50s.

So now you can find out what it really was like teaching during the 'halycon days' of education.  :-)


THE TEACHERS LAMENT
===================

Some people say a teacher's made out of steel,
Her mind can think, but her body can't feel;
Iron and steel and hickory tea,
Frowns and gripes from nine to three.

    You teach six full hours and what do you get?
    Another day older and deeper in debt.
    You pay your dues in this and that
    Then for twenty nine days your billfold's flat.

I woke one morning, it was cloudy and cool
I picked up my register and started for school,
I wrote eighty-four names on the home room roll
And the Principal said, "Well, bless my soul."

    You teach six full hours and what do you get?
    Cuts and bruises and dirt and sweat.
    I got two black eyes and can hardly walk.
    When I turn my back, then came the chalk.

I got eighty-four kids and forty-two seats -
Sixty are talking, while twenty-four sleep.
I can hardly get 'em all through the classroom door
And if I don't watch out they'll give me twenty-four more.

    You teach six full hours to eighty-four brats
    And all of them yelling like dogs and cats.
    They're cutting on the seats and writing on the walls,
    Hugging and kissing in the upstairs halls.

The last bell rings and I start for the door,
My head is ringing and my feet are sore.
I taught six full hours - my day is made
But I still have three hundred papers to grade.

    You teach six full hours and what do you get?
    Another day older and deeper in debt.
    I'll go to St. Peter, but I just can't stay -
    I gotta come back to the P.T.A.

Steph.

{{ * Origin: I've been blatted by the Sparrow :-) :-) (3:680/828.33)}}


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!3!640!706!John.Feltham
Internet: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f702.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 92 19:57:58 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/702 - Grammar BBS, Townsville Qld Australia

G'day Judy,

Thanks for your worthy entry into the world of the Whimsical.

ooroo



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Internet: John.Feltham@f702.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: Helen.Sternheim@f109.n321.z1.fidonet.org (Helen Sternheim)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Public Toilets
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 10:43:02 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:321/109 - Pioneer Valley PCUG, Amherst MA

In a message of <26 Jul 92 16:44:00 >, John Feltham (3:640/706) writes:

 JF>It is not as if the department has to bear all the cost (Q-Builds 
 JF>estimate for the job is A$5921). The Mareeba Shire Council has offered 
 JF>to contribute up to A$3000 on a dollar for dollar basis.
 JF>
 JF>So the department's contribution need only be a paltry A$2921. Surely a 
 JF>reasonable amount, if only for 13 kids.  But the department still seems 
 JF>strangely reluctant to dip into the public purse for the funds. At the 
 JF>same time, State Member for Mulgrave, Warren Pitt, announcing a 
 JF>Government grant of A$8420 for a fence and cricket practice  enclosure 
 JF>for Yungaburra state school, boasted that the State's school 
 JF>improvement scheme, had a budget this year of nearly A$5 million.

One of our local schools now has a building housing toilets.  It was built by   
VOLUNTEERS, for use of the various sport teams that use the school grounds  
for  league softball when the school is closed.  Maybe a similar volunteer  
effort  can be undertaken in Mareeba Shire. 


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!321!109!Helen.Sternheim
Internet: Helen.Sternheim@f109.n321.z1.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimsey Question
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 92 16:41:46 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

Question:

What english word has only one vowel in it. Six of them?




--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!3!640!706!John.Feltham
Internet: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys.
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 13:29:21 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

Please note that all the whimseys entered by be are taken from various magazines, newspapers and periodicals.

They may contain views which I accept or reject, personally. They are inserted for all to read, observe, laugh, complain or whatever. 

Feel free to comment for or against any item, I may or may not respond, just like you! :-)

ooroo 

--  
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Internet: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: Judy.Sneed@f70.n147.z1.fidonet.org (Judy Sneed)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimsey
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 20:57:10 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:147/70 - The Teacher's Pet, Oklahoma City OK

According to a report from some psychologist who did a study...eating
hamburgers leads to wife beating.  It seems that men get upset when the
meat is too done, not done enough, too tough, too fat or whatever, and
take it out on the cook.  I wonder if this syndrome is related to the
propensity of folks in ancient times to kill off the bearer of bad news?

Judy
___
 X SLMR 2.0 X Backup not found: (A)bort (R)etry (P)anic


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!147!70!Judy.Sneed
Internet: Judy.Sneed@f70.n147.z1.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 92 16:45:08 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

London.

A new trend in Britain for putting TV sets in childrens bedrooms could be hitting reading standards, says a report by the National Foundation for Educational Research. One in five children aged 7, now had TV in their rooms, it said.



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Internet: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org
From: Gordon.Benedict@f49.n134.z1.fidonet.org (Gordon Benedict)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 92 10:58:00 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:134/49 - The Student Exchang, Calgary Alta

    Hi John,

 JF> What was special about the day that Attila the Hun died?

    That was around 450 something, wasn't it?  Ok.  I'll bite.  What
    was so special about that day?

    BTW, was Attila the Hun related to Attila the Hen (Margaret Thatcher)?

    Gord


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uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!134!49!Gordon.Benedict
Internet: Gordon.Benedict@f49.n134.z1.fidonet.org
From: Janet.Murray@f23.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Janet Murray)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Portland, Oregon.
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 92 23:40:15 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/23 - HI TECH TOOLS / Lib, Portland OR

In a message of <Jul 22 22:47>, John Feltham (3:640/706) wrote: 

 JF>The "African-American Baseline Essays' published by the Portland 
 JF>Public Schools Board of Education, are at the centre of a long 
 JF>running row over the value of multicultural education. 

 JF>The baseline essays were published in 1987.

The "baseline essays" have also been the subject of controversy
in the Portland Public School District.

 JF>Matthew Profit, who as the superintendent of education introduced 
            ^^^^^^
 JF>the base line essays in Portland, says: "People miss the point 
 JF>when they try to check every single scientific fact."  Prophet 
                                                           ^^^^^^^
Matthew Prophet recently retired as Superintendent of the Portland 
Public Schools to pursue a more _profitable_ career.

We have a new cost-conscious superintendent who inherited the
impact of a ballot measure limiting property taxes as the
source of funding for schools in Oregon.  

Personally, I believe in the value of multicultural education,
and am promoting worldwide connectivity through K12Net in the
hope that kids from many cultures will be able to communicate
with each other, and thereby diffuse their cultural stereotypes. 

--Janet
 



--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!23!Janet.Murray
Internet: Janet.Murray@f23.n105.z1.fidonet.org
From: Judy.Sneed@f70.n147.z1.fidonet.org (Judy Sneed)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 20:51:06 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:147/70 - The Teacher's Pet, Oklahoma City OK

JF>G'day,

JF>Is there anyone, apart from Gleason reading these?

JF>It is for anyone to enter Whimseys, you know!

JF>ooroo

Hey! I am here, too!

Judy
___
 X SLMR 2.0 X This is the tagline police! That wasn't funny!!


--  
uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!147!70!Judy.Sneed
Internet: Judy.Sneed@f70.n147.z1.fidonet.org
From: John.Feltham@f706.n640.z3.fidonet.org (John Feltham)
Newsgroups: k12.sys.channel1
Subject: Whimseys
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 92 21:08:04 PST
Organization: FidoNet node 3:640/706 - Coral Sea, Townsville Qld Australia

Hear Ye, Oh Hear Ye.

Let it be known that this Channel is open for any scurvy knave, (or
scurvy wench for that matter!), to enter scurrilous rumours or humerous
facts for our delictation or edification.

Grab your quills forthwith.

ooroo

 * SLMR 2.1a * Coral Sea Views, Wulguru, Townsville.


--  
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