A follow-up on the NAS case against CSWE

This is a follow-up on The National Association of Scholars critical report of social work education.

http://www.nas.org/print/pressreleases/hqnas/releas_11sep07.htm

And the letter from this author to NAS:

Dear Stephen H. Balch and Peter W. Wood at National Association of Scholars,

I applaud the efforts of NAS to bring Social Work and the CSWE under control. As a recent graduate of a Social Work PhD program, I found much of the CSWE leadership to be extremely ideologically liberal, politically biased, closed minded, and in many cases outright hostile to any ideologies other than the Democratic Left. In my program, I continually fought what felt like was a one man battle as I advocated for outcome-based solutions to social issues, rather than the current Social Work mentality of elevating "political correct" methodology above all. Among my current colleagues, I encourage inquiry into all solutions, no matter the ideological genesis. However, routinely, I find that politically liberal methodology trumps and permeates all social work discussions about deciding on and solving social problems. In my estimation, I am not sure if NAS knows exactly how prevalent the problem truly is.

On several occasions, I walked out of national meetings with CSWE leadership because the discussions would derail from the posted topic to the "evils of the Republican Party." I have personally witnessed colleagues and professors tell students that they must put the NASW code of ethics above their personal religious beliefs, make them join in campus political rallies for class grades, use the bully pulpit of the classroom to preach ideological points of view, and openly discuss why "political conservatives have no business being in social work." On many occasions, I have persuaded "conservative" students from dropping out of social work programs (Masters and Bachelors) in order to accomplish personal achievement and coached them on how to ignore or play the "liberal" game long enough to receive their degrees. Furthermore, I spent countless hours privately teaching students about the "other side" of social policy, because they sought a balance in their education.

As you can imagine, I have had to be very tactful (which meant many times being quiet) about my true opinions about CSWE and NASW to achieve academic success. Even though, I was successful in completing my PhD (to the credit of a handful of open-minded faculty and brilliant scholars in their own right) and have been honored to be apart of the most prestigious gerontology fellowship in the country (which in my estimation is more balanced that most), I have had to be very strategic with my "complaints."

I have been so frustrated with the current political environment in academic social work programs, that I am considering not seeking employment in academia because I am not sure I want to teach CSWE accredited Social Work classes, deal with the majority of close-minded faculty, and face a tenure process that includes all of the above. I am simply worn out by the political one-sidedness and feelings that I must kowtow to leadership that is openly hostile to the other half of the ideological spectrum if I am to succeed in social work academia.

Please do not give up your pursuit to bring balance to Social Work academia. I confess that even with my best efforts, I too am somewhat biased in my points of view above, but I know that there are many, many students and at least one Ph.D. that would applaud any effort to bring balance to social work higher ed., especially if it remedies students being ostracized for their political and religious beliefs in the classroom.

Ah.. its been a long time..... oh by the way Bravo's 100 funniest comedies - SUCKS

All I really need to say about this ranking gone wrong is that Monty Python’s The Holy Grail ended up at number 40! Yes, I know you are shocked. So was I.

Who exactly is on Bravo’s committee to pick the best 100 comedies ever? Was this a high school class assignment - turned into a show? It is as if the ranking body of this auspicious "top 100" took a bravura list off the internet and added a few wild card picks based on what their kids told them at dinner.

Okay Bravo, time to fess up to the horrible editing error that took place on a lap top in someone's kitchen when the writer stepped out to use the restroom. It appears that when the writer returned, he/she accidentally “accept all changes” after his or her teen age daughter punched in her comments using the Word “track changes” feature in their absence?

If you have not seen the list, let me give you a preview (even though it kind of chills me to relive the event): Meet the Fockers ranked in at number 25, which beat out Annie Hal! Shampoo was ranked at number at number 21 - exactly how did this movie even rank? I can think of at least a 101 comedies that are much better than Shampoo. Shrek ranked in at number 3?!!! Holy Lord!

Let's try and forget for one second that these movies beat out The Holy Grail, Annie Hall, and A Fish Called Wanda, but honestly has anyone ever witnessed anyone around the water cooler telling a joke by Warren Beatty from Shampoo, even though I am sure it is replayed with fervor (with a glowing TWO STARS) just after ‘Skinamax’ at 3 am.

Bravo must have forgotten how professional order and ranking happens. Can I help? For starters: One, don't use the hat method when finalizing the “best comedies” in movie history. And two, ask a comedian and if they are not around ask the guy in the cubical next to you. Bravo, should leave the ranking of comedies to the professional movie watchers and stick with what they know best – telling straight America how to stay fashionably hip.