by Rod Edwards on February 17, 2010
My initial reaction was horror. After some further reflection, however, perhaps there’s something to this idea if community college enrollment is a strict pre-condition to early graduation.
In an experiment that could reshape American secondary education, high schools in eight states will introduce new courses next year, along with a battery of tests for sophomores, that will allow students who pass to get a diploma two years early and immediately enroll in community college.
via New Plan Would Let High Schoolers Graduate Early – NYTimes.com.
by Rod Edwards on February 16, 2010
Looks like the US is putting rubber on the road in regards to the greening of its energy grid. Of course, some would argue that nuclear is the farthest from green that one can get; Personally, I side with the nuclear crowd, and place my faith in new technologies like molten salt thorium reactors to deliver copious amounts of clean energy to areas not effectively served by renewable sources.
President Obama is announcing funding to break ground on the first new nuclear power plant in nearly three decades. In Lanham, Maryland Tuesday morning, Mr. Obama will announce the first loan guarantee for the construction and operation of two new nuclear reactors at a Southern Company plant in Burke, Georgia. Southern Company says approximately 3,000 onsite construction jobs and approximately 850 permanent operations jobs will be created and the facility will power 550,000 homes.
via President Obama Announces Loan for Nuclear Power Plant « Row 2, Seat 4.
by Rod Edwards on February 15, 2010
Hmmm. Interesting question. Should central banks be independent? The Bank of Canada ultimately answers to the people through the Minister of Finance, but as they are quick to point out, operate with considerably more independence than other federal institutions.
Is that a good thing, keeping the banks free to run the mechanics of policy without political considerations, or a source of risk (see: United States)?
Leaving aside the question of whether it is a good idea to use these reserves to pay off international creditors – something that perhaps only the future will tell – is there a good reason why central banks should be “independent” of their elected governments?
The business press, which has the support of the vast majority of economists on this question, thinks there is. The basic argument is that if the central bank is not able to determine monetary policy free of “political considerations”, then politicians will force the bank to be “too loose” with monetary policy and the country will end up with dangerously high levels of inflation.
This would seem to be a tough argument to swallow for anyone who believes in representative democracy. Fiscal policy – the government’s decisions with regard to spending and taxation – is also a major determinant of economic activity. There are important tradeoffs that affect the livelihood, income and employment of most of the population. Yet in the US, these decisions are entrusted to our elected representatives in Congress, together with the executive.
There is no obvious reason why monetary policy – the central bank’s decisions with regard to interest rates and money supply – is so different from other major policy decisions that it should be specially insulated from the electorate. There is no valid analogy, for example, to the independence of the judiciary – which is based on a theory of separation of powers, or checks and balances, ostensibly to limit abuses of power or infringements on civil rights and liberties.
via Answer to the people, not big finance | Mark Weisbrot | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk.
by Rod Edwards on February 14, 2010
What do you think of remix culture? Is the concept of plagiarism outdated? Should it be outdated?
Ms. Hegemann finds herself in the middle of a collision — if not road kill exactly — between the staid, literary establishment in a country that venerates writers from Goethe to Mann to Grass, and the Berlin youth culture of D.J.’s and artists that sample freely and thereby breathe creativity into old forms. Or as one character, Edmond, puts it in the book, “Berlin is here to mix everything with everything.”
via Author, 17, Says It’s ‘Mixing,’ Not Plagiarism – NYTimes.com.
I’m all for remixing, mashups, and creative plagiarism – provided its done with proper credit and attribution, and respectfully of other artist’s rights where applicable. Hegemann erred in presenting the work as exclusively her own, not the literary remix that it apparently is.
by Rod Edwards on February 14, 2010
From my Malaysian adventures, 2008.
This drum kit is made out of some miscellaneous real drum parts, twisted metal, big galon paint pails, and a water tank of some kind.
You can find this drum kit at the ass end of nowhere, right next to the most spectacular scuba diving in the world. This picture is from Uncle Chang’s dive shop and school, located on Mabul Island, right next to the world famous Sippadan Island.
Sippadan is famous for the ridiculous reef wall that surrounds the island, the spectacular coral, and the awesome wildlife. You have to elbow your way through crowds of sea turtles and sharks to keep up with your dive group.
Sippadan is also notable for the fact that Malaysia and the Philippines periodically hold small scale wars over possession of the island. The only inhabitants now are some Malaysian soldiers, who live in the crumbly remains of the island’s resort, which was in use until it was invaded by Philippines, and was shut down after the ensuing hostage crisis.
Anyway, we didn’t get invaded while there, and did enjoy stellar diving and the entertainment implied by this cobbled together drum kit.
by Rod Edwards on February 13, 2010
by Rod Edwards on February 13, 2010
by Rod Edwards on February 12, 2010
Fortune Cookie: You have enough energy for two people! I’d better; I just ate enough chocolate for two people.
by Rod Edwards on February 12, 2010
The bizarre case dwelled on Norse mythology, decoded Hitler references and heard a seven-year-old girl’s graphic description of how to kill black people.
via Alleged racist parents lose custody of children – The Globe and Mail.
It doesn’t sound like Mom was particulary interested in custody anyway, as she skipped town and province as soon as CFS took the kids and hasn’t been back. Whatever the case, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the kids have a better chance in foster care than with their “parents.”
by Rod Edwards on February 12, 2010
I just joined the board of Steven Fletcher’s riding association (first meeting next week) – who knew it could get so spicy?!
Citing concerns with the party's national council, as many as 17 Tories inked a resignation letter Thursday saying they can't carry out their “democratically supported mandate” under newly imposed limitations.
Last week, the national council informed the board it would take control of this year's annual general meeting and will have the final word on any riding association spending.
via Dispute in MP’s riding builds.
