Question on Teachers’ Unions
No one can possibly disagree with the statement here. But there’s more to this issue.
When these unions make it difficult or impossible to fire our very worst teachers, all decent people draw a line.
Tagged with: Teachers' Unions
Earth as the Insane Asylum of the Universe
In truth, we know essentially nothing about life beyond Earth, but Goethe’s point is a good one nonetheless.
The United States may re-elect Donald Trump, unmitigated climate change is on track to destroy our only home, and we’re destroying our capacity to educate our children. The list of insanities goes on from there.
Deceptive Advertising for Kitchen Composter
Apparently, these kitchen composter appliances are selling fairly well.
My only issue is this: The process of using substantial amounts of electricity (~200 Watts times 6 hours per day) from the grid to dry out food scraps is most definitely not good for the planet.
Tagged with: helping the planet
Your Invitation to Learn from Ken Burns
A few years ago, I was privileged to hear a talk in a smallish auditorium by the great Ken Burns. Our world is filled with incredible minds, but IMO, Burns is at or very near the top when it comes to an understanding of history and philosophy, combined with his unparalleled capacity to explain it to the rest of us.
If you have 20 minutes to spare (and who doesn’t when we really want something?), please check out his speech to the 2024 graduating class at Brandeis University.
Tagged with: history and philosophy
Trump Is “Unappreciated” in NYC, Putting it Mildly
As I wrote earlier, Trump is despised by New York City, and would have been wiser to hold a rally elsewhere.
Attorney and Trump critic Ron Filipkowski said of Trump’s rally in the Bronx: “Right-wing media can hype this all they want. In a city of over 8 million people, Trump drew 4,000 tops. That’s with a lot of people from out of state.”
Characteristically, Robert De Niro puts it far better than I can.
Tagged with: Trump Is "Unappreciated" in NYC
Reducing the Incidence of Gun Violence
From the Sandy Hook Promise:
When the Senate failed to pass background check legislation after my sweet little Daniel was murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary, I was absolutely devastated. I had spent months going from Senate office to Senate office, sharing photos of my gap-toothed little boy – showing them the human toll of inaction. It gutted me to watch as some of those same senators voted to stop the bill, but I refused to give up hope.
Now, a decade later, we have another chance: The Background Check Expansion Act has been introduced in the Senate – a bill that would close dangerous loopholes in our background check system that put children’s lives at risk. That’s why we need another 947 petition signatures before midnight to reach our goal of 650,000 people sending a powerful message to the Senate demanding they act now – and it looks like your name is missing.
Please, sign now to urge the Senate to pass the Background Check Expansion Act to protect more children from gun violence.
– Mark Barden (Daniel’s father)
One doesn’t have to look too far to find areas of gross corruption in the U.S. congress, but the lock that the National Rifle Association has on our senators and representatives may sit at the top of the list. A full 97% of American voters want mandatory background checks for prospective gun owners, though this whole subject continues to bump along with little real progress.
Here’s the petition on The Background Check Expansion Act that I just signed. I hope you’ll join me.
Tagged with: Reducing the Incidence of Gun Violence
Climate Apathy
Out of curiosity, I just signed up to receive Chevron’s monthly newsletter, which features a regular article on what the oil behemoth is doing to clean up the energy sector.
Of course, if this is to mean anything substantive, it needs to spell out how exactly Chevron is moving the world away from fossil fuels, and, as we all know, that’s not happening. Or, better put, if it is happening at all, it’s due to the pressure it’s receiving from the general public.
Now we simply have to hope that the author of the cartoon here, Dan Piraro, is wrong.
Tagged with: Climate Apathy
Republicans v. Democrats: The Line Has Never Been Sharper
In today’s America, there is no question that the Republicans help the corporate world profit at the expense of the people, while Democrats are trying to help the common person get along.
Who will win?
Good question.
As I like to say, “They (the GOP) have the money; we have the people.”
Having said all this, as shown in the charts below, Biden actually is making some headway on our behalf, and his accomplishments are appreciated by many.
Tagged with: Republicans v. Democrats:
Take a Cool Guess—The Fun Quiz on Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability. Today’s Topic: Basic Physics
Question: Does the diagram at left correctly predict what will happen?
Answer: Can be found at Clean Energy Answers.
More detailed answer here.
Tagged with: physics
What Motivates Trump?
As you read the meme here, ask yourself why Trump did this.
As a reader suggests, “Dead people can’t vote.”
I believe that’s it exactly. With Trump, every decision is transactional. “What can this do for me?” he reasons. If the answer is “Nothing,” it’s not going to happen.
Now, in fairness, everyone has some level of self-interest; thus, we’ve never had a completely selfless president. On the other hand, until now, we never had one who honestly couldn’t give a s*** about anyone but himself.
