Recent Entries
Just A Rambling Meandering Smattering of Almost-Completed Thoughts…
You Have To Serve Before You Can Lead
Seriously, Obama - Why In the World Southwest Virginia?
Monthly Archives
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
RSS Feeds
Time to Flip the Switch ON on Nuclear Power!
Dec 13, 2007When it comes to nuclear power, the biggest thing we have to fear is fear itself.
My hope is that, with plans for the first new nuclear plants in almost 30 years hitting the drawing board, maybe – just maybe – folks are starting to realize that when it comes to the public perception of nuclear power, we have been played like a violin by a master.
These new nuclear power plants promise the quickest and safest and most realistic way to move our country from one that is dependent on oil to one that is dependent on NO ONE for its entire energy picture. Oil, coal, natural gas – eventually they will all run out.
Renewable resources. Solar, wind and the like are great ideas but not even close to being ready or able to carry the energy load in this country in a way that is either effective or affordable. Nuclear, on the other hand, is here, is now, is ready and hopefully is finally about to be taken advantage of.
Posted by Jody Lee Gender Issue
Dec 03, 2007Single gender education – are boys and girls really better students when they are separated? Can teachers really better teach their students when the classroom is made up of one gender or another instead of both?
The answer is yes, both times. I think it is time we start pushing this idea forward in our area, especially for middle school students. If you have your doubts, you need look no further than South Carolina, a leader among states that offer public schools with single gender classrooms. The results are indisputable…
Between hormones and peer pressure and self-doubt, the middle school years present a uniquely difficult educational challenge to both teachers and students - creating a classroom atmosphere where students can get beyond those things and actually concentrate on learning and where teachers have a fair shot at getting through to the students.
Red Wine and Blue
Dec 01, 2007Get it? A play on red, white and blue? Why am I the only one laughing? Well, I thought it would be a clever title for a mini-rant about blue laws. Oh, never mind.
According to the encyclopedia, blue laws are “,,,a type of law designed to enforce moral standards, particularly the observance of Sunday as a day of worship or rest. Most have been repealed, declared unconstitutional or are simply unenforced, although prohibitions on the sale of alcoholic beverages… on Sundays are still enforced in many areas.”
There it is. It is constitutional to pass a law whose intention is to enforce someone’s moral standards. And yet we continue to make an exception for the sale of alcohol. In the case of selling booze, someone HAS indeed decided it is morally wrong to do so on a Sunday.
I didn’t think you could make “exceptions” to the constitution. Amendments, yes, but exceptions?
The Chavez Charade
Dec 01, 2007I understand and applaud that Americans are entitled to their opinion concerning political and governmental policies, both here and abroad.
But every now and then I find myself at a complete and disturbing loss as to why someone would take a particular stance.
For instance, why in the world would anyone – including some very public American entertainment figures – support someone like Hugo Cavez? I just cannot wrap my head around it and frankly, I have a particularly agile head.
This weekend Venezuelans get one last chance to hang on to democracy. The problem is that many of them do not recognize this Sunday’s referendum as such. And if they should actually elect this Castroesque blowhard President For Life, they and their children – and their children’s children – will not be the only ones who pay for their foolishnesss.
We will as well.
Now back to my agile head….
Every Breath You Take, performed by the Thought Police…
Nov 20, 2007The FBI reported today that “hate crimes” rose almost 8% last year.
Hate crime: when victims or property are targeted as a result of bias against a race, religion, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, or mental disability.
Punishment for a hate crime, as opposed to the same crime committed without the specified hate behind it, is two or three times more severe.
Now. Let’s think about that. If you mull this over and the words “thought police” DON’T come to mind, then you are purposefully avoiding them.
