E. Olmert, former Israeli Prime Minister, on the Charlie Rose Show (I think) discussed a one state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian stalemate that I could favor. Originally, it may be recalled, that Israel permitted Palestinians to inhabit Israeli lands, even as some do today. He added that if he were to return to the government, he would be inclined to discuss such a proposal with the Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank.
In any case, the two state solution is deadwood, primarily because the Palestinians could never make their state financially viable.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Educattve Learning Under Capitalism
I was listening to a symposium on education over C-Span the other day. It dawned on me that most of the content for discussion was centered on the teacher---her methods used in instructing students, but little was mentioned about the student himself. It's as if the student was really a black box into which knowledge should be stored as a result of teacher input and textbook reading.
Yet, under capitalism, the learner is an emotional creature whose propensities lure him to be productive and creative. The primary device leading him to become prroductive is simply the presentment of an incentive, such as money! That is to say, he's lured by filthy lucre!
I recall growing up in an Episcopal Church that paid its choir members to sing on Sundays. I think I earned 75 cents each Sunday I performed and 25 cents for choir practice during the week. I spent the money before the next week was over!
You know, that same practice could be used in school. It's simply practicing capitalism in educational environments. Each month a child could earn a stipend: say, $4 for perfect attendance, $5 for grades "B" or better in all his courses (maybe excluding gym); and $2 for doing something noteworthy in his studies, like an extra project to present in class.
It's time capitalism was taught in the schools, and students become accustomed to it before entering the labor market.
Addendum:
Today, December 15, 2012, I was watching on public television a presentation of the Family Rewards Program of the city of Memphis, Tenn,, which may already be defunct since it was to last only 3 years as a pilot. The project pilot, geared for the poor, primarily black families, had an educational component that paid kids in school according to grade performance and atttendance record--somewhat similar to what I am proposing. The presentation also made mention that Mayor Bloomberg of New York City is also thinking of instituting a pilot project that would pay students for grade performance.
However, neither such pilot program justifies itself on the basis of capitalist principles, and neither refers to the value of the educative learning experience in participating in capitalism.
Yet, under capitalism, the learner is an emotional creature whose propensities lure him to be productive and creative. The primary device leading him to become prroductive is simply the presentment of an incentive, such as money! That is to say, he's lured by filthy lucre!
I recall growing up in an Episcopal Church that paid its choir members to sing on Sundays. I think I earned 75 cents each Sunday I performed and 25 cents for choir practice during the week. I spent the money before the next week was over!
You know, that same practice could be used in school. It's simply practicing capitalism in educational environments. Each month a child could earn a stipend: say, $4 for perfect attendance, $5 for grades "B" or better in all his courses (maybe excluding gym); and $2 for doing something noteworthy in his studies, like an extra project to present in class.
It's time capitalism was taught in the schools, and students become accustomed to it before entering the labor market.
Addendum:
Today, December 15, 2012, I was watching on public television a presentation of the Family Rewards Program of the city of Memphis, Tenn,, which may already be defunct since it was to last only 3 years as a pilot. The project pilot, geared for the poor, primarily black families, had an educational component that paid kids in school according to grade performance and atttendance record--somewhat similar to what I am proposing. The presentation also made mention that Mayor Bloomberg of New York City is also thinking of instituting a pilot project that would pay students for grade performance.
However, neither such pilot program justifies itself on the basis of capitalist principles, and neither refers to the value of the educative learning experience in participating in capitalism.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
M. Romney's Mum
Last night I listened to excerpts from the RNC convention--day 1--after the night's events were completed.
Ms. Romney's wife spoke. I heard her say Romney (her husband) "will not FAIL!" But here's the critical point: I was expecting her to finish the sentence with a "YOU," making the sentence end, "will not FAIL YOU!" After all, he's trying to appeal to the US electorate and should be promising he will not fail them, i.e., he's concerned with measuring up to their expectations of him. That she ended the sentence without an acknowledgement to her listeners of his concern that austerity will certainly affect their well being, suggests to me he's simply going to do the "business job" of putting the federal government's house in order, irrespective of the toll it may take upon the US citizenry. So, I came to wonder if his austerity program, implied though unspecified with details, simply would solve the US financial problems, no matter how burdensome the undertaking might become upon the middle and lower classes.
Then, I listened to excerpts of Governor Chris Christie's keynote address. I got the impression that Christie was engaging in speculation how drastic Romney's austerity program is. Admittedly, Romney has endorsed aspects of the Ryan budget as approved by the House of Representatives. If that budget were to be enacted, Medicare would be gutted eventually--in the next 20 years or so (for the sake of its preservation!). Nevertheless, Christie's vision of the Romney attack on federal, governmental spending was so horrendous that, if it were anywhere near to being authentic, would constitute sufficient reason to reject Romney's program forthwith without its gory details. Indeed, I think Christie, in delivering that speech which bespoke dire consequences should Romney control the executive arm of the federal government, was indirectly delcaring his own candicacy for President in 2016!
Well, there's two more days to the RNC convention. Perhaps, Romney will come forth with details as to what he will cut out and what he will save. Will there be a Department of Education, for example? Will the social welfare programs be somehow left to the states to assume? England is attempting to meliorate its austerity program, since its citizenry are being currently "punished" for the financial catastrophe of 2008, which was not their fault, but rather that of its financial institutions, involved in fraud and the manhandling of unregulated derivative transactions.
Nevertheless, it's really not hard to speculate what Romney has in mind for an austerity recovery program that favors the rich: take off as many regulations of business activities as he can get away with; pollute like crazy. Open the spickets of oil and gas reserves; and build as many gateways to bring up ore from the mines. In general, I think he would institute policies that promote the idea that no one should do anything to get in the way with business! His would be a give-a-way of Americana to the corporate world (for the sake of jobs, jobs; jobs). Adam Smith would be proud, for M. Romney is The Wealth of Nations' boy!
Ms. Romney's wife spoke. I heard her say Romney (her husband) "will not FAIL!" But here's the critical point: I was expecting her to finish the sentence with a "YOU," making the sentence end, "will not FAIL YOU!" After all, he's trying to appeal to the US electorate and should be promising he will not fail them, i.e., he's concerned with measuring up to their expectations of him. That she ended the sentence without an acknowledgement to her listeners of his concern that austerity will certainly affect their well being, suggests to me he's simply going to do the "business job" of putting the federal government's house in order, irrespective of the toll it may take upon the US citizenry. So, I came to wonder if his austerity program, implied though unspecified with details, simply would solve the US financial problems, no matter how burdensome the undertaking might become upon the middle and lower classes.
Then, I listened to excerpts of Governor Chris Christie's keynote address. I got the impression that Christie was engaging in speculation how drastic Romney's austerity program is. Admittedly, Romney has endorsed aspects of the Ryan budget as approved by the House of Representatives. If that budget were to be enacted, Medicare would be gutted eventually--in the next 20 years or so (for the sake of its preservation!). Nevertheless, Christie's vision of the Romney attack on federal, governmental spending was so horrendous that, if it were anywhere near to being authentic, would constitute sufficient reason to reject Romney's program forthwith without its gory details. Indeed, I think Christie, in delivering that speech which bespoke dire consequences should Romney control the executive arm of the federal government, was indirectly delcaring his own candicacy for President in 2016!
Well, there's two more days to the RNC convention. Perhaps, Romney will come forth with details as to what he will cut out and what he will save. Will there be a Department of Education, for example? Will the social welfare programs be somehow left to the states to assume? England is attempting to meliorate its austerity program, since its citizenry are being currently "punished" for the financial catastrophe of 2008, which was not their fault, but rather that of its financial institutions, involved in fraud and the manhandling of unregulated derivative transactions.
Nevertheless, it's really not hard to speculate what Romney has in mind for an austerity recovery program that favors the rich: take off as many regulations of business activities as he can get away with; pollute like crazy. Open the spickets of oil and gas reserves; and build as many gateways to bring up ore from the mines. In general, I think he would institute policies that promote the idea that no one should do anything to get in the way with business! His would be a give-a-way of Americana to the corporate world (for the sake of jobs, jobs; jobs). Adam Smith would be proud, for M. Romney is The Wealth of Nations' boy!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Signs of Reality Dimensions
I've recently joined the Bible Study group at Trinity Cathedral, Omaha, led by Dean Pritcher. We've been studying the Gospel of John, particularly the 6th Chapter. It's been an occasion for me to revisit the old philosophical distinction of appearance and reality, prominent in the philosophies of the 19th Century Europeans.
The idea of distinguishing appearance of a thing from its total reality in 19th Century parlance need not bog us down. The point to the distinction is in getting at dimensions of reality in which we can be sure we know the things of that dimension we're dealing with--we know in truth of what exists per dimensionaa; and we can prove it! Here's a list of the type of things we know, positively.
1. We know physical things in this world. If we have doubt as to what we are seeing, feeling, touching, etc. we have developed ways to test to know positively that it's what we take it to be! Methods of verification involve using a property list of each particular physical thing and testing for the properties' presence in certain circumstances.
2. We know a spiritual reality. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is said to criticize his Jewish brethern for thinking that, in the feeding of the five thousand story for instance, partakers simply ate bread, etc.--nourished their bodies. No, to Jesus, the participants in the meal came to experience the spiritual reality of a higher power, viz. God. In this myth, bread was a sign of a spiritual presence: "God's in His heaven!"
By a process of simultaneity, the participant of the feeding both ate bread and, religiously experienced God's presence in the world. One is reminded of Pascal's contention, "The heart has reasons, the mind doesn't comprehend."
The Hebrews would say about entering a spiritual reality, that one must listen to the "still small voice."
Samuel thought his rabbai was calling him in the middle of the night, but no, it was God. Being receptive to experiencing the spiritual world or dimension is akin to the the sense of hearing in physical reality. Indeed, in the early Church writings, the believer was advised--"he who has an ear, let him hear." And, it was said in one Gospel that while Jesus was near water, a bird descended nearby, crying, "Behold, my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
It is this foundation in acknowledging that we are not simply rational beings, a fallacy in ancient Aristotelian thinking, but by means of our experience, the physical becomes a sign, e.g., a sign of the spiritual.
That is to say, we are something other than a computerized problem-solver. We don't always think logically, because we humans are more than logical automatons. Rather, we also experience, i.e., we come upon other dimensions of reality by seeing the physical entity as a sign of something in another dimension.
Failure to recognize that man is not merely a thinking being but an experiencng creature, who brings to bear all the attributes of his body and mind, so as to come upon other dimensions of the real beyond physical world. Specifically, to contend that man is qua nature rational, i.e., is distinguished by virtue of his ability to reason, denies the validity of occult and metaphysical experiences by which people gain access to some other dimension of reality. e.g., as have been in fact reported by countless persons, e.g., over the air-waves in the night talk shows and on the prestigeous Coast-to-Coast program. By denying the quality of experience which enables a physical object to point to a spiritual truth, religious practice is mocked, such activities as attending church, praying and reading the Bible. Moreover, it casts the believer into a schzoid straight-jacket attended to by lunatic psychiatrists and head-nurses, as depicted in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Nevertheless, we ought not restrict our humanity through which we can become the beneficiaries from experiencing another realm, e.g., the spiritual.
3. We come upon legitimate relations among physical objects through the mental process of creativity. The artist knows his view of what he puts on canvas is indeed creative. It is unique unto himself. So too, the scientist posits his theoretical construct to account for certain relationships among the physical data he has collected or analyzed. Such creative efforts are not always useful in the end to provide insight into the nature of the physical world, but nonetheless, many times prove successful in capturing interrelationships which other scientists can draw upon and use in their own analyses.
In William James' most famous book, Varieties of Religious Experience, cases drawn from historical records show how religious experiences have provided meaning to the experiencers and have virtually changed lives. Suddenly, an experiencer discerns a vision of what he can do to help his fellow man. It is this revelatory experience that can propel him into the world with purpose and direction he heretofore did not possess, James argues. In these cases, the spiritual experience becomes a sign pointing him, i.e., the experiencer, in a new direction to act.
4. Through the power of signs, some physical objects enlighten us to the economic world. A piece of silver becomes a coin; and a coin commands a modicum of economic worth, which the possessor can make use of to achieve his wants and desires. It was Karl Marx who came upon the idea that indeed the economic world mirrors the physical in such a way that any commonplace physical occurrence can be translated into economic terms. That is to say, he saw that some physical objects became signs that revealed an economic dimension.
5. Similarly, there exists a psychological, mental world, which events in each person's life can open up to reveal. Many scientists have contended for years that psychologists are merely re-describing what a person has done or said in psychological terms, i.e., inferring particular states of mind of the doer. I regard this comment to be insightful. What a person does or says are indeed signs of his psychological states of mind. Indeed, such re-descriptions, e.g., appearing in the works of Freud, are indicative of the mental dimension and may be useful in mapping strategies for a sufferer's therapy.
6. The cultural dimension has been studied by historians, linguists, and sociologists. This is the reality given in signs of physical, speech utterances capable of linguistic interpretation. It enables the passing of ways of doing things from one generation to another; and has led to human progress.
7. The genealogical dimension places each person in a family historical tree so as to, primarily, follow how diseases and physical traits appear from one generation to another.
and,
8. There's the obvious realm of consciousness, which everybody who can experience himself is privy to. It's known to others only by sign, viz., when the conscious individual reports on paper or aloud what he is consciously experiencing.
The Dimensional Foundation
I have isolated at least 8 dimensions of reality. And importantly, a physical thing can become a sign of another dimension; and a real thing in another dimension can become a sign in the physical realm. Altogether, the 8 dimensions comprise the totality of reality--of all that is. That is to say, we know nothing other than something within some one dimension of reality.
In this dimensions schemata, the spiritual realm, specifically, is but one reality. Some theologians may have contended that the spiritual realm in some "truly" all-encompassing "thing-in-itself" is the only existent really real. Yet in our experiential, dimensional scheme, the spiritual realm is just a fraction of reality we humans are capable to experiencing, i.e., knowing by experiencing.
The idea of distinguishing appearance of a thing from its total reality in 19th Century parlance need not bog us down. The point to the distinction is in getting at dimensions of reality in which we can be sure we know the things of that dimension we're dealing with--we know in truth of what exists per dimensionaa; and we can prove it! Here's a list of the type of things we know, positively.
1. We know physical things in this world. If we have doubt as to what we are seeing, feeling, touching, etc. we have developed ways to test to know positively that it's what we take it to be! Methods of verification involve using a property list of each particular physical thing and testing for the properties' presence in certain circumstances.
2. We know a spiritual reality. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is said to criticize his Jewish brethern for thinking that, in the feeding of the five thousand story for instance, partakers simply ate bread, etc.--nourished their bodies. No, to Jesus, the participants in the meal came to experience the spiritual reality of a higher power, viz. God. In this myth, bread was a sign of a spiritual presence: "God's in His heaven!"
By a process of simultaneity, the participant of the feeding both ate bread and, religiously experienced God's presence in the world. One is reminded of Pascal's contention, "The heart has reasons, the mind doesn't comprehend."
The Hebrews would say about entering a spiritual reality, that one must listen to the "still small voice."
Samuel thought his rabbai was calling him in the middle of the night, but no, it was God. Being receptive to experiencing the spiritual world or dimension is akin to the the sense of hearing in physical reality. Indeed, in the early Church writings, the believer was advised--"he who has an ear, let him hear." And, it was said in one Gospel that while Jesus was near water, a bird descended nearby, crying, "Behold, my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
It is this foundation in acknowledging that we are not simply rational beings, a fallacy in ancient Aristotelian thinking, but by means of our experience, the physical becomes a sign, e.g., a sign of the spiritual.
That is to say, we are something other than a computerized problem-solver. We don't always think logically, because we humans are more than logical automatons. Rather, we also experience, i.e., we come upon other dimensions of reality by seeing the physical entity as a sign of something in another dimension.
Failure to recognize that man is not merely a thinking being but an experiencng creature, who brings to bear all the attributes of his body and mind, so as to come upon other dimensions of the real beyond physical world. Specifically, to contend that man is qua nature rational, i.e., is distinguished by virtue of his ability to reason, denies the validity of occult and metaphysical experiences by which people gain access to some other dimension of reality. e.g., as have been in fact reported by countless persons, e.g., over the air-waves in the night talk shows and on the prestigeous Coast-to-Coast program. By denying the quality of experience which enables a physical object to point to a spiritual truth, religious practice is mocked, such activities as attending church, praying and reading the Bible. Moreover, it casts the believer into a schzoid straight-jacket attended to by lunatic psychiatrists and head-nurses, as depicted in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Nevertheless, we ought not restrict our humanity through which we can become the beneficiaries from experiencing another realm, e.g., the spiritual.
3. We come upon legitimate relations among physical objects through the mental process of creativity. The artist knows his view of what he puts on canvas is indeed creative. It is unique unto himself. So too, the scientist posits his theoretical construct to account for certain relationships among the physical data he has collected or analyzed. Such creative efforts are not always useful in the end to provide insight into the nature of the physical world, but nonetheless, many times prove successful in capturing interrelationships which other scientists can draw upon and use in their own analyses.
In William James' most famous book, Varieties of Religious Experience, cases drawn from historical records show how religious experiences have provided meaning to the experiencers and have virtually changed lives. Suddenly, an experiencer discerns a vision of what he can do to help his fellow man. It is this revelatory experience that can propel him into the world with purpose and direction he heretofore did not possess, James argues. In these cases, the spiritual experience becomes a sign pointing him, i.e., the experiencer, in a new direction to act.
4. Through the power of signs, some physical objects enlighten us to the economic world. A piece of silver becomes a coin; and a coin commands a modicum of economic worth, which the possessor can make use of to achieve his wants and desires. It was Karl Marx who came upon the idea that indeed the economic world mirrors the physical in such a way that any commonplace physical occurrence can be translated into economic terms. That is to say, he saw that some physical objects became signs that revealed an economic dimension.
5. Similarly, there exists a psychological, mental world, which events in each person's life can open up to reveal. Many scientists have contended for years that psychologists are merely re-describing what a person has done or said in psychological terms, i.e., inferring particular states of mind of the doer. I regard this comment to be insightful. What a person does or says are indeed signs of his psychological states of mind. Indeed, such re-descriptions, e.g., appearing in the works of Freud, are indicative of the mental dimension and may be useful in mapping strategies for a sufferer's therapy.
6. The cultural dimension has been studied by historians, linguists, and sociologists. This is the reality given in signs of physical, speech utterances capable of linguistic interpretation. It enables the passing of ways of doing things from one generation to another; and has led to human progress.
7. The genealogical dimension places each person in a family historical tree so as to, primarily, follow how diseases and physical traits appear from one generation to another.
and,
8. There's the obvious realm of consciousness, which everybody who can experience himself is privy to. It's known to others only by sign, viz., when the conscious individual reports on paper or aloud what he is consciously experiencing.
The Dimensional Foundation
I have isolated at least 8 dimensions of reality. And importantly, a physical thing can become a sign of another dimension; and a real thing in another dimension can become a sign in the physical realm. Altogether, the 8 dimensions comprise the totality of reality--of all that is. That is to say, we know nothing other than something within some one dimension of reality.
In this dimensions schemata, the spiritual realm, specifically, is but one reality. Some theologians may have contended that the spiritual realm in some "truly" all-encompassing "thing-in-itself" is the only existent really real. Yet in our experiential, dimensional scheme, the spiritual realm is just a fraction of reality we humans are capable to experiencing, i.e., knowing by experiencing.
Energy Sources Debate
On PBS' Newshour Friday, August 10, 2012, a debate took place between two people--one arguing for the search for clean energy products to replace or augment our reliance upon carbon products and the other defending our current heavy reliance upon the carbon products, particularly oil and natural gas.
We all know that we can't get away from heavy usage of carbon products. So, the issue boils down to whether the US and other developed countries can develop other sources of energy before carbon emissions permanently transform the planet's atmosphere into predominantly methane gas!
The proponent of our continuing to rely upon carbon products made the points that 1) there's now new methods to more readily make available oil and natural gas from below ground and sea and 2) by opening up more oil and natural gas reserves to production, the current jobs problem worldwide would probably be diminished, certainly less significant.
To encourage even greater effort to look for other sources of energy--solar, wind, and whatever else--the governments of the world should impose even steeper taxes on carbon-based products, feeding the extra tax revenues for research by universities to develop alternative energy sources, I retort to each's position.
To my way of thinking, the Republicans are opting for opening up extensive exploration and development of oil and gas, simply because that's where their support comes from--the oil industry. It's a "here and now immediately" argument, failing to note that the reserves in the US may last only 40 to 100 years; and then what; and instead, taking a cavalier attitude toward the greenhouse effects of prolonged usage of such products.
But if the Dems don't admit to the obvious fact that the world's energy primary sources for years to come are the carbons oil and natural gas, I don't think they have a chance to "go forward" as world leaders.
We all know that we can't get away from heavy usage of carbon products. So, the issue boils down to whether the US and other developed countries can develop other sources of energy before carbon emissions permanently transform the planet's atmosphere into predominantly methane gas!
The proponent of our continuing to rely upon carbon products made the points that 1) there's now new methods to more readily make available oil and natural gas from below ground and sea and 2) by opening up more oil and natural gas reserves to production, the current jobs problem worldwide would probably be diminished, certainly less significant.
To encourage even greater effort to look for other sources of energy--solar, wind, and whatever else--the governments of the world should impose even steeper taxes on carbon-based products, feeding the extra tax revenues for research by universities to develop alternative energy sources, I retort to each's position.
To my way of thinking, the Republicans are opting for opening up extensive exploration and development of oil and gas, simply because that's where their support comes from--the oil industry. It's a "here and now immediately" argument, failing to note that the reserves in the US may last only 40 to 100 years; and then what; and instead, taking a cavalier attitude toward the greenhouse effects of prolonged usage of such products.
But if the Dems don't admit to the obvious fact that the world's energy primary sources for years to come are the carbons oil and natural gas, I don't think they have a chance to "go forward" as world leaders.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Fair Share--No! Contribution--Yes!
President Obama has been making a case that the wealthy among us should pay in taxes their fair share. But, Warren Buffet has been making a different case. He's been saying (at least some of the time) that the wealthy could contribute more of their money to help solve the US debt crisis without seriously affecting their style of living.
The topic is lively in today's discussion of cutting back on public unions' pension funds and benefits. The issue is, to what extent could union people contribute to solving the US debt crisis without seriously impacting on their life style. Plainly, Governor Walker and the Wisconsin voters believed that union members would not need to sacrifice their homes and in general, would not be driven into poverty, by taking cuts in pay and benefits for the sake of Wisconsin state solvency. Admittedly, the Governor was calling upon the public union members to make sacrifices, however.
I had input into the formation of the Russian government's current constituion, and I believed then that, despite fraud and corruption to the contrary, each Russian satellite nation could contribute to the rebuilding of a vital and harmonious linkage called "The Federation." The aim had to be clearly stated: for the sake of the Federation, each group was needed to make significant contributions. In my opinion, the group contributions method has worked; and the Federation is a fantastic success!
So let us think altogether: what can each segment of society--the wealthy, the middle class, and the poorer--contribute that will bring down the US debt; and yet will enable us all to live the lifestyle to which we are accustomed?
The topic is lively in today's discussion of cutting back on public unions' pension funds and benefits. The issue is, to what extent could union people contribute to solving the US debt crisis without seriously impacting on their life style. Plainly, Governor Walker and the Wisconsin voters believed that union members would not need to sacrifice their homes and in general, would not be driven into poverty, by taking cuts in pay and benefits for the sake of Wisconsin state solvency. Admittedly, the Governor was calling upon the public union members to make sacrifices, however.
I had input into the formation of the Russian government's current constituion, and I believed then that, despite fraud and corruption to the contrary, each Russian satellite nation could contribute to the rebuilding of a vital and harmonious linkage called "The Federation." The aim had to be clearly stated: for the sake of the Federation, each group was needed to make significant contributions. In my opinion, the group contributions method has worked; and the Federation is a fantastic success!
So let us think altogether: what can each segment of society--the wealthy, the middle class, and the poorer--contribute that will bring down the US debt; and yet will enable us all to live the lifestyle to which we are accustomed?
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Russia eyes an Asian Capital for itself
I heard a report over the tele that Russia is mulling over establishing a capital on its eastern coast. I don't know whether they would move the capital from Moscow or would maintain 2 capital cities--one to the west and one to the east. I think the idea of 2 capitals is great!
I've been arguing for some years, now, that the US should establish a second capital; and I've identified Omaha, where I presently live, as an ideal site. Of course, no one listens to little me! But, may I remind that the Roman Empire developed a second capital in the East in what is now Turkey, that capital having lasted longer than the one at Rome.
The point being, that as a nation takes on the appearance of a world-dominant power, it finds one city in a particular location lacking in administrative authority to wield its power and might over all the land effectively. Two capitals, addressing those of differing cultures and heritage, do a much needed job of homogeneous coordination. I understand Peru has made use of the concept in its own governmental infrastructure.
I've been arguing for some years, now, that the US should establish a second capital; and I've identified Omaha, where I presently live, as an ideal site. Of course, no one listens to little me! But, may I remind that the Roman Empire developed a second capital in the East in what is now Turkey, that capital having lasted longer than the one at Rome.
The point being, that as a nation takes on the appearance of a world-dominant power, it finds one city in a particular location lacking in administrative authority to wield its power and might over all the land effectively. Two capitals, addressing those of differing cultures and heritage, do a much needed job of homogeneous coordination. I understand Peru has made use of the concept in its own governmental infrastructure.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Russia tries for WTO membership
It's my impression that for the past 18 years or so, Russia has sought WTO membership. It's important, because without MFN, Russia has been virtually shut out of Western commodity markets, except for their exports in steel items and other specialty things.
President Obama has encouraged Russia to remain steadfast in its efforts to become a member. I don't think most Western nations are as encouraging and may even be desirous to keep Russia out.
Aftermath: The Russians have joined the WTO.
President Obama has encouraged Russia to remain steadfast in its efforts to become a member. I don't think most Western nations are as encouraging and may even be desirous to keep Russia out.
Aftermath: The Russians have joined the WTO.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Community Colleges As Remedial College
I'm responding to the Washington Journal April 2nd, 2012 reading of a newspaper article on offering courses and training to students who are below the norms expected of college students in particular subject matters and writing and mathematical skills. It was aired on C-SPAN. The article suggested various kinds of educational institutions that offer students behind a chance to catch up.
I favor the well-known option of the community colleges. Indeed, the movement, known then as the Junior Colleges, was conceived by educators at the University of Chicago at the turn of the Twentieth Century; and the first one was in Joliet, Illinois. The University was apparently dissatisfied with their incoming batch of university students and felt they needed intensive training in the basics preparatory to University entrance. The idea of an "entrance" into higher education is precisely the origin of the community colleges. Nor is it expected that all the students who take the additional training ever go on to the University level. Because educators at an early time in the movement realized that some other form of education should be made available to those who don't go on, vocational education program offerings have become an integral part of the training community colleges present their students.
I believe the community colleges--I have taught at a few of them--do a great job, particularly in preparing students who otherwise could not maintain the standards of performance expected of them in the University setting.
It is not a disgrace for a student to need additional preliminary training for advanced placement. Someone who enters college with no particular major, but then decides to become a nurse will need to take prerequisite rudimentary courses in the biological sciences, surely.
I concur with those who phoned in their opinion to the Journal that remedial education with the aim of qualifying for some University education ought to occur outside of the high school setting, where the student is locked into an age advancement, step system.
I favor the well-known option of the community colleges. Indeed, the movement, known then as the Junior Colleges, was conceived by educators at the University of Chicago at the turn of the Twentieth Century; and the first one was in Joliet, Illinois. The University was apparently dissatisfied with their incoming batch of university students and felt they needed intensive training in the basics preparatory to University entrance. The idea of an "entrance" into higher education is precisely the origin of the community colleges. Nor is it expected that all the students who take the additional training ever go on to the University level. Because educators at an early time in the movement realized that some other form of education should be made available to those who don't go on, vocational education program offerings have become an integral part of the training community colleges present their students.
I believe the community colleges--I have taught at a few of them--do a great job, particularly in preparing students who otherwise could not maintain the standards of performance expected of them in the University setting.
It is not a disgrace for a student to need additional preliminary training for advanced placement. Someone who enters college with no particular major, but then decides to become a nurse will need to take prerequisite rudimentary courses in the biological sciences, surely.
I concur with those who phoned in their opinion to the Journal that remedial education with the aim of qualifying for some University education ought to occur outside of the high school setting, where the student is locked into an age advancement, step system.
"Occasion On Topic" Format
I'm introducing a new format in the Ruminations blog series. It's called "Occasion On Topic." Because I don't travel as much, being "holed up" in Omaha, Nebraska for an unspecified period of time, I am using the TV, radio, reading, and attending local talks as mechanisms to find materials on which to ruminate. It is true, I used to rely on the marvelous forum offered at some Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning ("OLLI") near my residence, but alas, there is no Osher Institute location here in Omaha, but in Lincoln, Nebraska. I tried to get the local community college, Metropolitan, to take an interest in offering a current events course which would meet my needs for stimulation and got nowhere. So much for that! However, the course's format has been very popular at Osher sites, particularly, at UTEP in El Paso, where some 150 seniors gathered each week.
But I believe an "Occasion On Topic" series will do the trick for me.
The Series' Format
1. The Occasion and My Response. I'll listen to a talk or read up on some topic that interests me--whether from radio, TV, the newspaper, etc.--and will write down notes that will form my reflective thoughtful response to a particular topical presentation.
2. I'll post the item to include both the occasion of my hearing or reading something to which I am responding and my collected thoughts (on the topic in light of this occasion!).
And, that's it! The reader may be able to go back to the Occasion as posted, should he so desire.
But I believe an "Occasion On Topic" series will do the trick for me.
The Series' Format
1. The Occasion and My Response. I'll listen to a talk or read up on some topic that interests me--whether from radio, TV, the newspaper, etc.--and will write down notes that will form my reflective thoughtful response to a particular topical presentation.
2. I'll post the item to include both the occasion of my hearing or reading something to which I am responding and my collected thoughts (on the topic in light of this occasion!).
And, that's it! The reader may be able to go back to the Occasion as posted, should he so desire.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Teen Mom phenom
I've been watching on TV the Teen Mom series. It set me wondering about the advantages to the phenom.
The obvious advantage is the support system the teenage mother can have. Especially if the mom's mother is willing to help raise the baby, the teenager pregnant girl can benefit from not only her mother's assistance but her experience in raising kids by watching and emulating how her mother acts with the newborn.
There's also the biological plus to having children earlier than later. I would imagine there's less probability of her being pregnant with medical complications.
If the father is committed to attending the baby, even helping with changing diapers, the circumstance of a girl's pregancy and childbirth could be rewarding and satisfying for both new teenager parents.
Now, with many high schools opening up child-care departments within the school grounds, the mother can also act as a teenager, forgoing being a mature adult till later. She could even go around with her girlfriends to attend various school and social functions, while her baby is being cared for by those intimate with her situation and wanting to help.
It might be more practical for her to think of attending a local community college, instead of a far off university or four-year college at least while the baby is so young, but with more and more classes at universities being offered online, she should think of enrolling in a four-year college as soon as she completes her associate degree at the community college, if she so desires.
Meantime, she and her baby would have a wonderful binding relationship of growing up together into the world beyond familial bounds.
The obvious advantage is the support system the teenage mother can have. Especially if the mom's mother is willing to help raise the baby, the teenager pregnant girl can benefit from not only her mother's assistance but her experience in raising kids by watching and emulating how her mother acts with the newborn.
There's also the biological plus to having children earlier than later. I would imagine there's less probability of her being pregnant with medical complications.
If the father is committed to attending the baby, even helping with changing diapers, the circumstance of a girl's pregancy and childbirth could be rewarding and satisfying for both new teenager parents.
Now, with many high schools opening up child-care departments within the school grounds, the mother can also act as a teenager, forgoing being a mature adult till later. She could even go around with her girlfriends to attend various school and social functions, while her baby is being cared for by those intimate with her situation and wanting to help.
It might be more practical for her to think of attending a local community college, instead of a far off university or four-year college at least while the baby is so young, but with more and more classes at universities being offered online, she should think of enrolling in a four-year college as soon as she completes her associate degree at the community college, if she so desires.
Meantime, she and her baby would have a wonderful binding relationship of growing up together into the world beyond familial bounds.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Venture Capitalism's backing of Entrepreneurs
We are told over the mass media that this year's elections is really between the capitalism upon which the USA was founded and the socialism of modern Europe and Russia.
The credo of entrepreneurial enterprises:
Churn, churn, churn. Come up with an idea for a new product or service, formulate a business plan; find financial backing and concretize the idea into the productive mainstream of industry! (The Socialist addendum: Abide by all relevant regulations.) Churn, churn, churn. Doesn't work, can't successfully market the product that embodies the idea? Churn, churn, churn. Get another idea and get the cash to back it for production. See if it takes. Churn, churn, churn. Try something else!
The entrepreneurs survive withal--whether or not the conceptions become profitable. So, they don't mind, but learn to accept, failure as an essential part of the capitalistic cycle involving times of boon and bust (commencing with bubble-burst).
The Avaracious Need for Money
Hallmark of capitalism is the constant infusion of financial resources to produce goods. Emphasis is placed on the goods and services brought about. In the capitalist project, there are no people but entrepreneurs bent upon reaping the financial gains of their successful entrepreneurial projects.
But, you ask, how about the people who are hired and do the producing so long as the enterprise lasts?--the question of the Marxists; and how about the people who buy the goods and services, i.e., the consumers?--the question of alienation raised by the Existentialists. Don't the interests and concerns of these people count in the capitalist equation?
Churn, churn, churn.
People don't count in the capitalist model. It's assumed, instead, that the laws of biology apply by which the fittest survive. If you have the wits and the abilities to survive, you'll survive and do well--for as long as you can. Hold on!
Cash is the demand of these entrepreneurs; cash to support their ventures.
Need cash, cash, cash--churn, churn, churn.
If workers are thrown out of work, if consumers don't find the products and services sufficiently satisfying; if investors of these ventures lose their money, well, that's the way things are. If people get sick, if their society rots because of bad water, bad air, bad food, bad everything, then get used to it! That's the way things are in the world. We're not on earth for long anyway! Remember, the good times you've had?
The products of the capitalist ventures; ah, the shiny, new goods placed in showrooms and paraded in fairs; ah, these wondrous gifts of the entrepreneurs to mankind. The delectable food at five-star restaurants; the sporting events at new arenas. Just give entrepreneurs money, more money, more, more money!
Reflection on Capitalism
Believe it or not, I have found many world leaders have pondered the social effects of the capitalist program. Leaders in Europe and in Russia and in China have weighed the good and bad from its use, particularly in the US. They have concluded, in my opinion, that the hectic cycle of boon and bust, prosperity to depression, is just too hard on people (particularly, on people's psyche)--the very concern capitalism ignores.
The 2012 Election Showdown: Unfettered Capitalism or Regulatory Socialism
The general complaint among entrenprenuers is the burden of government regulation they must bear in a socialist system. They find it inhibiting to the capitalist aims of yielding products and services for consumers. If only they could get government off their backs!
This federal election in the US is supposed to clearly demarcate the differences between socialism (of Europe and Asia) and capitalism in the USA. The differences may be summarized into the form of a question: is the US citizen up to enduring another economic cycle of boon and bust once the 2008-Depression is over? If so, look for another economic bubble, which in time will burst.
The credo of entrepreneurial enterprises:
Churn, churn, churn. Come up with an idea for a new product or service, formulate a business plan; find financial backing and concretize the idea into the productive mainstream of industry! (The Socialist addendum: Abide by all relevant regulations.) Churn, churn, churn. Doesn't work, can't successfully market the product that embodies the idea? Churn, churn, churn. Get another idea and get the cash to back it for production. See if it takes. Churn, churn, churn. Try something else!
The entrepreneurs survive withal--whether or not the conceptions become profitable. So, they don't mind, but learn to accept, failure as an essential part of the capitalistic cycle involving times of boon and bust (commencing with bubble-burst).
The Avaracious Need for Money
Hallmark of capitalism is the constant infusion of financial resources to produce goods. Emphasis is placed on the goods and services brought about. In the capitalist project, there are no people but entrepreneurs bent upon reaping the financial gains of their successful entrepreneurial projects.
But, you ask, how about the people who are hired and do the producing so long as the enterprise lasts?--the question of the Marxists; and how about the people who buy the goods and services, i.e., the consumers?--the question of alienation raised by the Existentialists. Don't the interests and concerns of these people count in the capitalist equation?
Churn, churn, churn.
People don't count in the capitalist model. It's assumed, instead, that the laws of biology apply by which the fittest survive. If you have the wits and the abilities to survive, you'll survive and do well--for as long as you can. Hold on!
Cash is the demand of these entrepreneurs; cash to support their ventures.
Need cash, cash, cash--churn, churn, churn.
If workers are thrown out of work, if consumers don't find the products and services sufficiently satisfying; if investors of these ventures lose their money, well, that's the way things are. If people get sick, if their society rots because of bad water, bad air, bad food, bad everything, then get used to it! That's the way things are in the world. We're not on earth for long anyway! Remember, the good times you've had?
The products of the capitalist ventures; ah, the shiny, new goods placed in showrooms and paraded in fairs; ah, these wondrous gifts of the entrepreneurs to mankind. The delectable food at five-star restaurants; the sporting events at new arenas. Just give entrepreneurs money, more money, more, more money!
Reflection on Capitalism
Believe it or not, I have found many world leaders have pondered the social effects of the capitalist program. Leaders in Europe and in Russia and in China have weighed the good and bad from its use, particularly in the US. They have concluded, in my opinion, that the hectic cycle of boon and bust, prosperity to depression, is just too hard on people (particularly, on people's psyche)--the very concern capitalism ignores.
The 2012 Election Showdown: Unfettered Capitalism or Regulatory Socialism
The general complaint among entrenprenuers is the burden of government regulation they must bear in a socialist system. They find it inhibiting to the capitalist aims of yielding products and services for consumers. If only they could get government off their backs!
This federal election in the US is supposed to clearly demarcate the differences between socialism (of Europe and Asia) and capitalism in the USA. The differences may be summarized into the form of a question: is the US citizen up to enduring another economic cycle of boon and bust once the 2008-Depression is over? If so, look for another economic bubble, which in time will burst.
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