Things have been changing. The Ann Arbor News is no longer a daily- but exists on the web. Newsweek has basically disappeared (but would probably still be on the newsstands- at least today- had Sid Harman not met his demise.) The Washington Post makes a profit- because it owns for-profit schools. Everywhere we turn, we hear that our news delivery is changing.
Continue reading All the news that’s fit to print?
I was blessed with a visit from my eldest (daughter), her husband, and my grandson. It’s amazing to see the innocence, the insouciance, the love, and energy that this almost 4 year old has- and how he infects his parents with his essence. It made my home resonate.
Continue reading How is college changing?
Many of you know I spent a great portion of my life in the dialysis arena. From the time I was eight years old, I wanted to develop an artificial kidney. So, I’ve seen a lifetime- and then some- of changes to the therapy. From the first “washing machine” devices, to flat-plates that required soaking-spreading-tightening, to the disposable devices of today.
Continue reading Really? This is the Fiscal Cliff Act?
I have been complaining for a long time that our governments- federal, state, and local- are doing us, the citizens, a grand disservice. They have basically shirked one of their primary duties- to maintain and upgrade our infrastructure. To be honest, upgrading is so far from what they’ve done, I’m sure that most of us would be thrilled with their simply maintaining what we have.
Continue reading Infrastructure problems are NOT going away
OK. This is rant time. Corporate profits are doing fine- even if we (the consumer, the population) are not. A lot of this profit is due to the fact that workers are not being paid well, or that there are not enough workers (i.e., corporations are “running lean”, often meaning there are too few workers for the tasks at hand).
I have written about football on campus more than once. (OK, I know some were closer to rants.) Not only because of the infractions of the coaches and players. Not only because of the injuries that are rampant in this game. (Only now are we beginning to talk about the plethora of TBI- traumatic brain injury- that accompany this sport). Not only because the graduation rate is below those for the rest of the school. But, mostly because of the drain on college finances.
Continue reading Sports on Campus?
Love him or hate him, Frank Luntz is a wordsmith par excellence. This Republican consultant spends his time concocting words that evoke good feelings- despite the misgivings one may have for the principles that lie beneath the words. He asserts (correctly, in my opinion, as it applies to the American electorate) that “80 percent of our life is emotion, and only 20 percent is intellect. I am much more interested in how you feel than how you think”. Continue reading It’s not what I do…It’s what I say
There is a growing realization that high growth for many nations is no longer in the cards. Oh, if you live in one of the developing nations of Africa- you can say this is wrong. But, even in China, which is slowly entering that state of economy that includes Israel… While neither which is officially a “First World” nation, they are, for all intents and purposes, there- and their growth rates are so demonstrating. Robust growth- growth over 3-4% over 5 years or more- is something that will only occur in those states that are becoming industrialized, not for those with existing corporate/services infrastructure.
Continue reading Knock, knock….Is anyone listening out there?
It’s always amazing to me when I hear certain politicians complaining about the waste in government spending, that our deficit is increasing. Like the past few days, of course. Not because I don’t think they are right- but because these are almost the same guys voting for stupid things- like a milk subsidy.
Continue reading Got Milk (Subsidy)?
With the fiscal (cliff, bump, curve, impediment) approaching, everyone is writing about how this will affect (investing, jobs, taxes, mortgages, home building, charity). I figured that gave me the right to write (had to use that one) about their crazy thoughts. The chart that is seen right below is the one that forced me to respond.
Continue reading Charitable Giving…