Graduation day, always a great day. My grand niece is off to FSU. Summer school begins in only two weeks, not much vacation. It will be interesting to see how mom and dad deal with being "empty nesters," especially since mom was so very involved from K through 12.
High School GPA. Is that number water over the dam? Maybe you should have listened to your high school teachers. A recent study in the Eastern Economic Journal indicates a definite link between high school GPA and future earnings. Pass the news along to the "young-uns." Because they are visual-oriented, be sure and point out the graph.
Primary day. There were six Super Tuesday state primaries, all being closely watched by both parties, with the major emphasis on KY and GA. The major worry of the Republican establishment was whether or not expensive and psychologically draining primary runoffs would be necessary? Results were varied, but tended to favor the Republican establishment.
The 4th Revolution. A recently published book has the interesting title, The Fourth Revolution: The Global Race to Reinvent the State. (Penguin Press, May 2014). A teaser: Part I "The Three and A Half Revolutions"; Part II "From the West to the East"; Part III "The Winds of Change". The book highlights the new challenges for America and Europe emanating from Asia. (Remember the "pivot to Asia" proclaimed by President Obama?)
The authors begin by reminding the reader that the ancient Chinese system established the world's first civil service system. The authors next take an introductory look inside China's newly established Leadership Academy, which is not one of the Chinese Communist Party schools. Rather, this Leadership Academy focuses on style and skills. Although already oversubscribed with a lengthy waiting list, successful completion of a course at this school is a prized entry on any Chinese bureaucrat's resumé.
For another discussion of east vs. west, see David Brooks's recent column. "It’s now clear that the end of the Soviet Union heralded an era of democratic complacency. Without a rival system to test them, democratic governments have decayed across the globe." In comparing American democracy with what he calls "modernizing autocracies," Brooks says, At the national level, American politics has become neurotically democratic. Politicians are campaigning all the time and can scarcely think beyond the news cycle. Legislators are terrified of offending this or that industry lobby, activist group or donor faction.
"Neurotically democratic" A new phrase for the pundit community? The saving grace, "Democracy is always messy, but, historically, it’s thrived because it has been more flexible than its rivals." Brooks's aforementioned cautions would challenge this latter statement.
Unstoppable. This is the title of Ralph Nader's new book. For those unfamiliar with Nader -- even for those who know of him -- his conversation on a recent C-Span program will shed light on his background and often controversial views.
Russia, China, and gas. Despite two decades of preparation and hopeful pre-trip pronouncements, President Putin did not initially "close" a deal with China regarding gas exports. "[The failure to reach an immediate agreement] was a shock, a blow to Putin's objectives, and a reminder of how much China has the upper hand when it comes to gas deals [even] with Europe's biggest gas supplier." As Putin found out, the world's second largest economy has more than a little clout and felt free to challenge Russia's prices.
Ballot access. In this case, the story relates to getting on the ballot. It appears that two of the signature gatherers for the re-election campaign of US House member John Conyers (D, MI) were not registered voters and, therefore, the signatures they gathered could not be counted. This left the 25-term congressman short of the required number of signatures to be automatically placed on the November ballot. Conyers nee not have worried. A recent Obama appointee to the federal bench reviewed the case and ordered Conyers's name placed on the ballot. Not exactly leadership by example.
Memorial Day. What is today's purpose for the day? Remembering our fallen warriors or, rather, a celebration of war? Other than our far distant struggle for independence, how many of our wars have truly been waged against a real security threat? When has our two ocean security blanket not been adequate?
Deadly floods in southeast Europe. Unfortunately, the recent floods have brought more than just the usual problems. In some areas, the high waters have also unearthed thousands of deadly land mines buried during past conflicts. This new danger confronts anyone venturing off the beaten path, residents and tourists, alike.
UN and the Roman Catholic Church. The article from Foreign Policy delves into background information gathered for the UN's upcoming report on the Roman Catholic Church's acknowledged problem with sexual misconduct and abuse by pedophile priests. As a signatory to the UN "Convention Against Torture," the Church could be held legally accountable for the crimes committed by its priests.
The author notes, sadly, that the recently sainted Pope John Paul II chose not to meet the problem head on. Sad, because John Paul did so much good for both the Church and the world in his many other endeavors. He was the first world leader to use the word genocide in conjunction with the horrors played out in Rwanda.
World War I. There are several new books out about The Great War (WW I), its causes and consequences. Unrestricted submarine warfare produced enough domestic public pressure to force our entry into the conflict, even though the continental United States was never at risk. Those who debate our involvement here or there today, might do well to remember Lord Balfour's caustic comments about the eminent dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire following WW I. He ruminated to the effect that he did not care who was given nominal sovereignty -- so long as Great Britain controlled the oil.
Minimum wage. There are other ways to set minimum wages besides one-size -fits-all, across-the-board congressional fiat. A story in USA Today notes some approaches used by other nations as they set their minimum wage laws.
Prisoner exchange. The predictable rancorous dialog between Congress and the administration has begun over the re-patriation of Sgt. Bowie Bergdahl in exchange for five Taliban prisoners held at Guantanamo. Prisoner exchanges, as the Brits say, are a "bit of a sticky wicket." When does a humanitarian-motivated exchange become bargaining with terrorists? Even some members of the military are divided about how to consider Bergdahl: unfortunate POW or deserter?
Mega-earth. A discovery by the Kepler Space Telescope has sent astronomers a-tizzy wondering how to classify this new "mega-earth" (Kepler 10-c)? Its size is between the Earth and larger so-called exoplanets. “Nature will do what she wants, regardless of Earthling theorists,” said M.I.T. planetary scientist Sara Seager, who was not involved in the discovery.
Mega-earth. A discovery by the Kepler Space Telescope has sent astronomers a-tizzy wondering how to classify this new "mega-earth" (Kepler 10-c)? Its size is between the Earth and larger so-called exoplanets. “Nature will do what she wants, regardless of Earthling theorists,” said M.I.T. planetary scientist Sara Seager, who was not involved in the discovery.
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