1995 Do it for the children

social security reform

1994 Bad guys and bad stuff

The Ohio State University is offering for the first time a course on Bioterrorism. The new course examines possible threats to public health, plants and animals. The undergraduate course, the first of its kind at Ohio State, was proposed by OSU's International Studies Program to help train students in the Intelligence and Security major.

To teach the wide-ranging course material, OSU Plant Pathologist, Charles Curtis brings together scholars from across the university including professors from Public Health, Plant Pathology, International Studies and the Food Animal Health Research Program. Guest lecturers include a former deputy assistant to the defense secretary for chemical and biological defense. Professor Curtis says that among the general population there's a lack of awareness about the potential biological threats that exis. Full story here at the WOSU site.

We had dinner with the Curtises about a month ago and I enjoyed learning about this course. I've known Chuck about 20 years and he is always on top of things and has a wonderful rapport with his students. I know this will be an important course for people intending to go into government careers.

Bioterrorism

A very long disengagement

is the title of an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, "Chronicle Review," Jan. 6, B7, by Mark Bauerlein. It seems I've heard this refrain before--even thought it myself about 20 years ago when my children were in high school--or maybe 30 years ago when they were just starting their formal education.

His article draws on a number of surveys which seem to all show that today's high school and college students are running on empty when it comes to history, civics, literature, arts, geography, and politics, all seemingly from a decrease in reading and an increase in blogging, chat rooms, surfing the net and e-mail. What they've gained in technology, they've lost in curiosity. They seem to be suffering from "acute peer consciousness."

Yet, my children didn't have technological distractions, these wireless apron strings to their friends, but even 20 or 30 years ago I was complaining that the school was emphasizing thinking skills, broad context, personal responsibility and a deeper understanding of life without expecting the children to have background and content put there by the school system. Memorize facts? Don't even think it, you old fashion Mama! They were expected to drop their buckets into empty pools and bring something up.

Yes, a very long disengagement--but I doubt that personal technology is the culprit.

1992 New Quilt show at UALC

Our church's Visual Arts Ministry, of which we are both members, hung a huge quilt show this morning. Well, maybe not huge by your standards, but there are about 40 quilts, and our arms get sort of tired. Ken said, "I think we're going to need to recruit some younger members" (we're all over 50). This show which will run between January 7 and February 24 at the Church at Mill Run, 3500 Mill Run Dr., Hilliard, OH 43026, includes rich, vibrant colors, traditional patterns like log cabin and pin wheel, family memory quilts with photo transfers, humorous hangings, contemporary and modern art, seasonal and historical pieces. These quilts are not for sale, and most represent many hours of love preparing a gift for family or friends.

One very interesting quilt designed and made by a member to memorialize her father is called “Lyle’s Letter to Santa.” In this design she focuses on a letter handwritten by her father to Santa Claus in 1915 when he was seven years old. So the center of the quilt is a star on which is his handwriting stitched with embroidery and a photo transfer. The star is called “Ohio Trail” and represents his ancestry; the ribbon, greens with candles and a bit of Victorian flair represents the era. Then at the bottom there is an embroidered sleigh, red on a white background, which represents the gifts he asked for in the letter, all in the sleigh. This is truly a magnificent tribute.

The Quilters Ministry is about six years old and meets monthly for fellowship and instruction. This year they made 14 quilts for Project Linus which is based in Illinois and gathers homemade quilts for sick or traumatized children. They've also made quilts for orphanages in Guatemala and China from which members adopted children.

Each year that we've hung this show I've seen spectacular growth and talent. These ladies are a real pleasure to work with. And the reason Upper Arlington Lutheran Church (UALC) has a building with an address in Hilliard is that we have three campuses, one in Upper Arlington, one in Hilliard, and one on the west side of Columbus. If the church founders had picked a spiritual name 40 years ago like Resurrection or Trinity or Bethlehem, we wouldn't have this confusion.

Quilting
Lutheran churches

1991 Found at Thursday Thirteen

"Novelist in training" has some great cat photos. I found her at the Thursday Thirteen, and she also has a photo blog mostly of Utah where she lives in addition to this one. Great stuff. Don't know where she is in novel land or if she's published yet. I'll have to look further.

1990 But they have strict gun laws

Banks are robbed in the European Union at a rate of one every 90 minutes, and they are becoming increasingly violent with explosives and kidnapping employees. Seems they are also using knives and hypodermic needles.

There's a story in the BBC News, but I don't think it mentions the weapons, which I saw in another newspaper--Financial Times, I think. The BBC reporter seems to be concerned that greater security will cause the criminals to become even more violent. Must have been trained at the New York Times or WaPo school of terrorism reporting.

1989 Phoebe Philo Phalls Phrom Phashion

Phoebe Philo, 31, has resigned as creative director of Chloe, a women's wear brand and star performer last year in luxury goods.

She took a materinity leave a year ago and now wants to have time to raise her child, apparently. She's credited with having turned Chloe into a powerhouse, and joined the fashion company in 1997.

So I'm figuring in 1997 she was 22, right? Maybe she just needed a break from being an over-achiever and great success at such a young age.

1988 Secrets

These aren't really secrets--we all know them--at least intuitively. These are Investor's Business Daily "Ten secrets for success" which they developed after analyzing leaders.

Investor’s Business Daily’s Top 10 Secrets to Success

1. HOW YOU THINK, IS EVERYTHING:
Always be positive. Think success, not failure. Beware of a negative environment.

2. DECIDE UPON YOUR TRUE DREAMS AND GOALS:
Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.

3. TAKE ACTION:
Goals are nothing without action. Don’t be afraid to get started now. Just do it.

4. NEVER STOP LEARNING:
Go back to school or read books. Get training and acquire skills.

5. BE PERSISTENT AND WORK HARD:
Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up.

6. LEARN TO ANALYZE DETAILS:
Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes.

7. FOCUS YOUR TIME AND MONEY:
Don’t let other people or things distract you.

8. DON’T BE AFRAID TO INNOVATE; BE DIFFERENT:
Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity.

9. DEAL AND COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY:
No person is an island. Learn to understand and motivate others.

10. BE HONEST AND DEPENDABLE; TAKE RESPONSIBILITY:
Otherwise, Numbers 1-9 won’t matter.

I would have some problems with a few of these based on my experience and personality. First of all, I hate to set goals. I'm a problem solver. Don't give me pie-in-the-sky talk about 5 goals to accomplish before the next annual report. And don't we all know successful people who aren't particularly positive, are horrible communicators, and act before they have all the facts? They were certainly in my career field, and I even reported to a few. In general, I'd have to say I knew very few librarians or staff who were positive and upbeat about the future or their careers. There were always budget cuts and staff shortages to deal with. The sky was always falling. Negativism is pervasive in academe, except for the football coach when interviewed on TV.

And then too, I knew fabulous communicators with stunning personalities, super empathetic and warm, who couldn't work their way out of a paper bag. This was particularly true when I worked in the state government. But in general, the tenth one is essential in everything you do. Honesty is always its own reward. I'm also a big fan of #3 through #7. All in all, not a bad list--I saw it at the library today.

1987 Write a letter today

The postage will increase on the 8th. How about thanking people who gave you gifts for Christmas? (I wrote my children today.) Or helped you with an event? Or performed so beautifully in that choir concert you enjoyed over the holidays? Or who have recently had surgery? Or, why not surprise your radio or TV favorite with an actual fan letter. What about that elderly uncle who lives alone but likes to walk to the mailbox at the end of the drive-way. Wouldn't he be thrilled to find something other than "dear occupant?" Go for it. You have a few days to save a few pennies and make someone happy.

1986 Duct tape offer

I'd planned to send my roll of duct tape that we just uncovered in last week's reorganization to Pat Robertson's caretakers, but Right Wing Nut House has taken care of that. Even if you believe God sends a stroke as punishment, you don't have to blurt it out to the media and look like a patsy for the Palestinians. Pat also is developing jowls, wrinkles and a paunch. Is that God's punishment for going over the hill?

1985 Postdenominational coffee shop

The title of the article I'm taking to the coffee shop this morning is a mouthful: "Postdenominational Christianity in the twenty-first century," by Donald E. Miller, Annals, American Academy of Political and Social Science, 558, July 1998. If I'm lucky, the Wall Street Journal will get there before I'm out of other things to read, because I'm sort of afraid this is going to be one of those "new paradigm," "seeker sensitive," "new reformation" dirges that are announcing in the death knell of liturgy, hymnal singing, and music that doesn't grow tumors in your ears.

Actually, I'm always surprised at the number of religious gatherings I find at the coffee shop. My husband meets with his Cursillo group at Bob Evans--although they move around a bit. I've met two different women named Brenda at Panera's, one is a chaplain and the other has recently moved here and reads her Bible and listens to music several times a week a few tables from me. I've invited her to our Saturday women's group because she is new in town and doesn't know anyone. At Caribou there's a very intense group of young business men who do Bible study before heading for work. This morning I'll see a group of 4 or 5 retired guys who meet to discuss their faith and response to the culture--I think they are Church of the Nazarene and Baptist. Then there is a black pastor and his assistant whom I see on occasion; they pastor a church north of here that meets in a shopping mall. In fact, I can't recall a time I've been in a coffee shop (as a semi-regular) that I haven't seen someone with a Bible.

Sometimes I want to look at my watch and say, "Let's have a word of prayer before we start this meeting," but I just go back to my reading.

Update: The WSJ didn't arrive until after I finished the article, which was really quite readable and well paced. It is based on the author's observations of Calvary Chapel, Vineyard Christian Fellowship, and Hope Chapel. Our church, UALC (Upper Arlington Lutheran Church), fits his description of the seeker-friendly, postdenominational church to a T, with the exception that we have seminary trained clergy, and many of these churches don't.

Thirteen Things about NORMA in the last 5 days 1. Served communion on Sunday. 2. Entertained house guests for the New Year celebration. 3. Played with my new grandpuppy, a Chihuahua named Abbie. 4. Read "Beyond the River" by Ann Hagedorn. 5. Wrote 23 blog entries, including this one. 6. Cleaned out 2 drawers and one file box. 7. Sorted through all the bills and invoices for 2005. 8. Wrote 6 notes (real handwritten notes with stamps) to friends and relatives. 9. Delivered magazines to a library sale. 10. Attended book club. 11. Met a friend for breakfast. 12. Took a walk on a mild day. 13. Did some financial research. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Jane 2. I heart Peanut Butter 3. Straddling the line 4. Colleen 5. Grumpy 6. Busy Mom 7. Dariana 8. Jane, Cozy Reader

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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1983 The press has done it again

The West Virginia mine bad reporting incident reminded me of the press fiasco of Katrina, but Achoress has said it better than I could:

"So, yes, one could could excuse the press their mistake, and forgive the torturous turnabout which came after, if only they had not - just a few months ago - done precisely the same thing while covering Hurricane Katrina. Recall that back in New Orleans - just as last night - unknown people ran about, shouting unverifiable “news” and the journalists, particularly the always-voracious cable news outlets, latched on to the “news” and emotionally redelivered it, without checking it out, without doing the basic job of journalism which is: if your parents say you’re not adopted, and you look just like your brother, confirm, confirm, confirm."

1982 Maureen Dowd vs. Ann Coulter

Both of these women journalists are vitriolic, sarcastic, bombastic and often angry. The difference is Coulter's columns actually contain information and facts. I tried, I really did, to read Maureen Dowd's column today about Abramoff, but it wasn't about him. His crime didn't appear until paragraph five where she gets to "the Abramoff plea bargain." On the way there she manages to smear only Republicans, as though there are no Democrats involved. Then she moves on to bashing Bush, then Cheney, then she's on to quoting the WaPo that Bush has used something (legal) 108 times. Then moves on to smearing Bush for a joke he cracked at a medical center, completing her tirade about Abramoff (I think) with Nixon. That's a lot of column inches to point out that Abramoff has a plea bargain.

She might spend a bit more time on the whole smelly process of tribal casinos. Today's WSJ reports "Indian gaming is a $19 billion industry involving 228 tribes operating 405 gambling operations in 30 states." "Lobbyists, legislators and inside-the-beltway lawyers are the real stakeholders in Indian gambling," according to Alexis Johnson, Arizona lawyer, and Abramoff is the tip of the ice berg.

I think Dowd knows that, and her column is smoke and mirrors. She'll want to check into some of the Democrats' favorite causes when she's finished bashing Bush and Cheney (yeah, that'll happen) because these tribes getting wealthy on gambling are exempt from local taxes, state labor laws, municipal ordinances, zoning restrictions and environmental reviews.

For well-paced, factual vitriol, here's Ann Coulter. You can find Maureen Dowd on your own.

1981 Nibbled to death

by fees, taxes, surcharges and related components. I've been going over the year's expenses. My, isn't it a treat to look closely at the phone bill, electric bill and gas bill? Where do they get this stuff? If they divy it up into enough small pots do they think we won't notice? Well, we don't, for the most part. Were the taxes for WWII ever removed? This is just the phone company (SBC) and Verizon has a different set.

• federal access charge
  
• federal universal service fee
  
• federal tax 3%
  
• federal long distance tax
  
• federal universal service fund
  
• regulatory surcharge
  
• 911 system fee
  
• sales tax 6.75%
  
• state tax
  
• municipal tax

Our electric bill from Ohio Edison (Lakeside) is just as confusing. First they alerted us that there will be a 3% increase in a "transmission related component" approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or about $1.50. I'm left to ponder how transmission differs from delivery. That new charge is not to be confused with the

• transition charge
  
• generation related component or the
  
• delivery charge

Our electric company in Columbus is AEP, and it has transmission charges, distribution surcharges, customer charges and transition charges, that don't look anything like the Ohio Edison hen scratches. If we're getting a 3% increase approved by the FERC, I missed the ferkin announcement.

1980 National Education Association supports left causes and candidates

with members dues. About a third of the members' dues goes for political lobbying, gifts and grants. Unions now have to disclose how they use their members dues, and it isn't pretty, according to this editorial in yesterday's WSJ. The Union gave away $65 million last year to Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Amnesty International, AIDS Walk Washington and dozens of other such advocacy groups. I'm not sure how that helps teachers (certainly doesn't help children, but that isn't what the organization is about).

"Reg Weaver, the union's president, makes $439,000 a year. The NEA has a $58 million payroll for just over 600 employees, more than half of whom draw six-figure salaries. Last year the average teacher made only $48,000."

". . .last year the NEA gave $45,000 to the Economic Policy Institute, which regularly issues reports that claim education is underfunded and teachers are underpaid. The partisans at People for the American Way got a $51,000 NEA contribution; PFAW happens to be vehemently anti-voucher. . . Protect Our Public Schools, an anti-charter-school group backed by the NEA's Washington state affiliate, received $500,000 toward its efforts to block school choice for underprivileged children. . . the Floridians for All Committee, which focuses on "the construction of a permanent progressive infrastructure that will help redirect Florida politics in a more progressive, Democratic direction," received a $249,000 donation from NEA headquarters."

This one really surprised me. The Fund to Protect Social Security got $400,000, presumably to defeat personal investment accounts. I have a teacher's pension (STRS, university faculty) and we're not eligible for Social Security--not our own and not our spouse's--so just what is NEA protecting? Are they afraid that if their members also had personal accounts when they did work under SS, they'd be less dependent on the union?

Librarians don't have a union; they have the American Library Association, ALA. It looks out for libraries, not librarians, with campaigns against censorship, the Patriot Act, and the Bush administration. I guess that's a good thing to keep their eye off the ball after seeing what NEA does to schools. The NEA may be an arm of the DNC, but ALA is far too liberal to be anybody's patsy.

Public disclosure page.

National Education Association
Unions

1979 The Index of Economic Freedom

For 12 years the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal have cooperated on the Index of Economic Freedom, and today's article in the WSJ compared the freedom outcomes of two small countries, Estonia, which has moved quickly with reforms and Chile which has moved slowly. Estonia is 7th and Chile is 14th.

"The Index measures 161 countries against a list of 50 independent variables divided into 10 broad factors of economic freedom. Low scores are more desirable; the higher the score on a factor, the greater the level of government interference in the economy, and the less economic freedom a country enjoys. . . A systematic analysis of these factors continues to demonstrate that countries with the highest levels of economic freedom also have the highest living standards."

The nice thing about using the website is that you can select the variables and see how different countries compare within their regions. Canada and the U.S. are almost always neck and neck whether it is wages, or trade policies; except for fiscal burden, and there Canadians have us beat (lower score is better). Here's the executive summary--note particularly what is happening in Latin America where Chile is the poster child for economic freedom and all the rest are marginal or repressed. Three countries in Latin America made the 10 most worsened list.

1978 Mom! I'm famished. What's to eat?

There's a lot of media coverage of overweight children. Given the success of the anti-smoking campaigns (which I support), I'm guessing we'll see the lawyers and do-gooders checking our lunch boxes and dinner tables before too long--after they get the pop and snack contracts with the food companies out of the schools (which I support).

So here's a tag for you and the rules: you can only tag a blogger over 50 and you copy the question and let the person know he or she's been tagged.

What snack items did your mother allow in your home and put out for you when you were growing up--either home made or store bought? And what item was absolutely not allowed? Here's mine:

1. Buttered slice of bread with sugar-cinnamon sprinkles.
2. Egg nog--milk, egg, sugar and vanilla.
3. Raw potato slices.
4. Kool-aid if it was really a hot day (made with sugar).
5. Peanut butter toast or sandwich.

We NEVER had soda pop in our house.

I'm tagging Mr. Cloud, Octogenarian, Bonita, Jane, and Cuppa.

BTW, Mr. Cloud and Cuppa are married, and both have fabulous winter photos on their sites--check it out.

1977 Blooger burps

What else would you call it when your blogger template goes all crazy? The writing window for "create" was all messed up this morning, but I know a little code and remember life from a kinder, gentler software, so I kept going. It was a little like driving at night in the rain with no headlights. Then when I posted my last entry about Canada, Blogger.com somehow scooped up the NLM page from the previous entry, and used its bold green heading style to morph into my title and face! It was scary, I tell ya. So I quickly exited before it tried to become part of my blog family (I have six, you know). Leaving it alone in the closet for awhile, I came back, and everything was just peachy.

1976 Building boom in Canada for the Arts

Although there's more to be done, Canadians will be happy about this:

"The arts are experiencing a construction boom in Canada unlike any other in modern memory, as museums and galleries scramble to open the biggest, best, and most recognizable buildings they can afford."

Story here.