My Beauty Best Teacher

Things are busy in our house right now, but I did have time to run across a couple interesting stories in the news. The first comes via theblogprof, and is called Scarring kids with food.

Here's an article by the Herald Tribune: What's eating our kids? Fears about 'bad' foods. From the article "SODIUM: that's what worries Greye Dunn. He thinks about calories, too, and whether he's getting enough vitamins. But it's the sodium that really scares him. Sodium makes your heart beat faster, so it can create something really serious," said Greye, who is 8 years old and lives in Mays Landing, New Jersey."

I make sure the kids get their protein and fats, plus carbs so that they can grow to their potential. What I don't do is scare the pulp fiction out of my kids about sodium or trans-fat boogeymen hiding in everything they eat. That's what I'm against.

Public schools are not helping in this regard, listing some food as good, other as bad, without understanding what the heck they're talking about. Bureaucracies are even worse. Parents: let your kids enjoy their childhood while they still have it!

Here is another good article, via the DesMoinesRegister, about how the government tried to prevent a Cedar Rapids group from symbollically dumping tea in the Ceder River by saying tea was a pollutant:

A Cedar Rapids group will do a symbolic tea dumping into the Cedar River on Saturday because state officials won’t let them use the real thing. An anti-tax group wanted to pitch in real tea like the Bostonian revolutionaries opposed to England’s tea taxes.

(But) tea, although natural and quite tasty, is considered a pollutant that can’t go into a body of water without a permit, said Mike Wade, a senior environmental specialist at the DNR’s Manchester field office. “Discoloration is considered a violation,” Wade said.

(So) although not as steeped in history, the Cedar Rapids Tea Party will dump dechlorinated tap water or riverwater from buckets labeled “tea,” said Tim Pugh, the group’s founder.

Our Founding Fathers are sadly laughing in their graves at that one. One last fun story I found on the net, this one about Obama's attempt to take away our guns:

The Obama administration’s announcement that it will push to reinstate the assault -weapons ban has stunned Capitol Hill and revived a debate that has been dormant for years.

Congress’s leading supporter of the assault-weapons ban reacted with surprise and praise after Attorney General Eric Holder indicated the administration will push to renew the ban that expired in 2004.

Gun control advocates had been waiting to see what the Obama administration was going to do on the gun front. But they had expected him to focus on repealing appropriations riders that limit data collection on gun purchases, and requiring background checks on gun purchases, often referred to as “closing the gun-show loophole.”

To rephrase what the article said, people expected Obama to be a moderate force for liberalism and socialism, and are being surprised about how radically fascist the President is in his actions. I expect that since Congress knows this issue can't be advanced legislatively, Obama will do so through executive orders and dictatorial decrees.

The world we live in- scaring our children into eating politically correct foods, protecting the rivers against symbolic tea dumps, and taking away our guns through dictatorial decrees- any it is only month into the change regime!

Business as usual, French corruption in Africa.
The passing of a whistleblower-David Munyakei via Displaced African
Another call for Intra-African trade.
Emerging markets have more to say-Mbanking
Questioning Abdoulaye Wade...
The paradox of plenty against a backdrop of plunder.
Nigeria and Ethiopia top investment index via African Loft
Zimbabwe farmers make progress in Nigeria.
More on the Africa Asia comparison theme from Coldtusker
The Gulf continues to invest in the continent.
How Mugabe steals.. via Global Voices
Bongo's french accounts frozen...Switzerland next?
Githongo on corruption-Economist

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• Mugabe Gets Ready to Bail (littlegreenfootballs.com)

My stocks, that is. I figured that since Obama was throwing money around like meaningless mouthings of hope, some of it would hit some of my investments. I was wrong. In spite of the fact that his latest budget spends mind-boggling and radical amounts of money on socialist agenda items, it slashes heavily national defense, softening America both from inside and outside and destroying our prosperity and security in a way that our enemies have dreamed about for years. You'd think that they may have even had a role in electing him (likely, since he accepted massive amounts of money from foreign governments and individuals and made no attempts to follow campaign finance law- see earlier posts).

Sadly, that means that my stock in Lockheed Martin took a shocking tumble over the last several days. It's not quite as bad as the tumble that Citigroup fell- it is telling when you look at how rational 'greedy' capitalists fled like liberals fleeing from God when they heard that the government was going to get more involved in banking- but it still just hurt me bad. I will continue to invest in this company though, because I have a long-term strategy- to eventually own enough stock in this company and other aerospace companies to build a rocket and flee this rock and found my own conservative dream country on a far distant asteroid. Thank you Asimov and Heinlein, you've given me happy dreams of a more distant future, one more free, prosperous, and happy than our own future looks.

A future that with the election of Obama, and once again for the record I am very unhappy with anyone who voted for this guy, looks pretty grim- stories on yahoo today include the politically-driven orders to withdraw from Iraq, increasing government support and encouragement for baby killing, massive budget deficits sure to inflate away your retirement savings and spend money on worthless projects or support terrorist groups around the world, the raising of taxes on gas and on postage stamps, and a more grim future full of crisis and depression.

On a more happy note, Obama looked good at the recent parties and basketball games he's been going to, so we've got that going for us.

Founded by Bene Madunagu "...Girls Power seeks to build a strong and empowered feminist institution with critical consciousness and capacity for analysis of social and gender prejudices, committed to managing and educating girls into healthy self-reliant, productive and confident women for the achievement of positive changes and transformation of patriarchal values in Nigeria..."

Union transparency is important because it allows workers to make informed decisions about the value of union representation. It also encourages union officials to do the right thing like spend union monies appropriately on union members interests such as grievance issues, member services, bargaining, benefits, and professional development, etc. As a union official whose role involves financial oversight- I have come up against some stumbling blocks with our union president that I am just not willing to remain silent about. I am adamant that the WTU adhere to the necessary 'check and balances' when it comes to financial matters so that we don't repeat the mistakes of our biggest scandal ever- the Bullock administration. Maybe you can help me ?

Knock, knock Washington Teachers Union Prez George Parker, anybody there ? Well I guess not because I have sent numerous emails to you and have yet to hear even a whisper. Can anybody, pleeez encourage Mr. Parker to answer my emails. In the advent that any of you should accidentally run into him- could you share my latest email and ask him to respond to me ? After all I am an elected official to the WTU Board of Trustees. Here's my most recent email:

2/24/09

Dear George:

As a WTU Board of Trustee member, I have requested information from you in your official role within the WTU. To date I still have not received an answer or any acknowledgement from the WTU president which is troubling to say the least. Failure to respond to an official written request from an elected union officer is at the very least unethical and may be perceived by our constituents at some later date as an 'intentional desire' on your part to refuse to comply with legitimate requests as well as a failure to adhere to our WTU Constitution and By-Laws.

Be that as it may, I am requesting again that the subject of the 'wire transfer' be placed on the February 26th WTU board agenda. I also would like to request that copies of my four emails be made part of the official record of the WTU. As I have previously requested, I still would like to get answers to the questions that I've posed . I would also like to formally request any and all documents concerning what is being referred to as the 'AFT grant' at the February 24th WTU representative assembly.

Sincerely,

The Washington Teacher (posted by The Washington Teacher)

*some portions of this email were removed

I will not be able to go (I still have a job- one of the few people still employed in liberal-Democrat-run Michigan), but I wanted to let you all know about the Michigan Tea Party being held on Friday, February 27, 2009, where grassroots patriots from all across Michigan will join thousands across the nation in a "Nationwide Chicago Tea Party." It is from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm at the Michigan State Capitol, 100 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing.

For more information about the event, please contact Joan at 517-282-2042, apackof2@gmail.com or Wendy at 517-652-5855, wjdayhome@sbcglobal.net or click on this link.

UPDATE: A great turnout! Only the America desire for freedom was needed, since there was little time to throw together an event like this, and the turnout and energy were great! Look at the sites of the event and read more about the turnout at these good sites- RightMichigan, The World According to Me, or For a Better Day.

You will have to read about this event on blogs, since the main newspapers didn't bother covering an event that cities all over the nation participated in, and in Michigan had several hundred people show up to. Instead, the Detroit News ran a story about Obama getting a new dog and the Detroit Free Press ran an article about how evil Laura Bush missed Obama's last speech. Nice work, MSM.

Magdelene Odundo's "...pieces are not made using a wheel, but by hand, primarily using a coiling technique. They are left unglazed and are burnished laboriously by hand. The potters of the Ganda royal court in Uganda use similar techniques to make vessels known as ensumbi...[continue reading]"-British Museum
via Mshairi

From SciDev:

Science cafés (or Cafés Scientifique) are stirring up dialogue between locals and scientists in Uganda — and their success has led to a grant to establish "junior cafés" in secondary schools around the country...At these meetings — organised around the school calendar — students can discuss a variety of science and technology topics with local scientists. It is hoped that this will stimulate extracurricular interest in science and broaden understanding. The idea is that the students will gradually organise the meetings themselves, thus also developing communication and leadership skills...[continue reading]

Poor USA- I tried to warn you. We have a politician here in Michigan who sounds a lot like Obama- an amateur who lacked executive experience, a liberal who pushed for higher taxes and more regulation, and a Democrat who passes larger and larger budgets that benefit special interest groups while the state suffers. Granholm, our Governor, even has a bogeyman to blame like Obama- first it was Engler, than it was Bush, and if she was Governor another 10-20 years, it would always be a bogeyman causing the problems, not her. Get used to it, nation, because when I listen to Obama talk, that's the impression I get.

Okay, so I'm looking through Obama's speech, and here are some parts that jump out to me:

"That day of reckoning has arrived, and the time to take charge of our future is here."

First off, why is today the day of reckoning? Why wasn't it yesterday, or last year, or two years ago? Why wasn't it September 11, 2001, or 1940, or 1776? Why is it the election of Obama as President? Obama shows his lack of humility, and shows why people mock him by calling him the Messiah and the Anointed one- he feels that the election of him is the day of reckoning. That's interesting.

According to wikipedia, the Day of reckoning is a term used to describe the Last Judgment in Christian eschatology. Judgment Day, or Day of the Lords, is the judgment by God of all nations. It will take place after the resurrection of the dead and the Second Coming (Revelation 20:12–15). So what does Obama really believe about our times? Interestingly enough, wikipedia is a fine help- under the section "Gnostic tradition", there is this line-

some liberal theologies reject the traditional conception of the Last Judgment as inconsistent with an all-just and loving God, in favor of some form of universal salvation. They teach that all beings of the human evolution will ultimately be saved in a distant future as they acquire a superior grade of consciousness and altruism.

Obama thinks that he is more evolved than us, that he is superior in consciousness and altruism than us, and that he is the second coming of Jesus, and that the election of him will bring universal salvation to all- everyone, no matter if they are good or bad, will be saved by him, and he will provide everything to everyone.

Here is another line I like:

This plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs. More than 90% of these jobs will be in the private sector - jobs rebuilding our roads and bridges; constructing wind turbines and solar panels; laying broadband and expanding mass transit.

Let's see if I understand the logic- 1 trillion dollars in taxpayer money, government money, sent to government agencies and bureaucracies, and 90% of the jobs are private sector? Building roads and bridges, wind turbines, solar panels, broadband, mass transit- I guess by private sector he means private sector in the sense that favored businesses will get government money, much like the Nazi's ran their economy under their fascist systems in Germany and Italy.

Next, let's look at how Mr. Bipartisanship really works:

Given these realities, everyone in this chamber - Democrats and Republicans - will have to sacrifice some worthy priorities for which there are no dollars. And that includes me. But that does not mean we can afford to ignore our long-term challenges. I reject the view that says our problems will simply take care of themselves; that says government has no role in laying the foundation for our common prosperity.

In other words, everyone in Congress- except Democrats- will have to sacrifice their priorities- but Democrats totally reject the worldview of libertarians and fiscal conservatives. Totally reject- entirely reject- everything that you believe in, if you are a fiscal conservative or libertarian. If you voted for this guy, you elected someone who rejects your views in the name of 'bipartisanship'.

Oh, his speech is getting better- now that he is past the flowery language, we get to the heart of the matter. He is going to cut our energy supplies, especially oil. He is going to drive our domestic auto industry out of business. He is going to put in place a Soviet health care system. He is going to give everyone free college education, especially if you volunteer for Democrat causes. He is going to lose militarily around the world and sit down and give in to all of our enemies.

Incidentally, I'm shocked by how scripted this guy is- not a single variation in anything he says. I was reading this entire speech as he was saying it- he didn't vary a single word in the entire speech. Is this really how Lincoln and Reagan did it? Is this really how FDR and JFK did it? Read a speech word for word that others had written? I don't think so.

UPDATE: I was curious about what Obama knew about Greensburg, Kansas- apparently when a tornado ripped through this city last May, Obama said that 10,000 people were killed because the entire Kansas national guard was in Iraq- in reality, only 12 people died, and very little of Kansas's national guard was gone. Opps! All this guy knows are the places he saw during his campaign- all of his education about the world has been gained in campaigning for office.

How about Dillon, South Carolina, and Obama's visit there? Well, Obama was there for a campaign stop too. Apparently it is part of the 'Corridor of Shame'? Anyways, since everyone in this school is poor and African-American, and the people in this area supported Obama, he wants to now give kick-backs to this school. Interesting. See this information here.

Occasionally I run across a post that nicely ties together what is going on in our country, and is funny and pointed and has a lot of great lines. Over at Big Hollywood, I read such a post, and am now passing it on to you- I suggest you read the whole Guns, Gold, and Secession post, but here are the best parts:

Not too surprisingly to my Republican friends, guns sales have skyrocketed across the country since Obama was elected. A week after the election, I read that gun sales near where I grew up in north Texas had gone up 185%.

Similar sales figures have popped up all over the U.S. By mid-February 2009, an article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune reported an 82% increase over the previous year’s gun sales, due to “customers fearing for their safety in desperate economic times and worrying that President Barack Obama might resurrect some 1990s gun bans.” The same article cited FBI background checks as surging 27% over the previous year in the last three months of 2008.

And it’s not just guns being bought and hoarded. Gold sales are skyrocketing. In January 2009, the U.S. Mint sold more American Eagle coins than it shipped in the entire year of 2007, and gold prices just topped $1,000 an ounce. You’d think people didn’t trust the markets or the dollar any more.

You’ve probably heard of Igor Panarin, the Russian professor and former KGB analyst who predicted the breakup of the United States in 2010, giving it “a 55-45% chance.” In his opinion, Russia will regain control of Alaska, which sounds like a lot of wishful thinking, given that the Russian stock market and banking system is currently in worse shape than in the United States. As quoted in the Wall Street Journal, however, his prediction that “wealthier states will withhold funds from the federal government and effectively secede from the union” makes a bit of sense, when one considers the fact that the U.S. will actually need to pay back the trillions it owes.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Second Vermont Republic movement? And in June of 2008, long before the election, the State of Oklahoma declared its sovereignty under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

From Addis Journal:

It was 25 years ago today that the famous Ethiopian writer and journalist, Baalu Girma, was abducted by the military junta (Derg) in Ethiopia. He hasn’t been heard from since, but his legacy continues.The Baalu Girma Foundation, established in his memory, has just been launched.
The foundation set up by his daughter Meskerem Baalu Girma “will strive to empower creative writers and journalists underrepresented in East Africa”...[continue reading]

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• Former Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam could be extradited from Zimbabwe (telegraph.co.uk)

Still wondering what's the status of the DC teachers' union contract proposal. So am I. Let's hope this Wednesday's informational session conducted by the WTU will yield more information than the letters sent out to our members. By the way, y'all are invited to attend the WTU contract informational session on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at McKinley Senior High School at 4:30 p.m. AFT Prez Randi Weingarten will be in attendance to 'meet and greet' you and discuss relevant information. The WTU has been delivering flyers to all local schools to promote this Wednesday's event. A lot of union manpower is going into ensuring that union members are aware of this gathering.

My only hope is that the the WTU will unveil some of the important details about what makes this contract proposal different than the last one. Word is that Chancellor Rhee is still suggesting in some of her meetings with DC teachers that the red and green tiers are still on the table.

By the way, the WTU delegate assembly will meet today on Tuesday, February 24th at 4:30 p.m. at McKinley Senior High for its regularly scheduled meeting . Encourage your school building representative or alternate to attend. All other union members are welcome to attend as well .

The WTU Executive Board meeting is suppose to be scheduled this Thursday evening on February 25, 2009 at the WTU Office at 5:30 p.m. The office is located at 490 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Suite 7200 Washington, DC. While I have not received noticed of this meeting to date, I encourage all unionized teachers and providers to come out.

As a WTU Board of Trustee member, I have advanced my written concern to the WTU executive board level regarding how certain 'union wire transfers' were handled by our WTU union officers. While I am not suggesting any impropriety, I am concerned that some WTU practices are not in keeping with motions passed by the executive board as well as good accounting principles. The failure of the WTU to adhere to the necessary checks and balances can lead us down a very slippery slope and cause the WTU to repeat the mistakes of the past. Stay tuned.... (Posted by The Washington Teacher).

As a reminder, last year Fox News put together a report that analyzed who warned us about the financial crisis that set off our current economic crisis, and those who worked to ignore those warnings. The record is quite clear on this issue- one party predicted the correct economic future and worked to pass legislation that would protect America- another party worked and voted to block this legislation and frequently made statements about the future of our nation that have been 100% proven to be incorrect. Sadly, America voted in the wrong party, the Democrats, who the record will show worked against the interests of our nation and hurt America with their actions. See the video to be reminded that we had a chance to avert this current crisis, and Democrats ruined that chance. Vote the right way next time.

In SciDev Valerie Corfield writes:

Researchers in developing nations must become 'communicating scientists', sharing their knowledge beyond academia...Scientists must become proactive, and form a network of contacts beyond their own academic brotherhood. And they should recognise the value of science intermediaries, such as science centres and funding agencies' research translation offices...[continue reading]

My friend who lived over in Germany told me once that an interesting feature of a political system that preaches equality is the marked inequality that exists. The countries that push the most for their citizens to be equal have leaders who live unequal lifestyles, whether it was in East Germany or the Soviet Union in the past, or Venezuela or Cuba today. Similarly, the politicians today that push the most for equality appear to be living it up on the people's dime (Obama throwing lavish parties and remodeling limo's), or using the people's dime to implement policies that support the elite in our country. As surprising as it is to some, conservatives and Republicans and the policies they promote lead to more equality than liberals and Democrats. As an example of this, I found a really good post over at Jack McHugh's Blog:

My colleague noticed an announcement on the website of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic growth about a state government “Vibrant Small Cities Initiative” program to hand out some $6 million in federal money to subsidize “façade improvements” on downtown buildings.

She was pondering the distinction between “vibrant cities” and the “cool cities” that Gov. Granholm has touted as another government central-planners’ vision of how to revitalize Michigan. I suspect there’s no difference, that both are buzz-words describing an particular elite class’s vision of an ideal setting that in many cases they themselves do not choose.

Here’s my attempt to define the contents of that vision. (Granholm wants to give taxpayer money to support places) with high-density population that are inhabited by: older, upper-middle class singles or empty-nesters, college students who are the offspring of upper-middle class families, or unmarried or childless college grads in their 20s or early 30s from the same upper-middle class background.

(Granholm does not want to support) suburban or urban neighborhoods inhabited by: families with children (or any income level), individuals or families who prefer the privacy and space of single family homes, or working people with limited incomes and leisure time, or the poor who can't afford to live in the cities.

For all the blather about “diversity,” the inhabitants of this ideal world of Democrats and liberals is a narrow class-driven vision of elites.

From Davos, Trevor Manuel stated that Africa is "at risk of decoupling, derailment and abandonment”...he is particularly worried by the threat of trade and financial protectionism in the developed world. He is concerned that banks and financial institutions in the US and Europe will increasingly be under pressure to direct loans towards their domestic markets...[continue reading]"-Gideon Rachman at the FT
Is it me or the self-pitying language "abandonment" et al. Doesn't this perpetuate a dangerously dependent non-constructive state of mind and policy?

Image by Martin_Heigan via Flickr

Ochuko Tonukari writes:

There has been, of late, enormous interest in the study of nature conservation by traditional societies. The protection of patches of forest as sacred groves and of several tree species as sacred trees belong to the religion-based conservation ethos of ancient people all over the world. ...

According to a very elderly and learned Urhobo man, “the concept of the sacredness of trees, from the Urhobo historical past enters into every facet of Urhobo traditional religion. It rests on the earliest conceptions of the unity of life in nature, in the sense of communion and fellowship with the divine centre and source of life. The sacred tree is said to be deeply rooted in the primitive religious ideas of earliest Urhobo people. In the history of Urhobo religious evolution, it lies behind the primitive era.”
As one Urhobo traditionalist noted, "If you come upon a grove of old trees that have lifted up their crowns above the common height and shut out the light of the sky by the darkness of their interlacing boughs, you feel that there is a spirit in the place, so lofty is the wood, so lone the spot, so wondrous the thick unbroken shade."

...[continue reading]

Hat Tip Toyin Adepoju!

Over at the blog Bible, Math, Politics and More! I read a really good and inspiring post about what it means to be involved with the Republican Party. Here is some of this post:

If "All politics is local," then we represent a front line in the political battles being waged in America today. I think a lot of people—especially those who complain that politicians are insular or that they, the voters, can't have any impact on what's going on—would be pleasantly surprised at their ability to interact with the people voted into office...if they would take the time and opportunity to attend GOP county meetings. Not every politician attends every meeting, but if you come to three or four of ours, you will meet most of our county elected officials in Van Buren County.

As a result of my attendance the last few years, I can say that I am friends with my state representative, most of the county commissioners, most of the county elected officials (county clerk, county treasurer, etc.), and a variety of folks who hold township-level positions. I have had the opportunity to meet a number of state-level candidates and officials, as well as senators and representatives from other Michigan districts. As an officer of the organization, I was even invited to a private meeting (along with about 50 other people in this part of the state) with John McCain in 2007. And I asked him about that nutty immigration bill he supported two years ago.

My main point is this: If you want to make a difference, get involved. Contact your county Republican Party and ask when and where the next meeting is. (Not sure how? Check out migop.org, or the corresponding website in our state.) Take a friend or two with you if you are uncomfortable showing up in a group of relative strangers...because if you want to know more, your friends probably do, also. Attend a Lincoln Day Dinner or other county event where people and politicians mingle. Join a facebook group (we have one—Van Buren County Republican Party) or other internet social network for interested people; read blogs and news stories written by the people who are doing the actual work. There is much work to be done between now and November 2010; be a part of it!

Following up on my earlier post about The Horror of Disbelieving in Global Warming and Signs of the Times, Signs of Times to Come, I have to direct you to check out this speech by Vaclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic and current head of the EU. His speech is mainly about efforts to expand and strengthen the authority of the European Union- but it is also about larger issues of freedom, responsibility, liberty, choices, and the best way to build a prosperous future. Klaus grew up in a communist society, fought against these forces, and now sees these very forces growing in our midst. Thanks to Belmont Club for pointing me to this speech.

The issue of Europe and of its future has stayed with me since the fall of communism in spite of other topical issues. It is not surprising. The undergoing weakening of democracy and of free markets on the European continent, connected with the European unification process, is a threatening phenomenon especially for someone who spent most of his life in a very authoritative and oppressive communist regime. I consider, therefore, the marching towards an ever-closer Europe (which is one of the crucial tenets of Europeism) a mistaken project. The gradual shift from liberalizing and removing all kinds of barriers towards a massive introduction of regulation and harmonization from above, the ever-expanding, overgenerous welfare system, the innovative, and more sophisticated forms of protectionism, the continuously growing legal and regulatory burdens on business, the markets undermining quasicompetition policies, the Single Currency arrangements, are all very real. They weaken and restrain freedom, democracy and democratic accountability, not to speak about economic efficiency, entrepreneurship and competitiveness.

Having said that, let me turn to two other issues I consider significant. I see another big problem in environmentalism and in its currently most aggressive form – global warming alarmism. This ideology has gradually turned into the most efficient vehicle for advocating extensive government intervention into all fields of life and for suppressing human freedom and economic prosperity. I am frustrated that this ideology has not been sufficiently challenged both inside and outside of climatology. We keep hearing one-sided propaganda, but do not hear serious counter-arguments.

The third issue, I would like to mention here today, is the current financial and economic crisis. I recently spent three full days discussing this topic at the World Economic Forum in Davos and my feeling is that the rationality and the economic science have been suppressed or forgotten. The very unpleasant, day by day deeper economic crisis should be accepted as a standard economic phenomenon, as an unavoidable consequence and hence a “just” price we have to pay for the long-term playing with the market by the politicians. Their attempts to blame the market, instead of themselves, are unacceptable and should be resolutely rejected. Their activities, aiming at “reforming” the economic system, are all very doubtful and I as said in Davos: I am getting more afraid of these reforms than of the crisis itself.

Aggregate demand needs strengthening. One traditional way to do this is to increase government spending, mostly on public infrastructure projects, on condition these are available. It would be much more helpful, however, to initiate a radical reduction of all kinds of restrictions on private initiatives introduced in the last half a century during the era of the brave new world of the “social and ecological market economy”. The best thing to do right now would be to temporarily weaken, if not permanently repeal, various labour, environmental, social, health and other “standards”, because they block human activity more than anything else. In the moment of the fall of communism, almost 20 years ago, I did not expect to experience such a degree of government intervention into my own life as I face now. I am, therefore, convinced that fighting for freedom and free markets remains the task of the day. We may be, some of us, oversensitive in this respect but I am sure it is – in principle – not about our personal oversensitivity. It is about the real dangers we see around us.

Scarlett Lion highlights an endearing NYTimes report about home cooked food:

During the week she hews to African cuisine because, she said, it is healthier than American food. “My whole family is skinny,” she explained. It’s also because African cuisine is all her husband will eat.
Ms. Gray-Brumskine often makes fufu, a rib-sticking mash of potato starch and mashed potatoes from a box, a common American substitution for roots or yams that are used in Africa. She also makes cassava greens; she washes and grinds the leaves, then boils them in a pot with water and baking soda until they turn olive green — a process that can take two hours and often isn’t done until 11 at night. Her husband will wait and eat them then...[continue reading]

Many people think that teachers foster critical thinking skills, open minds, and helps students to understand many diverse viewpoints. But most do not, because teachers themselves, raised by a liberal education and liberal unions, do not critically examine arguments, have an open mind on new subjects, and try to understand diverse worldviews. Oh, I know a couple do- there are a lot of good teachers out there that do this. But most (51% or greater) do not, especially in the high schools and colleges in the nation.

Today in a staff meeting, the teachers at my school were supposed to be talking about how we can use data about our students and their learning to increase their mastery of the subject material. Instead, the conversation soon drifted to the teaching of global warming. I think the reason the conversation went that way was because the educational standard the state put out, or because they felt that this sort of knowledge couldn't be measured by standardized tests, or that the projects that were done for this sort of class didn't translate into data. Regardless, suddenly I found myself and my views about global warming being openly mocked by a group of professional educators.

For a while, I held my tongue while myths were peddled and recycled by teachers- that global warming is happening, that there is no debate about it, that it is man-made, that it is bad, that government is the solution, that an all powerful government is the only solution, that markets/capitalism/business is evil and causing global warming, that people are not responsible enough to deal with it, and that personal choices and freedom are a luxury that we can't have in the face of this crisis.

For a while, I held my tongue- then couldn't any more, and destroyed each argument clinically, piece-by-piece, using logic and data to the stunned horror of my colleagues. Yes, horror- they were shocked that anyone could believe in anything other than the myth, they were shocked that I denied their religion, and they were shocked that I somehow was in a position to mold young children's minds. How did a person like ever get a degree in education, they wondered.

There was almost no thinking about my arguments- when they started on this thought, they quickly stopped, perhaps realizing the fallacy of their views, and retreated behind the comforts of mocking me, teasing me, ridiculing me, and finally ignoring me. Oh, it was done nicely, in a professional way- a little snide comment there, a giggle there, a subtle ignoring of my comments and arguments- but it demonstrated to me once again that teachers have very closed minds on the sacred subjects of the left, that teachers do not think critically about their pagan religion, and that teachers are not welcoming to a diversity of thought on issues.

And in the end, it is I who was horrified once again that they are molding young minds.

Although I said long ago that the election of Obama would not be good for our nation because of his fascist tendencies (before dismissing my comments out-of-hand, read my posts here and here), I really thought it would take longer for America go to bad. I was wrong.

Today, an Oklahoma City police officer pulled a man's car over for having an anti-Obama sign in the window of his vehicle, and then took the sign from the man. The sign read "Abort Obama Not the Unborn", which clearly states the fact that the man disagrees with Obama's abortion policies and wishes that he was not around, stated in a rather controversial way, but it's a free country. Or it was. The officer felt that this sign was a threat to Obama, pulled over the man, and took his sign away. Then the Secret Service were called and went through the man's home, making sure that he wasn't part of a hate group or something (apparently being conservative is now borderline hate-group status). The good thing is that the police feel that his rights were not violated with this harassment- the good citizen on the other hand has not said whether he is suing or not. This is a true story, and a sign of things to come. Read the whole thing and watch some video by clicking on this link.

Also, since I am sure you didn't hear about it on the mainstream news, did you know that Obama is increasingly unpopular and already being protested by ever-enlarging crowds wherever he goes? It is true. Yesterday, greeting the President in Arizona was a crowd of about 200 people who were there to express their views on the stimulus bill and other pieces of legislation that Obama is supporting. Read about this here.

How does Obama intend to combat the swelling groundswell against his policies? By hiring celebrities. Yes, Obama intends to use taxpayer money to pay millionaires to lecture us on why we should support Obama. Remember that ad where McCain linked Obama to celebrities, and how good it was? So do I (it's a bummer McCain stupidly didn't follow it up). The message was that Obama was a passing fad, with shallow ideas, and was only popular because he was a celebrity. And now he hires celebrities to parrot his policies. Read about this here.

Where is this all heading? Obama wanted our nation to be international- remember the people around the world loved him. Probably because he wants to turn our nation into an undemocratic and elitist project comparable to the communist dictatorships of eastern Europe, that forbade alternative thinking, violated citizens rights, and were poor and unfree. Kind of like the EU is turning into, as Czech President Vaclav Klaus told the European Parliament on Thursday. Speaking about the EU, Klaus said "Those who dare thinking about a different option are labeled as enemies"- which increasingly describes conservatives, Republicans, and libertarians in this liberal Democrat-run nation.

Next thing you know,, it will be considered 'patriotic' to never question the government, pay more in taxes, and bow to the increasing authority of the state... oh wait, several Democrats already think this...

From Iconnect:

The South-South Experience Exchange Facility is a new multi donor trust fund that promotes the idea that the development successes in one country can be replicated in another. The trust fund has identified other areas suited for this financing including managing commodity windfalls; developing efficient tax systems; adapting to new technologies; creating social safety nets that benefit the poor; and trade integration and investment climate...[continue reading]

Some days I feel like I must not be normal, that my thinking doesn't quite fit, because I arrive at the opposite conclusions as other people. Today's post might be more accurately a rant.

I'm reading an article in the Detroit News about the auto bailout- about how General Motors and Chrysler asked the government for $21 billion more in taxpayer money to 'stave off bankruptcy', which raises the tab for the auto industry's rescue above $40 billion. As I am reading this article, there are a couple things that jump out to me. Take a look at this line from the article-

Yet since the government extended the first emergency loans in December, the already weak U.S. auto market has collapsed to its lowest level since the 1980s.

Here is how I am different- in my mind, I think that that the already weak market collapsed BECAUSE the government started bailing out everyone. The bailouts caused the public to panic, caused confidence in these products to decline, and damaged our economy, all of which further hurt the auto companies, and the solution is no more bailouts, no more government money. Or take a look at this line

Politicians have criticized Detroit's automakers for running sloppy businesses and producing gas-guzzlers that consumers don't want to buy, but the severity of this downturn is hobbling even the world's strongest automakers.

Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Daimler AG have all reported losses for the October-December quarter. "There has been an unprecedented decline in the automotive sector," since early December when Chrysler first requested $7 billion in loans, Chairman Robert Nardelli told reporters.

Follow me on this one- if it was just a Detroit or a domestic thing, it would only affect Detroit or domestic auto companies. But it isn't- it is a United States thing as all companies selling in the US are being hurt. Why? Especially troubling is the line 'unprecedented decline'- why is it unprecedented? Did something radical happen in the US lately? Yup- the government stepped in, raised environmental standards, raised CAFE requirements, radically changed the nature of the government in the economy, etc. The reason why the auto industry declined in the US was not 'greed,' or 'bad Ford executives,' but the United States federal government. Blame that institution- blame the Democratic Congress, the moderate Bush, and the radical Obama. They are to blame, not good Americans working hard in a free economy.

In other news, one day after Obama signed into the the Destroy America Act (see post below), an act that spends an unprecedented $787 billion, an act that likely wastes money like nothing else in the history of spending, our President announced that this act isn't enough, and that we need another bailout of $75 billion 'to tackle the foreclosure crisis'. This act is meant to bailout people speculated in the housing market bubble, leveraged those profits into investments and a nice lifestyle, and now have to pay the piper, and bribe banks to continue lending to risky individuals in an effort to put every person in the Soviet America into a square block house. One wonders how much of this money will flow into the pockets of politically connected Democratic donors.

This type of government spending, whereby inefficient and irresponsible individuals are propped up at the sacrifice and hard work of efficient and responsible individuals, leads no where. What it leads to is the bankrupting of America. If you want to see what these liberal policies create, look at Detroit- a liberal Democrat dream town, designed by liberal Democrats and controlled by them for years, and now the 2nd most desolate city in the country. Democrats want to turn America into that.

And what is Obama doing, other than throwing unheard of amounts of money at the problems of America? Is he in Washington, working on creating effective public policy? Is he using his Harvard trained mind to creatively solve the problems facing our nation? Nope- he is doing what he does best, and campaigning for office. This Presidency is going to be marked by ceremonies, palaces, dances, and a continual spin campaign of the likes that you have never seen (unless you lived under soviet or fascist leaders).

Yes, the President is making good on his promise to continually get in touch with the people of our nation- provided that they are donors and they only donate to Democrats. He continued his Presidential campaigning today in swing states like Virginia and Florida, meeting with rich donors and promising to give them more taxpayer money in the form of further bailouts. What a joke.

Lastly, just to prove that the joke is on all of us and not just Republicans, Obama also announced that in the name of peace and to bring our troops home from conflict and protect them from harm, he is increasing our presence in Afghanistan by 17,000. The article says that he is radically changing the course of our foreign affairs by surging troops to combat terrorists- something that apparently Bush never did? Really, this is how the media covers for this guy, who now is backstabbing his own peacenik supporters and proving that he is only after one thing and one thing only- more power for himself.

From the African Commission:

One year to get an education. However, it is another thing to get an education that you can actually use to earn money with – and which can help contribute to the development of the society you live in. It is important, and not least of all in the poor, developing countries, to choose the right education, both to ensure the highest possible rate of employment and to ensure growth and development...[continue reading]

Treehugger points us to a show about the ingenuity behind "Global Street Food":

“Global Street Food” is dedicated to the fascination with improvised kitchens in public places. Urban fast food stations navigate the contrast between pragmatic dilettantism and complexity in the smallest of spaces. Mike Meiré presents a variety of objects and street foods from different areas of the world in a classic white cube. This exhibition explores the sculptural quality of authentic objects and their cultural identity...[continue reading]

photo courtesy of Mike Meire

At the February 14th WTU Executive Board meeting- I was saddened to learn that WTU President, George Parker sought a legal opinion on the union's liability for 'freedom of speech' statements made by any of its union officers including the leadership, board members and local school union representatives in the press or on blogs. The title of the legal opinion is 'Potential Liability For Speech.' I would argue that Parker did this in an attempt to try to block other meaningful dialogue about the critical issues that impact teachers. Listening to this legal presentation took away valuable time from other issues that needed to be discussed. It seems to me that Parker's other motive may have been to discourage board members from exercising their right to free speech in the press and on blogs.

Again without any input from the WTU Executive Board, Mr. Parker forged ahead in his typical dictatorial style. As a fiduciary agent of our union, I suspect and am concerned that this legal opinion may have cost our union membership thousands of dollars. What I gleaned from this presentation is that defamation lawsuits can prevail against unions, officers and individuals ONLY IF what members say is intentionally false and causes injury to a person's position within society. The truth is always an absolute defense as it should be. I think this is a no brainer for most of us.

What was even more troubling is that board members were not provided a copy of this legal opinion of which might I add union dues helped to pay for. The real travesty in this is that even if board members wanted to digest this document in its entirety they couldn't because they were requested to return the document to the WTU before leaving which was totally absurd.

I can think of better things that we as a union can spend our funds on like assisting our union members. This certainly is a matter that needs to come before the WTU Representative Assembly. All union members have a 'right to know' what our union dues are spent on and demand accountability from our union president. (Posted by The Washington Teacher).

A friend of mine does some work for the Michigan Department of Education, and he let me know what some of the questions on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) are about. Now, I'm not going to tell you what the questions actually ask or what standard or information is being tested, but I think it's okay to tell you the general liberal thrust of the questions that your taxpayer money is paid to write.

There are several questions about why Wal-Mart is bad written in the guise of economics questions. The questions pretend to ask questions about economic principles that students are supposed to learn, but the correct answer to every question is 'Wal-Mart is evil.' Since students are usually taught this instead of economics principles, I guess it's okay for them, but I think that these types of questions are wrong to put on this state-mandated test. Besides, Wal-Mart isn't as bad as it is made out- see my earlier post Undercover at Wal-Mart.

It's surprising how economic questions rarely ask about supply and demand, and yet there are several questions on saving gas and helping the environment disguised as 'supply and demand' questions. Seriously, the correct answer to several questions on the MME test is 'save the environment, drive green cars, save gas, and vote Democrat' (okay, I added that last part). Although saving gas might be good for the environment, are these concepts really fundamental to education in Michigan? Never mind, they probably are- my students can repeat the liturgy of global warming to me, but know few economic concepts.

Oh, and for those of you who believe in a religion other than global warming- according to the state-mandated, taxpayer funded MME test, you are a barrier to progress. Yes, several questions on world history can be answered with the correct answer of 'church is barrier to progress.' I guess that's not exactly wrong- conservative values have been standing in the way of Progressivism for many years, fighting to make sure that the values of men are protected and respected and we don't progress to a tyrannical inhuman society. Still, I hope students aren't being taught that the church is bad- I know schools have interpreted the 1st amendment to mean they can't talk about religion, but I hope they haven't interpreted the 1st amendment to mean that they can't talk about religion in a good way.

Just thought some of you would be interested in what the state is producing. Imagine all the great things it will produce now that it has forcibly appropriated massive amounts of your property in the form of a 'stimulus bill.'

SciDev reports:

A draft concept note presents the PAU as a "continental flagship institution of higher education" offering advanced graduate training and postgraduate research opportunities for "the cream of the crop" of African students.The new university would also act as a "reference institution" providing a repository of knowledge and skills to support pan-African development initiatives...[continue reading]

More Pan-African Universities? Shouldn't we be focusing on the strengthening the existing institutions?

It seems like DC Public Schools isn't the only school system fraught with multiple problems. Based on a investigative report by CBS 2 - corporal punishment cases in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) aren't investigated in a timely manner. The findings of this CBS 2 investigation dating back to September 2008 suggests that even in the cases in which CPS staff were found guilty of corporal punishment, discipline did not match the offense. Many of the students involved were as young as kindergarten through middle school which is a scary thought. Treveon Martin, the 10-year-old Chicago Public School student who was featured in this investigative story expressed how fearful he is now of attending school.

On February 9th, 2009, CBS Reporter Dave Savini and his investigative team reported on an ongoing investigation of the use of corporal punishment in Chicago Public Schools. Savini's investigation revealed that hundreds of Chicago Public School students have alleged being battered (i.e. beaten, whipped, chocked, paddled) by a teacher or an aide, coach, security guard or a principal. In 568 of the 818 reported corporal punishment cases, Chicago Public School Investigators determined that students were telling the truth.

Treveon Martin was featured on CBS as one of 818 Chicago Public School students, since 2003, to allege being battered by a teacher or other staff member. "Treveon Martin, 10, is afraid of a teacher at his school. "I've seen him hit five of them in the classroom," Martin said. Martin says he and others have been hit, grabbed and even struck with a belt. "He's threatened almost all the kids in his classroom," Martin said. He says it happened at Robert Emmet Academy in November but a Chicago Public School investigator didn't talk to him until last week - 70 days after the case was reported, and not until after we started asking questions. "He holded my arms and he picked my body up, and then he just slammed me on the desk," Martin said.

CBS 2 investigators found reports of students who were beaten with broomsticks, whipped with belts, yard sticks, struck with staplers, choked, stomped on and pushed down stairs. A student was paddled by a coach after missing serves. A substitute teacher fractured a student's neck. The majority of cases of staff who were found guilty were only given a slap on the wrist, Savini said.

"CBS 2 informed former Chicago Public School CEO Arne Duncan of our investigative findings shortly before he was promoted to U.S. Secretary of Education. Duncan responded: "If someone hits a student, they are going to be fired. It's very, very simple. " Before heading to Washington, Duncan vowed to take the following action. "Any founded allegation where an adult is hitting a child, hitting a student - they're going to be gone," Duncan said. Savini reported that's not what happened under Duncan's watch.

In response to CBS 2's report- Chicago's Alderman Pat O'Connor who is on the City Council Education Committee promised to have all of the cases re-examined including Treveon Martin's case as well as the incoming Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman. Huberman also promised a further review of how these cases were investigated. (Story courtesy of CBS Broadcasting Inc.) Posted by The Washington Teacher.

Things are spiraling out of control now- apparently, in spite of the fact that voters have several time stated that they don't consider Washington DC a state, the Senate does, and is going to award full voting rights to Washington DC- AS IF IT WERE A STATE. The Constitution clearly says in Article I, Section 8 that DC is not a state, and is simply "the seat of the government of the United States."

In 1978, the District's advocates sent to the states a constitutional amendment requiring that "for purposes of representation" the district would be "treated as though it were a state"- but only 16 states ratified it, 22 short of the required number. Now, advocates shrug their shoulders and poop on the Constitution, changing it by 'informal means' and with the D.C. House Voting Rights Act will give the District a full voting member in the House of Representatives. This is in clear violation of the Constitution.

What is this country coming to? On February 12, 2009, Senate committee voted 11-1 Wednesday to give the District a full voting seat in Congress- that means that 11 Senators voted to disregard our Constitution and act in clear violation of it. Voting rights only go to states- if our country wants to make DC a state, then it gets full voting rights- but if voters don't, then it doesn't- you can't take the law into your own hands and just do it- that's illegal and unconstitutional.

It is the attitude that is being shown that shocks me- it's as if our country has become totally unmoored, and our government now acts in clear violation of the laws as it sees fit. It is a tyranny and lawlessness not seen in this nation since the Founding Fathers, and it is beginning to scare me.

In the NYTimes:

For Nkhensani Nkosi, the founder of the South African label Stoned Cherrie, African fashion has been signified by “the Big Five and leopard prints” for too long. She was referring, of course, to the checklist (lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard) every big game hunter and tourist with a point-and-shoot hopes to bag...[continue reading]

photo courtesy of Lucas Jackson,Reuters

Kikwete gets the enterprise religion.
The need to keep up the pressure on Mugabe despite the unity government deal, especially with the continuance of his party's Neronian extravagances.
Roots Cuisine explores "homeland foods".
Tom Mboya's gift to the world.

At this fine blog comes this blast from the past- long ago, America was given a vision of the future, and it wasn't the vision of hope and change and bipartisanship that produced the most un-bipartisan same-old big government spending Stimulus Bill that people hope won't destroy America. No, this warning was different-

This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word "victory" except when he's talking about his own campaign. But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed... when the roar of the crowd fades away... when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot... what exactly is our opponent's plan?

What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet? The answer is to make government bigger... take more of your money... give you more orders from Washington... and to reduce the strength of America in a dangerous world. America needs more energy... our opponent is against producing it.

Victory in Iraq is finally in sight... he wants to forfeit. Terrorist states are seeking nuclear weapons without delay... he wants to meet them without preconditions.

Al-Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America... he's worried that someone won't read them their rights? Government is too big... he wants to grow it.

Congress spends too much... he promises more. Taxes are too high... he wants to raise them. His tax increases are the fine print in his economic plan, and let me be specific.

(He) plans to raise income taxes... raise payroll taxes... raise investment income taxes... raise the death tax... raise business taxes... and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars.

America had a chance to listen, and choose instead to mock the person who gave this speech as uneducated and backwards. America choose to laugh at this person- sadly, no one is laughing in this country anymore. Thank you Sarah Palin, for trying to warn us about Obama- sadly, we didn't heed your advice, and now have a growing government focused on growing government more.

Excerpts from participants at a recent Development Research Institute conference:

Yaw Nyarko:
"No nation has ever developed because of aid and outside advice".

Andrew Mwenda:
“Aid money makes African governments accountable to the aid agencies rather than to their own people.”

June Arunga:
"Aid money is diverting African skilled professionals away from private enterprise to writing proposals for NGOs.”

Via Tom Coburn, here's the latest list of wasteful spending in the bill just passed by the House (via The Corner):

Wasteful and Non-Stimulative Spending in the House-Senate Conference Report (Note: Most of these items are already fully funded through the regular budget process, which already increased spending dramatically last year. This is just adding silly money to the already flush coffers of government agencies).
• $8 billion for high-speed railway (including an earmark for an Los Angeles to Las Vegas MagLev)
• $1 billion for the “FutureGen” not-ready-for-primetime near zero emission plant in Illinois
• $53.6 billion for the “state stabilization” slush fund
• $1.3 billion for Amtrak
• $24 million for USDA buildings and rent
• $176 million for renovating Agricultural Research Service buildings
• $290 million for flood prevention activities
• $50 million for watershed rehabilitation
• $1.4 billion for wastewater disposal programs
• $295 million for administrative expenses associated with food stamp program
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges and libraries
• $650 million for the DTV converter box coupon program
• $360 million for construction of NIST buildings
• $830 million for NOAA research and facilities
• $2 billion for Byrne JAG program
• $10 million to combat Mexican gunrunners
• $125 million for rural communities to combat drug crimes
• $1 billion for the COPS program
• $1 billion for NASA
• $300 million to purchase scientific instruments for colleges and museums
• $400 million for equipment and facilities at the NSF
• $3.7 billion to conduct "green" renovations on military bases
• $375 million for Mississippi River projects
• $10 million for urban canals
• $5 billion for weatherizing buildings
• $2 billion to develop advanced batteries for hybrid cars
• $3.4 billion for fossil energy research (possibly including an earmark for FutureGen)
• $5.1 billion for environmental cleanup around military bases
• $5.5 billion for "green" federal buildings
• $300 million for "green" cars for federal employees
• $20 million for IT upgrades at the Small Business Administration
• $200 million to design and furnish DHS headquarters
• $210 million for State and local fire stations
• $125 million to restore trails and abandoned mines
• $146 million for trail maintenance at National Park Service sites
• $140 million for volcano monitoring systems
• $600 million for the EPA Superfund environmental cleanup program
• $200 million to clean up leaking underground storage tanks
• $500 million for forest health and wildfire prevention
• $25 million for the Smithsonian Institution
• $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities" (for "youth" up to 24 years old)
• $500 million earmark for NIH facilities in Bethesda, MD
• $1 billion for Head Start
• $32 million for home-delivered nutrition services
• $160 million for volunteer programs at the Corporation for National and Community Service
• $500 million earmark for the SSA National Computer Center in MD
• $220 million for the International Boundary and Water Commission, U.S. and Mexico

Just a couple comments to this insanity. Why would a fully funded Census Bureau need an additional billion dollars- what kind of a game is this hiding? I thought Amtrak and Smithsonian were going privatized- how did they suddenly get back on the nationalization path? It's interesting how many palaces government is building itself- 'green' buildings I imagine are very beautiful to look at. Am I correct in seeing that $10 million is going to build 'urban canals'- what the poop is that about? Seriously, they should just include an item for "$10 billion just to piss away" and stop with the pretend items. This makes me very angry seeing this list- anyone who reads this blog who did not vote Republican for Congress and President should go bang your head violently against a wall- this is partly your fault.