First I want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the folks who experienced Hurricane Ike. Having lived through a couple of interesting storms, such as Ivan and Dennis, I empathize with their position. I’m not very good at writing condolence blog posts, largely because I think they are empty gestures for the…
A couple days ago I was getting my hair cut and the TV was showing scenes from the [tag]California fires[/tag]. People were commenting on the apparently high value of the houses they were seeing. One man was noting that he hadn’t seen any houses worth less than a million dollars. (We should nominate him for…
I wasn’t going to say anything about this, because I wouldn’t want to have anything to do with spreading the story any further, but now that it has been discussed in the mainstream media, such as MSNBC.com, I want to make a short comment. I married late, in my early 40s, and picked up a…
… and so should mine. There are quite a number of ideas that I believe are quite good when practiced voluntarily, and become dangerous and destructive when backed by force. For example, let’s take “political correctness.” Much of what is labelled political correctness is, in my opinion, simple courtesy. Notice the bold text. I think…
I think it’s a good one. I part ways with many liberal and moderate friends over Citizens United. I simply cannot see that having the government regulate the political speech of any citizen or group of citizens will have a positive effect. Learn to live with freedom of speech. It may be messy, but it’s…
MSNBC reports that funding may be cut off for the Arecibo Observatory. But among astronomers, Arecibo is an icon of hard science. Its instruments have netted a decades-long string of discoveries about the structure and evolution of the universe. Its high-powered radar has mapped in exquisite detail the surfaces and interiors of neighboring planets. ….
Thanks for this clip. When people are in power and doing a good job (in their profession) – and are likeable – it probably happens more often than we know – turning a deaf ear, making a very weak response and soothing one’s conscience, apples and oranges (I’m a great coach – this is not my responsibility) – on and on. Of course, it was Paterno’s responsibility – and others’ who knew what was happening. When did coming to the aid of a victim and calling the police and “risking” the reputation of a sports team become the norm? Always, always the disadvantaged, vulnerable, minorities – and, yes, people in high places – can be victimized. Witnesses and people who know and keep silent are as guilty as the perpetrator.
There is nobody whose reputation and position entitles them to avoid accountability. I’m just glad someone eventually brought it all to light!