Friday, February 16, 2007

Governors shouldn't be teachers

Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota wants to give an extra two percent of support to "performing" schools. It's a good thing he's not a teacher. Teachers generally give more help to those who aren't performing well. Can you imagine the ruckus if a teacher gave more time to those students who perform well and less to those who don't?

Granted, it is difficult to give help to a disruptive student in a classroom. Special resources are needed to help these students, not less.

As a ski instructor, I have to stop to help those who fell and I have to wait for those who are slower. Should I leave those who fell or can't keep up behind? Should I spend my time giving more challenges to those who ski well? This is effectively what the reward/punishment system of "No Child Left Behind" does.

See my Reader Weekly article, "No Skier Left Behind".

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Don't do as I do; do as I say

President Bush is upset that Iran is supposedly supplying arms to some factions in Iraq. Supposedly these arms are being used against U.S. troops. He seems to forget that the U.S. supplied Stinger shoulder-fired missiles to Al-Qaeda and other groups fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan. The Stingers were used to shoot down Soviet helicopters.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Two thoughts on cell phone usage while driving

Some people think that laws restricting cell phone use are an invasion of privacy. Crashing into someone else's car is an invasion of privacy.

An article in today's Star Tribune had a story told by a woman who had her pickup truck crashed into, sending her spare tire flying across the highway. The other driver got out of her vehicle still talking on her cell phone to her father who was telling her to be careful because the roads were slippery.

Several months ago, I watched a driver talking on his cell phone and tailgating a box truck at one car length as the truck ran a red light. The talker wouldn't have had a chance if the truck driver had chosen to stop. At a minimum, the truck driver would have had to file a report with his employer if the talker had crashed into the truck.

On the other hand, many commercial vehicles have two-way radios, either CBs or private networks. Talking to other drivers or the dispatcher can be very distracting. When I was driving buses, the dispatcher always seemed to call to confirm a charter just as I was ready to turn a corner. Curbing two-way radio use will be very difficult.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

"American cheese" a metaphor for American taste

Is "American cheese" a metaphor for American taste?

According to Wikipedia, "American cheese" is a type of processed cheese made from leftover cheeses, emulsifiers, food coloring, and extra salt. Other than the extra salt, it is usually bland. About the only thing it is really good for is melting uniformly on top of a hamburger.

Even the once-juicy hamburger has become bland and salty. The bland, dryness of so many hamburgers is the result of factory-like food preparation which has led to high bacteria counts. High bacteria counts have led to food-induced illnesses. Food-induced illnesses have led to litigation or legislation. Bye-bye, tasty food.

American salads also tend to be made with iceberg lettuce, a tasteless, low-nutrition green whose only redeeming qualities are crunchiness and juiciness. Add to the salad a hard, flavorless, factory tomato. At least few restaurants call blue cheese dressing Roquefort anymore.

But things are looking up. The many ethnic restaurants are providing more variety than the chain hamburger eatery and the once-ubiquitous steak house - four kinds of oversize steaks and maybe fish, deep-fried, of course. Now if more restaurants would provide less than mammoth portions.

Thoughts on a fireplace

A watched fire never roils.