Category: BING

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in california, it is legislation by ballot

In California, legislation by ballot is more and more becoming a necessity CLICK on the picture about the extraordinary measure now before the San Luis Obispo City Council

This November represents , more than any time I can remember, a battle between individual citizens vs.  incumbant politicians and their beneficiaries. One critic of democracy stated that a tipping point is reached when those who profit from government spending exceed — in power and influence — those who can provide the resources for that spending…. then the system changes. As for me, I try not to be too cynical, but a real problem exists when one party and one system controls the counting of the ballots.

Personally, I can understand how hard it is for those who enter politics to maintain a perspective over time. It is often easier to just get along. Some historians trace this back to President Andrew “old hickory stick” Jackson who “invented” both the “campaign” and the “campaign promise.”  In traveling the country, he would place a hickory stick at every road intersection with his name etched or painted, hence the moniker. In addition, he would promise every voter what they wanted to hear, whether or not he planned to deliver on said promise. Today, many politicians haven’t strayed too far from this approach to politics and this is real troubling for those who have to “feed the beast.” Many California cities are approaching real bankruptsy and the monsterous $100 Billion unfunded pension liability of the state casts a heavy shaddow on the future.  ( read my blog on this subject.)

When California’s Proposition 13 became law and maintained the dream of home ownership, politicians and their interests had to become more resourceful in the pursuit of ‘revenue enhancement.” It has taken them some time, but they found that they could raise certain fees without the consent tof the ‘governed.’ Many fees were originally set to cover the basic costs of the service provided, but it has now become an ‘opportunity.’ If you wanted to pour a short replacement driveway  for your home, it might cost you $2000 in labor and materials; however, the ‘permit fees’ to the city might cost you an additional $2400. There was a time in California and still in most of the country where there are few fees — if any– fees associated with ‘flatwork.’

The State of California, the counties and many of it’s cities are once again facing huge shortfalls ( real and budgetary — there is a difference) and want to distract the voters long enough to pass the November 2nd election and resume a program of aggressive revenue enhancement.

Here’s a link to what should be on the 2012 Ballot in San Luis Obispo as it has already been submitted for certification.  BTW, Thomas Jefferson had a remarkable quote that may seem quaint to some… but will ressonate with others and I prefer to end this blog on a positive note:

“In matters of fashion, swim with the current.

In matters of conscience, stand like a rock.”

                                         Thomas Jefferson

 Vote on November 2nd

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Neanderthalophobia is an ugly thing

Ms. Patricia Ann McGuire, President of Trinity Washington University wins the coveted 'big weenie'!
Ms. Patricia Ann McGuire, President of Trinity Washington University wins the coveted 'big weenie'!

I cannot confirm or deneigh that I have Neanderthal DNA in my makeup. However, the latest scientific research has pointed out that many with european ancestory actually have some and — oddly enough — it may actuallybe harmless. So, on behalf of all of those with possibly some Neanderthal ancestry, I object to her ‘homo sapien centric world view’  that is so free to use a biological fact as an epithet! With actions such as these, it is hard not to understand why the institution of higher learning has fallen in the eyes of the American people.

So why is academia failing us?

Recently, the AAUP ( the American Association of University Professors) presented an award to the President of Trinity Washington University  Patricia Ann McGuire  for her outstanding contribution to ‘academic freedom.’ When any organization holds someone up for acclaim, it is worth seeing who she really is and what goes on at her university?

You may not have heard of tiny  Trinity Washington University ?  Well, you are not alone. This is a small Catholic school of 1700 students accepting 74% of their applicants, which – let’s be kind – means they are ‘less selective.’ Nancy Pelosi is an alumna and are we surprised? Ms. McGuire holds a bachelors and a degree in law. BTW, the closest she ever got to teaching was as an  adjunct professor   (read part time).

When Ms. McGuire, in addressing graduates  only months after 911,  she delivered a lengthy speech which I have linked, but here is an interesting and revealing segment (May 2002):

 “…Where is that energy today? Where are the voices of the universities in this time of war and global danger? Where is the exuberant exercise of free speech in a raucous debate over the conduct of this new war? Do we have it in us to be as passionate about the ethics of the camp in Guantanamo as we can be about parking on campus? Where is the expression of outrage over the increasingly ominous threats to civil liberties in the name of national security? New federal regulations treat international students with suspicion and limit their fields of study… It’s high time for a little outrage.”

You can read more about Ms. Patricia Ann McGuire on her many Presidential Blogs. Here are a couple of provocative thoughts in her most  recent blog:

On President Obama:

“President Obama is one of the most thoughtful, intellectual presidents we’ve ever had.  But he’s surrounded by political operatives who repress his ability to exert true leadership on tough topics like race because they are afraid that he will be perceived as “too Black” or “too liberal.”   Well, heck.  He needs to be himself.   He needs to liberate himself from those advisors who are making him plain vanilla.  That’s not what the voters ordered in 2008, and not what they want now.”

On the greatest threat to education:

“No, the greatest educational threat today is that people who are already well educated are acting like ignorant Neanderthals, abandoning the most fundamental principles of liberal education — “liberal” in the true academic sense of the large perspectives of the liberal arts, not as a political word (yet) — in favor of the most narrow-minded anti-intellectual hate-stirring race-baiting views of the polity and community life.”

The only question I have to ask Ms. Patricia is whose academic freedom are you protecting, your own? One doesn’t have to read too many of the Trinity President’s Blogs to realize that ‘free speech’ may be limited to the University President and that a severe penalty may be applied on all others. I wonder how she handles disagreement and discussion? I found a couple of items in their lengthy ‘rules’ sections that seem to get to the core of this issue:

Here are some of the rather  vague rules of conduct  governing behavior:

“Students who speak to faculty members or other students during class periods in ways that are disrespectful and disruptive will be dismissed from the course without reimbursement, and in such cases the students may incur an “F” grade as well as additional penalties.”

“In keeping with its historic mission as a Catholic college with a special emphasis on women and action for social justice…”

SUMMARY

In an age when the free expression of ideas should be encouraged in academia, referring to those who you disagree with as ‘Neanderthals’ establishes a high bar of intolerance one must pass or remain silent in order to survive on campus.

The AAUP made a very poor decision and I truely wonder if Ms. McGuire was the best they could find? The AAUP should have chosen as a supporter of ‘academic freedom’, someone who encourages and nurtures all sides of a debate and supports free speech for faculty, staff and students. Yes, Ms. McGuire is entitled to her ‘free speech’, but using her position as a bully pulpet casts a shadow of censorship and intimidation on any campus.

Try to do better next time.

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does google do harm?

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UPDATE: 37 States join probe into GOOGLE!!!
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Does Google cause harm?
does google cause harm?

There is some concern that Google is doing more than running a simple search engine and browser. My entire family has had our blogs and web sites ‘black listed’ for reasons we can not understand. We have seen our sites drop from several hundred hits a day… to virtually nothing at times. We have corresponded with Google and their response has been inadequate at best. I can only wonder what the future holds?

Here is a recent quote in a letter to Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and Ranking Member Joe Barton, the nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest group’s John M. Simpson wrote: 

“Based on today’s Washington Post, it appears that Google holds classified U.S. government contracts to supply search and geospatial information to the U.S. government. In addition, White House records show that Google executives have been holding meetings with U.S. national security officials for undisclosed reasons. Finally, it also appears that Google’s widely criticized efforts to collect wireless network data on American citizens were not inadvertent, contrary to the company’s claims.”

“As history has repeatedly shown, alliances between the U.S. intelligence community and giant corporations that collect data on American citizens can be a toxic combination where the U.S. Constitution is concerned,”  the letter said.”

For now… we will use BING, YAHOO and anybody else and maybe you should, too.

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the wonderful food of Brazil

the culinary regions of Brazil
the culinary regions of Brazil

Brazil is a culinary wonder with a wide variety food offerings depending on where you are visiting. The world of Brazilian foods is divided into four distinct styles: from the North, North-East, South-East and the South.

In the South-East, Rio de Janeiro is known for their seafood. Also well known is ‘feijão com arroz’ or rice and beans. In São Paulo, the large Italian heritage expresses itself in pasta and pizza, while sushi is making a presents even in non-Japanese restaurants.

Below São Paulo, it the region referred to as South, churrasco (a Brazilian barbecue) is probably one of the best known Brazilian meals outside of Brazil.

In the North, Maniçoba is a distinctive dish served. It takes at least a week to make. One author describes it as such:

“…as the leaf of maniva (of the cassava plant), after ground, should be boiled for at least four days with the intent to remove the hydrocyanic acid that contains. After that is added charqui, fat, tripe, calf’s foot jelly, ear, foot and salted pork ribs, sausages, sausages and bunkers, basically the same ingredients of a feijoada completa. It is served with white rice, flour water and hot peppers to taste.”

In the North-East, the abundance of large cattle ranches and availability of fruit — mango, papaya, guava, orange, passion fruit, pineapple,  and sweetsop – adds to the culinary uniqueness of the region.  Vatapá (vat-a-pah) is a meal made from bread, shrimp, coconut milk, peanuts and palm oil all ground and mixed together (check out picture above).

Here’s an interesting recipe for Vatapa Soup on the net.

Brazil is a county of many choices, sounds and flavors and all to be savoured! Here is a link to more fun Brazilian Recipes!

Roger

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no transparency at cal poly and inclusive excellence

cal poly ombuds program?
what are you hiding Cal Poly?

I really love inexperienced managers because they feel that any problem can be solved either of two ways: 1) hide, evade or just say it isn’t so (even if everyone knows what is going on) or 2) use a bigger stick to try to make it go away. By the way, managerial experience isn’t measure by years of service, it is measured by outcomes and the loyalty and respect of all stakeholders.

Yesterday, I pointed out a letter by two of the many many vice presidents of Cal Poly that appeared in the hard copy but not the on-line copy of the newspaper. Today, a related front-page article appeared in the “Virtual Mustang,” but not in the regular online format that allows comments.  If an article is important enough to be on page one, shouldn’t it be presented in a form that allows the community to post responses?

As for the substance, I have placed both pages of today’s article on-line for your review.  See if it doesn’t raise a few questions in your mind.

Page 1 of Mustang Daily’s ‘Ombuds services article’ (Don’t call it ombudsman as that’s not ‘PC’)

Page 2

I have a couple of questions:

1) In the article, Ombuds Patricia Ponce’s role is described as “working with students before referring the issue to another department or individual.”  The example of a student admitting to slashing another student’s tires was used to illustrate a matter that would be referred. But what else is going to be “referred?” Offensive speech? “Sexually suggestive fruit eating” (actually banished by another university)? Putting up a flyer other students don’t like (which was  Steve Hinkle’s “crime”)? What possible punishments await the person whose actions are “referred?”

2) Even though referrals will be made, the article states that “no individual records” or “paper trail” would be kept. How then, would an accused person protect himself/herself when David Conn goes looking for an applicable “free speech or campus policy?” Don’t we have a basic right to confront our accusers? It seems like the Cal Poly Ombuds program is combining confidentiality and accusations in a dangerous way.

FIRE has repeatedly informed the campus that the way to move their current yellow light rating to a green is to explicitly state that students will not be punished for protected speech, even if it is uncivil and offensive. Having an ombuds is fine, as long as the focus is on helping the offended student deal with his/her feelings, but Cal Poly will once again find itself in court if it tries to punish the offenders.

try a little harder, Chip.

Roger Freberg