Race To The Bottom

One major problem with "higher test scores = more money for your school" is that there is incentive to "rig the deck" before the exams are officially scored. I know the prospect of teachers and administrators changing answers on their students' exams to be correct is "unthinkable". However, there have been a lot things done that were thought to be "unthinkable" before they were done. Most people know that all levels of Public Education are currently working with their backs against the wall and their heads on the chopping block. Programs have even been created to help relieve some of the pain. A perfect example of such a program: "Race to The Top". The "Race to the Top" program was good in theory, but perhaps in practice it does not take into account one very important variable: The Human Condition. If we do a little digging, perhaps we are beginning to see the Hobbesian idea of man's inherent self-interest come to light in classrooms and schools all across the United States as the "race" gets more and more important. Case in point: DC schools. A great article was written today about DC schools and the "discrepancies" found with their exam scores as their schools were racing to the tip top with Michelle Rhee (Former DC Chancellor) running anchor. I wonder with all this racing around if anyone has stopped to ask: What is lost while everyone is caught up in "the race"? AND What will the state of education look like once we've reach "the top". Personally, all this running around reminds of The Myth of Sisyphus. Absurdity anyone???

The USA Today Article

Women, War and The Libya Strategy

It does not need to said that Women and Men are different. There was even a book written ("Men Are From Mars/Women Are From Venus") highlighting our obvious differences. Perhaps less obvious, although no less important, is that there are also many areas where Women and Men are the same. However, time and time again we seem to only focus on the difference. During the 2008 Democratic Primary there was a lot attention paid to gender difference and its impact on our society. I remember reading an article in the New York Times written by Nicholas Kristof that pointed to many different historical examples of very powerful and very successful Women. Kristof's article spoke eloquently about these women, what they accomplished and how they governed. Kristof's article implied that these examples can serve as indicators as to how Women would govern in the United States. He argues that a female President would govern better and more effectively than her male predecessors because Women work with and lead people differently than Men. Kristof's article was particularly interested in exploring why Women who have been in power have been so successful. Kristof wrote: "Scholars find that women, compared with men, tend to excel in consensus-building and certain other skills useful in leadership." The prospect that Women excel at consensus-building is particularly interesting when you consider who has been the main advocates for the Air-Strikes and No-Fly Zone policies in Libya. It gets even more interesting when examine how they have advocated for these policies. There is no question that Secretary of State HIllary Clinton and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice have worked very hard and very successfully at building an international consensus for the current policies and interaction in Libya. The fact that they are Women and the fact that they have (and presumably continue to work) at building consensus for this effort is, according to the Kristof article, predictable. However, what is less predictable is how quickly these decision have been elevated to the level of mythology. In today's New York Times, Maureen Dowd had this to say about Sec. Clinton and Ambassador Rice: "There is something positively mythological about a group of strong women swooping down to shake the president out of his delicate sensibilities and show him the way to war. And there is something positively predictable about guys in the White House pushing back against that story line for fear it makes the president look henpecked." Ms. Dowd, Let me be clear: There is nothing mythological about anyone (regardless of gender) advocating to GO TO WAR. It is Day 5 of the Air-Strikes in Libya and already hundreds of people have been killed and millions of dollars have been wasted. With all the attention being paid to the international consensus and the power of the Women who worked to build it (despite the push back by Men and their "delicate sensibilities") it is fascinating to consider what we aren't talking about. One thing has been lost is that despite having an international consensus on how to do what we are doing and a consensus that it must be done right now, no one seems to have a clue as to why we built the consensus in the first place, what "victory" looks like, and when it will end. I guess Women and Men aren't that different after all.

Media on Media

8 year ago this weekend the Media got sucked in my "Shock & Awe" and "WMD". The result was that no one asked any really tuff questions relating the build up for the war in Iraq. Now we are confronted with Libya. Here is some very interesting back-and-forth by some CNN analysts on how the Media is, once again, not asking the tuff questions. However, the fact that they are even having this discussion shows some critical self-evaluation and potential promise that we might (emphasis on "might") get some qualitative investigative journalism so we don't have another "WMD" episode.

What's Next?

Dick Lugar appeared on Face The Nation yesterday and drew some interesting implications from our "selective" role in policing the world. Why would we choose intervene in Libya when we have seen similar tyrannical actions by other governments against their people in same region? What is different about Libya? Who's interest does it serve to go after Gaddafi right now? Very interesting analysis.

The "I-Word"

Members of President Obama's own party are using the "I-Word" (Impeachment) today as we learn more about how the orders for U.S. Air-Strikes on Libya were issued two days ago. It's one thing for membership within the opposition party to voice their concern, but when members of your own party are waving copies of The Constitution around and questioning the legality of your decision on National news you might have something to be worried about. Concerning for so many reasons.

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Here We Go Again

Same old song...different country. How long will the "No Fly Zone" last before it turns into a full fledged ground war. Where have I heard this song before? "Shock and Awe" anyone??? How do they say Iraq in Libya? So sad how history keeps repeating itself.

A Glowing Report

Ok, so I've always known that Ann Coulter is f-ing crazy and I've rarely found an instance where I agree with Bill O'Reilly. However, yesterday on O'Reilly's show I found an instance where my position that Ann Coulter is crazy was affirmed by Bill himself. Even Bill couldn't hold back from correcting her craziness at the end of this wonderful little exchange. I particularly enjoyed the way she used Science to justify everything she said. I gotta love Science. Enjoy:

Nuclear Meltdown and Science

This week's nuclear crisis in Japan reminded me of the words I first read over 10 years ago in Hannah Arendt's work "The Human Condition". Here is what Arendt had to say about the scientific development and use of nuclear technology: "For the sciences today have been forced to adopt a "language" of mathematical symbols which, though it was originally meant only as an abbreviation for spoken statements, now contains statements that in no way can be translated back into speech. The reason why it may be wise to distrust the political judgment of scientists qua scientists is not primarily their lack of "character"——that they did not refuse to develop atomic weapons——or their naivete——that they did not understand that once these weapons were developed they would be the last to be consulted about their use-——but precisely the fact that they move in a world where speech has lost its power."

Why does our society want more Scientists and Mathematicians? Look what we've got. We need more Artists, Philosophers and Poets. The reality and consequences of a world where speech has lost its power and Science reigns as ruler:

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Where Are Your Shoes???

In 2007 Presidential candidate Barack Obama had a very clear position on his support for Unions and collective bargaining. A lot of people I personally encountered on the campaign trail said he was "only words". I, of course, defended him and said he was different. After all "Change" was a big part of his campaign. With this in mind, I guess all of us who worked for him and helped turn out a record number of voters shouldn't be surprised that "change" of mind is something that has defined many of his positions as President. Where is the President's support for worker's rights??? Where are your comfortable shoes, Mr. President??? We need you!!!

The Revolution Will Still Not Be Televised.

The changing of mindset is something that can never be documented in media. This kind of revolution will not be televised and it is the hardest to achieve. I hope we are all capable of our own mindset revolutions.