A bad way to wake up
My alarm clock wakes me at roughly 6:45am every morning. It’s an unpleasant experience, especially when Morning Edition gives the GOP a platform for nonsense. Like today. Continue reading “A bad way to wake up”
Tag: National Public Radio (NPR)
It only took 80 years to get here…
There it is. The magic phrase.
“It is believed that Bowers acted alone.”
Found it here, on Pittsburgh’s CBS Local website:
So, lone wolf narrative is it? Continue reading “It only took 80 years to get here…”
St. Elizabeth’s, Mental Illness, and Greed…
Okay, so when I have to sit in traffic forEVER going from work to home, or vice versa, I often have NPR on the radio, which means I’m generally listening to Morning Edition or All Things Considered. Continue reading “St. Elizabeth’s, Mental Illness, and Greed…”
The value of a college education…
On my way to class on Wednesday last week, I tuned in to the Diane Rehm show and got an earful about what’s wrong-headed about college education.
The show, broadcast on NPR, is here:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-05-08/who-benefits-college-and-why/transcript
As is often the case, I found myself talking to the radio, which has cathartic benefits but fails to solve any real problems other than to raise my blood pressure.
I’ve stewed on the discussion since then, having completed finals in the first two college courses I’ve taken since 1987, when I failed to grasp the reality behind attaining a Master’s degree in Costume Design. (Western Civilization and the Modern World and 2-Dimensional Basic Design, thanks for asking. I have As in both classes. Apparently I’ve learned a thing or two about college since 1985. But I digress.)
So why, I ask, did it take almost 45 minutes before anyone mentioned the Human Resources requirements for college degrees? In fact, why hasn’t anyone focused attention on the database method of hiring? If we have to spend hours customizing every job application to fit each job listed, perhaps we should spend more time looking at the specialization movement instead of asking why college is so important.
Lord knows, college isn’t for everyone. The bureaucracy alone is enough to turn many people’s minds to mush. Endless paperwork, boring lectures that are best handled with judicious combinations of textbook reading combined with constant searches on Wikipedia (yes, my professor insisted this was a way to manage in his class) and the ultimate test – the written essay question – are unrealistic as real-world examples of what we’re expected to do…unless, of course, we’re working in an office environment, where we are constantly expected to write, research on the Internet, and listen quietly to boring speeches about whatever topic(s) our boss(es) think are vitally important to our jobs.
So, yes, if you’re destined to be an auto mechanic, a trade school might be more appropriate for you, and no, college isn’t necessary, but if that’s what the entire population of the US is destined to become – a nation of auto mechanics, waitresses, retail workers and hairdressers, then by all means, eliminate college as an option except for the very wealthiest of us.
But if we do, we shouldn’t expect these people to be able to purchase automobiles, eat out at restaurants, or buy a lot of clothing, because there won’t be much of that when the working class spends most of their money on food and shelter.
If we want to enjoy an economy that works for everyone, we need everyone to work at a living wage that pays more than just for the basics. The sheer waste of food, manufactured clothing and goods outweighs our ability to enjoy these things. And Congress has found ways to make the decisions even harder for us.
In just the last month, the House has voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act (for the 37th time) and to take away overtime pay. They have done more damage to the working class than anyone can possibly imagine, and threaten to do more if they get their way. It’s not just about voting against anything President Obama wants. It’s about hurting the people who put them in office.
We all need to wise up and throw them out. All of them.
Then, maybe, we can go back to concentrating on earning a living so that we can actually enjoy our lives.
01/10/2009: Posty McPostalot says…
Sorry for all the posts – I got an invite to participate in a radio discussion on "Obama’s Washington and the World" from WAMU 88.5, BBC, and PRI, but I haven’t received either the confirmation or denial and I don’t know whether to show up there or not. Very frustrating!
So I keep poking around on the Internet, hoping something will show up in my mailbox or I’ll get a phone call. Either way, I suppose I should go do other stuff and try calling them again in a little while to see if anyone’s got a clue about the guest list. That and have breakfast.
I have the feeling it’s going to be a very long day, regardless…
June 24, 2005: HAH!!! NPR not entirely erased by the Republican Preponderance
There’s a lot still to do – but with luck the Senate will have figured out it’s political suicide to try and kill PBS.
Now, if we can just convince people that a part of free speech is the ability to take on our country’s symbols, and we’ll be all set!
Dang. I need a Rabid Democratic Political Commentary Icon.
AARRRROOOOOOOO!!!!!!
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Dear MoveOn member, In an unexpected move yesterday afternoon, the House of Representatives Everyone said it was impossible to reverse any of the House cuts with
Public broadcasting shouldn’t divide Republicans and Democrats. More So why did 87 Republicans break with the majority of their party and vote to Despite this incredible progress, the House Republicans did manage to cut Yesterday also brought darker news in the fight for public broadcasting. The For now, we have a lot to be thankful for. Our kids can keep learning from Thank you, for all you do, –Noah, Joan, Marika, Wes and the MoveOn.org Team P.S. Your Congressman, Rep. Wynn, voted the right way on NPR and PBS Please let us know if you call at: http://www.moveon.org/call?tg=FHMD_04&cp_id=42&id=5703-5792651-An0fzJIyPCB75PsY_p6fHg Sources: 2. “Opponents On Different Wavelengths,” Washington Post, June 23, 3. “CPB’s ‘Secrets and Lies’: Why the CPB Board Hid its Polls Revealing Broad 4. “Public Broadcasting Chief Is Named, Raising Concerns,” New York 5. Roll Call Vote in House of Representatives (An “aye” vote is the right |
June 20, 2005: More actions to take, to save PBS and NPR…
Check this site:
http://www.weta.org/takeaction/
and please follow the instructions regarding calling your representatives!
Otherwise, noncommercial public television will suffer the consequences!!!
Comments:
SO-D:
Done, oh so much so. I think the majority is trying to punish public broadcasting for not representing the Fox “news” point of view.
June 15, 2005: For a just cause…
Save NPR and PBS!!!
Subject: This time, it’s for real: Save NPR and PBS
Hi,
You know that email petition that keeps circulating about how Congress is slashing funding for NPR and PBS? Well, now it’s actually true. (Really. Check at the bottom if you don’t believe me.)
Sign the petition telling Congress to save NPR and PBS:
http://www.moveon.org/publicbroadcasting/
A House panel has voted to eliminate all public funding for NPR and PBS, starting with “Sesame Street,” “Reading Rainbow,” and other commercial-free children’s shows. If approved, this would be the most severe cut in the history of public broadcasting, threatening to pull the plug on Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch.
The cuts would slash 25% of the federal funding this year—$100 million—and end funding altogether within two years. The loss could kill beloved children’s shows like “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” “Arthur,” and “Postcards from Buster.” Rural stations and those serving low-income communities might not survive. Other stations would have to increase corporate sponsorships.
Already, 300,000 people have signed the petition. Can you help us reach 500,000 signatures today?
http://www.moveon.org/publicbroadcasting/
Thanks!
P.S. Read the Washington Post report on the threat to NPR and PBS at: