The Costs of Taking Music Out of Schools
This is a reference to things like the costs of increases in mental health treatment, violent and nonviolent crime, and ultimately, lower productivity of the individuals in the workplace.
Tagged with: The Costs of Taking Music Out of Schools
Trump Polling Quite Well, Could Win
Here’s the part I don’t get. Trump lost in 2020 by seven million votes, and the events that have occurred since appear to help his opponent.
In particular, we have the revelations concerning Trump’s criminality. This is likely to drive larger voter turnout, most of which will be opposed to the former president’s re-election.
There must be something I’m getting wrong here, but I can’t imagine what it is.
Tagged with: Trump's Criminality
Separation of Church and State
I get the distinct feeling that the author of the meme here completely misses the point about “living in a country our founding fathers fought to escape.” The signatories to the Declaration of Independence and the framers of the Constitution were concerned that the fledgling United States might become a copy of England, with its king and, perhaps just as bad, a state-mandated religion.
Here and now, we have a former president seeking re-election who very clearly aspires to stand above the law as an absolute ruler. At the same time, we are surrounded by millions of fanatical Christians who are trying to impose their religious views on every one of us.
All this seems to have gone right over the head of the Trump supporter shown here.
Tagged with: separation of church and state
Anger Pervades America
Without a voter base that is either angry or frightened–or both — the Republicans don’t have a chance. That’s why we are here.
If you want to perform an experiment, tune into Fox News for a few minutes and ask yourself, “What emotions is this “story” trying to evoke from its viewers?”
Tagged with: Fox News
Trump Threatens to End American Civilization as We Know It
Here’s what former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says about the importance of the upcoming presidential election.
We need to hope that enough voters understand this and cast their ballots accordingly.
Tagged with: Trump threatens
Sustainable Transportation
What should we make of the fact that Luxembourg no longer charges fares to patrons of its public transportation systems? Since it’s one of the wealthiest countries on Earth, Luxembourg’s decision makes no impact on its citizens and its visitors.
Maybe this is one of these situations in which it costs more to administer the receipt of and accounting for funds than the value of the funds themselves. Our Santa Barbara public library system has done away with meting out fines to borrowers of overdue books for this precise reason: it’s net-revenue negative.
I’m more interested in the governments of places like Curitiba, Brazil, whose public transportation system, while not free, is among the world’s most sustainable.
From this:
The bus system of Curitiba, Brazil, exemplifies a model Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, and plays a large part in making this a livable city. The buses run frequently—some as often as every 90 seconds—and reliably, and the stations are convenient, well-designed, comfortable, and attractive. Consequently, Curitiba has one of the most heavily used, yet low-cost, transit systems in the world. It offers many of the features of a subway system—vehicle movements unimpeded by traffic signals and congestion, fare collection prior to boarding, quick passenger loading and unloading—but it is above ground and visible. Around 70 percent of Curitiba’s commuters use the BRT to travel to work, resulting in congestion-free streets and pollution-free air for the 2.2 million inhabitants of greater Curitiba.
His and Hers Trump Flags
The photo I took at left proves that there really are, at least a few, women for Trump.
These may be women who believe that abortion is murder, regardless of the circumstances, or that the Democrats are killing live babies, which many folks at the far right claim to be true.
More likely, they are women whose ignorance and hatred sits at the very top of their political thinking.
Tagged with: women for Trump
Straw Man Arguments
From Wikipedia: A straw man fallacy is the informal fallacy of refuting an argument different from the one actually under discussion, while not recognizing or acknowledging the distinction. One who engages in this fallacy is said to be “attacking a straw man”.
The meme here was submitted by a reader notorious for his fallacious arguments.
There are huge problems associated with the beef industry, probably the most impactful of which is the destruction of the Amazon rainforests to provide room for cows. We’re losing 200,000 acres per day of this precious environmental resource. That’s a rate equivalent to one championship-sized golf course every two minutes.
Tagged with: Beef Industry
America’s Sad Presidential Race
The presidential race in the United States is decidedly not about intelligent or academic achievement.
That would have been fine were it not for the fact that it’s not about character, honor, or decency either.
Tagged with: America's Sad Presidential Race
Cruelty in America
The United States refuses to offer its citizens healthcare or quality education. Pregnant women with abnormal pregnancies often die because doctors are forbidden to perform abortions, even in medical emergencies. 16% of all American children live in poverty and frequently go hungry.
At left is what Russian author and Soviet dissident Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said about cruelty. It’s of particular importance as we approach the November election, which could result in sending Donald Trump, a would-be autocrat, back to the White House.
