A Perspective from Portland, Oregon

FBI wants to 'scrape' public data from private social networks

2012-01-27T13:04:00.000-08:00

The BBC tells of the FBI seeking to build an early-warning system to provide information on domestic and global threats. [FBI plans social network map alert mash-up application].

What about privacy concerns? It is somewhat akin to putting your garbage out on the sidewalk for pickup - the 'police' in most places are free to 'search' through it. But isn't there a thin line between public and private? And how hard will it be to cross that line when the search is surreptitious?

The rationale: "The FBI says the information would be used to help it to predict the likely actions of "bad actors", detect instances of people deliberately misleading law enforcement officers and spot the vulnerabilities of suspect groups."

The devil is in the details. Who determines "bad actors?" What constitutes "deliberately misleading?"

The CBS TV show "Person of Interest" is more representative of reality than first thought.

55% Portland high school students graduate on time

2012-01-27T11:34:00.000-08:00

The Oregonian's Betsy Hammond has the stats for Oregon, but it isn't difficult with the Oregonian's database to checkout the school district or individual high school of interest. Statistics are only a good place to start in the analysis, but in some circumstances they tell all one needs to know. [Note that some of my numbers used herein don't necessarily reconcile with the Oregonian's database, but the differences are comparatively of little significance.]

While Oregon high schools are graduating 66.6% of their students on time, Portland school district is graduating 55%. Portland's percentage of dropouts is 29% Dismal!

And what does the good Doctor (governor) have to say? "Unacceptable." Really? And what about the person in charge of the schools - Superintendent Susan Castillo? She cheered because there was a 1% increase from last year. Wow! That 1% could easily be a statistical anomaly or rounding error.

The Oregonian quoting Brenda Turner, occupational economist with the Oregon Employment Department: "High school dropouts are 50 percent more likely to be unemployed than people who earn a diploma and never go to college, and their annual earnings are dramatically lower -- less than $22,000 on average in 2010 compared with $29,000 for those with a high school education."

Is Oregon, especially Portland, going to continue ignoring the education quality and keep pooping out on the streets those that have less chance of obtaining a job or even a job with a decent working wage?

Isn't there something wrong in the Portland district where there are only 5 schools graduating 75% or more students on time? And when there are 7 out of 16 high schools graduating 50% or less? A school with 22% on time graduation (Alliance) - ought to be closed - shouldn't it?

Interesting that David Douglas district is considered a bright spot because with a 68% on time graduation rate it and some others have "posted noticeably higher graduation rates than districts with similar demographics." .

But the governor has a plan. "He said his plan to require every Oregon school board to spell out how fast it aims to raise its graduation rate would help." OMG!

Mother of invention

2012-01-27T10:13:00.000-08:00

When the Berlin Wall came down in Germany - the East German police shredded and tore by hand documents intended for their eyes only. But - it is the digital age and there is an app to piece the docs back together. [New tool unravels Stasi secret files]. Didn't I see something like this on one of the CSI shows? And doesn't one suspect the NSA or CIA already have the capability?

World food security

2012-01-26T13:47:00.000-08:00

http://www.isaaa.org/

Biopriacy: "Biopiracy refers to the appropriation of the knowledge and genetic resources of farming and indigenous communities by individuals or institutions who seek exclusive monopoly control (patents or intellectual property) over these resources and knowledge." [ETC Group].

See Wikipedia for a good start. See too this Al Jazeera article and videos primarily about the issue in India - Does 'biopiracy' endanger world food supplies?

How to close your Google Account - if you want

2012-01-26T13:23:00.000-08:00

Google's expected changes in privacy policies have led many to say they will exit Google. The Washington Post: "Of the 13,541 readers who took our non-scientific poll, by midday Wednesday, 66 percent said that they will cancel their Google accounts because of the changes."

The Post provides the detail for closing your account, but you might want to backup your content. And the Post points you to Google's Data Liberation site that provides the means. But before you take any action make sure you check your account section to see if you can merely eliminate some of the ills of Google searches.

Rick Santorum - a very dangerous man

2012-01-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

"It's no wonder President Obama wants every kid to go to college," said the former Pennsylvania senator. "The indoctrination that occurs in American universities is one of the keys to the left holding and maintaining power in America. And it is indoctrination. If it was the other way around, the ACLU would be out there making sure that there wasn't one penny of government dollars going to colleges and universities, right?" [Rick Santorum: Left uses college for "indoctrination"].

For more on this person see Sen. John Ensign sex scandal spreads to other Republicans, Santorum Surge Brings Ethics Questions, and Santorum’s Communist Clan.

Six-year sentence for paedophile priest

2012-01-26T12:51:00.000-08:00

It is Germany - but WTF? Six-year sentence for paedophile priest who molested over 250 boys. Apparently the sentence is the result of a plea bargain, i.e., plead guilty for three molestations and admit to 250 of 280 suspect cases.

"Of the reported incidents, 214 were classified by the court as serious sexual abuse, while the remaining 36 were classified simply as sexual abuse." And a 'do you think?' The Judge: “He has systematically violated the trust that is bestowed upon Catholic priests.”

And get this: "An internal investigation is currently under way in the priest's Hildesheim diocese, the results of which will be sent to the Vatican, along with the Braunschweig court report. The Vatican will then decide the man's future position in the church."

The Catholic Church just doesn't get it or just doesn't care.

If you care - Portland is 11th in literacy

2012-01-26T12:22:00.000-08:00

A study by Central Connecticut State University ranks certain American cities (population of 250k and above) in literacy. It uses "six key indicators of literacy: newspaper circulation, number of bookstores, library resources, periodical publishing resources, educational attainment, and Internet resources."

From the overall rankings - Washington D.C. is # 1 which might say more about the survey than literacy. Seattle is #2 and Portland comes in at 11. And, Washington and Seattle have been the top 2 for the past three years, and Portland had its best year in 2009 when it was 6th.

Are the D.C. schools an anomaly?

2012-01-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

The Washington Post through its coverage provides an image of public schools that represents those schools nationally - but this story somehow seems out of kilter. Is the national education system this bad or is Washington D.C. just this bad. Here are a couple of statistical excerpts from the story Key points of the new D.C. school study.

2045 : The year 75 percent of D.C. students will test at grade level in math if trends hold.

2075 :The year 75 percent of D.C. students will reach grade level in reading if trends hold.

But in some sense that is misleading, because with a peek at the study (around page 22) it is found that there are preforming schools and non-performing schools. Thus a look at the performing schools we find that "most of these schools will have 90 percent or more of their students at grade level by 2016."

The study splits the schools into performance tiers - there are four. And it emphasizes the difference between traditional public schools and charter public schools. Interesting is that the charter schools have about the same population as the traditional, but out perform them. [See Table 4 on page 22 of the study.]

While Portland is not D.C., it might benefit from a comprehensive study like that commissioned by D.C.'s mayor. But one gets a feeling that D.C. might find it difficult to take the study to heart.

So too Portland that seems to commission studies until there is one that meets the political needs of the then politicians. Then it will be followed by years of debate seeking consensus by which time a new set of politicos are involved with a new round of studies and debates, and on and on. Meantime students are pooped out onto the streets without a quality education.

But Portland is (it will come hell or high water) building a sustainability center and can provide extra-ordinary financial assistance to private real estate development firms.

Leaving bread crumbs unintentionally

2012-01-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be ironic, but maybe not unsurprising to many, if Google was really a NSA or CIA op? Google is big-brother accumulating data on each and every Google user that surfs via Google. Its ostensible reason is ad revenue. "By creating comprehensive profiles of users by combining crumbs of data they leave across its services, the firm is betting it can target more online ads at them more accurately." [The Economist].

And Google privacy policies enhance its ability to track. One that is getting a lot of attention is its refusal "to allow its users to opt out of the upcoming changes." [The Economist]. The upcoming data privacy day with Master Google creating master data rules is hypocritical. Google's master plan will arguably be designed to protect your data for Google.

Benevolent - Google may well be, but I rather that "privacy" be determined by the individual.

Fracking jobs - Obama's re-electioneering

2012-01-25T12:32:00.000-08:00

Obama will need more than another SEAL raid to get my consideration on whether I should vote for him. His re-electioneering campaign that started in earnest with his state of the union speech didn't help. Now I get that such speeches are mere political hype - promises without the burden of keeping them. But the continual use of 'jobs' by all politicians - local to national is just too much.

One prime example of this hyperbole is his backing of fracking to add 600,000 jobs while at the same time vowing safe drilling. 600,000 jobs - really? A job is not just a job. While it may be to some - it isn't when those jobs carry substantial risks to the environment.

These special interest jobs carry with them serious environmental concerns of damage to the aquifers, air, rivers, etc. If the drinking water is harmed and the irrigation water becomes unusable - jobs means nothing. And Obama talks of more regulations - but what is the likelihood of effective regulations that will protect all parts of the environment?

It seemed that his decision to deny the Keystone - expansion (part 1 already in operation) - permit was the step in the right direction - a balance among the significant concerns of job creation and environmental harm. The question has to be more than just creating jobs. There is an ever growing need to consider the effects of oil and gas producing industries on mother earth.

Photograph: Jonathon Gruenke/AP

The same considerations have to be made when the "reduction of energy dependence" is the accompanying battle cry.

[Caption to the image in an article by Senator Bernie Sanders: Tar sands oil and Keystone XL's dirty secret: "A Canada goose covered in oil attempts to fly out of the Kalamazoo river in Marshall, Michigan. The tar sands spill will cost at least $700m to clean up."]

See this excerpt from Senator Sanders' Guardian UK piece: "After reviewing the [Keystone XL] project, it becomes clear that instead of reducing America's reliance on oil from overseas, this pipeline would carry oil across America, risking spills on our land and waters, just to export the oil to other countries. In addition, the pipeline would increase gasoline prices in America, add to our air pollution, and most importantly, be a major setback in the fight to reverse global warming."

Aren't the days of free wheeling capitalism done for? Shouldn't a representative government sit as an arbitrator to balance the economic needs and environmental harm? And shouldn't we question who will really benefit economically from these jobs?

See my other posts:
Oil and water don't mix
Ogallala Aquifer (and Keystone pipeline)
Keystone pipeline

Now we are talking - air battery with 500-mile range

2012-01-24T15:08:00.000-08:00

IBM developing air battery with 500-mile range.

Publisher suggests a hit on Obama

2012-01-24T13:07:00.000-08:00

It is a story that didn't get much play in the press - but one wonders why not? The assassination was just one of a three prong suggestion on how Israel could deal with a nuclear armed Iran. We know the Secret Service investigated - but why wasn't this person taken into custody. What if he wasn't Jewish newspaper publisher but a Muslim publisher suggesting the same hit to benefit Iran?

Needless to say the publisher was roundly criticized. "Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, called Adler's words irresponsible, extremist and "beyond the pale. An apology cannot possibly repair the damage."

The publisher has resigned and has sold the paper but that doesn't repair the damage either. Pandora's box is opened. And see this frightening realization offered by Chemi Shalev, a U.S.-based foreign correspondent for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz:

"I know, and most of you know, that Adler's crazy and criminal suggestions are not the ranting of some loony-tune individual and were not taken out of thin air -- but are the inevitable result of the inordinate volume of repugnant venom that some of Obama's political rivals, Jews and non-Jews included, have been spewing for the last three years."

Don't fret about corporation personhood

2012-01-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

It may be more important to be aware that your consumer rights are being whittled away by the banks and other big businesses requiring consumers to arbitrate disputes, barring class actions. Did you know that Starbucks "requires its prepaid rewards card holders to forgo class actions and travel to Seattle to arbitrate their claims, unless the company agrees to another location?"

Conservatism that makes sense

2012-01-24T12:27:00.000-08:00

"The idiocy of our current political debate is that neither side seems capable of talking about the interplay of economic and social forces. Most of the Republican candidates talk as if all that is needed is more capitalism." [...] "Democrats, meanwhile, have shifted their emphasis from lifting up the poor to pounding down the rich."

This and more excellent analysis from the conservative David Brooks in his New York Times piece Free-Market Socialism.

And we are worried about CO2?

2012-01-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

It is back to the car bombs as a means of resolving differences in Iraq. And meanwhile in Egypt they are lifting the state of emergency and in Libya pro-Gaddafi forces retake Bani Walid. In Syria the US may close its embassy and hightail it. Also in Syria the Arab League observers quit. In Israel a Palestinian parliament speaker is jailed without a trial. Finally, on the home front the publisher of a Atlanta Jewish newspaper suggested that "Israel could order President Obama assassinated so that it was free to act against Iran."

Merely teething problems of a fledgling Iraqi democracy?

2012-01-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

That is the western approach to the Iraq problems that appear in fact "to be tearing the country apart." Iraq seems to be in a full scale retreat to the days of Saddam. Ten years for naught. [With US Barely Gone, Iraq's Gov’t Breaking Apart].

The US media hasn't given it much press with an exception being the January 23 article on Military.com but originating with McClatchy Newspapers. The article lays out the ongoing violence that started the day of the US final troop withdrawal, and gives an inkling of what is to come. E.g., the BBC reports the bombings today January 24 that killed 13 and wounded 62 in Baghdad Shia districts - one of which is Sadr City.

It is Google's world, but

2012-01-23T12:34:00.000-08:00

I am not sure that I want to live there. Google is exhibiting all the negative characteristics found with the narcissistic megalomaniac. While it may rate as a cool workplace - I don't work there, but it seems more and more that I am expected to conform to Google's wishes. The business - customer model has been turned on its head.

It is no longer about providing a service or product that the consumer desires, but it is about the consumer taking what Google offers. My way or the door. It didn't start out like that. The Google browser and features like homepage, reader, docs, etc. have evolved over the years - slowly but surely towards a presentation that is uniform but not necessarily a desired uniformity.

Google seemingly on a whim will change its service without notice or apparent benefit to the user. E.g., now that 'social media' has become so important, Google has continued its brute force approach to its services. See the story on Google sign up for its Plus addition - you may find that you are in deeper than intended.

Having a Google account I found that a 'Chat' feature has been added to the homepage with no means of eliminating it, opt out, if you will - I can hide it from my view - well almost - it still remains visible as a reminder that it is there.

Google's view: “We're working to develop a consistent sign-up flow across our different products as part of our efforts to create an intuitive, beautifully simple, Google-wide user experience. Making it quick and easy to create a Google Account and a Google profile enables new users to take advantage of everything Google can offer."

Whether you want it or not.

Not surprising, Google is attracting the wrong attention from privacy advocates and US and international anti-trust regulators. I see Google as an ever growing privacy violator with anti-competitive behavior that justifies its conduct as only providing a "Google-wide user experience."

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men [companies?] are almost always bad men [companies?]." [Lord Acton 1887].

It is a matter of staying within bounds.

Frack it

2012-01-22T12:07:00.000-08:00

wired.com

Water. It is a natural resource that continues to be, in effect, taken for granted. Oil and gas industries treat water like that of New Yorkers in the summer where they turn on the fire hydrants to 'cool off' the neighborhood kids. Waste.

Although treated as a resource like the sun - it is there day after day and not likely to vanish for billions of years - water for drinking and irrigation may not be there tomorrow - it is in danger of over consumption and contamination.

Energy needs in the form of oil and gas are threatening the water supply in the US and elsewhere. In the US it appears that if we ignore the detriments and risks there is an abundance of gas and oil that might in fact give the US energy independence. [Shale oil and gas will help make western hemisphere self-sufficient].

Fracking is the oil and gas industry's methods of extraction that maximizes their profits to the detriment of the environment under the guise of job production and economic growth. Fracking "uses high-pressure injection of water, sand, and chemicals to release the trapped gas [and oil]" Ignoring for the moment the other items and looking at the water consumption it is arguably excessive; e.g., its use in oil, shale and tar sands, is several more barrels of water than barrels of oil. [See Oil Shale/Tar Sands Guide.]

But even assuming that the water usage isn't excessive, and that it is much like the water used for most any purpose - except it isn't reclaimable. The water used becomes unusable waste water contaminated prohibiting its use for drinking and irrigation. Interesting enough water becomes another toxic waste product much like nuclear waste raising issues of disposal.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, "waste water associated with shale gas extraction can contain high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS), fracturing fluid additives (which include a number of toxic constituents, including Benzene—which is known to cause cancer— Ethylbenzene, Toulene, Xylene, and diesel fuel), metals, and naturally occurring radioactive materials (including uranium, thorium, radium, and lead-210)."

So it is more than just the use of the water it is the chemicals and the like that is used in conjunction with the water that contaminates not only the waste water but the - as the argument goes - the water sources: rivers, wells and aquifers.

Earth Justice has this interesting interactive map Fracking and Fraccidents worth the peek. And added to the risk contamination risk to the water supply is now the prospect of fracking causing earthquakes. See the Ohio story in Ohio quakes raise fracking questions and in What is Fracking? Also see Bulgaria's booting of Chevron - Bulgaria Bans Gas Fracking, Thwarting Chevron Drilling Plan.

But there are those that dispute the risk as in this Reuters article Fracking no more risky than other oil, gas wells. The major point is that "[f]racking poses no more risk to the environment than production from conventional wells, which the industry and regulators have learned to manage successfully in recent decades to minimise the impact on local communities."

It seems to some like the author of the Reuters' story that it is merely an issue of risk management. For the author "drilling is not impossible even in highly urbanised areas." And he points to the fact that "[t]he Beverly Hills High School has 19 oil wells on campus pumping several hundred barrels of oil per day."

But isn't what is being missed by the 'risks outweigh the detriments' proponents of 'drill baby drill' is that while there may have been no 'damage' in the past - we live in much more crowded world drawing down on natural resources than ever before. And it isn't just fracking anymore it is super fracking. It seems as though our consumption has already outgrown the availability of those resources. Even water - a resource once seen as renewable - appears to becoming a non-renewable resource.

There has to be a recognition of the detriments as well as the benefits of oil and gas exploration so to find a balance that leaves something for future generations. Economic growth is fast becoming an oxymoron. "Leadership" is irony.

Resources:

Natural Gas Extraction - Hydraulic Fracturing
Ohio quakes raise fracking questions
Peak Water: Aquifers and Rivers Are Running Dry. How Three Regions Are Coping :
peakwater.org
Fracking no more risky than other oil, gas wells
Fracking: Pollution finding could hurt gas drilling
Super fracking push for more oil, gas production
Fracking Gone Wrong: Finding a Better Way
Bulgaria Bans Gas Fracking, Thwarting Chevron Drilling Plan
What is Fracking?
American Rivers : Natural Gas Hydraulic Fracturing and Our Rivers

Why not Occupy Apple?

2012-01-22T11:29:00.000-08:00

Doesn't Apple represent the antithesis of Occupy, of the working class, and of 'made in the USA?' Isn't Apple, like many others, just another company that has put profits about country. They are no better and no worse than Bank of American or any Wall Street firm. A singular goal - maximize profits.

We are not talking about making a profit - we are talking about squeezing out every last penny of profit. It is about greed. Apple represents the worst of capitalism. Marx has to be smiling from his London Highgate perch.

There are no 'borders' to companies like Apple. There is no national pride when it comes to making a buck. It matters not to them the working conditions of those in the other countries where their products are made on the cheap. Nor does it matter that their actions support a country like China where in fact they could not operate as a company. There is no patriotism in corporate personhood.

An example of what appeals to companies like Apple is found in the New York Times. In China, there is this little twist on the company town that couldn't be achieved in modern day US.

At midnight, an assembly line overhaul caused this: "A foreman immediately roused 8,000 workers inside the company’s dormitories, according to the [former Apple] executive. Each employee was given a biscuit and a cup of tea, guided to a workstation and within half an hour started a 12-hour shift fitting glass screens into beveled frames. Within 96 hours, the plant was producing over 10,000 iPhones a day."

“The speed and flexibility is breathtaking,” the executive said. “There’s no American plant that can match that.”

An appropriate take by Betsey Stevenson, the chief economist at the Labor Department until last September: “Companies once felt an obligation to support American workers, even when it wasn’t the best financial choice.”“That’s disappeared. Profits and efficiency have trumped generosity.”

However, I would question the "generosity" portion of her remark. It is just another capital vs labor view where capitalist see providing work as "generosity."

Checkout the New York Times' Apple, America and a Squeezed Middle Class for an excellent read.

Oil and water don't mix

2012-01-21T10:15:00.000-08:00

wired.com

Water is thought as being a renewable natural resource, after all, doesn't the rain refill our usage? In the best of times that seems to be true, but in the worst of times - modern society seeking energy - water is quickly becoming non-renewable. Even assuming that the quantity is sufficient - its quality or usability is at risk.

Some of the fear about the Keystone oil pipelines in Nebraska and other states in the high plains is based upon contamination of a major, if not the major, aquifer in the US. Also that pipeline exposed the ever growing threat that the water supply is being used faster than it can be replenished.

And there is an ever increasing threat to the quantity and quality of the water supply that comes from the desire to increase domestic oil supply. Oil companies like BP have used the 'oil independence' to their advantage, i.e., increased domestic oil production serves BP more than it serves the US.

Water has become the center of domestic oil production and alleged oil independence because of its use in the domestic extraction of oil from tar sands and shale. E.g., BP claims that the US would be self-sufficient by 2030 by production of shale oil and gas.

Of course that requires one to ignore the detriments, one being the rapid use of water - a resource quickly becoming non-renewable because the consumption rate is greater than the replenishing rate; another being the danger to the environment and mother earth.

This domestic oil production from shale and tar sands fields has merit. Oil and Gas Journal 2004 (yes 2004) noted that achieving domestic oil independence was unrealistic goal - but it notes too that the US could be effectively independent of Persian Gulf oil. This would require large scale oil production from shale oil and continued growth in tar sands oil production.

According to the Oil and Gas Journal 2004 the production from shale oil far would exceed the Alberta tar sands oil production; that is what is being transported from Canada via the first phase of the Keystone pipeline. There is a difference in the process but there is a similarity in that oil production from either shale or tar sands uses, arguably, excessive amounts of water usage and water contamination.

While both the extraction of shale oil and tar sands oil requires several more barrels of water than barrels or oil produced, there are other substantial issues: "Both mining and processing of oil shale [and tar sans] involve a variety of environmental impacts, such as global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, disturbance of mined land; impacts on wildlife and air and water quality." See Oil Shale/Tar Sands Guide and see About the Oil Shale and Tar Sands Leasing Programmatic EIS.

Arguably, it is a reasonable assumption, increased domestic oil production from non-renewable shale and tar sands will convert a renewable natural resource water into a non-renewable resource. Peak water is an accompanying fear to peak oil.

The increased water usage and contamination comes from a process known as fracking which apparently has other detriments. "Fracking (aka, hydraulic fracturing or industrial gas drilling) is a dangerous way of getting oil and gas and a shortsighted energy strategy." [Fracking Gone Wrong: Finding a Better Way].

More on fracking later, but it has to be obvious that it isn't just CO2 that we need to be worried about. We need so desperately leadership in this country that sees the big picture without the political eyeglasses.

Resources:

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM):
About the Oil Shale and Tar Sands Leasing Programmatic EIS
Oil Shale/Tar Sands Guide
About Oil Shale
Tar Sands Basics

More:
Shale oil and gas 'will make US self-sufficient'
Alberta Energy: Facts and Statistics
Oil and Gas Journal 2004
Oil in Shale Sets Off a Boom in Texas - NYTimes.com
Peak Water: Aquifers and Rivers Are Running Dry. How Three Regions Are Coping :
peakwater.org

Ogallala Aquifer (and Keystone pipeline)

2012-01-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

There is much more to the pipeline deal than just the false claim of jobs. The first phase of the pipeline had already been constructed and is in use. That part of the pipeline transports tar sands oil from Alberta Canada to refineries in Illinois.

See the maps in Keystone pipeline post that shows the pipeline expansion crossing Nebraska at arguably the aquifer's most vulnerable points. See too the image to the left that highlights the value of that aquifer.

But what about the Ogallala Aquifer? Scientific American notes in a 2009 article the aquifer's importance: It is a vast source for irrigation and that if the reservoir goes dry "more than $20 billion worth of food and fiber will vanish from the world’s markets. And scientists say it [would] take natural processes 6,000 years to refill the reservoir."

A New York Times piece stresses its importance: the aquifer "stretches under 174,000 square miles of eight states, from Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, up through Kansas and Colorado and perhaps most significantly, Nebraska, where it feeds much of the state; it also feeds smaller portions of Wyoming and South Dakota."

Another perspective from the USGS: "About 27 percent of the irrigated land in the United States overlies this aquifer system, which yields about 30 percent of the Nation's ground water used for irrigation. In addition, the aquifer system provides drinking water to 82 percent of the people who live within the aquifer boundary."

The depletion has been the ongoing concern even without the pipelines. The New York Times makes the point that it is being used as if it were a renewable resource. "It is being drained faster than nature can recharge it . . . .".

A MIT Mission 2012 webpage states that 94% of the water is used for irrigation. And "[a]t current rates, the aquifer will soon be depleted, endangering the current Western United States agricultural economy."

The reservoir is not something that once gone or damaged can be repaired. It is a fragile ecosystem that must be guarded as if our lives depend on it - it does for the most part. If the water for drinking and irrigation became unusable by contamination - the economy would suffer greatly, jobs and all.

Once must remember too that this water is underground negating attempts to 'clean' it up should there be contamination. Keep in mind the 2011 Yellowstone River oil spill where pollution was found 100 miles from the pipeline's rupture. Imagine that oil spill into the aquifer.

But the Keystone people state that with "nearly 25,000 miles of petroleum pipelines [that] exist within the Ogallala Aquifer, including 2,000 miles in Nebraska," there has been no contamination after decades of transportation via pipelines. They make a good point:

"This is why regional petroleum contamination of the Ogallala Aquifer has not been a problem despite:
The decades that crude oil has been withdrawn through the Ogallala Aquifer in western Nebraska and in other states;
The decades that petroleum has been used to lubricate and power farm equipment on farms across the state;
The decades that oil has been applied for dust control on rural roads throughout the state."

And here too is something from Keystone that I haven't seen anywhere else: "Since 1930, 24,000,000,000 barrels of crude oil have been produced within the Ogallala Aquifer. In Nebraska, 500,000,000 barrels of crude oil have been produced from 2,000 oil wells drilled through the Ogallala Aquifer."

Keystone also states: "Keystone will be bound by existing Nebraska law confirming that it is responsible to clean-up and is financially liable for oil spills, road repairs, and damage done to land or contamination of water supplies."

In a perfect world where oil companies do the right thing that might be a promise that carries water - but the oil companies have historically fought tooth and nail against being held accountable.

The protection of the Ogallala Aquifer must be absolute. We can't look back and in a sense count our blessings that no major disaster has occurred in the pipelines that cross the aquifer, especially in Nebraska.

Arguably the Keystone people sought the second crossing through Nebraska merely on the basis of cost to them not to the aquifer or the people of Nebraska. The risks offered by the expansion pipeline seems to greatly outweigh any benefits.

Keystone states at the top of its perspective: Good for Nebraska, Good for America. But, in reality, it is good for Keystone and Canada more than anyone else. It is their refineries that are at the end of the pipelines. [See Wikipedia for more on Keystone.] OMG there are more phases to the pipeline expansion.

Jobs may sound good - contamination of a valuable water source can't be justified on jobs. It can't be politics as usual.

Resources:
Aquifer's Depletion Poses Sweeping Threat

The Ogallala Aquifer: Saving a Vital U.S. Water Source

Keystone XL: The Sandhills Problem

Mission 2012 : Clean Water

The Ogallala Aquifer, Nebraska, Keystone XL Pipeline
Ogallala Aquifer [encyclopedia.com]
The Ogallala Aquifer, Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Wikipedia

Keystone pipeline

2012-01-19T13:32:00.000-08:00

The recent decision by the president rejecting the Keystone phase 2 pipeline applied only to the expansion phase of a pipeline already completed in 2010 from Canada to oil refineries at Wood River and Pakota, Illinois. The expansion would transport tar sands oil to refineries in Texas at the Gulf Coast. That would seem to be the better location for sale on the international market.

But the issue in the expansion is the environmental danger in the second route. The pipeline passes right over - through if you will - Nebraska's Ogallala aquifer a source for drinking and irrigation water.

National Congress of American Indians: "A recent study by a University of Nebraska hydrologist outlines a worst case spill scenario, estimating that Keystone XL [phase 2 expansion] could spill as much as 7.9 million gallons in Nebraska's Sandhills, polluting 5 billion gallons of groundwater with benzene, contaminating water used for agriculture and drinking drawn from the Ogallala Aquifer, and more than 6.9 million gallons of tar sands crude at the Yellowstone River crossing."

See this too from Business Week: The Oil Change International and Natural Resources Defense Council "released a report that says the Keystone XL Pipeline will not protect America's energy interests, rather it will maximize the profits of 'Big Oils'." See the report Summary.

The president's decision seems correct especially since the Republicans had forced him to an early decision - politics (on both sides) as usual. Despite the cries from the Republicans, it appears that the pipeline company Transcanada Corp would seek an alternative route bypassing the aquifer and not redirect the pipeline to Canada's west coast.

Romney - not much for the trickle down theory

2012-01-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

It is becoming all too clear why Romney doesn't want his tax returns made public. ABC News: "Mitt Romney has millions of dollars of his personal wealth in investment funds set up in the Cayman Islands, a notorious Caribbean tax haven." Romney's explanation ought to be at least humorous.

Trickle down is the argument that the wealthy put forth for tax cuts and other similar advantages that is based upon "the idea that tax breaks or other economic benefits provided by government to businesses and the wealthy will benefit poorer members of society by improving the economy as a whole." [Wikipedia].

Innovation: 'Green' Ferrari FF with 875 hp

2012-01-19T10:49:00.000-08:00

Its about the beautiful and pricey, yet green, Ferrari. The only point to be made here, we are not talking the pros and cons of biofuel, is that it is absolutely irrational to seek the elimination of the automobile that so many of the 'greens' seek. It is pretty clear that innovation will make the adjustments to provide the autos that produce less CO2 emissions and reduced usage of carbon based fuels. It is a matter of expectations.

It's not so easy: €2 trillion could be Germany's cost to phase out nuclear energy

2012-01-18T13:43:00.000-08:00

CIA World Factbook

Germany panicked after the recent Japanese Fukushima earthquake and tsunami disaster and determined to phase out all of its nuclear power plants. With today's exchange rate we talking $2.56 trillion.

That cost estimate is dependent on the expansion of alternative energy resources; but it may be less if gas becomes a significant alternative. [Cost of nuke phase-out 'could near €2 trillion'].

Germany was using nuclear energy, 17 plants, for about 1/4 of its electrical energy. "Coal provides two thirds of the country's electricity. Gas supplied 13%, wind 6% in 2009. Electricity exports exceedrd (sic) imports by about 20 billion kWh in 2008, but Germany is one of the biggest importers of gas, coal and oil worldwide, and has few domestic resources apart from lignite [brown coal] and renewables . . ."

It seems odd the choice of coal over nuclear. Arguably German nuclear plants were among the safest in the world. But, "[i]n June 2011 German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that for Germany to phase out nuclear power that it would need more coal plants." [Sourcewatch]. And, it is planning 20 coal more fired plants. Will Germany meet its EU promised reduction in CO2 emissions?

It is just domestic economics? Coal for power plants is domestically available. "Germany is the seventh largest coal producer in the world [. . .] of which the large majority was lignite [brown coal]." "Almost all of Germany’s brown coal consumption fires power plants, while the steel industry uses most of the hard coal," coming mostly from Poland. [Encyclopedia of Earth].

It is difficult to take the alleged detriments of coal seriously when coal is the choice between the two polar opposites on the CO2 emission scale. Will 'clean coal' come to the rescue?

It only remains to be seen - many years in future - whether Germany took the right track. It seems doubtful mainly because the impetus came from an abnormal set of circumstances never to occur in Germany. But it makes sense from Germany's economic perspective: more power needs = more coal mining = more jobs.

Resources of interest:
Germany - Energy mix fact sheet
World Coal Statistics
America's Power (clean coal)
The problem with brown coal (an Australian perspective)

Perry - Republican yahoo

2012-01-17T13:32:00.000-08:00

""Turkey is "a country that is being ruled by what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists," 'Perry said, in response to a question about whether Turkey, a top American ally, should remain a member of the NATO alliance.'" [Turkish columnist calls Perry an ‘idiot’ for Monday debate comments].

If Turkey's role in the world is unfamiliar, hopefully most are better informed than Perry, read the story for why Turkey is not being ruled by Islamic terrorists and their support for our anti-terrorists actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Perry: "Stupid is as stupid does."

A left perspective: "What the Right Gets Right"

2012-01-17T13:21:00.000-08:00

I came to Portland pretty much a liberal - I would have labeled myself left - but now after about 8 years I am a conservative as set out in the New York Times piece: What the Right Gets Right. But I am not in the portion that describes the conservatives' shortcomings.

Here is a taste of what the conservatives get right. But shouldn't this apply equally as well to what liberals get right? Conservatism:

It recognizes “the importance of material incentives in shaping behavior, and the difficulty in keeping bureaucracies under control and responsive to citizens.”

It is skeptical of “the application of social science theories to real world problems” and cognizant of “human fallibility/corruptibility.”

It places a high value on “liberty/autonomy.”

It places a similarly high value on “good parenting.”

It acknowledges “the superiority of market systems for encouraging efficient use of resources.”

And I too, like many social conservatives, "resent liberal programs that use government to infringe on their liberties in order to protect the groups that liberals care most about.”

You might read Portland burnout.

Thank you! Obama sued over indefinite detention and torture of Americans act

2012-01-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

It must please the Russians to no end that the America who railed, and still do to some extent, against the undemocratic Russian government, is becoming more and more like the Soviet Union. [Obama sued over indefinite detention and torture of Americans act].

Not only has their been a passage of federal legislation to detain indefinitely Americans on American soil, there is a new piece of legislation that would take away American citizenship - Enemy Expatriation Act. See Senator Lieberman's take.

One might take notice too that loss of citizenship is an administrative - not judicial - action. "The burden of proof, by a preponderance of evidence, would be on the party asserting that loss of citizenship has occurred."

"Portland burnout"

2012-01-17T11:23:00.000-08:00

A post, Portland burnout, on Jack Bog's Blog is a must read. It contains a republished comment to another post. It worth the read not merely because it is well written but because its points are well stated. This is not some knee jerk reaction by some troll - it is a well thought out comment about Portland from a Portlander.

This gives a hint to its content: "Over the years, my political and philosophical values have been re-shaped by living in this city. I'm thankful."

TriMet trash cans

2012-01-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

Oregonian

Living in the Pearl - I haven't taken MAX lately so it wasn't until I was out drinking and dining with my son that I noticed an extra trashcan along the MAX lines in Downtown.

Next to the stainless steel containers established when the Green Line was constructed - they cost $2,000 per - is another trashcan - a clone except it isn't stainless steel - it cost $1,600 per.

The sole purpose of the new can is recycling. So what is wrong with that picture? Originally in 2009 they purchased 188 cans at a total cost of $376,000. In 2011, TriMet purchased 106 cans for a total of $169,600.

That is $545,600 for trashcans in two years. One would expect that the cost savings would have been more than $400 between the stainless and not stainless in 2009. But, it would have saved $75,200 had they eschewed stainless.

Never mind that the stainless cans were too extravagant to begin with - the new cans look nearly the same as the older ones. By the way one of the reasons the two cans look so much alike, besides being made by the same company, is that stainless needs care to keep the shine.

Of course the true cost is never made available - mostly because Oregonian bloggers never ask questions - they merely reprint press releases. Take a look at the the Oregonian's take on the new cans. The blogger is practically gushing over the cans. This is her last line: "We're playing in Peoria, downtownies."

Barf!

New England Patriots 45 Denver Broncos 10

2012-01-15T13:31:00.000-08:00

Now can we just get on with football? [guardian.co.uk].

Duh! Research: unearned praise does not help students

2012-01-15T13:28:00.000-08:00

"A growing body of research over three decades shows that easy, unearned praise does not help students but instead interferes with significant learning opportunities. As schools ratchet up academic standards for all students, new buzzwords are persistence, risk-taking, and resilience — each implying more sweat and strain than fuzzy, warm feelings." [In schools, self-esteem boosting is losing favor to rigor, finer-tuned praise - The Washington Post].

Shiite and Sunni Muslim sects - the differences?

2012-01-15T13:15:00.000-08:00

The Christian Science Monitor briefly states the only real difference between the two Muslim sects: "Their schism lies in disputes over who would succeed Muhammad as leader of the faithful after his death in 632." But the Shiites make up only about 15% of the Muslims even though they are the majority in Iraq and Iran.

"This conflict between Shi'ites and Sunnis is the root cause of the tensions in that area. It is Muslim against Muslim. In Saudi Arabia it is Persecution of Shia Muslims where the Shia Muslims are about 10-15% of total Muslim population. From About.com Middle East Issues - in Bahrain the Shiites are the majority but under Sunni Rule; Iran is ruled by a Shiite theocracy; and remember that Saddam Hussein was a Sunni." [See my post Iraq: Shi'ites and Sunnis are at it again.]

Washington Post's interview with Joe Paterno

2012-01-15T12:24:00.000-08:00

Apparently it is his first interview since the scandal. This interview rehabilitates the Paternos of the world - seemingly in charge and seemingly in the position not only to recognize child sexual abuse but also to do something about it.

This is about an alleged child sexual abuse by a former assistant coach at University of Pennsylvania. The incident took place at a University's gym that the abuser had access to as a former coach. Mr. Queary an assistant coach at the time witnessed the event and told Mr. Paterno who set up a meeting for him with Curley the athletic director and Schultz who oversaw the university police. Mr. Paterno took no further action - but why should he have?

David Brooks in his New York Times November 14, 2011 opinion "Let's All Feel Superior" was correct. None of us can safely assume that had we been in Mr. Paterno's shoes we would have taken action to stop the sexual assaults. I need to pay more attention to Mr. Brooks.

It is clear that Mr. Paterno has been wrongly vilified by many because of some alleged inaction based upon an assumed knowledge. The alleged sexual predator in this case had retired 3 years prior to the incident in 2002. He and Mr. Paterno had no contact since then. Yes, before that he was Paterno's assistant coach - but Mr, Paterno says it was a professional not social relationship. Many manage to keep the two separate.

Mr. Paterno's knowledge of the 2002 incident was not as complete as the media had suggested - or at least not that we came to believe. Mr. McQueary - who witnessed the sexual assault - only told Mr. Paterno something to the effect: "He said it, well, looked like inappropriate, or fondling, I’m not quite sure exactly how he put it." "McQueary said he had been reluctant to go into similar [as when he told Curley and Schultz] “great detail about sexual acts” with Paterno, out of respect for the coach, who was 75 at the time."

I am especially biased against child sexual predators or any sexual predator for that matter. But it is difficult in some circumstances to know what you probably know. It is somewhat akin to domestic violence where you have that inkling but not sure enough to poke your nose into it. But because of the potential ramifications, like those suffered by Paterno, maybe it is wiser to be cautious in cases of child sexual abuse.

The Washington Post's article is a great read and I recommend reading David Brooks' opinion piece.

MAX as a crime enabler

2012-01-14T11:49:00.000-08:00

Recent events have caused TriMet to announce more patrols on MAX - but they have done that before when things get dicey. Of course it is a public relations gimmick - it always occurs after the fact and is always temporary.

When I lived in Old Town TriMet's transit police attending public safety committee meetings made it clear that it was too easy for drug deals and other crime could be carried out via MAX. The context of the discussion was the Fare Less Square free transportation. If we could just charge - then problem solved. But it isn't a matter of free transit.

MAX - or light rail - offers the ability to commit most any crime and get away with it. Stations are near enough to each other that a 'crime' can be committed and the perpetrators can exit at the next station without fear of being caught.

There is something too about the MAX 'container' that we ride. While the amount of passengers it holds it not much different from the bus - there is a feeling of openness and an absence of any visible authority. And even though it is alleged that there are cameras on board and the presence of 'call boxes,' they might as well be non-existent in the prevention of crime or the apprehension of criminals.

Frankly it is reasonable to assume that TriMet would not have taken any action to beef up patrols had not there been a viral video of the attack. I haven't read anywhere that their cameras caught any of the action or that there was there any indication that the on board 'call box' was utilized.

And it is too a matter of the people who ride MAX. When it comes to assaults, it seems like it is teenagers not adults who are causing the problems. It seems too that it doesn't take much for them to group together to bully single individuals, even adults.

The attack on the 14 year old has racial overtones. From the Tribune it is easy to conclude that there was some resentment that the white girl was attacked because she was sitting next to a black male, possibly a boyfriend. But a slightly different and contrary story is found in the Oregonian. But it seems that we can't talk about the racial issue - can we?

Apparently passengers on the Green Line MAX who witnessed the attack on the 14 year old did nothing to help her. The Tribune notes that someone called 911 but in fact no matter how fast the police respond unless they are at the next station it is too late. Did anyone push the call button? Are the cameras record only? Can't the train operator see live video?

But I believe I understand the failure any passenger taking action. Being a good Samaritan doesn't pay off. Sometimes too events happen so fast or are so obscured that it takes a while before there is a recognition. And adults don't take on kids because the kids are likely to turn on you. And as we see too, often the children's adult parents are part of the trouble.

"The Oregonian story mentioned above sees it only as an event of bullying. The story concludes: "Public transit should reflect its community. It's a moving sidewalk. If we keep our kids off, then only the bullies will ride. And what will that say about us?"

It says that we want our kids to be safe. The attack was hitting and spitting - but one can assume that a gun was not far away. If I had children that rode the Green Line - they wouldn't anymore. TriMet would need to convince me that, in fact, it is safe for me and my children to ride the train. My children are not to be offered up as martyrs.

MAX is not a safe mode of transit and is a mode of transportation that enables crime. Not that it cannot be made safe - it is that TriMet has done little to make it safe. But see their efforts in the Tribune piece.

Police officer - clearly a dangerous job

2012-01-14T08:08:00.000-08:00

The Christian Science Monitor had the story that nationally police officer deaths in the line of duty rose 37% in 2010. The Portland Tribune utilizing the same statistical resource had a slightly different Oregon perspective. It is a dangerous job.

"Police and detective work can be very dangerous and stressful. Police officers and detectives have one of the highest rates of on-the-job injury and illness. In addition to the obvious dangers of confrontations with criminals, police officers and detectives need to be constantly alert and ready to deal appropriately with a number of other threatening situations." [Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupations: Police and Detectives].

It is difficult to understand how anyone could deny the basic fact that the police officer has a dangerous job - yet, not surprising though, many of the Tribune commenters fell all over themselves attempting to denigrate the police. It is a Portland thing.

Their attempt was to show that the job is not dangerous as other jobs. The reliance on others utilizing Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ignoring the Tribune and CSM's source the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund: Deaths, was misplaced because the references were not related to police officer safety. The BLS doesn't have a top ten dangerous jobs - but it does have relevant statistics on occupations and homicides.

A peek at those statistics (BLS News Release, a concise presentation, and BLS Table A-6, more detail) demonstrates that law enforcement has the second highest number of homicides. It is clear too that their occupations are far more dangerous than fire fighters. But the best resource is that of the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports.

These FBI pie charts breakdown the circumstances. It is not surprising that Arrests, Disturbances and Traffic Pursuits are the top situations where homicides and assaults are found.

See too this FBI link, and this one too. It looks like a dangerous job to me.

But one should not ignore the stats from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund: Deaths. It needs to be updated for 2010 and 2011, but it shows the deaths, assaults and injuries over a time span beginning with 2001.

Google's anti-privacy and anti-trust marketing called out

2012-01-13T13:24:00.000-08:00

"An influential privacy watchdog has asked the US government to investigate Google+, the search giant's social network, claiming it may violate people's privacy and raises anti-trust concerns." [Epic to FTC: Google Search+ is violating users' privacy; see too earlier post].

Not Central Bank’s Role to Intervene in Housing Market

2012-01-13T13:00:00.000-08:00

That story is from the Wall Street Journal's Real Time Economics. Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Jeffrey Lacker: “I don't think we should be targeting specific markets, even a market as dear to the heart of Americans as the housing market,' Lacker told reporters. 'If we do that we are just withdrawing credit from some other market and we are not the ones to decide that.”

Is't it a no brainer?

Southeast Portland - is it that bad?

2012-01-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

The police press releases recently on shootings and the like seem to be centered in the Southeast and not the Northeast. It is rather odd that - and I believe it is true for most cities - there is a dividing safe line. In Portland it appears that the Willamette River is that line. In general it seems safer (from being shot) on the west side of the river.

But look at the police graphics posted on the Willamette Week that depicts gang killings (1995-2010) and shots fired (2000-2010). The west side isn't left out. But notice the shift (purpose of the graphics) in the gang killings and shots fired. Appears to be moving - spreading is the better word - from the Northeast to the Southeast.

It is easy to sit in my armchair and hurl rocks - but if the gang violence and shootings are known and relatively contained in certain areas - why can't the police contain and reduce that violence? One suspects that it is a combination of things - budget, personnel, priorities and police bureau ineptness.

It is often baffling though. It seems that the police are only interested in containment - not elimination. But the graphics show that the gang violence and shootings are not being contained. And although there are no data to go along with the graphics - it does look like that there is more than a shift but an increase.

One wonders whether the inept mayor plays a part in all of this? Going by the news media (a risk) the mayor seems to interfere in ordinary police management and is clueless about underlying causes to gang formation and violence.

The prospect of change seems not in Portland's future given the candidates for mayor and city council.

Police fitness test

2012-01-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

The Oregonian editorial board and others, e.g., Dan Saltzman, have leapt all over the police officers and their union because of a bonus negotiated between the union and the city. Arguably the bonus is rather incongruous, i.e., paying extra money to officers to stay fit. But - it may well depend on what "fit" means. A police officer who is older and coming near the retirement age is not likely to be in as good as physical condition as a rookie.

Anyway, the fitness test turned out to be nothing more than a blood test requiring a small sample from the finger..Why not a real fitness test? Because the union argued that its officers should not have to take it on their own time, i.e., after work, unless there was compensation.

This argument bothered the Oregonian editorial board, but not necessarily Maxine Bernstein whose post was referenced by the editorial. Now I have worked at many companies in my rather long life and anything that was job related and required by the company was either on company time or there was additional compensation.

Frankly in the case of maintaining a "fit" police department - that compensation would be well spent. But the naysayers and cop haters have only one objective on their agenda . . .

But not only the payment of additional payment bothered them - they were disturbed by union "bullying" - so they would have it. This was missed by the editorial board: "The city was unwilling to pay officers overtime to take a physical fitness test that could result in higher pay. Instead, the city chose [emphasis added] to offer a biometric screening to measure officers' cholesterol and glucose, and obtain their blood pressure reading and body mass ratio."

However what brought the issue to the forefront was the cost. "The bureau had estimated that about 65 percent of the police force would pass a physical fitness test, and budgeted for the premium pay around that estimate. Now, with 91 percent of union members granted the bonus pay, the bureau has overspent its premium pay budget by about $1 million, bureau fiscal supervisors said."

It sounds like the city made a cost decision and lost. They just didn't think the cost aspect through. We were not told by the media what it would have cost the city had a fitness test such as that being promoted by many was adopted. Expect the city to spend considerable more money if a new fitness test is to be required.

This was a contract by and between the police bureau and the police union. It is irrational to blame one side of the negotiations when the contract is not "approved" by the likes of the Oregonian editorial board. This is a contract of July 2011 that had a requirement that additional pay would come upon passing the "Bureau's Health & Fitness test." Of course - that test was left undefined. Blame the police union?

It seems that it might be a tad more important to have a fully staffed and well equipped police force that might be able to take on the gang, drug problems. The bonus issue is a distraction but it does illustrate the priorities of the cop bashers.

Erratic driving among returning veterans

2012-01-12T12:29:00.000-08:00

The problems associated with military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan acclimating to what we call ordinary day-to-day life extends to even driving. [Erratic Driving an Increasing Problem Among Returning Vets | Military.com].

"Susan Max, a 63-year-old grandmother of four, deployed to Iraq in 2007 as an Army reservist. One of her jobs was to drive an unarmored vehicle through Baghdad, transporting large sums of cash destined for reconstruction projects. The hypervigilance that carried her through, she told the [New York] Times, manifested itself as extreme anxiety in the driver's seat back in the States."

Notice that this excerpt has two other oddities: 63 year old grandmother serving in Baghdad and the use of cash to pay for projects. It seems that the grandmother's story ought to be a separate - it has to be more than just interesting. And the transportation of large amounts of cash in unarmored vehicles should be further explored. One wonders just how much cash was transported at any one time?

Israel democracy: Palestinian spouses can't live Israel

2012-01-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

It is another head shaker. But it demonstrates the unlikeliness that the Israelis and Palestinians will ever co-exist. It seems that Israel more and more mirrors an apartheid.

'Firing' comment by Romney

2012-01-12T11:23:00.000-08:00

I am not a Romney supporter although he seems more a Democrat (my party) than a Republican - but the news media grabbed on to a small portion of his statement publishing only the "I like being able to fire people" part.

While CNN is guilty too - see the headline - 'Firing' comment shows Romney doesn't get it, but it also published the full content to give full context.

"I want individuals to have their own insurance. That means the insurance company will have an incentive to keep people healthy. It also means if you don't like what they do, you can fire them. I like being able to fire people who provide services to me. If someone doesn't give me the good service I need, I'm going to go get somebody else to provide that service to me."

There is nothing wrong with that comment.

Education Week gives Oregon public schools a C-

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

A "C" minus. See Oregon's analysis at Education Week: Quality Counts 2012 - State Report Cards. Overall, Oregon is ninth from the bottom among the states. Even West Virginia which is one of the poorest states achieved a B-.

There is a pull down menu. Take notice that Oregon's grades for the various categories listed. Look at the K-12 Achievement - a "D" for Oregon. It can be seen that Oregon is about 13th from the bottom.

However, the states' rating is more than just grades e.g., it evaluates the teaching profession - a "D" for Oregon; the state is 7th from the bottom. College readiness is a "F." Spending is an "F."

Dismal. The fact that it seems that most states are in the same leaky boat should not give solace. If some states can achieve better results - why not Oregon?

See this page for information about the various indicators. And as might be expected - to get into the good details requires a purchase, but not too much - $4.95.

Greenhouse emitters - interactive tool

2012-01-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

The New York Times offers an excellent means of viewing who's who of greenhouse emitters. At first brush - I haven't looked at it in much detail - Oregon - certainly Portland - isn't too bad in its greenhouse emissions. The available pie chart indicates that 69.7% of the greenhouse pollution comes from Oregon power plants. Interesting though is that landfills at 11.2% is second.

The greenhouse emissions are Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide and Methane. If only Carbon Dioxide is selected - Power Plants are at 79%. Select Nitrous Oxide and Pulp and Paper becomes the leader at 44.9%. Finally select Methane - and not surprisingly Landfills is the leader at 97.7%

Of the three gases - methane is the most potent or harmful: " Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas that remains in the atmosphere for approximately 9-15 years. Methane is over 20 times more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 100-year period and is emitted from a variety of natural and human-influenced sources." [Methane | Climate Change | U.S. EPA].

What does this say about landfills? Interesting is a Google search on composting vs landfills - refine it as you wish - that produces this quote from Sustainablog: "To me, I think it's good to have more organics in the garbage," operations manager Neil Wise [Altamont Landfill] told me. Organic matter in landfills generates methane, a potent and flamable greenhouse gas; Altamont currently captures enough methane to power 8,500 homes."

Take from that what you will. But take a peek at the map - rather illuminating. It might be noticed too that Boardman Oregon comes up a lot. I haven't determined yet whether that is significant or not.

East Portland 'Shooting Gallery'

2012-01-11T11:56:00.000-08:00

The recent arrest of a 15 year old for spraying a house with gunfire has another perspective in the Willamette Week - the house is in the area known to residents as the 'shooting gallery." Don't you wonder why if an area is so well known the police haven't taken action?

Maybe it would be appropriate that real 'community policing' would dictate a walking beat. Costly? Maybe - but how does one calculate costs? What are lives worth? It is only 'luck' that the 14 shots fired into the house didn't kill or injure someone.

The Week has this rationale: "The municipal border with Gresham complicates police response. And the nearby MAX station on East Burnside provides a convenient getaway, as well as a physical obstacle, with treacherous tracks in the center of the road that more closely resemble a freight railway than urban-friendly light rail."

Do you buy it?

Google - a liberating tool?

2012-01-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Google in its profit driven enterprising seeks - maybe unwittingly or unintentionally - to acquire data on each and every user of its services that makes the government's feared role in that regard seem inconsequential. Not only does Google dig into our personal and otherwise private lives it impresses upon us a regime of conformity not yet achieved by most governments.

While it has been slow and subtle - it has nevertheless been effective at installing a regime of the Google way. They continue to expose the individual forcing them to 'opt out' rather than being 'in' in the first place.

Where once the user had some semblance of control over the Chrome browser and Google tools - slowly but surely that control or even influence has been lost. They will 'give' and they will 'take' various innovations at will.

Google apparently has decided in its godlike wisdom to structure their tools and services to suit them - not the user. See this from KGW's article about Google Plus: "The Internet search leader eventually hopes to know enough about each of its users so it can tailor its results to fit the unique interests of each person looking for something."

Nice marketing hype to convince that they are doing things in your interest - when in fact it is about creating more advertising revenue. More hype from Google: "Ushering in the new era of social and private data search will take close cooperation, and we hope other sites [Twitter and Facebook] participate so we can provide the best possible experience for our users."

Sounds anti-competition? How about this: "The Federal Trade Commission, attorneys general in six states, and the European Commission are looking into complaints alleging Google has been unfairly exploiting its dominance in Internet search to promote its other services while ignoring or downplaying pertinent information about its rivals."

See the excellent information and analysis in the KGW post: Google search gets more personal, raises hackles.

Impending economic recession in China?

2012-01-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

According to BBC News, Barclays Capital links - if you want - the building of skyscrapers with economic downswings, i.e., they are precursors. "There is an "unhealthy correlation" between the building of skyscrapers and subsequent financial crashes, according to Barclays Capital."

Of course China is not alone in building skyscrapers, but the BBC article notes this from Barclays Capital: "Investors should be most concerned about China, which is currently building 53% of all the tall buildings in the world."

Capitalist plot? In ordinary capitalism, such a prediction would probably have some immediate and negative effects in the market. But in China?

Child abuse (and death) via Skype

2012-01-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

The mother had said the child - 20 month old - fell into a bucket of water. But it appears that "the girl died after Briton Ammaz Qureshi told her [via Skype] to hold her under water to discipline her." [Norway police interview UK man over Skype child death].

Indiscriminate 'spray and pray'

2012-01-11T10:47:00.000-08:00

A 15 year old gang member has been arrested for an apparent 'uncontrolled' shooting at an Southeast house - 14 22 caliber bullets hit the house. The Oregonian has the story with a booking photo - a rather nice looking kid. How did he get so mixed up?

Seven shootings since Sunday - six gang connected. Of course the city apparently has no way to deal with the gang problem. If they do - it sure isn't obvious. And what do we hear from the mayor? It is "absolutely unacceptable."

Now don't you feel better?

Lake Oswego in reverse on streetcar

2012-01-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

It is not that Lake Oswego council member Tierney is against the streetcar, he rightly concludes now is not the time. "I have concluded that because of the economy, the Portland to Lake Oswego Streetcar project will not move forward in the near future." [Lake Oswego council switch derails streetcar project].

Information did the trick. It is interesting to see a flip-flop when it is based upon apparently new information. Much credit to the council member to change his mind rather than being locked in to a incomprehensible vision in today's economic climate.

Oh boy! Santorum a closet communist?

2012-01-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

"On the campaign trail, Santorum often touts his grandfather’s flight from Italy “to escape fascism,” but he has neglected to publicly mention their close ties with the Italian Communist Party." Santorum’s Communist Clan

Ex-GI tried to join a Somalian terrorist group

2012-01-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

This story has many facets not recognized in the headlines or text. The obvious one is how did a seemingly normal American trained by the US Army in intelligence and cryptology and who had served in Iraq and South Korea would secretly convert to Islam even before his discharge and later attempt to reach Somalia to join the terrorist group?

Why?

First it needs to be said that he is charged "with attempting to provide material support and resources to al-Shabaab," a Somalian terrorist group. That is different from "engaging in terrorist activity" as is implied by the articles.

He was apparently motivated by an online religious article to seek to live out his life in a land governed by Sharia Law. Apparently this left him with three options: "the Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan, a few islands in the Philippines or southern Somalia." Apparently Somalia made more sense.

I am not sure that a desire to live under Sharia Law answers the question of why, or how, that this person could be so enamored by an online religious site that he was prepared to forego family contact and all religious and other personal freedoms to join a terrorist group as a means to fulfill his desire.

It will be interesting to see if as an American citizen he will be subject to indefinite detention without a hearing as permitted by the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act or be permitted a civilian trial.

But maybe more interesting is this: "Soon after his arrival [in Kenya], he was pulled off a bus near Mombasa after a seat-mate had inquired about his plans. Kenyan police turned over [him] to the FBI office in Nairobi, and he "was arrested upon his return to Maryland last week.'" [Yahoo News].

Who was the seat-mate that apparently turned him in to Kenya's authorities? And why is there an FBI office in Nairobi?

One wonders too when reading the articles how did the government seemingly acquire so much information on him? The FBI's affidavits contained a lot of information that one would assume would not have been given up by ex-GI. Had he always been a subject of surveillance?

Oddly he apparently used government computers in South Korea to surf the Internet coming across an Islamic religious site that led to his conversion, but before leaving for Kenya he destroyed his home computer "because he is aware of the capabilities of the United States government."

Capabilities of the US government - now that is more scary than an ex-GI joining a terrorist group.

Georgia's slavery math problems

2012-01-10T11:30:00.000-08:00

"Each tree had 56 oranges. If eight slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?" and "If Frederick [who apparently was a slave] got two beatings per day, how many beatings did he get in one week?"

These questions were assigned to 8 year olds in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Math is not a social science. A reasonable implication embedded in the questions is that slavery is okay and so too beating slaves. It is unreasonable in any educational context to frame a question containing issues of slavery and beatings where those issues will not be subject to critical analysis. It is unlikely that 8 year old students are ready for critical analysis.

Moreover, ath is a subject that doesn't permit critical analysis. But there is more to these problems than the mathematical solution. While the students might well learn how to solve math problems, there is no effort or opportunity to address the social issues. Nor is it likely that the minds of 8 year olds (third grade) are ready to do anything other than accept what their teachers tell them.

It is reasonable to assume that these questions were purposefully formulated to legitimize slavery and the harsh treatment of slaves that had occurred in the South.

The Washington Post's Answer Sheet blog carried a response by a guest author that offered appropriate, in part, criticism as the lack of cultural sensitivity. But that is a weak response. It is not about sensitivity - cultural or otherwise. It is about basic human rights. And maybe more importantly, it is a Georgia county school system that appears racially biased.

Whoever formulated these questions had to know that they went beyond teaching math. It was an attempt to frame a morally unacceptable position. Those responsible ought to have been dismissed. And, even if they were so clueless that they didn't recognize the obvious import of the questions - they surely do not qualify to be in the position of formulating math questions.

It seems the South just can't get away from the Civil War.

Ford is on the right track - a hybrid: 47 mpg city, 44 mpg highway.

2012-01-09T13:13:00.000-08:00

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid packs 47 mpg, dashing good looks. It is always difficult to look at images and come to that conclusion, but from the picture to the left and those in the gallery - it does appear to be a competitive contender to satisfy the greens and the rest of us.

Five gang shootings - 4 Sunday, 1 Monday just after midnight

2012-01-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

I am on the email list for police press releases. It seems like the shootings just keep coming and coming - it is only the 9th of the New Year. See this Press Release. Does anyone - except the incompetent mayor - believe that loose gun laws are the cause of or even related to gang shootings? At least the police have arrested one person in connection with a gang shooting in August 2011.

Clean (relatively) coal plants need to be embraced

2012-01-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

The Constellation Energy Coal Company rebuilt their coal plant to conform to standards of Maryland and those expected to be issued by the federal government. According to the New York Times: "With the new technology, the coal-burning produces 90 percent less nitrogen oxide, an ingredient of smog; 95 percent less sulfur, which causes acid rain; and vastly lower fractions of other pollutants."

But some of Constellation's competitors are seeking relief from the federal regulations claiming that they can't meet the federal standards and have filed a lawsuit challenging the standards - thus a court may rule that these companies don't have to meet the standards for at least some time. Constellation sees that unless all companies are held to the higher standard their competitive edge will be lost; that is, they have spent considerable sums to meet the standards while their competitors have not.

There is much more to the story in that there are issues concerning how companies recoup their costs of meeting the standards. The federal regulations are to prevent cross state pollution. In this case Constellation and the regulation challengers are in different states. To recoup costs, the challengers have an arduous path of seeking rate increases from a public service commission whereas Constellation can recoup its costs through power sales to utilities.

It is a story too of an abundant fuel source coal and a concomitant pollution from its use. Coal, dirty or clean, is important and raises issues of jobs, reducing independence on oil, costs of electricity, pollution, climate change, and the list goes on without any apparent balance between the positives and negatives of coal use and coal mining.

Internationally, the US produces 13% of the world's coal; China is at 49%. But, the US has the largest coal reserve at 27.5%, but China is third at 13.3% just behind Russia's 18.3%. These numbers are based upon estimated recoverable reserves.

It may come as a surprise that most of the coal production is located in the state of Wyoming (41%) more than in the combined eastern states of West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania (27%).

In the US it is the western states of Washington, Oregon and California that has the highest consumption of coal for energy production more than any other census region - 17.2%.

And coal's share of US electric power generation in 2010 was 46.1 % that is more than twice of its nearest competitor gas at 22.6%. And US production is expected to grow to the year 2035.

Ownership of the coal reserves is interesting too. The US is first, Great Northern Properties second and Peabody Energy is third. Follow the links on the private companies for details on their role in coal energy production.

Coal is an intricate non-renewable energy resource. It seems unlikely without a major renewable resource, or combination thereof, coal will remain important to the economic well being of the US.

Making coal based energy production clean is an intermediate necessity, because renewal energy production has a long way to go before it becomes a real alternative. See two Germany experiences: Renewables 'may not produce job boom'; Germany forced to buy Austrian electricity.

It is clear that calls for the cessation of coal mining and coal shipping within the US are irrational.

Two good resources on coal:

How Much Coal Is Left - Energy Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy
Coal reserves - SourceWatch

Don't build $99 billion California bullet train

2012-01-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

That is the experts recommendation that should not come as any surprise. The rationale: "There is simply just no identification of a long-term funding source or commitment, and we think that is a fundamental flaw." One can easily argue that no private or public project should begin without adequate funding. And by adequate funding - it is meant that project financial partners have written commitments.

Nigerian phone scam

2012-01-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

A recent Portland police press release details the phone scam somewhat similar to the email scams. But the phone scam adds the immediate ability to coerce accompanied with the fear of physical harm. This victim wasn't fooled and called the police, but how many others greedily fed the scammer?

The press release includes a recording of a phone call between the victim and con artist. The victim does quite well for herself. But one wonders with the phone con's pitch and attitude - how does he obtain enough victims to make a profit?

A step away from public ownership of means of production?

2012-01-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

Businesses, large and small, are increasingly holding their hands out for public money. And more and more the expected handouts go beyond loans (which at least have the prospect of repayment with possible interest) and tax incentives to outright grants and non-reimbursable payment of a company's ordinary expenditures like the training and education of the workforce. [See New York Times: Private Sector Gets Job Skills; Public Gets Bill; PDC Report 11-79, Seed Capital.]

It should ordinary follow that public money ought to equal public equity in the company.

The Oregon Sustainability Center: Topping off the list of 'green' embarrassments | OregonLive.com

2012-01-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

I missed this December 31 Oregonian Guest Columnist piece: The Oregon Sustainability Center: Topping off the list of 'green' embarrassments. It has a definition and history of "sustainability. It is worth the read. This is an excerpt:

"Where else would anyone decide, in the middle of the worst recession since the Great Depression, that banning plastic bags and recycling food waste is more important than jobs? The downtown core already has chronic problems with vacancies. So the solution is to build more government-subsidized Class-A office space? "

Rube Goldberg machine to turn a page - great laughs

2012-01-08T10:49:00.000-08:00

The NYTimes has the story: Man Embraces Useless Machines, and Absurdity Ensues which includes a video of the machine whose sole purpose is to turn a page. It's funny. But see too the Rube Goldberg site for more inventions.

Prostate Cancer Screening Shows No Mortality Benefit

2012-01-07T14:01:00.000-08:00

It is a story making the rounds - this one is from ABC News. The gist of the story is that men are wasting their time and money to be screened for prostate cancer. At issue is the blood test PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and digital rectal exam. These tests appear now after studies to have little value in preventing death from prostate cancer. See government cancer website for more info on the PSA tests.

The tests have been routine for men over 50. The problem is that a rise in the PSA number can result from benign and normal conditions. The next step if cancer is suspected or is to be ruled out is a biopsy. However, the potential side effects of the biopsy is considerable: bleeding, infection, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and oh yes - a small chance of dying..

In the mid 90s I started with the routine checking, but in 2004 before moving to Oregon it was recommended that I have a biopsy - more to eliminate a cancer possibility. I didn't do it mostly because I wasn't convinced that the benefits were greater than the risks. [See this on the procedure.] It is 7 years later and it seems unlikely that I will ever need to have surgery.

But this is probably good advice from the ABC News story that if you have a family history of prostate cancer or if you are African-American (twice as likely to die from prostate cancer)- testing may be beneficial. The choice though is still an individual one requiring serious consideration. Fortunately considerable information is available on line. PSA blood testing home kits are available - even Amazon sells them.

Whither our democracy?

2012-01-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

News media are passing over the threats to our civil liberties as guaranteed by our constitution - focusing on items or relatively little importance - like the Iowa caucuses. Obama signs a bill that permits the military to detain Americans on American soil indefinitely without due process under the rubric of terrorism. It nearly went without notice except to say that the president was reluctant to sign the bill - but he did. [See Earlier post].

Now another example that ought to have the news media in an uproar: "Specifically, the DHS announced the NCO and its Office of Operations Coordination and Planning (OPS) can collect personal information from news anchors, journalists, reporters or anyone who may use “traditional and/or social media in real time to keep their audience situationally aware and informed.” [Russia Today: Homeland Security monitors journalists].

Rather than honor the place the news media has in our constitution and in our democracy - they have disintegrated into blogs generating pulp fiction.

Where are all of Portland's bright ideas?

2012-01-07T09:58:00.000-08:00

That is the Portland Tribune's question: The evident incentive for this Tribune story came from a September 2011 event - the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship awards. The Fellowship is "a five-year grant to individuals who show exceptional creativity in their work and the prospect for still more in the future." It is not only a prestigious award, the recipients are given $500,000 with no strings attached.

The Tribune's question may have an easy answer - it is a nomination process, that is, the Foundation doesn't search for the best and brightest they seek nominations from selected.external nominators. Notice that even to be a nominator has a certain prestige.

The Foundation's nomination process is confidential, the nominators and nominees are not known. Thus how well Portlanders actually fare is not known. The article tells of one Portlander, self-disclosed, invited - but declined - nominator. But, one is left wondering why this person chose to decline the opportunity yet seems critical that Portlanders are seemingly passed over.

What is the foundation looking for - not just creative people arguably Portland has these - but really creative people. Many people are creative but not that many across the nation are really creative. The Foundation:

"The people we seek to support express many other important qualities: ability to transcend traditional boundaries, willingness to take risks, persistence in the face of personal and conceptual obstacles, capacity to synthesize disparate ideas and approaches."

The Tribune attempts to state why there might not be Portlanders with the desired creativity. But, it isn't as is suggested, the lack of a major university or arts school or, inexplicably, the absence of a major presence of jazz culture in Portland.

A look at this year's Fellows and a look back at prior years demonstrates no particular trend in using categories, especially music, in the selection process. An example of creativity is 2010 Fellow Kelly Benoit-Bird, a marine biologist, the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University in Corvallis, "who uses sophisticated acoustic engineering techniques to explore the previously invisible behavior of ocean creatures at scales ranging from swarms distributed over many cubic kilometers to individual predators."

But still why not Portland? Seattle seems to do well - over the years there has been 15 Fellows from Seattle. But this Tribune quote from Carl Abbott, Portland State University historian, might just state the obvious why Seattle and not Portland: “Portland is a city that builds consensus,” he says. “Seattle is a city that fosters innovation. There are movers and shakers in Seattle. Portland is all about process.”

I would add too that the selected Fellows have "creativity" that would not find a home in Portland, maybe Portland Metro though. It seems that while Seattle and Portland are demographically similar, Seattle appears to have an environment that catalyzes creativity. Portland's seems to catalyze real estate development.

Portland has been following the line that a livable city will attract creative people - it doesn't follow. And, needless to say there is little in the Portland school system that encourages creativity; too few schools routinely do well in any critical analysis. Nor does the employment environment feed creativity. Portland is mostly service sector employment.

Maybe the bottom line is that Portland is a place where young people go to retire. And isn't that okay?

Santorum's social agenda

2012-01-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

David Brooks the New York Times conservative columnist lost his way right from the gitgo in his piece A New Social Agenda. Even though he declares "I’m to Rick Santorum’s left on most social issues, like same-sex marriage and abortion. I’m also put off by his Manichaean political rhetoric" he proceeds to extract an approved "social agenda" from a "book review" of Santorium's "It Takes a Family.".It is akin to saying Hitler had good ideas.

The opinion piece has some decent social concepts put forth by Mr. Brooks, but it is the seemingly crediting Santorum with these concepts that is bothersome. It seems it would have had more credibility had Mr,. Brooks just laid out these ideals without any attribution or mentioning of Santorum.

Santorum may be the person that represents the kind of person (see this too) all too comfortable in the Republican - white Christian, anti-Islam, pro-family values, anti-abortion, anti-gay - Party. He seems to be their ideal presidential candidate more at home with Europe's neo-Nazis than with the reasonable and rational Americans.

There is so much wrong about the war in Afghanistan

2012-01-06T12:55:00.000-08:00

This is only part of what is wrong: National Guard deployment sendoff becomes an old and emotional ritual. It is a story of sending Americans off to fight a war that hasn't been declared and to risk their lives for an uncaring - despite the 'thanks for your service' comments - American public.

This is a public that knows that without draft that might have accompanied a war declaration none of them will have to serve in the military. The focus of The Washington Post's story is on the National Guard - that have been used to supplement the regular army basically because there is no draft. It is these men and women of the National Guard that are arguably giving the most of their lives to this country, more so than the enlisted service members.

The National Guard members are typically older than the regular enlisted and have (or had) careers; and most have already given their service to the country. These members are often foregoing forever - despite laws to the contrary - their careers and all too often suffer the destruction of an established family life. And they find themselves not just serving one tour of duty in Afghanistan (and Iraq) but several..

The Post notes that the "National Guard deployment sendoff becomes an old and emotional ritual." I was fortunate enough to serve in the military during peacetime. But I remember that deploying for 6 - 8 month cruises in rather exceptional locations was emotionally draining.

I know too that such detachment from families and friends often fundamentally and detrimentally changed those relationships. I can't imagine how much more detrimental it must be where the probability of returning alive or whole, physically or psychologically, is so low.

Why should such a small group be asked to bear such a large burden while the rest of us at home contribute nothing, nada, zero? Without a declaration of war we should not be at war with anyone. And even then as now - the country's citizens and residents ought to be more personally involved.

If you like Stephen Colbert - read this in the NYTimes

2012-01-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

How Many Stephen Colberts Are There?

Ecuadorian Amazon pollution is a world problem

2012-01-05T13:32:00.000-08:00

Chevron continues its 20 years of defiance of accepting responsibility for polluting the Amazon. "The vicious legal fight dates back to the 1970s and 80s when Texaco, now part of Chevron, discharged billions of gallons of toxic waste into an area affecting over 1,500 square miles of what has become known as the "Amazon Chernobyl"."

Checkout this website ChevronToxico, A Rainforest Chernobyl for the details of this ecological disaster that is a world problem not just Ecuador's.

You might wonder why Chevron is the bad guy since it was Texaco that was the polluter. Well Chevron bought Texaco which included the legal obligations. But it is not too hard to imagine that the companies knew the litigation would be more difficult against the succeeding company.

Maybe this will help Chevron to settle. "The company is under fire from regulators in Brazil and facing a $20bn civil lawsuit over a 2,400-barrel oil spill at the Frade offshore oil field last year."

And you might wonder too why gas prices are so high and why pollution continues?

Portland suing its insurance carrier

2012-01-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

The city is apparently suing for the cost of internal employees' (attorneys, etc.) work on the city's legal defense cases. "The insurer has argued that its policy covered only outside counsel, and the city disagreed. Not all of the claims have been denied, and the city is still dealing with Chartis on some issues, Meng [retiring City Attorney] said."

A rationale? "Recovering some or all of that funding would pump money back into Portland's constrained budget." Really? Precluding a very quick settlement by the insurance carrier - how likely is such a lawsuit to be quickly resolved? Just how money - not reimbursable - will be spent pursuing this lawsuit? Is there any likelihood of even a dollar for dollar recovery?

The bottom line. It seems unlikely that an insurance carrier would reimburse the city for the work of their own employees. It seems at best this is a rather naive attempt to bluff an insurance company. But because the transparency is next to nothing - the public is left to guess what is actually going on.

However, for the Oregonian it was an opportunity to relive the Chasse and other police cases even though they are not relevant. In the year 2020 - the Oregonian will still be attempting to denigrate the Portland police. And then as now - anytime there is a police issue one can be assured that two people will be associated with the media post - Maxine Bernstein and Dan Handleman.

Even when the good guys have the guns - bad things happen

2012-01-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

"[A] Retired Officer, Trying to Stop a Robber, Shot an Agent Doing the Same:" Piecing Together Events in Agent’s Fatal Shooting.

And after 10 yrs in Iraq . . . .

2012-01-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

It is still Sunnis vs Shi'ites: Bombs target Iraqi Shi'ites, kill at least 73.

A 'people's' veto of court decisions - WTF?

2012-01-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

A guest opinion in the Oregonian is odd at best especially since the writer has the credentials, he is a Climenko Fellow, that would otherwise suggest the ability to reason and 'think like a lawyer.' The gist of his proposal is that "[a] People's Veto would permit the public to weigh in, perhaps following a national petition drive or congressional authorization."

Apparently he would apply the 'People Veto' only on constitutional issues decided by the US Supreme Court on a 5-4 vote. What about the situation of recusals? And as such one must assume that the whole nation would need to vote on any issue. While not mentioned - would the veto vote require a simple majority? Is the result a reversal of the 5-4 to 4-5?

How many people - voters if you will - are sufficiently informed or otherwise concerned enough to vote on constitutional issues? Take the opportunity to read a few decisions by the court. Constitutional law is not for the faint of heart. Most practicing attorneys never find an opportunity to address federal constitutional issues much less state constitutional issues.

Are we to be led down the path towards some 'proletarian' revolution? Is there any society that permits a reoccurring 'revolution' to overthrow the country's judiciary?

How much time and money would it take to have a vote on each constitutional decision by the supreme court? Who would pay for this? How would it be procedurally initiated? How would one control the lobbying? Can't one imagine the corporate lobbying that would occur on constitutional issues they deem important?

Look - faced with this 'People's Veto' wouldn't the court find itself insuring that the vote is never 5-4?

This guest opinion sounds more like a Fox News diatribe than a reasoned proposal. Never mind that the proposal would require a constitutional amendment. This author is presenting an issue that doesn't exist so he can propose a solution. Immature and naive fiction.

China is Audi's biggest single market

2012-01-05T11:05:00.000-08:00

In 1966 it was the beginning of the Chinese Cultural Revolution - are we now experiencing their economic revolution? News items like this one certainly makes it seem that way: China officially Audi's biggest market. Not only are 80% of the cars made there - the Chinese are the largest consumer. The Audi is a luxury car which is significant indicator about China's economic progress.

"Audi announced last month it planned to build a vast new plant to provide up to 200,000 new cars a year for the booming Chinese market. "

And to think these were the bad guys not that long ago. Maybe we need to take a more discerning look at the Chinese economy.

Federal use-of-force review

2012-01-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

It is all in your perspective. The Oregonian suggests that it was only the federal investigation of Portland's use of force that prompted a new directive on use of force review. That may well be true - but if this is the only change coming after a year of investigation - a little too much is being made of the change ostensibly being forced on the Portland police department.

But the police press release states that "This change is in response to the current Department of Justice investigation into the Bureau's use of force as well as research conducted into best practices among major cities."

Now arguably the city is attempting to downplay the role of the feds in the new policy - sort of a 'we were going to do it anyway' rationale. Practically I believe is a bit of both especially considering the grief that is given to this police department about use of force by the local cop-haters; it is reasonable that the city look to other similarly situated police departments for best practices.

The question is when did the police department start looking? But a quick look at the change seems like a no brainer - why wouldn't this be an established practice? Maybe it has to do with the statistics? The press release noted, but the Oregonian failed to mention, that "[i]t's important to note that out of the more than 400,000 citizen contacts made by Portland Police officers each year, less than 1% (0.25% to be exact) of these contacts results in a use of force event."

The Willamette Week printed the press release in full - and its headline was probably the best conclusion: "Portland Police Bureau Acknowledges Problems With Use-Of-Force Reviews." This can be seen from this excerpt from the press release: "Based on the recommendations of the DOJ's expert, and consistent with national best practices, I am changing the way the Portland Police Bureau investigates the use of force."

One must take notice that this new directive is about the review - after the fact of use of force. I am more interested in the use of force and how it is determined at the scene. Maybe a supervisor, or someone so designated, should be at the scene, or at least on the way, of any potential need for use of force.

VA Hospital patients

2012-01-04T13:00:00.000-08:00

I don't know if other have had my experience with the VA Hospital website - but what a piece of ****. It is promoted as THE means of communicating with the hospital and those providing care, e.g., doctors and pharmacists. It is a means by which the patient is able to renew prescriptions, look at test results, etc.

Sounds great - but nine times out of ten the website is unusable. Just how difficult is it to design websites - it isn't that hard - is it?

Mayor Adams - he just doesn't think well

2012-01-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

The mayor doesn't want the Republican debate - well it would be okay out near the airport. His reasoning has to do with police overtime, yet the police are paid overtime for a variety of other events that don't even bring any money or national attention to the city.

On the surface it would seem that a Republican debate in Portland would like convention events bring some spending downtown and would bring needed national attention to the city. Their visit here might even become a positive Republican memory when future federal funds may need their support.

A comment by CPG3 to the Oregonian article is on point:

"Isn't it interesting that our paying for the police to protect the Occupy Portland folks (Far Left) as they illegally camp in the city parks and cause damage to the parks, and Sam says nothing, but the Republican's (Moderate Right) wish to have a debate in the city, and are following all of the laws in doing so, but Sam complains."

Oregonian wants more social service spending

2012-01-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

It is hard to be against spending money on social services especially in these hard times. The Oregonian using the state's motto to provide an incentive, but it doesn't address where the money even for the present social service expenditures will come from.

"She Flies With Her Own Wings" is the state motto that represents "Oregon’s tradition of independence and innovation." It is an image of self-sufficiency that frankly doesn't fit with social services programs. It may well be the goal - but there is little evidence that this goal is being, or ever has been, met on any level.

Arguably the present economic situation and the future outlook of the US economy does not permit allocation of public money to pay for the extant social service programs must less any further expansion. Programs, like housing, that sound nice on paper and are enthusiastically supported by many private non-profits don't 'pencil out' without the increasing limited federal money.

An admittedly simple view is that there is too many of the working class that are living at or near the poverty level with many using food stamps to sustain their day-to-day living. It is the middle working class that is bearing the brunt of the funding of these programs, but with large unemployment and heavy tax burden borne by the working class it is an unfair to ask that they add to their burden

It is not enough either as the Oregonian suggests that public agencies streamline their services. There has to be a change of policies and philosophies in spending of city funds. Present needs must take precedence over future desires.

While it sounds great to be spending dollars on 'green' projects it doesn't nothing to help those with present needs - they should stop. Also, the elimination of outlandish redevelopment projects and transportation programs that cater to a small political minority, e.g., bicyclist, would be a start.

It is time for the city and the Oregonian to recognize that city funds are limited and that spending as usual is not good public policy. And, that it is the religious organizations, charities and other non-profits that have to carry the burden of helping the homeless and the like. It is their traditional role that isn't being fulfilled.

The city needs to be innovative in finding methods of working with the non-profits to enable them to serve the needs of the homeless and provision of the array of social services with minimal use of public funds. It is surprising how innovative the political leadership can be when it comes to devising ways of public financing 'green' projects, yet fail to devise methods of helping those in present need of subsistence.

Chinese tycoon dies after eating his favorite cat stew

2012-01-04T10:46:00.000-08:00

And I thought it was dogs that was the delicacy. Yes it is cat stew - not wild cats but domestic cats. Apparently the family thinks he was murdered by poisoned cat stew. The tycoon had a special preference for domestic cat stew - yum yum.

"He went several times to eat cat meat in the past. On each occasion, the cat was freshly killed before being put in the pot. He never had any food poisoning problems before. It must have been murder."

Maybe Karma? How ironic if his fortune would go to the Chinese equivalent of SPCA?

Really tough border controls at Canadian border

2012-01-04T10:32:00.000-08:00

Canadian able to cross the border into the US to deliver xmas packages by using a scanned passport. And they are strip searching grandmas at the airports.

Insurer won't pay city's legal bills?

2012-01-04T09:13:00.000-08:00

Not much to go on in the Oregonian story. What bills and why won't the insurer reimburse the city? I would guess that it may involve the use of outside lawyers. Maybe we will find out later - but it looks like that until the city sues - the public will be kept in the dark.

"Obscuring a Muslim Name, and an American’s Sacrifice"

2012-01-03T13:45:00.000-08:00

That is the subtitle in this New York Times article Sept. 11 Memorial Obscures a Police Cadet’s Bravery. It starts off as seemingly lamenting the continuing hypocrisy that America is tolerant and inclusive society where religious freedom is guaranteed and protected, unless you happened to be a Muslim. But . . . .

Read the NY times, page 2, for this person's - a 911 first responder in the literal sense - courageous and honorable conduct, but "Mohammad Salman Hamdani is nowhere to be found in the long list of fallen first responders at the National September 11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan."

"Nor can his name be found among those of victims whose bodies were found in the wreckage of the north tower, where his body was finally discovered in 34 parts." But his name can be found in the section that "is for those who had only a loose connection, or none, to the World Trade Center."

Never mind that because of his name and heritage he was treated for months after the event - he died there and his remains had not been identified - as a possible suspect. Frankly though he was properly honored in other ways:

"He was buried after the Sept. 11 attacks with full honors from the New York Police Department, and proclaimed a hero by the city’s police commissioner. He is cited by name in the Patriot Act as an example of Muslim-American valor."

So was the failure to place his name on a more appropriate place on the memorial a Muslim religious slight or just a bureaucratic blunder? It may have been a bit of both but it seems more like a bureaucratic failure. However, as the Rev. Chloe Breyer, the executive director of the Interfaith Center of New York, stated:

“It shows an enormous lack of imagination on the part of the N.Y.P.D. and museum not to figure out a way to acknowledge adequately the special sacrifice he made and that his mother endures daily.”

How odd is this?

2012-01-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

2 Navy Pilots Among Dead in Murder, Suicide | Military.com:

Why can't the Dems front another candidate?

2012-01-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

Obama Signs into Law Indefinite Detention of Americans without Trial: "Some Americans may say that terrorism suspects should be stopped using any means necessary, and that if a few innocent people are imprisoned without trial by mistake, it’s unfortunate, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. However, there is now nothing to stop the current president of the United States, or the next one or the one after that, from taking advantage of the wording of the law and the fear of enemies to imprison whomever he chooses."

And what is terrorism according to the state department? Terrorism is "premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience." As the Huffington Post notes "[u]nder this definition, the entire United States can be seen as terrorists."

Obama the hypocrite: "The president strongly believes that to detain American citizens in military custody infinitely without trial, would be a break with our traditions and values as a nation, and wants to make sure that any type of authorization coming from congress, complies with our Constitution, our rules of war and any applicable laws.” [With Reservations, Obama Signs Act to Allow Detention of Citizens]

This president continues to appeal to an extremist view of acting outside of the US Constitution. If our constitution doesn't protects us from those like this president or the next one - who or what will?

The Democrats have not only abandoned their electoral base but the US Constitution and the rights afforded thereunder.

New York firebomb attack - not a hint of "terrorism"

2012-01-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

How come? What if the target was any other than a mosque or even a Hindu site? In this New York firebomb attacks hit mosque, Hindu site story the word "terriorism" can not be found. Although there is no hint as to the suspect, other than the car he or she was possibly driving, one wonders the content if the targets had not included Muslim mosques and the suspect was a Muslim. It is really not much of a change in facts - is it?

The firebomb attack surely comes within the definition of terrorism. See a dictionary's definition: "The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons."

But arguably the news article was correct in its absence of "terrorism." It is a word too amorphous for use against citizens or any resident of the United States. But because of Obama's signing of the National Defense Authorization Act - anyone on American soil suspected of terrorism can be detained indefinitely without civil rights thought to be guaranteed under the US Constitution.

Surely, if he could, Bin Laden must be smiling in his watery grave.

Why the fuss over the library measure of last Nov?

2012-01-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

When the county chairman Cogen determined not to put the potential library district to a vote it generated a spate of media articles and comments. He apparently thought that polls indicated that the district would fail. But other commissioners have tried to hype their support for the district by alleging the voters had already expressed overwhelming support.

Bah!.For no apparent reason - other than a failure to read the measure - it was assumed that the positive November vote meant that the district should be created, i.e., the public has indicated its support. There is no support for that proposition.

The measure on the November ballot was little more than a petition. Like a petition to put something on the ballot - those voting (instead of signing) only meant that the library district should be put to the vote just like the subject of the petition should be on the ballot.

See this on point comment from Dan Meek in the Oregonian PolitiFact Oregon column: "So, technically, [November] voters did not support ‘the idea of creating a district.’ They supported the idea of allowing Multnomah County to ask voters later for permission to create a district."

An argument for the death penalty

2012-01-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

If there ever was one. A third death penalty state appeal for Ore. serial killer Rogers. And what did he do? He has "been sentenced to death for the killings of six women in 1987. They were tortured, stabbed and mutilated. Their bodies were dumped in a Molalla forest."

If justice was to be done it would be fair that he be tortured, stabbed and mutilated - but death is close enough.

Iowa caucuses - how important?

2012-01-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

The CBS News story seems to say it all: The overhyped, unrepresentative Iowa caucuses. Never mind that this caucus represents a small percentage of actual Republican voters - mostly white only - and that "[t]he caucus process tends to attract only the most committed voters, which tends to skew the results in the direction of party activists rather than the more casual voters more likely to cast ballots in a primary."

But it has one saving grace - it is entertaining to see prospective candidates step all over themselves to appeal (beg) for some acknowledgement. And it is fun too to see how knowledgeable they are not and to read their inane comments.

Even for Democrats like myself who think that Obama has failed - it seems clear that his opposition at election time will be far from challenging.

Subsidizing an idea, and not a good one at that.

2012-01-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

The downtown sustainability center should be 2011's most ridiculous project. The recent Oregonian story Sustainability Center tops Portland's wish list points out the basic governing issue in Portland - establishing funding priorities based upon personal ideas rather than the needs of the city.

Forget that sustainability is a crock - the Sustainability Center is nothing more than greenwashing. The building is a $62 million project [the price tag is in question] that will create no jobs in any industry except for those temporarily involved in its construction. It is a make work program that public taxpayer's dollars will pay for with absolutely no return on the dollar. [See my post Sustainability Center at PSU raises financial concerns - you think?]

It will be a building of public employees, moving employees from one building to another, that will be paying more than reasonable lease rates at taxpayer expense. In 2009 a preliminary feasibility study indicated that the basic building costs just under $100 million with additional costs, e.g., streetcar rail realignment, between $16.5 and $22.5 million. Interesting too is that at the time the lease cost was estimated at $31.70 per rentable square foot, while the then current market rate was $25.00.

In August 2010 the Portland Business Journal had a somewhat lower cost figure - signaling the effort to downsize the cost - at $93 million. But no word on the additional costs - it is always better to keep the cost dollars as low as possible without absolute fraud. But, critics estimate that rentable square foot would have to be between $31 and $34 and that "[o]ne potential tenant, Portland-based Pivotal Investments, won’t pay more than $20 per square foot for office space." Hummm.

An August 2010 Oregonian [Portland Business Journal is a sister publication] story states that the building cost was $90 million (not $93) accomplished by lopping off one story. But the Oregonian piece is best read for definition of a "living building,". e.g., "It has "design features intended solely for human delight and the celebration of culture, spirit and place." You might legitimately ask - what?!

Another Oregonian piece in December 2011 puts the financial picture more into perspective. It appears the $62 million price tag came from lopping off several more building stories. It is now a 7 story high rise with "office rents as high as $40.25 per square foot, about 50 percent higher than downtown's Class A average now." It will not make much difference to have a lower building cost price tag when the lease rates are 50% higher than market rates.

The Oregonian article is one of the comprehensive reports on this building. Its headline and content notes the uncertainly of this building. E.g., the city is looking to non-profits for financial support, "[b]ut over time, the cost scared some of the nonprofits away. Of the original 10, four remain."

This proposed building is at PSU and they will be contributing, e.g., PSU would be trading "31,000 square feet that it rents for $497,000 a year for 35,000 square feet at $959,000 . . . ." But remember PSU is a public institution so their "contribution" will either come from Oregon taxpayer dollars or raised tuition.

Look - this Oregonian piece along with this one are the best written so far. It exposes the fallacy of implementing this "living building" concept. Even in the best of economic times the feasibility of this project is rife with problems - conceptual and economic.

More religious fanatics

2012-01-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

Al Jazeera

This time they are in Israel. A recent protest by extreme ultra-Orthodox Jews appears to have back-fired, and rightly so. Rather than the protest eliciting support or sympathy from the broader Jewish community - they have been condemned not because of their religious practices but because they chose to use repugnant Holocaust symbols.

Although the actual number of protesters is at issue, The Jerusalem Post indicates 1,500 while a story in Al Jazeera speaks of 1000s, their protest "is [against] a nationwide campaign directed against their lifestyle, implicitly comparing the current Israeli government to the Nazis."

The practices of the ultra-Orthodox Jews in the recent weeks had otherwise caused a backlash from the general community. Not only do they call for the strict separation of the sexes they have sought to enforce that on others by "their attempts to ban mixing of the sexes on buses, sidewalks and other public spaces." Al Jazeera notes too that "[i]n the city of Beit Shemesh, extremists have jeered and spit at girls walking to school, saying they are dressed immodestly."

Jerusalem Post

"At Saturday's protest, children with traditional sidelocks wore the striped black-and-white uniforms associated with Nazi concentration camps." [Al Jazeera]. And one sees in the images protesters wearing the most repugnant symbol the yellow star.

"The [Hitler] German government's policy of forcing Jews to wear badges [yellow star], and then confining all who wore them to ghettos, was a tactic aimed at isolating the Jews from the rest of the population. It enabled the German government to identify, concentrate, deprive, starve, and ultimately murder the Jews of Europe under its control." [Holocaust Badges].

But it is suggested that the use of yellow star as a protest symbol was just too extreme resulting in outright condemnation by the rest of the community. To non-Jews the Nazi swastika is the symbol of the most brutal oppression and genocide that occurred in Germany during WWII.

However, the Nazi's were not the first to use clothing or objects as symbols of antisemitism. In the Yellow Star it is noted that "in 807 CE [...], Abbassid caliph Haroun al-Raschid ordered all Jews to wear a yellow belt and a tall, cone-like hat." And in 1215 "the Fourth Lateran Council, presided over by Pope Innocent III [emphasis added], made its infamous decree [...]: Jews and Saracens [Muslims] of both sexes in every Christian province and at all times shall be marked off in the eyes of the public from other peoples through the character of their dress."

About.com

While the swastika became an antisemitism symbol, its historical use had been positive. "Until the Nazis used this symbol, the swastika was used by many cultures throughout the past 3,000 years to represent life, sun, power, strength, and good luck." [History of the Swastika].

But Hitler saw the swastika as representing "the mission of the struggle for the victory of the Aryan man, and, by the same token, the victory of the idea of creative work, which as such always has been and always will be anti-Semitic. (pg. 496-497)" [History of the Swastika].

One would have thought that these ultra-Orthodox Jews would have a clear understanding of the morally repugnant nature of the symbols. Arguably it was lost on them that "[s]ix million Jews were killed by German Nazis and their collaborators during World War II, and about 200,000 aging survivors of the Holocaust live in Israel." [Israeli Holocaust survivors condemn Nazi garb].

The article also notes that "[t]he American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors and their Descendants, an umbrella organization of survivors, expressed "utter contempt at this disgraceful exploitation" of the Nazi symbols." And quoting their vice president: "We who survived and witnessed these Nazi crimes are particularly offended that demonstrators so blithely used children in this public outrage" "They have insulted the memory of all the Jewish victims, including those who were ultra-Orthodox."

Imagery is a powerful tool in the sense that a picture is worth a thousand words. But It is also a dangerous tool because what may be conveyed is not what was intended. Some symbols have become so associated with morally repugnant expressions and evocations that they are unusable for any purpose however benign the intent.

Some sources:
Antisemitism: The Longest Hatred
The Holocaust - Comprehensive Resources About the Holocaust
Holocaust Badges
Yellow Star
History of the Swastika
The Swastika

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

What a trite and empty greeting. It has no more meaning than 'morning.' It seems that the most we as US citizens can hope for is something that might make the next year more bearable. Fortunately I have memories of truly good economic years where the American dream could be easily become a reality. What does the future hold for the growing unemployed and underemployed?

A more bearable year to you and yours.

Anonymous poster fired after exposure by NW Examiner

2011-12-31T13:32:00.000-08:00

[Editor: I republished this 2-11-11 post because of the comment that needs to see the light of today.]

The Daily Journal of Commerce has two articles on anonymous posting. One is the firing and the other is about the employer's role in "policing" employees' conduct.

Posting anonymously benefits the exercise of free speech and democracy. The fear of retribution, e.g., losing employment, stifles free speech. The fact that some abuse that right should not cause impositions of unreasonable restrictions on that expression.

Thus while websites have the right to determine content and to exclude those who violate established rules, exposing those who post anonymously acts as an unreasonable, albeit implied, restriction.
However, in this case I am not sure that Mr. Owendoff meant what he said, that is, one might suspect that he may have gotten some enjoyment out of stoking the fires. But his intent is irrelevant.

It is not clear that his worth to the employer was in fact lessen by the comments or exposure. Nor does it appear that his employer was in anyway harmed. Embarassed - maybe. But while the focus seems to have been on Mr. Owendoff's comments - the debate should be about the exposure by the NW Examiner.

While the right to free speech is not inviolate nor is the speaker necessarily anonymous, I submit that the NW Examiner should not have exposed him. It is one thing to determine the source (appropriate in rare instances), but it is quite another to disclose his identity (never appropriate unless legally required).

What did the NW Examiner gain out of this? Did this increase or decrease the credibility of the publication? Will it reduce posting anonymously? I happen to think that the newspaper is credible and fills a need in Portland, but I feel uncomfortable with their decision.

Newspapers have an important place in our democracy. They are to be defenders of that democracy. And part of that is to defend those who offer dissent. Arguably, this newspaper's action did not defend free speech but also stifled dissent.

See Principles of Journalism that defines the role of journalism. For example number 6: "IT MUST PROVIDE A FORUM FOR PUBLIC CRITICISM AND COMPROMISE."

The NW Examiner deserves criticism for engaging in what seems like petty revenge. Criticize me and I will out you. That does little to promote free speech or democracy.

Metro's top school salaries

2011-12-31T13:26:00.000-08:00

The Oregonian already had a good database on Oregon schools that covered state and federal ratings, but it has added a new category relating to the top school salaries for the local Metro. It is a new category but it is only the local Metro, that is, it is not statewide.

Take a quick peek at either the top paid employees, the highest paid principals, or the highest paid teachers. It doesn't take much of a peek to conclude that way too much money has been funneled to employee salaries. Take a particular look at the salaries associated with David Douglas School District which is not a well performing district.

The databases can be sorted and I would encourage taking a look at your favorite school district like Portland to see if something doesn't seem to be askew. It is a matter of perspective though.

Corbett Charter ranked third by Washington Post

2011-12-31T12:58:00.000-08:00

The Post has been doing the ranking of Washington D.C. public high schools for 13 years - but now it has gone national. What is significant and interesting is that Corbett Charter high school ranks 3rd nationally. [Ranking America's High Schools 2011].

Yes it is Corbett Charter in Corbett Oregon. The Great Schools ranking seems inconsistent. They show a score of 6 out of 10 based on test scores. But that it a total scoring on the full school k-12. A look at the 10th grade scoring indicates far better success. See too the Oregonian school database - Corbett does quite well especially in writing and science.

The school's website has this about the Post's ranking. "Ten Oregon schools made the list this year, led by Corbett Charter (3rd) and Corbett School (15th). The primary difference between the two Corbett School District programs was that Corbett Charter had a relatively smaller senior class while Corbett School had a larger senior class. Aside from that, the two schools performed very similarly. No other Oregon school is ranked in the top 700."

Frankly I am not sure what should be made of the Post's ranking - challenge index. "Divide the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or other college-level tests a school gave in 2010 by the number of graduating seniors." It is a matter of offering college-level tests and a high percentage of graduating seniors. Oregon seems to lacks badly in either category but especially in the number of seniors that graduate.

Thus as the Post notes: "While not a measure of the overall quality of the school, the rating can reveal the level of a high school’s commitment to preparing average students for college." The fact that no other schools than Corbetts were in the top 700 says something about Oregon's commitment.

Rival Christian monks brawl

2011-12-31T10:51:00.000-08:00

"Glory to God, and on earth peace, toward men of good will." [pause] Wham with a broom stick and the battle ensued. Can you believe it? And where did this holy event take place? At "[a]n annual Christmas cleaning ritual at the site where Jesus was said to be born [that] deteriorated into a mass brawl Wednesday when rival monks began attacking each other with broomsticks, shouts and fists."

Ah, Religion!

Economic inequality growing between lawmakers and constituents

2011-12-30T13:56:00.000-08:00

The Washington Post has the best story on this issue, but one wonders out loud "so?" Hasn't it always been as the World Socialist Web Site puts it - Government of the rich, by rich and for the rich? Having them say it often skews the value of the content - after all who wants to be in agreement with a bunch of socialists? But it still seems that way - doesn't it?

Take a look at the Post's article - one wonders just how much of the wealth accumulation came only by their position? Of course there are those who were independently wealthy before entering politics, but many were not necessarily wealthy however one wants to define that term.

Isn't the growing wealth divide between members of congress and constituents a cause of the disaffection? 84% disapproval rating is not good at anytime. Political representatives are for the most part detached from the life of most Americans. There is nothing similar about our lives, especially aspirations. The only time they seem like us is when they spout their election rhetoric.

For the most part - because there are always exceptions - politicians live well cared for by the taxpayer and those that contribute to campaigns. If it is not on the taxpayer's bill, it is otherwise on the cuff. But the problem isn't necessarily the wealth or life style of politicians - it is the ethics or lack thereof where the problem lies.

Check out the list: How many US senators and congressmen are convicted felons. And take notice that insider trading is not illegal for congress members. See this Economist's aptly titled article: Insider trading and Congress: Capitol crimes.

Lord Acton in 1887: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

US arms deal with Iraq

2011-12-30T12:42:00.000-08:00

"Deal including $11bn worth of advanced fighter jets and tanks comes with Iraqi mired in worsening political crisis." [US pushes ahead with arms deal to Iraq].

What kind of deal is this? How does this help the American economy rebound? Who gets the bulk of the $11billion? Certainly not the taxpayer nor anyone else but a few in the war supporting industry. Maybe the war wasn't about oil but war munitions and armament?

Take a peek at the oil fields page from the Infographic. Just how many American oil companies are benefiting? How much of that oil has the US secured for itself? What part of the trillion of dollars spent in US are being paid by the Iraq government for our "rescue" from Saddam?

Infographic: US ends Iraq war chapter

2011-12-30T12:25:00.000-08:00

"A deeper look at Iraq's ethnic composition, military bases, private contractors, casualties and oil fields." [Infographic: US ends Iraq war chapter - Interactive].

Nicely done and well worth the view.

Cigarettes at about $6.48 a pack

2011-12-30T12:18:00.000-08:00

Well it is really about 5 Euros for a 19 cigarette pack in Germany. I don't smoke but thought that was high. But I looked for the cost of a pack of cigarettes in the US - and to my surprise some states are much higher than $6.48 or about 5 Euros. In fact there are about 20 states much higher. New York pays $11.90 for a pack - I assume 20 to a pack though.

Somehow it doesn't seem fair that smokers - an addiction - have to pay so much for their addiction. It seems clear that it is an addiction like many addictions that cost is not an issue to feeding the addiction. But worse than the addiction is the damage it apparently causes to the health and welfare of the individual and, arguably, those around the smoker.

Why are cigarettes still produced - he asks rhetorically?