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"Michael says..." - Index to the Articles
Michael says...
What Did These Graduates Really Learn?
posted July 24, 2002
Dartmouth College's commencement speaker back in June
was Fred Rogers, of TV's Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood fame. The college president
selects the speaker, and said some of the criteria for a good speaker were
someone students could look up to, who can draw from experience, and who can
make timely remarks. Past speakers have included Bill Clinton, Robert Reich,
Madeleine Albright and George Mitchell. A number
of the students were outspoken in their disdain; a history major, for example,
said "It's like Barney the dinosaur speaking at or graduation. We're 22
years old and we're getting lectured by a guy who plays with puppets for a
living." (Which shows he know little about Rogers beyond his perceptions
from watching him in his youth). A graduating philosophy major "had
hoped for someone more awe-evoking. Some secretary of the U.N., or Giuliani,
or a human rights leader." (Michael philosophizes on the deeper meanings:
"Someone whose prestigious current political status would provide us with
some good bragging rights about who spoke to us, not that we're likely to
listen or learn then either.")
Michael says...
Pollution - the enemy is us?
posted March 18 - July 23, 2002 An
Associated Press article the other day tells of a three year analysis of water
samples in 30 states, conducted by hydrologists with the U.S. Geologic Survey,
for 95 common compounds, an emerging class known as pharmaceutical and personal
care pollutants. What they found was that the nation's waterways are awash in
traces (sounds like an oxymoron, huh?) of chemicals used in beauty aids and
medicine, foods and cleansers.
Full Article
Michael says...
Seeing through a security scam
posted December 17, 2001 - March 18, 2002
As a result of the September 11 attacks, the FAA
is again looking at body scanning machines previously considered too invasive,
or at least, immodest. The Rapiscan 1000, for example, will certainly show
anything from belt buckles and keys, to cell phones to hidden weapons - along
with pretty clear images of certain body parts. Now, perhaps such privacy is no
entitlement in another setting, a prison, for example (where it is used; the
U.S. Customs Service also uses it). But for those traveling through
airports, finding metal or other solid objects on the body's image ought to
provide sufficient security.
Full Article
Michael says...
Don't eat that sacred cow... er, dog
posted December 17, 2001 - March 18, 2002 French actress
Brigitte
Bardot has become an animal rights activist in her old age... well, actually,
her fanaticism on that front began when she was middle-aged. Recently she sent a protest letter to South Koreans over their country's dog-eating
culture.
Full Article
Michael
says...
War... and Peace
posted October 12 - November 5, 2001
September 11 was a sad and tragic day. If
any good came out of it, it had to be in some of the values it brought many of
us back to:
a renewed sense of the importance of family, and of friends; increased respect
for police, firefighters and other emergency workers; recognition of our own
vulnerability, individually and as a nation, and the need to protect ourselves
from assault; patriotism, pride in our nation's strength and ability to react
appropriately; and for most, at least for a time, a spirituality much
different than just before.
Full Article
Michael says...
"Do As We Say..." and other oddities
posted August 10 - October 11, 2001
On Thursday, August 9, Microsoft discovered that
one of the two Code Red worms had infected several of the servers hosting their
MSN Hotmail - this after weeks of Microsoft urging the public to patch computers
running its (Windows NT or 2000) software in order to prevent Code Red
infections. Did someone at Microsoft not trust their own patch? Nah, had to be
an oversight - but you'd think...
Full Article
Michael says...
Do Your Part Towards Online Privacy
posted July 9 - August 10, 2001
Last Thursday, Eli
Lilly and Co. disclosed that they recently messed up big time, however they
didn't quite take responsibility for it. They apologized and called it a
"programming error." Some error!
Full Article
Michael says...
(Lack of) Confidence in Government Agencies
posted June 29 - August 10, 2001
Government is often the butt of jokes.
Conservatives and many others object to "big" government and its
"interference" with business and in the lives of individual citizens.
Many of us, however, value governmental protections - beyond constitutional
guarantees, to such things as health and safety. Recent news regarding tire
recalls is disturbing.
Full Article
Michael says...
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!
posted June 4 - 28, 2001
Auto racing continues to be the fastest growing
sport in the USA. Smart marketing has something to do with it certainly, yet
simply viewing a race is usually enough to add to the number of fans. This was
the inaugural weekend at the Kansas Speedway not far from where I live. That,
and viewing NASCAR's Coca Cola 600 on TV last week prompts a few observations.
Full Article
Michael says...
Derby Protest, and Sportsmanship
posted May 15 - June 3, 2001
At the recent Kentucky Derby race, the horse
Monarchos, riden by jockey Jorge Chavez, was the clear winner. Second was
Invisible Ink, riden by jockey John Velazquez.
Full Article
Michael says...
Economics and floods
posted April 27 - May 15, 2001
It's partly due to annual snow melt further north,
but mostly due to above average seasonal rains. River flooding on the
upper Mississippi. Our hearts go out to the individuals and families whose homes
or businesses have been affected... or whose employers have been, and therefore
it has hurt their workers' livelihood.
Full Article
Michael says...
Vote for me ?
posted April 4 -
20, 2001
Recently there were local elections around here.
I'm no longer totally skeptical of all those running for office, even where campaign
spending far exceeds the compensation the position pays. I've met and know some
of these people. Some are genuinely interested in public service. Some, it feeds
their ego as well, but every job has to provide some benefit to entice qualified
workers. Those who endorse candidates, give or raise funds and otherwise work on
their behalf are often interested in what is best for the community rather than
to somehow feather their own nest in some way.
Full Article
Michael says...
Why Take The Train?
posted March 20 - April 4, 2001
Just after midnight last Saturday night, an Amtrak
train derailed in Nodaway, Iowa, cutting short spring break ski trips to
Colorado, delaying reunions of various sorts, killing one passenger and injuring
96 others.
Full Article
Michael says...
Leave Music Trivia To The Music Trivia Buffs
posted March 20 - April 4, 2001
John Phillips died at
age 65 of a heart attack. The CBS News story
posted on iwon.com is relatively brief, yet throws in this background: "The best known of their hits include California
Dreamin,' I Saw Her Again Last Night, Monday, Monday and Puff the Magic Dragon."
Full Article
Michael says...
Shooting In Schools... 15 Minutes Of Fame
posted March 12 - 19, 2001
Last week I saw 15 Minutes, the new movie
starring Robert DeNiro and Edward Burns. They both turned in great performances,
but the real stars were a couple of unknowns. Perhaps you guessed, or knew, the
title is derived from the Andy Warhol quote that someday everyone will have 15
minutes of fame. The movie, besides being a good cops flick, is a commentary on
how certain television shows may provide that fame, and how that may figure into
the equation of why some people engage in ugly, antisocial, and sometimes even
violent behavior.
Full Article
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