Monday, May 31, 2010
Ink Spots: The 2010 NSS document. Catch-all kitchen sink-ism,
This seems to be a consensus among those that have read the document.
In a nutshell for those that do not have the patience to read the NSS:
"National security" is construed so broadly as to incorporate basically every element of American political, economic, and military strength.
Yep. That about sums it up.
In a nutshell for those that do not have the patience to read the NSS:
"National security" is construed so broadly as to incorporate basically every element of American political, economic, and military strength.
Yep. That about sums it up.
John J. Miller has this just about right. Be fair folks.
In Memoriam
Some conservatives have criticized President Obama because he won't pay homage to America's fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery today. Instead, he will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Illinois. This is a silly controversy and has the potential to make the complainers look petty. Thousands of American veterans are buried at national cemeteries that aren't as famous as the one at Arlington. These heroes are worthy of presidential visits on Memorial Day, too.
Some conservatives have criticized President Obama because he won't pay homage to America's fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery today. Instead, he will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Illinois. This is a silly controversy and has the potential to make the complainers look petty. Thousands of American veterans are buried at national cemeteries that aren't as famous as the one at Arlington. These heroes are worthy of presidential visits on Memorial Day, too.
The Barbary Wars, Part the Third
Concluding section of the 1953 Navy documentary relating the story of the Quasi-War with France, and the Barbary Wars
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Old Time Radio for Memorial Day: Wartime Broadcasts of Orson Welles
Programs:
Gulf Screen Guild Theater - Between Americans by Norman Corwin
We Hold These Truths
Nazi Eyes on Canada - Alameda
Command Performance
Fifth War Loan Drive
G I Journal
The Liberation of Paris
Columbia Presents Corwin - 14 August by Norman Corwin
Dorris Miller Tribute
Gulf Screen Guild Theater - Between Americans by Norman Corwin
We Hold These Truths
Nazi Eyes on Canada - Alameda
Command Performance
Fifth War Loan Drive
G I Journal
The Liberation of Paris
Columbia Presents Corwin - 14 August by Norman Corwin
Dorris Miller Tribute
Tuckered Out
Whew! We've had quite the busy weekend and we are all.tuckered.out. Especially the little one, she had her fill of playtime with the cousins and swimtime and taking her first big strides across the grass time. She's quite the walker now, yes she is.
I was busy too, buying a few things at Christie Antique Show. I'll have to take some pics and share them with you. How was your weekend? Hope it was filled with sunshine and loveliness.
************************
And the winner of HandyMan's book, Wine By Design 2nd Edition is......... Tara at the cinnamon post!!! Congratulations Tara! Please email me your address at ramblingrenovators@gmail.com and I will send the book off to you.
Thanks everyone for entering!
Old Time Radio for Memorial Day: "Soldiers of the Press"
A sampling of the transcribed series here. More information on the show from the Internet Archive:
SOLDIERS OF THE PRESS Soldiers of the Press is a war drama that was created in New York and syndicated by World Broadcasting System. Little is known about the series or the total number of episodes. Each episode is 15 minutes long and retold a recent news story from action during World War II. The series was narrated by United Press correspondents...
SOLDIERS OF THE PRESS Soldiers of the Press is a war drama that was created in New York and syndicated by World Broadcasting System. Little is known about the series or the total number of episodes. Each episode is 15 minutes long and retold a recent news story from action during World War II. The series was narrated by United Press correspondents...
Old Time Radio For Memorial Day, "Your Army Air Forces"
Radio program, 13 episodes, from 1945. Old Time Radio Program. The first show, Interview with a Bomb. Another, on the GI Bill, another on radar.
my final post ever...
i will be speaking about my films and the cinema in general at the t2f this sunday from 1730 hours. if you are in karachi, or know someone who would be interested, please come by and spread the word.
Taking back Lollywood, one screening at a time!
Taking back Lollywood, one screening at a time!
A year ago, Ahmer Naqvi decided to leave the megalomaniac world of the Pakistani media, determined to find something better to say, using another medium - film. For the past year, he has been making short films as a Masters student. He now comes to the T2F to talk about his own work, its relationship to Pakistan as well as the state of cinema within the country. He also brings with him vague pretensions of beginning a movement of young Pakistani artists - sick of obsessing about the country's politics and its image abroad - but eager to explore the dramatic, breathless reality which is life in Pakistan. Join us for a screening of his works accompanied by a wide ranging discussion on everything from Maula Jutt to Jean-Luc Godard, and whatever comes in between.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Can computers understand? Not according to Roger Penrose
Very low tech pre-powerpoint presentation, and interesting. For those that are Ppt haters; wouldn't this presentation flow more smoothly if Penrose were not constantly shuffling papers back and forth off ye olde overhead projector? Geez. Give the man a clicker.
Friday, May 28, 2010
LOCAL ACCESS VIDEO: Community Forum 05.26.10 broadcast
GUEST: Gary Goncalves, 2009 Danbury mayoral candidate
Supe's defense as it appear at the New York Times web site
What is this? The freeze-dried version?
Hmmm. Anyone notice a difference between this.....
To the Editor:
I disagree that “mediocrity is the norm” at our service academies (“The Academies’ March Toward Mediocrity,” by Bruce Fleming, Op-Ed, May 21). They are designed to graduate leaders immersed in the traditions and values of their respective services, and motivated to share and sustain those traditions and values throughout our armed forces.
United States Naval Academy standards remain high, and our graduates exemplify excellence. But the ultimate measure of the academies’ value is the performance of our graduates.
Across the board, we receive feedback that when they report to their units, these young leaders are ready and are performing superbly in your Navy and Marine Corps. Recently they have been called upon to provide disaster assistance in Haiti, conduct antipiracy operations off the Horn of Africa and fight in Afghanistan and Iraq.
I am confident that our young leaders prove their mettle every day in defense of our nation.
Jeffrey L. Fowler
Annapolis, Md., May 27, 2010
And this...
Military Academies: A National Treasure
May 27, 2010
By Vice Admiral Jeffrey L. Fowler, U.S. Navy, Superintendent,
U.S. Naval Academy
Developing our nation’s future military officers is an important national priority. Professional military officers, and the training and education systems that prepare these leaders, significantly contribute to the armed forces’ ability to promote peace and prevail in war.
A May 21st opinion piece in the New York Times, The Academies’ March Toward Mediocrity, casts doubt on the effectiveness of our military academies in producing the qualified leaders needed to serve in our armed services. The author of the op-ed specifically states that “mediocrity is the norm” at our academies. I strongly disagree with the author’s assertions and conclusions.
My perspective on the value of our military academies emerges from 32 years of naval service to include five command tours of duty, operating with our nation’s other military branches and allied nations, and encountering the full spectrum of military operations. I have observed countless military academy graduates over my career and can say without the slightest hesitation that these graduates make significant contributions to the well-being of our forces and demonstrate their value to our national defense on a daily basis. As the superintendent of the Naval Academy for the past three years, I have been honored to guide the development process of thousands of midshipmen and can state with confidence that we provide the Navy and Marine Corps with superb young officers who prove their mettle every day in the mountains and villages of Afghanistan, and on, above and below the world’s sea lanes.
The op-ed author seems to base his opposition to the academies on three tenets. The first is academy graduates cost more than Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates and this additional cost is not providing the taxpayer with a superior product. The second is that a focus on intercollegiate athletics has had a detrimental impact on the academies’ “pursuit of excellence.” And the third is that there is “an unofficial affirmative-action preference in [academy] admissions.” I will address each of these arguments in turn.
The military academies are of course not the sole source of our nation’s officers. For more than a half-century, our officer commissioning sources have included academies, university ROTC programs and officer candidate schools (OCS). Periodic discussions that frame the commissioning source debate as simply a one-or-the-other option dismiss the fact that our military benefits from the distinctive qualities offered by each commissioning source. The military academies have the unique role of providing officers who are immersed in the traditions and values of their respective services and motivated to share and sustain those traditions and values throughout our armed forces. Those who enter the military via ROTC or OCS bring their own unique perspectives and experiences, but have not had the same intense exposure to the daily routine of military life.
The cost associated with educating a Naval Academy midshipman is also far less than stated in the May 21st op-ed. When a midshipman fails to complete the academy program and is charged for their four-year education, that bill comes to $170,000, a figure established by the Department of the Navy. The costs associated with educating an academy student are in fact comparable to or less than the total realized costs of educating an ROTC student at select private or other state-funded universities. At the Naval Academy we take seriously our obligation to the American taxpayers to achieve the maximum return on their investment.
Service academies, as compared to other commissioning sources, also have the ability to quickly adapt academic, leadership and professional curricula to emerging threats and changing world conditions. Simply stated, Naval Academy programs reflect the needs of the customer – the active duty Navy and Marine Corps. Since we control what is taught in academic and professional courses, the Naval Academy has, for example, over the past three years been able to quickly increase foreign language and cultural exposure, initiate cyber warfare studies, adjust engineering and science courses, and tailor ethical decision making case studies to the reality of today’s warfare - all to better prepare our graduates to serve in an increasingly interdependent and dynamic world.
In response to the op-ed author’s concern about athletic excellence, I must stress that the academies graduate physically fit leaders, not merely scholars. All academy students are student-athletes who strive for physical development via daily fitness routines and either mandatory intramurals, club sports or varsity athletics. While it may be popular to diminish the value of athletic competition at the intercollegiate level, the military academies represent some of the best examples of student-athletes who compete at the highest levels. This commitment to excellence on the field complements the classroom, where the Naval Academy continually ranks number one or two in the nation for student-athlete graduation rates.
Our commitment to athletics also contributes to our midshipmen learning about teamwork, esprit de corps and overcoming adversity. Naval Academy student-athlete graduates are serving faithfully at all levels of the Navy and Marine Corps, from the most junior officers to 4-star admirals, including two former Naval Academy varsity athletes who between them lead U.S. military operations spanning two-thirds of the globe.
Finally, I will address our admissions process. The service academies are national institutions due to our mission to produce leaders for our nation and because our student bodies are comprised of the talent from every corner of America. We search diligently in every congressional district for candidates who are well-rounded morally, mentally and physically, and offer the experience and perspectives that enrich the life of the academy and our military. The backgrounds of these potential candidates cross all racial, gender, ethnic, socio-economic, religious and geographic lines.
I must emphasize that we admit only highly motivated, well-rounded individuals based upon their combined excellence in academics, athletics, leadership potential and community service. Applicants compete in a single, fair, structured and highly selective process. Simply stated, the Naval Academy’s admissions processes are in accordance with applicable federal laws and based on an individual’s performance and potential for future success as a naval officer.
Not surprisingly, the competition to receive appointments to the academies is intense. Every academy has encountered an increase in the numbers of applicants over the last few years. This increase in applicants goes far beyond economic reasons and reflects the fact that young Americans want to tackle the challenge of an academy, gain useful real-world leadership experiences and be part of something bigger than themselves. Witnessing the commitment to service prevalent across the nation, this generation is running toward the fire, not away from it.
We believe the Naval Academy’s reputation for excellence – both past and present – is enduring. We seek young men and women who will be able to balance a demanding academic, physical and leadership development curriculum. As a result, the military academies have been and continue to be ranked among the nation’s very top colleges. Many educators, guidance counselors, professional associations and the media recognize the academies for their challenging, progressive and effectual educational programs.
Important indicators at the Naval Academy point to a program that demonstrates excellence, not “mediocrity.” A 10-year analysis of semester GPA’s shows an upward trend in spite of an increasingly demanding curriculum and an unwavering commitment to maintain the highest of standards in the classroom. During this same timeframe, we note similar progress in our cumulative multiple that measures a student’s combined academic, physical and military performance.
The number of midshipmen achieving recognition on the academy’s very competitive merit lists has increased, including a doubling of the minority students achieving this distinction over the past 10 years. Nearly 84% of the Naval Academy Class of 2010, all completing a demanding technical course load, will graduate in four years. This achievement very favorably compares to the national average that approaches 30% and 55% for the four- and six-year graduation rates, respectively.
The ultimate measure of the academies’ value, however, is the performance of our graduates. Across the board, the feedback we receive is that recent academy graduates are performing superbly, and our Navy and Marine Corps are well served by these leaders. The senior enlisted and officer leaders of our Navy and Marine Corps are telling us that when our graduates report to their units, these young men and women are ready. And those units and our graduates in recent months have been called upon to provide disaster assistance in Haiti, conduct anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa and engage in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is no room for mediocrity in these operational theaters and our graduates are proving they are up for the challenge.
A recent decision by the Navy SEALS, arguably one of the most selective and demanding training programs in our military, again points to the quality of Naval Academy graduates. To head off undesirable attrition rates in training, the SEALs increased the dispersal of Naval Academy graduates undergoing SEAL training with officers from other commissioning sources. The Naval Academy graduates’ high performance and example of teamwork and drive helped to influence their peers and achieve a noticeable decrease in overall attrition within the SEAL training pipeline.
We receive additional feedback from our congressionally mandated board of visitors—comprised of elected officials, business executives and educators who are appointed by either Congress or the President. These very experienced and accomplished leaders continue to applaud the academies’ accomplishments, contributions and direction.
Lastly, the military academies continue to do more than simply graduate officers. As “leadership laboratories” for our students, the mission of the military academies has and continues to include an obligation to graduate leaders to serve the nation. Academy graduates have and will continue to contribute to the military and nation in many ways. Whether our graduates serve a career in the military, or assume positions in government, business and education, academy graduates are highly sought out for their leadership skills and propensity to succeed.
The one point upon which I do agree with the op-ed author is that the academies must always remain vigilant to maintain the level of excellence demanded by our citizens and continually assess and monitor our progress. I believe we are maintaining the highest standards, preparing our young men and women for the complex and volatile world they will face and graduating extraordinary leaders to serve our Navy, Marine Corps and nation. As we march forward, we march only in one direction and that is the direction of selfless service and professional excellence.
To the Editor:
I disagree that “mediocrity is the norm” at our service academies (“The Academies’ March Toward Mediocrity,” by Bruce Fleming, Op-Ed, May 21). They are designed to graduate leaders immersed in the traditions and values of their respective services, and motivated to share and sustain those traditions and values throughout our armed forces.
United States Naval Academy standards remain high, and our graduates exemplify excellence. But the ultimate measure of the academies’ value is the performance of our graduates.
Across the board, we receive feedback that when they report to their units, these young leaders are ready and are performing superbly in your Navy and Marine Corps. Recently they have been called upon to provide disaster assistance in Haiti, conduct antipiracy operations off the Horn of Africa and fight in Afghanistan and Iraq.
I am confident that our young leaders prove their mettle every day in defense of our nation.
Jeffrey L. Fowler
Annapolis, Md., May 27, 2010
And this...
Military Academies: A National Treasure
May 27, 2010
By Vice Admiral Jeffrey L. Fowler, U.S. Navy, Superintendent,
U.S. Naval Academy
Developing our nation’s future military officers is an important national priority. Professional military officers, and the training and education systems that prepare these leaders, significantly contribute to the armed forces’ ability to promote peace and prevail in war.
A May 21st opinion piece in the New York Times, The Academies’ March Toward Mediocrity, casts doubt on the effectiveness of our military academies in producing the qualified leaders needed to serve in our armed services. The author of the op-ed specifically states that “mediocrity is the norm” at our academies. I strongly disagree with the author’s assertions and conclusions.
My perspective on the value of our military academies emerges from 32 years of naval service to include five command tours of duty, operating with our nation’s other military branches and allied nations, and encountering the full spectrum of military operations. I have observed countless military academy graduates over my career and can say without the slightest hesitation that these graduates make significant contributions to the well-being of our forces and demonstrate their value to our national defense on a daily basis. As the superintendent of the Naval Academy for the past three years, I have been honored to guide the development process of thousands of midshipmen and can state with confidence that we provide the Navy and Marine Corps with superb young officers who prove their mettle every day in the mountains and villages of Afghanistan, and on, above and below the world’s sea lanes.
The op-ed author seems to base his opposition to the academies on three tenets. The first is academy graduates cost more than Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates and this additional cost is not providing the taxpayer with a superior product. The second is that a focus on intercollegiate athletics has had a detrimental impact on the academies’ “pursuit of excellence.” And the third is that there is “an unofficial affirmative-action preference in [academy] admissions.” I will address each of these arguments in turn.
The military academies are of course not the sole source of our nation’s officers. For more than a half-century, our officer commissioning sources have included academies, university ROTC programs and officer candidate schools (OCS). Periodic discussions that frame the commissioning source debate as simply a one-or-the-other option dismiss the fact that our military benefits from the distinctive qualities offered by each commissioning source. The military academies have the unique role of providing officers who are immersed in the traditions and values of their respective services and motivated to share and sustain those traditions and values throughout our armed forces. Those who enter the military via ROTC or OCS bring their own unique perspectives and experiences, but have not had the same intense exposure to the daily routine of military life.
The cost associated with educating a Naval Academy midshipman is also far less than stated in the May 21st op-ed. When a midshipman fails to complete the academy program and is charged for their four-year education, that bill comes to $170,000, a figure established by the Department of the Navy. The costs associated with educating an academy student are in fact comparable to or less than the total realized costs of educating an ROTC student at select private or other state-funded universities. At the Naval Academy we take seriously our obligation to the American taxpayers to achieve the maximum return on their investment.
Service academies, as compared to other commissioning sources, also have the ability to quickly adapt academic, leadership and professional curricula to emerging threats and changing world conditions. Simply stated, Naval Academy programs reflect the needs of the customer – the active duty Navy and Marine Corps. Since we control what is taught in academic and professional courses, the Naval Academy has, for example, over the past three years been able to quickly increase foreign language and cultural exposure, initiate cyber warfare studies, adjust engineering and science courses, and tailor ethical decision making case studies to the reality of today’s warfare - all to better prepare our graduates to serve in an increasingly interdependent and dynamic world.
In response to the op-ed author’s concern about athletic excellence, I must stress that the academies graduate physically fit leaders, not merely scholars. All academy students are student-athletes who strive for physical development via daily fitness routines and either mandatory intramurals, club sports or varsity athletics. While it may be popular to diminish the value of athletic competition at the intercollegiate level, the military academies represent some of the best examples of student-athletes who compete at the highest levels. This commitment to excellence on the field complements the classroom, where the Naval Academy continually ranks number one or two in the nation for student-athlete graduation rates.
Our commitment to athletics also contributes to our midshipmen learning about teamwork, esprit de corps and overcoming adversity. Naval Academy student-athlete graduates are serving faithfully at all levels of the Navy and Marine Corps, from the most junior officers to 4-star admirals, including two former Naval Academy varsity athletes who between them lead U.S. military operations spanning two-thirds of the globe.
Finally, I will address our admissions process. The service academies are national institutions due to our mission to produce leaders for our nation and because our student bodies are comprised of the talent from every corner of America. We search diligently in every congressional district for candidates who are well-rounded morally, mentally and physically, and offer the experience and perspectives that enrich the life of the academy and our military. The backgrounds of these potential candidates cross all racial, gender, ethnic, socio-economic, religious and geographic lines.
I must emphasize that we admit only highly motivated, well-rounded individuals based upon their combined excellence in academics, athletics, leadership potential and community service. Applicants compete in a single, fair, structured and highly selective process. Simply stated, the Naval Academy’s admissions processes are in accordance with applicable federal laws and based on an individual’s performance and potential for future success as a naval officer.
Not surprisingly, the competition to receive appointments to the academies is intense. Every academy has encountered an increase in the numbers of applicants over the last few years. This increase in applicants goes far beyond economic reasons and reflects the fact that young Americans want to tackle the challenge of an academy, gain useful real-world leadership experiences and be part of something bigger than themselves. Witnessing the commitment to service prevalent across the nation, this generation is running toward the fire, not away from it.
We believe the Naval Academy’s reputation for excellence – both past and present – is enduring. We seek young men and women who will be able to balance a demanding academic, physical and leadership development curriculum. As a result, the military academies have been and continue to be ranked among the nation’s very top colleges. Many educators, guidance counselors, professional associations and the media recognize the academies for their challenging, progressive and effectual educational programs.
Important indicators at the Naval Academy point to a program that demonstrates excellence, not “mediocrity.” A 10-year analysis of semester GPA’s shows an upward trend in spite of an increasingly demanding curriculum and an unwavering commitment to maintain the highest of standards in the classroom. During this same timeframe, we note similar progress in our cumulative multiple that measures a student’s combined academic, physical and military performance.
The number of midshipmen achieving recognition on the academy’s very competitive merit lists has increased, including a doubling of the minority students achieving this distinction over the past 10 years. Nearly 84% of the Naval Academy Class of 2010, all completing a demanding technical course load, will graduate in four years. This achievement very favorably compares to the national average that approaches 30% and 55% for the four- and six-year graduation rates, respectively.
The ultimate measure of the academies’ value, however, is the performance of our graduates. Across the board, the feedback we receive is that recent academy graduates are performing superbly, and our Navy and Marine Corps are well served by these leaders. The senior enlisted and officer leaders of our Navy and Marine Corps are telling us that when our graduates report to their units, these young men and women are ready. And those units and our graduates in recent months have been called upon to provide disaster assistance in Haiti, conduct anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa and engage in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is no room for mediocrity in these operational theaters and our graduates are proving they are up for the challenge.
A recent decision by the Navy SEALS, arguably one of the most selective and demanding training programs in our military, again points to the quality of Naval Academy graduates. To head off undesirable attrition rates in training, the SEALs increased the dispersal of Naval Academy graduates undergoing SEAL training with officers from other commissioning sources. The Naval Academy graduates’ high performance and example of teamwork and drive helped to influence their peers and achieve a noticeable decrease in overall attrition within the SEAL training pipeline.
We receive additional feedback from our congressionally mandated board of visitors—comprised of elected officials, business executives and educators who are appointed by either Congress or the President. These very experienced and accomplished leaders continue to applaud the academies’ accomplishments, contributions and direction.
Lastly, the military academies continue to do more than simply graduate officers. As “leadership laboratories” for our students, the mission of the military academies has and continues to include an obligation to graduate leaders to serve the nation. Academy graduates have and will continue to contribute to the military and nation in many ways. Whether our graduates serve a career in the military, or assume positions in government, business and education, academy graduates are highly sought out for their leadership skills and propensity to succeed.
The one point upon which I do agree with the op-ed author is that the academies must always remain vigilant to maintain the level of excellence demanded by our citizens and continually assess and monitor our progress. I believe we are maintaining the highest standards, preparing our young men and women for the complex and volatile world they will face and graduating extraordinary leaders to serve our Navy, Marine Corps and nation. As we march forward, we march only in one direction and that is the direction of selfless service and professional excellence.
Did the print version have the full letter? Come on New York Times. You can do better than that.
Empirical data as concerns the worth of the Naval Academy as a source of officers
A 117 page 2008 study from the Naval Post Graduate School Very much apropos of the ongoing debate. Long, dense, but well worth a long sit and careful reading!
From the abstract:
The analysis finds that the Naval Academy has been
and continues to be the primary source of officer accessions during periods of reduced officer requirements in the Navy. Additionally, it finds that, while all naval officers perform superbly, U.S. Naval Academy graduates generally tend to have an advantage in performance during various points of their career. Due to this retention and performance differential, the larger initial cost of the education of Naval Academy graduates tends to yield a positive return to the Navy over an officer’s career. Recommendations include operating the Naval Academy at
full capacity, while maintaining the necessary flow of ROTC and OCS graduates.
The Supe responds
To the NYT editorial by Dr. Fleming..
Military Academies: A National Treasure
May 27, 2010
By Vice Admiral Jeffrey L. Fowler, U.S. Navy, Superintendent,
U.S. Naval Academy
Developing our nation’s future military officers is an important national priority. Professional military officers, and the training and education systems that prepare these leaders, significantly contribute to the armed forces’ ability to promote peace and prevail in war.
A May 21st opinion piece in the New York Times, The Academies’ March Toward Mediocrity, casts doubt on the effectiveness of our military academies in producing the qualified leaders needed to serve in our armed services. The author of the op-ed specifically states that “mediocrity is the norm” at our academies. I strongly disagree with the author’s assertions and conclusions.
My perspective on the value of our military academies emerges from 32 years of naval service to include five command tours of duty, operating with our nation’s other military branches and allied nations, and encountering the full spectrum of military operations. I have observed countless military academy graduates over my career and can say without the slightest hesitation that these graduates make significant contributions to the well-being of our forces and demonstrate their value to our national defense on a daily basis. As the superintendent of the Naval Academy for the past three years, I have been honored to guide the development process of thousands of midshipmen and can state with confidence that we provide the Navy and Marine Corps with superb young officers who prove their mettle every day in the mountains and villages of Afghanistan, and on, above and below the world’s sea lanes.
The op-ed author seems to base his opposition to the academies on three tenets. The first is academy graduates cost more than Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates and this additional cost is not providing the taxpayer with a superior product. The second is that a focus on intercollegiate athletics has had a detrimental impact on the academies’ “pursuit of excellence.” And the third is that there is “an unofficial affirmative-action preference in [academy] admissions.” I will address each of these arguments in turn.
The military academies are of course not the sole source of our nation’s officers. For more than a half-century, our officer commissioning sources have included academies, university ROTC programs and officer candidate schools (OCS). Periodic discussions that frame the commissioning source debate as simply a one-or-the-other option dismiss the fact that our military benefits from the distinctive qualities offered by each commissioning source. The military academies have the unique role of providing officers who are immersed in the traditions and values of their respective services and motivated to share and sustain those traditions and values throughout our armed forces. Those who enter the military via ROTC or OCS bring their own unique perspectives and experiences, but have not had the same intense exposure to the daily routine of military life.
The cost associated with educating a Naval Academy midshipman is also far less than stated in the May 21st op-ed. When a midshipman fails to complete the academy program and is charged for their four-year education, that bill comes to $170,000, a figure established by the Department of the Navy. The costs associated with educating an academy student are in fact comparable to or less than the total realized costs of educating an ROTC student at select private or other state-funded universities. At the Naval Academy we take seriously our obligation to the American taxpayers to achieve the maximum return on their investment.
Service academies, as compared to other commissioning sources, also have the ability to quickly adapt academic, leadership and professional curricula to emerging threats and changing world conditions. Simply stated, Naval Academy programs reflect the needs of the customer – the active duty Navy and Marine Corps. Since we control what is taught in academic and professional courses, the Naval Academy has, for example, over the past three years been able to quickly increase foreign language and cultural exposure, initiate cyber warfare studies, adjust engineering and science courses, and tailor ethical decision making case studies to the reality of today’s warfare - all to better prepare our graduates to serve in an increasingly interdependent and dynamic world.
In response to the op-ed author’s concern about athletic excellence, I must stress that the academies graduate physically fit leaders, not merely scholars. All academy students are student-athletes who strive for physical development via daily fitness routines and either mandatory intramurals, club sports or varsity athletics. While it may be popular to diminish the value of athletic competition at the intercollegiate level, the military academies represent some of the best examples of student-athletes who compete at the highest levels. This commitment to excellence on the field complements the classroom, where the Naval Academy continually ranks number one or two in the nation for student-athlete graduation rates.
Our commitment to athletics also contributes to our midshipmen learning about teamwork, esprit de corps and overcoming adversity. Naval Academy student-athlete graduates are serving faithfully at all levels of the Navy and Marine Corps, from the most junior officers to 4-star admirals, including two former Naval Academy varsity athletes who between them lead U.S. military operations spanning two-thirds of the globe.
Finally, I will address our admissions process. The service academies are national institutions due to our mission to produce leaders for our nation and because our student bodies are comprised of the talent from every corner of America. We search diligently in every congressional district for candidates who are well-rounded morally, mentally and physically, and offer the experience and perspectives that enrich the life of the academy and our military. The backgrounds of these potential candidates cross all racial, gender, ethnic, socio-economic, religious and geographic lines.
I must emphasize that we admit only highly motivated, well-rounded individuals based upon their combined excellence in academics, athletics, leadership potential and community service. Applicants compete in a single, fair, structured and highly selective process. Simply stated, the Naval Academy’s admissions processes are in accordance with applicable federal laws and based on an individual’s performance and potential for future success as a naval officer.
Not surprisingly, the competition to receive appointments to the academies is intense. Every academy has encountered an increase in the numbers of applicants over the last few years. This increase in applicants goes far beyond economic reasons and reflects the fact that young Americans want to tackle the challenge of an academy, gain useful real-world leadership experiences and be part of something bigger than themselves. Witnessing the commitment to service prevalent across the nation, this generation is running toward the fire, not away from it.
We believe the Naval Academy’s reputation for excellence – both past and present – is enduring. We seek young men and women who will be able to balance a demanding academic, physical and leadership development curriculum. As a result, the military academies have been and continue to be ranked among the nation’s very top colleges. Many educators, guidance counselors, professional associations and the media recognize the academies for their challenging, progressive and effectual educational programs.
Important indicators at the Naval Academy point to a program that demonstrates excellence, not “mediocrity.” A 10-year analysis of semester GPA’s shows an upward trend in spite of an increasingly demanding curriculum and an unwavering commitment to maintain the highest of standards in the classroom. During this same timeframe, we note similar progress in our cumulative multiple that measures a student’s combined academic, physical and military performance.
The number of midshipmen achieving recognition on the academy’s very competitive merit lists has increased, including a doubling of the minority students achieving this distinction over the past 10 years. Nearly 84% of the Naval Academy Class of 2010, all completing a demanding technical course load, will graduate in four years. This achievement very favorably compares to the national average that approaches 30% and 55% for the four- and six-year graduation rates, respectively.
The ultimate measure of the academies’ value, however, is the performance of our graduates. Across the board, the feedback we receive is that recent academy graduates are performing superbly, and our Navy and Marine Corps are well served by these leaders. The senior enlisted and officer leaders of our Navy and Marine Corps are telling us that when our graduates report to their units, these young men and women are ready. And those units and our graduates in recent months have been called upon to provide disaster assistance in Haiti, conduct anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa and engage in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is no room for mediocrity in these operational theaters and our graduates are proving they are up for the challenge.
A recent decision by the Navy SEALS, arguably one of the most selective and demanding training programs in our military, again points to the quality of Naval Academy graduates. To head off undesirable attrition rates in training, the SEALs increased the dispersal of Naval Academy graduates undergoing SEAL training with officers from other commissioning sources. The Naval Academy graduates’ high performance and example of teamwork and drive helped to influence their peers and achieve a noticeable decrease in overall attrition within the SEAL training pipeline.
We receive additional feedback from our congressionally mandated board of visitors—comprised of elected officials, business executives and educators who are appointed by either Congress or the President. These very experienced and accomplished leaders continue to applaud the academies’ accomplishments, contributions and direction.
Lastly, the military academies continue to do more than simply graduate officers. As “leadership laboratories” for our students, the mission of the military academies has and continues to include an obligation to graduate leaders to serve the nation. Academy graduates have and will continue to contribute to the military and nation in many ways. Whether our graduates serve a career in the military, or assume positions in government, business and education, academy graduates are highly sought out for their leadership skills and propensity to succeed.
The one point upon which I do agree with the op-ed author is that the academies must always remain vigilant to maintain the level of excellence demanded by our citizens and continually assess and monitor our progress. I believe we are maintaining the highest standards, preparing our young men and women for the complex and volatile world they will face and graduating extraordinary leaders to serve our Navy, Marine Corps and nation. As we march forward, we march only in one direction and that is the direction of selfless service and professional excellence.
Military Academies: A National Treasure
May 27, 2010
By Vice Admiral Jeffrey L. Fowler, U.S. Navy, Superintendent,
U.S. Naval Academy
Developing our nation’s future military officers is an important national priority. Professional military officers, and the training and education systems that prepare these leaders, significantly contribute to the armed forces’ ability to promote peace and prevail in war.
A May 21st opinion piece in the New York Times, The Academies’ March Toward Mediocrity, casts doubt on the effectiveness of our military academies in producing the qualified leaders needed to serve in our armed services. The author of the op-ed specifically states that “mediocrity is the norm” at our academies. I strongly disagree with the author’s assertions and conclusions.
My perspective on the value of our military academies emerges from 32 years of naval service to include five command tours of duty, operating with our nation’s other military branches and allied nations, and encountering the full spectrum of military operations. I have observed countless military academy graduates over my career and can say without the slightest hesitation that these graduates make significant contributions to the well-being of our forces and demonstrate their value to our national defense on a daily basis. As the superintendent of the Naval Academy for the past three years, I have been honored to guide the development process of thousands of midshipmen and can state with confidence that we provide the Navy and Marine Corps with superb young officers who prove their mettle every day in the mountains and villages of Afghanistan, and on, above and below the world’s sea lanes.
The op-ed author seems to base his opposition to the academies on three tenets. The first is academy graduates cost more than Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates and this additional cost is not providing the taxpayer with a superior product. The second is that a focus on intercollegiate athletics has had a detrimental impact on the academies’ “pursuit of excellence.” And the third is that there is “an unofficial affirmative-action preference in [academy] admissions.” I will address each of these arguments in turn.
The military academies are of course not the sole source of our nation’s officers. For more than a half-century, our officer commissioning sources have included academies, university ROTC programs and officer candidate schools (OCS). Periodic discussions that frame the commissioning source debate as simply a one-or-the-other option dismiss the fact that our military benefits from the distinctive qualities offered by each commissioning source. The military academies have the unique role of providing officers who are immersed in the traditions and values of their respective services and motivated to share and sustain those traditions and values throughout our armed forces. Those who enter the military via ROTC or OCS bring their own unique perspectives and experiences, but have not had the same intense exposure to the daily routine of military life.
The cost associated with educating a Naval Academy midshipman is also far less than stated in the May 21st op-ed. When a midshipman fails to complete the academy program and is charged for their four-year education, that bill comes to $170,000, a figure established by the Department of the Navy. The costs associated with educating an academy student are in fact comparable to or less than the total realized costs of educating an ROTC student at select private or other state-funded universities. At the Naval Academy we take seriously our obligation to the American taxpayers to achieve the maximum return on their investment.
Service academies, as compared to other commissioning sources, also have the ability to quickly adapt academic, leadership and professional curricula to emerging threats and changing world conditions. Simply stated, Naval Academy programs reflect the needs of the customer – the active duty Navy and Marine Corps. Since we control what is taught in academic and professional courses, the Naval Academy has, for example, over the past three years been able to quickly increase foreign language and cultural exposure, initiate cyber warfare studies, adjust engineering and science courses, and tailor ethical decision making case studies to the reality of today’s warfare - all to better prepare our graduates to serve in an increasingly interdependent and dynamic world.
In response to the op-ed author’s concern about athletic excellence, I must stress that the academies graduate physically fit leaders, not merely scholars. All academy students are student-athletes who strive for physical development via daily fitness routines and either mandatory intramurals, club sports or varsity athletics. While it may be popular to diminish the value of athletic competition at the intercollegiate level, the military academies represent some of the best examples of student-athletes who compete at the highest levels. This commitment to excellence on the field complements the classroom, where the Naval Academy continually ranks number one or two in the nation for student-athlete graduation rates.
Our commitment to athletics also contributes to our midshipmen learning about teamwork, esprit de corps and overcoming adversity. Naval Academy student-athlete graduates are serving faithfully at all levels of the Navy and Marine Corps, from the most junior officers to 4-star admirals, including two former Naval Academy varsity athletes who between them lead U.S. military operations spanning two-thirds of the globe.
Finally, I will address our admissions process. The service academies are national institutions due to our mission to produce leaders for our nation and because our student bodies are comprised of the talent from every corner of America. We search diligently in every congressional district for candidates who are well-rounded morally, mentally and physically, and offer the experience and perspectives that enrich the life of the academy and our military. The backgrounds of these potential candidates cross all racial, gender, ethnic, socio-economic, religious and geographic lines.
I must emphasize that we admit only highly motivated, well-rounded individuals based upon their combined excellence in academics, athletics, leadership potential and community service. Applicants compete in a single, fair, structured and highly selective process. Simply stated, the Naval Academy’s admissions processes are in accordance with applicable federal laws and based on an individual’s performance and potential for future success as a naval officer.
Not surprisingly, the competition to receive appointments to the academies is intense. Every academy has encountered an increase in the numbers of applicants over the last few years. This increase in applicants goes far beyond economic reasons and reflects the fact that young Americans want to tackle the challenge of an academy, gain useful real-world leadership experiences and be part of something bigger than themselves. Witnessing the commitment to service prevalent across the nation, this generation is running toward the fire, not away from it.
We believe the Naval Academy’s reputation for excellence – both past and present – is enduring. We seek young men and women who will be able to balance a demanding academic, physical and leadership development curriculum. As a result, the military academies have been and continue to be ranked among the nation’s very top colleges. Many educators, guidance counselors, professional associations and the media recognize the academies for their challenging, progressive and effectual educational programs.
Important indicators at the Naval Academy point to a program that demonstrates excellence, not “mediocrity.” A 10-year analysis of semester GPA’s shows an upward trend in spite of an increasingly demanding curriculum and an unwavering commitment to maintain the highest of standards in the classroom. During this same timeframe, we note similar progress in our cumulative multiple that measures a student’s combined academic, physical and military performance.
The number of midshipmen achieving recognition on the academy’s very competitive merit lists has increased, including a doubling of the minority students achieving this distinction over the past 10 years. Nearly 84% of the Naval Academy Class of 2010, all completing a demanding technical course load, will graduate in four years. This achievement very favorably compares to the national average that approaches 30% and 55% for the four- and six-year graduation rates, respectively.
The ultimate measure of the academies’ value, however, is the performance of our graduates. Across the board, the feedback we receive is that recent academy graduates are performing superbly, and our Navy and Marine Corps are well served by these leaders. The senior enlisted and officer leaders of our Navy and Marine Corps are telling us that when our graduates report to their units, these young men and women are ready. And those units and our graduates in recent months have been called upon to provide disaster assistance in Haiti, conduct anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa and engage in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is no room for mediocrity in these operational theaters and our graduates are proving they are up for the challenge.
A recent decision by the Navy SEALS, arguably one of the most selective and demanding training programs in our military, again points to the quality of Naval Academy graduates. To head off undesirable attrition rates in training, the SEALs increased the dispersal of Naval Academy graduates undergoing SEAL training with officers from other commissioning sources. The Naval Academy graduates’ high performance and example of teamwork and drive helped to influence their peers and achieve a noticeable decrease in overall attrition within the SEAL training pipeline.
We receive additional feedback from our congressionally mandated board of visitors—comprised of elected officials, business executives and educators who are appointed by either Congress or the President. These very experienced and accomplished leaders continue to applaud the academies’ accomplishments, contributions and direction.
Lastly, the military academies continue to do more than simply graduate officers. As “leadership laboratories” for our students, the mission of the military academies has and continues to include an obligation to graduate leaders to serve the nation. Academy graduates have and will continue to contribute to the military and nation in many ways. Whether our graduates serve a career in the military, or assume positions in government, business and education, academy graduates are highly sought out for their leadership skills and propensity to succeed.
The one point upon which I do agree with the op-ed author is that the academies must always remain vigilant to maintain the level of excellence demanded by our citizens and continually assess and monitor our progress. I believe we are maintaining the highest standards, preparing our young men and women for the complex and volatile world they will face and graduating extraordinary leaders to serve our Navy, Marine Corps and nation. As we march forward, we march only in one direction and that is the direction of selfless service and professional excellence.
The Birddog weighs in on the great service academy debate
The Birddog is an excellent blog centering around Naval Academy athletics. Over the years, his discussions of football strategy have been excellent, and for the non-expert fan, a great primer in the complexities of the game. Anyway, he is also known for composing lengthy posts on other matters germane to the Naval Academy. So, it was bound to occur. We now have the Birddog's take on the worth of the service academies. HERE
Key graphs:
Fleming mentions the rise of ROTC units during World War II, but there is more to the story than just the numbers. With the American public’s isolationist sentiment after World War I, and with the Great Depression putting a strain on government resources, military spending was kept to a minimum. The National Defense Act of 1920 authorized an Army of no more than 300,000, but that number was never approached. From 1922-1936, the active Army consisted of only 137,000 people, including 12,000 officers. The explosion of military growth caused by World War II was so great that by war’s end, 16 million Americans had served in the Armed Forces. The government needed to train officers in a hurry to lead its new military leviathan, and ROTC units were part of that solution. As the military wasn’t going to retain its wartime strength in perpetuity, ROTC graduates weren’t expected to be fully indoctrinated into military culture; they were expected to provide sound, competent leadership during a crisis, returning to their civilian lives once the crisis had passed. Since then, military service hasn’t only been the realm of the professional soldier or sailor; it has been used by millions of Americans as a means to jumpstart their civilian careers.
There is still the need for those who are dedicated to a lifetime of service, of course, and that is where the service academies fit in. Obviously there are ROTC graduates who decide to make a career out of the military, just as there are Naval Academy graduates who do not; but over time, it’s the academy graduates who are more likely to stick around. While Fleming points out that service academies are responsible for only 20% of new commissions, their graduates make up 50% of those who achieve flag rank. It takes more ROTC graduates to produce one career officer than it takes their academy counterparts. So yes, it’s cheaper to produce ensigns through ROTC, but it’s cheaper to produce admirals through the Naval Academy. It makes sense, if you think about it. The more one has invested into an enterprise– whether with time, money, or anything else– the less willing that person is to give up on it. Total immersion into the military lifestyle for 4 years is one hell of an investment. That is also why there is no art history major at the Naval Academy, despite Fleming’s lament. The school offers majors in disciplines that best serve the interests of career officers. Engineering, mathematics, and the sciences are the principles behind the systems these future officers will one day use to fight their ships. The humanities provide fundamentals that future officers will use in their roles as the nation’s front-line ambassadors, as well as in their future dealings with government. Yes, one can major in art history at other schools and probably do just fine as a junior officer. Those ascending the ladder into more complex roles, however, are better served by having something else to draw upon.
Be sure to read the whole thing, then scroll down a bit, and you will find a response by Dr. Fleming in the comments section. All well worth the time.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Christie Antiques Show
If you live in southern Ontario, you best head over to the Christie Antiques Show this Saturday. It is THE best antiques show around these parts (Sarah Richardson and many other HGTV personalities have been spotted there) and I wouldn't miss it. So even though HandyMan can't make it, I'll be leaving the baby at grandma's and heading there on my own with a wishlist of items I hope to find like:
Vintage eduational posters
Anything else I should keep my eyes peeled for? What's on your antique wish list?
Toronto bloggers & readers: If you're headed to Christie too, do say hi if you spot me in the crowd :) I'd love to meet you in person (and see what goodies you've picked up!)
********
A few more days left to enter the book giveaway. Leave a comment on this post for your chance to win!
Vintage eduational posters
Old children’s books for framing
Milk glass or depression glass cake plates
and more old photos (like this one we picked up at the fair last year)
Anything else I should keep my eyes peeled for? What's on your antique wish list?
Toronto bloggers & readers: If you're headed to Christie too, do say hi if you spot me in the crowd :) I'd love to meet you in person (and see what goodies you've picked up!)
********
A few more days left to enter the book giveaway. Leave a comment on this post for your chance to win!
Innovation Survival: Innovation in Science
Presented by W. David Schwaderer. Pretty entertaining romp through science history.
This presentation examines the historical reception transformative scientific breakthroughs initially received before widespread adoption. By example, it teaches principles that can help ensure change agents personally, and their organizations, are on the delivering side of innovation's sharp edge.
This presentation examines the historical reception transformative scientific breakthroughs initially received before widespread adoption. By example, it teaches principles that can help ensure change agents personally, and their organizations, are on the delivering side of innovation's sharp edge.
Today in history. Successful 'targeted killing.' Reinhard Heydrich, ushered from existence by Operation Anthropoid.
May 27, 1942. A cooperative mission between the Czech Army in exile, and the British SOE and RAF. Complete story HERE.
The assassination account:
On May 27, 1942 at 10:30 AM, Heydrich proceeded on his daily commuting journey from his home in Panenské Břežany to Prague Castle. In a hurry, he didn't wait for the customary police escort. Gabčík and Kubiš waited at the tram stop in the curve near Bulovka hospital. Valčik was positioned about 100 metres north of Gabčík and Kubiš as lookout for the approaching car. As Heydrich’s open-topped Mercedes-Benz neared the pair, Gabčík stepped in front of the vehicle, trying to open fire, but his Sten gun jammed. Heydrich ordered his driver, SS-Oberscharführer Klein, to stop the car.
The assassination account:
On May 27, 1942 at 10:30 AM, Heydrich proceeded on his daily commuting journey from his home in Panenské Břežany to Prague Castle. In a hurry, he didn't wait for the customary police escort. Gabčík and Kubiš waited at the tram stop in the curve near Bulovka hospital. Valčik was positioned about 100 metres north of Gabčík and Kubiš as lookout for the approaching car. As Heydrich’s open-topped Mercedes-Benz neared the pair, Gabčík stepped in front of the vehicle, trying to open fire, but his Sten gun jammed. Heydrich ordered his driver, SS-Oberscharführer Klein, to stop the car.
When Heydrich stood up to try to shoot Gabčík, Kubiš threw a modified anti-tank grenade at the vehicle, and its fragments ripped through the car’s right fender, embedding shrapnel and fibres from the upholstery in Heydrich’s body, even though the grenade failed to enter the car. Kubiš was also injured by the shrapnel. Heydrich, apparently unaware of his shrapnel injuries, got out of the car, returned fire, and tried to chase Gabčík but soon collapsed. Klein returned from his abortive attempt to chase Kubiš, and Heydrich ordered him to chase Gabčík. Klein was shot twice by Gabčík (who was now using his revolver) and wounded in the pursuit.[2] The assassins were initially convinced that the attack had failed. Heydrich died 8 days later from septicemia (blood poisoning).
Worse than Exxon-Valdez
We knew this moment would come.
Even using the most conservative estimate, the new numbers mean the leak has grown to nearly 19 million gallons over the past five weeks. If the oil filled gallon milk jugs lined up side by side, there would be enough to reach from New York to Chicago and back.
In the worst case scenario, if 39 million gallons has spilled, the oil would fill enough jugs to stretch from the Louisiana marshes to Prince William Sound in Alaska. That's where the Exxon Valdez ran aground in 1989, spilling nearly 11 million gallons.
"Now we know the true scale of the monster we are fighting in the Gulf," said Jeremy Symons, vice president of the National Wildlife Federation. "BP has unleashed an unstoppable force of appalling proportions."
The government's response to this disgraceful disaster has been laughable at best. For the sake of the Gulf region, we need to see less talk from President Obama and more action.
VIDEO: Board of Education, School Superintendent respond to FOI request, retribution allegations
Last night, School Superintendent Sal Pascarella and members of the board responded to the recent Freedom of Information request from City Council Minority Leader Tom Saadi as well as address allegations of retribution against teachers who who spoke out during the education budget debates.
Live Webcast: Graduation/Commissioning Day at USNA, 5-28-2010, 0900.
Watch by clicking HERE.
Or, click the pic!
No embed code provided. The video will be in high quality, and play in Windows Media Player in a separate window.
Commencement speaker: Vice President Biden.
Congratulations to the class of 2010.
Vintage Doorbell Hardware
There was one part of our new front door that you probably never paid any attention to. Can you spot it?
See that knob on top? That is a vintage doorbell. It makes the most lovely sound so we wanted to keep it when we replaced the door. The problem is that it is so non-descript that nobody recognizes its a doorbell! It's a cheap plastic knob and plate painted to look like metal and we've been wanting to replace it for a while. We hadn't found any suitable replacements though until our recent trip to Artefacts in St. Jacobs.
I wish I had taken a Before photo to show the new hardware covered in layers and layers of old peeling white paint like the old mailbox slot we found. HandyMan has a polishing wheel (seriously, it is the most useful tool!) which he used to strip off all that paint. Beneath it all we found this...
Isn't it pretty? It looks to be cast out of bronze as it has a slight brownish tint. I love how it says "Turn" - there'll be no mistaking that this is a doorbell now!
We debated whether to spraypaint the bronze to match the brushed metal of the other door hardware, but its really hard to get the exact same metal finish. Plus the metal is so darn gorgeous we didn't want to cover it up; its kinda nice having it in its authentic original finish.
And here are my trusty assistants showing you just how nice the doorbell sounds:
See that knob on top? That is a vintage doorbell. It makes the most lovely sound so we wanted to keep it when we replaced the door. The problem is that it is so non-descript that nobody recognizes its a doorbell! It's a cheap plastic knob and plate painted to look like metal and we've been wanting to replace it for a while. We hadn't found any suitable replacements though until our recent trip to Artefacts in St. Jacobs.
I wish I had taken a Before photo to show the new hardware covered in layers and layers of old peeling white paint like the old mailbox slot we found. HandyMan has a polishing wheel (seriously, it is the most useful tool!) which he used to strip off all that paint. Beneath it all we found this...
Isn't it pretty? It looks to be cast out of bronze as it has a slight brownish tint. I love how it says "Turn" - there'll be no mistaking that this is a doorbell now!
We debated whether to spraypaint the bronze to match the brushed metal of the other door hardware, but its really hard to get the exact same metal finish. Plus the metal is so darn gorgeous we didn't want to cover it up; its kinda nice having it in its authentic original finish.
And here are my trusty assistants showing you just how nice the doorbell sounds:
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
LIVE VIDEO STREAM: Board of Education meeting
I'll be providing a live video stream of tonight's Board of Education meeting where there is a possibility that School Superintendent Sal Pascarella will address the allegations in the recent Freedom of Information request.
The video stream will start at 7:00 PM.
UPDATE: The meeting is over and the board addressed Saadi's FOI request. Here's the recorded stream. A higher quality video of the meeting will be posted later.
The video stream will start at 7:00 PM.
UPDATE: The meeting is over and the board addressed Saadi's FOI request. Here's the recorded stream. A higher quality video of the meeting will be posted later.
Amid allegtions and concerns from teachers, Saadi files FOI request with School Superintendent
Responding to concerns from teachers who feared retaliation from school administrators due to criticisms made towards school officials during the recent education budget debates, City Council Minority Leader Tom Saadi filed an Freedom of Information (FOI) request with School Superintendent Sal Pascarella. At issue is whether or not Pascarella requested the school's IT department to provide him any emails transmissions between teachers and Councilman Saadi.
Here's a copy of Saadi's FOI request to Pascarella.
Earlier today, I had a chance to interview Saadi and talk to him about the allegations raised in his FOI request.
UPDATE: Pascarella responds to the allegations.
UPDATE 2: Due to today's story, I will be providing a LIVE VIDEO STREAM of tonight's Board of Education meeting in which Pascarella might comment on the FOI request.
Here's a copy of Saadi's FOI request to Pascarella.
Earlier today, I had a chance to interview Saadi and talk to him about the allegations raised in his FOI request.
UPDATE: Pascarella responds to the allegations.
Pascarella said Wednesday he had already received the letter and emphatically denies the allegations.
"I am very careful of people's rights and their ability to articulate their opinions and I respect that," he said. "That's just not the way we operate."
[…]
Pascarella said that while he can't speak for others, nobody has been asked to "investigate those in my employment for dealing with the council or making comments about the budget."
Frankly, he added, such allegations are "deplorable" and repugnant.
"That's not what I stand for," he said.
[…]
Pascarella said he will comply with the request [from Saadi].
UPDATE 2: Due to today's story, I will be providing a LIVE VIDEO STREAM of tonight's Board of Education meeting in which Pascarella might comment on the FOI request.
Salon Solon indulges in conservative anthropology, or Imprimis gets a backhanded compliment
The anthropological report appears HERE. An accusation of malfeasance is contained therein:
In the February 2010 issue, for instance, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan speaks about "Health Care in a Free Society." In his printed speech, he says that "Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, one of the administration's point people on health care, advocates what he calls a ‘whole life system' -- a system in which government makes treatment decisions for individuals using a statistical formula based on average life expectancy and ‘social usefulness.'" Ryan's claim is actually a widely discredited assertion plucked from a widely discredited article in the New York Post by the widely discredited Betsy McCaughey. The nonpartisan factcheck.org website, run by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, determined that "Emanuel's meaning is being twisted. In one article, he was talking about a philosophical trend, and in another, he was writing about how to make the most ethical choices when forced to choose which patients get organ transplants or vaccines when supplies are limited." Very simply, McCaughey lied, Ryan repeated the lie, Imprimis published the lie -- and a few million conservatives read it as fact. "I relish every word in Imprimis," one fan wrote on the publication's Facebook page. "The idea that government will now make decisions about how long people should live and who should be denied health care is repugnent [sic]." It certainly would be repugnant -- if it were true. This is as ideal an example of conservatism's "epistemic closure" as one can find.
Wow, even invocation of conservative "epistemic closure".
I can’t really do any better than these couple of posts from NRO’s Corner in composing a send up of the literary genre’ fondly dubbed “Conservatives in the Mist”. I’ll leave that to the Cornerites. HERE and HERE.
But, the claim made by the Salon writer, Jordon Smith, regarding the Ezekiel J. Emanuel piece appears to be flat out false, at the most, and contestable at the least, this despite the fact that a trusted fact-check organization did some allegedly definitive debunking of the claim made by Ryan and dutifully transmitted to the tribe by Imprimis:
If you have access to JSTOR, you can read the entire Emanuel piece that was quoted HERE. The basic message:
Of late there has been a sort of confluence of opinion between political philosophers of the small "l" liberal variety, and communitarians. They have recently become more receptive to the idea that some substantive but general conception of the good life, must underpin modern republics or democracies, or they will weaken, because there will be no sense of loyalty to a purely formal process oriented philosophy as a moral grounding of democracy as an institution. There is much to be said for this.
Emanuel sees adoption of such a contentful view of human good, as a leading theoretical wedge that will allow policy makers to generate a list of health services that should be universally provided("socially provided" is his actual terminology), to all citizens, as well as another list of services that need not be universally provided for they do not provide people with the ability to meet the requirements of citizenship in a democratic republic (they do not allow human beings to be or become independent, deliberate rationally, nor do they protect that status).
Now, a fair reading of the article also makes quite clear that he believes there should be a sorting of people into two basic groups; those that should receive the basic services, and those to whom the services need not be 'socially provided'. The criterion for inclusion in the former group: present ability or capability to develop into a human being able to function as a deliberative member of the republic. Here is Emanuel in his own words:
Thus, it seems there is a growing agreement between liberals, communitarians, and others that many political matters, including matters of justice and specifically, the just allocation of health care resources can be addressed only by invoking a particular conception of the good. We may go even further. Without overstating it (and without fully defending it) not only is there a consensus about the need for a conception of the good, there may even be a consensus about the particular conception of the good that should inform policies on these nonconstitutional political issues. Communitarians endorse civic republicanism and a growing number of liberals endorse some version of deliberative democracy. Both envision a need for citizens who are independent and responsible (sic, the misspelling occurs in the article - ED) and for public forums that present citizens with opportunities to enter into public deliberations on social policies. This civic republican or deliberative democratic conception of the good provides both procedural and substantive insights for developing a just allocation of health care resources. Procedurally, it suggests the need for public forums to deliberate about which health services should be considered basic and should be socially guaranteed. Substantively, it suggests services that promote the continuation of the polity-those that ensure healthy future generations, ensure development of practical reasoning skills, and ensure full and active participation by citizens in public deliberations-are to be socially guaranteed as basic. Conversely, services provided to individuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens are not basic and should not be guaranteed. An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia. A less obvious example is guaranteeing neuropsychological services to ensure children with learning disabilities can read and learn to reason. Clearly, more needs to be done to elucidate what specific health care services are basic; however, the overlap between liberalism and communitarianism points to a way of introducing the good back into medical ethics and devising a principled way of distinguishing basic from discretionary health care services. Perhaps using this progress in political philosophy we can begin to address Dan's challenge, begin to discuss the goods and goals of medicine.
JSTOR link to entire piece is HERE
By the way, who is Dan?
Source: The Hastings Center Report, Vol. 26, No. 6, In Search of the Good Society: The Work of Daniel Callahan (Nov. - Dec., 1996), pp. 12-14
Now, after accusing Ryan and by extension, Imprimis of essentially lying and misrepresenting Emanuel's true position, Smith finishes the piece with a backhanded compliment:
It is difficult to name a liberal counterpart to Imprimis. Critchlow says there was once a string pamphleteering presence on the left, starting with Communist Party publications in the 1930s and 1940s. The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), the leading student activist organization in the New Left, revived this tradition in the 1960s,; "but beginning with the demise of the New Left, the left has lost its pamphlet tradition," Critchlow says. He sees left-wing blogs and online newsletters as a 21st century revival of pamphleteering. "They proved critical in mobilizing groups to vote for Obama," he notes.
Whether blogs will ultimately render old-style pamphlets like Imprimis obsolete remains to be seen. What's clear is that Imprimis has helped connect would-be conservatives across the country with conservative thought. As Democrats seek to extend their 2006 and 2008 successes into the future, they may want to consider the old American tradition of pamphleteering as a way of keeping voters engaged. The Imprimis model might be a good place to start.
I guess that's as good as it gets for compliments from the cultural anthropologists at Salon.
Fighting "The Narrative" Sisyphus and the boulder?
Another story about the Bircheresque bad craziness in Pakistan, from the NYT:
The problem is more than a peculiar domestic phenomenon for Pakistan. It has grown into a narrative of national victimhood that is a nearly impenetrable barrier to any candid discussion of the problems here. In turn, it is one of the principal obstacles for the United States in its effort to build a stronger alliance with a country to which it gives more than a billion dollars a year in aid.
It does not help that no part of the Pakistani state — either the weak civilian government or the powerful military — is willing to risk publicly owning that relationship.
One result is that nearly all of American policy toward Pakistan is conducted in secret, a fact that serves only to further feed conspiracies. American military leaders slip quietly in and out of the capital; the Pentagon uses networks of private spies; and the main tool of American policy here, the drone program, is not even publicly acknowledged to exist.
“The linchpin of U.S. relations is security, and it’s not talked about in public,” said Adnan Rehmat, a media analyst in Islamabad.
The empty public space fills instead with hard-line pundits and loud Islamic political parties, all projected into Pakistani living rooms by the rambunctious new electronic media, dozens of satellite television networks that weave a black-and-white, prime-time narrative in which the United States is the central villain.
I might add that it compounds the problem when Americans travel to Pakistan and say things that tend to confirm the conspiracy theories. (And more recently)
At least two Federal Ministers, Dr. Ataur Rehman and Abbas Sarfaraz, came to listen to Chomsky in Islamabad. But they appeared uncomfortable in the face of Chomsky's plain-talk. When Chomsky asserted that the U.S. President was a bigger terrorist than Osama bin Laden, as the former had no proof against Osama while the killing of innocent people in Afghanistan was the proof against President Bush, people in the hall clapped.
The problem is more than a peculiar domestic phenomenon for Pakistan. It has grown into a narrative of national victimhood that is a nearly impenetrable barrier to any candid discussion of the problems here. In turn, it is one of the principal obstacles for the United States in its effort to build a stronger alliance with a country to which it gives more than a billion dollars a year in aid.
It does not help that no part of the Pakistani state — either the weak civilian government or the powerful military — is willing to risk publicly owning that relationship.
One result is that nearly all of American policy toward Pakistan is conducted in secret, a fact that serves only to further feed conspiracies. American military leaders slip quietly in and out of the capital; the Pentagon uses networks of private spies; and the main tool of American policy here, the drone program, is not even publicly acknowledged to exist.
“The linchpin of U.S. relations is security, and it’s not talked about in public,” said Adnan Rehmat, a media analyst in Islamabad.
The empty public space fills instead with hard-line pundits and loud Islamic political parties, all projected into Pakistani living rooms by the rambunctious new electronic media, dozens of satellite television networks that weave a black-and-white, prime-time narrative in which the United States is the central villain.
I might add that it compounds the problem when Americans travel to Pakistan and say things that tend to confirm the conspiracy theories. (And more recently)
At least two Federal Ministers, Dr. Ataur Rehman and Abbas Sarfaraz, came to listen to Chomsky in Islamabad. But they appeared uncomfortable in the face of Chomsky's plain-talk. When Chomsky asserted that the U.S. President was a bigger terrorist than Osama bin Laden, as the former had no proof against Osama while the killing of innocent people in Afghanistan was the proof against President Bush, people in the hall clapped.
And now, some U.S. Naval History, the early days: Fighting France and the Barbary Kingdoms
Thanks to the Naval History & Heritage Command a nice vintage documentary, like those we used to watch in school, way back in the dark ages before YouTube. Seems to be only the first part, but enjoy:
This 1953 Navy documentary uses colorful artwork to tell the story of the Quasi-War with France, and the Barbary Wars. Part 1 begins with the hard times experienced after American victory in the Revolutionary War, the birth of the United States Navy, and the outbreak of the Quasi-War with France (1798-1800). Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Photographic Section, UMO-39.
This 1953 Navy documentary uses colorful artwork to tell the story of the Quasi-War with France, and the Barbary Wars. Part 1 begins with the hard times experienced after American victory in the Revolutionary War, the birth of the United States Navy, and the outbreak of the Quasi-War with France (1798-1800). Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Photographic Section, UMO-39.
Elliott Abrams on the present state of Israeli American Relations
A departure from the normal panel format. A one on one discussion. Ranges from a discussion of the difference in quality of life between the West Bank and Gaza, to the settlement issue, which becomes the prime focus of the discussion. In Abram's view it was unwise of the U.S. administration to demand an outright freeze on construction, for that demand was leveled, not only toward outlying areas, but toward Jerusalem itself. The demand, unrealistic, had the effect of scuttling what minor progress had been made in 'tacit' agreements (Abram's term) over the course of the Clinton and Bush administrations.
The discussion is very interesting. I can only add, that I think real progress will be piecemeal, and it will stick only if the Palestinian leadership, becomes unified and moves well beyond "tacit" agreements, and very publicly makes such agreements, in concert with a very public renouncement of any and all declarations that their long term political aims are to remove Israel from existence. That is clearly Hamas' intention, and, lest we invest too much naive optimism in the West Bank, Fateh has yet to remove that goal from their charter (a sort of amalgam of Marxist revolutionary thought and Arab nationalism):
Goals
Article (12) Complete liberation of Palestine, and eradication of Zionist economic, political, military and cultural existence.
Article (13) Establishing an independent democratic state with complete sovereignty on all Palestinian lands, and Jerusalem is its capital city, and protecting the citizens' legal and equal rights without any racial or religious discrimination.
The Palestinian leadership, and the odious local media must move well away from the tradition of either proclaiming, cynically promoting or quietly tolerating rank anti-semitism before substantial change will occur.
The episode wraps up with a brief discussion of our options in regard to Iran going nuclear. Abrams believes the present regime is on a path to dissolution due to growing internal dissatisfaction. But, he also believes that the 'time line' to the downfall is longer than the time line to attaining nuclear weaponry.
He rightly worries about the regime's actions should it succeed in arming itself with nukes. He believes the 'Green' movement is something we should have been publicly supporting. Yes, and we should offer covert support as well. I suspect we may very well be doing so.
But a possibility, or more likely a hope, occurs to me as I listen to that discussion. Maybe acquisition of nukes would be some sort of tipping point in the internal political life of Iran. The Greens and supporters within the present government and military may at that point say; "Enough. Now the risk is too great. We cannot allow you to continue to hold the reigns now that you have this device." Then the uprising would boil over, and a revolution start. A perhaps wishful, and at the same time, worrying possibility. For, what would the regime do if it knew it was on the way out? Would it want to 'go out with a bang'?
One on one with Democratic 24th State Senate nominee Alice Hutchinson
Art Not So Smart
Six months to hang a piece of art? That must be a new record around here. But yes, that's how long it has taken us to finally hang up the vintage ship photographs. We came across these 3M Wireback Picture Hangers at Michaels and knew they were just what we were looking for.
We had a really hard time deciding what art to put on the wall in the dining room. A mirror would have been an option, but that would have reflected the kitchen (which can be a mess at times). And while these five photos together may be a bit busy, we love to look at them and wanted them displayed prominently since they had personal meaning.
The tragic ending: As I was typing this post, boat photo #2 fell down and hit the cap rail!! I don't blame the 3M strip... with the wallpaper having a slight texture, we knew there was the possibility the strip wouldn't adhere well. We did do a test beforehand - put up the strip, let it set for a couple of hours, hung a photo (with a blanket sling & pillows set up underneath in case it did come crashing down), waited 24 hours and hung up the rest - but I guess the wallpaper did us in!
Fortunately, there was only a bit of damage on the backside of the lower corner. The rest of the photos have been taken down... guess we will have to drive those nails into the wall after all! Let's just hope this doesn't take another six months to get done :)
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