The Fukushima incident raises a number of questions about the design and operation of nuclear facilities. Most notably: How is it that no one had considered the possibility of a subduction earthquake followed by tsunami in that location? Why were the emergency generators located in the “wash zone”? However, as bad as this incident is, …
Category Archive: Education
Mar
18
Mar
17
On Earth Hour
Everyone should read Earth Hour: A Dissent, by Ross McKitrick. He makes some very good points. The greatest is right at the beginning and closing: I abhor Earth Hour. Abundant, cheap electricity has been the greatest source of human liberation in the 20th century. Every material social advance in the 20th century depended on the …
Feb
02
Roy Spencer’s Challenge
Dr. Roy Spencer, a noted climate blogger and meteorologist, has put forward a challenge to the Church of Anthropogenic Climate Change: What most people don’t realize is that the vast majority of published research on the topic simply assumes that warming is manmade. It in no way “proves” it. If the science really is that settled, …
Jan
06
Merit Pay for Teachers?
It is ridiculous to me that we, the people, are even having this discussion. All jobs/professions should be paid based on merit and performance. Experience should lead to better performance. Education should lead to better performance. But that fact it that you can’t take that for granted. Just because someone has been doing a job …
Dec
21
The Decline of Western Civilization continues…
The State of Oregon, in America, has decided to allow students to use spellchecking software on state exams… OK – there are numerous reasons why this is a bad idea. This is bad like letting students use calculators without forcing a severe “proof of capability” test on them to make sure they don’t NEED the …
Oct
24
First Nations history in the schools
Recently, my daughter came home with homework that asked the question “Why should we learn about the histories and cultures of the First Nations?” She had begun to answer this in essay form, and asked me to read it. I was frustrated by the instruction she had clearly received at school, as it seemed to …
Oct
21
America in Color from 1939-1943
This is an exceptional photo essay at the Denver Post. Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943 – Plog Photo Blog.
Oct
16
“Multikulti” has failed
I hope that Pierre Trudeau is rolling in his grave! Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, has openly declared: And of course, the approach [to build] a multicultural [society] and to live side-by-side and to enjoy each other… has failed, utterly failed. I have waited a long time to hear a major world leader say this. …
Oct
16
Gender Segregated Schools
Isn’t it interesting that segregating schools for the benefit of girls improving in math and science was pushed hard by many in the education establishment, doing the same for boys who have fallen behind in many areas is frowned upon? I would agree with many of the statements in today’s National Post, such as: Girls …
Aug
22
The Clash of Civilizations
Ayaan Hirsi Ali has written a very good explanation of Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations as it applies to the modern world. She rightly explains that: Our civilization is not indestructible: It needs to be actively defended. This was perhaps Huntington’s most important insight. The first step towards winning this clash of civilizations is to understand …