William Shakespeare
I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!
I pasted some code in.
Yep, WS was a geek, too. :)
A "Function over FORM" production.
I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!
I pasted some code in.
Yep, WS was a geek, too. :)
(Via a DF tweet: Greenpeace and Apple, Sitting in a Tree.)
You may recall that Greenpeace has been all over Apple for awhile now. Regardless whether you liked the Greenpeace words/tactics, they at least recognize that Apple has become much more "green".
Aside: In Greenpeace's current analysis of consumer electronics (Which companies really sell greener electronics), Apple leads in every category. Interestingly, Apple is also the only company that has a product in every category.
In any event, Apple does seem to be a company that listens, and is inclined to "do the right thing" - at least some of the time.
This is where we get into "enlightened self-interest" territory: Clearly (in addition to the direct reductions to pollutants) it's in Apple's interest as a for-profit corporation, to be seen as "green", especially as "green" becomes a bigger and bigger buzzword.
Now, allow me an extrapolation into politics:
Let's be clear: What's being called "bipartisanship" now, makes as much sense as a scientist accepting a debate with a creationist - at *best* it's a waste of time.
Though it can be more insidious; an attempt to mire, delay, drag down, suck the energy out of... - just look at our so-called "debate" about healthcare. There certainly are critical things to debate, though the vast amount of energy spent is not debate at all, but a naked attempt to maintain the status quo - of healthcare's overriding goal being, not healthcare, but profit.
So, what to do?
Here's what not to do: What the Bush (II) administration did; bulldoze anyone who wasn't 100% signed on to your version of the truth. They certainly got things done - in the same way Mussolini made the trains run on time.
So what's the "happy medium"?
Certainly everyone should have a chance to be heard - for a time. And after that time, it's necessary to take stock and move to the next phase - actually getting something done.
There's nothing impolite or non-inclusinve about this - we have limited time in the same way we have limited money.
This is what governing is: Actually getting something done.
and yes, something that *seems* completely reasonable (necessary even!) can in fact be detrimental to someone else.
bonus blast-from-the-past link: Caring For Your Introvert (Jonathan Rauch, The Atlantic).
While being angry can lead to angry words, it's not productive. So I just wrote him a much more positive note; it's copied below.
I hope you'll find yourself motivated to do the same; nothing good ever came of negativity. However, we can help each other, even - and especially - when we disagree.
You've made a mistake.
It's OK; we all do - maybe you got some bad advice; it happens.
However, as with most mistakes, it's correctable - and, here's the great part: When you rise to the occasion by doing the right thing, you end up in an *improved* position - even relative to *before* the mistake. A beautiful thing "enlightened self-interest" is.
So, please *do* the right thing: Do not veto the gay-marriage legislation.
You might refer to the "will of the people" - which I'm sure is making itself extremely clear right now. You might wait until the bill is presented to you, agonize over it a bit, and then graciously and humbly admit that allowing it is, after all, the right thing to do - and it will correctly be viewed as courageous. Obstruction never is.
It is not only the right thing to do, it is also the best course politically.
Thanks and good luck,
Marc
Hinesburg
They got a bigger room the next day - and hardly anyone showed.
What's it mean? Most of us have figured out that same-sex marriage makes perfect sense, and have moved on to other crises.
Update: 1,000 people showed up the next day - overwhelmingly in favor. Then the Senate panel approved it - 5-0.
The current US health care "system".
Dig down far enough, in almost any budget battle - federal, the cost of a college education or a local school budget - and one cost that has continued to rise, driving virtually all others, is health care.
The US has, as has been so often stated "the best health care system in the world" - IF, of course, you've got the cash.
If you don't, you either roll the dice or find a way to pony up. See this National Coalition on Health Care article on health care costs - interesting tidbit: "50 percent of all bankruptcy filings were partly the result of medical expenses."
This, as we listen to the ever-increasing whine of US industry about how they're being dragged down by the cost of health care. Certainly, health care costs continue to increase beyond anything rational. The problem however, is not that people need health care.
Is there perhaps a silver lining in the current economic crisis? In how it drives more of us to be entrepreneurial? Well, Bad Times Spur Entrepreneurship, But There's a Catch - the money quote?
America's health-care system makes it all but impossible for an older worker to try something new.Even younger startup owners who are relatively healthy and have insurance are just a half-step from disaster.
So the bulk of our wisdom is hamstrung from the start. And the rest of us, well - step right up and take a spin. You may win big! Or just learn to live under a bridge.
So what is it, exactly, that's "best" about the US health care "system"? One might be forgiven if one were to conclude that it's best at redistributing wealth to the rich, from the rest of us. (As so many things are, in our new Unfettered Capitalism society.)
What to do? Let's go the the Wall Street Journal: Why Obama's Health Plan Is Better.
And as we begin to address the real issues facing us - rather than this quarter's (or this minute's) stock performance - we will see real long-term benefits spread.
Just when those services are needed the most, Douglas wants to reduce the already-overstrained personnel at AHS - and of course, add to the folks needing those services. This makes no sense - unless of course you were simply looking for an excuse to do it.
Bye-bye safety net; hello pavement.
Governor Scissorhands indeed. (We miss you, Peter Freyne.)
(Thanks to Dan Barlow at Vermont View for pointing out the document, at the Times Argus.)