It will be interesting to see how the US will vote in the 2008 elections. I realize that many people see this very simplistically as a Democrat -vs- Republican issue, but these elections, in my opinion, may be shaping the next 20+ years of what will be happening in the USA, in terms of election politics.
Of particular interest will be the behavior of Democrats who were originally for Clinton and now have to decide whether to stay the party course or react to what is perceived by many of them as the unjust treatment of Hillary because she is a female. Many Democrats are talking about unity, and conformity, and all behind Obama, but *many* does not mean *all*. In my small sampling world, which I submit may not be a typical representation of the USA-at-large, opinions are split. There are still many Democrat Clinton supporters that feel slighted by the Obama camp, and by the democratic party, in general. As if losing the main primary contest to Obama, who was a virtual unknown was not enough, he didn't even pick Hillary as his VP. In fairness, Hillary may have been asked and refused the part - in preparation for another run in 2012, but her "on the ground" supporters don't know and don't really care about that. I am certain that some of them will vote against Obama for that reason, while others will vote against him because the Democratic party, a party that did not really support Hillary, tells them to vote for him - they will not conform!
Although, part of what happens may depend on Hillary's speech at the convention, tonight, in particular with reports that the Obama group is trying to have the touted roll-call, with Hillary's name in the hat, in secret, and out of the mail convention. That is bound to make Hillary supporters even more miffed at the Obama camp, and may backfire on Obama. Attempts to hide the roll-call and their public support for Hillary may eliminate their last chance to save face and may drive them to vote for McCain. And, we haven't even talked about Bill Clinton, who will be talking tomorrow and is already at great odds with the Obama campaign. It will be interesting to see if the "below-the-scene" shenanigans to hide the roll-call makes its way into his speech tomorrow.
Let's take a quick inventory of what is happening to Obama and the convention.
- Hillary Clinton supporters expected to have a public roll-call for nominees and save face by showing the party's support for their candidate. Then, they would vote for Obama. The Omaba camp is attempting to derail those efforts, which may push some Hillary supporters to McCain.
- These attempts for a secret roll-call may also affect Hillary's support and her speech at the convention.
- McCain is capitalizing on the "bad blood" between Hillary and Obama, and fielded his first ads of Hillary voters, going to the McCain camp.
- Bill Clinton has been upset with the Obama campaign all along, because they never gave him any credit for the 8 years he run this country. Many have tried to tell Obama that it would take *very little* effort to acknowledge that and bring Bill on-board 100%, but he hasn't listened, so it's anybody's guess how supportive Bill Clinton will be of Obama.
- Obama picks Biden (good choice), but it's not clear if that will give him enough on the "experience" front. Sure, Biden is a very experienced and achieved politician, and a good VP candidate, but Obama can't just "borrow" someone else's experience.
- Obama pisses off some in the gay community by being against gay marriage. A major gay media czar, Paul Colichman, publicly tears up his support check for Obama. That can't help Obama.
- Reports of Obama as a 60's radical by linking him to William Ayers are staring to surface, and Obama is publicly defending himself, but defense is very "energy" expensive and many times does not undo the damage done by first impressions of such reports.
The next couple of days will be very interesting for the Democrats. There is a good chance that the party will come undone at the seams. Many democrat leaders also realize that and are trying to what whatever they can to keep it together. Will they succeed? It's not an easy task, but we'll see.
Not that the Republicans can/will do any better. Their chance to mess it all up will come shortly, and at that time, I'll posting about them, too.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Shortage of Scientists and Engineers
Based on a recent article in the New York Times, Japan is facing a shortage in engineers and scientists. Well, welcome to the club! Based on reports over the past few years, the US has been facing such a shortage for the last 20 years, or so. Although undergraduate enrollment in the science and engineering fields increased slightly between 2000 and 2003, overall such enrollment has been sliding down since the 1980s.
Who's to blame, you ask. Well, there is apparently plenty of blame to go around, it just depends on who you ask. The most often cited reason you hear is, "...of course, in today's lazy society it's easier to get a degree in social studies, rather than go into science and engineering which requires a lot of work and commitment". That's an easy answer, it sounds good, only it attempts to simplify the problem way too much. We wish that answers to such serious socio-economical issues were that simple - they are not.
Although a general laziness, impatience, and need for immediate results, of newer generations is likely *a* reason, it seems to me that there are many factors that have contributed to bringing us to where we are today.
One of the factors was the general thinking, a few decades ago, that college students needed to graduate with a more balanced education. The belief was that graduates of science and engineering were not taking enough "social studies" courses and were not in touch reality, and the social issues that surrounded them. This necessitated the increased funding and enforcement of social studies departments, which in turn resulted in higher student requitments by those departments, which now needed additional funding to function properly, which started a self-sustained exponential growth cycle for such departments and their influence on colleges and universities in general.
Another factor was that many engineers and scientists spent 4,6 or more years of very demanding university work, to get a job, making a descent salary, working for a business manager with the same level of education making 4 or 5 times as much. Save for the satisfaction of one doing what one likes, very disheartening!
Also, in the 70's, who hadn't heard the stories about young people with PhD degrees from Harvard, driving cabs because they couldn't get a job?
These are some of the reasons that there may be a shortage. On the other hand, part of the announced shortages could be well orchestrated propaganda, to lower the criteria for allowing scientists and engineers to immigrate to this country.
But, I'm sure you had already thought of that, as well...
Who's to blame, you ask. Well, there is apparently plenty of blame to go around, it just depends on who you ask. The most often cited reason you hear is, "...of course, in today's lazy society it's easier to get a degree in social studies, rather than go into science and engineering which requires a lot of work and commitment". That's an easy answer, it sounds good, only it attempts to simplify the problem way too much. We wish that answers to such serious socio-economical issues were that simple - they are not.
Although a general laziness, impatience, and need for immediate results, of newer generations is likely *a* reason, it seems to me that there are many factors that have contributed to bringing us to where we are today.
One of the factors was the general thinking, a few decades ago, that college students needed to graduate with a more balanced education. The belief was that graduates of science and engineering were not taking enough "social studies" courses and were not in touch reality, and the social issues that surrounded them. This necessitated the increased funding and enforcement of social studies departments, which in turn resulted in higher student requitments by those departments, which now needed additional funding to function properly, which started a self-sustained exponential growth cycle for such departments and their influence on colleges and universities in general.
Another factor was that many engineers and scientists spent 4,6 or more years of very demanding university work, to get a job, making a descent salary, working for a business manager with the same level of education making 4 or 5 times as much. Save for the satisfaction of one doing what one likes, very disheartening!
Also, in the 70's, who hadn't heard the stories about young people with PhD degrees from Harvard, driving cabs because they couldn't get a job?
These are some of the reasons that there may be a shortage. On the other hand, part of the announced shortages could be well orchestrated propaganda, to lower the criteria for allowing scientists and engineers to immigrate to this country.
But, I'm sure you had already thought of that, as well...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Obama-vs-Clinton
Was that really the master plan of the DNC? Were the real controllers of the party actually machinating the "best-ever" primary campaigning, when they decided that Obama and Clinton would fight it out to the end?
Think about it. For the last few months, all you see in the papers, the news channels, on-line, and pretty much in every medium is the fight between Obama and Clinton. I bet if you polled the general public, few would know that this is only the primary and even fewer would know that there is another candidate, from another party running, McCain.
It really is starting to make sense. The DNC makes such a race out of the primary that subconsciously, Americans feel that the race for President is really between their two candidates, thus marginalizing the republican candidate. It's the ultimate plan! By the time November comes around, there are only two names, as far as the voting public knows, Obama and Clinton. After all, that's all they have been hearing about for the last few months. Who could blame them.
An ingenious plan, and I think it's working. Who knows who McCain is, what his plans are, etc.? Very few voters, indeed.
Think about it. For the last few months, all you see in the papers, the news channels, on-line, and pretty much in every medium is the fight between Obama and Clinton. I bet if you polled the general public, few would know that this is only the primary and even fewer would know that there is another candidate, from another party running, McCain.
It really is starting to make sense. The DNC makes such a race out of the primary that subconsciously, Americans feel that the race for President is really between their two candidates, thus marginalizing the republican candidate. It's the ultimate plan! By the time November comes around, there are only two names, as far as the voting public knows, Obama and Clinton. After all, that's all they have been hearing about for the last few months. Who could blame them.
An ingenious plan, and I think it's working. Who knows who McCain is, what his plans are, etc.? Very few voters, indeed.
Friday, March 28, 2008
USA Worker Base
"We're having trouble finding the numbers that we need with the skills that are required to do these jobs," AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson told a business group in San Antonio"
Having been in management for years, I hear similar statements from colleagues at various gatherings. And, it's nor restricted to high-tech fields, either.
So, what is happening? Is the US workforce base really deteriorating, or are these managers making excuses, so they can ship jobs abroad?
I am not an expert on these issues, but it sure sounds to me that this may be the old "what came first, the chicken or the egg" question. A very simplified ed version is this. Labor base deteriorates, companies ship jobs abroad (or import workers), potential employees become discouraged and stop trying to acquire expertise, job pool becomes even thinner, so employers have to look elsewhere, and so on...
We, need, however, to ask ourselves, what really started this downhill run, and is there anything that can be done to stop it, or better reverse it?
Again not claiming and sort of guru expertise, my observations seem to tell me that the two issues that have driven us to where we are today, are education and feeling of entitlement.
There is question that our education system has been deteriorating. As Betsy Brown Ruzzi presented in her study, "International Education Tests: An Overview 2005", the US did not even rank in the top 12 in either reading, mathematics, or science in testing 8-th graders and above. There is something wrong! We want to claim the title of the most technologically advanced country, yet our students are being outperformed even in basic skills! Guess, what, if that's the case, then the only way to *retain* that title would be by bringing some of those out-performing us, so the can help us. It makes sense. Of course, the better, but tougher, solution would be to fix our educational system, so that our students, who become our eventual workers, once again become competitive, but who wants to hear that, really. Everyone is looking for the *quick fix* - send the jobs abroad, or bring others to this country to help us. Well, if that keeps happening, we are going to run into another problem, we are going to run out of jobs at McDonald's and Wendy's, to absorb all the student graduating with a very limited set of skills. Now, don't get me wrong. There is *nothing* wrong with working at McDonald's and Wendy's. Those employees serve as important a function in our economy and society as anyone else. But, as mentioned earlier, not everyone can work there.
And before feathers get ruffled, let me make sure I state, when I am talking about the "educational system deteriorating", I am *NOT* criticizing the teachers! This is truly a systemic problem. If anything, given today's climate, I admire anyone who decides to become a teacher. May be that's where we should start. Let's start giving teachers the recognition of the important role they play in society. Yes, teachers are the ones that form the character of the next generation, the next CEOs, the next president of the United States. Being a teacher was something to be proud of. Let's get back to that. Let's give them the recognition and authority they deserve. Parents, you can keep an eye on what is going on, but stay out of the way and let teachers do their job!
I kind-of lost my train of thought... Oh, yeah, the second issue, feeling of entitlement. Well, in today's society, there is a feeling that once someone finishes school, and decides to look for a job, they are entitled to it. They don't think that a company is "giving them a chance" to do something with their life, albeit not necessarily for altruistic reasons. No, they are entitled to a job, and benefits, and vacation, and holidays, and... I have seen it with my own eyes, while interviewing candidates for entry-level jobs. Many (not all) came to the interview with the attitude, "well, I'll listen to you, see what you have to offer me, and if I feel like I am getting what I want, I'll take the job". That attitude, coupled with the fact that their education and preparedness for the job is sub-par, results in, you guessed it, "Next candidate, please...". Again, I am not saying that employees should settled for whatever they can get, or be taken advantage of, or anything like that. But, they are *NOT* entitled to a job, just because they finished school! They have to show that they need the job, they want the job! They have to show that they are interested in participating in the growth of the company/business that wants to hire them, which in turn guarantees their own growth. But, they'll argue, what guarantee do they have that company growth will not mean their job being outsourced and their being out to pasture. Which brings me back to "the chicken and the egg" problem.
We've come full circle.
Having been in management for years, I hear similar statements from colleagues at various gatherings. And, it's nor restricted to high-tech fields, either.
So, what is happening? Is the US workforce base really deteriorating, or are these managers making excuses, so they can ship jobs abroad?
I am not an expert on these issues, but it sure sounds to me that this may be the old "what came first, the chicken or the egg" question. A very simplified ed version is this. Labor base deteriorates, companies ship jobs abroad (or import workers), potential employees become discouraged and stop trying to acquire expertise, job pool becomes even thinner, so employers have to look elsewhere, and so on...
We, need, however, to ask ourselves, what really started this downhill run, and is there anything that can be done to stop it, or better reverse it?
Again not claiming and sort of guru expertise, my observations seem to tell me that the two issues that have driven us to where we are today, are education and feeling of entitlement.
There is question that our education system has been deteriorating. As Betsy Brown Ruzzi presented in her study, "International Education Tests: An Overview 2005", the US did not even rank in the top 12 in either reading, mathematics, or science in testing 8-th graders and above. There is something wrong! We want to claim the title of the most technologically advanced country, yet our students are being outperformed even in basic skills! Guess, what, if that's the case, then the only way to *retain* that title would be by bringing some of those out-performing us, so the can help us. It makes sense. Of course, the better, but tougher, solution would be to fix our educational system, so that our students, who become our eventual workers, once again become competitive, but who wants to hear that, really. Everyone is looking for the *quick fix* - send the jobs abroad, or bring others to this country to help us. Well, if that keeps happening, we are going to run into another problem, we are going to run out of jobs at McDonald's and Wendy's, to absorb all the student graduating with a very limited set of skills. Now, don't get me wrong. There is *nothing* wrong with working at McDonald's and Wendy's. Those employees serve as important a function in our economy and society as anyone else. But, as mentioned earlier, not everyone can work there.
And before feathers get ruffled, let me make sure I state, when I am talking about the "educational system deteriorating", I am *NOT* criticizing the teachers! This is truly a systemic problem. If anything, given today's climate, I admire anyone who decides to become a teacher. May be that's where we should start. Let's start giving teachers the recognition of the important role they play in society. Yes, teachers are the ones that form the character of the next generation, the next CEOs, the next president of the United States. Being a teacher was something to be proud of. Let's get back to that. Let's give them the recognition and authority they deserve. Parents, you can keep an eye on what is going on, but stay out of the way and let teachers do their job!
I kind-of lost my train of thought... Oh, yeah, the second issue, feeling of entitlement. Well, in today's society, there is a feeling that once someone finishes school, and decides to look for a job, they are entitled to it. They don't think that a company is "giving them a chance" to do something with their life, albeit not necessarily for altruistic reasons. No, they are entitled to a job, and benefits, and vacation, and holidays, and... I have seen it with my own eyes, while interviewing candidates for entry-level jobs. Many (not all) came to the interview with the attitude, "well, I'll listen to you, see what you have to offer me, and if I feel like I am getting what I want, I'll take the job". That attitude, coupled with the fact that their education and preparedness for the job is sub-par, results in, you guessed it, "Next candidate, please...". Again, I am not saying that employees should settled for whatever they can get, or be taken advantage of, or anything like that. But, they are *NOT* entitled to a job, just because they finished school! They have to show that they need the job, they want the job! They have to show that they are interested in participating in the growth of the company/business that wants to hire them, which in turn guarantees their own growth. But, they'll argue, what guarantee do they have that company growth will not mean their job being outsourced and their being out to pasture. Which brings me back to "the chicken and the egg" problem.
We've come full circle.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Ultimate Fighting for Kids
Ultimate Fighting has been touted as the fastest growing sport, ever. It has also been dubbed "human cockfighting". Adults, pummeling each other, trying to inflict real harm, while a whole bunch of other adults are cheering them on. Or so it used to be until recently.
According to an AP article, in a recent fighting event in Montana, kids as young as 6 put on the protective gear and got into the fight, both boys and girls. Some parents that were interviewed said that they'd rather have their kids learning how to defend themselves, rather than running out in the streets, getting in trouble.
That sounds to me like they may be trying to convince themselves that what they are doing is the right thing. Let's face it, they are training their kids for dogfights. And, I'm surprised that the law steps in to protect dogs from being abused, i.e., being trained for and participating in dog fights, but will not do the same for these young children!
Oh, the parents' response, "... you can't tell me what to do with my children..." Give me a break. Children are not a piece of property that you own and can do whatever you want with them. When you dress 9-yr olds in fighting gear and send them to the mat, you are abusing them, regardless of how much they tell you they enjoy it. They are just kids, but *you* should know better!
I hope the law steps in and puts an end to this abuse.
According to an AP article, in a recent fighting event in Montana, kids as young as 6 put on the protective gear and got into the fight, both boys and girls. Some parents that were interviewed said that they'd rather have their kids learning how to defend themselves, rather than running out in the streets, getting in trouble.
That sounds to me like they may be trying to convince themselves that what they are doing is the right thing. Let's face it, they are training their kids for dogfights. And, I'm surprised that the law steps in to protect dogs from being abused, i.e., being trained for and participating in dog fights, but will not do the same for these young children!
Oh, the parents' response, "... you can't tell me what to do with my children..." Give me a break. Children are not a piece of property that you own and can do whatever you want with them. When you dress 9-yr olds in fighting gear and send them to the mat, you are abusing them, regardless of how much they tell you they enjoy it. They are just kids, but *you* should know better!
I hope the law steps in and puts an end to this abuse.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Olympic Flame and Protests
The lighting of the Olympic torch took place in Olympia, Greece today. The lighting is a process that takes place before the start of each Summer Olympic games and the torch carries the light from there to the host country, for the opening ceremonies.
Today, the event was marred by a few protesters from "Reporters without Borders" that held black flags with the Olympic rings pictures as handcuffs, protesting China's treatment of Tibet.
It got me thinking about the whole concept of the Olympics, and whether this was a good venue for such demonstrations.
I'm torn. Part of me thinks that if one believes that some human rights are being violated (as these protesters claims is done by China towards Tibet), then they have a social responsibility to voice that concern in any forum they can access.
Another part, however, thinks that the Olympic events should be immune from all that. Even during the ancient Olympics, all political fighting and wars, were paused for the events. Olympics were were supposed to be void of any politics. One of the reasons they were started was indeed to pause ALL hostilities!
The more I think about it, the more I think that the Olympics should only be about athletes getting together and competing. All other issues should be kept out of them. There are many venues that can be used by protesters. to try and make their statements. Let's have at least one that doesn't become the soapbox for everyone with an ax to grind.
And, I am not passing judgment as to whether the protesters are right or wrong. They may be very right in chastising China for their human rights abuse record. All I'm saying leave their plight ot of the Olympics. It's about the only institution that remains!
Today, the event was marred by a few protesters from "Reporters without Borders" that held black flags with the Olympic rings pictures as handcuffs, protesting China's treatment of Tibet.
It got me thinking about the whole concept of the Olympics, and whether this was a good venue for such demonstrations.
I'm torn. Part of me thinks that if one believes that some human rights are being violated (as these protesters claims is done by China towards Tibet), then they have a social responsibility to voice that concern in any forum they can access.
Another part, however, thinks that the Olympic events should be immune from all that. Even during the ancient Olympics, all political fighting and wars, were paused for the events. Olympics were were supposed to be void of any politics. One of the reasons they were started was indeed to pause ALL hostilities!
The more I think about it, the more I think that the Olympics should only be about athletes getting together and competing. All other issues should be kept out of them. There are many venues that can be used by protesters. to try and make their statements. Let's have at least one that doesn't become the soapbox for everyone with an ax to grind.
And, I am not passing judgment as to whether the protesters are right or wrong. They may be very right in chastising China for their human rights abuse record. All I'm saying leave their plight ot of the Olympics. It's about the only institution that remains!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
William F. Buckley
Critics were abound, when it came to chastising Buckley for using words that were not in daily use, or understood by many Americans. However, he didn't let that dissuade him, because he really believed that people need to be challenged, in order to better themselves, even if that was only simply mastering their own language.
As he once noted, restricting a writer from using certain words, simply because they are not often spoken every day, is like telling a composer that they could not use diminished cords in their their next composition.
Although I found myself looking up words that he used in his writings, I agree with his way of thinking. If we do not use certain words, because they are not often used, we are simply ensuring that our vocabulary, and the English language, in general, will slowly become "limited". Not enough words would be available or known that would allow one to express a whole spectrum of feelings, emotions, conditions, etc. it'd be just black-or-white.
I may not have agreed with many of his views, but we need more writers like him, to preserve the language.
As he once noted, restricting a writer from using certain words, simply because they are not often spoken every day, is like telling a composer that they could not use diminished cords in their their next composition.
Although I found myself looking up words that he used in his writings, I agree with his way of thinking. If we do not use certain words, because they are not often used, we are simply ensuring that our vocabulary, and the English language, in general, will slowly become "limited". Not enough words would be available or known that would allow one to express a whole spectrum of feelings, emotions, conditions, etc. it'd be just black-or-white.
I may not have agreed with many of his views, but we need more writers like him, to preserve the language.
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