Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Dignified death -- in Switzerland, assisted suicide is legal

A sign of a civilized world:
'The children accompanied their parents to Switzerland where assisted suicide is legal: "Within a couple of minutes they were asleep, and died within 10 minutes,” Caractacus Downes, the couple’s 41-year-old son, said in the interview after his return to Britain. “They wanted to be next to each other when they died.” He added, “It is a very civilized way to end your life, and I don’t understand why the legal position in this country doesn’t allow it.”'

New York Times Article

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Education is key to future jobs

Obama has pledged to direct funds to community colleges to aid in the retraining of workers for future jobs. Hoorah for the philosophy of the more you know, the more power you have! "President Barack Obama on Tuesday unveiled a $12 billion plan to help community colleges prepare millions of people for a new generation of jobs."

AP Article

The only problem in Obama's plan is the perceived problem with fewer folks completing a degree at the Community College level than at the 4-year colleges. People who understand community colleges know that they attract people who are dabbling, who might want to take just a few classes, or who want a certificate for a job training program -- NONE of which requires completing the necessary classes for an actual AA degree. Pushing these people to get AA degrees would not be in their best interest. Completion rates of AA degrees should NOT be part of any future funding plans.

Australian Heathcare -- One good example

For a review on Australian Healthcare, look to this article. Per my recent travels, Australia makes the US look third world.

Where love leads, nature follows.

The animal world gives us evidence of the same behaviors we see among couples in the human world -- bisexual behaviors, break-ups, and interest in the next-door neighbor -- from Penguins to Chimps to Swans.

For more information, read this SF Chronicle Article: Widow a wedge between zoo's male penguin pair.