Entries for March 2009

There is no such thing as a conservative or a liberal position for the teachings of the Catholic Church. There is only one position and that is the official position. All Catholics are required to adhere to it.

T. J. Moynihan of FL in response to Bonnie Erbe:
The Fake Obama-Notre Dame Controversy

As a nurse who worked with old-fashioned written charts, as well as electronic medical records, I much prefer the old-fashioned charts [Electronic Medical Records: Hazardous to Your Health? usnews.com]. If someone writes an important item in the old one, it will be there next time someone looks. The electronic files sometimes get lost, things drop off, or are written in the wrong place and never to be found. Many doctors I knew did not like to use electronic files, and demanded their history and physical be in written paper form, along with the doctor's orders and progress notes. If I wanted to learn what was wrong with a patient, I would always know the history and physical was available, thank goodness, along with orders, and progress notes. Nurse's notes would be a "checklist" and absolutely worthless. Any patient in the place had the same checklist, and almost all the checks were in the same places. I would be very concerned about passing medication using entirely electronic medical records and computer dispensed meds. I can't understand why they think it saves so much money. It makes staff go to computers instead of spending time with their patients.

Comment by Nancy of IN

While it is valid to argue that some graduate programs in teaching are in fact "cash cows" as they do nothing to prepare their students for the realities of a classroom, it is also valid to argue that if one is searching for the one thing that will improve education, just keep looking ["What You Should Consider Before Education Graduate School," usnews.com]. There are weak and ineffective graduate programs with nothing built into the program to give teachers hands-on experiences in the classroom or are giving students idyllic experiences that are nothing like what they will actually face in a real classroom. There are people who have delusions about teaching as an easy profession where the day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Teaching is a gift. Good teachers can handle just about any classroom. If the environment is engaging enough and the teacher cares enough to forge relationships with their students, even some of the worst students will get involved. Standardized tests do a very poor job of assessing the multiple intelligences our children have. How do these state tests assess interpersonal intelligence; artistic intelligence; musical intelligence? They don't. Yet these tests are, for many school districts, the determining factor on whether our children are succeeding.

Comment by Valerie Valentine of NY

How can pharmaceutical companies justify such a cost and how can health insurance companies justify letting people suffer by refusing to insure someone with a serious illness?

Carol Smith of SC in response to Bonnie Erbe:
Ban Health Insurance Blacklists

Any doctrine or bill that unfairly targets one segment of the population should be illegal.

Joe of N.Y. in response to Public Opinion:
Rush Limbaugh and the Fairness Doctrine: Do We Need a New Version?

I'm in favor of legalizing it [marijuana], but I suppose it wouldn't do that much to stimulate the economy (I still don't think it would hurt) ["Obama: Marijuana Legalization Not Good for the Economy," usnews.com]. What Obama implicitly did today was basically say "I don't favor legalizing marijuana." He chose to do this. He wasn't put on the spot. He could have just ignored it, which would have angered some pro-legalization people, but not as much as bringing it up and laughing at them. He could have easily said "I don't think it's going to do much to stimulate the economy, but it might be worth doing for other reasons." This would have been my second favorite answer. Is he just trying to score points with the stuffy straight crowd that think he's too liberal? I noticed a lot of the reporters in the room clapped. Very frustrating, the whole thing.

Comment by Ken of NY

I would argue that the decline of Mainstream Media began when 24-hour news networks got their start. These satirical shows are the symptom, not the cause.

Sarah of NC in response to Robert Schlesinger:
Creeping News-o-tainment

I thought the Constitution mandated freedom of the press ["Newspaper Bailout Seriously Considered," usnews.com]. How can the federal government actually consider such [bailout] legislation? Where will the money come from to help all of these newspapers? Let's face it; printed newspapers are a dying medium. The paper no longer serves a legitimate purpose to most of the communities they serve. They could stay afloat as online entities. My local community newspaper has a Web presence. I prefer it over the physical newspaper because I can go back and find articles later for reference, without keeping stacks of newsprint everywhere. Let the newspapers go the way of the telegraph, teletype, and steam locomotive. After all, we don't see the government trying to prop up those dead industries.

Comment by Ivan of MD

I am a carrier for the Tacoma News Tribune, and I cannot tell you how stupid the logic is that comes out of these Internet junkies. Has anyone ever considered the possibility that something could very well happen to our computer infrastructure? Then were would we get our media source? I am most certainly not comfortable with any bailout for all the obvious reasons. I just can't understand why these computer nerds feel it appropriate to demoralize as well as demonize a very strong part of our American history. I can understand the whole green aspect, but let's face the facts there are laws put into place that most paper products use a certain percentage of recycled goods.

Comment by Bill of WA

After eight years of listening to the "misunderestimated" president butcher the English language, it is refreshing to listen to Obama use clear, well thought out language.

Rob Duerr of MA in response to Robert Schlesinger:
Obama Reads From a Teleprompter—Horrors!

Apparently Jake DeSantis did his job working 10-14-hour days and taking an annual salary of $1 at AIG ["Jake DeSantis: Dear AIG, I Quit!" usnews.com]. Under contract he would make a bonus based on profitability of his division. He knew the risks involved under contract, performed his job duties under contract, and should be paid based on his contract. He did his job. I would not give up my hard earned money. He sacrificed his life and family life. By the way Jake I am starting a new business. My team consists of honesty, credibility, and integrity. I want you on my team.

Comment by Paul M. of IL