Posted By RichC on July 31, 2013
My son Taylor shared a bunch of eighth grade exam questions and wondered if I thought today’s high school graduates could even pass this test. Not only were we shocked with what students from 1912 were expected to learn, we were doubly impressed that the test was from a county school in Kentucky (no offense to Kentucky residents).
see http://www.bullittcountyhistory.com/bchistory/schoolexam1912.html
Posted By RichC on July 30, 2013
FORT MEADE, Md.—A military judge acquitted Pfc. Bradley Manning of the most serious accusation against him—that he aided U.S. enemies—but found him guilty Tuesday on most other charges related to his disclosure of documents to the antisecrecy website WikiLeaks. (WSJ)
No matter which side of the argument you come down on in dealing with soldiers or personnel with “clearances” who expose confidential military or government data, the recent trial of Bradley Manning and the current in limbo man Edward Snowden highlight the risk. In PFC Manning’s case, the presiding judge, Col. Denise Lind “convicted Private Manning on charges related to taking information from government databases, bypassing security mechanisms and using classified information for other than its intended purpose.” His most obvious “leak” was to provide WikiLeaks a video of a 2009 Iraqi airstrike. Most seeing the video are appalled at how our military functioned, as no doubt did Manning. On the other hand, there is a appropriate change of command and implication for the security of our country as well as troops in harms way. The way I see it, those appropriately serving around the world receive the brunt of any reaction from our enemies when others are not professional or leakers bypass the chain of command and release confidential information. To Mannings favor, judge Lind acquitted him of the most serious charge of aiding the enemy.
In the current case of Edward Snowden, he is reluctant to return to the U.S. and face charges. He continues his “vacation” at a Moscow airport attempting to negotiate the best option for his decision to leak files of secret information about U.S. surveillance programs to the foreign press. Snowden faces criminal charges of stealing and passing secret information.
Posted By RichC on July 30, 2013
I watched Taylor climbing pine trees in order to cut of a few dead branches and started to wonder if he was going to cut the ones below him … the ones he needed to climb back down. 
Besides the odds and end chores around the house and yard, we bought new tires for Brenda’s aging Rav4. It looks like we’ll have to keep it until at least 300,000 miles now!
Posted By RichC on July 29, 2013
My brother’s daughter Keira was married this weekend to her “ONU Sweetheart” Ben Ankrom at a nice ceremony and reception in Dayton Ohio – Engagement Announcement (FYI: Sweethearts = Ohio Northern University’s name for alumni couples who marry – which includes Brenda and me). We enjoyed the entire day on Saturday and the friends and family reception. Everyone had a great time.
Congratulations Keira and Ben … we couldn’t be happier for you. (Archiving a few phone pics below, some of which I need to start deleting for space reasons – click for larger)
Posted By RichC on July 27, 2013
The question posed by the WSJ this past week was “will the young and give up disposable income to pay for health insurance” or with they pay the penalty until it becomes too expensive?
It has been difficult to explicate the complex and questionably titled “Affordable Care Act” – Obamacare to many who are politically uninterested when it comes to the cost and care when government dictates health care decisions. The WSJ graphic (below break) is a poignant illustration for those who are younger and healthier when it comes to paying for health insurance. The “seller” of Obamacare (President Obama himself) has ballyhooed the early perks and at what is perceived as “free” in the short term, particularly since nationally we’ve extended childhood until age 26, expanded Medicaid and included pre-existing conditions.“Children” are now covered by law on a parent’s health plan, but its not free, someone is paying. Those who are younger and statistically healthier notice few negative changes since going to the doctor is a rarity, unless they have a baby. Some Gen-Xers might be sharp enough to realize that Obamacare is one of the reasons they may be under or unemployed … that is unless they are jaded by politicians, left wing activists and the liberally slanted media outlets, all who support a more socialized America. Those groups, willingly or unwillingly, support policies that expand America’s entitlement class and growing divide between the takers and the makers.
Come on PEOPLE! Independence and ambition is what built our great country … sadly, it is entirely possible that dependence and a sense of entitlement may be what brings our undoing. Do you need current day examples — Greece, Spain, etc.
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Posted By RichC on July 26, 2013
It is difficult not to be in awe by the photos our space probe Cassini has sent back from near our solar systems second largest planet.
The first photo shows the distinctive rings of Saturn and the tiny blip that is our planet Earth. The second is enlarged and shows our blue marble being orbited by the moon. We are small … very tiny indeed.
Posted By RichC on July 26, 2013
These are the kinds of stories that I need to keep away from my job-seeking son … but that I would have used as “dream material” when in high school or college!
ESCAPING THE RECESSION BY BOAT
When the Great Recession hit, young people found a million different ways to cope with their battered job prospects. Alex and Nick Kleeman found the best way, scraping together enough cash to buy a 32-foot sailboat, then plunging into the Pacific for the adventure of their lives. So what if they didn’t know how to sail?
Test: Apple’s iCloud online Pages app. Converted text to archive text of article to PDF
Posted By RichC on July 25, 2013
I notice that for a few days that Lin Pardey’s Kindle version of the book Bull Canyon is only $2.99. I’ve been wanting to read for a while now (since I own all of the more practical Pardey books) and have enjoyed everything previously written or put to video. I don’t expect it to be “as” functional, but enjoy knowing more about their life.
Posted By RichC on July 25, 2013
After participating in a smartphone and tablet mobile device survey today and analyzing the apps that I regularly use, only a handful stood out. One app that has impressed me as each subscribed magazine issue arrives is Zinio. I’m not sure that I’m totally ready to give up the trip to the mailbox for the glossy magazines yet, but that day is coming. If you haven’t tried the Zinio app, do yourself a favor and at least download it to your tablet and start collecting a few issue of your favorite magazine.
Posted By RichC on July 24, 2013
Alexander Polli, BASE-jumper, amazes viewers with daredevil flights in a wingsuit by high risk maneuvers like flying through a narrow mountainside cave in Spain.