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Information from some sites may not be reliable, or may not be vetted.
Some sources may require subscription.
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from Asia Times Online
In the first of a three-part series looking at innovation in the US economy on the cusp of a new era, Orla O'Sullivan asks whether the government ought to do more
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from Capital Press
The water outlook is good as snow and moisture accumulate across Washington state.
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from Chronicle of Higher Education
We Know What Works in Teaching Composition
Students needed help developing and deploying their ideas and matching their writing with the expectations of various disciplines.
from FEE (Foundation for Economic Education)
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
Why Americans are Getting Dumber and How to Fix It
A fifth-grade math or rhetoric textbook from 1850 would be considered college level material today. The continuing cry for ‘basic skills’ practice is a smoke screen behind which schools preempt the time of children for twelve years. The way out of this problem is to get children out of the institutional mode of schooling. Children in previous generations were encouraged to learn when they were ready and at the pace which they desired. The truth is that reading, writing, and arithmetic only take about one hundred hours to transmit as long as the audience is eager and willing to learn. The trick is to wait until someone asks and then move fast while the mood is on.
Campus and Culture Wars Divert Energy from the Struggle for Liberty Itself
Too many liberty advocates are aiming for the easy targets of “political correctness” while taking their sights off of the true enemy of liberty: those with actual political power. This trend has been accelerating for years, probably because culture wars are fun, generate attention and engagement, and have soft and vulnerable targets. By comparison, the real problem of State power – imposed on the whole of society, not just paying students – is much more difficult. Beating up on politically-correct adolescents and dole-draining immigrants might make for fun in frat houses. It’s an easy habit to pick up; but all of this mockery makes for lousy reform. A good rule of thumb for all those who oppose authoritarianism: always punch up, never down.
Marijuana Legalization Quietly Goes Global
In 2016, Uruguay and Canada legalized and regulated weed, helping to remove the stigma around the use of the plant. But Ireland, Australia, Germany, and Jamaica weren’t far behind, approving laws that recognize medical marijuana.
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from First Things
Star Wars is—or should be—a religious franchise. The Jedi are a monastic order trained in contemplating and manipulating an omnipresent Force, and in fighting against those who use the Force for evil ends. The crucial question for every character is always spiritual: whether one will choose the “light” or the “dark” side of the Force. Their character arcs involve taking a religious stance toward this mystical energy field. The Star Wars prequels irreverently secularized the Force, making it a controllable entity, measurable and understandable, infinitely use-able. In Rogue One, the Force becomes spiritual once again.
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from The Guardian (UK)
[Information from this site may be unreliable.]
Don’t be fooled, Christmas isn’t over yet – so keep on celebrating
The corporate calendar decrees that Christmas is done with – so it’s up to us to resist, and go on enjoying this special time of year for as long as possible
Archaeologist defies sceptics in pursuit of lost city of Trellech
After facing years of doubts, Stuart Wilson’s claim that he has found medieval city on English-Welsh border is being listened to
No evidence sugar-free soft drinks aid weight loss – study
Academics say no evidence to support perception that ‘diet’ drinks are healthier than full-sugar versions
Don’t be fooled, Christmas isn’t over yet – so keep on celebrating
The corporate calendar decrees that Christmas is done with – so it’s up to us to resist, and go on enjoying this special time of year for as long as possible
Archaeologist defies sceptics in pursuit of lost city of Trellech
After facing years of doubts, Stuart Wilson’s claim that he has found medieval city on English-Welsh border is being listened to
No evidence sugar-free soft drinks aid weight loss – study
Academics say no evidence to support perception that ‘diet’ drinks are healthier than full-sugar versions
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from The Heritage Foundation
The Administrative State Has Changed Our Culture. Trump Can Help Reverse Course.
Trump’s greatest challenge as president will likely be taking on this bureaucratic establishment, which has inculcated an entitlement mentality in ever-wider segments of the population.
When Energy Efficiency Rules Hurt the Public and the Environment
The Department of Energy’s proposed furnace rule will actually undermine efficiency goals while increasing costs for U.S. consumers.
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from LifeZette (& PoliZette)
House GOP’s First Blunder of 2017
Rep. Blackburn concedes 'the timing is bad' for gutting ethics oversight body
Trump Weaponizes Twitter — Against GOP
The sting and power of his tweets force Republicans to back down on planned ethics committee revamp
Trump Effect: Ford Scraps Plans for Mexico Plant
Auto manufacturer to invest $700 million in Michigan instead, anticipating better business climate with new president
Trump Goes After General Motors
President-elect warns of consequences for building in Mexico, shipping to America
Trump Admin Can Gut-Check Globalist Institutions
President-elect will have significant leverage to change how the U.S. is treated by UN, WTO
Trump Nominates Robert Lighthizer as U.S. Trade Rep.
Former Reagan official will help president-elect fulfill campaign promise of putting American workers first
Democratic Congressman Compares Trump to Castro
Rep. Steve Cohen sees 'personality traits' shared by president-elect and late Cuban dictator
Assange: Russia Not the Source of Hacked Emails
Says Obama White House trying to 'delegitimize' Trump administration
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from The Living Church
PUTTING THE INCARNATION BACK IN ‘INCARNATIONAL’
The Incarnation is not a principle. It is not just a reminder that God works and speaks through people. It is not primarily a model for ministry. It is the staggering, awe-inspiring good news that the one by whom all things were made came down from heaven for us and for our salvation.
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from Mises Institute
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]An essential element of the “unorthodox” doctrines, advanced both by all socialists and by all interventionists, is that the recurrence of depressions is a phenomenon inherent in the very operation, of the market economy. All governments are firmly committed to the policy of low interest rates, credit expansion, and inflation.
There’s a lot of talk these days about the so-called “neutral” (or “natural” or “terminal”) interest rate projections of the Federal Reserve. In fact, their projection of this number is a key argument in their ongoing decision to keep rates at historically very-low levels for what has been an extended period of time. (Specifically, Federal Reserve officials have argued that the neutral interest rate has sharply declined in recent years, meaning that apparently ultra-low interest rates do not really signify easy monetary policy.) The Fed says it can use a "neutral interest rate" to set policy. But, Fed economists don't understand how the neutral rate works.
Colorado was among the four states where voters approved a minimum wage hike in November. Among the specific provisions for the new wage hike was the stipulation that tipped workers — such as waiters who receive tips and are paid below the standard minimum wage — will receive a mandated wage hike of 99 cents. In response to new mandated wage hikes, restaurant owners are likely to raise prices, cut waiter jobs, and move toward less reliance on labor.
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from New York Times
House Republicans, Under Fire, Back Down on Gutting Ethics Office
Lawmakers, facing a storm of bipartisan criticism, including from the president-elect, moved to reverse steps to kill the Office of Congressional Ethics. The reversal came less than 24 hours after House Republicans, meeting in a secret session, voted to curtail the powers of the Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent body created in 2008 after a series of scandals involving House lawmakers, including three who were sent to jail.
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from Open Culture
The Largest Historical Dictionary of English Slang Now Free Online: Covers 500 Years of the "Vulgar Tongue"
In October, Green’s Dictionary of Slang became available as a free website, giving you access to an even more updated version of the dictionary. Collectively, the website lets you trace the development of slang over the past 500 years.
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from POLITICO
[Information from this site may not be reliable.]
Inside Trump’s strategy to remodel the Supreme Court
The president-elect is narrowing his short list while his advisers look beyond the current opening.
Inside Trump’s strategy to remodel the Supreme Court
The president-elect is narrowing his short list while his advisers look beyond the current opening.
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from The Spokesman-Review
Starbucks to top McDonald’s as restaurant king, analyst says
Starbucks is poised to overtake McDonald’s as the world’s most valuable restaurant chain, and the coffee giant could ultimately have a staggering 50,000 locations.
Justin Bradford: Harrington School’s size is also its strength
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from UPI News Agency - United Press International
upi.com
1:30 PM House Republicans scrapped plans Tuesday to gut the independent Office of Congressional Ethics after widespread criticism of the plan, including from President-elect Donald Trump.
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from Yahoo News
Israel's 'flying car' passenger drone moves closer to delivery
After 15 years of development, an Israeli tech firm is optimistic it will finally get its 1,500 kg (1.5 tonne) passenger carrying drone off the ground and into the market by 2020.
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