Graduate at 16?

Early Graduation

The article linked above describes an interesting idea. New Hampshire is developing a set of rigorous tests for 10th graders that would allow students to graduate and move on to vocational or community college by age 16. Some argue that it could be a solution to the 'crisis' that the U.S. is falling behind other nations in education. While I'm not sure how early graduation would help international competitiveness, I could see how this may help some students who may explore early college or vocational options. I'm also a little unsure about how it would save money if the schools have fewer students. In any case, I thought it was an interesting article so if people want to comment please do!

Baby News

I know many of you are looking for updates on the baby. Well, everything is going well, but Jenn has developed some symptoms of preeclampsia, so our outstanding nurse-midwife Lisa took Jenn off her feet for the last few weeks of the pregnency. We went up to U-M hospital for an ultrasound screening/biophysical analysis and all is well. I'll send out an email to the group when any news hits, so if I'm absent for a day or two, expect a brief email update.

2008: Great Year or Greatest Year? (Warning: Political Content)

What a year! I mean, except for the whole economic downturn and all. Election, Olympics, SMAC, election, SMAC , election, election. A few quick comments about the discussions from this week: Breakfast was mmmmmm good. It was a really exciting day Tuesday and also Wednesday after the election. First, the gay marriage thing came up (AKA, Prop 8 in Cali). I still don't get it. Just let them get married. It doesn't affect anyone else but the people involved. And why does the government have to specifically exclude a certain group of people? Some say that anyone can have the same visitation rights and tax benefits as long as they just don't use the word marriage. Fine, then rename everyone's marriage cert. a civil union cert. and let the churches call it whateverthehecktheywant. Also, why does the church have ownership over the word marriage? I just get the sense that if gay people getting married civil unioned makes you uncomfortable about your marriage civil union, then that is not a 'gay' problem, that is a 'you' problem.

Another thing that came up is the 'he's not my President' convo. I have to say that I've never been impressed with GWB. I was beyond shocked when he won the nomination in 2000 over McCain and others. He never seemed to express opinions and/or knowledge very well. Essentially, he was Joe Sixpack before Caribou Barbie came around. Some people like to think that the image he projects to the media (or when he talks, period) is due to a lack of charisma or not being comfortable speaking in public. I don't buy that. Al Gore had zero charisma in 2000, but he could communicate his understanding of topics at a level that did not require 3 second pauses to search for words like 'good' or 'decider.' It was the same in 2004 with John Kerry, who has never been accused of having charisma.

Most politicians have spent their entire lives in public service thinking about and dealing with issues that come up in debates and press conferences. GWB? Not so much, apparently...IDK. When one has a deep understanding about a topic, they feel confortable discussing it and answering questions about it on the fly. When you don't spend your entire life thinking about and studying issues like economics or international relations or domestic policies, you don't develop the same level of knowledge. What's the result? Alaska being near Russia means you have foreign relations experience. War is hard work. So yeah, do I want a Joe Sixpack or a soccer MOM in the White House? No, I guess I have higher expectations for a POTUS or VP.

That being said, he's my President and he's been so for 8 years. But did I (only half jokingly) say I'd consider moving to Canada? You bet (but honestly, part of the reason is that Canada is awesome). So what does a conservative/republican do? You can suck it up, stay and vote for change while respecting the office of the President like I did, or GTFO. Don't worry though, it will only be 8 long, excruciating years. Except without a new war, a Patriot Act, useless tax rebates, a $10T deficit, torture and world wide disrespect. Actually, I guess that wouldn't be so excruciating.