Kindle Bad for Classrooms?

I am the first to admit that the Kindle is a niche device - probably best for frequent travelers like me or commuters. So I am not surprised that the first feedback on the Kindle from colleges is poor.

America’s Götterdämmerung

“Is it better to be living in a civilization’s ascendency or its descent?”

For you non-classical music fans out there, “Götterdämmerung” translates to Twilight of the Gods, Wagner’s famous opera. And I believe, and have felt it now for a while, that I am living in my civilization’s descent.

I look around me and see the signs all around, and I think most Americans realize it, even if it’s on a subconscious level. Something started going terribly wrong about forty years ago and took root, and the rot is now showing. Schools, universities, all our institutions exist to serve themselves and not the citizens that come to use them. We elected a man-child with no experience as executive, send corrupt politicians to congress for generations and send unqualified judges to the Supreme Court. The document that defines our nation is under constant attack with “rights” that aren’t mentioned added daily, and the rights that are written in steadily being taken away.

Perhaps these signs are just a reflection of the decay of the people who make up this country – Americans stuff their faces, are unable to save, run up debts they can’t pay for, and walk away blaming someone else for their ills. They now look to a mommy-government to right the wrongs of their own bad decisions, to take their responsibilities away and give them free support for all their needs.

If you think I am being harsh remember that I travel extensively and I see the difference overseas in Asia - the hard work, determination, drive to succeed, and the belief that a country must go out – like a person – and make its place in the world. While America hobbles itself with over-the-line environmental regulations, drilling bans and anti-business policies, countries like China are aggressively taking over natural resources through strategic acquisitions, partnerships and political ties to insure they have a sure and steady supply of things that make a country go.

I don’t so see other countries catching up so much as the U.S. committing cultural suicide.

Instruments of War SHOULD be on Currency

As I have written before, I used to be something of a currency collector. I am not into it much any more, but there was one item I never got that I always wanted - the 1918 $2 "battleship" Federal Reserve Bank Note. It's been a serious hole in my collection and I finally broke down and got one.

Imagine something like this going on currency today:


Today our currencies get politically correct historical footnotes like Sasquatch, or whatever her name is.
Obsolete currency has actually proven to be a good investment over the last decade. The above note has doubled in price over the last five years in nearly all grades. They are sort of like small works of art, and collectors can go with lower grades (the condition of the note) if they have a small budget. The note above is actually considered in pretty good shape.
I think as inflation hits the economy these old dollar bills will be worth a hell of a lot more than the new dollar bills in your pocket.

Avis DOES Try Harder

I arrive at the car rental counter on a routine business trip and Avis tells me that I have been "upgraded" from my standard econobox. I figured I would get a Town Car or some other land yacht. Instead I got a Solaris.

The question now is whether to go trolling for business or cruising for chicks.