Dear USA TODAY Editor,

Nail the coffin shut on America, free thinking has apparently become a waste of time and money. Or so you might think if you read USA Today’s cover story for November 19, 2008. Here, reporters expose a horrifying trend that college athletes overwhelmingly pursue *gasp* social science degrees. At first gloss, it doesn’t seem to be much of a story; that some athletes look for an easy academic load and cluster around so-called ‘easier’ majors fits the stereotype. But a closer look at the story reveals a wholesale condemnation of liberal arts and social sciences degrees, by the authors, by those directing the study, and those asked to comment, as a waste of effort, a waste of money, and as incapable of providing people with any valuable skill. (more…)

Over the last week, lots of news outlets have picked up on a report out from the WWF. I thought I’d share, since I helped write it!

Here are some of the news stories:

Global Warming Is Affecting Arctic Faster, WWF Says (Update1)
Bloomberg - 19 hours ago
By Alex Morales April 24 (Bloomberg) — Global warming is hitting the Arctic harder and faster than scientists expected, causing unforeseen changes to the …

Arctic ice melting faster than anticipated -WWF
Reuters - Apr 23, 2008
By Laura MacInnis GENEVA, April 24 (Reuters) - Arctic ice may be melting faster than most climate change science has concluded, the conservation group WWF …

Eyewitness To A Melting World
Huffington Post, NY - Apr 22, 2008
In February, I came within a few degrees of 70 latitude south in Antarctica (see Solo to Antarctica …) And I returned a few days ago from northern …

The WWF press releases were picked up all over the world it seems, though mostly by countries other than the US. They also seem to have focused on the sea-ice/polar bear issue, even though there’s a LOT more in the report (including my piece on the impacts on Arctic peoples.

The full report can be accessed here: (My section starts on page 91, bullet summary on p14)

 http://assets.panda.org/downloads/final_climateimpact_22apr08.pdf

In a recent commentary, Phil Loring expressed some awkwardness regarding a perceived contradiction between a movement to save Ellis Island and the grass roots furor overillegal immigration which probably had a share in defeating Comprehensive Immigration Reform, the Dream Act, and New York state’s Driver’s License initiative. There is an important distinction, however, which has been overlooked in his commentary. Whatever your feelings towards Ellis Island, it was a processing center for immigrants. By definition, those immigrants admitted through the Island station were legal. There is no connection between those immigrants and measures in Texas and Florida that are designed to prevent illegal immigration. (more…)

Its been a while, I know. I apologize for the long absence to everyone subscribed. When I got back home following my honeymoon school and life just refused to slow down. I realize now that its less a matter of slowing life down and more a matter of making a point to take at least 30 minutes two write something here.

The need finally came this morning, when I saw a commercial for the Save Ellis Island organization. The commercial brought together actors, athletes, role models, making a plea to help them save this hugely important monument to American History. And indeed it is a great monument, to the young and idealistic years of our nation. A lot of great things happened at the hospital at Ellis Island, and i believe that it should not be allowed to fall into ruin. (more…)