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The earlier comment on the air regarding having spreadsheets and specialists to do the math misses the point.  Unless that person has the basic understanding to evaluate the results from his resources, or understand the limitations and applications of those results, he's not really doing his job . . . blindly accepting results from a "black box" solution is very dangerous . . . "Trust but verify."

On another note, there have been some studies that suggest that there may be indidvidual differences in the ability to understand and visualize multidimensional concepts, which may lead to a "brick wall" for some at the level of Calculus . . . does your guest have any info on that theory?

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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I agree wholeheartedly regarding Main Street.  Springfield needs to provide many more crosswalk/signal opportunities..  As it is now, the pedestrians -- often children -- have to dash across the street and take their lives in their hands every time.

What's a lib?

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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With freshmen at South Eugene, a 6A school that has a strong academic emphasis but not much of an athletic reputation, I'm very relieved that the hybrid system is being adopted.  I hear horror stories from other parents about late-night trips back from Medford after winter-sports games that I don't want my kids to experience.

Frankly, I don't know what they were thinking when they established the 6A level in the first place . . . certainly not about the overall safety and success of the students.

That said, I think that sports are important and, for my son, might be the only thing that will keep him engaged academically through high school.

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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The Clackamas County Sheriff has a snide outlook that does a disservice to his position.  His characterizations are not respectful but derrogatory and he did not contribute to the discussion.  Next time get someone from law enforcement who can articulate a worthwhile position, not this bozo.

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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As a scientist, I have some trouble with the way they seem to be going about this "study."  Emblematic of this is the title: "Healthy Moms".

This suggests a foregone conclusion -- that applying these principles to overweight women will result in them being "Healthy Moms".  If they already know this, why do a study?  If they don't, it's misleading . . .

An program which "aims to show" something in particular isn't a study, it's a publicity campaign.

posted 3 years, 7 months ago
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As Mr. MkKibben stated, the change in behavior has to be in BILLIONS of people.  What can be done about China and India, whose standards of living don't lend themselves to having the "luxury" of changing energy habits?

Thanks to Mr. McKibben for all of his enduring efforts on this.

posted 3 years, 8 months ago
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. . . which brings up the completely artificial concept of "age of consent", a moving target in both space and time.

If the alleged relationship had taken place in a far-away land, like, say, Vancouver, Washington, there would have not been ANY legal issue, for they have chosen to set their age of consent for intercourse at 16 years.  Clearly they're more mature across the river, as our age is 18, just like that bastion of progressive thought, Utah.

Things would have been different in Vancouver (Canada) as well, where the age is also 16 . . . but was recently changed from 14!!

So I guess until Oregon's laws catch up we're stuck with these fiascos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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It is unfortunately the case that Mr. Adams chose to lie about his involvement with Mr. Breedlove.  Perhaps it can be understood in the context of the witch-hunt which ensued after the "truth came out".  How sad that this opportunity for a gay man to be seen as an effective leader is being overshadowed by a scandal such as this.

Let's assume that the only lie was about the relationship per se, and that no illegal activity took place.  Had Mr. Adams "come clean" -- about a gay relationship, after all -- he would have been ostracized and become unelectable.

This not about lying -- it's about lying about sex, and GAY sex at that.

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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Unfortunately, it is the case that gun owners can be the victims of discrimination by those who disagree with the law of the land. To have their concealed weapon permit status be public knowledge could lead to problems with employment, with volunteer positions, even with access to places otherwise open to the public. Until "gun owners" become a protected class, such discrimination would be perfectly legal, so the information should be private as they are exercising a constitutional right in a wholly lawful manner.

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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I need to comment on the overly- simplistic characterization of WhiteBird earlier on the air.

The Willamette Week writer described WhiteBird as a "tent set up for people having bad trips" which misses entirely the broad range of services provided to fair/concert goers for many years now. As a security crew member at the Oregon Country Fair, and a former firefighter/paramedic, I know from first hand experience the quality of care and professionalism demonstrated by White Bird in caring for a small city's worth of medical problems OF ALL KINDS - injuries, heat/hydration issues, pre-existing medical condiitions, and, yes, occasional substance abuse excesses. At the Country Fair, we strive to enforce a policy of zero tolerance for drugs and drug paraphenalia, and an alcohol-free experience for our visitors. Since the history of such evens seems to attract those who have different expectations, the efforts of White BIrd in dealing with the occasional unfortunate incident is invaluable.

This mis-characterization is consistent, I'm afraid, with his observation of an individual whose behavior seemed bizarre leading to his immediate conclusion that it was a "bad trip" rather than any number of other causes which can lead to such behavior. Prejudice and a clear agenda come to mind . . .

posted 5 years ago
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The grade is clearly "F" for another group of "special needs" students - those identified by state testing as "talented and gifted". They are mandated to receive instruction at their level but in reality are in most cases merely assigned more homework to supposedly "challenge" them. These students are at high risk of dropping out when they reach High School, often wasting their talents in a time when the U.S. is falling behind the rest of the world in academic achievement. Other states have programs and even whole schools which address these needs . . . why not here?

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
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As a baseball fan in Eugene - an OSU grad who works for the U of O (commonly known as a platypus) - I'd like to add a few observations.


1) It's sad that the UO baseball resurgence had to come at the expense of the wrestling program, especially since Chuck Kearney, the wrestling coach, has long been an active supporter of youth baseball, serving on the board of the Churchill area Babe Ruth program.

2) It's also too bad that the plan is to build a new stadium rather than upgrading the classic Civic Stadium here in Eugene for the combined use of the Ems and the new Ducks. It's been a great place for the family baseball experience over the years.

3) It was great to see that so many of the players on the OSU team are actually from Oregon, as opposed to football and basketball. Hope this doesn't change with their success.

4) Can Portland afford to build the "Delta Dome" now?

5) (Tongue in cheek) Why did the UO choose to adopt "Varsity Cheerleading" as their new women's sport? . . . Beacuse Nike wants to bring out a new line of cheerleader uniforms!

Thanks for the program.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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