301 results for author: Phil Anderson

The Great Bamboozle Begins

If you read or listened to President Trump’s inaugural address you may have been surprised by what he had to say. At first blush it sounds progressive! He calls for returning power to the people. He says “a nation exists to serve its citizens.” He expresses concern for working people and calls for broadly sharing the wealth. “For too long, a small group in our nation's Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished -- but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered -- but the jobs left, and the factories closed” And he pledges to work for the benefit of all of ...

ON THE BOOKSHELF

(This article looks at World without Us by Alan Weisman) “If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.” E.O. Wilson, biologist and author “You share 25% of your genes with a banana. Get over yourself.” Bumper sticker Supposedly when asked what the study of nature told him about God, the biologist J. B. S. Haldane said, "The Creator must have an inordinate fondness for beetles. He made so many of them." Humans think we are the highest pinnacle of evolution (or God's ...

OLD FASHIONED AMERICA AND THE “WELL-BEING” STATE

“If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're misinformed.” Mark Twain This quip accurately describes the results of today's for-profit news media and cable TV. Americans are uniformed and misinformed on many topics. One example of misinformation is life in the “socialist” Scandinavian countries. The media portray them as welfare states that have nothing to teach us. These countries supposedly suffer from high taxes and oppressive bureaucracies that kill initiative, free enterprise, and personal freedom. A new book, “The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life” by Anu ...

Science Illiteracy and Public Policy

“Every shortcoming of American governance is related in some fashion to the knowledge deficit of the public...” Susan Jacoby, author of “The Age of American Unreason” Americans have a long tradition of anti-intellectualism. In today's politics this is expressed as denial of facts and scientific research in favor of opinion, self-righteousness, and prideful ignorance. We seem to be unable to distinguish documented knowledge from unsubstantiated opinion. Unfortunately for our public affairs, as Susan Jacoby says, our elected officials “suffer from the same intellectual blind spots as their constituents.” The complete control of ...

Scientific Ignorance in a High Tech World

“We exist in a bizarre combination of Stone Age emotions, medieval beliefs, and god-like technology.” Edward O. Wilson, author and biologist “The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist Our modern world is the result of a long history of scientific achievement. Our homes, workplaces, and communities are filled with technology created by scientific advances. We live longer, eat better, survive diseases, and have more comfortable lives because of science. Yet despite the fact that every aspect of our lives is affected by it, most of us are largely ignorant of ...

The Retirement Crisis

One of the annoying aspects of our broken electoral system is that issues of real importance are often ignored. Our elections are a money driven media circus of personal attacks, misleading sound bites, and ideological slogans. The real problems facing citizens and the country are not discussed in any rational, substantive way. Retirement security is one of these issues. Yes, there was some mention of Social Security in the last election. The misleading, party line talking points were reiterated during the “debates.” But the broader issue of retirement security for everyone was not addressed. Being able to retire with dignity and financial ...

Logging the Brule Part 2: The Economics

“Politics: a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.” Ambrose Bierce Ambrose Bierce was a late 19th - early 20th century journalist and short story writer. He is best remembered for “The Devil's Dictionary,” a collection of satirical definitions of American society. Last week I discussed the changes to the Brule River State Forest to increase the acreage available for logging. The state has mandated that 75% of state forests be managed for logging. This mandate certainly fits Bierce's definition of “conducting public affairs for private advantage.” This article ...

LOGGING THE BRULE RIVER

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” -- Aldo Leopold “I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” -- Dr. Seuss in “The Lorax”   The Brule River State Forest is going through a 15-year Master Plan review. It is also dealing with a state mandate to increase the available acreage for logging. Is this the best use of our public forests? Is it good for the health of the forest? Is it what you would like to see done with our public resources? In 2015 the ...

NORTHWOODS HUNTING HERITAGE

Minnesota's rifle hunting season is open and Wisconsin's is two weeks away. Minnesota Public Radio had a fluff piece this week on the “tradition” of the hunting camp with all its camaraderie and wholesome family bonding. The nostalgia is nice but it seems like our outdoors heritage is being replaced by a virulent gun centered paranoia. Hunting is declining in popularity while gun sales are increasing. Most of the new gun ownership is being driven by a small minority of 2nd amendment nuts. This change is illustrated by an encounter I had last year with several “sportsman.” I was hiking a public trail on public land. Three men on four ...

The Choice: Status Quo or Loose Cannon

If you think all politicians are crooked liars and it doesn't matter who gets elected you are mistaken. Who a candidate is and their “vision” for the country is important. The candidate's position on the issues matter. Because politics affects almost everything, differences in the agendas and philosophies of political leaders can make a difference to your life. Mrs. Clinton is a known public figure. She will probably govern much the same as President Obama or the first Clinton administration. We can expect the affordable care act to be continued (basically a good idea). Trade deals will be supported (a bad idea). Some minor progress will be ...