Recent comments
ADHD: Hunter in a Farmer's World
Thom Hartmann has written a dozen books covering ADD / ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
Join Thom for his new twice-weekly email newsletters on ADHD, whether it affects you or a member of your family.
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
I hope you get paid well for all of your knowledge - something that is rare and deserving of a higher income. Of course, now I sound like a liberal, deciding how much someone should get paid, while not being the person that pays them myself. Maybe you all are rubbing off on me.
Believe it or not, parochial schools (which are the majority of private schools) are more cash-strapped than the public schools. That's why I don't think a lack of finances is the root of the education problem in this country. But if we really want to go paperless, like my boss wants, there's going to be at least one good scanner here. I had to buy my own for my classroom needs, but it's not designed to handle as much as it would get if the whole school jumped on board.
chuckle8 ~ You don't. Like Palidromedary suggests, ripping the pages out of the book works. I wouldn't advise that.
You can also scan one page at a time. However, that is time consuming.
The newest digital copiers have a feature called "magazine scan". You still have to place the book on the glass however, when this mode is selected the scanning carriage moves to the middle of the glass. You place the open book--print side down--on the glass with the seam placed directly over the red line on the carriage. When you hit the start button the machine scans one page and then moves over to automatically scan the other page. Then you turn the book over, flip the page, and repeat until you have accomplished your goal.
There is no easier way to scan a book that I know of. You cannot run a book through a document feeder, only a stack of pages. However, two scans at once, instead of one, is better than nothing.
ChicagoMatt ~ They were called "Duplicator" machines and yes, I remember them well. If your copier is "one step ahead from that" then I can only conclude that it is an "analogue" copier. Analogue means that other than the main logic board that controls and coordinates between the sensors, clutches and motors that there is no other digital circuitry. As such it cannot scan. The difference between "analogue" and newer "digital copiers" is basically how the image is read and how it is written to the drum. (Yes all copier technology since the duplicators still use drums.) There is little other difference. The polarity of electronic charges are reversed in digital copiers however the overall mechanical technology is the same.
With an analogue machine the light is reflected off the original and then sent through a series of mirrors, a lens, and slit glass to be directed to the drum surface where it is eventually transferred to the paper. Digital machines basically work the same way except for three added parts. In the scanner, the light reflected off the mirrors are direct through a lens to a CCD (Charged Coupling Device). This device is an array of sensors that converts the light into digital electrical impulses. That signal goes to a System board that process it and stores it on its Hard Drive. The System board is basically a mini computer in the copier. When printing the signal is sent to either a Laser Optical Unit or an LED array that writes the image to the drum. The fun part is that in between the reading and writing the signal stored on the Hard Drive can be manipulated in all sorts of ways. It can be sent to an external computer. It can be edited. And it can be stored on the copiers Hard Drive for printing out at later times. In addition, signals from your computer can be sent to that System Board and printed out without having to scan. In essence, new digital copiers are a computer sandwiched between a scanner and printer.
There is also an accessory board available that connects the System board to the telephone line enabling your copier to also be a fax machine.
It really is time for your school to upgrade. Almost any analogue copier I know of is obsolete and parts are no longer available.
Duplicator Machines on Wikipedia
There sure does seem to be a lot of demonizing CEOs, hedgefund managers, bankers, etc... on this site, and on Thom's show. They are people with jobs. They deserve respect.
I am about to objectify people, so brace yourself. But it helps to prove my point. Just like workers, things that can be easily replaced around your house are worth less for that reason. The more common something is, the less it is worth. We all agree on that. If your job is to do something that 99% of other adults could do, then you have common skills and do not deserve the paycheck of something who has rarer skills. Not everyone can balance a finance book, so they get paid more.
Or, to put it in more vulgar terms, for shock value (always a good way to get a point across): The best-looking prostitutes can charge a hell of a lot more than an ordinary-looking prostitute, because they have something that is rare. That's why there are $1,000 an hour "escorts", and $10 street-walkers.
Sure, some people are born into wealth, and it doesn't seem fair. Just like some people are born with more visually appealing genes. It's not fair in that case either, but that's the world in which we live.
My inner right-wing asshole is telling me that, if the problem is too many low-wage workers on welfare, then the solution is to reduce the threshold for welfare. As I slowly confront my own mortality, that voice gets quieter.
It's been a few years, and I've done WAY worse things online at work and on my school-issued laptop at home. If they are waiting to "get me", they sure have enough to go on by now. Of course, I work for a nonprofit and the "central office" is a bunch of elderly nuns. I don't think I am important enough to be monitored.
It is in my contract though that I cannot speak on behalf of the school. So I don't.
I would not blame Reagan. He was merely a mediocre actor in his biggest role. Pulling his strings were a number of players in his administration.Didn't that include: Poppy Bush, Rummy, Cheney and James Baker III? Then there was strong influence from the Heritage Foundation. They were making the spitballs Reagan was throwing! Is it the gun that does the killing or the guy pulling the trigger?
I really need to stop checking this blog at times when I know I won't be able to reply. Then I just spend the time when I should be doing something else eager to get back to a keyboard and respond. I don't know about anyone else, but I get excited when I see new comments on a blog. I like to feel a little personal responsibility for getting this one over 200 comments. But anyway...
Hm. I think if you were to ask a baby boomer, they would say something like "self actualization" or "personal growth". But nowadays, it's more about "making sure you get a good job. Preferably white collar and six figures." That's probably a byproduct of the shrinking middle class. If the income curve is moving from a bell shape to a "m" shape, you're going to want to make sure you are on the right side of that "m". The higher-income side.
ChicagoMatt ~ Are you talking about white vs blue collar work. As far as I am concerned a job is a job be it mowing the lawn or serving on SCrOTUmS. As far as I am concerned anyone with a job deserves the same respect of anyone who give their time to contribute to society. We all do our best. I see no difference between physical and nonphysical jobs.
ChicagoMatt ~ That makes a little sense. When you think about it the guy pushing the lawn mower probably can't balance the books, repair the lawnmower, or design a new one. It can also be said that the accountant probably can't fix the lawnmower and the repair person can't design one. Chances are the designer knows nothing about books either. That is why they have to work as a team to get the job done.
Personally, I happen to be qualified to do any of those jobs. I have an AS in technology with a BS and BA in Design and a minor in Small Business Administration. Yet, I can say with all certainty that the "least" appealing of those jobs is the one who pushes the lawnmower. As the saying goes, the chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Remove any of them and the lawn goes unattended. It is my belief that the man/woman pushing the lawnmower should get their fair share. They are, after all, the link at the end of the chain.
Hallelujah! On that we can all agree.
I am a practicing Catholic and Pope Francis is a true breath of fresh air. We used to attend a parish that had a really nasty old white priest. He would rant and rave about abortion, birth control and President Obama. He never talked much about the poor except to use the republican line - get a job. He was very political and raised our hackles. This parish should be taxed to the hilt.
Last fall we started going to another very small parish with an adobe church dating back to 1820, and what a breath of fresh air. He is our age and has been a priest for 42 years and is originally from Puerto Rico. He is very kind and supports the parish program for the poor. This parish has a very strong program to help the poor and our priest never gets into politics, ever.
ckrob and ChicagoMatt ~ I have to agree with you both. ie Most of Christ's true followers you don't see; and, the ones who make the most noise give all the rest a bad wrap. For all we know the world might be full of true Christians already.
By the way, despite how I feel about the Catholic Church I must say I do like Pope Francis. He truly is a "refreshing breeze'--and I mean that in a spiritual/scriptorial way.
It is almost a miracle indeed that the Catholic Church could produce such a leader. Mind you, the Catholic church once accomplished what Palindromedary has yet failed to do. They actually once turned me into a devout atheist. And that was after enduring 10 years of Catholic school indoctrination. I guess they are capable of just about anything.
And I certainly agree with you on all the rest.
Aliceinwonderland: Good for you...about eating mostly vegetables and very little meat. I don't eat that much meat, myself...mostly vegetables, whole wheat breads, fruits, nuts, seeds, and a little chicken or turkey and fish...but no shell fish. Unfortunately, though, I still eat too much salt, sugar, and Tabasco sauce or other hot sauces.
DAnneMarc: thanks for that link to CEO's income compared to their workers income!
Palindromedary ~ I agree! I also watched both of those videos and agree with them as well. I doesn't change my personal beliefs though. No hard feelings! Thanks for proselytizing anyway.
Ms Sweeney really raises a good point about the Catholic Church. One of the many reasons I want nothing to do with them. Dan Barker also raises a number of provocative issues. Nothing that I haven't heard or considered before, but a very interesting perspective nonetheless.
I don't intend to bash any belief system when I say that I do not want public sanctioned prayer of any kind encouraged, allowed or permitted by law in any public forum. That includes "The Pledge of Allegiance" too. "The Pledge" is nothing more than indoctrination in a idolatry based supernatural belief system designed to foster patriotism of the homeland. It is inflicted on children which is nothing short of child abuse. There is no place in any public forum for supernatural belief indoctrination of any kind. Therefore public prayer of any kind should always be illegal.
Palindromedary ~ I hope we at least agree on that.
chuckle8: thanks for that tip on Robert Reich interviewed by Amy Goodwin. I'll check it out.
Also:
We're just trying to save the planet from all those methane farting cows....and Mad Cow Disease...not to mention...e coli deaths. And I've also read that eating red meat, over the years, increases one's probability of getting cancer. But then, everything gives us cancer, it seems, and we never find out that fact until it's too late.
Most likely, ChicagoMatt, your higher-ups are reading everything you type at work, even if it is a break or lunch time. Some even spy on you at home. Employers do this, you know, and you will probably never know it until they decide to crack down on you one way or the other. The Brave New World of employers spying on what we do at work (or, at home), even if it is ostensibly "on your own time", is here!
Chi Matt --
I will believe your school has better results when I see the results of your value added testing.
It seems the solution you're suggesting is what is called vouchers. Thom calls that discounts for rich people. Per Thom, It has been tried in various places, and it always degrades the resulting education system.Chi Matt -- I am retraining myself to use the quotes, so please bear with me.
Why do you think this is the point of college?
Even if they just said "let's have a moment of silence" I think the implication of "prayer" and "religion" is still quite apparent. Many of us are atheists so the whole theatrics is a form of proselytization. Religionists usually use that ruse because of all of the flack religion has gotten, and court rulings, about separation of church and state. The religionists are always finding schemes to proselytize people. After all, it is deeply engrained in their belief systems that they have to proselytize people.
As Julia Sweeney said, in one of her comedy monologues, she was asked to be a speaker at a public fund-raising function to raise money for people with cancer. Julia's brother had died of cancer and she also came down with cancer 5 years later. She was a well known actress and comedienne that had a number of skits on Saturday Night Live and has performed many monologue performances and a movie was even made about her. As this function had something to do with NPR (National Public Radio) she was asked to..."please don't mention atheism...after all it was a 'government' sponsored event."
When she got there, most of the people in the room were all wearing crosses. And when the Nun got up on the stage she said: "And now will everyone please bow their heads for a 'non-denominational' prayer?" She went on to praise the Lord Jesus...etc...it was nothing but a denominational Christian prayer. Jews wouldn't have like it...atheists wouldn't have liked it...and there are other religions who would have been excluded.
Uh Oh! They used to burn people to the stake when people committed "heresy" (ie: said things that people could go whacko over) back in the middle ages. I'm afraid you've opened yourself up for a bit of flack on that one. Not you, ckrob.
Chi Matt -- Yes, the religious majority gets to oppress the minority religion everywhere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=btJazTimH4M#t=0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dIp2M_tMXzk#t=0
I find it absolutely fascinating that many Christians defend their right to manage public prayer activities when Jesus told his followers that they should pray in private. I see little actual emulation of Jesus's teachings by His most vocal advocates. You know stuff like taking care of the poor, fair wages, turning the other cheek or recognizing that love of money is at the root of evil. However, far be it from me to judge, I've got nothing to brag about when it comes to these things.
Are we talking about work, or manual labor? Because my job is easy for me, and I don't break a sweat, I am not working? Ok, fine, I am blogging at the moment. It's my planning period, and I should be planning. I guess I am a bad employee.
Which actually brings me back to the original topic of Thom's blog - isn't the point of college to separate yourself so you can get paid for your mind, not your manual labor? Almost anyone can push a lawnmower. Fewer people can balance the accounting books for the landscape company. Few people can repair the lawnmower. Even fewer people can design a new lawnmower. So it sort of makes sense that the guy pushing it gets paid the least.
But, you are right about something. That "least amount" that the lawnmower pusher makes should keep him off of the welfare rolls.