TSE - In the US, "pasties" have a rather different meaning than in the UK, so your mention of that scandal gave me a brief surprise, until I remembered the difference. (I think our meaning … (View Post)

On improving education: It doesn't all happen in schools. Obviously. And not all the teachers need to have formal training. For example: "Growing up with a dog can teach kids a lot—responsibilit… (View Post)

Completely off topic, but interesting in itself -- and as a reminder that the US is a federal republic, where states often pursue rather different policies: "Mississippi went from being ranked t… (View Post)

FPT: If we accept laying debits on ourselves for what distant* ancestors did, we ought to also accept credits for what distant ancestors did. For example, I think anyone who has an ancestor who serve… (View Post)

kinabalu - Since you asked for a prediction, here's one: Next month, the US State Department will make a report on PEPFAR, a program that has saved, so far, more than 20 million lives. (Bill Gates re… (View Post)