Things to Know - 5 April

1.  A good measure of the quality and strength of a nation's health care system is in data on its preventable deaths.   France is the best ranked in the world.  Guess who is the worst ......the United States...yup:
http://www.reuters.com/assets/print?aid=USN0765165020080108

2.  George W. Bush surfaces now and then.  In this case, it is one memo that survived the last days in office shredder:
http://www.salon.com/2012/04/04/the_memo_bush_tried_to_destroy/

3.  A review of our educations system by Noam Chomsky.   Today we are in a severe decline, which most people recognize.  Chomsky states the obvious resulting outcome, probably in hope that the political leadership will turn it around.  Tell that to Boehner, Ryan, and McConnell and see what that gets you:
http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/8305-the-assault-on-public-education?tmpl=component&print=1

4.  George Will has nothing about the weak slate of wannabees and the miserable conduct of the Republicants in Congress to write about.   So, he has to write something to earn his keep at the Washington Post, and this column is great and stimulates thoughts on bringing legalization of drugs to an intelligent discussion, and possible public policy:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/would-drug-legalization-do-more-harm-than-good/2012/04/04/gIQANg46vS_print.html

5.  EJ Dionne presents his view on a kinder and more spiritual presentation of Christianity as it pertains to the political arena.  It seems that that the spirit displayed is not concurrent with what is religiously presented.  The disconnect is a farce:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-kinder-mix-of-religion-and-politics-during-holy-week/2012/04/04/gIQAuH26vS_print.html

6.  Charles Blow lays it all out on the probable WannaBee-Romney as being the GeeOpee nominee.   Here is his plus, and minuses on the scorecard.  Not very good:
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/its-mitt-oh-no/?pagemode=print

7.  When are the ethnic labels "Hispanic" or "Latino" appropriate?   Or are either one applicable in all cases?.   Are there other preferences?    Confusing?, yes.   I am not confused....are you?  Self-identity in a new land can be confusing, but very important:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-latino-hispanic-20120405,0,2418078,print.story
--

Juan

"I would always rather be happy than dignified."

       -- Charlote Bronte

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       -- Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata

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       -- Rodney Dangerfield

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