Herman Cain's woes continue. His drop in the poll has coincided with a stream of women coming forth to claim he sexually harassed them, and now one is claiming she carried out an extramarital affair with Cain for a number of years.
Today's "Room for Debate" topic: Should Legislation Protect the Obese?
The Chevy Volt is being investigated after batteries burst into flames on two different cars while undergoing government testing. Chevy is offering worried owners loaner cars while the investigation continues.
Newt Gingrich is now leading in the polls, but Mitt Romney continues to dominate the race for endorsements.
Here's a really interesting piece 60 Minutes did last week on Grover Norquist and "The Pledge"
In case you missed it, the deficit panel failed to reach a compromise . . . and nobody can agree why
Here's a thought-provoking (and intensely detailed) chart depicting how much money we spend on a wide variety of activities
A lot of felons can't vote (in NM and IA, almost one-quarter of African-American men can't vote because of their criminal record), but many are able to own guns
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Links, 11-17-11
After last week's article on the struggles of schools in Tennessee to implement new teacher evaluation reforms, and another one on similar challenges in Chicago, the NY Times editorial board weighed in almost immediately by encouraging Tennessee not to give up.
Rolling Stone asks how the Republican Party became the party of the rich in a piece that reviews all changes to the tax code since 1980 and compares the positions of current and former Republican leaders and legislators.
Time is winding down for the deficit panel, and some Republicans may be open to agreeing to revenue increases that would be determined, in detail, by tax-writing committees of Congress at a later date.
The Supreme Court has agreed to take on the health care bill. The NY Times writes that most of the changes are already in motion, cementing a place in history regardless of the outcome . . . but also that, regardless of the decision, the individual mandate (which Obama opposed during the election) could eventually be the bill's downfall.
Newt Gingrich is now tied with or ahead of Mitt Romney in 3 of the last 5 polls, but The Economist is skeptical that Gingrich is anything more than the popular anti-Romney candidate this week.
Here's a good overview of many of the arguments on both sides regarding inequality.
Is the Penn State scandal a focusing event? The Governor of PA thinks that the law regarding reporting of child abuse will change in the near future.
A new study asks whether countries with stronger safety nets encourage more new business start-ups.
David Brooks offers a sometimes-serious analysis of the types of inequality that are ok and not ok in the US.
Rolling Stone asks how the Republican Party became the party of the rich in a piece that reviews all changes to the tax code since 1980 and compares the positions of current and former Republican leaders and legislators.
Time is winding down for the deficit panel, and some Republicans may be open to agreeing to revenue increases that would be determined, in detail, by tax-writing committees of Congress at a later date.
The Supreme Court has agreed to take on the health care bill. The NY Times writes that most of the changes are already in motion, cementing a place in history regardless of the outcome . . . but also that, regardless of the decision, the individual mandate (which Obama opposed during the election) could eventually be the bill's downfall.
Newt Gingrich is now tied with or ahead of Mitt Romney in 3 of the last 5 polls, but The Economist is skeptical that Gingrich is anything more than the popular anti-Romney candidate this week.
Here's a good overview of many of the arguments on both sides regarding inequality.
Is the Penn State scandal a focusing event? The Governor of PA thinks that the law regarding reporting of child abuse will change in the near future.
A new study asks whether countries with stronger safety nets encourage more new business start-ups.
David Brooks offers a sometimes-serious analysis of the types of inequality that are ok and not ok in the US.
Monday, November 14, 2011
The Rise of Newt Gingrich
The latest two week rolling average of polls shows a small dip in support for Herman Cain and a large increase in support for Newt Gingrich. As of the writing of this post, the averages of the last 7 polls stand at:
Romney: 22%
Cain: 21.3%
Gingrich: 17.6%
Perry: 9.9%
And the last three polls show Gingrich ahead of Cain. Intrade now estimates a 14.7% chance of a Gingrich victory, up over 10 points from just month ago.
The Washington Post writes "OK, you can call it a comeback".
The NY Times attributes the surge to the stumbles of his competitors, writing that "Mr. Gingrich is getting another shot, if only by default".
CNN attributes much of the rise to Gingrich's debate performances, writing that, given the recent struggles of Cain and Perry, it now "Looks like it's Gingrich's turn to become the 'anybody but Romney' candidate." Another CNN piece points out that Gingrich has raised almost four times as much since October 1st as he did from July through September, crediting his rising poll numbers for the rising cash flow.
Nate Silver uses state and national polls to form trendlines for all the candidates and finds that due to Romney's downward trajectory and Gingrich's strong performance in state polls, the two are now virtually tied
Romney: 22%
Cain: 21.3%
Gingrich: 17.6%
Perry: 9.9%
And the last three polls show Gingrich ahead of Cain. Intrade now estimates a 14.7% chance of a Gingrich victory, up over 10 points from just month ago.
The Washington Post writes "OK, you can call it a comeback".
The NY Times attributes the surge to the stumbles of his competitors, writing that "Mr. Gingrich is getting another shot, if only by default".
CNN attributes much of the rise to Gingrich's debate performances, writing that, given the recent struggles of Cain and Perry, it now "Looks like it's Gingrich's turn to become the 'anybody but Romney' candidate." Another CNN piece points out that Gingrich has raised almost four times as much since October 1st as he did from July through September, crediting his rising poll numbers for the rising cash flow.
Nate Silver uses state and national polls to form trendlines for all the candidates and finds that due to Romney's downward trajectory and Gingrich's strong performance in state polls, the two are now virtually tied
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Links, 11-10-11
Election Day yielded mixed results for both parties. The biggest story was arguably Ohio voters' vote to overturn a new law limiting collective bargaining rights of public employees. Democrats also won victories in Mississippi, where a measure to define an embryo as a person was defeated, and Arizona, where the chief architect of state's strict immigration law was voted out of office. Republicans succeeded at tightening voting rules in Mississippi and won a referendum to exempt Ohio residents from the national health care law.
Rick Perry had another embarrassing slip-up at last night's debate, declaring that he would cut three departments and then only naming two (commerce and education) despite numerous attempts to remember and suggestions from other candidates, ultimately declaring "oops" (he later remembered that energy was the third). On Intrade, Perry's chances of winning the nomination dropped from 8% to 4% (placing him behind Romney, Gingrich, Cain, and Paul) almost immediately after the slip-up.
TN Senator Lamar Alexander has proposed a bill to eliminate the sales tax loophole for online purchases.
Joe Nocera wonders why Randi Weingarten, the head of the largest teachers' union in the country, is chumming around with Steven Brill, the author of a new book blaming teachers' unions for many of education system's woes.
Historically, liberals have tended to support anti-smoking efforts more than conservatives, but the roles have reversed as conservatives push e-cigarettes as a valid option while liberals wish to outlaw them.
Do parents hover over kids more than they used to? Does this hovering tend to restrict the amount of exercise kids get in parks and playgrounds? Check out these pictures and snippets of information.
Last week, in a somewhat controversial move, the federal reserve decided to hold interest rates steady
Rick Perry had another embarrassing slip-up at last night's debate, declaring that he would cut three departments and then only naming two (commerce and education) despite numerous attempts to remember and suggestions from other candidates, ultimately declaring "oops" (he later remembered that energy was the third). On Intrade, Perry's chances of winning the nomination dropped from 8% to 4% (placing him behind Romney, Gingrich, Cain, and Paul) almost immediately after the slip-up.
TN Senator Lamar Alexander has proposed a bill to eliminate the sales tax loophole for online purchases.
Joe Nocera wonders why Randi Weingarten, the head of the largest teachers' union in the country, is chumming around with Steven Brill, the author of a new book blaming teachers' unions for many of education system's woes.
Historically, liberals have tended to support anti-smoking efforts more than conservatives, but the roles have reversed as conservatives push e-cigarettes as a valid option while liberals wish to outlaw them.
Do parents hover over kids more than they used to? Does this hovering tend to restrict the amount of exercise kids get in parks and playgrounds? Check out these pictures and snippets of information.
Last week, in a somewhat controversial move, the federal reserve decided to hold interest rates steady
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Links, 11-8-11
Some Tennessee Principals and teachers are extremely frustrated with the way they're being forced to evaluate or the way they're being evaluated under the new program enacted with the Race to the Top funds.
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the FDA from mandating that cigarette manufacturers place new graphic warning labels on their products
Herman Cain has solidified his lead while Rick Perry has fallen into 4th place, but has Cain leveled off? Given the recent sexual harassment charges, it's something to watch.
Check out this interactive feature where Nate Silver calculates the odds of each Republican candidates becoming President based on the economy and Obama's approval numbers
More on the tightening of voter eligibility laws and how Tennesseans are responding
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the FDA from mandating that cigarette manufacturers place new graphic warning labels on their products
Herman Cain has solidified his lead while Rick Perry has fallen into 4th place, but has Cain leveled off? Given the recent sexual harassment charges, it's something to watch.
Check out this interactive feature where Nate Silver calculates the odds of each Republican candidates becoming President based on the economy and Obama's approval numbers
More on the tightening of voter eligibility laws and how Tennesseans are responding
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Education Links, 11-6-11
Another large-scale study of charter schools found that some did very well and some did poorly but, overall, there were no gains in achievement. Andy Rotherham argues that we should learn to "live with some lemons" in order to find out what works.
Mike Petrilli of the conservative Fordham Institute writes that we really have a "parenting problem" and not a "poverty problem" in education.
There are many different ways to extend the school day and year
Washington Post education columnist takes a break from extolling the virtues of "no excuses" schools to highlight a progressive school that's also made large test score gains
What would happen if value-added scores went on trial?
A new duo looks for strategies that work at the best charter schools
Here are the best education books according to Ed Next and Dana Goldstein
The liberal Economic Policy Institute argues that even though returns to education have increased substantially in the last 30 years (those with college and advanced degrees have seen significant growth in income while those without college degrees have seen declines in income), that rising inequality is still mostly about the gains of the top 1%
Mike Petrilli of the conservative Fordham Institute writes that we really have a "parenting problem" and not a "poverty problem" in education.
There are many different ways to extend the school day and year
Washington Post education columnist takes a break from extolling the virtues of "no excuses" schools to highlight a progressive school that's also made large test score gains
What would happen if value-added scores went on trial?
A new duo looks for strategies that work at the best charter schools
Here are the best education books according to Ed Next and Dana Goldstein
The liberal Economic Policy Institute argues that even though returns to education have increased substantially in the last 30 years (those with college and advanced degrees have seen significant growth in income while those without college degrees have seen declines in income), that rising inequality is still mostly about the gains of the top 1%
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Education Links, 11-2-11
*Eric Hanushek and Diane Ravitch are currently debating the merits of replacing/firing the bottom 10% of teachers. The fourth installment should be posted on the Eduwonk blog tomorrow. Here's a recap so far:
Part 1: Hanushek argues that we should "replace" the bottom 10% of teachers if we want to see large gains gains in achievement.
Part 2: Ravitch responds that "firing" teachers will only make teaching less attractive to the best and brightest and that we should instead focus recruiting, training, and retaining better teachers.
Part 3: Hanushek responds by arguing that Ravitch is mostly using red herrings and "applause lines" rather than disputing his point. He further argues that identifying the worst teachers is eminently practical and that it will do a great deal of good.
*Jeff Brokaw argues that our fixation on the achievement gap means that our top-performing students get left behind
*A blogger from The Economist writes that middle-class families in Asia routinely spend 50% of their income on education
*Much attention has been given to Steven Brill's new book about teachers' unions and education reform. Here's one breakdown of the evidence regarding the effects of unions. And here's one good review of the book that asks whether teachers alone can overcome poverty.
*A new report from the conservative American Enterprise Institute concludes that teachers are paid too much.
*A senior fellow from the conservative Fordham Institute describes her visits to Chinese classrooms, complete with video examples
*Challis, ID is now evaluating teachers, in part, based on the degree to which they communicate with parents
Part 1: Hanushek argues that we should "replace" the bottom 10% of teachers if we want to see large gains gains in achievement.
Part 2: Ravitch responds that "firing" teachers will only make teaching less attractive to the best and brightest and that we should instead focus recruiting, training, and retaining better teachers.
Part 3: Hanushek responds by arguing that Ravitch is mostly using red herrings and "applause lines" rather than disputing his point. He further argues that identifying the worst teachers is eminently practical and that it will do a great deal of good.
*Jeff Brokaw argues that our fixation on the achievement gap means that our top-performing students get left behind
*A blogger from The Economist writes that middle-class families in Asia routinely spend 50% of their income on education
*Much attention has been given to Steven Brill's new book about teachers' unions and education reform. Here's one breakdown of the evidence regarding the effects of unions. And here's one good review of the book that asks whether teachers alone can overcome poverty.
*A new report from the conservative American Enterprise Institute concludes that teachers are paid too much.
*A senior fellow from the conservative Fordham Institute describes her visits to Chinese classrooms, complete with video examples
*Challis, ID is now evaluating teachers, in part, based on the degree to which they communicate with parents
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Links, 11-1-11
Rick Perry announced a flat tax of his own last week. The NY Times titled their initial report: Perry Plan Would Grant Big Tax Break to Wealthiest. The Wall Street Journal highlighted the appeal of the plan to conservatives. And The Economist characterizes the response as "a flat reception"
David Brooks says there are two types of inequality -- blue inequality and red inequality -- and that we're focusing on the wrong one.
Last week, The Economist argues that student loans repayment should be based more on income . . . this week President Obama introduced a new plan to make student loans easier to repay for lower-income students.
Nate Silver says Herman Cain is an outlier because he performs well in polls but on no other measures.
Here's The Economist's reaction to the CBO report on income inequality. Who's in the 1%? Here's a closer look.
Airlines keep trying different boarding policies, but boarding times have doubled over the past decade. What gives?
Facing legal pressure, the state agreed to stop arresting "Occupy Nashville" protesters in Legislative Plaza.
How much does the slump in housing spending have to do with our current downturn?
Here's a cartoon depicting how many teachers feel about recent policy.
Could devices like this play a future role in obesity policy?
Why spending more doesn't make us healthier (part 1)
Is OWS changing the discourse on our current downturn? Maybe.
Why do the countries with the most economic disparity have the worst health outcomes?
David Brooks says there are two types of inequality -- blue inequality and red inequality -- and that we're focusing on the wrong one.
Last week, The Economist argues that student loans repayment should be based more on income . . . this week President Obama introduced a new plan to make student loans easier to repay for lower-income students.
Nate Silver says Herman Cain is an outlier because he performs well in polls but on no other measures.
Here's The Economist's reaction to the CBO report on income inequality. Who's in the 1%? Here's a closer look.
Airlines keep trying different boarding policies, but boarding times have doubled over the past decade. What gives?
Facing legal pressure, the state agreed to stop arresting "Occupy Nashville" protesters in Legislative Plaza.
How much does the slump in housing spending have to do with our current downturn?
Here's a cartoon depicting how many teachers feel about recent policy.
Could devices like this play a future role in obesity policy?
Why spending more doesn't make us healthier (part 1)
Is OWS changing the discourse on our current downturn? Maybe.
Why do the countries with the most economic disparity have the worst health outcomes?
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