Gongol.com Archives: April 2006
Brian Gongol



The American Way (2006.04.11)
Fears of Falling Wages Unrealistic: Economy Keeps Growing
"Management and professional occupations are employing 1.2 million more people this month than a year ago - or about 1 in 3 new jobs in America."

Computers and the Internet (2006.04.11)
Using Video Games to Train Troops in Cultural Dialogue
It's a brilliant idea -- just like practicing baseball before playing a real game, rather than just reading instructions from a book (from eDodo)

Humor and Good News (2006.04.11)
Larry the Cable Guy: "A Sign of the Cultural Apocalypse"

News (2006.04.11)
"Faith-Based" Program Running on Federal Money Discriminates Based on Faith
One problem with "faith-based" social programs, as heavily subsidized by the government of late, is that they appear to be a subsidy from government officials to those with whom those officials agree

Computers and the Internet (2006.04.11)
How to Get Rid of Spyware: Removal Steps for ABetterInternet/Nail.exe/Aurora

News (2006.04.11)
Canadian Bishop Declares Schism Over Catholic Priest Who Supports Ordination of Women

The United States of America (2006.04.11)
State Tax Rankings
Vermont, Hawaii, Wyoming, Connecticut, and Delaware are the most-taxed. Missouri, Colorado, New Hampshire, Texas, and South Dakota are the least.

Business and Finance (2006.04.11)
Some Russians Think US Objections to WTO Membership Resemble Old Containment Policy
Russia's in a bad spot -- lacking the elements of social trust that are necessary for a healthy economy, and lacking the transparency of social institutions to which most Western nations have become accustomed, the transition to a market economy is going to be very diffucult and very long.

Business and Finance (2006.04.11)
Requiem for an Old Department Store

Health (2006.04.11)
One Thing Governments Are Very Good At: Killing
Burma has simultaneous health crises in AIDS, TB, malaria, and bird flu -- all because the government there spends almost nothing on public health and prevents outsiders from doing anything to help. True public health campaigns -- those that check the spread of infectious disease, for instance -- are a legitimate role for government, since the benefits are at once both diffuse (everyone could be at risk) and highly concentrated (especially to the victims who die) but the costs don't obey strict property rules. In some cases, the best route would be government funding with private delivery -- as in places like Burma, perhaps, where the government appears incapable of taking action.

Broadcasting (2006.04.11)
Disney Putting Some TV Shows Online
Will include embedded ads that ABC/Disney says will be unskippable