Month: April 2007

It Was The Worst Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times

The Great Depression. What was so great about it, anyway?

Actually, a lot of positive things came out of the 1930’s despite, and because of, economic hardship. There were many technological advances, and FDR innovated many social and public works programs that remain with us today.

But times were indeed extremely harsh for working people. PBS is running a show called Novel Reflections on the American Dream. One of the featured books is John Steinbeck’s unflinching look at the plight of migrant farm workers in California, The Grapes of Wrath.
[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/APR07/GrapesOfWrath.flv 400 260]© PBS

Pet Project

Dame Petula Clark

Let’s see how that online PETition is coming along. The one in England, asking Tony Blair to recommend Petula Clark be granted the title of Dame. [Link Here]

Hmm. At the moment, 134 136 138 140 166 UK residents have signed it. Not too bad for three four weeks, but let’s hope those Brits step it up. I have to admit I’m not quite sure to whom the recommendation must be made. The Queen herself?

Alma Mater Angst

Westfield State CollegeFirst, good news about my alma mater, Westfield State College. Well, maybe not good news, but at least it’s interesting news. There’s talk of putting in an access road between Route 20 and Western Avenue. I think that’s a good idea, having myself gone up and down the only existing link, Lloyd’s Hill Road, many times. It’s certainly a proposal that’s worth some serious study. Click the thumbnail picture to see an aerial view, with my guess where the proposed road would be. I should point out the land behind WSC going down to Rt. 20 is a very steep hill.

And now, onto other WSC news. It’s my sad duty to report that once again the semi-professionals who are in charge of the place screwed something up…

Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Westfield State College mistakenly welcomes rejected students
Continue reading Alma Mater Angst

Killer Killed Bees

[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/APR07/HiveCollapse.flv 400 300]© PBS

What’s killing the bee hives? Bee colony collapse is a serious problem, if you haven’t heard about it. I recorded the last few minutes of a 10-minute report on the PBS News Hour. The complete audio of the report is below.

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/APR07/Bees.mp3]

A report on the bee problem that was presented to Congress last week is at this link in PDF. [Link Here]