The 19th Floor

Fair Play, Ctd.

Jan 292013

On the heels of last week’s directive instructing schools to include students with disabilities in athletics when possible, the Star Tribune looks at the progress Minnesota has already made in making extracurricular activities inclusive of everyone. While a gap still exists between rural and metropolitan school districts, Minnesota has a long history of maintaining adaptive sports leagues for students with disabilities. Other states may want to look to Minnesota as a model when establishing their own adaptive athletics programs.

If Wisconsin had had something comparable when I was a kid, I might not have been so contemptuous of gym class.

Losing An Ally

Disability, Politics No Responses »

Jan 282013

The news of Senator Tom Harkin’s retirement saddens me. The Iowa Democrat played an instrumental role in passing the the Americans with Disabilities Act and he has been a vocal advocate for people with disabilities during his long tenure. I can’t think of another national political figure who is so closely identified with disability rights, which makes it unlikely that someone else will fill the void Harkin leaves. And that’s unfortunate because people with disabilities still need strong, committed leadership on issues ranging from employment to health care.

The Chosen One

Geeking Out, Pop Culture No Responses »

Jan 252013

I’m cautiously optimistic that J.J. Abrams can make a decent Star Wars movie. As long as there’s no time travel and the main characters stay out of purgatory, everything should be fine. The only downside may be that the Star Trek franchise goes back into drydock for a while, unless Paramount can find someone else to take the reins. In my wildest dreams, we would get a movie from each franchise opening within a week of each other. It would result in massive geek riots or set us on the path to world peace.

C-c-cold

Miscellaneous No Responses »

Jan 242013

My fingers need to thaw out before I can type more than five words per minute. More tomorrow.

ER Visits For Everyone!

Health Care 1 Response »

Jan 232013

Like a lot of conservatives, Governor Phil Bryant of Mississippi doesn’t think low-income Americans have any trouble accessing health care because, hey, there’s always the emergency room. And like a lot of conservatives, he doesn’t seem to grasp that emergency rooms cannot adequately serve the primary care needs of millions of uninsured and underinsured Americans. What’s even more depressing is that Bryant uses this tired argument to justify his refusal to expand his state’s Medicaid program to cover more low-income people at no additional cost to the people of Mississippi. Even after an election that seemed to reaffirm popular demand for a strengthened safety net, Bryant prefers to stand behind ideology rather than acting in the best interests of his constituents.

Fortunately, other governors are rediscovering pragmatism. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Tea Party favorite and unabashed finger-wagger, recently announced that her state will proceed with a Medicaid expansion.

Safe Seat?

Politics No Responses »

Jan 222013

Mid-term elections are still a political eternity away, but early polling is looking good for Minnesota Senator Al Franken. He leads Norm Coleman, who has already said he won’t challenge Franken for the seat, by a comfortable margin. A Franken-Bachmann matchup is even more lopsided. Franken can’t be considered a beloved political figure in Minnesota, but he may benefit from a weak Republican bench that can’t seem to field likeable or organized candidates. Pawlenty may be a possibility, but I doubt he’ll be interested in giving up a lucrative private sector gig for an opportunity to re-introduce himself to fickle Minnesota voters. Like Amy Klobuchar, Franken may be able to cruise to reelection with a big assist from an inept and talent-starved state GOP.

A Man Of His Times

Politics No Responses »

Jan 212013

Obama’s inaugural speech could be considered the first of its kind that truly reflects a changing nation wrestling with 21st century challenges. Its highlighting of marriage equality and climate change would have been a political fantasy just eight short years ago. Congress may not be prepared to partner with the President on addressing these challenges, but a second Obama term will make it more difficult for future political leaders to ignore issues like clean energy and income disparities. I’m hopeful that the President will achieve at least some modest progress on these fronts, not to mention health care. Second terms are not always kind to presidents, but today I’m both happy and relieved we aren’t ushering in a Romney administration.

Life In Space

Science 1 Response »

Jan 182013

What better way to end your week than with a tour of the International Space Station with astronaut with astronaut Sunita Williams? Williams recorded this just before she departed the ISS and she proves to be a charming and able guide. Have you wondered what astronauts eat in space? How they take care of basic bodily functions? Williams answers those questions, but what’s really fascinating is her demonstration of how “down” becomes an irrelevant concept in zero-gravity. It’s fun to think about how this video might one day become a historical document that will be watched by future astronauts living on Mars or other far-flung locales.

Here’s the video:

Critic At Large: Star Wars #1

Books, Geeking Out No Responses »

Jan 172013

If you’re a fan of the original Star Wars trilogy, you owe it to yourself to check out the first issue of Brian Wood’s ongoing Star Wars comic. It picks up the story in the aftermath of the first Death Star’s destruction, with the Rebel Alliance trying to figure how to capitalize on its first significant victory and Darth Vader enduring the wrath of the Emperor. Wood gives us a bit of insight into how Luke, Leia, and Han cope with the toll of war while telling a brisk story of intrigue that will keep me buying future issues. And the book’s artwork nicely captures the visual sweep of the movies. Until Episode VII hits theaters, this should be enough to scratch your Force itch.

Fair Play

Disability No Responses »

Jan 162013

The Times examines the growing trend of students with disabilities seeking the right to compete against able-bodied athletes in school sports. Some school districts are doing their best to accommodate these students while others have chosen a more confrontational stance. The fact that kids with disabilities are pursuing athletics is a hugely encouraging sign for an old gimp like me. It tells me that most kids with disabilities now take it for granted that they will be included in the classroom. Now, they want access to the rest of the school experience. School districts will always struggle to balance inclusion and fairness (especially as prosthetics and implants inevitably improve), but the kids who watched Oscar Pistorius compete in the London Olympics aren’t going to settle for watching from the sidelines.

Older Entries Newer Entries