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David Fitzwilliam shared insights about the most recent financial crisis, sighting sources from Investor Business Daily, Milton Friedman, and Arthur B. Laffer. PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain) are likely to be close to bankruptcy. Greece has a budget deficit greater than 11% while its national debt is larger than 100% of GDP.
Eight states in the US are on the brink of bankruptcy complicated by government employee benefits that are structurally unsustainable. We live in an era of crony capitalism that started when income taxes were instituted in 1913. Examples of crony capitalism: preventing off shore drilling while subsidizing ethanol from corn. The proposed solution is to reform (and possibly eliminate) income taxes, and replace by VAT, while reforming spending and subsidies: Government Sponsored Entities, TARP, GM Bailout, etc. |
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Classification Talks: Rich Hayes and Beyhan Trock |
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Janice Earle told us about the National Science Foundation (NSF), a federal agency founded in 1950 which supports research and education of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by providing grants. Science, in all its disciplines, is the endless frontier that affects vitally our jobs, health and national security. Hence, NSF has established programs such as Discovery Research K-12, Research/Evaluation on education in science and engineering, innovative technology experiences for students and teachers or informal education. We’ve learned that US curriculum’s are repetitive and less challenging than high achieving nations, US teachers are becoming weaker in mathematics, young children can learn more complex and abstract ideas if properly scaffolded, teacher shortage is caused by an early exit due to poor conditions such as lack of autonomy, many tests do not measure much of what really matters in learning, etc. |
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Astrid Hinderling told us about Knitting as an Art. Knitting has been used by nomadic society. Artifacts dating from 1000 BC were found. In the Romantic period, men were knitting while keeping their sheep’s.
Knitting is the art of covering bodies beautifully. The process starts with inspiration which feeds creativity, and results in the execution of an image. Each item is a unique creation, characterized by its own texture, color, image, weight, composition of yarn and character. Astrid was trained as a radiography medical technician, and uses her “x-ray vision” to assess body shape and form, and design the outfit. She pays special attention to the seams that must flow in harmony with the fabric. Finally, choosing carefully the trims and buttons is of great importance to complete the look of the garment. |
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Three new members were inducted by President Greg Wims. Is this a record? Please give Katey Boerner, Clyde Garrett, and Marvin Address a warm Rotary welcome.
Rich Carson talked about the new Rotary literacy program to improve primary school literacy in Ecuador. It will train 25 master trainers who will then train 500 school teachers. Our Club is one of the Sponsoring Clubs, and our Foundation has contributed $5,000. Becoming a civil society member of the Association of American States enabled Rotary to address one of the top most needs in South America: literacy.
Beyhan Trock told us about the Prostate Cancer Study spearheaded by our Rotary club: using Rotary members to obtain a large set of consistent data to make comparative studies to find relevant biomarkers. The study protocol has been submitted to Johns Hopkins. It will address collection and storage of questionnaire and blood samples. The execution will start with the B-CC Club, expand to 3 other clubs in Mont. Co., followed by expansion to the District. Afterwards, Johns Hopkins, Rotary International and the National Cancer Institute will be involved to fund the expansion at the national and international levels.
President Greg Wims told us about the Club’s support of this year’s water projects in Kenya. The goodwill generated prompted the head master at one school to make the financial sacrifices to become a Rotary member. The second school has started an Interact club counting 30 students. |
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