News Cut: November 16, 2009 Archive

Five at 8 - 11/16/09: The limits -- or not -- of student privacy

Posted at 7:25 AM on November 16, 2009 by Bob Collins (10 Comments)

Last Friday I commented on the uplifting nature of the banjo. Here's reader Doug Glass' submission, selected for its Monday Morning Rouserability:

The secret to surviving Monday? Treat it like an Old Crow Medicine Show concert.

1) Curmudgeon test. You know you're a likely curmudgeon if you roll your eyes at the story of the parent in Northfield who objected that his/her son's test score was posted on the blackboard (you also know you're a likely curmudgeon if you use the word blackboard). Posting the scores of a class on tests violates the students' privacy.

This was in an advanced placement class and the scores were posted for kids who got A's and B's.

When I was in class, my industrial arts (shop) teacher made everyone turn off their machines, and held up the trinket I was making -- some gizmo to hold a potted plant. "Look class, Mr. Collins made a drunken plant holder." Laughs all around. It ruined me for life. Have I mention I'm building an airplane?

This, of course, is the other end of the spectrum; not praising those who do well, but shaming those who do not.

Discuss in the comments section. Be sure to reveal your SAT score first.

2) Have you ever wondered who decided a particular word -- made of random consonants and the occasional vowel -- was a swear word? Yeah, me neither. But you better add "meep" to the list.

3) A new MPR poll shows 56% of those surveyed like instant runoff voting. The next poll should ask how people feel about waiting for days -- maybe even longer -- before people know who won.

4) What's it like living with the burden of knowing that your father ran Auschwitz?

5) Good feature. Everything you always wanted to know about building a wind farm in Minnesota, courtesy of the Fergus Falls Daily Journal.

TODAY'S QUESTION
An interactive discussion today at MPR looks at new models for regional journalism. What story in your community needs more attention?

Here's the Web site for the Future of News project.

Live bloggers: David Brauer

WHAT WE'RE DOING

Midmorning (9-11 a.m.) - First hour: The U.S. Senate is scheduled to begin debate on its version of the health care reform bill this week. But questions about cost, a public option, and language on abortion could derail Democratic leader Harry Reid's efforts to get the bill passed.

Second hour: Barbara Kingsolver's new novel, "The Lacuna," is the story of a man who spends his youth among legendary Mexican figures Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, then grows reclusive in older age. Kingsolver talked with Kerri Miller on Nov. 11 as part of the Talking Volumes regional book club series.

Midday (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.) - First hour: On the first day of the Northstar commuter line, Midday discusses transit in the metropolitan area with Peter Bell of the Metropolitan Council and Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough.

Second hour: A live broadcast from the National Press Club featuring the new chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, Deborah Hersman.

Talk of the Nation (1-3 p.m.) - First hour: Was the shooting at Fort Hood an act of terror, or an act of insanity? Who is finding a job in this economy, and a look at Sarah Palin's news book.

Second hour: Before Byron Pitts became an award winning correspondent at CBS News
-- he had a secret. Then, when he was twelve, a therapist told his mother he
was functionally illiterate. Byron Pitts talks to Neal Conan about his new
memoir -- Step Out on Nothing.

Notice in the clip above he refers to a teacher who said in front of a class, "Congratulations! Your best work so far. D-plus." I suspect that teacher also taught shop.

All Things Considered (3-6:30 p.m.) - The train is rolling on the Northstar Line. As long as you can get to the station before 6 p.m., it presents a suitable alternative to driving, we hear. But what if you need to stay late at work? Ambar Espinoza looks at day one.

And so will Laura Yuen and Tom Weber. Their great race will feature one driving a car, and one taking the train. When they arrive at their destination, they'll then play volleyball while standing in knee-deep mud.

Today is the 30th anniversary of Walter Mondale's "boat people speech" to the United Nation. Dan Olson will take a long look back. He didn't write the speech, which brings up an interesting question about history. If we found out that Abraham Lincoln didn't write the Gettysburg Address, would we look at it differently?

Some clinics in Minnesota apparently have swine flu vaccine but are not alerting patients and families to its availability and in some cases are deliberately misleading patients about its availability, MPR's Lorna Benson will report. At least one clinic acknowledges being less than truthful about its supply of vaccine to avoid overwhelming demand. Legal? yes. Ethical, probably not, according to one ethicist.

(10 Comments)

Fresh Eye on the Radio: On second thought...

Posted at 4:53 PM on November 16, 2009 by Bob Collins

It's a day for turning what we thought we knew about health upside down. A new study destroys the apparent myth that emergency room care is the same for the insured and uninsured. Another one suggests that all we know about breast exams is wrong, too. But how do we know the people who apparently were wrong before, are right now?

No copays needed to listen to today's news conversation with Mary Lucia of The Current.