Eye on the Watcher’s Council

As you may know the members of the Watcher’s Council each nominate one of his or her own posts and one non-Council post for consideration by the whole Council. The complete list of this week’s Council nominations is here.

Bookworm Room, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”

Bookworm looks at the Republican field of presidential aspirants and finds a lot to like.

The Glittering Eye, “How Do You Know When a Bridge Needs Attention?”

My submission for this week has a very simple point (on which I’ve received some arguments): bridges have operating expenses. Can’t afford the operating expenses? You can’t afford the bridge! This seem pretty obvious to me but, apparently, not to everybody.

Big Lizards, “Gonzales, Intelligence, and Perjury: the Penultimate Word”

Dafydd ab Hugh puts his two cents in on what the next shoe to fall will be in the centipede that is the story of Alberto Gonzales and the politics of the attorney general’s office.

Soccer Dad, “Agents of Influence (Updated)”

Soccer Dad reminisces about his early days of blogging and provides some tips on how to use your blog to influence people (if not, precisely, to make friends).

The Colossus of Rhodey, “I Didn’t Do Squat—Now Give Me a Passing Grade!”

Hube takes exception with minimum grade requirements for students that didn’t satisfy the course requirements. My advice: cherchez le fric. Follow the money.

Done With Mirrors, “Tancredo and Tonic”

Callimachus gives a fair hearing to Tom Tancredo’s idea of attacking the Muslim holy places in response to a terrorist attack with nuclear weapons on an American city. My personal view is that such ideas are folly but Callimachus seems to view the notion more favorably than I. I think we should devote much, much more attention to the state sponsors of terrorism, however painful that may be. I have no illusions that will actually take place.

Cheat Seeking Missiles, “The Racists and Classists at Mother Jones”

In fairness Laer is talking about the commenters to an article online at Mother Jones rather than the editors, authors, or even readers but I think it’s a point well taken. I would remind Laer, however, that the definition of racism and classism that are used by the readers and writers and Mother Jones is not one he’ll find in a dictionary and is one that he probably wouldn’t agree with, since it only attributes racism to those who have power (or, more accurately, to people who belong to races some of whose members have power).

‘Okie’ on the Lam, “Newsweek Attacks Global Warming Deniers”

I gather that my views on global warming differ from Okie’s somewhat since I believe that it’s obvious that human-caused global warming is taking place. The questions are how significant is it, whether we should do anything about it, and whether the plans that are currently on the table are cost effective. I also think it’s possible to discuss these questions without demonizing each other which is why I find the latest “framing” of the issues with opponents of agenda-laden measures approaches to solving the problems being characterized as “deniers”, dredging up images of Holocaust deniers, is pretty awful.

The Educations Wonks, “Is This How to Build a Better NCLB?”

EdWonk considers the reforms being proposed Public Law 107-110, commonly referred to as No Child Left Behind and, honestly, has mixed feelings. A problem that rarely mentioned any more about public education in this country is that large systems long ago reached the point where Gammon’s Law has taken over and outputs (however measured) per input are falling. Said another way: throwing money at the problem of itself will not fix what needs fixing.

Rhymes With Right, “Grading Policies”

Greg, too, is posting on mandatory minimum grade requirements and does so from first-hand experience.

Joshuapundit, “Olmert Evicts Jews From Hebron”

Freedom Fighter is not a bit pleased with the forced evictions of Jews from Hebron.

Right Wing Nut House, “My Excellent Adventure at YearlyKos”

Rick Moran recounts his adventures attending YearlyKos. I’m quite sure he had a wonderful time.

Well, I’ve decided which posts I’ll vote for this week. Which posts would get your votes?