“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but a little want of knowledge is also a dangerous thing” — Samuel Butler, 19th century English author. * The United States earns a C- on child well-being in a report on national results around the globe. “For early childhood, the nation received a C-, based on early-learning program […]
Derek Melot
Derek Melot is a former assistant editorial page editor, columnist and reporter at the Lansing State Journal, where he covered state and local issues extensively, earning awards from the Associated Press and Michigan Press Association. The Oklahoma native moved to Michigan in 1999, and served as Bridge editor through mid-2013.
Posted inMichigan Government
Ballot props 'terrible,' 'devastating,' governor says
Gov. Rick Snyder is at the center of the debate in at least half of Michigan’s six ballot proposals this year. He pushed for – and signed – the 2011 rewrite of the emergency manager law that voters will approve reject Nov. 6 with Proposal 1. He pushed for – and signed – an agreement […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“You can’t know, you can only believe — or not” — C.S. Lewis, 20th century English author. * About 25 percent of voters in Michigan this year are expected to cast ballots absentee. “More and more people, in talking to their neighbors, are finding out it’s convenient in saving you a trip to the polls,” said […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Our treasure lies in the beehive of our knowledge. We are perpetually on the way thither, being by nature winged insects and honey gatherers of the mind” — Friedrich Nietzsche, 19th century German philosopher. * “Stray dogs and beloved pets alike leave behind approximately 30 tons of excrement on (Buenos Aires’) sidewalks each day, according to […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge” — Nicolaus Copernicus, 16th century Polish scientist. * This map highlights, to my eye at least, one of the more fascinating transportation situations in Michigan today. From pretty much all reports, […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Science has to be understood in its broadest sense, as a method for comprehending all observable reality, and not merely as an instrument for acquiring specialized knowledge” — Alexis Carrel, 20th century French scientist. * Michigan is becoming more energy-efficient, says something called The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Michigan moved up from No. 17 […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Knowledge of human nature is the beginning and end of political education” — Henry B. Adams, 19th century American historian. *A last blast of summer: What do you get when you mix tubing, an invasive species, slow-motion photography and an aria?: http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com /2012/09/mental-health-break-22.html * Michigan policy has been moving in a strong pro-cyberschool direction recently. Other […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Data is not information, information is not knowledge, knowledge is not understanding, understanding is not wisdom” — Clifford Stoll, American author. * A study says the financial trends for public research universities – here that means U-M, MSU and Wayne State – are grim. ” Public research universities — particularly top-tier flagship institutions like the […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“I find that a great part of the information I have, was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way” – Franklin P. Adams, radio commentator. * A new report from the Michigan Agri-Business Association talks up the potential of agriculture’s prospects in Northern Michigan – and offers at least one very […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination” — Elizabeth Hardwick, American literary critic. * ProPublica continues its coverage of the petroleum industry and environmental oversight: “Injection wells have […]