Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Napoleon's Mother
According to Mr. Beauregard, Napoleon originated the idea of Mother's Day in France.
"Clinton Pal Wins Dem Primary in Virginia"
That was the heading on the link to MSNBC's story on yesterday's VA primary. The story was right, as the current piece says: "Country lawyer tops McAuliffe" but whoever had set-up the main page for the coming story was totally mistaken, as Creigh Deeds won easily. VA's not that Democratic, yet.
Wilbon and Karnal Bunt
When ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" was covering the French Open, Michael Wilbon had a thing for the word: "Monfils". (That is, he said it probably 50-60 times over a period of 2-3 shows.)
I know what he was feeling; I've the same fixation on "karnal bunt". (Perhaps because I'm a puritan at heart and am therefore intrigued by the sonic associations.) Anyhow, that's the phrase for today.
I know what he was feeling; I've the same fixation on "karnal bunt". (Perhaps because I'm a puritan at heart and am therefore intrigued by the sonic associations.) Anyhow, that's the phrase for today.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
EEO Issues
The El Paso Times has an article on the concerns of Hispanic farmers with USDA programs: farmers talking with the new Assistant Secretary for EEO, Joseph Leonard, and some words from the attorney running the lawsuit on behalf of Hispanics that parallels the Pigford suit.
Foodies Will Win Gradually
They'll win on at least some issues, such as some animal welfare concerns, as shown by this Brownfield note saying the American Veal Association is moving away from individual pens to "group housing" (though they have to deal with "bullies"). The bottom line is that, because farmers get a small share of the price of food at the margin, pressure groups who are able to legislate higher standards will be able to enforce their will. Consumers won't notice the additional price. (It's the same economic logic as farmers have been using for years.)
Government Doubles Its Productivity
Or, at least that portion of the IRS devoted to processing tax returns. "During that same period, the number of staff-years required to process returns has dropped from about 4,600 to about 2,225, although the overwhelming majority of time still is devoted to paper returns." From a Government Computer News piece.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Government Organization
The Post has an op-ed by Max Stier arguing it's more important to get good people in government than to worry about government reorganization, because most mergers/reorganizations fail. He's got a point. I think I've noted the ASCS/FmHA reorg in 1994 still hasn't erased all past lines. But...
Back in the day, Harry Truman thought it was nonsense for us to have 3 air forces (Army, Navy, Marines), two armies (Army and Marines), etc. so he was pushing for one armed service. Of course he got shot down. For 30 years or so the Joint Chiefs were rather powerless. In 1986 Goldwater and someone else got reform legislation passed, essentially saying to the four services--if you want to hit the top ranks, you've got to spend time on the Joint Chief staff. (All my details are suspect, but the general idea is right.) That apparently has, over time, improved the coordination among the services.
The 9-11 Commission noted the divide between the intelligence and law enforcement communities, which their recommendations hoped to redress. The divide reminds me of the divides among the services.
My point is leadership needs a long range perspective. In the short term, Mr. Stier is right--focus on the people, not the organization. But for the long term it's important how you're structured, more so than who the people are. For example, look at GM. It was formed by the combination of different companies (i.e., Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, etc.), most of which became divisions of the company, each with its own dealerships, supply chains, etc. Although GM worked toward consolidation, in the long run that organization wasn't able to compete with companies like Toyota, with just two lines. Certainly the organization wasn't the only problem, but it was a big part of it. There were good people in GM (the company, UAW, dealers, etc.), but they were handicapped by the organization.
Back in the day, Harry Truman thought it was nonsense for us to have 3 air forces (Army, Navy, Marines), two armies (Army and Marines), etc. so he was pushing for one armed service. Of course he got shot down. For 30 years or so the Joint Chiefs were rather powerless. In 1986 Goldwater and someone else got reform legislation passed, essentially saying to the four services--if you want to hit the top ranks, you've got to spend time on the Joint Chief staff. (All my details are suspect, but the general idea is right.) That apparently has, over time, improved the coordination among the services.
The 9-11 Commission noted the divide between the intelligence and law enforcement communities, which their recommendations hoped to redress. The divide reminds me of the divides among the services.
My point is leadership needs a long range perspective. In the short term, Mr. Stier is right--focus on the people, not the organization. But for the long term it's important how you're structured, more so than who the people are. For example, look at GM. It was formed by the combination of different companies (i.e., Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, etc.), most of which became divisions of the company, each with its own dealerships, supply chains, etc. Although GM worked toward consolidation, in the long run that organization wasn't able to compete with companies like Toyota, with just two lines. Certainly the organization wasn't the only problem, but it was a big part of it. There were good people in GM (the company, UAW, dealers, etc.), but they were handicapped by the organization.
The Grim Reaper and the Dems
Not to be gloomy on a bright June day, but I'd just note these ages, from Wikipedia:
As it happens, Senator Byrd has been in the hospital for 3 weeks for a staph infection. The Reps have a crack at taking the governorship of NJ and they hold the governorship of Hawaii. But I'm relieved to find that the governor of WV is a Democrat (must have won last year).
 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Byrd | (D-WV) | 91 | November 20, 1917 |
| Frank Lautenberg | (D-NJ) | 85 | January 23, 1924 |
| Daniel Inouye | (D-HI) | 84 | September 7, 1924 |
| Daniel Akaka | (D-HI) | 84 | September 11, 1924 |
| Arlen Specter | (D-PA) | 79 | February 12, 1930 |
| Jim Bunning | (R-KY) | 77 | October 23, 1931 |
As it happens, Senator Byrd has been in the hospital for 3 weeks for a staph infection. The Reps have a crack at taking the governorship of NJ and they hold the governorship of Hawaii. But I'm relieved to find that the governor of WV is a Democrat (must have won last year).
D-Day
In the "I didn't know that" category is this" "70,000 Normans were killed or wounded during the Normandy campaign – more than the number of Londoners killed or wounded during german bombing on the capital from 1940 to 1944." From Dirk Beauregard. Interesting for those of us who grew up in the shadow of WWII.
Kudos for CDC
CDC is doing what all government sites should: publish their metrics. (Are you listening, USDA?) That's one small step for an agency; one giant leap for good government.
[Updated--Though I'd like to see more than 1 month's data, which is all CDC is showing.]
[Updated--Though I'd like to see more than 1 month's data, which is all CDC is showing.]
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