Send to Friend | Public Agenda

ON THE AGENDA

Squaring Off On Standards

Paul Gasbarra
Jan 8, 2009

The Pittsburgh public school administrators have made it mandatory for teachers to give their students, regardless of how poorly they perform, a minimum grade of 50 on homework, tests and grading periods. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, some students have said that they'd rather take the 50 than do any work.

Comment Read More

Uh-Oh: China Cuts Back On U.S. Debt

Scott Bittle
Jan 8, 2009

Everyone occasionally has spit-take moments over the morning news. For some people, the New York Times story, "China Losing Taste for Debt From U.S.," is one of them. But for many more, that headline probably didn't even register. It is, after all, kind of dull on its face.

Comment Read More

FACING UP TO THE
Nation's Finances

National Debt Clock

From	To
Email: * First Name: Last Name: Send a copy to myself	Email: * First Name: Last Name:

Send to Friend from Public Agenda

Message Text:

What costs and tradeoffs are associated with this choice?

PERSPECTIVE

Putting environmental protection in perspective

QUESTION

What costs and tradeoffs are associated with this choice?

ANSWER

This approach accepts the fact that as, as a normal byproduct of industrial society, the environment is affected in various ways. Certain risks, such as periodic oil spills, are a cost of doing business in a high-consumption industrial society. Also, this choice would shift much of the burden of protection to individuals and especially to individual landowners, who may or may be prudent in their use of resources.

View All Questions & Answers on This Perspective

Tags: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, emission, endangered species, Energy, Environment, gasoline, global pollutant, Global Warming, greenhouse gas, natural resource, oil, pollution, waste

Talk It Over

Homework For The New Administration And The 111th Congress

Entering a new era in Washington is a good time for many things, including a good hard look at what needs to be done to improve our education system, from pre-kindergarten all the way up through college. With that in mind, we've put together an education reform "to do" list for the president-elect and members of the 111th Congress. We invite you to check out the list and then log on to our site to discuss the education issues you feel should be priorities in 2009.

See All Comments

Join a Discussion
Start a Discussion