No More Faking Sick: Tech Savvy Education Providers Make Learning Fun

By Joseph Russell- Talk Radio News Service

The International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) hosted the 30th annual National Education Computing Conference (NECC) Tuesday to present the latest technological innovations in education to make learning engaging. Companies from around the world presented their ideas for improving learning, teaching, and educational leadership.

Companies, such as Lego and Microsoft, predicted the future of educational improvement will be through fun technology.

“You’re going to see a lot more Web 2.0 kind of features, you’re going to see us more in the multimedia kind of facet . . . and we have a lot of renewable energy products coming out as well,” said Debra Smith, Market Communications Coordinator for LEGO.

The technology on display varied widely. Some technology was interactive, such as LEGO’s robotics, while others, like Microsoft’s Online Office Space, focused on life long education.

“In the future when the students go to college, they go to the workforce right? And so, if they are already familiar with the Microsoft office products it will be very helpful for them,” said Jim Jin, Microsoft Senior Project Manager, who added that the new Online Office Space is an extension of current Microsoft products.

NECC celebrated aspects of U.S. education that seem to be heading in the right direction. However, the conference aimed to improve the lackluster aspects of American education as well.

“I believe we must make going to school a step into the future for our students,” ISTE President Helen Padgett said. “A future defined by an educational environment enriched with technology that will engage them, challenge them, inspire them, and prepare them for all that life has to offer.”

Homeland Security Department Vulnerable to Hackers, GAO Says

By Joseph Russell- Talk Radio News Service

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is still considerably vulnerable to cyber attacks.

“Over the past three years, GAO has consistently reported that DHS has yet to fully satisfy its key responsibilities, including those for coordinating and protection of cyber critical infrastructure,” said Greg Wilshusen, Director of Information Issues for the Government Accountability Office during a hearing Thursday with the House Technology and Innovation Subcommittee on weaknesses in U.S. cyber security.

The Cyber Space Policy Review and a recent report from the Government Accountability Office highlighted many problems in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) cyber security operations and coordination. These problems include weak and outdated infrastructure, poor research, and lack of security.

A plan for collaborating national cyber security standards is needed, according to Wilshusen, because different agencies, including DHS, are unclear about their roles and responsibilities of addressing cyber security. 

The Bush Administration created the Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative (CNCI) to secure federal systems in 2008. The classified CNCI had issues securing systems because 85 percent of the U.S. infrastructure is owned and operated by private entities. Under President Obama, the CNCI seeks to grow cyber security through increased transparency and public-private partnerships. 

House Republicans Demand Energy and Health Care Alternatives

By Joseph Russell- Talk Radio News Service
Leading House Republicans warned that the Democrats health care agenda harms all Americans because it sacrifices millions of jobs while at the same time creating billions of dollars in tax hikes.

“The 852 pages of the Democrat health care plan,” Boehner said during a press conference Wednesday, “is a complete government takeover of our health care system, which is going to lead to higher taxes, rationing, and lower quality in our healthcare system.”

Health care is not the only concern of the Republicans. Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) introduced the American Energy Act, an alternative to a cap-and-trade national energy tax, arguing “the president himself said that utility rates would quote ‘necessarily skyrocket’ . . . as utility rates rose that those would be passed along to consumers.”

At this point, House Republicans believe they are well positioned, claiming that the Democrats do not have enough votes to pass either their health care or energy agendas. Boehner said House Republicans are “encouraged” that their Senate colleagues are standing-up to this “bizarre notion” of a government run health care system.

Graham Says Senate Rejects Certain White House Plans

By Joseph Russell- Talk Radio News Service
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.Car.) said Tuesday that there is clear bipartisan rejection in the Senate of several key White House initiatives, including energy and health reform. Graham said the Senate will continue to work on prudent legislation, but the legislative proposals from the White House are risky to American consumers and are unsustainable.

"I think the one thing I can tell you is that the public government option is not going to make it," Graham said. "That's all I can tell you. I think there is a lot of talk about different approaches, but the government option will kill private sector competition."

Republicans have been concerned about growing budget deficits and many, including Graham, believe that entitlement reform in areas like Medicare and Medicaid must be made if the Obama administration proceeds with its attempt to overhaul the nation's health care system.

"We can't have sustainable health care reform until you address the two government programs that exist today," Graham said. "Medicare and Medicaid combined in about ten years, are going to be the equivalent of today's entire budget. They're are on a unsustainable growth path."

Democratic lawmakers view cap-and-trade legislation as a possible source of income for health care reform. The hurdle for Democrats is finding a way to obtain majority support for such legislation in the Senate. According to Graham, the legislation was rejected in a bipartisan fashion because "it would create a $680 something billion cap-and-trade tax. . . that will have really hurt the American consumer and business."

Other opponents of cap-and-trade legislation argue that it will force businesses to relocate to countries without such laws, and that it will alienate poor communities by forcing taxes to increase.

Senators Try To Heal Veterans' “Invisible Wounds”

By Joseph Russell - Talk Radio News Service

Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Mike Johanns (R-Nev.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) hosted a discussion on the prevention of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide in returning veterans, often referred to as “invisible wounds.” A panel comprised of doctors and military personnel highlighted the need for an increase in treatment alongside prevention. The members agreed that the current model of assessing veteran mental health is insufficient due to a lack of access and outreach.

Dr. Saralyn Mark, president of SolaMed Solutions, asserted that PTSD is a major issue, noting that the suicide rate among sufferers is at a critical level. She claimed the suicide rate among returning veterans is higher now than during Vietnam. “Everybody comes back changed,” Mark said. It is “not ethically or morally acceptable to send soldiers to war without being properly equipped.”

There have been advancements in providing mental health care to returning veterans, but more needs to be done, said Colonel Jeff Ireland, Director of Manpower and Personnel for the Montana National Guard. It is adamant that progress is made in education, access, and outreach, he said.

Ireland said “the bottom line is the continued emphasis on education and awareness so that we can help to change the way people look at PTSD and mental health issues. ... If we as a society can accept that, it becomes easier for us to openly discuss it.”