Swine Flu Outbreak; Weeding Out "Bad" Teachers; NASA Flying Without a Captain; The Narcissism Epidemic
Swine Flu Outbreak
Yesterday federal officials declared a public health emergency as cases of swine flu spread throughout the country. Twenty new cases of swine flu were confirmed overnight, bringing the U.S. total to 40. In Mexico, 1,600 people have been infected by swine flu, and over a hundred people are believed to have died from it, with 26 confirmed cases. One case also has been confirmed in Spain, and the European Union is advising against travel to the U.S. and Mexico. However, President Obama has stated that the outbreak is "cause for concern...but it is not a cause for alarm". Larry Mantle looks at the progress of the outbreak and the precautions that should be taken.
Weeding Out "Bad" Teachers
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education may try to change legal protections that make firing bad teachers difficult. Currently teachers are laid off based on seniority, not performance. Should this change? Larry Mantle talks with LAUSD board member Tamar Galatzan and UTLA President A.J. Duffy.
NASA Flying Without a Captain
One hundred days into the administration, the Obama team has still not named anyone to head up NASA. With a budget deadline looming on April 30th, critical decisions need to be made on whether to skuttle the shuttle program- decisions which could affect our timeline for the next moon visit as well as the future of space exploration. NASA has $1 billion in stimulus money to spend, but the lack of a permanent boss could leave the agency lost in space.
The Narcissism Epidemic
It's all about me. That's what narcissism can be characterized as- a very positive and inflated view of the self- and it's everywhere. A new book called "The Narcissism Epidemic" looks at how narcissism is spreading and its social repercussions. The book cites everyday examples in relationships, entertainment and politics.