The Off Topic Topic

[crazy canuck]

A study of Seattle's new higher minimum wage (they're aiming for $15/hr, but aren't there yet) shows what most of us on the right have always said - it leads to reduced numbers of hours worked, and net less salary paid to low income workers.

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/uw-study-finds-seattles-minimum-wage-is-costing-jobs/

Yes, that was the conclusion of the study, but it seems there were some procedural problems with it - such as counting movement of a low wage employee to another job as a job loss...

Seems even the author of the UW study said his study confirmed the findings of the Reich study that there were no adverse impacts in the restaurant industry.

He noted that his team's study actually corroborated Berkeley's conclusion, finding zero impact from the minimum-wage law on restaurant employment — when taking into account jobs at all wage levels within the restaurant industry.

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/study+seattles+minimum+wage+says+costs+jobs/13549311/story.html

So, yeah the "right" or more properly people who are more libertarian than not, have always said that higher minimum wages will cost jobs.  And the data from recent wage hikes does not support that contention.

Well the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests it's having negative impacts well before you hit $15/hr.

And more recent experience suggests that is wrong.

[The Larch]

Czech Republic nuclear power station hosts bikini contest to choose interns

A Czech nuclear power plant decided a bikini contest would be a good way to choose its next round of interns. Facebook users were asked to rate school graduates who posed inside a cooling tower.


A Czech nuclear power plant operator apologized last week for using a Facebook bikini contest to choose its next intern.

Power generation conglomerate CEZ had 10 bikini-clad high school graduates pose in a cooling tower of its Temelin nuclear power plant, which was briefly closed for maintenance.

It then asked Facebook users to vote for their favorite, with the most popular winning a 14 day internship at the plant.

In a press release CEZ likened the photoshoot to its previous cultural enrichment programs, such as hosting the Bohemian Philharmonic at the plant in South Bohemia. The release said the experience was greatly enjoyed by the girls, who were required to wear hard hats and enclosed shoes at all times.

Local TV channel Jihoceske filmed a feature on the shoot, showing the models touring the Czech Republic's largest power station which is about 90 kilometers (55 miles) north east of the state of Bavaria on the German border.

The competition caused an outcry among Czech news and social media.

The operators of the 2,000 megawatt plant later apologized on Facebook, and said all finalists were offered an internship.

"The purpose of the competition was to promote technical education. But if the original vision raised doubts or concerns, we are very sorry," the operators posted on Facebook.

CEZ told Czech news outlets that it did not organize the competition. News magazine Dotyk reported the competition was part of an annual school graduate beauty contest organized by Ceske Budejovice media agency Maturantka Roku.

Maturantka Roku's website said that each year more than 600 girls take part in its contest, with finalists earning a modeling contract.

Does the Swedish nuclear industry do similar things, Brain? 

In case you want to check (get it? get it?) on the candidates, or just perv on Czech teenagers without actually getting on a porn site, here's the link:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ICTemelin/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1908592589419632

[Josephus]

In Ontario, they are raising it to $15 from (I think $11 and change) within a couple years.
Of course the problem with such a rise is that it wouldn't be only the minimum wagers getting raises. If I make $13 now I will also get a  raise, and if I'm to be kept above minimum wage, then I'd expect $16 or more. And the guy currently getting $16/hr has every right to complain if I suddenly get a $3/hr raise.

Much as I, a leftie (though arguably not as zealous as before) applaud the raise, I do have to agree that it's too huge a jump in such a short time.

[CountDeMoney]

University of Delaware  Figures.

UD cuts ties with professor who said Warmbier 'deserved' to die
Adam Duvernay , The News Journal

A University of Delaware professor won't have a place at the school in the future because of comments she made in the wake of an American's death upon his return from North Korea.

Kathy Dettwyler, an adjunct professor of anthropology, was the subject of intense backlash after she posted on her personal Facebook page that Otto Warmbier "deserved" to die after being taken into custody by North Korea, falling into a coma and dying. The comments went viral.

UD released a statement Sunday which said Dettwyler "will not be rehired to teach at the University in the future." Dettwyler was not a member of the faculty when she made her inflammatory comments.

Adjunct professors work on contract by semester. She was employed by UD in the spring but was not teaching summer classes.

"Is it wrong of me to think that Otto Warmbier got exactly what he deserved," Dettwyler posted on her Facebook page, which since has been taken down or made private.

"These are the same kids who cry about their grades because they didn't think they'd really have to read and study the material to get a good grade... His parents ultimately are to blame for his growing up thinking he could get away with whatever he wanted. Maybe in the US, where young, white, rich, clueless white males routinely get away with raping women. Not so much in North Korea. And of course, it's Ottos' parents who will pay the price for the rest of their lives."

Dettwyler made similar remarks in the comments section of an article published by the National Review. Thousands shared the story on social media and many said they would not be sending their children to UD because of Dettwyler's comments.

The university started distancing itself from Dettwyler as fallout over her comments fallout grew.

"The comments of Katherine Dettwyler do not reflect the values or position of the University of Delaware. We condemn any and all messages that endorse hatred and convey insensitivity toward a tragic event such as the one that Otto Warmbier and his family suffered," read a statement issued last week.

"The University of Delaware values respect and civility and we are committed to global education and study abroad; therefore we find these comments particularly distressing and inconsistent with our values. Our sympathies are with the Warmbier family."

But asked to comment on potential disciplinary action last week, university spokesperson Andrea Boyle said, "We are not able to comment on the specifics of her employment. Personnel matters are confidential."

Warmbier was a University of Virgina student visiting North Korea, where he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor after being accused of stealing a propaganda poster from his hotel. He suffered a neurological injury and went into a coma.

He was returned to the United States in that condition and died June 18.

Dettwyler said on Facebook Warmbier was "typical of a mindset of a lot of the young, white, rich, clueless males who come into my classes."

The News Journal reached her by email last week, but she had no comment.

[Ed Anger]

Whelp, I'm off to Ambien Country.  Got a long week of coming up with different reasons not to blow my fucking brains out somewhere on live TV ahead of me.

I went to Trazodone country. I dreamed I was talking to the Queen when she keeled over and died and the Household Cavalry beat the living shit out of me.

[Josquius]

Worst death ever

http://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/02/us/victim-at-lifeguards-party.html

[Grey Fox]

University of Delaware  Figures.

UD cuts ties with professor who said Warmbier 'deserved' to die
Adam Duvernay , The News Journal

A University of Delaware professor won't have a place at the school in the future because of comments she made in the wake of an American's death upon his return from North Korea.

Kathy Dettwyler, an adjunct professor of anthropology, was the subject of intense backlash after she posted on her personal Facebook page that Otto Warmbier "deserved" to die after being taken into custody by North Korea, falling into a coma and dying. The comments went viral.

UD released a statement Sunday which said Dettwyler "will not be rehired to teach at the University in the future." Dettwyler was not a member of the faculty when she made her inflammatory comments.

Adjunct professors work on contract by semester. She was employed by UD in the spring but was not teaching summer classes.

"Is it wrong of me to think that Otto Warmbier got exactly what he deserved," Dettwyler posted on her Facebook page, which since has been taken down or made private.

"These are the same kids who cry about their grades because they didn't think they'd really have to read and study the material to get a good grade... His parents ultimately are to blame for his growing up thinking he could get away with whatever he wanted. Maybe in the US, where young, white, rich, clueless white males routinely get away with raping women. Not so much in North Korea. And of course, it's Ottos' parents who will pay the price for the rest of their lives."

Dettwyler made similar remarks in the comments section of an article published by the National Review. Thousands shared the story on social media and many said they would not be sending their children to UD because of Dettwyler's comments.

The university started distancing itself from Dettwyler as fallout over her comments fallout grew.

"The comments of Katherine Dettwyler do not reflect the values or position of the University of Delaware. We condemn any and all messages that endorse hatred and convey insensitivity toward a tragic event such as the one that Otto Warmbier and his family suffered," read a statement issued last week.

"The University of Delaware values respect and civility and we are committed to global education and study abroad; therefore we find these comments particularly distressing and inconsistent with our values. Our sympathies are with the Warmbier family."

But asked to comment on potential disciplinary action last week, university spokesperson Andrea Boyle said, "We are not able to comment on the specifics of her employment. Personnel matters are confidential."

Warmbier was a University of Virgina student visiting North Korea, where he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor after being accused of stealing a propaganda poster from his hotel. He suffered a neurological injury and went into a coma.

He was returned to the United States in that condition and died June 18.

Dettwyler said on Facebook Warmbier was "typical of a mindset of a lot of the young, white, rich, clueless males who come into my classes."

The News Journal reached her by email last week, but she had no comment.

She's right too.

[Valmy]

White men in the US are still among the most incarcerated populations in the world. I was not aware we routinely get away with committing crimes. But then I also do not think 15 years in a labor camp is a reasonable punishment for taking a poster. But maybe in Canada shoplifters get shot in the back of the head?

I thought we were trying to fight against mass incarceration and overly harsh sentences but I guess this professor thinks we need more of it. She also seems to know all about this one guy and everything he did just based on the fact she knew a few guys like him at UD.

[Barrister]

The adjunct's comments were of course ridiculous.  But who amongst us hasn't said something ridiculous at some point?  It's a shame that the online mob gets yet another person fired.

[CountDeMoney]

She's in anthropology, so she knows what she's talking about.

[garbon]

White men in the US are still among the most incarcerated populations in the world. I was not aware we routinely get away with committing crimes. But then I also do not think 15 years in a labor camp is a reasonable punishment for taking a poster. But maybe in Canada shoplifters get shot in the back of the head?

I thought we were trying to fight against mass incarceration and overly harsh sentences but I guess this professor thinks we need more of it. She also seems to know all about this one guy and everything he did just based on the fact she knew a few guys like him at UD.

I think we know enough with: he was an American who went on a tour group to NK. Right there you are either full on your self-worth/how you'll be protected or you are reckless. Neither one seems like something to laud.

[dps]

I think she's right in that there are a lot of people in the US who think they can get away with doing whatever they like, but it's not limited to "young, white, rich, clueless white males".  And AFAIK, it wasn't a frame-up job;  Warmbier did try to steal a poster, so, OK, he deserved to be punished for that.  But an appropriate punishment for that is something along the lines of a $50 fine or 100 hours of community service, not 15 years at hard labor.  And nobody deserves to be beaten into a fatal coma--heck, I'm a death penalty advocate, and even I don't think that's an acceptable way to execute someone.

[Malthus]

The adjunct's comments were of course ridiculous.  But who amongst us hasn't said something ridiculous at some point?  It's a shame that the online mob gets yet another person fired.

On the other hand - I'd be pretty happy to avoid having a person who thinks like this having some sort of authority over grading my work, being as I would fall within the "White, male" category (and my respect for the judgment about "cluelessness" by a person who would publicly post this under their own name is pretty low!  ).

[Malthus]

White men in the US are still among the most incarcerated populations in the world. I was not aware we routinely get away with committing crimes. But then I also do not think 15 years in a labor camp is a reasonable punishment for taking a poster. But maybe in Canada shoplifters get shot in the back of the head?

I thought we were trying to fight against mass incarceration and overly harsh sentences but I guess this professor thinks we need more of it. She also seems to know all about this one guy and everything he did just based on the fact she knew a few guys like him at UD.

I think we know enough with: he was an American who went on a tour group to NK. Right there you are either full on your self-worth/how you'll be protected or you are reckless. Neither one seems like something to laud.

There is a lot of space between "lauding" a person dumb enough to visit NK as a tourist, and saying "he got what he deserved". 

Lots of kids foolishly adventure travel where they should not; doesn't mean their deaths are not a tragedy.

[dps]

The adjunct's comments were of course ridiculous.  But who amongst us hasn't said something ridiculous at some point?  It's a shame that the online mob gets yet another person fired.

On the other hand - I'd be pretty happy to avoid having a person who thinks like this having some sort of authority over grading my work, being as I would fall within the "White, male" category (and my respect for the judgment about "cluelessness" by a person who would publicly post this under their own name is pretty low!  ).

I note that you don't claim to still fall under the "young" category. 

And re:  what garbon posted while I was typing--I agree that travelling to NK is a pretty good sign of either feeling privileged, being reckless, or just plain being nuts.  But none of that deserves 15 years of imprisonment, much less death.