Apart from Oracle and one app in my company, I don't even see Java anymore. I've forgotten most of what I was forced to learn.

Who is using it anymore and for what and why?

Actually, they can. Here in New York City, as part of the "no student left behind" initiative, the schools are given the opportunity to do that every year. The student provides a list of schools they want to attend and the school then picks from the pool of candidates that want to go there. Unfortunately, the 'progressives' that have a choke hold on the schools and control the teacher's union won't allow students to be picked based on merit. They actually use a bell curve; 1/4 from the top, half from the middle and 1/4 from the bottom. This is to ensure that they have a well-rounded and diverse student body. This method was specifically devised to undermine the initiative.

And two years ago, there was a mini-scandal, never made it to the papers, that the higher-ups in the union made sure that their kids got accepted at the better schools.

Ever heard of 'Bronx Science'? Their reputation is gone as they as they prescribe to the bell curve.

Peter Stuyvesant on the other hand, thrives. They are too well known for the union hacks to touch them. But they circle.

Say what? That's not true, even in New York City?

Oh, yeah. From the 'stats pulled out of my ass' department.

I have steel beams between the first and second floors that seem to interfere with wifi. It could be something else, but since I have the two units and had hardwire between the floors, I use them.

I've disabled the FIOS provided wireless access, added two wireless access points ( upstairs and downstairs ), each connected by hardwire to to the router and use whatever protocols and passwords I desire.

When has aesthetics ever played a role in how the glass and steel monstrosities were erected? If the owner thought they could make some extra money, they'll be tacked on, no matter how ugly.

Hmmm.. When did I get so cynical?

There is a difference between over-sight in terms of how money is spend and that the research was done according to accepted practices versus threatening a researcher with reprisals if the results don't come out as desired.

Increasingly, IMHO, researchers are sactioned if the results are not in line with a particular ideology, even when the research was done properly. No, I am no longer in research, but my opinion was developed based on conversations I've had with associates still in the mill.

He didn't say that. He said;

The idea behind public research, was to fund worthwhile research that would not otherwise get funding and then back off and let them do their ting without fear of reprisals. You know, independent. A noble ideal, that sadly, in this severely bifurcated society, is almost impossible.

I dunno. My kids are in their early twenties and love the Beatles. I love looking through the music on their phones and seeing all the new stuff I hate and then catch sight of all the Beatles albums. I taught them something right.

IMHO, good music died a long time ago. Scratch that. I have to lower the bar. Listenable music died a long time ago. 15 years ago, I would buy some 40-50 albums ( whatever media ) a year and another ten of old stuff. Then it become individual songs. I don't think I bought anything this year. I can't even stand what they've done with the re-mastered greats.

Sucky music, sucks, regardless if it is created by a musician or a digital hack.

And the whole thing would have just exploded. Does Obama have a change of heart and wants this whole thing to just die?

It is anti-bacterial. It just isn't done with antibiotics. And there isn't a resistance. Not that would be a hideous situation.

Social Media was so 2013.

Get with it, its all about meeting up with people in real-time. Awesome. You make a call, talk to a person and arrange to meet up somewhere. Say for dinner or a drink. Maybe even a hook-up.

They aren't lying. They really do mean that. But the quote is incomplete. The Republicans favor less Democratic government.

What the heck is a hamster farmer going to do with pork?

Oh...