China Daily is reporting that Buddhist monks in Shanghai are enrolling in MBA courses to learn how to better manage their temples.   Just another example of the ineluctable power of capitalism to "break down all Chinese walls," as… Continue reading

    It seems that two Navy helicopter pilots who took the initiative to help save people from roof tops in New Orleans have been reprimanded by their superior officers.  The two pilots, Lt. David Shand and Lt. Matt Udkow,… Continue reading

     Confucius believed that the noble-minded should rule, and he articulated various principles that defined noble-mindedness.  Among the most important characteristic is xin,which can be translated as "trust," "good faith," "confidence," or "sincerity."  The Chinese character for xin suggests… Continue reading

     OK, here’s a piece from the Washington Post on the revival of classic texts – the work of "dead, white men" – in American colleges.  I have become more sympathetic to such endeavors in recent years, given my… Continue reading

     I couldn’t help but notice that these two items were listed right next to each other on the People’s Daily web site, in the Culture/Life section:  600,000 Beijingers suffer depression Middle class on rise in China: survey     … Continue reading

     Mencius reminds us that the basis of legitimacy for any government, democratic or authoritarian, is providing security and prosperity to the people (when he refers here to winning "all under Heaven" he means establishing sovereign rule): The way… Continue reading

    Just noticed this forum at Beijing Review, discussing the case of Yu Bin, former vice mayor of a small city in Hunan province, who took bribes to fund projects for the poor.  He was recently found guilty of… Continue reading

     Donations to aid US hurricane victims can be sent to the American Red Cross.      Donations for the victims of the trampling tragedy in Iraq, and for Iraq generally, can be sent to the International Federation of… Continue reading

    Yesterday had an apocalyptic tinge to it.  The statement by the mayor of New Orleans that hundreds, maybe thousands of people have been killed in that city was a shock.  And then the news that approximately 1000 people… Continue reading

    The news that math SAT scores have risen seems good.  But another education story is better.  Star Wars creator George Lucas has been running a education foundation for some years that supports innovative teaching methods and goals.  He… Continue reading