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New Solar Panel Technology Gaining Momentum
jessiej writes, "Even though copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), a newer type of solar panel, is less efficient than its silicon counterpart, millions are being invested in manufacturing. From the article: 'CIGS panels use far less raw material than silicon solar panels and the factories themselves cost less to build,' $25 million compared to $230 million in one example. These types of panels could even be made into a t-shirt logo."
The library of congress was built in another day and time. Back when knowledge was a Good Thing (TM). Nowadays in the US, we have people in office who disregard education altogether and will show up to read books to elementary students (possibly because A. That's the reading level of many of our politicians these days, B. No chance of a 1st grader criticizing the way congress has become a marketplace for selling laws). It's really dumb, but effective (since most parents are even more dumb). "Oh, he read books to little Tommy! Who cares about the fact that this guy completely devastated a town as mayor and now wants to run for mayor!"
Look at the way the government gives the shaft to the public education system. My school doesn't even have enough money to buy the basic necessities for our teachers. The teachers have to dig in their own wallets (which aren't very thick, considering teachers are for some reason not valued in this country. I think teachers should be some of the highest paid workers) to buy basic classroom supplies. On top of that, we have the stupid stupid Every Child Left Behind BS that really screws over the few good teachers we have left, because now they are forced to teach by government mandated curricula. I remember my biology teacher venting to us about how she was require to teach more about plants than humans. She felt that a portion of the class should deal with a certain mammal called Homo Sapiens and the gov said "No!"
All I know, is my child (if an unfortunate being has to endure me) is going to private school, tutoring, or plain home schooling. If he/she wants to go to public school, I'll let him/her. Otherwise, I'm willing to dish out the dough to keep them out of the government prisons for youth. Our schools are prison institutions and patriot academies for the youth. Because we are just SO scary that the old folks don't want us doing something more productive. 12 years just to graduate? BS! I could obtain the same amount of knowledge in 8, maybe even less than that.