Wednesday, September 30, 2015

The terrifying fun of going back to school at 50.




Starting my 4th week at Carleton. Or is it 5th?
 
I’m not behind yet. Well, at least I don’t think I’m behind yet. I might be. The recurring theme to date is that I have a lot of catching up to do across a broad spectrum.

This experience is deeply humbling. Hearkening back to my undergraduate studies in the 1980s I remember feeling pretty smart. Most of my colleagues did too. Young and idealistic, perhaps. That is not the feeling I now have. Now I feel humbled. I am surrounded by very, very smart and insightful people – professors and students. People who care deeply about what they are studying, thinking, and writing. 

It’s very motivating. Inspiring. And terrifying.

Now forgive me, I have five journal articles and two books to read before Monday. I think there is a probably an assignment due, too but I haven’t looked that far ahead. Oh, and a thesis. Well, I haven’t started that yet. As a matter of fact, the thesis proposal that I have only just started to think about is completely different than what I was intending when I started four weeks ago.You know, maybe I am behind.

Monday, September 28, 2015

What will VW do?




The VW brain trust is, right now, trying to work out a plan. What do they hope to accomplish?

1. Minimize the loss. They know they will be taking a huge loss – recalls, fines, and lawsuits.

2. Rehabilitate their reputation. They are worried about a loss of trust. People will not buy VWs.

What are they going to do?

1. Scapegoat a cadre of engineers. Obviously, not everyone in VW knew about the fraud. Dealers, for instance, did not know. The new CEO will ferret out a group who apparently perpetrated the fraud and they will be publicly dismissed. VW needs to admit mea culpa and show that they will be good boys and girls in the future.

2. Make an offer to TDI owners. If you drive a VW TDI (clean diesel), VW wants to keep you driving a VW. They will make an offer, of value, that will promote this. It will be less than you might hope to receive in a class action but it will be something of significant value. I see three possibilities.

First, a cash offer – based upon the age and price of your car. The problem with this is that it takes cash out VW’s coffers.

Second, extended warranty – They will extend your warranty for several more years. The problem with this is that is keeps you driving a car that you are now angry about.

Third, a trade in offer – if you want to trade your TDI on a new value VW will offer a significant premium on your existing car. It will make it hard to leave the VW family. This is a likely solution. It costs VW nothing (except the profit on the sale of the new one), it keeps you in a VW that hopefully you like.

Friday, September 25, 2015

Niqab? No problem.




Niqab’s are offensive to a majority of Canadians – 82% of Canadians support the rule that Niqabs should not be worn as one takes the Canadian citizenship oath. But, being offended is not reason enough to ban it. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees that we are free to go around offending one another – within reasonable limits. Clothing seems well within reason.

Two arguments are presented for banning the Niqab. First, it is a security risk. Canadians have a right to know who is becoming a Canadian. Of course we do. And, the Federal Court of Canada recognizes this. You are required to show your face and identify yourself. As an accommodation to your religious belief, this can be done in private and then you may wear your Niqab in the public ceremony. There is no security risk that is inherent to wearing a Niqab. Where there are security risks, there are workarounds. 

Second, the Niqab oppresses women. Last night in the French language leaders’ debate Harper argued for the Niqab ban: "Mr. Mulcair, I will never tell my young daughter that a woman should cover her face because she's a woman.” For this I am glad. Neither would I. And, neither would something like 99 percent of Canadians. The problem is that you do not know this to be the reason why any particular women is choosing to wear a Niqab. Why this woman is wearing Niqab. You cannot place your value judgement onto a specific individual. It may be that she is oppressed but it may be that she is not. Viewed worldwide, the Niqab is oppressive. But viewed one individual at a time it might be a bona fide, freely held religious belief.

It may offend if someone wore clown makeup to a citizenship ceremony. Or, too short a skirt. Being offended, though, is not reason enough to ban the practice. And note that this is a tempest in a teapot. There are very few new Canadians wanting to wear a Niqab for their citizenship oath. Very, very few. Let’s concentrate on building a society of equality and freedom so that these woman can choose not to wear a Niqab. But, forcing them to uncover when it may well be against a freely held religious belief is not progress.