Online textbooks could work for California

It's time for college textbooks to catch up with the 21st century. Online, open-access textbooks that rely heavily on information in the public domain would not only cost students a fraction as much, but they also could be readily updated and easily customized to individual professors' courses. That's a big deal considering that many of the most commonly used traditional textbooks cost more than $150. Buying used books isn't the option it used to be because professors often demand the latest version even when the changes are minimal.

State Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) is on the right track with his proposal for California to lead the way in creating an open-access digital library that would provide free online textbooks for the 50 introductory courses with the highest enrollment. Students could order a print version at cost, about $20. The state would put out requests for proposals for each of these; publishers, professors and others would be welcome to bid. Academics would oversee quality. Though initially expensive to subsidize, the books would be easy to update and the savings for students would add up to billions of dollars over time.

But when it comes to intellectual property, sticky details matter, and Steinberg has yet to figure those out. It's still uncertain, for example, whether the resulting texts would be available only at California's public universities or whether students at, say, Stanford and Caltech could partake. We think the latter; if the state is underwriting an open-access library, it's producing a public product to which all people in the state should have access. That's not taking into account whether the books should be made available nationwide, or even worldwide. We think they should; why waste intellectual effort? The state could charge nonresidents to recoup some of its costs.

Speaking of costs, Steinberg proposes a $25-million allocation for this project ? half a million dollars to write and make available each of the 50 textbooks, a cost to taxpayers that should be questioned, especially given the recent cuts to education. True, the books would save California students far more than that, but the money simply isn't in the budget. Steinberg should court the big foundations that have been champions of education, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to help with the project. And it might make sense to impose some fee for access, say $20 per student, and more for a print version. Students would still save a lot of money, but the state wouldn't have to cover the entire bill.

Steinberg also should look into any long-term costs that might reduce the project's impact. If academic publishers see profits shrink on their biggest-selling textbooks, they might respond by raising prices on other texts to make up the difference.

The forward-looking concept is promising, but a better course of action would be to approach this brave new publishing world more cautiously, confining it at first to a couple of pilot textbooks so the state can learn as it goes.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/latimes/news/opinion/editorials/~3/zT5-CqXWtIs/la-ed-textbook-20120109,0,4189817.story

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Britons told to "stay off drink for two days a week" (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) ? Britons should avoid drinking alcohol for at least two days a week to protect their health, a committee of MPs said in a report published Monday.

Current guidelines focus on maximum units of alcohol that can be safely consumed but people sometimes struggle to understand how many units there are in their glass of wine or pint of beer.

"We suggest that, if daily guidelines are retained, the Government consider simplifying the guidelines so that, as is the case in Scotland, all individuals are advised to take at least two alcohol-free days a week," the report said.

"This would enforce the message that drinking every day should be avoided, and would helpfully quantify what "regular" drinking means to the public," it added.

The government, industry and charities should emphasize the acute risks of heavy drinking and the chronic risks of regular drinking, the review said.

(Reporting by Keith Weir)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/europe/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120109/lf_nm_life/us_britain_alcohol

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'Bama defense shuts down Tigers in BCS title game (AP)

NEW ORLEANS ? Alabama delivered what everyone expected from the first play of the BCS title game, when a host of red jerseys stuffed LSU running back Michael Ford at the line of scrimmage: a rock `em, sock `em affair dominated by defense.

The Crimson Tide's was simply better.

Led by bruising linebacker Courtney Upshaw and the opportunistic C.J. Mosley, the second-ranked Crimson Tide shut down the Southeastern Conference's top scoring offense in a 21-0 victory Monday night that earned Alabama its second BCS championship in three years.

"I think it was a great team win. The defense did a great job," coach Nick Saban said. "The offense controlled the momentum of the game from the start to finish. It's a great team win. Every fan and supporter in our program ? it's great for them."

It was the first shutout in the history of the BCS title game, and the first blanking of the Tigers since 2002, when Alabama beat them 31-0 in Baton Rouge.

That was back when Nick Saban was roaming the Tigers' sideline. The defensive-minded coach was on the other side this time, drawing up a game plan for Alabama that downright flummoxed LSU coach Les Miles, quarterback Jordan Jefferson and everyone else in the Superdome wearing purple and yellow.

The Crimson Tide didn't allow the Tigers to convert a third down until the fourth quarter, and didn't allow a snap in its own territory until there was 7:30 left in the game.

Of course, Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower promptly sacked Jefferson to force a fumble that was recovered by his good buddy Nick Gentry. The way things were going for the Tigers, it was a fitting way for their best offensive series of the night to end.

"This defense wanted to pitch a shutout," Upshaw said. "That's what we did, baby, a shutout."

Trent Richardson added a touchdown run moments later to seal the victory, the first ? and only ? touchdown scored by either team in two meetings this season.

But the way the Alabama defense was playing, it might as well have been over at 3-0.

Upshaw made a pair of stellar tackles at the line of scrimmage to force 3-and-out on LSU's second possession, and Mosley and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick did so again on its next possession.

"Nobody gave us a chance," Kirkpatrick said.

Miles, stubbornly sticking with Jefferson at quarterback, tried all night to get to the edge against the Crimson Tide's brutish defense. But each time, an Alabama cornerback or safety would fly to the ball, throwing his body at the running back or receiver with total abandon.

Even after halftime, when the Tigers generally get things going ? they outscored opponents 264-61 after the break coming into the game ? the Alabama defense was there to keep the momentum.

After LSU got its second first down of the night, Upshaw managed to wrestle Jefferson down for a sack, and two plays later LSU had to send punter Brad Wing out onto the field again.

Just about the only bleak moment for the Crimson Tide came later in the third quarter, when Mosley intercepted an errant shovel pass deep in LSU territory. He was returning the ball when he was tugged to the ground by Jefferson, his leg twisting at a gruesome angle.

The sophomore linebacker was eventually taken from the field by motorized cart.

Jefferson wound up 11 of 17 for 53 yards, while the LSU offense managed just 92 yards of total offense. Only 39 of that was on the ground, even below the 45.8 average that the Crimson Tide had allowed against Football Bowl Subdivision teams since to last year's Capital One Bowl.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120110/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_bcs_key

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Rosenthal: Broncos add to NFL's best weekend

Heavyweight matchups, dynamite offenses and great storylines for divisional round

Jack Dempsey / AP

When?Patriots quarterback Tom Brady matches up Denver quarterback Tim Tebow this Sunday in the divisional playoffs, it'll be just one of four compelling playoff games, writes Gregg Rosenthal.

By ANALYSIS

updated 11:44 p.m. ET Jan. 8, 2012

Gregg Rosenthal

Demaryius Thomas and Tim Tebow ended an otherwise underwhelming wild-card round in thrilling fashion.

But let?s be honest: The real playoffs begin this week.

The divisional round is football's best weekend of the year. We get wall-to-wall football for two days, with the Super Bowl so close you can almost smell the overhype.

In the AFC, we have the Cinderellas against the heavyweights. Nothing about the run of Tim Tebow?s Broncos makes sense, so why not add a win in Foxborough to the made-for-TV drama? The Texans just won their first playoff game in franchise history and now have to win in Baltimore with a fifth-round rookie at quarterback.

The NFC is about the heavyweights. The Packers, 49ers, and Saints combined to go 41-7 this year. The Giants are the closest team left to an underdog, but they don?t really fit that role.

New York lost seven games this year in part because they played the toughest schedule of any playoff team. They have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, including a lot of players that won the title just four years ago.

Five 12-win teams are still left in the playoffs, which second most in NFL history. Add it all up, and we have a very deep, talented, and intriguing quarterfinal crop.

The worst team left in the field (Denver) is the most interesting. The best team (Green Bay) isn?t much better than the rest of their conference.

That should lead to a divisional round that is anything but underwhelming.

Saints at 49ers, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (FOX)
A contrast in styles
The 49ers and Saints look like they are playing in different eras of football. At times, they look like they are playing different sports.

San Francisco is all about physical play, defense, running, and more defense.

New Orleans is a finesse team based on precision. The offense is insanely explosive, but they play as well outdoors.

This game is a fascinating referendum on current NFL trends. It?s also a matchup of perhaps football's two best playcallers: Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton.

Alex Smith in the spotlight
The 49ers have essentially coached around Smith all season. Can that work in the playoffs?

San Francisco has struggled against the blitz all season and New Orleans? defense is nothing if not aggressive.

Broncos at Patriots, Saturday, 8 p.m. (CBS)
Broncos defense under fire
Tim Tebow will get all the attention, but this game will be a referendum on the Broncos' defense. New England exposed Denver?s secondary last time. If the Broncos can?t make big time adjustments, the Patriots will score in the 40s.

Belichick better the second time around
Denver faces an uphill struggle. It leaves its homefield for Foxborough on a short week. And it has to face the league's best gameplan specific coach a second time in little more than a month. Belichick and the Patriots acquired a lot of information the first time around he can use against the Broncos.

And it doesn?t hurt that the man who drafted Tebow in Denver, Josh McDaniels, is now helping out Belichick.

Texans at Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Which defense rules them all?
Yes, it?s the year of the quarterback. Then again, three of the best defenses in football are still playing: Baltimore, Houston, and San Francisco.

Houston may be the best group of them all. They have waves of pass rushers and big-time young talent at every level. To advance another round, the Texans defense will have to dominate.

Ravens vs. Expectations
The gap between the Ravens and Texans is not as big as oddsmakers think, but this is a game the Ravens are expected to win.

Baltimore is undefeated at home. They are facing an inexperienced rookie quarterback. Baltimore?s four losses this year came on the road against mediocre competition. Their ?A? game doesn?t always show up.

Giants at Packers, Sunday, 4:30 p.m. (FOX)
Battle of the lines
Green Bay?s banged-up offensive line will welcome back left tackle Chad Clifton. New York?s defensive line is as healthy as they?ve been all year and present a ton of matchup problems.

Meanwhile, New York?s running game has come together at the right time. Green Bay has struggled to stop the run all year.

Shades of ?07
We?re going to hear a lot about the 2007 Giants this week. A close loss to the then-undefeated Patriots catapulted that Giants team to a Super Bowl run. A 37-34 loss to the then-undefeated Packers this year preceded New York winning four of five games to make the Divisional Round.

One difference in this Giants team: the back end. Giants have to be concerned that cornerback Aaron Ross suffered a concussion and safety Deion Grant hurt his groin against the Falcons. The secondary was already vulnerable.

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More newsChris Trotman / Getty Images

Rosenthal: Broncos add to NFL's best weekend

Rosenthal: Let?s be honest: The real playoffs begin this week. The divisional round is football's best weekend of the year. We get wall-to-wall football for two days, with the Super Bowl so close you can almost smell the overhype.

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45922453/ns/sports-nfl/

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Why Rick Perry is staying in the GOP race

Rick Perry?s decision Wednesday to remain in the race (which he made by tweeting the above picture of himself, with the words ?Here we come, South Carolina!?) seemed to surprise everyone, even members of his own staff.

The conventional wisdom is that Perry?s move will ultimately help Mitt Romney - ensuring that the conservative vote will continue to be fractured, and possibly even allowing Romney to win in South Carolina, where he has been trailing in the polls. But - playing devil?s advocate here - we can think of at least a few ways in which having Perry in the race could actually be a negative for Romney.

Obviously, if Perry should manage to pull off a win in South Carolina, that would be bad news for Mitt. And while that seems highly unlikely, given Perry?s struggles throughout the campaign, it?s not totally impossible.

As Nate Silver writes in Thursday?s New York Times, there are two plausible explanations behind Perry?s decision: Either it was based on emotion and his desire to end his campaign with a less ignominious finish than his fifth-place showing in Iowa. Or it was a strategic decision based on an analysis that he could still conceivably win. (Most likely, it was some combination of those two.)

Perry is effectively skipping New Hampshire, putting all his efforts into South Carolina, which votes Jan. 21 (though he?ll be in the Granite State for this weekend?s debates). He still has money to run ads, and his profile - Texas governor, evangelical Christian, served in the military - is a better fit for South Carolina than any other candidate?s. With Newt Gingrich now making it his mission to tear Romney down at all costs, Perry has the opportunity to be a third-party beneficiary of that spat.

Moreover, New Hampshire?s results are unlikely to have much of an impact on Perry. If Romney wins, as expected, it won?t change the political calculus for Perry at all. Ditto if Ron Paul wins. If Santorum should somehow pull off a win or even a surprisingly strong second, it could give him a boost heading into South Carolina, which could make Perry?s path there harder. But if Santorum does well enough to weaken Romney (with some help from Jon Huntsman) but not well enough to become the clear sole alternative, it could actually wind up indirectly helping Perry.

And even if Perry doesn?t win South Carolina, his presence in the race for the next few weeks isn?t necessarily to Romney?s advantage. Yes, the conservative vote is split. But there?s a good argument to be made that Romney might actually benefit at this point from having the field winnowed to him and a sole conservative alternative - since those alternatives have all been pretty weak candidates. Romney could potentially pick up more conservative support with fewer candidates in the race, which would make him look stronger.

None of this is meant to argue that Romney is in any real danger. If Perry doesn?t win South Carolina (or come as close as Santorum did in Iowa), then he?s probably officially done. Still, it?s not a given that his presence in the race for the next few weeks will be entirely to Romney?s advantage.

Like your politics unscrambled? Check out DCDecoder.com

Source: http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/why-rick-perry-staying-gop-race

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Catholic schools around Philadelphia brace for closures (Reuters)

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) ? Students enrolled in more than 150 Catholic schools run by the Philadelphia archdiocese braced on Friday for major restructuring plans that may shutter schools.

Church leaders and members of a special blue-ribbon commission on Catholic education were set to announce their decision in a late afternoon briefing.

The Philadelphia archdiocese is the sixth-largest in the country with 1.5 million Catholics. It operates 156 elementary schools, 17 high schools and four special education facilities in five counties in the Philadelphia area.

While the archdiocese remained mute about its plans, they were foreshadowed in a pastoral letter released in December by the newly appointed leader in Philadelphia, Archbishop Charles Chaput.

"The archdiocese remains strongly committed to the work of Catholic education. But that mission is badly served by trying to sustain unsustainable schools," Chaput wrote.

"In the coming year we will face very serious financial and organizational issues that cannot be delayed," he added. "They must be addressed."

Parents fretted about the yet unknown decisions, posting comments on a Facebook page called Catholic Parents Respond.

Some comments assume that schools are going to be shut, and one begged that schools slated for closure be given a one-year notice so that students can find alternatives.

"I can't help but think of all the children trying to go about their day while waiting for answers. This is cruel to do to anyone, especially our children!!!" wrote one parent.

The blue-ribbon commission was appointed in December 2010 by Chaput's predecessor, Cardinal Justin Rigali, who retired in July after suspending dozens of priests being investigated in a child sexual abuse scandal.

At the time he appointed the panel, Rigali said: "Archdiocesan schools face challenges -- changing demographics, lower enrollments in some schools and the continued struggle to keep Catholic education affordable for the many families who wish to make this investment for their children's futures."

(Editing by Barbara Goldberg and Peter Bohan)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/education/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120106/us_nm/us_catholic_schools_philadelphia

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