Signs of The Times

By Jack Slocomb

When I was scrolling around the University of Maryland Website several days ago, I noticed that the three most popular majors on the Main Campus these days are (#1) Computer Science, (#2) Criminology and Criminal Justice, and (#3) Accounting. That seemed very interesting to me. I wondered if there might be some kind of connection there.

Well then, later it came to me, optimist that I am: You see, the Computer Science and Accounting majors all very quickly find extremely well paying niche jobs somewhere in the international global mega economy when they graduate. Then after a lag period of some years, the Criminal Justice majors, who thought they were deadended, now are suddenly called into action to investigate (although to no end) all the criminal acts, both environmental and otherwise, which their colleagues graduating in the other two majors, as minions of the global marketplace, have helped to foster.

What an elegantly balanced system! Hats off to the U. of Md. faculty and administration for their visionary response to preparing young people to meet the challenges of the next century.

I’m afraid to look at WVU’s website.


Frank Young sent this -- he forwarded it as received from Kathryn Stone, a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of the Kanawha Valley, a supporter of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, and a mountain top removal opponent.

"In the newest issue of The Highlands Voice, a publication of the Highlands Conservancy (whose President is Frank Young, a member of our Fellowship), a resolution passed by the Ohio-Meadville District of Unitarian -Universalists against mountain removal mining, is published. We can thank Rose Edington for this. She brought it up at a district meeting several months ago.

Now, we are in alignment with other religious organizations, such as: the Lutherans, the Methodists and Episcopalians (to name a few), in this fight to protect the environment. You, too, can help by joining the Highlands Conservancy. The issue of protecting the environment, will I believe, be in the forefront of concerns in the coming century. Ask Kathryn Stone if you need information about this."


Something is wrong with this statement.

I found this statement with my electric bill this month.

"The Edison award is given annually by the Edison Electric Institute to the US shareholder-owned company making the most outstanding contributions to the advancement of the industry. AEP earned the award in 1999 for environmental commitment to enhancement of wildlife habitat, pollution-control technologies and energy-efficient efforts.

AEP is very pleased to be selected for this prestigious award. While the award honors AEP for its efforts in 1998, the company has a long-standing commitment to environmental leadership."

Is this Orwellian or what?! ª