I haven’t had time to write about my new hometown even though I’ve long wanted to. Here is one picture that captures the neighborhood well:

Historically, the place was home to shoe factories, garment factories, etc. Hence the name “The Garment District”. It is within the downtown Kansas City “loop” (the loop is 2-3 square miles of urban core surrounded by a ring of highways) but not exactly in the most exciting part of town – even if it is the best looking imo. I can walk a few blocks and be surrounded by dilapidated buildings or, if I take a slightly different path, be at the heart of the “Power and Light District”, an entertainment district privy to something like 1 billion dollars worth of government subsidies and designed with the hope of “revitalizing” the downtown.

Yet another path, one I shall surely take more often in the coming months, takes me across the highway canyon to the Rivermarket neighborhood. Here the City comes to buy fresh produce, I’m told, through the warmer months on Saturdays and Sundays. There is a large area for farmers to come with their goods and lots of shops and restaurants for visitors and residence during the rest of the time.

Although Kansas City’s got nothing on St. Louis, I do enjoy this city of fountains. Eh, will enjoy this city of fountains…once the fountains thaw.

One of the greatest joys so far has been this wonderful place:

The Central Library.
Not only is there a massive collection of books stored here BUT on the roof there is a large lecture hall and balcony where regular lectures are hosted. Last week I heard a lecture on the “Food Gap”, that is, the difficulty the poor have in America of getting good produce and whole foods and thus the obesity crisis, and next week I will attend a lecture on “Natural Capitalism” from an author I’ve been meaning to read for some time.

There is much more to be said about this city and I hope to share more in the coming months.

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/02/19/library-built-into-a.html

I was completely amazed and jealous by this persons Staircase. It made me start thinking about how completely overboard I could go if I owned a house and all the places I could turn into bookcases. I could in affect live in a library instead of a house.

So I just felt my very first earthquake. Despite it being a 6.3 the fact that I was about 80 miles from the center and our office building is probably built on mainly fill material… It wasn’t too exciting. Almost dissapointing for a 6.3 earthquake.

I have been in several discussions lately in which the topic of Government education has come up. Because I was enthralled with many of the differing opinions that were espoused and defended in my discussions, I thought I would ask a question here. I would love to hear what you all think on this subject.

Actually two questions:

1. Is education a “right”?

2. Should everyone have access to “free” government education?