Author: Charles Cottle

I'm retired after teaching political theory and social science research methods for 35 years at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. I'm interested in lots of things - mainly social issues, photography, and politics.
21st Century Life

Is Hyper-local News Coming to a Newspaper Near You?

Many newspapers in small to medium sized U.S. cities are adopting a “hyper-local” format. If you live in a large city such as Chicago, New York, or L.A.,  you may not have taken note of this trend.  Take a look at the following front page from a recent issue of the Janesville Gazette. Janesville, Wisconsin (recently famous for being Vice-Presidential Nominee Paul Ryan’s home town) … Continue reading Is Hyper-local News Coming to a Newspaper Near You?

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Photo Galleries

Guelaguetza en Oaxaca 2012 – calenda 28 de julio

(English version follows below) Aquí se encuentra una galería de más de cien fotos dedicada a los participantes de la calenda de guelaguetza que sucedió en la ciudad de Oaxaca el día 28 de julio, 2012.  Todas las fotos se pueden copiar libremente para uso personal. Para cualquier otro uso, que me contacten por favor. Espero que les gusten. Para más sobre la guelaguetza se … Continue reading Guelaguetza en Oaxaca 2012 – calenda 28 de julio

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21st Century Life

How to Succeed in Bureaucracy without Really Trying – Part 1

Bureaucracies in contemporary U.S. society are as American as apple pie. Those who think they are wasteful, inefficient, unproductive, and incomprehensible, should just get over it, because they are here to stay. Almost everyone in professional life has worked, at one time or another, in a bureaucracy either in the public or private sector.  With a few adaptations to ordinary forms of human interaction, all … Continue reading How to Succeed in Bureaucracy without Really Trying – Part 1

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Photo Galleries

Guelaguetza en Oaxaca 2012 – calenda 21 de julio

Aquí se encuentra una galería de fotos dedicada a los participantes que marcharon en la calenda de guelaguetza en la ciudad de Oaxaca el día 21 de julio de 2012. La galería contiene más de cien fotos, la mayoría de las cuales son retratos individuales. Hay varias que no son perfectamente sacadas, pero las incluí de todas maneras. Espero que les gusten. Ultima actualización – … Continue reading Guelaguetza en Oaxaca 2012 – calenda 21 de julio

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Power house worker adjusting a steam pump
Politics and Economics

How Can We Create Jobs in the U.S.?

As we approach the end of this campaign season, both candidates are talking about jobs. It’s about time. The employment outlook is still bleak. Unemployment is running around 8.5% nationally, and is much higher among the young and minorities. It appears to me that neither Democrats nor Republicans have advanced any truly convincing ideas of how to create good permanent jobs for the currently unemployed. … Continue reading How Can We Create Jobs in the U.S.?

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Downtown Janesville, Wisconsin
Nature, Photo Galleries

Wisconsin’s Gorgeous Fall Colors

Fall colors here in southeastern Wisconsin have surprised everyone this year. Now past peak color, the countryside sparkled with bright yellows and golds. The dark red and umber of sumac adorned many hillsides along the edge of forests. In the towns, the maples were magnificent in their display of red and gold.  Local wisdom claims that the beautiful fall this year is due to the … Continue reading Wisconsin’s Gorgeous Fall Colors

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Shanghai, China - Pudong District Skyline
Politics and Economics

Who Benefits When China “Cheats”?

In this election season much has been made of the claim that China cheats economically, and because of this, we in the United States are worse off. Mitt Romney has made China’s cheating a major talking point of his campaign, and President Obama has recently filed trade violation actions against China at the World Trade Organization. For those who may not have followed these issues … Continue reading Who Benefits When China “Cheats”?

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Travel

Guelaguetza 2012

Every year during the last two weeks of July throughout the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, and especially in the central valleys of Oaxaca, Oaxacans celebrate Guelaguetza. A Zapotec word meaning sharing and cooperation, “Guelaguetza” is a celebration of regional culture and ethnic diversity.The main performances of the Guelaguetza are held on the last two Mondays of July, but festivities associated with the celebration are spread … Continue reading Guelaguetza 2012

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Tree swallow sitting on a small branch against a blue sky
Nature, Video

Tree Swallows Tending Their Young

Since the middle of May, I have been tracking the progress of great blue heron chicks at a rookery in southeastern Wisconsin. Once or twice a week I wade through the tall grasses that border the rookery, carrying camera, lenses, and tripod. Each time I go, I hope to bring back dramatic photos and video of herons in flight, chicks being fed, or perhaps a … Continue reading Tree Swallows Tending Their Young

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Marsh grass foreground, tall trees with nests in the background
Nature, Photo Galleries, Video

Heron Chicks Trying Out Their Wings

Chicks at the local heron rookery are looking more and more like adults, but they still lack adult plumage as well as the ability to fly. Just like the chicks, the grass in the approach to the nesting area is growing rapidly. In the last week it has grown another foot and is now over six feet high in many places. I spent two hours … Continue reading Heron Chicks Trying Out Their Wings

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Two heron chicks in their nest.
Nature, Photo Galleries

This Week at the Heron Rookery

At the local heron rookery the chicks are growing at a phenomenal rate. How three or four chicks manage to stay in their nests without pushing their siblings out is a mystery to me. It is increasingly difficult to approach the rookery through the tall grasses. Much of the grass is now five feet tall. All of it is hip high. We have had lots … Continue reading This Week at the Heron Rookery

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