Can a shocking crime become a teachable moment in the quest for more civility in politics? In the city where Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot and wounded last month, the University of Arizona at Tuscon has opened the National Institute for Civil Discourse. The non-partisan center hopes to advance the national conversation currently taking place about civility in political debate. Source Link
More of America’s manned spaceflight program could be a private venture under a NASA budget proposed by the Obama administration. Increased spending on commercial spaceflight services could help fill the gap after the shuttle fleet is retired this year. Plans now call for America to pay $50 million a seat to fly astronauts to the International Space Station on Russian spacecraft. Source Link
Blame it on a lifetime of loud rock music, but more of America’s younger baby boomers are having trouble hearing the tunes -- and everything else. A new study says one out of nine people aged 45 to 54 suffer from some hearing loss. Researchers say those with hearing loss may not realize it, and many doctors do not screen for hearing problems during routine exams at that age. Source Link
