Free Republic

Careers are becoming more specialized than ever, and with this, we as a species are losing the ability to operate and live effectively without the support structures of the existing status quo. This is a loss of independence that is only going to get worse, and the only answer, is as ever, education. But not the “pleasant indoctrination” being enforced by our regular schools. Skills training is almost frowned upon nowadays, and even when it is not, it is specialized skills that are valued. How many of us can handle basic household electrical repairs? What about plumbing, carpentry, and even...

Carpentry work crashing down By Peter Whoriskey Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, December 18, 2010; A01 IN LAS VEGAS Every day in this desert city, the carpenters climb into their pickups and vans, resumes stacked on the passenger seats, driving first to the union hall, then in circles from one chain-linked construction site to another, asking for work. For a year or more, it has been the same. Nothing. If they keep pursuing work as carpenters, in fact, many of them may never find a job. In past recessions, it has been an article of faith that as the economy...

Sgt. James Glomski, of Alpena, Mich., with the 1434th Engineer Company, observes Iraqi Pfc. Omar Khodair Abbas making his first cut using a circular saw during a "train the trainer" carpentry course for the Iraqi Army in Baghdad, Nov. 14. Photo courtesy of the 16th Engineer Brigade. BAGHDAD — Iraq Soldiers here ended two days of basic carpentry training with a practical exercise of building dormitory-style rooms in the old Ministry of Defense, Nov. 14. Soldiers of the 1434th Engineer Company taught a "train the trainer" course to the 11th Field Engineer Regiment, 11th Iraqi Army Division, so the IA...

Spc. Roland Brown (left), a native of San Diego, Calif., who serves on the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) personal security detachment, and Spc. Tung Nguyen, a native of Los Angeles, Calif., and a medic with the PSD, paint exterior trim on the brigade's tactical operations center on Camp Striker, Iraq, March 15. U.S. Army photo. CAMP STRIKER -- When people think of a deployment to Iraq, they may imagine sand-filled tents and crude buildings on American posts. Sometimes, that mental image is right, but sometimes it isn’t. The soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team,...

SCHAGEN, Netherlands (AP) – Some people think he's crazy. His wife's not exactly thrilled either. But like the biblical Noah, Dutchman Johan Huibers is steadfast in his mission: he's building an enormous working replica of Noah's Ark as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible