The James Logan Courier

McClatchy-Tribune News Service (MCT)

The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Saturday, July 21:

The House and Senate have passed bills that could dramatically refigure the financing of a college education.

Out: $18 billion to $19 billion in subsidies that the federal government would have doled out to companies that provide student loans.

In: $17 billion to $18 billion in aid to students.

Differences between the House and Senate bills will have to be worked out in conference committee. The legislation passed by the House would cut the interest rate on federally backed loans that many middle-income students take to finance their educations to 3.4 percent from 6.8 percent. It would increase the maximum Pell Grants — need-based federal grants for low-income students — to $5,200 a year. The Senate doesn't have an interest rate cut but has a larger increase for Pell Grants. Under both versions, students who take public service jobs after graduation would qualify for a break on their loans.

Congress is moving in the right direction.

From wikipedia:
(Helen) Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943) was an English author and illustrator, botanist, and conservationist, best known for her children's books, which featured animal characters such as Peter Rabbit.

Beatrix Potter was born in Kensington, London on July 28, 1866. Educated at home by a succession of governesses, she had little opportunity to mix with other children. Even Potter's younger brother, Bertram, was rarely at home; he was sent to boarding school, leaving Beatrix alone with her pet animals. She had frogs and newts, and even a pet bat. Among her pets were two rabbits. Her first rabbit was Benjamin, whom she described as "an impudent, cheeky little thing", while her second was Peter, whom she took everywhere with her, even on trains, on a little lead. Potter would watch these animals for hours on end, sketching them. Gradually the sketches became better and better, developing her talents from an early age.

Read The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle by Beatrix Potter, one of 19 of her works available free from Project Gutenberg.