How about 21 GOP debates?

In the rollicking, roller-coaster ride that has been the Republican presidential campaign, there has been no shortage of drama.

Changing front-runners, surges, plummets, millions of dollars raised and spent. And after 20 debates, it seems as if we know the Final Four quite well: Ron Paul with his folksy and frank charm; Rick Santorum with his earnest, guy-next-door vibe; Mitt Romney with his upright, buttoned-down demeanor; Newt Gingrich with his blustery, shrewd wit. Wednesday’s televised debate from Arizona was the last, at least for now, as voters in 10 states prepare for the March 6 "Super Tuesday" primaries.

A week later, Hawaii Republicans will get their chance to be part of the process with their inaugural presidential caucuses here on March 13.

Maybe one more TV debate can be squeezed in before then. Well, maybe not.

Lock down those new iPads

A few questions come to mind after reading about Mid-Pacific Institute’s plan to make the iPad standard operating equipment for its students:

» How’s the security lockup on campus? Public schools endowed with tech tools have sometimes fallen prey to pilferers.

» Touch-screens are fun, but what does this say about the future of typing skills?

» Are the kids going to gravitate to the educational apps, or will it be hard to tear them away from Facebooking all day long?

» Finally: Can we all go back to school, now that they have such flashy stuff?