«  
  »

American education is doomed

By Hanlon, on February 15th, 2010 at 04:37 PM

Oh boy, this is a sad one. Well, a sad two, actually.

“Investing in the future” is a phrase we use a lot, with the whole idea of making sure our kids are equipped for the world ahead of them. We may have an anti-intellectual movement going socially, but at least we want our kids to be educated, right? Um… right?

“Textbooks are mostly the product of the liberal establishment, and they’re written with the idea that our religion and our liberty are in conflict,” [Texas board of education member Don McLeroy] said. “But Christianity has had a deep impact on our system. The men who wrote the Constitution were Christians who knew the Bible. Our idea of individual rights comes from the Bible. The Western development of the free-market system owes a lot to biblical principles.”

For McLeroy, separation of church and state is a myth perpetrated by secular liberals. “There are two basic facts about man,” he said. “He was created in the image of God, and he is fallen. You can’t appreciate the founding of our country without realizing that the founders understood that. For our kids to not know our history, that could kill a society. That’s why to me this is a huge thing.”

That’s right, this yahoo wants to jam Jesus into history books. Now, I’d like to point out that it will be a cold day in hell before McLeroy agrees to teach evolution in the chapel, but remember that the whole idea of “teaching alternatives” only goes one way.

Think that’s bad? Check out Utah.

The proposal by state Sen. Chris Buttars would chip away at Utah’s $700-million shortfall. He’s since offered a toned-down version: Just make senior year optional.

Reporting from Denver – At Utah’s West Jordan High School, the halls have swirled lately with debate over the merits of 12th grade:

Is it a waste of time? Are students ready for the real world at 17?

I weep for who will be in charge when I’m old.

Be Sociable, Share!
Category: education
  • Rechan

    To an extent, I don't have a problem with the second.

    Quite frankly, High Schools do not TEACH a lot of useful stuff. You have learned all your Essential, important stuff by the end of the 10th grade.

    UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO COLLEGE. Algebra 2 and whatnot is certainly useful for those SATs, and so on.

    But a lot of High School is just babysitting and busywork. It's not learning essential or important things. The education that is received is spread out very thin. IF they condensed it rather than staggering the info out over a longe rperiod, then it could be fairly easy to shave off a year.

  • Rechan

    To an extent, I don't have a problem with the second.

    Quite frankly, High Schools do not TEACH a lot of useful stuff. You have learned all your Essential, important stuff by the end of the 10th grade.

    UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO COLLEGE. Algebra 2 and whatnot is certainly useful for those SATs, and so on.

    But a lot of High School is just babysitting and busywork. It's not learning essential or important things. The education that is received is spread out very thin. IF they condensed it rather than staggering the info out over a longe rperiod, then it could be fairly easy to shave off a year.

  • Keth

    Keep in mind I'm from Canada and I hated my high school because to me, it was a waste of time and did nothing for me for what I really wanted to do in life. IMO, I've thought for years the education system is screwed up and set not to help the students that attend it, but to help the parents have a free enough day that they can go to work. Babysitters and busywork is right.

    If they taught the essentials sooner, had it all taught in a good length of time instead of pretending people were stupid and needed endless repitition, then maybe students could concentrate on their future goals and plans. You know, instead of doing high school and learning crap they don't have to, they can focus on stuff related to the job they want?

    But I know, fantasy world.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Hanlon Hanlon

      I think that's more an issue of WHAT they're being taught, rather than that they're being held to 18. After all, what are the essentials? And do public schools have the resources to splinter their older kids into fifty groups depending on what they want to do in life? For that matter, does a fifteen year old have a CLUE what he wants to do until he retires?

      And I don't know about "pretending people were stupid", but unless your entire senior class graduated with a 4.0…

      • Keth

        You could be right about what they're being taught. And good question; what ARE the essentials? Public schools, unfortunately, don't have the staffing or even time to split kids like that – I don't think although I don't see it any different than say splitting them into homerooms by name but that's me. Maybe some fifteen year olds don't have clues; I do know personally I knew what I wanted when I was in middle school, but I never got the schooling to follow through on that dream. Don't get me wrong, others did, but I didn't find anything to help me at all.

  • Keth

    Keep in mind I'm from Canada and I hated my high school because to me, it was a waste of time and did nothing for me for what I really wanted to do in life. IMO, I've thought for years the education system is screwed up and set not to help the students that attend it, but to help the parents have a free enough day that they can go to work. Babysitters and busywork is right.

    If they taught the essentials sooner, had it all taught in a good length of time instead of pretending people were stupid and needed endless repitition, then maybe students could concentrate on their future goals and plans. You know, instead of doing high school and learning crap they don't have to, they can focus on stuff related to the job they want?

    But I know, fantasy world.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Hanlon Hanlon

      I think that's more an issue of WHAT they're being taught, rather than that they're being held to 18. After all, what are the essentials? And do public schools have the resources to splinter their older kids into fifty groups depending on what they want to do in life? For that matter, does a fifteen year old have a CLUE what he wants to do until he retires?

      And I don't know about "pretending people were stupid", but unless your entire senior class graduated with a 4.0…

      • Keth

        You could be right about what they're being taught. And good question; what ARE the essentials? Public schools, unfortunately, don't have the staffing or even time to split kids like that – I don't think although I don't see it any different than say splitting them into homerooms by name but that's me. Maybe some fifteen year olds don't have clues; I do know personally I knew what I wanted when I was in middle school, but I never got the schooling to follow through on that dream. Don't get me wrong, others did, but I didn't find anything to help me at all.

  • Stetz

    (continued)

    I understand that the original text showed a Texas man who “obviously” knew the historical and biblical context of his argument to the T making an ass out of himself. But a bigger question is raised. What will the future be like with an uneducated mass that is voting, and making policy? I hope that this country does not have to start outsourcing education, and we don’t lose job sectors such as Doctors, Lawyers, Professors, etc… Maybe the vocational schools should start teaching these kids how to answer telephones or fill out welfare forms. Because that seems the route we are headed. The rest of us can further our education by take public Yoga classes in which we learn how to bend over and kiss our asses’ goodbye.

    • MelaneeM

      I rather liked the "Yoga classes in which we learn how to bend over and kiss our asses’ goodbye." Spit root beer right on my screen!

  • Stetz

    I think the grading has become less stringent. More kids are graduating without merit. Like the market system, let the weak fail, let the strong continue on to further education. For example, check out the Japanese education system. What is the point of letting someone have a degree who, for all intensive purposes, does not meet the minimum educational requirements? Has the problem become an effort to "Babysit" as opposed to prepare, as Rechan says? These students should not be rewarded for their inadequacies…they should be failed and forced to repeat like in the old days.

    By not failing these students you are doing them a great disservice in the long run. Use the social embarrassment of being held back as a motivating tool to study harder. Or at least push another system of education on these people, such as vocational school. Some kind of an effort that would make these students transition into society as seamless as possible.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Hanlon Hanlon

      Can't really argue here. Everything's pretty good.

      Although, I do think that a huge part of school is simply preparing kids for the outside world. It isn't JUST about teaching them out of the right books.

  • Stetz

    I think the grading has become less stringent. More kids are graduating without merit. Like the market system, let the weak fail, let the strong continue on to further education. For example, check out the Japanese education system. What is the point of letting someone have a degree who, for all intensive purposes, does not meet the minimum educational requirements? Has the problem become an effort to "Babysit" as opposed to prepare, as Rechan says? These students should not be rewarded for their inadequacies…they should be failed and forced to repeat like in the old days.

    By not failing these students you are doing them a great disservice in the long run. Use the social embarrassment of being held back as a motivating tool to study harder. Or at least push another system of education on these people, such as vocational school. Some kind of an effort that would make these students transition into society as seamless as possible.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Hanlon Hanlon

      Can't really argue here. Everything's pretty good.

      Although, I do think that a huge part of school is simply preparing kids for the outside world. It isn't JUST about teaching them out of the right books.

  • Stetz

    (continued)

    I understand that the original text showed a Texas man who “obviously” knew the historical and biblical context of his argument to the T making an ass out of himself. But a bigger question is raised. What will the future be like with an uneducated mass that is voting, and making policy? I hope that this country does not have to start outsourcing education, and we don’t lose job sectors such as Doctors, Lawyers, Professors, etc… Maybe the vocational schools should start teaching these kids how to answer telephones or fill out welfare forms. Because that seems the route we are headed. The rest of us can further our education by take public Yoga classes in which we learn how to bend over and kiss our asses’ goodbye.

    • MelaneeM

      I rather liked the "Yoga classes in which we learn how to bend over and kiss our asses’ goodbye." Spit root beer right on my screen!

  • Frito Baggins

    Mr. McLeroy, in his "position" of ersatz power, has forgotten the purpose of public high school in Texas. It's not to teach creation and bobble studies. It's to teach boys how to play FOOTBALL and to teach girls how to be CHEERLEADERS and DRILL SQUAD members. How do I know this? Been there, done it.

  • Frito Baggins

    Mr. McLeroy, in his "position" of ersatz power, has forgotten the purpose of public high school in Texas. It's not to teach creation and bobble studies. It's to teach boys how to play FOOTBALL and to teach girls how to be CHEERLEADERS and DRILL SQUAD members. How do I know this? Been there, done it.

  • Keth

    Garanteed my senior class was no where ner a 4.0 even if it was the average – although we don't use GPA's in Canada. What I meant that, for me, a lot of the first couple of years of high school was the same stuff over and over when it came to basics like math, english and so on. You only got diversity if you picked up other courses, and help was minimal and the teachers – most of them – treated you like an idiot if you asked for help.

    Honestly I think it's where you go to school, too. Maybe US systems are better; for all I know other schools here are better than mine was (most likely the case actually).

    • Frito Baggins

      See comment below about US (Texas) systems.

  • Keth

    Garanteed my senior class was no where ner a 4.0 even if it was the average – although we don't use GPA's in Canada. What I meant that, for me, a lot of the first couple of years of high school was the same stuff over and over when it came to basics like math, english and so on. You only got diversity if you picked up other courses, and help was minimal and the teachers – most of them – treated you like an idiot if you asked for help.

    Honestly I think it's where you go to school, too. Maybe US systems are better; for all I know other schools here are better than mine was (most likely the case actually).

    • Frito Baggins

      See comment below about US (Texas) systems.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Dormilona Dormilona

    If teaching pseudo-science and letting kids opt out of senior year make people stupider, I say Texas and Utah should go for it. Why not let them dumb themselves right out out of the competition for resources? OK, that's harsh, but wouldn't that be the natural consequence of those policies?

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Dormilona Dormilona

    If teaching pseudo-science and letting kids opt out of senior year make people stupider, I say Texas and Utah should go for it. Why not let them dumb themselves right out out of the competition for resources? OK, that's harsh, but wouldn't that be the natural consequence of those policies?

  • Vito Caputo

    Hanlon, Baby! I can't believe you said this… "I weep for who will be in charge when I’m old."

    Why weep for them? They were recently educated in America. They won't know the difference.

    WEEP FOR YOURSELF because when you'll be old… THEY WILL BE RUNNING THE COUNTRY… and old people… as you too will ultimately experience… are inconsequential.

    The behavior of the population in response to the health care issue… the blatant display by congress that the US has morphed into fascism (corporations own the government)… and the total failure of the population to recognize it… should make it obvious to even the casual observer that the major problem in the US is its public education system. NOBODY publicly talks about this indisputable fact.

    You might say that some people… like those that have posted here… recognize there is a problem in public education. However… their complaints are a clear demonstration of how truly successful public education has been!

    You might say that's a contradiction. It is not. The public education system was mandated by congress to produce better workers… teach children to shovel more coal in less time than their fathers. Everybody assumes that public education is supposed to "educate" people… teach them to think… so they can become more intelligent. It is well documented that the operative word is not "think"… it is "train". And… the public education system … as demonstrated by what the people are allowing "their" government to do… has been… by far… the most successful government program in our history.

    "The Educational System Was Designed to Keep Us Uneducated and Docile" posted July 17, 2003… but apparently not well circulated. Read the article at http://bit.ly/Cxe9

    People just love to hear politicians say "The American people are not stupid." It confirms the belief they've been taught. Few recognize the purpose of that statement.

  • Vito Caputo

    Hanlon, Baby! I can't believe you said this… "I weep for who will be in charge when I’m old."

    Why weep for them? They were recently educated in America. They won't know the difference.

    WEEP FOR YOURSELF because when you'll be old… THEY WILL BE RUNNING THE COUNTRY… and old people… as you too will ultimately experience… are inconsequential.

    The behavior of the population in response to the health care issue… the blatant display by congress that the US has morphed into fascism (corporations own the government)… and the total failure of the population to recognize it… should make it obvious to even the casual observer that the major problem in the US is its public education system. NOBODY publicly talks about this indisputable fact.

    You might say that some people… like those that have posted here… recognize there is a problem in public education. However… their complaints are a clear demonstration of how truly successful public education has been!

    You might say that's a contradiction. It is not. The public education system was mandated by congress to produce better workers… teach children to shovel more coal in less time than their fathers. Everybody assumes that public education is supposed to "educate" people… teach them to think… so they can become more intelligent. It is well documented that the operative word is not "think"… it is "train". And… the public education system … as demonstrated by what the people are allowing "their" government to do… has been… by far… the most successful government program in our history.

    "The Educational System Was Designed to Keep Us Uneducated and Docile" posted July 17, 2003… but apparently not well circulated. Read the article at http://bit.ly/Cxe9

    People just love to hear politicians say "The American people are not stupid." It confirms the belief they've been taught. Few recognize the purpose of that statement.

  • http://reconstitution.us/rcnew Jolly Roger

    Since you don't live down in Dixie, it may be all right for you.

    Believe me, this country will implode, and it'll be well before you or I can retire.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Hanlon Hanlon

      Dixie clearly has a lot of pull for those of us up north. Sadly. So, so sadly.

  • http://reconstitution.us/rcnew Jolly Roger

    Since you don't live down in Dixie, it may be all right for you.

    Believe me, this country will implode, and it'll be well before you or I can retire.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Hanlon Hanlon

      Dixie clearly has a lot of pull for those of us up north. Sadly. So, so sadly.

  • Stetz

    Vito Caputo, Baby,

    “weep for ourselves”, “They will be running the country”… If voting trends of the last 85 years tell a story then it is that the younger demographics do not turn out to vote. Assuming this trend continues I suspect that one day we (talkin’ bout our generation) will have the chance to muck things up just as our forefathers have done. But, not wanting to wait until I am a 65 year old man to do this I will have to agree with you that the system has been bastardized. I don’t think it has to the extent that you believe, where politicians are solely bent on corrupting agendas for the sake of big business, but at least to the extent that a national identity regarding education has created an American ego problem.

  • Stetz

    To address this problem I will contradict your sentiment. “Morphing into Fascism”, as you alleged, was irresponsible on your part. Corruption my friend is not Fascism (which is a more extreme form of nationalism for all of you “patriots”). The goals of the American educational system were not to create robot armies of “better workers” live Soviet systems. The facts that we have gone through the system and can see the reasons to criticize it are proof enough that this is contradiction and there is a faction of pure democratic thought alive within the system to oppose that thinking. Granted that pure democratic thought is also misplaced (seeing that the majority is not always in the right, “see Civil Rights voting trends within government during the 1960s”) in the essence that an extreme of any system is irrelevant due to its inapplicability, leaves us with one true option…compromise. We must all assume that education exist beyond the classroom. That no matter what the subject or agenda, young students will see true applicable trends of political and economic theory in the world around them.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Hanlon Hanlon

      Indeed. I hate to say it, but I think the education system SHOULD be more soviet-style. At least in the sense of using it to prepare our generations for their turn to take over. Right now it seems like education is being treated as a chore that our kids should be ushered through, giving them as many ridiculous handouts as possible along the way. The disaster that is No Child Left Behind is proof positive of this catastrophe.

    • Vito Caputo

      Well Stetz… You're going to have to help me out here. You said…

      "Morphing into Fascism”, as you alleged, was irresponsible on your part."

      Precisely… on what basis do you justify accusing me of being irresponsible?

      Is it your understanding that "corruption my friend" and "fascism" are mutually exclusive? Is it really your belief that… IF there is "corruption my friend" there is no "fascism"? I kinda get the feeling that you have a particular definition in your head for "fascism"… and as you look through your frame of reference… you do not see a hint of "fascism" in America. My experience has proved to me that one's academic definition of "fascism" is directly related to the country in which they were educated… and… regardless of any further education they may received in any other country… they cling to the perceptions learned in their country of origin. I guess it's some kind of a national pride. An Italian's definition of fascism will differ from a German's definition while the entire world knows that the Russian's definition is by far the most accurate. This situation certainly does put up a barrier to communication. Add a bit of arrogance and attitude and we're off to the races. I've been around the block one time too many… I choose to invoke Hanlon's Razor.

      Consequently… it makes much more sense to examine a bunch of regimes… which everyone agrees were fascist regimes… to see what they all had in common…. and then see if America has any of the attributes. Someone has done this for you: Read "14 Points of Fascism (2000-2009)" at http://bit.ly/cyA0MT. In addition… you might want to use the search engine of your choice to see if anyone you might respect has made a connection between America and fascism…. and then talk to me about how there is no sign of fascism on the rise in America.

      Are you cognizant of the difference between "being" and "morphing"?

    • Vito Caputo

      Stetz… let me now address your comments concerning the information I offered in regards to public education in America.

      You said: "The goals of the American educational system were not to create robot armies of “better workers” live (sic) Soviet systems."

      What is the source of your knowledge about the goals of the American educational system? What or who led you to believe what you believe?

      I provided a link which clearly documented everything I said in regards to the true purpose of public education in America. I KNOW YOU DIDN'T TAKE THAT LINK!

      So… I say something… I provide documentation… you ignore the documentation… and (practically speaking)… tell me that what I know is wrong? What the hell is that all about? Again… I choose to invoke Hanlon's Razor.

      You said… "The facts that we have gone through the system and can see the reasons to criticize it are proof enough that this is contradiction and there is a faction of pure democratic thought alive within the system to oppose that thinking."

      Exactly to whom are your referring? Who is the "we"… and what percent of the population do you believe belongs to the "we". Are you totally oblivious to the level of ignorance in this country?

      As I pointed out in my initial post… all those posting before me were registering accurate complaints about public education… yet it was obvious that not one poster had any idea about the history beneath the foundation upon which public education sits… and that some of what they were complaining about is actually some of the things that makes the system successful… IN REGARDS TO ITS MANDATED PURPOSE. That, my friend… is ignorance.

      To paraphrase your statement… "We're educated because we know enough to complain." That, my friend… is stupidity. Again… I invoke Hanlon's Razor.

      You continue with…

      "Granted that pure democratic thought is also misplaced (seeing that the majority is not always in the right, “see Civil Rights voting trends within government during the 1960s”) in the essence that an extreme of any system is irrelevant due to its inapplicability, leaves us with one true option…compromise."

      I've read it several times and I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about… nor can I see what it has to do with the topics at hand. If you care to try again… that's fine with me. However… do not assume that I will respond to it. Whatever it is that you're trying to say… it appears to be irrelevant to the topic at hand. I believe the appropriate description would be "snowjob".

      You said: "We must all assume that education exist beyond the classroom." That's a rather weak statement… and I'm really curious about what you have personally seen that has led you to not only make this assumption… but so firmly committed to it that you also dictate that all other must make the same assumption. I prefer to tell it like it is — In the current incarnation of public education in America… we must all KNOW that most meaningful education occurs beyond the classroom… because so little is offered IN the classroom.

      You end with what seems to be a prayer…

      "That no matter what the subject or agenda, young students will see true applicable trends of political and economic theory in the world around them."

      With all the effort being made to divert people's attention away from the stuff that really matters… in particular, young people… how can you be so naive as to think "young students will see true applicable trends of political and economic theory in the world around them". You're just yankin my chain, right? Far too many "young students" can't even find the Great Lakes on a map of the US. And soon… every one of them will get to vote.

      If you have a sincere interest in de-ignoranting yourself about the American educational system… read "The Dumbing Down of America: Part I of II" at http://bit.ly/cX3sKQ. Although this 2-part series is extremely well written… it is not ADD Friendly.

    • Vito Caputo

      Stetz… I forgot to mention a not so minor observation about your statement "Corruption my friend is not Fascism".

      You may perceive the process by which money moves from the corporations… to the lobbyists… to members of congress in exchange for their vote… as corruption. With the health care issue… just because 80% of the voters wanted X and their elected representatives voted against X because some huge corporations gave these elected representatives obscene amounts of money… it's pretty easy to label it "corruption". It makes sense to call it corruption.

      So… how come nobody is calling it corruption? In particular with the health care issue…where in the mainstream media have you heard the word "corruption" attached to anyone that took m money from the insurance companies and voted against the best interests of their constituency?

      Nobody is calling it "corruption" because… it isn't – it's how the system is set up. And the Supreme Court has made it all possible.

      It is perfectly legal to openly bribe an elected official… as long as you register as a lobbyist. Pretty neat, huh?

  • Stetz

    Vito Caputo, Baby,

    “weep for ourselves”, “They will be running the country”… If voting trends of the last 85 years tell a story then it is that the younger demographics do not turn out to vote. Assuming this trend continues I suspect that one day we (talkin’ bout our generation) will have the chance to muck things up just as our forefathers have done. But, not wanting to wait until I am a 65 year old man to do this I will have to agree with you that the system has been bastardized. I don’t think it has to the extent that you believe, where politicians are solely bent on corrupting agendas for the sake of big business, but at least to the extent that a national identity regarding education has created an American ego problem.

  • Stetz

    To address this problem I will contradict your sentiment. “Morphing into Fascism”, as you alleged, was irresponsible on your part. Corruption my friend is not Fascism (which is a more extreme form of nationalism for all of you “patriots”). The goals of the American educational system were not to create robot armies of “better workers” live Soviet systems. The facts that we have gone through the system and can see the reasons to criticize it are proof enough that this is contradiction and there is a faction of pure democratic thought alive within the system to oppose that thinking. Granted that pure democratic thought is also misplaced (seeing that the majority is not always in the right, “see Civil Rights voting trends within government during the 1960s”) in the essence that an extreme of any system is irrelevant due to its inapplicability, leaves us with one true option…compromise. We must all assume that education exist beyond the classroom. That no matter what the subject or agenda, young students will see true applicable trends of political and economic theory in the world around them.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Hanlon Hanlon

      Indeed. I hate to say it, but I think the education system SHOULD be more soviet-style. At least in the sense of using it to prepare our generations for their turn to take over. Right now it seems like education is being treated as a chore that our kids should be ushered through, giving them as many ridiculous handouts as possible along the way. The disaster that is No Child Left Behind is proof positive of this catastrophe.

    • Vito Caputo

      Well Stetz… You're going to have to help me out here. You said…

      "Morphing into Fascism”, as you alleged, was irresponsible on your part."

      Precisely… on what basis do you justify accusing me of being irresponsible?

      Is it your understanding that "corruption my friend" and "fascism" are mutually exclusive? Is it really your belief that… IF there is "corruption my friend" there is no "fascism"? I kinda get the feeling that you have a particular definition in your head for "fascism"… and as you look through your frame of reference… you do not see a hint of "fascism" in America. My experience has proved to me that one's academic definition of "fascism" is directly related to the country in which they were educated… and… regardless of any further education they may received in any other country… they cling to the perceptions learned in their country of origin. I guess it's some kind of a national pride. An Italian's definition of fascism will differ from a German's definition while the entire world knows that the Russian's definition is by far the most accurate. This situation certainly does put up a barrier to communication. Add a bit of arrogance and attitude and we're off to the races. I've been around the block one time too many… I choose to invoke Hanlon's Razor.

      Consequently… it makes much more sense to examine a bunch of regimes… which everyone agrees were fascist regimes… to see what they all had in common…. and then see if America has any of the attributes. Someone has done this for you: Read "14 Points of Fascism (2000-2009)" at http://bit.ly/cyA0MT. In addition… you might want to use the search engine of your choice to see if anyone you might respect has made a connection between America and fascism…. and then talk to me about how there is no sign of fascism on the rise in America.

      Are you cognizant of the difference between "being" and "morphing"?

    • Vito Caputo

      Stetz… let me now address your comments concerning the information I offered in regards to public education in America.

      You said: "The goals of the American educational system were not to create robot armies of “better workers” live (sic) Soviet systems."

      What is the source of your knowledge about the goals of the American educational system? What or who led you to believe what you believe?

      I provided a link which clearly documented everything I said in regards to the true purpose of public education in America. I KNOW YOU DIDN'T TAKE THAT LINK!

      So… I say something… I provide documentation… you ignore the documentation… and (practically speaking)… tell me that what I know is wrong? What the hell is that all about? Again… I choose to invoke Hanlon's Razor.

      You said… "The facts that we have gone through the system and can see the reasons to criticize it are proof enough that this is contradiction and there is a faction of pure democratic thought alive within the system to oppose that thinking."

      Exactly to whom are your referring? Who is the "we"… and what percent of the population do you believe belongs to the "we". Are you totally oblivious to the level of ignorance in this country?

      As I pointed out in my initial post… all those posting before me were registering accurate complaints about public education… yet it was obvious that not one poster had any idea about the history beneath the foundation upon which public education sits… and that some of what they were complaining about is actually some of the things that makes the system successful… IN REGARDS TO ITS MANDATED PURPOSE. That, my friend… is ignorance.

      To paraphrase your statement… "We're educated because we know enough to complain." That, my friend… is stupidity. Again… I invoke Hanlon's Razor.

      You continue with…

      "Granted that pure democratic thought is also misplaced (seeing that the majority is not always in the right, “see Civil Rights voting trends within government during the 1960s”) in the essence that an extreme of any system is irrelevant due to its inapplicability, leaves us with one true option…compromise."

      I've read it several times and I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about… nor can I see what it has to do with the topics at hand. If you care to try again… that's fine with me. However… do not assume that I will respond to it. Whatever it is that you're trying to say… it appears to be irrelevant to the topic at hand. I believe the appropriate description would be "snowjob".

      You said: "We must all assume that education exist beyond the classroom." That's a rather weak statement… and I'm really curious about what you have personally seen that has led you to not only make this assumption… but so firmly committed to it that you also dictate that all other must make the same assumption. I prefer to tell it like it is — In the current incarnation of public education in America… we must all KNOW that most meaningful education occurs beyond the classroom… because so little is offered IN the classroom.

      You end with what seems to be a prayer…

      "That no matter what the subject or agenda, young students will see true applicable trends of political and economic theory in the world around them."

      With all the effort being made to divert people's attention away from the stuff that really matters… in particular, young people… how can you be so naive as to think "young students will see true applicable trends of political and economic theory in the world around them". You're just yankin my chain, right? Far too many "young students" can't even find the Great Lakes on a map of the US. And soon… every one of them will get to vote.

      If you have a sincere interest in de-ignoranting yourself about the American educational system… read "The Dumbing Down of America: Part I of II" at http://bit.ly/cX3sKQ. Although this 2-part series is extremely well written… it is not ADD Friendly.

    • Vito Caputo

      Stetz… I forgot to mention a not so minor observation about your statement "Corruption my friend is not Fascism".

      You may perceive the process by which money moves from the corporations… to the lobbyists… to members of congress in exchange for their vote… as corruption. With the health care issue… just because 80% of the voters wanted X and their elected representatives voted against X because some huge corporations gave these elected representatives obscene amounts of money… it's pretty easy to label it "corruption". It makes sense to call it corruption.

      So… how come nobody is calling it corruption? In particular with the health care issue…where in the mainstream media have you heard the word "corruption" attached to anyone that took m money from the insurance companies and voted against the best interests of their constituency?

      Nobody is calling it "corruption" because… it isn't – it's how the system is set up. And the Supreme Court has made it all possible.

      It is perfectly legal to openly bribe an elected official… as long as you register as a lobbyist. Pretty neat, huh?

  • http://manchesterunited.alltheinfo.info cristiano ronaldo team photo 0

    Thanks for writing this blog post. It’s such a fantantic post.

  • http://manchesterunited.alltheinfo.info cristiano ronaldo team photo 08 09

    Thanks for writing this blog post. It’s such a fantantic post.

What's new?

Got a hot tip?
Drop us a line!

Donate to the Razor

Subscribe

Politics
Top Blogs
Politics Blogs
My Zimbio
Top Stories