And just think: This is our next generation of voters.
Eh. The same percentage of this generation is equally stupid. The problem is that the media frenzy over elections pushes greater voter turnout and encourages our politicians—particularly Democrats—to appeal to the brainless ideologies of these 20-25%. We’ve always had stupid people, they just never used to care enough to vote.
Hairy Polemic - 11:03am on 03/07/2008
And I, personally, am blaming the public schools as well as the teachers unions and politicians who have valued teacher contracts over student well-being, and indoctrination over education.
I, personally, am blaming former Yankees outfielder Chad Curtis.
Hey, we each offered equal levels of evidence!
todd - 11:03am on 03/07/2008
Todd,
teachers unions and politicians who have valued teacher contracts over student well-being, and indoctrination over education.
Res ipsa loquitur…
Hairy Polemic - 11:03am on 03/07/2008
Who is responsible for the education of the vast majority American students? Public schools run by politicians, bureaucrats and unionized educators.
Who isn’t responsible for educating any kids? Yankees outfielder Chad Curtis.
So I’m not sure what your point is, but congratulations on spelling your name right!
Rob - 11:03am on 03/07/2008
Of course, the solution is to do what Republicans want to do and just do away with public education altogether and let everyone home school their kids. These “educated” kids can then be totally brainwashed with the disease of religious extremism, be totally ignorant and antagonistic toward science, socially challenged, and be a nice little Republican-voting zombie who marches off to their low wage shithole job every day, and go to their mega-church every Sunday and thank Jesus for their great life and blame liberals for everything that’s wrong in the world.
Socialist - 11:03am on 03/07/2008
Woah dude. Your prejudiced rant reeks of elitist classism. I’m not even religious and I’m offended. You need some sensitivity training or something.
Hairy Polemic - 11:03am on 03/07/2008
Technically, Todd didn’t even spell his name right. You’re supposed to capitalize the first letter of your name. :^)
And I dispute the idea that kids are stupid today. You should see ‘em rolling those condoms on bananas, cucumbers, and even rutabagas. Plus, they know who plays for the Yankees, and I don’t.
But seriously, if we can blame the NEA, AFT, and DoED for the state of our schools, we must also blame ourselves for allowing them to have their way, and for failing to take action.
To draw a picture; a mother is in a meeting to discuss plans for “talented and gifted” students, and is appalled to find out that most prospective parents are simply demanding that the school district take care of the educational needs of their children. This mother reminded many of these parents that if they wanted some opportunities to enhance their childrens’ education, they could take their children to any of about a dozen world class museums less than an hour away in Chicago, or state and national parks just ten minutes away.
Silence. Not too many people wanted to know that opportunities--free ones--were there for the taking.
Oh, and “Socialist”; you would do well to educate yourself about homeschooling at http://www.hslda.org. As things stand now, your bigotry is appalling.
Bike Bubba - 12:03pm on 03/07/2008
I realize it’s popular to blame the school, and schools have done a lot wrong.
1. We’ve had a slavish devotion to “progressive” education in this country that places far too little emphasis on acquiring knowledge. The Idea of “banking” knowledge is openly mocked in ed school.
2. Educators tend to go from program to program trying to find a magic bullet to engage kids and accomplish learning painlessly. The only thing we refuse to try in America is to require that students behave themselves and do their work (The school I work at does require that, but not my previous school). Educators are like the fat person who keeps trying to find the magic diet, and dismisses the idea of eating less and exercising more.
Having said that, I think a lot of parents spoil their kids with too much entertainment and sugar, and not enough chores. If you have kids who can’t even drive to grandma’s without a DVD player full of cartoons, what are teachers supposed to do with a kid who has a 14.5 second attention span.
You want to see kids do better… How about pulling them away from the TV and video games every night for a family dinner, and actually talking to them? How about getting rid of the DVD players, ipods, and hand-held video games during the next family trip and require them to read or use their imagination?
It’s not all the school’s fault.
Wing Chun Geologist - 12:03pm on 03/07/2008
Of course, the solution is to do what Republicans want to do and just do away with public education altogether and let everyone home school their kids. These “educated” kids can then be totally brainwashed with the disease of religious extremism, be totally ignorant and antagonistic toward science, socially challenged, and be a nice little Republican-voting zombie who marches off to their low wage shithole job every day, and go to their mega-church every Sunday and thank Jesus for their great life and blame liberals for everything that’s wrong in the world.
I thought that liberals and Leftists were the enlightened ones who have transcended intolerance and hatred. If only Hillary or Barack would be so forthright regarding their plans…
I agree that government schools are the problem, but as my girlfriend reminds me over and over. “We are the government.” We have allowed politicians to take over the responsibility of eduating our children, which then crowds out the parental initiative to educate our children. It makes some sense when we think about it. If I’m paying all of this money in taxes for the government to educate my children, why should I have to teach them? Hence, attitudes of the parents in Bike Bubba’s post.
I’m not sure if we’ll ever be able to truly reform education. To do so would require that parents truly assume the full responsibilities of raising their children and considering that so many people enjoy the government taking care of them as if they are 12-year-olds, true grown-ups are becoming an endangered species.
Ace - 01:03pm on 03/07/2008
true grown-ups are becoming an endangered species.
Eh. The same percentage of this generation is equally stupid. The problem is that the media frenzy over elections pushes greater voter turnout and encourages our politicians—particularly Democrats—to appeal to the brainless ideologies of these 20-25%. We’ve always had stupid people, they just never used to care enough to vote.
Hey, we each offered equal levels of evidence!
Todd,
Res ipsa loquitur…
Who is responsible for the education of the vast majority American students? Public schools run by politicians, bureaucrats and unionized educators.
Who isn’t responsible for educating any kids? Yankees outfielder Chad Curtis.
So I’m not sure what your point is, but congratulations on spelling your name right!
Of course, the solution is to do what Republicans want to do and just do away with public education altogether and let everyone home school their kids. These “educated” kids can then be totally brainwashed with the disease of religious extremism, be totally ignorant and antagonistic toward science, socially challenged, and be a nice little Republican-voting zombie who marches off to their low wage shithole job every day, and go to their mega-church every Sunday and thank Jesus for their great life and blame liberals for everything that’s wrong in the world.
Woah dude. Your prejudiced rant reeks of elitist classism. I’m not even religious and I’m offended. You need some sensitivity training or something.
Technically, Todd didn’t even spell his name right. You’re supposed to capitalize the first letter of your name. :^)
And I dispute the idea that kids are stupid today. You should see ‘em rolling those condoms on bananas, cucumbers, and even rutabagas. Plus, they know who plays for the Yankees, and I don’t.
But seriously, if we can blame the NEA, AFT, and DoED for the state of our schools, we must also blame ourselves for allowing them to have their way, and for failing to take action.
To draw a picture; a mother is in a meeting to discuss plans for “talented and gifted” students, and is appalled to find out that most prospective parents are simply demanding that the school district take care of the educational needs of their children. This mother reminded many of these parents that if they wanted some opportunities to enhance their childrens’ education, they could take their children to any of about a dozen world class museums less than an hour away in Chicago, or state and national parks just ten minutes away.
Silence. Not too many people wanted to know that opportunities--free ones--were there for the taking.
Oh, and “Socialist”; you would do well to educate yourself about homeschooling at http://www.hslda.org. As things stand now, your bigotry is appalling.
I realize it’s popular to blame the school, and schools have done a lot wrong.
1. We’ve had a slavish devotion to “progressive” education in this country that places far too little emphasis on acquiring knowledge. The Idea of “banking” knowledge is openly mocked in ed school.
2. Educators tend to go from program to program trying to find a magic bullet to engage kids and accomplish learning painlessly. The only thing we refuse to try in America is to require that students behave themselves and do their work (The school I work at does require that, but not my previous school). Educators are like the fat person who keeps trying to find the magic diet, and dismisses the idea of eating less and exercising more.
Having said that, I think a lot of parents spoil their kids with too much entertainment and sugar, and not enough chores. If you have kids who can’t even drive to grandma’s without a DVD player full of cartoons, what are teachers supposed to do with a kid who has a 14.5 second attention span.
You want to see kids do better… How about pulling them away from the TV and video games every night for a family dinner, and actually talking to them? How about getting rid of the DVD players, ipods, and hand-held video games during the next family trip and require them to read or use their imagination?
It’s not all the school’s fault.
I thought that liberals and Leftists were the enlightened ones who have transcended intolerance and hatred. If only Hillary or Barack would be so forthright regarding their plans…
I agree that government schools are the problem, but as my girlfriend reminds me over and over. “We are the government.” We have allowed politicians to take over the responsibility of eduating our children, which then crowds out the parental initiative to educate our children. It makes some sense when we think about it. If I’m paying all of this money in taxes for the government to educate my children, why should I have to teach them? Hence, attitudes of the parents in Bike Bubba’s post.
I’m not sure if we’ll ever be able to truly reform education. To do so would require that parents truly assume the full responsibilities of raising their children and considering that so many people enjoy the government taking care of them as if they are 12-year-olds, true grown-ups are becoming an endangered species.
Sums it all up right there.