The Underdogs (Thomas Sowell)

Townhall.com ^ | September 22, 2009 | Thomas Sowell

[jazusamo]

*PING*
Thomas Sowell

Recent columns
Fables for Adults
Listening to a Liar: Part II
Listening to a Liar

Please FReepmail me if you would like to be added to, or removed from, the Thomas Sowell ping list…

[Maelstorm]

He speaks the truth. No one has been made strong by keeping them from using and developing their own strengths.

[Graybeard58]

“There was Slow, and There was Ernie Lombardi”

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/50493/there_was_slow_and_there_was_ernie.html

[mcenedo]

Yet another brilliant column from Dr. Sowell.

[jazusamo]

So true, and he speaks from personal experience.

[Eric Blair 2084]

Dr. Sowells premise is correct. The underdog is defined in sports by the Vegas line and in politics by the liberal newspapers and networks.

Just like they want to portray universal healthcare proponents as being up against the evil corporate interests of big pharma and big insurance. Forget the fact that they are on board.

[jazusamo]

Thanks...It looks pretty well documented the Ernie was SLOW. :-)

[HiTech RedNeck]

But he sure could knock the cover off the ball.

[EternalVigilance]

But he sure could knock the cover off the ball.

True of Sowell as a writer, too.

[Nam Vet]

One of the first books I read from cover to cover was "Up From Slavery", by Booker T. Washington. I have admired that man my whole life. Many people are surprised at that, and most blacks thinks I'm bullsh*tting them. Pitiful commentary as most don't even think about him other than as an 'Uncle Tom' , or some other idiocy. I'd say more, but....

Nam Vet

[quesney]

This man is a national (non toxic) asset.

[tet68]

Thomas Sowell bump.

[rawcatslyentist]

Thank G_d for TS!

[BipolarBob]

God bless Dr. Sowell.

[rockinqsranch]

Thanks for the inspirational ping jaz.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

One of the problems with trying to help underdogs, especially with government programs, is that they and everyone else start to think of them as underdogs, focusing on their problems rather than their opportunities. Thinking of themselves as underdogs can also dissipate their energies in resentments of others, rather than spending that energy making the most of their own possibilities.

Why Don't Students Like School:

A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works
and What It Means for the Classroom
by Daniel T. Willingham

is an interesting book which had one point in particular that I took away from reading it:

Always talk about successes and failures in terms of effort, not ability.

This is a crucial point. If you praise effort and success, you increase morale. But if you praise ability apart from effort, you are actually flattering the student.

And flattery can only tend to produce arrogance and a reluctance to apply effort.
After all, why should a person who is already smart have to study?

[Tax-chick]

Excellent observation. I’ll look for the source in my library!

[Young Werther]

I am preparing a speech which I intend to offer to local schools. It's entitled "Listen and Learn."

When you listen to TRUE individuals you learn. Mr Sowell is a source of knowledge and when you listen you learn.

When you listen to Obama you learn NOTHING! Well you learn that he is an ignoramus and he ain't no Ernie Lombardi!

[RoadTest]

I never pass by a Thomas Sowell article or a Mark Steyn or Canada Free Press column.

They are meat and potatoes and 90% of reading these days is junk food.