Time for public schools to throw in the towel?

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | January 27, 2003 | Dr. Laura Schlessinger

[LaineyDee]

The Constitution was not put together by a bunch of fundamentalist Christians. It was set down by people who wanted freedoms. Included in those freesoms were the separation of church and state.

Separation of church and state is never mentioned in the constitution. The phrase first appeared in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 to a Baptist pastor in Dayton, Connecticut.

Jefferson was a deist.

Okay.....so he believed in "God based on reason rather than revelation, and involving the view that God has set the universe in motion but does not interfere with how it runs." (according to the World Dictionary definition)

"These are the rights which God and the laws have given equally and independently to all." --Thomas Jefferson: Rights of British America, 1774. ME 1:185, Papers 1:121

WHO did Jefferson say gave us those rights?

Let's not get off into the freemasonry thang...(who usually declare a belief in God)....for that's another debate....in and of itself. The point and fact still remain that the heritage of this nation and the written constitution were founded on the basic principles and laws found in the Holy Bible.

I recently discovered that I could be considered a secular humanist.Formerly, I was not aware that there was a classification for the way I perceive things.

Sorry to hear that....but it's still a "belief system"...even if it's used to "believe" in nothing. That makes me think about a little analogy my pastor used to put forth. "If you're right about there NOT being a God ...and I'm wrong about believing IN God.....I have nothing to worry about. BUT...if I'm right and you're wrong.... you have PLENTY to worry about."

There is no set of rules or laws written down to embrace. There is no organized "church." As I said, I only recently discovered that there was a name for the series of notions which I believe makes the most sense for me.

If "I" believe in God, I have a faith system or philosophy...which you label "religion". If YOU believe in a philosophy or theory that takes "faith"... it's not a religion?

The reason why there are still chimpanzees is a complex one, but for here, suffice it say that no organism, including humans in modern primitive societies, will change if there is no pressure exerted on them environmentally to do so. If you are interested, which I do not think you are judging by your need to "chuckle", then I can forward several articles which will explain it in detail.

Sorry if I offended you with my *chuckle*....for I'm a very happy person with a slightly warped sense of humor. :) You're assertation of "no organism changing without pressure exerted to make them do so"....is a THEORY..IMHO.... to explain why we aren't able to actually observe the evolution of one animal changing into another species or life springing spontaneously from non-living matter. Send the articles if you like......I'm willing to read almost anything. (as long as the pictures of apes have loin cloths on) *chuckle* oops....there I go again! :P

And, by the way, don't be confused. I support my country because I live here and have benefitted from receiving an education here (private), because I don't have to worship, because I despise totalitarianism and repression other societies are subject to, because there is the right to choose abortion if my daughter or anyone close to me decides that is the right course, because our lifestyle here is precious enough to defend and lastly, because there is a separation of church and state so I can ask all the questions I need to without succumbing to dogma based on little else but faith.

If you say you're patriotic....I believe you. It must be hard to wince inside when someone sings "God Bless America"...or stand up to say the Pledge of Allegiance mincing it to exclude the word "God" from your tongue or conscience, eh? (humor.....sarcastic as it is :))

We will never agree on rights to abortion...especially since I watched too many of those "blobs of flesh" weighing in at less than a pound and at 4.5mo term...fighting for their little lives in NICU. Many of those "blobs" have no one to fight for their precious right to life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness when the abortionist and mother conspire to make a decision to end it... devoid of their input on the situation. Life is so cheap when it becomes as easily disposable as garbage, doesn't it? I pray your daughter never has to decide to end a life for her own convenience.

BTW......I wasn't always a Christian....and considered myself an agnostic (like my Dad) for many years. I also believed in evolution.....the whole gamut. My eyes were opened in a very profound way.....while seeking for deeper truth. I pray you find yours.

Sorry it took so long to respond.....had to jet to work after my first response....but thanks for the "keeping me on my toes" exchange!

[stanz]

Unfortunately, I haven't got time here at work to respond to another "keeping me on my toes" exchange. I could argue the whole point of my views versus yours. Suffice it to say, evolution in longer just a theoretical precept. It's a body of knowledge accumulated through observation, testing end evaluating of tangible evidence. It makes logical sense to me because I can SEE results and OBSERVE data. I am not going to respond on any arguments about abortion because neither one of us will acquiesce.
You can't even discuss MY feelings concerning secular humanism without bringing up your pastor.You have a belief system going here, and I insist that I believe in NOTHING other than the individual and the ability of scientific means to answer questions.
I first replied to this thread stating that private secular schools are another alternative to the problem of the failing school system. Not only religious private schools can meet the challenge.
I'm glad you discovered your profound inner peace.I don't need prayers. My inner truth is as I explained it.I'm quite satisfied with my life as it is although I find it annoying to hear about everything "under" God. The words to "God Bless America" are just words. They have no intimate meaning for me. As in the practice of every other meaningless gesture, I pass. It's ironic that you "found" God while I was brought up as a Catholic and rejected all that mumbo jumbo which I never really accepted when I was practicing.
The wonder of America is that we, who are poles apart, can still be free to lives our lives as we see fit. This is why I cherish this country and will always support her.

[LaineyDee]

Suffice it to say, evolution in longer just a theoretical precept. It's a body of knowledge accumulated through observation, testing end evaluating of tangible evidence.

No scientist has every observed a life force spring from non-living matter (so they can't test or evaluate it as tangible evidence), yet that's what they expect us to believe....spontaneous generation. There just CAN'T be a Creator of intelligent design..so it has to be something else, right?

Yes... I have my own belief system going here....but so do you, whether you admit it to yourself or not.

I have "observed" the downward spiral of our society and school systems since they took prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Pledge of Allegiance..... made them politically incorrect and banned them from public or school functions. Maybe you can keep yourself in check without boundaries of accountability.....but there's a whole lot of folks who can't and haven't. I'm old enough to remember having all those things in school and then watching everything crumble, when that sense of unity, patriotism and accountability to something bigger than ourselves... was removed from children's lives who might not otherwise be exposed to it anywhere else. (they certainly aren't today.....and in fact are taught to disregard it)

Well....I'm out of time....so I'll bid you goodbye. Live happy and enjoy the few years you have left .....before you become dirt again. *wink*

[stanz]

Evolution has nothing to do with the creation of life. It is change and adaptation over time. That is the evidence I was refering to.
I'll reiterate. I have no belief system.
The downward spiral is a result of politicians legislating for votes. Prayer, the 10 Commandments, and the the reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance are immaterial. Morality is a personal thing. Our children learn how to respect or disrespect from our example not from worshipping anything.
In my opinion, the biggest "sinners" are those hiding behind collars who advise you how to live your life while they spend theirs committing deceptions. And, the worst offenders are the "reverends" who enter politics and exert authority not only over an individual's existence, but over the workings of government. If there is blame to be placed anywhere it is in us, the parents, who must see to it that these deceptions are are not allowed to continue.

[FITZ]

Timely post. There's a big riot in the public school near here still in progress apparently---3000 kids plus students involved. Even an administrator has been arrested. What's the riot about? A change in the way the school schedules so it will be consistent with the others.

Montwood High School locked down

About 3,000 students and some teachers walked out of classes at Montwood High School and one teacher was arrested after a protest turned into a riot Wednesday morning.

Students and teachers were protesting a proposal by the Socorro Independent School District's school board to change the school to a block scheduling system. The proposal is aimed at placing the school on a schedule consistent with other schools in the district.

About 40 police cars arrived and police were brought in wearing riot gear after reports were received of students throwing rocks.

Reports from the scene said pepper spray was used by police to quell the disturbance.

Twenty students were treated for exposure to pepper spray and one administrator was arrested for failure to provide identification to police.

http://www.borderlandnews.com/updates/0129-montwood.shtml

Plus another public school teacher was just arrested here in a baby buying-selling scheme.

Teacher arrested in child selling

http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/borderland/20030129-69999.shtml

[Mr. Jeeves]

The reason why there are still chimpanzees is a complex one...

I think the question isn't so much "Why do they exist?" as "How did so many of them end up in Congress?"

[stanz]

You got that right!

[LaineyDee]

Evolution tries to explain our existance......as they teach it in schools...ie, the Big Bang Theory, etc. But, we will have to agree to disagree on this matter.

I have to disagree also....with your reference to the 10 commandments, etc......for what do you base your morality on? Your rule of law? Warm fuzzies don't cut it for the vast majority. Remember the Menendez brothers? They were brought up in a very nice home with good parents that taught them well. You leave a key component out with your theory here.... and that's EVIL. Can't get around it. There are just willingly bad people in this world. Society has an obligation to set forth principles (Biblical in our case) to keep these little monsters in check.

If we didn't have these laws derived from our Judeo Christian heritage to teach to your children...you'd be teaching some other rule of law you LEARNED. No way around it. It doesn't happen by osmosis. If you inherently "know" right and wrong....why did you have to go to school or taught by your parents? Why didn't you just "know" everything by instinct?

Your morality is more than a personal issue....because it affects your family, neighbors and community....more than you obviously know. You cannot be an island my friend. It may be alright to run around naked at home because you believe in nudity....but try that in public where little kids can see you.....then tell me your morality is a personal issue. We're all accountable to someone...like it or not.

We all sin.....even those with collars. I try my best to follow the Word....but I'm not perfect......and neither are you. (start pointing fingers and look at the three pointing back at you) Ministers are teachers.....not God incarnate.....(tho some would like you to believe they are....as well as some politicians I know)

You have a very skewed concept of worship. I suggest you take some time to delve into what that really means. It's not just bowing to a set of beliefs or a person....or some mystical mumbo jumbo. Some people worship themselves....others worship money or their status....their conceived intelligence, their job... etc, etc, etc. It's where your heart is.....and what you esteem greatly or put above everything else in your life.

[stanz]

Evolution serves to explain the proliferation of species on the planet. It does not concern itself with the Big Bang. That is a topic for how life originated on Earth, not how humans and other life forms developed.
I don't base my morality on what it says in the Bible. Basically, I encourage people to be themselves as long as it does not cause harm to others. Actually I couldn't give a rat's ass about the majority. The Menendez brothers from what I recall, were selfish, indulged kids who figured their lives would be great if they removed the one obstacle preventing them from partying around the clock - - their parents. Unfortunately for them and their parents, they thought they could pull it off and accuse the parents of abuse. I don't know whether there was, in fact, abuse. Bad judgement. They're paying the price.
You keep on referring to the Judeo-Christian ethic being at the bottom of all morality. Well, the ancient Egyptians practiced the same moral codes and tried to instill fear into law-breakers in the same way. Evil or stubborn offenders have always existed. So has love, reverence, honor and respect. It existed in ancient Egypt and there wasn't one monolithic god there to teach about it. It's inherent in human nature to love just as it is to be cruel or vicious. You attribute it to Jesus Christ. I attribute it to evolution.
Anyway,When I said morality was a personal issue, I meant that it's personal to every person. Of course, my morality or lack of it affects my loved ones and those around me. But, I am not accountable to anyone but myself for my successes or failures. That's plain and simple. I don't want to go to jail, so I don't commit crimes.
What I despise most are people of "the cloth" telling me what I should or shouldn't do because of some distorted view of reality...especially when those people are "closet sinners." Do as I say, but don't do as I do. It's all a crock. And, the Catholic church not only tries to tell you how to live, they want to charge you for it. I would rather deal with felons than hypocrites.
Worship is holding something in reverence. It uses whatever the object of the devotion to guide the worshipper along a given path. Christians worship Jesus. Muslims worship Allah and so forth. I guess if I were to consider worshipping anything, it would be cheesecake, but we all know that's not good for your arteries.
Finally, what I value most is my freedom. It's not some job or any material possessions. It's not answering to anyone and being able to sit quietly when I want to or to do nothing at all. I don't find anything especially moving in coming home to a quiet apartment, but I value it. It's not worship and I don't try to convince anyone else to do it. What I enjoy, I enjoy without trying to drag anyone else along. So, skewed as you think my concept of worship is, it works for me and I'm content. Some people worship God, others seek Nirvana, others meditate. Whatever turns you on.

[Arthur McGowan]

It's possible for people to be moral, upstanding, and patriotic without being religious. But without the true religion, such people are moral, upstanding, and patriotic without knowing the truth about God. Religion is about knowing, loving, and serving God, not about being moral, upstanding, and patriotic.

[Dick Bachert]

I am a product of the government schools (GS). I graduated from high school in 1957 and was exposed to several hundred teachers. Most were dedicated professionals. And I can STILL name the EXCEPTIONAL ones.

* Edna Kleinmeyer who didn't just teach English: She imbued us with a love of language I carry to this day;
* Charlie Kluckholn, the tough old wrestling coach who taught chemistry and gave me some of the best advise I ever heard;
* Charles Huffman, my homeroom teacher who helped me over a very rough spot in my life and whose WWII damaged leg caused him to limp;
* Franklin Jefferis, a "lowly" shop teacher, whose love of a job well done was wordlessly communicated to his kids in thousands of subtle ways. Mr. Jefferis died soon after I graduated. One October night, I “visited” him – alone -- at the funeral home and wept as I thanked him one last time.

But the current GS are radically different from the system through which I passed 50 years ago. Know that my concern and hostility are NOT directed at those who still TEACH -- really teach, really want the best EDUCATION for the kids, want to prepare them academically for the future.

Those feelings are reserved for SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS who have socialist/collectivist agendas or quietly acquiesce to the agendas imposed on them from above. They know that what is going on is wrong, but say nothing lest they jeopardize their careers. Author Thomas Sowell calls these folks "the anointed." And as the title of his book on the subject, "The Vision of The Anointed," indicates, they HAVE a vision! That it is NOT the PARENTS’ vision is of no concern to them.

When my kids were still in the GS, my wife and I were quite active. The Principal of their elementary school chose me to represent the school in something called the LSAC (Local School Advisory Committee) program. I attended several meetings held at the County Board of Education headquarters. I came away from the VERY FIRST of those meetings with these impressions:

1. Those folks DID NOT speak English. Through tight little smirks clearly indicative of the low esteem, indeed, contempt, they had for the uninformed and ignorant gaggle of parents arrayed before them, they spoke in buzz words and technobabble code only they comprehended. At one point -- to the visible relief of the other parents -- I stopped one woman’s presentation and asked for a translation of what she'd said. She was NOT pleased!

2. They DID NOT want parents involved! Cookie sales and PTA? OK. Serious criticism of a course or textbook? Verboten! Your option was private or parochial school. There very little home schooling then.

3. Most of these people MAY have once been educators. They were now bureaucrats guarding their turf.

4. Many of those administrative folks were making over $50K and, though I looked for signs of it, I saw little evidence of anything resembling “work.” And this was 20 years ago when the average classroom teacher earned less than $25K.

5. There were WAY too many administrators in the GS. It is a perfect opportunity to provide make-work sinecures for “anointed” members of the educational fraternity. Four years as an Air Force instructor taught me how to spot the signs.

Here’s the “bottom line:” Simply hurling more money into the black hole of the GS WILL NOT WORK. Most of that money will NEVER get to the classroom or into the pockets of DESERVING teachers who actually TEACH. And teach what any sensible human being – REGARDLESS of race, faith or ethnicity -- instinctively understands to be correct, morally defensible material.

Bush is right about one thing: We need accountability! Perhaps you recall Clinton’s asinine plan to send 100,000 PAID Americorps “volunteers” into the grade schools to TEACH KIDS TO READ. Why hadn’t their PREVIOUS teachers – OR THEIR PARENTS! -- taught them to perform that rather basic skill???

Think about what you just read as YOUR local government schools continue to raise YOUR property taxes.

[Stand Watch Listen]

Here are links to various education threads (also containing numerous helpful links)

FReegards

A couple of clues [re: why our education system is failing]
Source: TownHall.com; Published: May 1, 2003; Author: Thomas Sowell

'HOOKY' TEACHERS WORSE THAN KIDS
Source: NY POST; Published: April 28, 2003; Author: Carl Campanile

Report: Uh, it's like student writing is bad
Source: CNN; Published: April 25, 2003; Author: AP

Demoralized Teachers, Unruly Students, Bureaucracy Top Concerns About Schools
Source: AP Breaking; Published : April 23, 2003; Author: Siobhan McDonough

Red Pencils, Low Marks - How the diversity industry dumbs down American education
Source: WSJ Opinion Journal.com; Published: April 22, 2003; Author: Gary Rosen

Left High and Dry
Source:Lew Rockwell; Published: April 21, 2003; Author: Linda Schrock

Teaching Tomorrow's Teachers: Instructor To The Trustafarian Class
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: April 11, 2003; Author:| Bernard Chapin

How Not to Teach Math
Source: City Journal; Published: 7 March 2003; Author: Matthew Clavel

Government Schools Have U.S. On The Fast Track To Third-World Status
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: March 6, 2003; Author: Bob Ellis

Sodom and Gomorrah University
Source: WorldNetDaily.com: Published: February 19, 2003; Author: Michelle Malkin

The Union That Killed Education
Source: newsmax.com; Published: February. 17, 2003; Author: Paul Craig Roberts

Walter E. Williams: Inferior Education of Black Americans
Source:CNSNews.com; Published: February 05, 2003; Author: Walter E. Williams

Union Fraud Underscores Need for School Vouchers
Source: CNSNEWS.com; Published: February 05, 2003; Author: Linda Chavez

Time for public schools to throw in the towel?
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: January 27, 2003; Author: Dr. Laura Schlessinger

My Classroom From Hell
Source: The Wall Street Journal; Published: January 24, 2003; Author: Joshua Kaplowitz

Can more money make schools better?
Source: TownHall.com; Published: January 21, 2003; Author: Phyllis Schlafly

Are public schools constitutional?
Source: NewsWithViews; Published: JANUARY 20, 2003; Auythor: Lynn M. Stuter

The intellectual rape of Oakland's schools
Source: TownHall.com; Published: January 17, 2003; Author: David Horowitz

Hip-hop hogwash in the schools (Michelle Malkin)
Source: TownHall.com; Published: January 15, 2003; Author: Michelle Malkin

Dumbed Down and Dumber Still
Source: The American Prowler; Published: January 15, 2003; Author: By George Neumayr

Washington's education establishment
Source: TownHall.com; Published: January 8, 2003; Author:Walter Williams

NEA Hastens Death of American Education
Source: INSIGHT magazine; Published: January 6, 2003; Author: Ralph de Toledano

White Teachers Fleeing Black Schools
Source: Newsmax; Published:January 1, 2003; Author: Chad Roedemeier

Fiddling whilst Rome burns
Source: TownHall.com; Published: December 26, 2002; Author: Walter Williams

Government School Monopolies Leave Children Behind
Source: Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty; Published: December 4, 2002; Author: Clint Green

The silence of the lambs: McMillan blasts bureaucrats for destroying public education
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: August 15, 2002; Author: Craige McMillan

Taking Charge: Let's Stop Aiding and Abetting Academicians' Folly
Source: HOME EDUCATION magazine; Published: July-August 2002; Author: Larry and Susan Kaseman

’Open Directory’ --Society/Issues/Education/Education_Reform

Deconstructing Public Education
Source: www.newsmax.com; Published: July 26, 2002; Author: Diane Alden

Specious Science In Our Schools
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: July 9, 2002; Author: Alan Caruba

SYMPOSIUM Q: Is the National Education Association Being Fair to Its Religious Objectors?
Source: INSIGHT magazine; Published: June 10, 2002; Authors NO: Stefan Gleason ////\\\\ YES: Bob Chase

Public Sector Subverting Productive Industry
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: May 16, 2002; Author: Henry Pelifian

History of America's Education Part 2: Noah Webster and Early America
Source: Sierra Times; Published: March 27, 2002; Author: April Shenandoah

How Communist is Public Education?
Source: sierratimes.com; Published:March 22, 2002; Author: Chuck Morse

History of America's Education Part 1: Johnny is in trouble
Source: Sierra Times; Published: March 20, 2002; Author: April Shenandoah

Audit rips Georgia schools' curriculum
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Published: March 11, 2002; Author:JAMES SALZER

Why schools fail: Samuel Blumenfeld warns Bush's education legislation is ineffective
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: March 2, 2002; Author: Samuel Blumenfeld

Public School Isn't Like I Remember It
Source: Too Good Reports; Published: February 28, 2002; Author: Phyllis Schlafly

What Is Lacking In Our Educational System
Source: Too Good Reports; Published: February 28, 2002; Author: Ben Cerruti

The charade of education reform
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: February 2, 2002; Author: Dr. Samuel L. Blumenfeld

American public schools: Working just as designed
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: January 21, 2002; Author: Vox Day

High Schools Fail Thanks To Grade Inflation And Social Promotion
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: December 5, 2001; Author: Vin Suprynowicz

WHY AMERICANS CAN’T READ
Source: Accuracy in Media; Published: December 4, 2001; Author: Reed Irvine and Cliff Kincaid

The Failing Teacher and the Teachers' Code of Silence
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: December 3, 2001; Author: Glenn Sacks

Time for outrage! Linda Bowles reports latest results in America's public schools
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: November 27, 2001; Author: Linda Bowles

Illiterate in Boston: Samuel Blumenfeld explains U.S.'s ongoing reading problem
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: July 20, 2001; Author: Samuel Blumenfeld

NEA - Let our children go!
Source: WorldNet Daily; Published: June 23. 2001; Author: Linda Harvey

COOKING THE BOOKS AT EDUCATION
Source: Accuracy In Media; Published: June 5, 2001; Author: Cliff Kincaid

Why Do Schools Play Games With Students' Minds ?
Source: The Detroit News; Published: April 1, 2001; Author: Thomas Sowell

The Public School Nightmare: Why fix a system designed to destroy individual thought?
Source: http://home.talkcity.com/LibraryDr/patt/homeschl.htm; Author: John Taylor Gatto

Dumbing down teachers
Source: USNews.com; Published: February 21, 2001; Author: John Leo

Free Republic links to education related articles (thread#8)
Source: Free Republic; Published: 3-20-2001; Author: Various

Are children deliberately 'dumbed down' in school? {YES!!!}
Source: World Net Daily; Published: May 13, 2001; Author: Geoff Metcalf {Interview}

Could they really have done it on purpose?
Source: THE LIBERTARIAN; Published: 07/28/2000; Author: Vin Suprynowicz

New Book Explores America's Education Catastrophe
Source: Christian Citizen USA; Published: April 2000; Author: William H. Wild

Deliberately dumbing us down (Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt's, "The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America"
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: December 2,1999; Author: Samuel L. Blumenfeld

Deconstructing the Western Mind: Gramscian-Marxist Subversion of Faith and Education
Source: www.petersnet; Published: Winter 1997; Author: Frank Morriss

Littleton Crisis to Government Control

The UN Plan for Your Mental Health

Lexington Institute

NonPartisan Action For a Better Redding

Quality of Education Commentary, Opinion, and Book Reviews

[Protagoras]

Abolish government schools and the problem will be largely solved.

[nightdriver]

"We all know that, if there can be no right answers, there obviously is no right and wrong. No one's behavior can be judged because the most heinous acts can be excused on the basis of what the perpetrator may have suffered at the hands of his parents, the police, the inequitable society. Yada, yada, yada."

This sums up the liberal mind-set in a nutshell. Its very basis is that they are terrified by any Entity who has the authority to pass judgement on their morals.

Hence, they mount a pathetic attempt to reinvent God so He becomes not one who is an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God who has spoken in history, but rather only a convenient figment in a person's mind.

So liberal-ness is, I claim, nothing more than another manifestation of Godlessness.

[ladylib]

Some parents are starting to rattle cages:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_1937831,00.html

Public schools are finding they are going to have to compete with charter schools (more parental input on how things are run) and home schooling (lots of curricula on the web).

[Dick Bachert]

And none too soon, methinks.

[Under the Radar]

So many of those who home-school or send their children to private school will still go ahead and spend their life savings on a college education which will undermine everything they have ever taught the child. We need an all-out attack on the funding of public universities which teach lies, communism, anti-Americanism, secular humanism and general debauchery.

Bump.

I just came from the staff lounge, where several secretaries were talking about how nice it was that one of the professors they worked with had given them flowers today in honor of Karl Marx's birthday. None of the 5 women sitting there gabbing seemed to think that there was anything remiss in this. I briefly considered asking if any of them had gotten flowers in honor of Hitler's birthday, but remembered that I need this job, at least for another 5 months.

However, events like this continue to re-inforce my committment to not pay one dime towards our children's college education. If they want to go to school, they can work their way through. They will be much better consumers if they can actually see what little value they receive for their hard-earned dollars. Of course, growing up they will get to witness first-hand the end-result of taking out students loans, as Mommy writes a check for over a thousand dollars a month until the year 2032...

[mrfixit514]

What a bunch of blathering BS. It may be true of some schools but is not true of most schools. Although it won't take long for all the Education bashers to make it to this thread with their endless whining and complaining.

[mrfixit514]

Good post. Thank you.

[stanz]

Religion is about knowing, loving, and serving God, not about being moral, upstanding, and patriotic.

A bit late, wouldn't you say to respond to something I posted in January?
At any rate,I know what religion is all about. I already explained my views on it. As far as I'm concerned there is no "true" religion.