rmpeddie,
I've seen this posted a couple times now. Can you guide me toward an article or two about this?
-d
The boys here have a pretty good pulse about whats going on: The Daily Reckoning
Their book titled empire of debt is a great read. Also their daily email newsletter is fun to read (despite the gloom) and something I look forward to; sign up. Finally check out Peak Oil: Life After the Oil Crash
for some truly interesting reading. Combined they have been very accurate of things to come 6-8 weeks out. Cheers!
I have been reading the New Yorker, Michelle Malkin, the Weekly Standard and a few other blog sites that all confirm my post on the war. There are a few others but I'm on vaca, away from my list o' fav's, and have tickled to many brain cells the past week to remember them all.
I realize these are all considered right-wing sites and am opening myself up to those who oppose. But as stated in other posts. I'm not a republican. I also read left-wing and libertarian blogs to maintain my views. Another point that I use is the fact that main-stream coverage hasn't had so much to say on the war. No news is good news (remember Gary Ganu?).
I'm not trying to say that it's all cherries over there but things are improving. Helios supports my claim and if you've been reading any of his posts on the war the past few months you'll agree that he's pretty well read. Not saying his word is the only. Just pointing out that folks who have been critical on this war are in agreement that things are changing. Sure, there are endless scenarios that folks can come up with. The insurgents are just laying low and waiting for us to leave to the Iraq government actually taking control. I try not to get caught up in what might be. Facts remain that violence is down... period.
The last issue of the New Yorker (Nov. 19, 2007) has a big article entitled Letter from Iraq... Inside the Surge by Jon Lee Anderson not to be confused with the country singer who sang seminoe wind. Anyway, he is in Iraq and has some insights and insider knowledge that is powerful. His article is a must read for anyone interested in the surge and explains very well the roles sunni's and shiite's have been playing. A long but worth-while read.
I like how we've brought in education to this thread. I too am a secondary educator who teach's English (3rd generation). Remember the President who developed the Dept of Ed and the joke that it is today? Budgets? I'm for privatization of schools. Public schools suck... too many agendas (both personal and political). Get the government out of my classroom ASAP. I do not want their money. I fund a bunch of my projects out of my own pocket. Sure I scrounge to eat sometimes but that's the price I pay as a public school teacher. I chose this lifestyle because I like making a difference... not money.
This is not a personal attack on you TMTTR. You are very well educated and have great input. I feel your pain.
GH... maybe you've missed the reports beacuse you spend too much time posting on this site (joke, going back to summer threads). Yeah we outspent the Russians. Star Wars scared the shit out of them. Maybe the terrorists took a page out of our playbook.
Thanks for the support- as teachers we are really the only ones who truly understand the issues- the most important of which being that these are children- not consumer products. I don't know that I am for privatization, however. I also spend a lot of money out of pocket, not just for normal supplies, but even for extra pens and notebooks and paper for students who can't supply their own. How would their parents be able to pay tuition?
I worked at a Charter school for two years and watched the constant struggle to raise funds until it finally went under. I still believe that all children should have equal access to education and funding is the biggest issue right now.
On the other subject, but still because of education, I can't help but be outraged by the amount of money we are spending in Iraq. Although, a former student of mine returned on leave last week after a two year tour and said that it is nothing like the news portrays it.
He said that as a ground combatant (his job apparently), he has seen only two minor skirmishes in the last 7 months. He said that when something does happen and it goes badly, it's because they have remained immobile for so long that they are often unprepared mentally, if not physically, resulting in higher casualties.
Those were his words, not mine- but I thought it was an interesting point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmpeddie
Happy Holidays to all,
I have been reading the New Yorker, Michelle Malkin, the Weekly Standard and a few other blog sites that all confirm my post on the war. There are a few others but I'm on vaca, away from my list o' fav's, and have tickled to many brain cells the past week to remember them all.
I realize these are all considered right-wing sites and am opening myself up to those who oppose. But as stated in other posts. I'm not a republican. I also read left-wing and libertarian blogs to maintain my views. Another point that I use is the fact that main-stream coverage hasn't had so much to say on the war. No news is good news (remember Gary Ganu?).
I'm not trying to say that it's all cherries over there but things are improving. Helios supports my claim and if you've been reading any of his posts on the war the past few months you'll agree that he's pretty well read. Not saying his word is the only. Just pointing out that folks who have been critical on this war are in agreement that things are changing. Sure, there are endless scenarios that folks can come up with. The insurgents are just laying low and waiting for us to leave to the Iraq government actually taking control. I try not to get caught up in what might be. Facts remain that violence is down... period.
The last issue of the New Yorker (Nov. 19, 2007) has a big article entitled Letter from Iraq... Inside the Surge by Jon Lee Anderson not to be confused with the country singer who sang seminoe wind. Anyway, he is in Iraq and has some insights and insider knowledge that is powerful. His article is a must read for anyone interested in the surge and explains very well the roles sunni's and shiite's have been playing. A long but worth-while read.
I like how we've brought in education to this thread. I too am a secondary educator who teach's English (3rd generation). Remember the President who developed the Dept of Ed and the joke that it is today? Budgets? I'm for privatization of schools. Public schools suck... too many agendas (both personal and political). Get the government out of my classroom ASAP. I do not want their money. I fund a bunch of my projects out of my own pocket. Sure I scrounge to eat sometimes but that's the price I pay as a public school teacher. I chose this lifestyle because I like making a difference... not money.
This is not a personal attack on you TMTTR. You are very well educated and have great input. I feel your pain.
GH... maybe you've missed the reports beacuse you spend too much time posting on this site (joke, going back to summer threads). Yeah we outspent the Russians. Star Wars scared the shit out of them. Maybe the terrorists took a page out of our playbook.
It does my eyes good to read that last post and my thoughts, prayers, and thanks go out to your kid.
As far as privatization of school goes there has to be a voucher or something of the like for the underprivs. I've worked most of my life with alternative ed and understand that 95% of my students couldn't afford it. This is where is gets gray.
I'm not the most brilliant guy and can't really expalin this voucher idea yet but am working on it. Mike Rosenthal... on 850 KOA in Denver has a pretty good grip on this idea. He comes off a bit harsh but makes some good points. I don't know if he has put it in writing but worth checking out if you have a minute.
Just like private colleges... private schools would rely heavily on donations from allums and other supporters. Yeah yeah yeah this gets even more gray. I don't have the answers but acknowledge the fact that we can't keep this up. It needs to be discussed further in the arena of ideas.
Whoever said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world- indeed it's the only thing that ever has," was right on the mark. Only conversation, brainstorming, and collaboration are going to improve the system; not government sanctioned ideals.
Vouchers and alumni support are obviously important considerations, but I don't think that should stop us from requiring our government to support educational systems in a positive way. As teachers, we should not be accountable to people sitting in the house on the hill, far removed from our kids; on the contrary, they should be held accountable to those of us who are "in the trenches" (to use a tired cliche).
Not to open a new can of worms, but for a country that is so steeped in a system of canned faith, it would be refreshing to see some real faith in the good intentions and the abilities of other people. For example, I am a teacher because it's what I do well and because I believe in it. I would never run for president because I would be terrible at that. I think the president should have faith in me to do my job well. I tried to call him about it, but he didn't answer. (Yes, after 6 years of teaching, I am still an idealist.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmpeddie
It does my eyes good to read that last post and my thoughts, prayers, and thanks go out to your kid.
As far as privatization of school goes there has to be a voucher or something of the like for the underprivs. I've worked most of my life with alternative ed and understand that 95% of my students couldn't afford it. This is where is gets gray.
I'm not the most brilliant guy and can't really expalin this voucher idea yet but am working on it. Mike Rosenthal... on 850 KOA in Denver has a pretty good grip on this idea. He comes off a bit harsh but makes some good points. I don't know if he has put it in writing but worth checking out if you have a minute.
Just like private colleges... private schools would rely heavily on donations from allums and other supporters. Yeah yeah yeah this gets even more gray. I don't have the answers but acknowledge the fact that we can't keep this up. It needs to be discussed further in the arena of ideas.
RM, after reading your original post I did read quite a few articles that backed up your point that things were improving. And yes you are probably right about your joke and nice shot by the way.
__________________
"I'm not here to make a record, ya stupid cracker" Governor Pappy O Daniel
the key to fixing economy is legalizing the herb the taxes that could be generated for all newbies not knowing anything about fine mari jane, than
an ounce usually goes for around $350 which im pretty sure is more expensive than gold !
get the worthless meth heads on this wonder drug and they turn productive which inturn helps the economy its fucking easy and all the kids that buy expensive house and only pay interest is what is ruining the country!
cigerettes are a day of the past, they kill and promote cancerous growths unlike marijane which halts if not stopps the spread of cancer.
While I agree that legalizing Marijuana would boost certain aspects of the economy while also freeing up security resources for more vital needs, Caspermike you are both misinformed (pot helps with nausea and pain, it does not stop the spread of cancer) and unintelligible (since when do sentences end with "than"?). Good morning. (understand that this is a friendly jibe)
Quote:
Originally Posted by caspermike
the key to fixing economy is legalizing the herb the taxes that could be generated for all newbies not knowing anything about fine mari jane, than
an ounce usually goes for around $350 which im pretty sure is more expensive than gold !
get the worthless meth heads on this wonder drug and they turn productive which inturn helps the economy its fucking easy and all the kids that buy expensive house and only pay interest is what is ruining the country!
cigerettes are a day of the past, they kill and promote cancerous growths unlike marijane which halts if not stopps the spread of cancer.
While I agree that legalizing Marijuana would boost certain aspects of the economy while also freeing up security resources for more vital needs, Caspermike you are both misinformed (pot helps with nausea and pain, it does not stop the spread of cancer) and unintelligible (since when do sentences end with "than"?). Good morning. (understand that this is a friendly jibe)
YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO SOME MORE READING MATERIAL IT HAULTS THE SPREAD OF CANCEROUS CELLS. ILL BRING MY MATERIAL AND GIVE YOU RESOURCES SINCE EVERYBODY BUT YOU SPEWS BULL SHIT RIGHT? AND THAN MEANING READ ON I NEVER SAID IT IS A CURE FOR CANCER BUT WITH NEW RESEARCH BEING DONE BY NONE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS NOT TRYING TO KEEP IT ON NARCOTICS LISTING RATING HIGHER ON THERE STUPID SCALE THAN COCAINE AND METH, AND LSD
READ EVEN A COUPLE MAGAZINES BUT YOU WON'T EVER KNOW TILL YOU CULTIVATE FOR PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED THAN SEE WHAT REALLY MATTERS ITS NOT THE ECONOMY ITS THE PEOPLE.
Last edited by caspermike; 11-28-2007 at 11:48 AM..
"Researchers stressed that they were not encouraging cancer patients to smoke pot, adding that it would be highly unlikely for patients to receive an effective concentration of the compound in that way." Cannabis compound stops spread of breast cancer: researchers
Hmmm... that's too bad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by caspermike
YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO SOME MORE READING MATERIAL IT HAULTS THE SPREAD OF CANCEROUS CELLS. ILL BRING MY MATERIAL AND GIVE YOU RESOURCES SINCE EVERYBODY BUT YOU SPEWS BULL SHIT RIGHT? AND THAN MEANING READ ON I NEVER SAID IT IS A CURE FOR CANCER BUT WITH NEW RESEARCH BEING DONE BY NONE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS NOT TRYING TO KEEP IT ON NARCOTICS LISTING RATING HIGHER ON THERE STUPID SCALE THAN COCAINE AND METH, AND LSD
READ EVEN A COUPLE MAGAZINES BUT YOU WON'T EVER KNOW TILL YOU CULTIVATE FOR PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED THAN SEE WHAT REALLY MATTERS ITS NOT THE ECONOMY ITS THE PEOPLE.
(Yes, after 6 years of teaching, I am still an idealist.)
(understand that this is a friendly jibe)
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