Checklist
The following checklist is provided in hopes of rescuing the unwary from the clutches of "progressive" ideology:
"You might be a progressive if ..."
Recovery will likely require extensive exposure to unrevised U.S. history, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the writings of the Founders.
DEBORAH S. "DEB" PHILLIPS
Lewisville
Look to Greece
I think we should be looking at Greece as a cautionary tale, and, perhaps, a model for a way out of our financial crisis. Its economic mess is not that different from ours. The same cast of characters and failed policies that are responsible for many of our problems are evident there, as well.
Greece's government has not been able to agree or take meaningful action on anything that would boost employment or stimulate its economy. Instead, the politicians have tied themselves in knots trying to figure out the best way to make the citizens shoulder the burden of their crushing deficit. They have run out of money and out of time while they spun their wheels trying to find a quick fix to what needs to be a thoughtful, long-term plan that addresses the root causes. Does this sound familiar?
For anyone who can't imagine the United States ever having to beg another country to bail it out, just look at how indebted we are to China right now.
One of the options Greece's "super committee" is looking at is asking the bankers and financiers to bail out the government as an emergency measure. What a novel idea, asking the mega-rich to loan their country the money to get back on its feet, instead of the other way around.
Maybe we should quit discussing corporate tax rates, for now, and just offer the companies we bailed out the opportunity to invest in the United States and return the favor.
MELODY THOMSON
Winston-Salem
Feeling the pinch
Thank you for your Nov. 15 editorial "Time to end delusions: Education funding." The educators of Forsyth County have been feeling the pinch of the legislative budget cuts for the last four years. Most of us understand that sacrifices had to be made in order to keep the children of Forsyth County educated. We have endured furlough days and benefit changes. Our classified employees have had their hours reduced and days cut. Positions are not being filled as normal attrition occurs.
Our school counselors are overworked, with the increase in family stresses due to the economy. More children and families need services that are provided by fewer people with fewer resources. Our media specialists are charged with the daunting job of preparing children for the skills they will need to be successful adults. Technology and research skills are essential for every child in the 21st century, no matter what their socio-economic status may be. Reducing the number of people to teach these skills and not providing adequate technology will further hinder our children.
The legislature has not owned up to its part in this constant draining away of funding for public education. It insists that it supports us. It insists that it is fully funding public education when it is evident that it is not. It is time for the legislature to stand up for the children of North Carolina.
ANN PETITJEAN
PRESIDENT
FORSYTH COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS
Winston Salem
The following checklist is provided in hopes of rescuing the unwary from the clutches of "progressive" ideology:
"You might be a progressive if ..."
- You think that those who disagree with your sociopolitical views are stupid, bigoted or racist.
- You rail against the greed and power-lust of corporations, but not of labor unions.
- You believe the conservative billionaire Koch brothers are a threat to the Republic, but view leftist billionaire George Soros as an upstanding humanitarian.
- You blame banks, corporations and the "rich" for wrecking the economy, but dismiss the culpability of Congress, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
- You think the Occupy leftists, anarchists and anti-capitalists are praiseworthy, but regard tea partiers as laughable at best and menacing at worst.
- You want the president to institute laws without congressional approval.
- You think God is a myth, but government is divine .
- You idolize the 1947 U.S. Supreme Court's pivotal misapplication of the "separation of church and state."
- You have an aversion to the American flag, the Pledge of Allegiance and the lowly incandescent light bulb. But you applaud multiculturalism, socialism and imprudently subsidized "green" energy.
Recovery will likely require extensive exposure to unrevised U.S. history, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the writings of the Founders.
DEBORAH S. "DEB" PHILLIPS
Lewisville
Look to Greece
I think we should be looking at Greece as a cautionary tale, and, perhaps, a model for a way out of our financial crisis. Its economic mess is not that different from ours. The same cast of characters and failed policies that are responsible for many of our problems are evident there, as well.
Greece's government has not been able to agree or take meaningful action on anything that would boost employment or stimulate its economy. Instead, the politicians have tied themselves in knots trying to figure out the best way to make the citizens shoulder the burden of their crushing deficit. They have run out of money and out of time while they spun their wheels trying to find a quick fix to what needs to be a thoughtful, long-term plan that addresses the root causes. Does this sound familiar?
For anyone who can't imagine the United States ever having to beg another country to bail it out, just look at how indebted we are to China right now.
One of the options Greece's "super committee" is looking at is asking the bankers and financiers to bail out the government as an emergency measure. What a novel idea, asking the mega-rich to loan their country the money to get back on its feet, instead of the other way around.
Maybe we should quit discussing corporate tax rates, for now, and just offer the companies we bailed out the opportunity to invest in the United States and return the favor.
MELODY THOMSON
Winston-Salem
Feeling the pinch
Thank you for your Nov. 15 editorial "Time to end delusions: Education funding." The educators of Forsyth County have been feeling the pinch of the legislative budget cuts for the last four years. Most of us understand that sacrifices had to be made in order to keep the children of Forsyth County educated. We have endured furlough days and benefit changes. Our classified employees have had their hours reduced and days cut. Positions are not being filled as normal attrition occurs.
Our school counselors are overworked, with the increase in family stresses due to the economy. More children and families need services that are provided by fewer people with fewer resources. Our media specialists are charged with the daunting job of preparing children for the skills they will need to be successful adults. Technology and research skills are essential for every child in the 21st century, no matter what their socio-economic status may be. Reducing the number of people to teach these skills and not providing adequate technology will further hinder our children.
The legislature has not owned up to its part in this constant draining away of funding for public education. It insists that it supports us. It insists that it is fully funding public education when it is evident that it is not. It is time for the legislature to stand up for the children of North Carolina.
ANN PETITJEAN
PRESIDENT
FORSYTH COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS
Winston Salem
You might be a conservative if...
ReplyDeleteYou think "proletariat" is a type of cheese.
You've named your kids "Deduction one" and "Deduction two."
You've tried to argue that poverty could be abolished if people were just allowed to keep more of their minimum wage.
You've ever referred to someone as "my (insert racial or ethnic minority here) friend"
You've ever tried to prove Jesus was a capitalist and opposed to welfare.
You're a pro-lifer, but support the death penalty.
You think Huey Newton is a cookie.
The only union you support is the Baseball Players, because heck, they're richer than you.
You think you might remember laughing once as a kid.
You once broke loose at a party and removed your neck tie.
You call mall rent-a-cops "jack-booted thugs."
You've ever referred to the moral fiber of something.
You've ever uttered the phrase, "Why don't we just bomb the sons of bitches."
You've ever said, "I can't wait to get into business school."
You've ever called a secretary or waitress "Tootsie."
You answer to "The Man."
You don't think "The Simpsons" is all that funny, but you watch it because that Flanders fellow makes a lot of sense.
You fax the FBI a list of "Commies in my Neighborhood."
You don't let your kids watch Sesame Street because you suspect Bert and Ernie of "sexual deviance."
You use any of these terms to describe your wife: Old ball and chain, little woman, old lady, tax credit...
You scream "Dit-dit-ditto" while making love.
You've argued that art has a "moral foundation set in Western values."
When people say "Marx," you think "Groucho."
You've ever yelled, "Hey hippie, get a haircut."
You think Birkenstok was that radical rock concert in 1969.
You argue that you need 300 handguns, in case a bear ever attacks your home.
Vietnam makes a lot of sense to you.
You point to Hootie and the Blowfish as evidence of the end of racism in America.
You've ever said "civil liberties, schmivil schmiberties."
You've ever said "Clean air? Looks clean to me."
You've ever referred to Anita Hill as a "lying bitch" while attending a Bob Packwood fund-raiser.
You spent MLK Day reading "The Bell Curve."
You've ever called education a luxury.
You look down through a glass ceiling and chuckle.
You wonder if donations to the Pentagon are tax-deductable.
You came of age in the '60s and don't remember Bob Dylan.
You own a vehicle with an "Ollie North: American Hero" sticker.
You're afraid of the "liberal media."
You ever based an argument on the phrase, "Well, tradition dictates...."
You've ever called the National Endowment for the Arts a bunch of pornographers.
You think all artists are gay.
You ever told a child that Oscar the Grouch "lives in a trash can because he is lazy and doesn't want to contribute to society."
You've ever urged someone to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, when they don't even have shoes.
You confuse Lenin with Lennon.
Addendum:
ReplyDeleteYou think Lexington and Concord are in New Hampshire.
You think Paul Revere warned, uh, the British that they weren’t gonna be takin’ away our arms, uh, by ringin’ those bells and, um, makin’ sure as he’s ridin’ his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that...
You cheer executions in Texas.
You cheer letting uninsured people die.
... You boo soldiers in Iraq.
You think the Founders worked tirelessly until they abolished slavery.
You think China is seeking to acquire nuclear capabilities.
You confuse John Wayne being from your home towm with John Wayne Gacy.
Pretty good, Bob.
ReplyDeleteMost "points" in Deb's rant commit the common logical fallacy usually referred to as "either/or", as in "America, love it or leave it."
Her assumption is that everyone is as narrow minded as she is. If you turn her points around, you get a clear picture of her extremely slim little brain.
I never said that she was "...stupid, bigoted or racist." Just that she is as ignorant as the inside of an empty peanut butter jar.
Speaking of unrevised History, it was Deb that said "Israel was a sovereign nation until 130AD."
ReplyDeleteDeb Phillips....while a list like you made can seem clever, it can be answered with equal cleverness as happened. Never allow open fields of fire so close to your still warm keyboard.
ReplyDeleteLook to Greece. Good idea. Look to Spain, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Netherlands etc. Insolvency, debt, promised entitelements made to current recipients but paid for by future taxpayers, no ecomomic growth, and aging demographics. On the other hand, just look at California, Illinois, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
ReplyDeleteWe really shouldn't blame Deb. Attending Pat Robertson's "university" must be like spending four years in an intellectual Twilight Zone. I assume it was her parents who sent her there...they will be punished at an appropriate time in the future.
ReplyDeleteOT....this is so far off the subject that Bob might want to thrash me with a toothless mongrel houn'dog. Do you remember listening to BBC back in the mid 1990's on weekends to a radio program called "My Word"? Come to think of it, Bob might have heard of it too? Funniest radio show I have ever heard and to this day I can't find it in archives, CD, vinyl or anything. WFDD couldn't even help me.
ReplyDeletewhy I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it,:)
ReplyDeleteI would thrash you to within an inch of your life, if I had a ruler.
"...and I am unanimous in this!"
ReplyDeleteYes, a great show...informative and hilarious. We used to play a similar game when I was a kid...have no idea what the name was...but my sisters and I all ended up with enormous vocabularies.
ReplyDeleteYou can listen to "My Word" on the radio here: http://tunein.com/radio/My-Word-p934/
And there are episodes for sale somewhere...just Google "My Word" BBC and you will find quite a few links. Be sure to use the quotation marks.
There is a huge archive of BBC comedy going back to pre-WW II days here:
http://www.bluehaze.com.au/mmedia/radio_shows.html
Hmm, I might could see what you said if my tongue hadn't gotten caught behind my eye tooth.
ReplyDeleteOT....well I'll be! Thanks for the help. I have looked and asked but most people didn't even know what I was talking about.
ReplyDeleteThanks O.T. !!!
ReplyDeleteDid anyone notice Sharon made an appearance last night? I thought she had managed to misplace herself.
ReplyDeleteAh Yes, HI SHARON, ☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥
ReplyDelete:), WW, you are correct, this thanksgiving I will be giving thanks to Deb for opening up that Pandora's Box
ReplyDeleteBob, I can imagine. Careful about that Box though.
ReplyDeletecan of worms, perhaps
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon folks! Great to see Sharon post last night. We've missed you!
ReplyDeleteLTE 1: Didn't Deb submit this a month or two ago? If putting on ideological glasses that only allow you to see the world as having just 2 polar opposite viewpoints makes you happy, then have at it, but be aware that the real world is far more complicated. Projecting like this only invites ridicule. Btw...LED bulbs are way better than the "lowly incandescent" bulbs.
LTE 2: Our situation and economy are worlds apart from Greece. It's like trying to compare New Jersey's economy with the US's. And no, there won't be any "bailing out" of the US ever because the US economy dwarfs every other country including China. The biggest owner of US debt is the Fed Reserve followed by US citizens. China is the largest foreign owner of US debt, but it is far from being the largest owner.
LTE 3: Finally, an LTE based on reality. Unfortunately, the reality is that thanks to the state legislatures being so concerned about my having to spend an extra $0.50 to $1.00 a week in sales tax, the educators are being thrown to the wolves as Ms. Petitjean shows. The BS being spewed by legislators about how their cuts haven't affected the classroom is revealed here to be outright lies. It wouldn't be surprising if the courts were to get involved.
Again agree w/dotnet. We don't need to be looking at Greece or anywhere else. There is nothing that even comes close to comparing with the US economy. There does not need to be a bailout because we are NOT broke.
ReplyDeleteWhat we need is action. As Bob Dylan puts it:
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.
In other words, the tea party obstructionists need to get out of the way so that we can raise taxes and take action to reduce spending without dealing the economy a death blow and GET MOVING. Boy how I miss LBJ...he would have had those tax whining losers out at the woodshed learning some new songs by now.
Fox's Megyn Kelly: Pepper Spray Used On UC-Davis Protesters Is "A Food Product, Essentially"
ReplyDeleteMegyn, if I throw up on you that would essentially be a food product too.
Bob, if Megyn would open her ignorant mouth for me, I would be happy to give her some of this food product right down the throat. Here is all you really need to know about Fox news:
ReplyDeleteFox News Viewers Know Less Than People Who Don't Watch Any News: Study
First Posted: 11/21/11 05:28 PM ET Updated: 11/21/11 06:06 PM ET
Fox News viewers are less informed than people who don't watch any news, according to a new poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
The poll surveyed New Jersey residents about the uprisings in Egypt and the Middle East, and where they get their news sources. The study, which controlled for demographic factors like education and partisanship, found that "people who watch Fox News are 18-points less likely to know that Egyptians overthrew their government" and "6-points less likely to know that Syrians have not yet overthrown their government" compared to those who watch no news.
Overall, 53% of all respondents knew that Egyptians successfully overthrew Hosni Mubarak and 48% knew that Syrians have yet to overthrow their government.
Dan Cassino, a political science professor at Fairleigh Dickinson, explained in a statement, "Because of the controls for partisanship, we know these results are not just driven by Republicans or other groups being more likely to watch Fox News. Rather, the results show us that there is something about watching Fox News that leads people to do worse on these questions than those who don’t watch any news at all."
This isn't the first study that has found that Fox News viewers more misinformed in comparison to others. Last year, a study from the University of Maryland found that Fox News viewers were more likely to believe false information about politics.
The really scary part of that story is this:
ReplyDeleteOverall, 53% of all respondents knew that Egyptians successfully overthrew Hosni Mubarak and 48% knew that Syrians have yet to overthrow their government.
Does this mean that about half of New Jersey residents live in areas where the news is still delivered by Herman Cain's version of the Pony Express, or are they too busy working out their fantasy football lineups to keep informed?