One thing we should look at is a study, written some time ago but still relevant, caalled SCHOOLING IN CAPITALIST AMERICA. And I think we ought to support such efforts as the Algebra Project, founded by former Civil Rights leader Bob Moses--both to help inner city children who are educationally challenged and to win a CONSTITUTINAL RIGHT to a QUALITY education for the ENTIRE citiaenry.
There should be a good critique of the educational system. My daughter was getting straight A's in school. Now she is in for a real shocker in the 11th grade since they put her in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, since she's an A student, and the work is much more challenging.
This is why parents have to spend $$$ for tutors so that our children will be able to compete. In the meantime, my high property taxes have not yielded the type of education that I expected and should be getting. So I can now look forward to using money that my husband and I, wanted to save for her college on tutoring, to get her up to speed in Algebra 2 and AP classes. She got A's in Algebra 1, but somehow this has not prepared her properly for the next level.
It is really hard on parents that are doing the right thing to get thrown a curve ball with failed school systems that do not prepare the children.
I think individuals should do what they can, naturally. But the problem is too large for individual solutions. Talk about "individual initiative" and "pulling oneself up by one's own bootstraps" is actually WORSE than useless.
-Savant
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Yes, I see. The Indian cultural context may be missing when those words are used in America. Hence Dr. King, while visiting India and noticing the enlightened policies of Nehru and others regarding the untouchables, refers to AA people as America's untoughables.(Actually, he said in that diary that a teacher in a school with untouchable students introduced him as a great "fellow untouchable" from America'). Sartre, observing American racial caste in 1940s America, also refers to the Black population as America's pariahs, or America's "Jews."Oops I can understand what you want to say but using the p-word can put you in LEGAL trouble if you are in India. From the way it has been used for years, if you use it among Indian, you'll called "racist" and it's no-no for an educated prof.
Interestingly it doesn't have bad meaning, it has Tamil origin of people of drummer caste. They enjoyed very favorable place in the society when Tamil Dravidian Kings ruled and became outcast later. Also, Tirukkural one of the most revered holy book for Tamil people(irrespective of religion) was written by Valluvar who was considered as sub-caste of this caste.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraiyar
Now, they are protected by Affirmative Action in India and I believe 10% behind non-dalits in literacy rate. So they are considered more progressive(Indian literacy rate) than any other Dalits. They don't like to call themselves Dalits like other north Indian Dalits, they are called adi-Dravidians meaning they are more natives than Dravidians.
Anyway, why do black people use N-word on each other ?
I've read that some Irishmen, opppressed by the British, used to refer to themselves as the "blacks" or "n****rs" of Europe.
Probably, none of this is in a malicious spirit, but people should be aware of the senstive cultural implicatioins of certain expressions.(In the 1980s, I warned a man from Ireland to NOT use expressions like "we're England's n****rs" around American Blacks. I understand the context and intent, and therefore am not offended. But a man phenotypically white who says that to an average American Black person here might unintentionally provoke hostility.)
_____________
It's not been long since the London pubs had notice board saying: Irish, Indians(like us) and dogs NOT allowed here. I can see why the Irish guy felt bad.
I also see the hypocrisy of our people who'll call Valluvar as Godly person but treat the same caste people as untouchables. May be it's life, some times you are up and some times you are down. Anytime, I'll be rather be a pariah like Valluvar than clown with crown.
Anyway, I think unlike American govt Indian govt is at least trying to make their life better especially by offering free schooling, books, uniforms, etc to make the gap narrow.
Dr. Savant, John and all my readers:
Thrukkural by Valluvar(links down), is highest read Tamil book. Every Tamil group regards him as from their OWN religious faith but probably he was Buddhist.
Tirukkural is poems(1000+) with just 2 lines, may be English cannot do justice but I'll share 2 links of translation:
http://pm.tamil.net/pub/pm0017/pm0017.pdf
http://www.cincinnatitemple.com/downloads/thi...
-EkDesiLadki
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Where one group has absolute power over another such abuses are bound to happen.Morning Savant. I wasn't aware that this type of abuse was going on but I guess since pedophiles have always been with us, it goes with the terrority too. smh.
Indeed, if you check out David Brion Davis' PROBLEM OF SLAVERY IN WESTERN CULTURE, you see that Europeans began practicing these abuses on other Europeans before their conquest of the Americas and their enslavement of Africans.
Ever hear of the "right of the first night"? European noblemen had the right to the FIRST NIGHT with a peasant girl once she was married. Her husband was told to go out to the field and do some plowing while the nobleman bedded his new wife! I've no doubt that medieval nobleman did likewise to attractive peasant boys.
And Roman writer Seneca in one essay mentions the sexual abuse of boy slaves by lecherous masters.
-Savant
___________________
Obama's Rolex must be on "CP"
beverly - 09/28/2011 - 23:46
Obama's Rolex must be on "CP" time. Jobs were the most pressing issue when he got hired in 2008. He waits 3 years to come up with a "jobs plan?"
Just how can the US afford all these tax cuts when trillions are needed to fund all these wars and "humanitarian" interventions?
Tax cuts will do little to spur job creation. Businesses aren't waiting around for tax breaks; if they need to increase production due to increased sales, they hire and invest in equipment. Fact is, businesses can't sell the goods/services they have now. They won't increase hiring on a large scale (or any scale) until they do. Until demand increases in the private sector, the public sector, i.e. federal govt, must itself create jobs.
The 450 billion Obummer proposes should be divided among the states to enable them to hire as well as raise wages of current employees (many who’ve not had raises in 5 years). The federal government needs to allocate another 450 billion for a federal jobs program to repair/build public infrastructure (including upgrading buildings with energy saving materials), build and staff medial facilities (hospitals, doctors’ offices, drug treatment centers, assisted living/senior housing, home health care) in underserved areas. These jobs need to pay the going rate for such work in the private sector, not minimum wages. More funds need to be allocated to community colleges for expansion of enrollment and programs to fill the increasing need for this educational option.
Rural communities haven't had any meaningful revitalization since the New Deal. 300 billion needs to go to these areas to create public transportation, provide housing (including apartments and senior living housing that are nonexistent but needed here), provide affordable Internet access, and improve access to quality education.
Drug treatment (including alcohol abuse and mental illness) centers need to be built (military bases that should be closed but aren't due to devastation of local economies can be converted into these facilities). I'd estimate at least 50% of the prison population are addicts, alcoholics, and mentally ill people who need in-patient treatment, not regular prison incarceration. Drug treatment centers would alleivate jail overcrowding and the injustice/fultility of imprisoning those needing medical help. Said centers are also a boon for job creation (medical staff, education/vocation training staff, maintenance, administrative, etc.).
6. Stop all foreclosures regardless of whether they are product of the subprime scam. Allow homeowners to work out reasonable interest-free payment plans with monthly payments that will be no more than what the owner originally paid.
7. Offer those who have been foreclosed on due to the subprime mess to return to their homes with same conditions in #5. If home no longer available, allow foreclosed family to locate another comparable home and get same conditions as #5. Erase foreclosure from credit record of all homeowners.
8. Reduce by 75% number of HB-type visas issued. There are sufficient numbers of US citizens qualified (or can be easily trained) to do these jobs.
*Any “incentives” or tax breaks for corporations should be contingent upon corporation maintaining a minimum of 55% of its operations in the US with emphasis on setting up shop in rural areas and rust belt cities. Tax breaks should also be given to companies that hire long-term unemployed, people with criminal records, people over 50, and people with poor credit (some employers are shunning the long term jobless and those with bad credit. If the job doesn't involve handling money, why is one's credit rating and issue? The person probably got the bad rating due to unemployment or high medical bills.).
As usual, Obummer offers up an ineffective band-aid when a tourniquet is required. Such is no surprise. This modus operandi has worked quite well during his reign: put forth a sham plan to appear to be working in the public's interest when in reality said plan does the opposite. The only one's whose interest this plan benefits is Obummer, as he uses it to boost his re-election chances.
Just how can the US afford all these tax cuts when trillions are needed to fund all these wars and "humanitarian" interventions?
Tax cuts will do little to spur job creation. Businesses aren't waiting around for tax breaks; if they need to increase production due to increased sales, they hire and invest in equipment. Fact is, businesses can't sell the goods/services they have now. They won't increase hiring on a large scale (or any scale) until they do. Until demand increases in the private sector, the public sector, i.e. federal govt, must itself create jobs.
The 450 billion Obummer proposes should be divided among the states to enable them to hire as well as raise wages of current employees (many who’ve not had raises in 5 years). The federal government needs to allocate another 450 billion for a federal jobs program to repair/build public infrastructure (including upgrading buildings with energy saving materials), build and staff medial facilities (hospitals, doctors’ offices, drug treatment centers, assisted living/senior housing, home health care) in underserved areas. These jobs need to pay the going rate for such work in the private sector, not minimum wages. More funds need to be allocated to community colleges for expansion of enrollment and programs to fill the increasing need for this educational option.
Rural communities haven't had any meaningful revitalization since the New Deal. 300 billion needs to go to these areas to create public transportation, provide housing (including apartments and senior living housing that are nonexistent but needed here), provide affordable Internet access, and improve access to quality education.
Drug treatment (including alcohol abuse and mental illness) centers need to be built (military bases that should be closed but aren't due to devastation of local economies can be converted into these facilities). I'd estimate at least 50% of the prison population are addicts, alcoholics, and mentally ill people who need in-patient treatment, not regular prison incarceration. Drug treatment centers would alleivate jail overcrowding and the injustice/fultility of imprisoning those needing medical help. Said centers are also a boon for job creation (medical staff, education/vocation training staff, maintenance, administrative, etc.).
To pay for this initiative:
1. End wars in Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
2. Assess 3% tax on all stock transactions.
3. End all corporate tax loopholes*. Over half of large corporations pay little or nothing in taxes. This amounts to billions of dollars yearly of lost revenue. Double staff/funding of IRS with express intent of pursuing taxes owed by corporate scofflaws.
4. End farm subsidies for corporate agriculture. Subsidies would only go to small farmers (200 acres or less) with more funds going to those who practice organic farming and use no hormones in livestock.
5. Tariffs on goods and services (ex: call centers) derived from jobs that were outsourced by US corporations to foreign lands.1. End wars in Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
2. Assess 3% tax on all stock transactions.
3. End all corporate tax loopholes*. Over half of large corporations pay little or nothing in taxes. This amounts to billions of dollars yearly of lost revenue. Double staff/funding of IRS with express intent of pursuing taxes owed by corporate scofflaws.
4. End farm subsidies for corporate agriculture. Subsidies would only go to small farmers (200 acres or less) with more funds going to those who practice organic farming and use no hormones in livestock.
6. Stop all foreclosures regardless of whether they are product of the subprime scam. Allow homeowners to work out reasonable interest-free payment plans with monthly payments that will be no more than what the owner originally paid.
7. Offer those who have been foreclosed on due to the subprime mess to return to their homes with same conditions in #5. If home no longer available, allow foreclosed family to locate another comparable home and get same conditions as #5. Erase foreclosure from credit record of all homeowners.
8. Reduce by 75% number of HB-type visas issued. There are sufficient numbers of US citizens qualified (or can be easily trained) to do these jobs.
*Any “incentives” or tax breaks for corporations should be contingent upon corporation maintaining a minimum of 55% of its operations in the US with emphasis on setting up shop in rural areas and rust belt cities. Tax breaks should also be given to companies that hire long-term unemployed, people with criminal records, people over 50, and people with poor credit (some employers are shunning the long term jobless and those with bad credit. If the job doesn't involve handling money, why is one's credit rating and issue? The person probably got the bad rating due to unemployment or high medical bills.).
As usual, Obummer offers up an ineffective band-aid when a tourniquet is required. Such is no surprise. This modus operandi has worked quite well during his reign: put forth a sham plan to appear to be working in the public's interest when in reality said plan does the opposite. The only one's whose interest this plan benefits is Obummer, as he uses it to boost his re-election chances.
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