Timebuilder
Entrepreneur
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Posts
- 4,625
Fortunately, I have some more time before I have to get off the Embassy suites' computer at BTR.
I think that kind of behavior is part-and-parcel to being a student in almost any school. You're a "rah', a "jock", a "nerd", or what ever names kids are using these days to divide thenselves into smaller groups. This went on when there was prayer in school, and has continued without it. If, as you say, that is exactly what will happen, I don't think you'll find a lot of praying kids starting the fights. I'll bet you WILL finding them defending themselves, though.
The only link that I have is the "link to my past". When I was in fourth grade, waaaaaaaay back in 1962, we had a few scuffles on the playground at my school. We had no guns in our school, no knifings (although many of us were scouts, and were allowed to carry our scout knives to school) or injurious attacks of any kind. Same goes for the high school in our district. We behaved well for a number of reasons, and none of them are politically correct. When mom said "wait till your father gets home" there was no CPS employee ready to lock him up for not "sparing the rod". Almost every kid attended one kind of church or another. During Chanukah, our two jewish students taught us all the "dradel song" and taught us how the game itself was played. Our moms were not encouraged by a national organization to put their family duties aside and "find themselves". So, while prayer wasn't the only difference, you will find that those who are people of prayer today often have great respect for the same values that kept us happy and safe in our schools "back then".
Unless you know more about turbo than I do (and I am familiar with him), I wouldn't put too much stock in your analysis. Of course, I am happy that you can express your position.
Mr. Irrelevant:
Perhaps I should establish a better idea of what I mean about Thomas. Unlike real affirmative action programs, where the government or private groups (such as rainbow/push) bring sanctions against corporations or organizations if a certain number of minority faces are not seen in key positions, the appointment of Thomas was completly voluntary, and without threat of official sanction. He may not have been the brightest star at his school, but I don't have direct knowlege of that. How did Sandra Day O'Connor do? Propably well, but was she the best? Did she move up through the law profession based solely on her abilities, or was there a component of gender preferences along the way? I confess, I don't know. That's the insidious part of preferences: if you benefit from them, a shadow hangs over your head, suggesting that it was a major factor in your hiring, admittance or promotion, rather than your abilities in the job, or the amount of preparation you have when applying for the job. I'll bet a lot of pilots look at crews at United that way, or they wouldn't have that nickname.
At any rate, Thomas was nominated becuase he was wanted in the position for more reasons than his race. Also it's more than likely that it was a benefit to all african americans that a conservative judge who isn't white be nominated to the court, showing all that not every black judge wants to align themselves with Jesse Jackson.
Now, suppose Clarence Thomas was a mediocre engineer who was hired by a large auto manufacturer. Then I'd say yes, affirmative action has probably played a part. That company has a lot to lose if they can't produce enough faces to satisfy tyhe law and the special interest groups.
I agree. The people of Massachusets have every right to return 'ol Ted to the senate. Has he had a liver transplant yet?
Hey, a good and mostly civil discussion, everyone. Well done.
Those of you who DO pray, say one for me as I dodge those storms going back into IAD, and for our President.
I think that kind of behavior is part-and-parcel to being a student in almost any school. You're a "rah', a "jock", a "nerd", or what ever names kids are using these days to divide thenselves into smaller groups. This went on when there was prayer in school, and has continued without it. If, as you say, that is exactly what will happen, I don't think you'll find a lot of praying kids starting the fights. I'll bet you WILL finding them defending themselves, though.
The only link that I have is the "link to my past". When I was in fourth grade, waaaaaaaay back in 1962, we had a few scuffles on the playground at my school. We had no guns in our school, no knifings (although many of us were scouts, and were allowed to carry our scout knives to school) or injurious attacks of any kind. Same goes for the high school in our district. We behaved well for a number of reasons, and none of them are politically correct. When mom said "wait till your father gets home" there was no CPS employee ready to lock him up for not "sparing the rod". Almost every kid attended one kind of church or another. During Chanukah, our two jewish students taught us all the "dradel song" and taught us how the game itself was played. Our moms were not encouraged by a national organization to put their family duties aside and "find themselves". So, while prayer wasn't the only difference, you will find that those who are people of prayer today often have great respect for the same values that kept us happy and safe in our schools "back then".
Unless you know more about turbo than I do (and I am familiar with him), I wouldn't put too much stock in your analysis. Of course, I am happy that you can express your position.
Mr. Irrelevant:
Perhaps I should establish a better idea of what I mean about Thomas. Unlike real affirmative action programs, where the government or private groups (such as rainbow/push) bring sanctions against corporations or organizations if a certain number of minority faces are not seen in key positions, the appointment of Thomas was completly voluntary, and without threat of official sanction. He may not have been the brightest star at his school, but I don't have direct knowlege of that. How did Sandra Day O'Connor do? Propably well, but was she the best? Did she move up through the law profession based solely on her abilities, or was there a component of gender preferences along the way? I confess, I don't know. That's the insidious part of preferences: if you benefit from them, a shadow hangs over your head, suggesting that it was a major factor in your hiring, admittance or promotion, rather than your abilities in the job, or the amount of preparation you have when applying for the job. I'll bet a lot of pilots look at crews at United that way, or they wouldn't have that nickname.
At any rate, Thomas was nominated becuase he was wanted in the position for more reasons than his race. Also it's more than likely that it was a benefit to all african americans that a conservative judge who isn't white be nominated to the court, showing all that not every black judge wants to align themselves with Jesse Jackson.
Now, suppose Clarence Thomas was a mediocre engineer who was hired by a large auto manufacturer. Then I'd say yes, affirmative action has probably played a part. That company has a lot to lose if they can't produce enough faces to satisfy tyhe law and the special interest groups.
I agree. The people of Massachusets have every right to return 'ol Ted to the senate. Has he had a liver transplant yet?
Hey, a good and mostly civil discussion, everyone. Well done.
Those of you who DO pray, say one for me as I dodge those storms going back into IAD, and for our President.
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