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#271673 - 11/05/04 04:43 PM
"W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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A Grant Wood painting.
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1) Bush was sold a bill of goods by Rumsfeld – he will develop health problems or a sudden urge to spend more time with his family. The sad reality is that you can not admit a mistake and be reelected.
2) Bush may appoint as many as five justices to the Supreme Court. His justice short list is includes some great constitutionalists. Don’t assume that this is a bad thing for democrats. There is more than Roe at stake. These people are young enough that they will be around long after W is gone. They will not be spoon fed decisions.
3) Colin Powell has separated himself from Bush but don’t be surprised to see him show up in another part of the administration. With Arafat dead-but-not-quite Powell may be sent to the middle east. He is respectd by both the factions.
4) Russia just signed the Kyoto accord. The Bush administration will have to make some concessions or face trade issues. (I love it when a plan comes together!)
5) The Unified Europe will be the next superpower. Bush recognizes this and will work to make amends. (Read this to mean we need the markets. It is pretty well understood by both parties that Bush is pro business.)
We can make this work.
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#271674 - 11/05/04 05:46 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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1) Bush was sold a bill of goods by Rumsfeld – he will develop health problems or a sudden urge to spend more time with his family. The sad reality is that you can not admit a mistake and be reelected.
I think Rumsfeld has Bush's full confidence. He may decide to retire, but I really don't believe he will be forced out - most likely scenario is that he will finish his modernization initiative and then retire. He'll probably be here a few more years. Could be wrong - just my speculation.
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2) Bush may appoint as many as five justices to the Supreme Court. His justice short list is includes some great constitutionalists. Don’t assume that this is a bad thing for democrats. There is more than Roe at stake. These people are young enough that they will be around long after W is gone. They will not be spoon fed decisions.
Constitutionalists are not "good" for Republicans or Democrats, they are good for democracy. Judges who issue conservative legislation from the bench, and judges who issue liberal legislation from the bench - all undermine democracy. But I don't expect five appointments. Maybe three. And they will come quickly, so that this is over before the next election cycle gets going. Rehnquist, Stevens, O'Connor.
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4) Russia just signed the Kyoto accord. The Bush administration will have to make some concessions or face trade issues. (I love it when a plan comes together!)
Kyoto couldn't get one vote in the US Senate. It would create incredible drag on the US economy. And the science is not universally accepted. How the Russians signing onto this affects the US is beyond me. The world has much more to lose by restricting trade with the US than the US stands to lose if that route is chosen. We are the market maker.
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5) The Unified Europe will be the next superpower. Bush recognizes this and will work to make amends. (Read this to mean we need the markets. It is pretty well understood by both parties that Bush is pro business.)
I'm not sure where this one comes from. If you think the US has problems funding its entitlements (Social Security and Medicare), then Europe is in dire condition. Europe doesn't have the money to spend to be a superpower.
So long as the US is the most free large economy in the world, we will be THE superpower. I wish other economies were as free as us (economic growth around the world helps here, too), but they aren't. And Europe's voters don't have the stomach for reform right now.
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#271675 - 11/05/04 07:02 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,357
A Grant Wood painting.
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Quote:
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1) Bush was sold a bill of goods by Rumsfeld – he will develop health problems or a sudden urge to spend more time with his family. The sad reality is that you can not admit a mistake and be reelected.
I think Rumsfeld has Bush's full confidence. He may decide to retire, but I really don't believe he will be forced out - most likely scenario is that he will finish his modernization initiative and then retire. He'll probably be here a few more years. Could be wrong - just my speculation. I believe that Bush was feed bad analysis of bad intel. Rumsfeld will not be the only one getting a gold watch.
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2) Bush may appoint as many as five justices to the Supreme Court. His justice short list is includes some great constitutionalists. Don’t assume that this is a bad thing for democrats. There is more than Roe at stake. These people are young enough that they will be around long after W is gone. They will not be spoon fed decisions.
Constitutionalists are not "good" for Republicans or Democrats, they are good for democracy. Judges who issue conservative legislation from the bench, and judges who issue liberal legislation from the bench - all undermine democracy. But I don't expect five appointments. Maybe three. And they will come quickly, so that this is over before the next election cycle gets going. Rehnquist, Stevens, O'Connor. This was a heads up for "single issue" voters. Dems could do worse than a tight view of the 1st.
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4) Russia just signed the Kyoto accord. The Bush administration will have to make some concessions or face trade issues. (I love it when a plan comes together!)
Kyoto couldn't get one vote in the US Senate. It would create incredible drag on the US economy. And the science is not universally accepted. How the Russians signing onto this affects the US is beyond me. The world has much more to lose by restricting trade with the US than the US stands to lose if that route is chosen. We are the market maker. Russia gains with the ability to sell leftover polution capacity. They are producing 28% less emissions will be able to sell this "right" for billions. The reduced emissions have nothing to do with beign green and everything to do with a massive reduction in industry.
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5) The Unified Europe will be the next superpower. Bush recognizes this and will work to make amends. (Read this to mean we need the markets. It is pretty well understood by both parties that Bush is pro business.)
I'm not sure where this one comes from. If you think the US has problems funding its entitlements (Social Security and Medicare), then Europe is in dire condition. Europe doesn't have the money to spend to be a superpower.
So long as the US is the most free large economy in the world, we will be THE superpower. I wish other economies were as free as us (economic growth around the world helps here, too), but they aren't. And Europe's voters don't have the stomach for reform right now.
Have you checked out the farming maps recently? We are even losing our position as the global bread basket. A unified Europe will be able to survive without the US. We can not afford to let that happen.
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#271677 - 11/08/04 03:03 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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I believe that Bush was feed bad analysis of bad intel. Rumsfeld will not be the only one getting a gold watch.
We'll have to see - I think Bush will keep him if he wants to stay.
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This was a heads up for "single issue" voters. Dems could do worse than a tight view of the 1st.
The 1st what?
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Russia gains with the ability to sell leftover polution capacity. They are producing 28% less emissions will be able to sell this "right" for billions. The reduced emissions have nothing to do with beign green and everything to do with a massive reduction in industry.
Oh, I understand why the underdeveloped countries are signing onto this. I'm just saying that if any sanctions are enforced against the US, those countries will suffer far worse than we will, and so I don't expect it to happen. As to the purpose of the treaty, we agree. These people are simply anti-capitalists by another name.
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Have you checked out the farming maps recently? We are even losing our position as the global bread basket. A unified Europe will be able to survive without the US. We can not afford to let that happen.
If they can survive without us, bully for them. But they do not have economies that can support the kind of military spending that we can. And until they reform (which they show no inclination of doing), that will always be the case. What that has to do with farming, I don't understand.
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#271678 - 11/08/04 03:58 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,357
A Grant Wood painting.
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First Amendment.
What does the US do best? At one time we were clearly the best at growing food. Our farm policy has only helped to postpone reality for our farmers. Grow what the customer wants or face the consequences. We need to play to our strengths and I am not all together sure what they are anymore.
We can lead in industry and reduce emissions. How about a "we can't do Kyoto but here is what we can do". We need to reduce our dependence on fosil fuels - period.
Unless we want our place in the world to be a good source of cheap unskilled labor, we need to pump up our system of education. No Child Left Behind is a bad republican joke. Kerry was clearly the better choice for education. (You have no idea how hard it is for me to say that.) If you don't believe this, sit down with a secondary math or science tacher.
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#271679 - 11/08/04 04:08 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Power Poster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,990
Cincinnati, OH
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Yes, the US was ONCE the best farming nation. We still are one of the best. In fact, we grow so much food that the government PAYS farmers not to sell their crops so the prices don't go too low. But that's not the point. We aren't a nation of farmers any more, we are a nation of technology. Our production facilities are among the best in the world, in fact laborers are losing jobs because we are so advanced that it requires fewer people to do what we do. Cheap unskilled labor? I don't think so. While we pay one man a good wage and that wage can support dozens of laborers in other nations, our production facilities still produce more with that one man than all the others that he replaces. Outsourcing is happening in manpower intensive fields such as tech support because in these cases our technology can be exported and the cheaper labor can do the job.
The place in the new milenia for the US is in technological advancements. We are an information state, and have been for quite some time. Our place is in new product development.
As for Kyoto, it is a joke. Crazy fools all over the world are screaming about "global warming and emissions" when what the historical facts show us is a simple, repeated, truth. There are global weather patterns that are natural, not due to any emissions and global warming. If the farmers almanac can predict the temperature changes etc. years in advanced, ignoring "global warming", how can it really be true?
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#271681 - 11/08/04 05:28 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Power Poster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,990
Cincinnati, OH
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The place in the new milenia for the US is in technological advancements. We are an information state, and have been for quite some time. Our place is in new product development.
Michael, given your statement about the US not needing Europe...who are you going to sell this stuff to?
Thumbing our nose at Europe is not a wise decision to make. We have been allies in the past and we may need them again. We need to make amends for our last stupid move and work as a team with them for long term success. Not kiss their bumm goodbye, then hope they'll buy our latest microchip.
Why worry about selling to the countries that are already advanced when we have the less advanced countries in Western Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America as potential outlets?
Besides, if we have the best, Europe will buy anyway.
Besides, if we get Iraq moving in the right direction, along with Afghanistan, we have two more underdeveloped nations to sell to.
You know, we COULD simply use our military to make new places to sell too.....
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#271682 - 11/08/04 05:34 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Anonymous
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The place in the new milenia for the US is in technological advancements. We are an information state, and have been for quite some time. Our place is in new product development.
Michael, given your statement about the US not needing Europe...who are you going to sell this stuff to?
Thumbing our nose at Europe is not a wise decision to make. We have been allies in the past and we may need them again. We need to make amends for our last stupid move and work as a team with them for long term success. Not kiss their bumm goodbye, then hope they'll buy our latest microchip.
Europe should be following us. We are the most successful nation in the world for a reason. Europe is basically one big socialist state. None of the countries have a military force large enough to help us in any conflict. Our true allies came to our aid and the corrupt nations in Western Europe didn't. Once people like Chirac are out of power things should get easier. You do realize that these nations that the Dems want to pattern our country after have 10% unemployment at the least. We are the leader and when we want something it should be done especially considering what this nation has sacrificed in men, women and money to get Europe where it is today.
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#271684 - 11/08/04 06:34 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Power Poster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,990
Cincinnati, OH
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You know, we COULD simply use our military to make new places to sell too.....
God help us all if anyone in power has that stupid of an approach to foreign policy and economic gain! 
Dawnie, I was kidding on that one.... but seriously, if we are going to fix Iraq and Afghanistan, we do have an outlet for our products there.
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#271685 - 11/08/04 06:35 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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No Child Left Behind is a bad republican joke. Kerry was clearly the better choice for education. (You have no idea how hard it is for me to say that.) If you don't believe this, sit down with a secondary math or science tacher.
Are they an unbiased source of such information?
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#271686 - 11/08/04 07:59 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Anonymous
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No Child Left Behind is a bad republican joke. Kerry was clearly the better choice for education. (You have no idea how hard it is for me to say that.) If you don't believe this, sit down with a secondary math or science tacher.
Are they an unbiased source of such information?
Let's not forget that No Child Left Behind was a bipartisan measure that was fully supported by Ted Kennedy. All of the money has been appropriated and sent out to the states. The problem is that the money is tied up in the states. Once again, Kerry was lying when he said the President didn't fully fund No Child Left Behind. Each individual state needs to look at themselves for blame when it comes to underfunding No Child Left Behind.
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#271688 - 11/11/04 10:04 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Unbiased? Not really. (How could you be?) Unbiased with regard to personal financial gain? Yes.
Unbiased in their evaluation of a program that is holding them accountable.
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When you base too much on tests you force teachers to teach tests. This is not a full education. We are testing our kids to death.
If the test does a good job testing what the students should learn, by all means teach to the test. Isn't that the point?
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The districts are stealing from the T and G programs to pay for the remedial programs. Don't you think this is selling ourselves a little short? Where do you think we will find our future leaders in technology? (I know that I should be included in a remedial spelling program.)
If your districts don't have enough funding, it's not GWB's fault, and it is not the fault of NCLB. Federal spending on education doubled in his first term.
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#271690 - 11/12/04 02:32 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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I agree with this statement, however I think Omega was referencing that teachers are teaching students how to take a test instead of teaching students based on the test results. This practice I do not agree with.
I'll let Omega speak for himself, but I have heard an absolute myriad of complaints about NCLB based on the fact that "you can't test kids and hold the schools accountable based on the test - the school will just teach to the test!" as if that made any sense at all. I hope the test is well-designed and taught to.
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#271691 - 11/12/04 02:34 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Power Poster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,990
Cincinnati, OH
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I agree with this statement, however I think Omega was referencing that teachers are teaching students how to take a test instead of teaching students based on the test results. This practice I do not agree with.
I'll let Omega speak for himself, but I have heard an absolute myriad of complaints about NCLB based on the fact that "you can't test kids and hold the schools accountable based on the test - the school will just teach to the test!" as if that made any sense at all. I hope the test is well-designed and taught to.
Actually, and I've seen this with my nephew, the teachers are NOT teaching the material on the test the the last several weeks prior to the test, they are using this time to teach the kids how to beat the test. They are teaching things like "B is statistically more likely to be correct than D". This doesn't do anything but increase the scores without increasing knowledge.
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#271692 - 11/12/04 03:01 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Actually, and I've seen this with my nephew, the teachers are NOT teaching the material on the test the the last several weeks prior to the test, they are using this time to teach the kids how to beat the test. They are teaching things like "B is statistically more likely to be correct than D". This doesn't do anything but increase the scores without increasing knowledge.
I would agree that this type of teaching is not adding value. It should be stopped.
But is the solution to stop testing, and therefore to end accountability?
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#271693 - 11/12/04 03:55 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Power Poster
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FINALLY ABOVE the gnat line
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Our school system puts practice tests on the internet for the children to take at home with their parents. They have to spend some time teaching them HOW to take the test because the style of the test questions and how to choose the answers are different than what is being used in the classroom by the teachers. They want them to practice taking this type of test so they will be comfortable taking the actual test. My daughter is in elementary school and I am pleased with her teachers.
There are some things happening at the high school that I totally disagree with. Children are being steered toward the "technical" high school degree instead of the "collegiate" degree. They are given a test prior to graduating that covers EVERYTHING they were supposed to learn all four years. (I would never have graduated from HS if I had to do that.) The students in the "technical" program are provided the same test as the college bound students and it has info on it they were not taught because of being in the technical program. It appears that they are setting them up for failure by putting them into this program. They can't get into any decent college with a tech diploma - they can only go to technical school. It doesn't seem right to have a 14 year old child's future determined by a counselor.
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#271694 - 11/12/04 05:02 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,357
A Grant Wood painting.
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Elementary teachers should be teaching the kids how to learn. Instead they have to teach them how to behave. You want to hold someone accountable? Try the parents. Kids that know how to get around an "X Box" but can't read at grade level. Someone else's kids are robbing mine of educational opportunity.
If educators are forced to teach the test we have narrowed the scope of education to that of "Trivial Pursuit" cards. You can not test what they really need to learn and no one wants to. The result would paint too sad a commentary of state of parenting.
My daughter has to complete testing in a certain number of books over a nine-week period. She is now enjoying "The Chosen" but will not be able to read enough books of this level so she needs to aim lower. I love that book and it angers me that the quality of the book is not a consideration. A little venting here. I blame the deterioration of our system of education on the fact that you do not need a permit to reproduce.
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#271695 - 11/12/04 05:16 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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Elementary teachers should be teaching the kids how to learn. Instead they have to teach them how to behave. You want to hold someone accountable? Try the parents. Kids that know how to get around an "X Box" but can't read at grade level. Someone else's kids are robbing mine of educational opportunity.
If educators are forced to teach the test we have narrowed the scope of education to that of "Trivial Pursuit" cards. You can not test what they really need to learn and no one wants to. The result would paint too sad a commentary of state of parenting.
My daughter has to complete testing in a certain number of books over a nine-week period. She is now enjoying "The Chosen" but will not be able to read enough books of this level so she needs to aim lower. I love that book and it angers me that the quality of the book is not a consideration. A little venting here. I blame the deterioration of our system of education on the fact that you do not need a permit to reproduce.
Omega, this is one of the best arguments I've ever seen for vouchers, which would allow you to send YOUR children to a school with standards of YOUR choice.
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#271697 - 11/12/04 05:31 PM
Re: "W" II - Not all bad for dems.
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It's about more than that though joker. It's about schools working towards more educated students instead of better testing students. There is a gap there that is being filled more and more by home schooling and private schools.
I don't have any problem with that. But under the current system where my tax dollars are REQUIRED to go into a specific school, I think that accountability is appropriate. I would rather that the market (freedom to choose where to spend these education dollars) hold schools accountable, but that isn't happening. So this is a stop-gap.
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and the Valedictorian only beat me by .004 on the grade average. 
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