Comments on: Fixing America’s Education Deficit

By: libhomo

libhomo — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 04:25:49 +0000

When I was in K-12, most of my classes were taught so slowly and monotonously that I was bored senseless and often demotivated. I suspect that a more strenuous curriculum would keep students from getting so damned bored.

I agree with Pelmo about the problem with an overemphasis on standardized tests. Teaching kids how to take standardized tests is a narrow and not terribly productive approach to preparing them for life.

I personally think that the biggest problem is the anti intellectualism that our society embraces and the corporate media inculcate to keep people too stupid to realize that they are being screwed over.

By: Xman

Xman — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:41:39 +0000

Pelmo,
I can tell you weren’t cruising for the red light girls on 21st south and state street. Pretty grimey down there.

You are right about the butts. Due to the religion, most don’t smoke here.
Yes, SLC is a lot cleaner than most big USA cities I have seen, too. Some cities are scary. Can’t even go into a grocery store that doesn’t have a couple or so security guards.

Yep, getting a drink is a little odd, but it used to be worse. At least it isn’t dry! The liquor stores are pretty pitiful, but I guess they are trying. But what can you expect as far as selection goes, when they don’t drink.

By: pelmo

pelmo — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:03:35 +0000

Joe be happy, very happy you don’t get the snow. This is one of the worst winters I can ever remember here. It’s not the amount of snow, but rather the freezing rain and snow which is now filthy dirty mounds of ice. Very demoralizing and making it seem like summer will never come.

Xman I was in Salt Lake City a few years back. You have a jewel there, as it is the cleanest big city I have ever seen. I don’t remember seeing even a cigarette butt on the streets. Drove around the area and saw some gorgeous views. Didn’t particulary care for all those strange liquor laws you have there.

By: JoeC

JoeC — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:18:43 +0000

Ahhh…snow. It used to snow here…every couple of years we’d get a 4 to 8 inch snow. Even had one that topped 10 inches around 1993. That was the last one we’ve had over 3 inches. My first child was born in 1996 and he’s just about to be a teenager without ever seeing a snow here that was deep enough to make a snowman that isn’t filled with dirt and grass (we’ve made trips to Iowa, etc., so it’s not like the kids have never made a snowman at all…just not at their own house.) Yep…no snow here anymore. We just get 34-degree wet crap all season.

By: Xman

Xman — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:29:21 +0000

Didn’t know it snowed in Utah?
Where I live is at 4200 feet of elevation. Basically, the valley floor. Right now at about 9:30am it is 16 degrees.
Within 30 minutes to an hour from my house, I can be skiing at Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, Park City, Deer Valley, Canyons, etc.
The bobsled track is at 7400 foot elevation. I take a lift to about 10,000 feet to ski.
Yep, plenty of snow here.
You must have southern Arizona confused with Utah. Desert doesn’t always mean dry.
Here’s a pic from my front porch this morning…if I can get it to paste.
No, can’t do it. Don’t know how to paste it here.
You’ll have to trust me. Pine trees covered in heavy snow. Ice cicles hanging, walk and driveway waiting to be scrapped.