RadioBanter - View Single Post

April 10th 04, 09:16 PM

From: "Stinger"

Lately, I've been reading this twit's postings and watching him claim that
all conservatives are poorly-educated, gullible rednecks. That
condescending, elitist snobbery in ill-thought post after post disgusts me.
He's not worthy of my respect.

I do not believe that all Republicans are poorly-educated gullible rednecks. To
suggest that I have said that is clearly hyperbole. If that's what you're
reading, Stinger, your own perception is skewing your interpretation. I do
believe that you'll find far more poorly-educated gullible rednecks voting
Republican than Democrat. That's not suggesting that I think the Republican
party is solely reliant on that voting bloc.

His moronic belief that all conservatives listen (and believe) every
right-wing guy in front of a microphone is just plain stupid. His complete
ignorance of demographics is astonishing, and his "we know what is best for
you people" tone is contemptible.

Wow. And Republicans don't preach "we know what is best for you people"?
Abortion? Sex on TV? The imposition of democracy? Look in the mirror. What you
hate about the "other" is what you ignore about yourself.

Actually, I very much support the idea of tenured professors in the
(semi)-protected environment of academia. I do wish that they would keep
some grip on the reality of the outside world by doing some activities
outside academia, such
as consulting. There is no teacher better than experience.

Your point? Running a factory puts you more in touch with reality? Yeah. It
also provides an interesting bias.

However, my accusation against the teacher's unions in on-target and true.
These organizations fight against testing teachers for ability, testing
students for learned skills or achievement, and against rooting out which
teachers are short-changing our children's education. Just as with any
other union, their agenda is all about protecting jobs (for even the worst,
as long as they have seniority) and getting more for themselves. The
students' interests are not even in their equation. Look at the absolute
horror that is being uncovered each and every day in the New Orleans
municipal school system (in which the teachers unions have vigorously
opposed any reforms).

There are problems in inner-city schools. There are many ill-prepared teachers.
But eliminating the few teachers that will volunteer to work in inner-city
conditions is hardly going to resolve the situation. Disparities in
district-to-district funding are resulting in teaching salaries in public
schools that have simply driven most qualified teachers out of public
education. I couldn't live on those salaries. Nor would I risk my life daily to
teach in a situation where my life was literally threatened every single day.
Driving the few remaining (and mainly minority) educators out of teaching with
culturally-loaded certification tests is akin to only letting people into
school if they happen to have a 120 IQ.

I'm willing to bet that you feel any unions are a threat to America. No unions
in your plant, right?

As far as making any "asinine" claim that Democrats have a lock on the
uneducated, that was not what my post said. If you re-read both Leonard's
and my post, you'll see that I was refuting his conjecture that the
Democrats had all of the educated voters. My assertion is that they have at
least as many of the uneducated, and also that Democratic politicians have
learned to pander to them.

Yes, there are uneducated on many sides. I feel that you'll find more
inner-city uneducated of all races on the side of the Democrats. I think you'll
find far more rural uneducated southern whites voting Republican. Didn't you
tell us that was how it was leaning down in Mississippi?

I'm sorry you perceive this as so condescending, but try to not let your
percetions provide all the color in your final interpretations. I think
Republicans are legitimate humans, too. A little blinded by some very
intelligent manipulators, but still basically good humans. I accept that you
see it from a diametrically-opposed situations.

Does that mean that you HAVE to sink to the despotic name-calling that you
earlier were so opposed to?

If so, I understand.

Michael Bryant, WA4009SWL
Louisville, KY
R75, S800, RX320, SW77, ICF2010K,
DX398, 7600G, 6800W, RF2200, 7600A
GE SRll, Pro-2006, Pro-2010, Pro-76
(remove "nojunk" to reply)