If it were killing grown kids to prove devotion to God (Isaac) it would be a different matter, or sacrificing one's own. How many kids does "God" let die every year from other causes? This seems a very strange hobby horse to perch upon.
The biggest aspect of the welfare state is that California has to pay for much of "real America". If they had the use of the Federal money they send out, they'd actually be able to afford the things they want to do.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/266.html
I'm having a hard time following this post, (might be cause I'm home sick). If what you're suggesting that atheism might be reaching a critical mass where people are relating on at least aesthetic (nihilist?) grounds, I'd have to agree. Then, again, it might just be that people have had enough of the extremists and too little self correction from the supposed breadth of moderate practitioners. Did you catch Scalia's cross argument recently?
Can I be intrigued by Spinoza's metaphysics, take my morals from Dionysus, Aphrodite and Pan, allow for Christians in the South and Islam in Pakistan and still escape the antitheist label (as if I actually care)? Or, do I just end up in the nihilist camp?
Today, the GOP is little more than the South and the christians. Too bad the Dems can't go back to their roots as the original State's Rights proponents without the help of the South.
To be fare, I can't point where you've claimed otherwise. The thread is complex. There's a discussion on teaching evolution and it's relationship to advanced study as well as whether regions should take advantage of their surroundings. Should coastal schools emphasise field trips to tide pools, while mountainous regions devote more time to their own unique aspects. Within all this there has also been talk of funding, testing and national standards/curriculum; that we should all share the burden of each others education and compromise on what that should include. Kansas has a special place in this discussion due to its battle with evolution in its schools. You wrote that it would be unfair if Kansans were short changed on plate tectonics or evolution. But if we agree that it should be a local decision, who is to blame? Kansans are only short changed compared to others that have made better choices.
Definitely not, though I think their are regions within the U.S. that have different answers. That's why I live in the NW and not the SE. The NW feels like home to me in a way that other regions don't. Sustainability is less "squishy" either you are or you're not.
But Bob, ultimately, the education that Kansans receive should be up to Kansas. If they decide to teach creationism, it's for them to deal with the consequences. What's unacceptable is for me to tell them what to do, or conversely for them to try and limit the education for me and mine.
"1. Because Kansas has porous borders and quite a few yokels escape."
We've got to find a solution to that. One Republican Governor suggested building a ply-wood wall around Oregon, but was afraid it would become a tourist atraction. Still, there's got to be some way.
I wouldn't have a problem with this if it were some how funded without depleting the local tax base. Otherwise, no way. Anywho, I'm off to Science World with my little one.
Are you arguing for education to be like Starbucks? Starbucks is great if you're someplace else; but it hardly compares to the really good local places.
The problem is that it's difficult to get education ready for 2020 when you're compromising with folk that want to keep education for 1920. It's better to let folk figure things out. If their kids can't get jobs, they'll change their education eventually.
I'd much rather focus on creating the best education here rather than worry and expend energy on ensuring someone else isn't screwing up. They'll figure it out eventually. I'm of the "give them more rope" philosophy. It works better than forcing someone to see the truth.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.
On “Christopher Hitchens and moral glibness”
If it were killing grown kids to prove devotion to God (Isaac) it would be a different matter, or sacrificing one's own. How many kids does "God" let die every year from other causes? This seems a very strange hobby horse to perch upon.
On “Connecting Dissidents and the Base”
The biggest aspect of the welfare state is that California has to pay for much of "real America". If they had the use of the Federal money they send out, they'd actually be able to afford the things they want to do.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/266.html
On “A- still does not imply Anti-”
I'm having a hard time following this post, (might be cause I'm home sick). If what you're suggesting that atheism might be reaching a critical mass where people are relating on at least aesthetic (nihilist?) grounds, I'd have to agree. Then, again, it might just be that people have had enough of the extremists and too little self correction from the supposed breadth of moderate practitioners. Did you catch Scalia's cross argument recently?
"
Can I be intrigued by Spinoza's metaphysics, take my morals from Dionysus, Aphrodite and Pan, allow for Christians in the South and Islam in Pakistan and still escape the antitheist label (as if I actually care)? Or, do I just end up in the nihilist camp?
On “Big is beautiful (and inevitable)”
And it was a Republican governor that implemented those policies! NW conservatism!
On “Worse than Rove (updated) or: The Gay After Tomorrow”
Balkanize.
On “Black Republicans and the specter of tokenism”
Today, the GOP is little more than the South and the christians. Too bad the Dems can't go back to their roots as the original State's Rights proponents without the help of the South.
On “Libertoryanism”
This is why freedom of religion is such an over estimated right.
On “Education & Autonomy”
To be fare, I can't point where you've claimed otherwise. The thread is complex. There's a discussion on teaching evolution and it's relationship to advanced study as well as whether regions should take advantage of their surroundings. Should coastal schools emphasise field trips to tide pools, while mountainous regions devote more time to their own unique aspects. Within all this there has also been talk of funding, testing and national standards/curriculum; that we should all share the burden of each others education and compromise on what that should include. Kansas has a special place in this discussion due to its battle with evolution in its schools. You wrote that it would be unfair if Kansans were short changed on plate tectonics or evolution. But if we agree that it should be a local decision, who is to blame? Kansans are only short changed compared to others that have made better choices.
"
Definitely not, though I think their are regions within the U.S. that have different answers. That's why I live in the NW and not the SE. The NW feels like home to me in a way that other regions don't. Sustainability is less "squishy" either you are or you're not.
"
Squishy? Having just emigrated to Canada and reading E.D.'s post on the dollars demise, they give me the warm and fuzzies.
"
I don't need to win. I do need to live in a society that roughly shares my values and is sustainable and healthy for my little one.
On “the last oil dollar”
Turn the lights out, the parties over. Maybe the CAD will finally reach its value.
On “Education & Autonomy”
Indeed!
"
Why do you stay?
"
Science World still rocks, but I think the room you're talking about has been remodeled away.
"
But Bob, ultimately, the education that Kansans receive should be up to Kansas. If they decide to teach creationism, it's for them to deal with the consequences. What's unacceptable is for me to tell them what to do, or conversely for them to try and limit the education for me and mine.
"
"1. Because Kansas has porous borders and quite a few yokels escape."
We've got to find a solution to that. One Republican Governor suggested building a ply-wood wall around Oregon, but was afraid it would become a tourist atraction. Still, there's got to be some way.
"
I wouldn't have a problem with this if it were some how funded without depleting the local tax base. Otherwise, no way. Anywho, I'm off to Science World with my little one.
"
Are you arguing for education to be like Starbucks? Starbucks is great if you're someplace else; but it hardly compares to the really good local places.
"
It works for me.
On “Libertoryanism”
I'm not absolutely against government supporting religion. I think we should do more for Beltane.
On “Education & Autonomy”
The problem is that it's difficult to get education ready for 2020 when you're compromising with folk that want to keep education for 1920. It's better to let folk figure things out. If their kids can't get jobs, they'll change their education eventually.
"
You might just not get that job.
"
I'd much rather focus on creating the best education here rather than worry and expend energy on ensuring someone else isn't screwing up. They'll figure it out eventually. I'm of the "give them more rope" philosophy. It works better than forcing someone to see the truth.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.