Recent Comments
Re: “Ramsey Defends Childish Tit-for-Tat with House”
Are these "poor" black students we're talking about? Or is just being black enough for you to presume they're the problem. I think you're seeing causality in the wrong place. Poverty causes crime of all types (including murder), high drop-out rates, and dramatic spikes in prison population as a result. The fact that a disproportionate number of blacks in Tennessee happen to be poor is one reason they figure prominently in the statistics you point towards as evidence.
As far as I can determine, the situation at so-called "traditionally black" universities isn't exactly rosy and "GOLDEN" (whatever that means). Fisk is near bankruptcy and has had to sell off significant assets just to keep the lights on. Their student population is diluted thanks largely to the fact that more of their traditional incoming student base is enrolling into more diverse state universities ("next to white kids", as you say -- but by choice). But I'm not sure what your argument here is, as my own white father did a significant amount of his coursework at Fisk in the 1960s. He turned out okay, as he did going to UNC for his doctorate.
I'm not sure what to make of your claim that you know Asians and their respective culture because you may have been posted to Kadena or Camp Howze. So was my family; and it was among the most insular environments ever -- most people never leave the confines of the base, let along get over to Singapore, Laos, etc. But I'll take your word for it that you're an expert in all things Asian, m'kay?
I'll try to compare things on an even level (which I think I actually did in my first message when I pointed out that the states are actually pretty damn similar in economic base and population) when you start looking for causalities that exist _past_ skin color. How about that?
No, wait; no need to reply. I know you're not really interested in solutions if there's hay to be made in prolonging the problem.
Re: “Ramsey Defends Childish Tit-for-Tat with House”
I'll casually ignore the fact that you attempted to lump all Asians into the "they all do well in school" stereotype. It shows you've never come into contact with the wide array of Asian cultures that exist out there.
I shouldn't be surprised, though, since you're only too happy to claim that all black students are bad students, and predominantly poor. Because we all know that skin color is what makes you poor, right?
Re: “Ramsey Defends Childish Tit-for-Tat with House”
Having moved away from Tennessee, it's now pretty easy to see that the way the state manages its indigents, immigrants, and poor pretty much sets them up for failure.
Tennessee has a high dropout rate before graduation because of poverty and health related factors. This is a fact that studies have proven. But rather than attack those issues, it's far easier to attack the dropouts for being lazy rather than being what they are, which is near-destitute and hungry. Witness the latest legislative madness surrounding food assistance and school performance.
Bobs, here in Washington state (blue but surprisingly red in much of its construction -- conceal/carry is legal here, no state income tax, etc.) every single school has a medical referrals office that provides free healthcare to enrolled students -- all of them, including those that don't qualify for the free or reduce-priced meals. If the student has the flu, they're provided the medicine they need to get better. The goal is to keep the student healthy so they can complete school. And it works.
Conversely, if the student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, they can take advantage of free meals _after_ school. The schools also provide the unused portions of the daytime meals to the families of these poor children. The goal is to keep the student from worrying about where their next meal is going to come from so they can complete school. And that works too.
All students also get free study counseling and free passes to citywide public transit. And they don't even have to be poor to get that. And it works to achieve better student performance and higher graduation rates. And the lower unemployment rates that come with a better-educated workforce.
Whine all you want about black students. Moan about how their performance is pulling down your beloved state. Throw blame around -- call them everything but common. Go ahead. It's your own damn fault, too. It's akin to blaming your finger for picking your nose hoping that no one will notice that you're a full participant in the process.
Re: “Ramsey Defends Childish Tit-for-Tat with House”
Yankee? Really? Nope, sorry, born and raised in Nashviile. Moved away, as I mentioned but you clearly missed reading while on the hunt for a scapegoat. But when you're stereotyping, why stop when you're on a roll, right?
The truth is, the states aren't all that different if all you do is compare people by the darkness of their skin. Seattle is 70% white and Nashville is 62% white. The composition of "other" is really only important to those who grew up in South AND in the past. Just like Tennessee, there are plenty of areas that are predominantly black... And unlike Tennessee, we have areas that are predominantly Asian. Despite this, we are fully 8 percentage points lower in poverty rates - a quarter of the Tennessee rate.
Poverty crosses racial lines, Bob. And nowhere more starkly than Tennessee. There are counties in Tennessee where nearly 90% of the population live in poverty, and they are mostly white.
Save your race baiting for a different topic.
Re: “Ramsey Defends Childish Tit-for-Tat with House”
^^ Exactly why I'm writing this to you from Seattle and not Nashville.
Because Washington State is so ruined financially that... Oh, wait.
Washington State is reliably blue yet has plenty of technology jobs, no income tax, zero sales tax on groceries, and far better public schools. I guess that doesn't prove your case very well, especially considering that it's the population of predominately red states that disproportionately consume more government services than blue ones.
Tennessee ranks WHERE in relation to graduation rates and poverty levels?
Thank God for Alabama, huh?
Re: “Marsha Blackburn to Lead House Delegation to Margaret Thatcher's Funeral”
Best foot forward, and all that rot.
Re: “A Little More on Jimmy Haslam's Little (Racist) Rebate Problem”
>> Which is about as truthful as liberal reporting................... <<
That's all you've got to say? Nothing about the message, so let's talk smack about the messenger?
Put your game face on, bobs!