Friday night open thread

By Michelle Malkin  •  November 21, 2008 09:53 PM

Random musings:

*I picked up multi-talented radio/TV phenom Glenn Beck’s “The Christmas Sweater” tonight after bawling my eyes out the other day listening to him talking about it with his callers. He’s touched a nerve nationwide. It just hit #1 on the NYTimes best-seller list. Congrats!

*The other day in our chat on PJTV, Glenn Reynolds raised the idea of a conservative blogger conference. I said I thought it was a fine idea so long as fresh, new faces on the Right were included — and not just the same old ones. What do you think? Leave your feedback in comments or e-mail.

*The Obama daughters will be attending ritzy Sidwell Friends, the same exorbitantly expensive private school that Chelsea Clinton attended. I’ll have more to say about this later, but for now I’ll make these quick observations: The “security” card is a canard. Amy Carter went to public schools and the Secret Service handled it just fine. Some parents choose their kids’ schools based on which ones will give them the best education possible. Other parents choose the schools that will give their kids the proper social status they’ll need to win David Brooks’ approval. Did you ever have any doubt about which category the Obamas would fall into? Terry Jeffrey has more.

*Jeff Goldstein weighs in on the wisdom (or lack thereof) of including statist Mike Huckabee in discussions of the future of conservatism. I think it can be useful, in the same way watching that show “What Not To Wear” is useful.

*One more: Stacy McCain lays into panting smarty David Brooks.

Have at it.

Posted in: Education

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Trackbacks

  1. Poison Keyboard » Bloggers of the world, unite!
  2. Friday night open thread « Top Daily Digest Reading

Trackback URL

Comments


  1. #554246
    On November 21st, 2008 at 9:59 pm, sugarandsass said:

    I usually don’t catch Dr. Phil, but happened to watch tonight. It has Gloria Allred and Gavin Newsom on to defend the obnoxiousness of the No on 8 crowd.

  2. #554247
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:01 pm, Hadenough said:

    Why does Mort Kondrake hate conservative talk radio?

  3. #554249
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:02 pm, zorro said:

    I watched the PJTV segment live, thought the idea of a conservative blogger conference could be informative. Your videos with the ladies of “The Vent” were really good at airing select issues as well.

  4. #554250
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:03 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    I was half way expecting the Obama’s to pick a Black Militant school. SOBs disappoint me. But if they got David Brooks’ approval all is fine in Leftist Land I guess. But I must admit I would not let my kids to to public school very many places especially DC. They might end up Liberals.

  5. #554251
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:04 pm, chapoutier said:

    The “security” card is a canard. Amy Carter went to public schools and the Secret Service handled it just fine. Some parents choose their kids’ schools based on which ones will give them the best education possible. Other parents choose the schools that will give their kids the proper social status they’ll need to win David Brooks’ approval. Did you ever have any doubt about which category the Obamas would fall into?

    Please. Obama is not Carter and his children are much more vulnerable that Amy Carter ever was. There was a reason he was the earliest candidate to ever receive a Secret Service detail. Now I don’t know if a private school can handle security better than a public one, but as you pointed out, at least this one has some experience.

    And I am sorry, but how can you pretend you have any idea what the Obamas thought when they chose the school? I am sure Sidwell is no slouch when it comes to academics, but OF COURSE it must be some sort of snobbish elitist decision making process. That is the very definition of a “derangement syndrome.”

  6. #554252
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:06 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:01 pm, Hadenough said:

    Why does Mort Kondrake hate conservative talk radio?

    Rush Limbaugh has about 5 times the ratings of the Beltway Boys and Talk Radio sidetracked his beloved Amnesty. Jealous.

  7. #554253
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:09 pm, ajmontana said:

    I said I thought it was a fine idea so long as fresh, new faces on the Right were included — and not just the same old ones.

    You should invite 30pcs of silver, shes a fresh face, easy on the eye’s and intelligent. 8)
    Soap on the other hand has a face for radio. lol.

    Good night all. Enjoy the evening.

    Peace.

  8. #554256
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:16 pm, Hadenough said:

    Rush Limbaugh has about 5 times the ratings of the Beltway Boys and Talk Radio sidetracked his beloved Amnesty. Jealous.

    Thought so. LOL

  9. #554258
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:17 pm, Kevin K. said:

    I know Amy Carter started in public schools, but it is my understanding–and I well may be wrong–that she transferred into a private school after the first year or so. Her school was in a good neighborhood, so it might be all right in terms of academic qualities. Of course, that was 30 years ago, and the head of DC schools, Chancellor Rhee, hasn’t had that much time to fix the deterioration of the past number of years.

    I wonder how the Sidwell Friend’s Quaker philosophy will merge with “Rev.” Wright’s interpretation of the Bible?

    Still, education of one’s children is a parent’s most important job, so I shall not second guess the Obamas. I suspect that I would send any children that were my respnsibility to private schools if I could.

  10. #554259
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:26 pm, Michelle Malkin said:

    I suspect that I would send any children that were my respnsibility to private schools if I could.

    That would be a mistake. There are tons of private schools that serve up just as much p.c., multicultural, left-wing, anti-academic crap as the worst public schools.

    Believe me. I speak from experience.

  11. #554260
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:29 pm, rightisright said:

    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:01 pm, Hadenough said: Why does Mort Kondrake hate conservative talk radio?

    He’s old( I can say that, I’m old)and been in Washington far too long…not to mention he’s a died in the wool liberal.

  12. #554261
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:34 pm, BOB said:

    A simple three step plan for economic recovery:

    1.Secure the borders now.

    2.Term limits for all elected politicians.

    3. An immediate ban on media advertising for lawyers.

    I think this would go a really long way toward fixing out problems.

    Anybody but me noticed the huge number of lawyer commercials saying “we can get you money” and whatever it is they want to do to help you, the problem is, “not your fault”?

    They never stop trying to remove and make a profit from the loss of the little bit of personal responsibility there is left.

  13. #554262
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:35 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    Please. Obama is not Carter

    That’s debatable, time will ultimately tell. I can only hope he manages not to exceed in being as piss poor a President as Carter turned out to be. But if he does, one can hope that we get another bold leader like Reagan to shoo him of the White House.

    As to the school thing, I think it was all about image since that is all Obama is in the first place why would he deviate from the empty suit routine?

  14. #554263
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:35 pm, rightisright said:

    Since it’s an open thread…now that HRC will be the USSS, any asprin factories located in the middle east or southern asia want to be careful…and make sure the camels are secured in a bomb shelter.

  15. #554265
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:36 pm, BOB said:

    OK, I meant fixing “our” problems, not out. Sure wish there was an edit function here.

  16. #554266
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:40 pm, Joy said:

    Ha! I have a leftist friend who I’ve gone rounds with many times. In our duke it out debate on vouchers, which I pointed out was a minorities chance to get out of the quagmire of crap education and offer them a real future. I asked why the Dems didn’t want that for the minorities they claim to represent.

    In an unguarded moment, he let the truth slip. “I don’t want those people attending school with my kids. They would only interfere with my children’s education.”

    In the end he prefers them on welfare to ease his conscience and keep them away from him and his family!!

    aGH.. leftists…

  17. #554267
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:47 pm, love2rumba said:

    Please. Obama is not Carter and his children are much more vulnerable that Amy Carter ever was.

    Chapoutier…oh please…all you are doing is defending Orwell’s observation from “animal Farm”…”all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” (if I remember the quote correctly).

  18. #554268
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:48 pm, chapoutier said:

    Chapoutier…oh please…all you are doing is defending Orwell’s observation from “animal Farm”…”all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” (if I remember the quote correctly).

    No I am not. That makes absolutely no sense in this context. Try again.

  19. #554269
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:48 pm, Joy said:

    In another debate over abortion, he admitted that it was heinous, but chooses to battle big corporations because they are far more evil. Why yes, they provide millions with jobs while abortion kills babies… then he asked me if I supported torture for terrorists. When I responded that I supported whatever it took to save our country from evil jihadists, he slapped his hand on the desk and asked, “How can you claim the moral high ground if you can support something as evil as torture?!?!”

    I replied, “Well, FINALLY something has gotten you to smack your hand on your desk in indignation, but it’s not 45 million dead babies and counting, it’s torturing people who would behead you in a heartbeat and want YOU, YOUR WIFE and YOUR CHILDREN and all the rest of us DEAD!”

    The room got very quiet and I could see tears in his eyes. I asked him very quietly what he would be willing to do if he knew someone was planning to kill his kids and we had a person who knew the plan… He replied very quietly that he supposed he’d go along with whatever it took.

  20. #554270
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:52 pm, bloodhound said:

    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:04 pm, chapoutier said:
    The “security” card is a canard. Amy Carter went to public schools and the Secret Service handled it just fine. Some parents choose their kids’ schools based on which ones will give them the best education possible. Other parents choose the schools that will give their kids the proper social status they’ll need to win David Brooks’ approval. Did you ever have any doubt about which category the Obamas would fall into?
    Please. Obama is not Carter and his children are much more vulnerable that Amy Carter ever was. There was a reason he was the earliest candidate to ever receive a Secret Service detail. Now I don’t know if a private school can handle security better than a public one, but as you pointed out, at least this one has some experience.

    And I am sorry, but how can you pretend you have any idea what the Obamas thought when they chose the school? I am sure Sidwell is no slouch when it comes to academics, but OF COURSE it must be some sort of snobbish elitist decision making process. That is the very definition of a “derangement syndrome.”

    Chapoutier: Please! The school (regardless of which one) does not handle security. It is the responsiblitiy of the Secret Service in whatever given environment. Certainly some schools present more challenges than others, but they would perform their duty at any school the Obamas selected for their children. The U.S. Secret Service has been able to protect the president and other heads of state in the most hostile places on the planet. They wouldn’t have any trouble protecting the children of a president in any school in the United States (even D.C.), as has been demonstrated throughout history.

  21. #554271
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:52 pm, love2rumba said:

    Chapoutier..You are then saying that the Secret Service cannot provide protection as needed to Obama and his family?

  22. #554272
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:55 pm, feebiebabe said:

    Great idea about the conservative bloggers conference Yes, I second 30pcs!!!!. (Can you invite those University Students from Ohio that did that exposé on the voter fraud…Palestra(?)) They were great!

    Glenn Beck’s book is on my Christmas list. My family is not doing big gifts this year. We are all just buying one book for each family member and having a little exchange. :)

    I can’t wait. I think it will be the best Christmas ever!!!!

    I went to a private Catholic College (almost went to one in HS). It’s an overpriced education….I wish i was homeschooled, I would have prefered to have been demented over brainwashed. :lol:

    That’s my two cents!!!!

  23. #554273
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:57 pm, Leatherneck said:

    All illegal aliens must start paying for their ultrasound exams.

  24. #554274
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:57 pm, chapoutier said:

    Chapoutier: Please! The school (regardless of which one) does not handle security.

    I know that. I obviously meant “handle” as in be able to deal with the presence of armed guards and necessary disruptions.

    Certainly some schools present more challenges than others

    Exactly my point. If they are your kids, and and a private school can “handle” that security better, what are you going to do?

  25. #554275
    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:58 pm, feebiebabe said:

    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:52 pm, love2rumba said:
    Chapoutier..You are then saying that the Secret Service cannot provide protection as needed to Obama and his family?

    pssst. I heard he doesnt want guns in the white house…(ROFL)

  26. #554276
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:00 pm, FamilyMan said:

    Michelle
    A conservative blogger conference is fine but what I would like to see is all conservative bloggers linked at the top of their sites in order to create a daily conference. We need to unify all the comments on all the blogs into a cohesive force. Each day, conservatives could refine one major topic on one thread linked in real time to hundreds of blogs. leaving the other threads open for our normal bantering. The unified topic would be like the other threads with the exception that no trolls would be allowed.

  27. #554277
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:01 pm, feebiebabe said:

    Chap – seriously. If security was NOT an issue, do you honestly believe Obama would be jumping up and down about public school education for his daughters…. Snobama!!!!!

    I dont THINK soooooo.

  28. #554278
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:01 pm, txvet2 said:

    On November 21st, 2008 at 10:04 pm, chapoutier said:

    They’re in a lot less danger than any kid foolish enough to wear a McCain/Palin shirt to school.

  29. #554280
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:03 pm, Joy said:

    txvet2 – You got THAT right…

  30. #554281
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:03 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    statist Mike Huckabee

    Michelle, why are you so unfair to Mike Huckabee?

    Watch the PJTV interview he just did. He makes his positions clear, and rebuts many of the false perceptions. But then you came on later and states some of those same false perceptions about him. (You said he’s against companies making profits, and that’s patently false).

    I really expect better from you, Michelle.

    I dare you to do a 1-on-1 interview with Mike Huckabee. Ask him the toughest questions you can. And if his stand on the issues is different than your misperceptions, please be willing to admit that you were wrong about him.

  31. #554283
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:04 pm, feebiebabe said:

    One more thing to put out there before I call it a night. I saw another poster at another blog site talk about setting up (using donations) scholorships or “prize money” to public high schools across the country.

    Here was the interesting thing, they write essays on classical novels no longer required in public school education.

    Atlas Shrugged, Brave New World, 1984, Animal Farm (Unhinged??? :) )

    Just a thought. It wasnt my idea, but I liked it.

    Goodnight all!!!!

  32. #554284
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:05 pm, love2rumba said:

    They’re in a lot less danger than any kid foolish enough to wear a McCain/Palin shirt to school.

    yup

  33. #554285
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:05 pm, chapoutier said:

    Chap – seriously. If security was NOT an issue, do you honestly believe Obama would be jumping up and down about public school education for his daughters…. Snobama!!!!!

    I dont THINK soooooo.

    I don’t know. But I am not willing to simply cynically dismiss the notion that security IS an issue as MM did.

    And even granting your premise, the fact that a parent feels their children would get a better education at a private school and have the means to provide it, who the hell is anyone here to question that? Isn’t this the same group that flips out whenever anyone dares to question the validity of homeschooling?

  34. #554287
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:11 pm, feebiebabe said:

    And even granting your premise, the fact that a parent feels their children would get a better education at a private school and have the means to provide it, who the hell is anyone here to question that? Isn’t this the same group that flips out whenever anyone dares to question the validity of homeschooling?

    You have a point, however, most of us HERE dont have any say in public school education. Obama does, and will continue to throw money at the unions and the crappy school systems. If he feels what is good enough for others should be good enough for his family. Kinda like putting your money where your mouth is, eh?

    Only thing the average American can DO if they DONT want their kids to get a crappy education is by one of them quiting their jobs and homeschooling.

    I don’t think people should look at Obama out of “envy” that he can afford to send his girls to private school, but for someone not willing to fix the educational system…just kinda rubs me the wrong way, ya know?

  35. #554288
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:11 pm, Joy said:

    Itooktheredpill – I watched it too. That man is a politician, who lies as easily as he breaths. Talk about changing his positions. He barely made a blip in the Primaries. Why on earth is there any focus on Huckster in regards to Conservatism 2.0 or 1.0. I prefer prefer a return to 1.0 btw.

    Oh, and I’m not a libertarian, but those two were totally inept at grilling Huckster re libertarianism. They simply provided a forum for Huckster to talk uninterupted with facts. It was terrible. They didn’t call him on anything.

    It was almost like watching the MSM interview Obama…

  36. #554289
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:13 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    a parent feels their children would get a better education at a private school and have the means to provide it, who the hell is anyone here to question that?

    I dunno, why don’t you ask all these nazi democrats who try and take away options from the average joe’s of the US to get vouchers for private and charter schools? And, as evidenced in California, fight homeschooling (let’s hope we never get to the point Germany is right now with homeschooling being a crime) I don’t see conservatives fighting to keep kids in public schools to get their mandatory indoctrinations. I guess some pigs really are more equal than others eh?

  37. #554290
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:15 pm, chapoutier said:

    Obama does, and will continue to throw money at the unions and the crappy school systems.

    Wait, you mean the same Obama that told teacher’s unions that he supports merit based pay? Cause that is a pretty freaking unpopular position with them.

  38. #554291
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:16 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    Wait, you mean the same Obama that told teacher’s unions that he supports merit based pay? Cause that is a pretty freaking unpopular position with them.

    Who judges their merits? Kids standardized test scores or the union keeping crappy teachers on the roles already?

  39. #554292
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:18 pm, FamilyMan said:

    alaskan
    Is that true about Germany not allowing home schooling?

  40. #554293
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:19 pm, Joy said:

    FamilyMan – Yes it is.

  41. #554294
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:19 pm, Joy said:

    Ooops… weren’t asking me… sorry.

  42. #554295
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:19 pm, feebiebabe said:

    Wait, you mean the same Obama that told teacher’s unions that he supports merit based pay? Cause that is a pretty freaking unpopular position with them.

    Ohhh, let us wait and see. If he winds up actually doing this…I will eat crow on this blog.

    There is a lot of things I didnt like about McCain, but I did like his plan better, which allowed parents to choose where vouchers could be used and reforming the educational system. BUt who knows if that would have happend either.

    I would think the schools would have a better shot at reform with Palin in there, but that’s just me.

  43. #554296
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:21 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:18 pm, FamilyMan said:

    alaskan
    Is that true about Germany not allowing home schooling?

    Yeah, I’ll have to dig up a link for you. But there is a recent story of a German family seeking asylum in the US due to persecution in Germany for wanting to homeschool their kid(s). And it’s been an issue for much longer than that, they have gone the ultra-liberal (aka national-socialist) route of requiring no other option but indoctrination.

  44. #554298
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:23 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    Here is the family seeking asylum.

  45. #554299
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:24 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    Joy,

    How Christian of you in that black judge’s robe to pronounce him a liar.

    You’ve made it clear before that you are a Mormon/LDS who is bitter that Romney didn’t become the nominee, and you blame Huckabee for that.

    Never mind that it was Romney himself who chose to give the finger to Values Voters by refusing to attend the Values Voter Debate. (I guess you blame that on Huckabee, somehow). Never mind that it was Romney himself who chose to quit the race February 7th, after promising less than two days earlier to fight all the way to the convention. (I guess you blame that on Huckabee, somehow).

    Romney should have kept his word and stayed in the race. Neither Romney nor Huckabee had to get to 1191 delegates, they just had to prevent McCain from getting to 1191 and it would have gone to a brokered convention, where it is likely that we would have picked a different nominee than McCain. Instead, Romney chose to help McCain and put additional pressure on Huckabee to quit when Romney “released” his delegates to McCain on February 14th.

    Bottom line: you have alterior motives for criticizing Huckabee. When you point a finger at Huckabee and call him a liar, you have three times as many fingers pointing back at you.

  46. #554300
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:25 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Seems as if the Germans have not learned much from their history.

  47. #554301
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:27 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:25 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Seems as if the Germans have not learned much from their history.

    Indeed, and if we let the liberals run amok we will join them in falling off the cliff.

  48. #554303
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:28 pm, right_on said:

    I think it’s interesting to watch the legal insulation of Obama begin. The experience he has opted for in his cabinet selections so far, are curious.

    Why is Obama embracing operatives from the Clinton political machine? And why in the world would he want the Clinton’ anywhere near his administration? Something’s afoot, I think.

  49. #554304
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:29 pm, FamilyMan said:

    alaskan
    I know Germany had been considering it, but that was years ago. Apparently the German’s didn’t learn their lessons about authoritarian rule.
    GGGGGEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!

  50. #554305
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:30 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    More for you Familyman:

    Homeschooling in Germany is illegal with rare exceptions. The requirement to attend school has been upheld, on challenge from parents, by the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany. Parents violating the law have most prominently included devout Christians who want to give their children a more Christian education than what is offered by the schools. Penalties against these parents have included fines (around €5,000), successful legal actions to take away the parents’ custody of their children, and jail time for the parents.

    Coming to a liberal land near you!

  51. #554306
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:31 pm, love2rumba said:

    …And even granting your premise, the fact that a parent feels their children would get a better education at a private school and have the means to provide it, who the hell is anyone here to question that? Isn’t this the same group that flips out whenever anyone dares to question the validity of homeschooling?

    I agree, Chapoutier…however, I think it is hypocritical of the candidate to stump for the public schools, and then not be willing to put his OWN kids through it. I also shake my head in disbelief at the teachers who voted for Obama knowing this.

  52. #554311
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:35 pm, chapoutier said:

    I agree, Chapoutier…however, I think it is hypocritical of the candidate to stump for the public schools,

    Sooooo….to say that we need to support public schools, because 95% of the people in this country can’t afford private somehow means you have to use it as well?

    If Obama supports food stamp programs, does that mean he is a hypocrite not to use them as well?

    Is anyone who claims to support the troops, but has never been in the military, just a flaming hypocrite as well?

  53. #554312
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:35 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Something’s afoot, I think.

    Yes, empty suit rookie just got an unmerited call-up to the Big League.

    Often you do go after folks from your party with experience in prior adminstrations from your party. This, however, is different. The Clinton people are a clan. His putting Hillary in at State is the equivalent of him putting a gun to his own head. NOT SMART!

    Barry is in for quite a ride. Conservatives are the least of his worries. He’s got people inisde already who are going to do him great harm. Der Schlickmeister is still the Alpha Male.

  54. #554314
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:36 pm, love2rumba said:

    Why is Obama embracing operatives from the Clinton political machine? And why in the world would he want the Clinton’ anywhere near his administration? Something’s afoot, I think.

    You know I have been studying Obama’s body language, and If I didn’t know better, I’d say the guy gives the look that he is at least a little in over his head…as for the almost complete dependence on the Clinton machine for political appointments, I’d say someone else is pulling Obama’s strings for him not to have his own people as closest confidants..very curious

  55. #554315
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:37 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    Sooooo….to say that we need to support public schools, because 95% of the people in this country can’t afford private somehow means you have to use it as well?

    That’d be one thing, but him and his party actively seek to force people who aren’t rich enough for private schools into the public schools (see Germany).

  56. #554316
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:39 pm, Joy said:

    I can pronounce him a liar based on his record and what he is claiming he believes now. I could deal with it IF he would at least SAY he’d thought it over and changed his mind. But he just goes on yapping as if this is what he’s always believed.

    My dislike for the Huckster is far more than his obvious religious bigotry. But now he’s waxing eloquent about his acceptance of LDS… PU-leeeeeze.

    Is MM biased because of religion? Hardly. Why can’t you see there are other things to dislike about Huckabee than that.

    Huckabee CLEARLY used Mitts faith as a reason to disqualify him. You know that to be true. Yet you deny it.

  57. #554317
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:40 pm, feebiebabe said:

    Chap – I don’t always agree with you, but your logic (like Camille Paglia) I find thought provoking.

    Your last post however, is a little absurd.

    Did you know Walmart gives the poor more buying power with their own money..but Liberals take every opportunity imaginable to shut them down or trash them. Is that not also hypocritical?

    There is more out there than Black or White options.

    As far as the military, (sigh), that was just a really ridiculous example.

  58. #554318
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:40 pm, feebiebabe said:

    I can pronounce him a liar based on his record and what he is claiming he believes now. I could deal with it IF he would at least SAY he’d thought it over and changed his mind. But he just goes on yapping as if this is what he’s always believed.

    Kinda like how Romney was for abortion before he was against it?

  59. #554319
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:41 pm, taylork said:

    How about another topic?

    McCain loses Pa by 650,000 votes. He loses Philly by 700,000 votes. If McCain gets 40% of Philly he wins PA, just like if he wins 40% of Denver he wins CO, and 40 of cleveland and Cincy he wind OH.

    For all the talk about how the conservatives need to be more moderate, why is it that nobody is talking about how the GOP needs to campaign in urban areas that have languished for the last 4 decades under democrat control?

    You can’t concede a hald-million votes in a swing state and expect to win, yet somehow the GOP thinks it can and all of the conservative commentary from the party and media elite never mention it.

    Win the urban vote, win the election.

  60. #554320
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:42 pm, chapoutier said:

    That’d be one thing, but him and his party actively seek to force people who aren’t rich enough for private schools into the public schools (see Germany).

    If you could find me the link that shows Obama supports the elimination of homeschooling I’d be much appreciative.

    I mean it must be out there, if you say it is so.

  61. #554321
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:43 pm, alaskangrizzly said:

    If you could find me the link that shows Obama supports the elimination of homeschooling I’d be much appreciative.

    I mean it must be out there, if you say it is so.

    Come on now, he’s already on record against vouchers. Strike one. And California tried to shut down homeschooling, and although he didn’t say peep about it he didn’t condemn it either. And considering it was the teachers unions and his party in Cali doing the deed I have no doubt who he would side with.

  62. #554322
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:44 pm, Joy said:

    feebiebabe – Huge difference… Mitt didn’t claim he had always been on the right side. He came out and admitted he’d been wrong. I have no problem with politicians who change their minds. Someone who never grows or changes their minds is disturbing.

    And the facts show he changed his mind long before running for POTUS.

    But I sure don’t like the fact he was ever Pro-choice. But he didn’t switch sides and pretend he has always been pro-life.

  63. #554323
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:47 pm, ironman said:

    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:25 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Seems as if the Germans have not learned much from their history.

    It’s funny how societies seem to forget things after 2 or 3 generations and end up repeating the same stupid mistakes.

  64. #554324
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:47 pm, chapoutier said:

    McCain loses Pa by 650,000 votes. He loses Philly by 700,000 votes. If McCain gets 40% of Philly he wins PA, just like if he wins 40% of Denver he wins CO, and 40 of cleveland and Cincy he wind OH.

    And if you are 100% right, Obama still wins the election 315 to 223.

    But actually I think your point is valid and is why the democrats won this cycle. They are actively trying to expand the map and are conceding very little in terms of the electorate. I know nyk and MJ have both made the point that blacks tend to be very socially conservative, and thus would seem a natural fit for the republican party.

  65. #554325
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:50 pm, chapoutier said:

    Come on now, he’s already on record against vouchers. Strike one. And California tried to shut down homeschooling, and although he didn’t say peep about it he didn’t condemn it either. And considering it was the teachers unions and his party in Cali doing the deed I have no doubt who he would side with.

    So where was that link?

    Let me help you out.

    none of these policies need discourage families from deciding to keep a parent at home…For some families, that may mean doing without certain material comforts. For others it may mean home schooling….Whatever the case may be, such decisions should be honored.

    Guess who said that?

  66. #554326
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:50 pm, Mookie said:

    Kinda like how Romney was for abortion before he was against it?

    Romney was for a lot of things before he was against them. The guy that ran for Senator here and the guy who ran for Governor and the guy who ran for President are three different guys.

  67. #554327
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:51 pm, Joy said:

    On the subject of flip flopping, how many here don’t allow for a change of heart over time?

    Isn’t it a sign of intelligence to be able to observe and over time see the error of one’s way and change?

    Ronald Reagan used to be a Democrat. He saw the light and switched parties. Isn’t that a good thing? Not like Kerry, Gore and others simply say whatever they think the people want to hear.

    I respect people who are introspective and can change their minds when faced with the facts that something they believed doesn’t work or they come to realize something is morally wrong.

    The ability to admit failure or being wrong is a sign of character to me.

  68. #554328
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:53 pm, love2rumba said:

    Sooooo….to say that we need to support public schools, because 95% of the people in this country can’t afford private somehow means you have to use it as well?

    If Obama supports food stamp programs, does that mean he is a hypocrite not to use them as well?

    Is anyone who claims to support the troops, but has never been in the military, just a flaming hypocrite as well?

    Obama like anyone else can put his kids where his wealth will take them…it is hypocritical for him though to be agianst school vouchers that would provide the financial means for poorer kids of any race to go to his elite school his own kids go to. The teacher supporters of Obama don’t care as long as the NEA and their union get maximum advantage out of their support-that to me is shallow.

    If Obama supports food stamp programs, does that mean he is a hypocrite not to use them as well?

    If he did he’d just be Clintonian..actually you are no longer comparing apples to apples…try again.

    Is anyone who claims to support the troops, but has never been in the military, just a flaming hypocrite as well?

    again youa’re going off topic..try again… we have had no draft since 1973 so your point is irrelevant in the present day.

    ALL PEOPLE are expected to have an education with but very , very few exceptions that I can think of…the issue is since we already pay the taxes for education, should not parents be able to choose where their tax dollars go to for their own kids, or is getting a better education a privilege ONLY (of liberal donors to the Democratic Party and Republican Party who can otherwise afford to do so), Chapoutier?

  69. #554329
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:54 pm, taylork said:

    And if you are 100% right, Obama still wins the election 315 to 223

    I wasn’t including VA, MD, Fl, MI,MN, or IN, all of which would be winnable if the urban vote was split. Hell, Saxby may lose his seat because he’ll get creamed in ATL.

  70. #554330
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:54 pm, TxSkirt said:

    I’m so new to this it’s hard to call me a blogger, but I am a girl with an opinion and a keyboard and I would love to to and sit at the feet of some of my conservative blogging heros and learn from them. I vote yes.

  71. #554331
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:55 pm, FamilyMan said:

    alaskan
    Thanks for the link. This makes me sick.
    “are fined thousands of dollars, sent to prison or have the custody of their children taken away.”
    When the hell did this happen”
    GGGGGEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  72. #554332
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:55 pm, feebiebabe said:

    Chap – here is a statement from the HSLDA about what they think of Obama and Home-schooling.

    In fairness, in his book “Audacity” there were two quotes in favor of home-schooling.

    BUT, his campaign never responded to the HSLDA’s questions regarding the U.N Convention of the Rights of a Child…Which takes away parental rights for homeschooling.

    AND…

    Obama Voted against an income tax credit for parents who send their kids to private schools, religious schools, and/or who home-school their kids in 1999.

    Flip Flop.

  73. #554333
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:55 pm, Joy said:

    loves2rumba – See my post #16. That’s how many leftists really feel about vouchers. They simply can’t come right out and say it.

  74. #554334
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:58 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Chap,

    I think the reason for the reactions you see is not so much the Obama’s school choice, but the larger issues that bubble up when a choice like this is made. The Obama’s should do what’s best for their kids and those who protest can just stuff it. Kids trump everything.

    Adults see the indoctrination and teacher intimidation that has gone on in public schools. They read the objectives of the NEA, which are frankly ridiculous objectives based not on a desire to educate but to social engineer. They see the young children in their blue shirts with the Chinese song leader singing praises to Obama like little Maoists. They see religon jerked from the schools. They see the boys in camo pants doing a martial chant of allegience to a MAN and not their country.

    They also see Obama’s past collarboration with Ayers on program;s designed to radicalize school children. His whole emphasis on using children has Conservatives scarred to death.

    As a parent I know that there is nothing more primal than the instinctive reaction when children are perceived as threatened. In that respect Obama is very threatening. So when his kids get mentioned, all of this pent up angst, emotion, concern, and desire to protect just comes boiling out.

  75. #554336
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:59 pm, chapoutier said:

    Obama Voted against an income tax credit for parents who send their kids to private schools, religious schools, and/or who home-school their kids in 1999.

    Flip Flop.

    Opposing tax credits for all of those things, one of which includes homeschooling, is not nearly the same as being for the elimination of home schooling, which was the original point.

  76. #554337
    On November 21st, 2008 at 11:59 pm, feebiebabe said:

    The ability to admit failure or being wrong is a sign of character to me.

    Don’t you think this is underminded just a “tad” when it is done in the interest of gaining votes?

    Where is the valor there?

  77. #554339
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:03 am, feebiebabe said:

    Chap, I dont know if he is against or FOR homeschooling.

    WE DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE MAN.

    He never responded to the question when asked?

    Kinda like a lot of things.

    Like I said, If Obama winds up supporting home-schooling and head-butting teachers unions…I will eat crow.

    What he says, and how he votes (when he doesnt push the wrong button)

    Can you imagine if Palin did that?

  78. #554340
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:03 am, alaskangrizzly said:

    Guess who said that?

    Obama, in his book! Woo, you’re smart.

    Guess what his office (through spokesman Justin Hamilton) had to say very recently after 5 repeated calls to his office for an answer directly on homeschooling:

    Q. Do you support home schooling?

    A. Barack Obama respects the decisions reached by some parents to home school their children, provided those parents are conforming to the laws and regulations set forward by their states governing home-based instruction.”

    So does that mean if California decides to outlaw homeschooling that he is fine with it since it is the “law” ? Golly, wouldn’t that go against what he said in his book? /shock

  79. #554341
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 am, feebiebabe said:

    So does that mean if California decides to outlaw homeschooling that he is fine with it since it is the “law” ? Golly, wouldn’t that go against what he said in his book? /shock

    OR if it is outlawed FEDERALLY via U.N Convention of the Rights of a Child, which is very much supported by the D’s.

  80. #554342
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:06 am, chapoutier said:

    To everyone,

    You know what? I kind of even get the whole “hypocrisy” argument with respect to Obama putting his kids in private school, even thought I don’t agree with it.

    What I really find contemptible, and which was my original point, was MM’s unfounded and purely cynical assertion that the Obama’s chose this school not because of its educational merits, but simply because it is apparently the most elite.

    These are the Obama kids, for crissakes. They could go to Anacostia High and I am pretty sure they are set socially for the rest of their lives.

  81. #554343
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:07 am, feebiebabe said:

    Poor Chap. :D

  82. #554345
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 am, Joy said:

    Feebiebabe = I think I differentiated between those that do that and those that truly have a change of heart.

    The former pretend they’ve always felt that way and the latter admit publically they were wrong and usually can explain why and how they’ve come to change their minds.

  83. #554346
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 am, chapoutier said:

    Obama, in his book! Woo, you’re smart.

    At least it was an actual quote from an actual source, which was far far better than what you had provided up to that point.

    So does that mean if California decides to outlaw homeschooling that he is fine with it since it is the “law” ? Golly, wouldn’t that go against what he said in his book? /shock

    I don’t know if he would be personally fine with Cali’s law, but isn’t the conservative argument that education is a state issue, not federal, and if you don;t like the laws in one state vote with your feet and move to another?

  84. #554347
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 am, FamilyMan said:

    alaskan
    “the right to education “calls for regulation by the State”.
    How do they equate those opposing views in the same sentence?

  85. #554349
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 am, Joy said:

    Chap – Unfortunately Snoboma has said and done too much that proves his elitism. Hence the moniker Snobama. I don’t think even YOU believe he chose the school for its merits…

  86. #554350
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:11 am, alaskangrizzly said:

    but isn’t the conservative argument that education is a state issue, not federal,

    If it remained a state issue, then sure. It would hard fought in each and every state and I think even liberal la-la land California would lose in a straight up vote on it and keep homeschooling. But if it is imposed on a federal level like you (D)’s are trying to sneak in the back door then your point falls apart.

  87. #554352
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:13 am, chapoutier said:

    I don’t think even YOU believe he chose the school for its merits…

    I don’t have a bleedin’ clue about the educational merits of that particular school, but I’ll bet they are pretty good. That along with the fact that it already has experience dealing with a First Child would be a big factor, if I were a dad.

  88. #554354
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 am, Joy said:

    Where home schooling is concerned I don’t agree that it is a state issue. It’s a parental rights issue. As long as the kids can pass standardized tests, parental rights should trump the State.

  89. #554355
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:15 am, alaskangrizzly said:

    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 am, Joy said:

    Where home schooling is concerned I don’t agree that it is a state issue. It’s a parental rights issue. As long as the kids can pass standardized tests, parental rights should trump the State.

    Totally agree.

  90. #554357
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:16 am, chapoutier said:

    Where home schooling is concerned I don’t agree that it is a state issue. It’s a parental rights issue. As long as the kids can pass standardized tests, parental rights should trump the State.

    Careful…some of the strict constructionist here will ask where in the Constitution you find the right to homeschooling…

  91. #554359
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 am, Paul-Cincy said:

    Just watched a piece on Nightline (Nightline, which I really dislike. But I’m multi-tasking :) ). So there’s a pretty young woman, maybe 19? going to her first job. They’re following her through it. And the job? Prostitute at a Nevada brothel. Ever worked as a prostitute before? No. Medical exam. Art of negotiation. Personal hygiene — body wash, condoms, lubricant. She was so young. Giggling! Sweet, happy, seemingly naive. She’s making such a mistake. I kept thinking, this is someone’s daughter. What a waste. What a shame. And all televised on the self-important, glib, liberal, empty-suited, meaningless sound and graphics, despised Nightline.

  92. #554360
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 am, Joy said:

    Chap – And I personally think politicians need to accept what they DICTATE for the rest of us. They should have to live with the same healthcare options, the same laws, the same schools etc.

    Watch how quick teacher’s unions would fly out the window if politicians had no choice where to send their kids. Public Schools would improve overnight! Especially if they had to send them to the DC schools.

    That would sure change the way they vote on issues!

  93. #554361
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:20 am, Joy said:

    Chap – No, the constructionists would ask where Government run PUBLIC EDUCATION is found in the Constitution!!

  94. #554362
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:20 am, Flyoverman said:

    Careful…some of the strict constructionist here will ask where in the Constitution you find the right to homeschooling…

    Oh Chap wrong move…..

    Actually a strict constructionist is going to telling you there is NOTHING in the Constitution that gives the fedreal government ANY authority at all to be involved in the education of children.

    Frankly I agree. If I were President the Department of Education’s demise would be my first priority.

  95. #554363
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:22 am, FamilyMan said:

    alaskan and Joy
    It looks as though school vouchers should be on the platform of the new conservative Republican party.

  96. #554364
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:22 am, bluedog said:

    Does anyone know if the President gets any financial support for the children’s education? Is there any sort of financial support for the chosen school because of “security upgrades” that might “offset” tuition or the like?

    I’ve done some Googling, but I can’t find anything.

  97. #554365
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 am, chapoutier said:

    All right…I revoke the constructionist argument, and bid my adieu.

    Night all. Been fun and interesting.

  98. #554366
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 am, FamilyMan said:

    chapoutier said:
    Careful…some of the strict constructionist here will ask where in the Constitution you find the right to homeschooling…

    That was a pathetic attempt.

  99. #554367
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 am, Joy said:

    Paul Cincy – This would be a much better world all the way around if everyone treated everyone else as if they were a brother or a sister, daughter, son, mother, father…

    That story is really sad. I pray she will have a change of heart and rethink this.

    And anyone who is setting this up to document it this is sick, sick sick… anything for ratings. But maybe they’ll come to see how horrific it really is and maybe that will help people to make better choices. This world is messed up.

  100. #554368
    On November 22nd, 2008 at 12:25 am, emjem24 said:

    chapoutier said:
    To everyone,

    You know what? I kind of even get the whole “hypocrisy” argument with respect to Obama putting his kids in private school, even thought I don’t agree with it.

    Obama is a hypocrite. As a former public school teacher, I knew of several public school teachers who sent their “precious burdens” to private school. Now, why is that? :roll:

    What I really find contemptible, and which was my original point, was MM’s unfounded and purely cynical assertion that the Obama’s chose this school not because of its educational merits, but simply because it is apparently the most elite.

    Oh, boo hoo. You’re out of sorts ’cause MM is cynical of everything Obummer does. He is a politician.

    Let’s get real… the Obummer’s don’t want their “precious burdens” rubbing elbows with the little people. Heaven forbid they be exposed to real people or real life. I’m not surprised by this move. It’s a calculated ploy of self-assurance. Obummer’s little girls will meet the “right people” and not be troubled by the lackluster DC school system.

    These are the Obama kids, for crissakes. They could go to Anacostia High and I am pretty sure they are set socially for the rest of their lives.

    You really need to temper the personal attachment. You don’t know the Obummers or how they operate. You presume a lot.

    I find it interesting how you think it’s acceptable for a man to support giving away more of my hard-earned tax dollars to malfunctioning schools yet won’t do any real work tackling the core problems of public schools: teacher’s unions and no education standards.

    Obummer made a name for himself campaigning as a “populist.” Where’s the populist now? I don’t see him… he’s another elitist who does one thing for himself and his family while telling the rest of America how enjoyable a sub-par public education can be.

    Chaps, spend a day in the shoes of a public school teacher and see first-hand how our schools don’t do jack and are back of the pack when compared with the rest of the world’s schools. Perhaps, if more Americans stop living in denial about their schools, that sports are better than academics, that throwing more money at schools (cough cough that’s a new stadium or administrator pay), and get real, maybe there wouldn’t be such complacency as yours.

    Don’t mind me I just taught for 5 years.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Creepy Obama cult worship photos of the day

November 5, 2009 11:20 AM by Michelle Malkin

50 Comments | 0 Trackbacks

Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Nanny state debacle in NYC schools

November 2, 2009 02:06 PM by Michelle Malkin

53 Comments | 3 Trackbacks

A “reprieve” for Zachary

October 14, 2009 02:21 AM by Michelle Malkin

54 Comments | 1 Trackback

www.helpzachary.com

October 13, 2009 12:46 PM by Michelle Malkin

61 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

Big Labor & Higher Ed battle public disclosure

October 12, 2009 09:49 PM by Michelle Malkin

19 Comments | 1 Trackback

WaPo Page A1 breaking news: Conservatives are horrible ogres, Part 99,999

October 12, 2009 09:22 AM by Michelle Malkin

114 Comments | 8 Trackbacks

“…sour, angry, even dangerous.”

Indoctrination Watch: Obama school praise hymn of the day

October 6, 2009 12:01 PM by Michelle Malkin

64 Comments | 8 Trackbacks

Mmm, mmm, mmm.


Categories: Education



The Other McCain

» Paralysis by analysis

Legal Insurrection

» NY Times Names Names

HotAir GreenRoom