myStrangerFace Achieve the Four Modernizations.

the duster

The Hill

TMI

SF or LA

Refresh

Apr 23

the duster commented on The Transcript of Tsarnaev's Bedside Hearing in a Hospital Room Earlier Today.

@7 I actually live in Indianola...so yeah, not the good part haha.

Apr 22

the duster commented on The Transcript of Tsarnaev's Bedside Hearing in a Hospital Room Earlier Today.

Somewhat related: I saw Other Desert Cities last weekend in Jackson, MS and a large portion of it dealt with a family dealing with a son who had been labeled a terrorist. It was pretty interesting in light of recent events. I think I saw that ACT is putting on the play in May, it's definitely worth checking out.

Apr 3

the duster commented on What's the Secret to Successful Charter Schools? More Money!.

@8 I don't mean want to make this accusatory or argumentative, but with that data, I'd want to dig deeper. Case in point, YES, a school in an affluent area is going to spend more per student. Chances are, however, those students have strong family support for education and discipline.

If I saw numbers where school districts that service low-income families were seeing huge gains with more money spent...then I'd think that just spending money might be working. Maybe you can show this data, but I'm not convinced based on my experience.

Apr 3

the duster commented on What's the Secret to Successful Charter Schools? More Money!.

@5 I can see why you might infer that I'm advocating for one of those things, but not for either. I just think the idea that simply funneling more money into public education will solve our woes is misguided.

Apr 3

the duster commented on What's the Secret to Successful Charter Schools? More Money!.

Money alone, however, is not a silver bullet. KIPP also has the ability to dismiss students for a wide range of disciplinary reasons. Teaching at a public school, I believe that we could throw twice the money that KIPP does at our kids and we'd still have the same disciplinary issues. The fact is, until a child does something bad enough to warrant that he or she goes to alternative school (multiple fights usually), we are still responsible for educating that child. As a result, I devote a significant portion of my time "babysitting" rather than educating.

Mar 19

the duster commented on Someone Who Just Moved Here Tells Us About Seattle.

@89 It's the northwest region of MS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi…

There is a majority black population, but the most of wealth and business is owned by, go figure, the white minority.

Mar 18

the duster commented on Someone Who Just Moved Here Tells Us About Seattle.

Not sure what part of the Deep South this person hails from, but I just moved from Seattle to the Mississippi Delta this past year.

And the winner for racism is.....The Delta! That doesn't mean Seattle is a utopian society, but man, it's hard to out-racist Mississippi.

I could provide reasoning that uses beautiful verbiage and thought provoking analysis, but it's all deadwood--as is this post.

Mar 8

the duster commented on Was Rand Paul Right?.

@28 You're right I should've said it was promulgated rather than codified. Either way, I'm on the side that thinks it's a dangerous precedent.

Also, I'd say I resemble heavily social Democrat. I'm in favor of a lot of government paternalism, I just think this particular expansion of power is entirely wrongheaded.

Mar 8

the duster commented on Was Rand Paul Right?.

@22 That may be the case but it's never been codified into law like this, which I think is a valid thing to be concerned about.

Mar 6

the duster commented on Rand Paul Is Fillibustering John Brennan's Appointment as CIA Director.

@6 You're fine with a drone flying over a town or city in the United States and killing someone who's been deemed a threat without trial?

Furthermore, you're fine with the precedent that sets for all future administrations?