Gore in '04?

[fishamaphone]

OK, this might fit better in the rant/rave section, but Sean wanted something more interesting, so I'll try to make it more political in nature. My title's a bit misleading, let me explain.

I've had problems with science classes during my high school career, and because of this, I'm forced to take 2 sciences my senior year(luckily, I already have 4 maths, so I can simply skip one of those). One of these classes is Earth/Space Science, and I swear to you, I know more about the subject than my teacher. He doesn't even know how to teach information! His idea of a class lecture is reading the text out loud during class! Then he makes sure the people most involved speak the least English! Wow, he's bright. Just to take the point further, I got a question wrong on one of his tests: I had answered it the exact opposite of the right answer, then convinced him my answer was just as accurate, and got full points for it.

Anyway, somehow one day we got to talking about the FTAA(I didn't bring it up), and he goes on about whatever the hell he wants, and somehow we get to how crappy a job Bush is doing. It really surprized me to find out the guy was liberal... he'd been a businessman before. Anyway, he regretted that Bush would probably win the 2004 election because, and I quote, "Gore doesn't have a chance."

So I go up to him afterward and I mention that there are about a dozen Democrats running, 4 that actually have a good shot at getting the nomination, and none of them are Gore, and that he in fact has made official announcements stating he won't run. To this, he responds "well of course Gore has said he won't run. He can't!" completely ignoring Dean, Kerry, Lieberman, and Clark(that last name escaped me at the time, though... almost as bad as forgetting the word "saturated").

So, in his own way, I think my science teacher explained why he was right. Sad as it is, there are people out there as stupid as him in positions of relative power. I think there are enough people out there who will litterally believe anything, and with the Democrats still mostly too scared to talk, the only ones speaking are the conservatives.

There. I tied it in... somehow... so, why do you think people are idiots, and what can we do about it?

[Sean]

Good post, but I think very little can be done. This nation is one of control. The dumber the consumer/worker, the more satisfied they'll be. We're a corporate culture, and it's going to be hard to become anything else in my opinion.

I suppose it's best to get out there and help. I do little things like dean bumper stickers on my car, and donating a little cash.

[Impenitent]

why are people idiots? because they are...

what can we do about it? herd them like cattle and put them to work...

[Aequo]

Yes, but these idiots are educating future generations. If teachers had to be periodically tested, and the salary raised so more intelligent people would want to do it, it might alleviate the problem. As it stands, teaching (most subjects) is a job a retard can pull -- I know from experience.

[nature of reality]

the reason why teachers are retards is because it is a state funded instition.
They get there money by force (taxes) rather then by trading values, naturally they do a shitty job.
With no rewards for excellence, it attracts medicrity.

The solution?

Privatize it all.

[fishamaphone]

Nature: here's where I pull the rug from under you.

I attend a private school.

Privitizing isn't the solution to everything...

[nature of reality]

heres where i pull the rug out from you...


You also attending a public school. Or at least paying for one at the same time. Think of the quality education you could be getting if you didn't have to "attend" two schools at once?

[fishamaphone]

Can you explain how I'm attending a public school, please? That's kinda eluding me at the moment, but there's probably some pseudo-connection, such as the acredidation process... can't go on if I don't know what you're talking about.

[nature of reality]

taxes. your paying for a seat in a public school

[fishamaphone]

So long as the money's being put to good use, I really don't mind. I'm one less head they have to keep track of, which means the public school system can be just a teensy bit more effective.

Regardless, that's ignoring the point: I'm not involved with any government run facility when it comes to education at this point, and I still get stupid teachers.

Sorry if I'm coming off attacking... pissed off at the teacher, not you.

[The Fyrdman]

I was wondering how people get jobs as teachers in the US? In the UK they have to have a degree in teaching plus its standard to have a degree in their specialist subject (seperate, they arn't combined courses), unless they have particular experience in something, like drama teachers from the royal shakespeare company etc

[fishamaphone]

Generally, there are supposed to be certain standards, but there's a teacher shortage, so a lot of them are being ignored. That's the main problem.

Different teacher told us in class that "pseudo" meant "foot"