Now that the housing bubble has burst, and Americans have spent
a few years paying down credit card debt, one of the few remaining
bubbles is in higher education. Earlier this year, for the first
time in our nation’s history, student loan debt surpassed credit
card debt; student debt is now estimated at over $1 trillion.
Economist Alan Nasser, in an article entitled “The
Student Loan Bubble,” points out that states’ budget
constraints cause tuition increases at public universities to
increase, which pushes students into private, and particularly
for-profit, institutions. As for “the health of student loans,”
Nasser notes that “Only 40 percent of [outstanding student loan]
debt is actively being repaid. The rest is in default, or in
deferment (when a student requests temporary postponement of
payment because of economic hardship), which means payments and
interest are halted, or in forbearance.”
Despite the political sensitivity of tuition costs, colleges
feel too able to raise prices because government will raise the
availability of loans to match. And if you’re an 18-year-old
borrowing money to be paid back over a decade or more after you get
that dream job, it certainly feels like education is somewhere
between cheap and free. If it sounds remarkably like how people
think of health care these days, the results of that thinking are
apparent in both: Between 2000 and the middle of 2011, the
cumulative change in the Consumer Price Index was about 34 percent
(with the core, excluding food and energy, up just over 25
percent). The medical care
component rose 56 percent, while college tuition and fees rose
an incredible 101 percent.
And what are our young adults getting for their money? Not very
much, in terms of employment prospects, unless they choose majors
that qualify them for industries with strong demand for
employees.
According to the AP, in 2011 “young college graduates were
heavily represented in jobs that require a high school diploma or
less. In the last year, they were more likely to be employed as
waiters, waitresses, bartenders and food-service helpers than as
engineers, physicists, chemists and mathematicians combined
(100,000 versus 90,000). There were more working in office-related
jobs such as receptionist or payroll clerk than in all computer
professional jobs (163,000 versus 100,000). More also were employed
as cashiers, retail clerks and customer representatives than
engineers (125,000 versus 80,000).”
Furthermore, “According to government projections released last
month, only three of the 30 occupations with the largest projected
number of job openings by 2020 will require a bachelor’s degree or
higher to fill the position — teachers, college professors and
accountants.”
It is the overall economy combined with students’ individual
choices that are responsible for their financial woes. Contrary to
the woe-is-me whining of Occupy Wall Street’s many unemployed
denizens, it is neither moral nor constitutional for taxpayers to
bear the burden of someone’s decision to get a degree in theater
instead of computer science.
Barack Obama, pandering to one of the few voter groups that
might still support him aggressively in 2012, says repeatedly that
“In America, higher education cannot be a luxury.” But
college education is not, as many college students apparently
believe, a right (in the sense of being something that must be
provided to them in part or in whole on someone else’s dime). It is
a luxury; we are fortunate that it is one so many in our nation can
afford. But like all luxuries, it is the consumer’s responsibility,
not government’s, to find a way to pay for it.
Fortunately, even the idealistic residents of college
dormitories (though not their tenured professors) have been
awakened to the depressing job prospects after they’re handed
diplomas and wished good luck in this, the weakest economic
recovery in modern American history.
It is understandable that an 18-year-old student who has never
had a real job may be swayed by Obama’s rhetoric, promising dollar
bills raining down from the sky to cover his tuition. Less
understandable, or at least more disappointing, is that on Mitt
Romney, who on Monday said, “I fully support the effort to extend
the low interest rate on student loans.”
If Romney wasn’t going to stand up for the Constitution or
against the tuition inflation caused by federal education loan
policy, the least he could have done was, as Senate Minority Leader
Mitch
McConnell did, point out that this is a transparent ploy to
“make [Republicans] look bad to the voters” while distracting from
the dismal Obama economy and its 53 percent unemployment rate for
recent college grads.
Romney could have said that he’d be willing to consider it if
there were offsetting spending cuts elsewhere, as John Boehner did.
He could have said that economic growth, which this president is
stifling, will make the college loan interest rate irrelevant, and
that a bigger subsidy from taxpayers will not help them get a job
— and might actually hurt employment efforts through higher tax
bills for the few Americans who actually pay most of the
freight.
College education for many — though perhaps not as many as
receive it now — is a laudable goal for America. But subsidizing
it through unconstitutional actions and unjustifiably low interest
rates is nothing more than a vote-buying redistribution of wealth
from the majority of taxpayers to college students and their
parents. It is a difficult political issue for the GOP, which is
exactly how the Democrats engineered it. But it is time for the
party, and its putative leader Mitt Romney, to speak the truth that
even for a good cause there’s no such thing as a free lunch (or
free college education).
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 6:16AM
The Flip Flopin' Ruling Elites' RINO-CINO Fop Frontman, Mittens Romney.
" After sternly telling a high school senior during the primary that he shouldn’t expect government help with student debt, Mitt Romney informed reporters on Monday that he sides with President Barack Obama on a key aspect of the issue.
“I fully support the effort to extend the low interest rate on student loans . . . in part because of the extraordinarily poor conditions in the job market,” Romney said.
The position would seem to put Romney at odds with congressional Republicans – perhaps the first clear sign of Romney’s long-expected effort to separate himself from the unpopular House GOP."
TLP| 4.27.12 @ 7:16AM
Where do ya start?
THIS is the one we've been waiting for? This guy?
I write about him being the object of Great Concern, spoken of in Revelation 13-5 all the time.
"And I saw the BEAST rise from the Sea. And he was given a MOUTH, to speak Haughty and Blasphemous words. And he was allowed to exercise Authority for forty two months."
And, for this, I'm called Crazy.
I remember when he first came in to Power. The Arabs LAUGHED at him. They MOCKED his pretty speeches.
They don't do that, anymore.
They FOLLOW HIM, now. HE is their Leader. It was HE who gave them Mubarak. It was HIS Jets that gave them Libya, on a Silver Platter. HE is the reason that the Arab League has not Armed the people of Syria.
HE went in to Libya on the pretense that Khaddafi had killed 150 of his own people. ASSAD has Murdered Thousands, yet HE refuses to do anything.
Iran will have their Bomb before you know it, yet he does nothing, but 'Speak haughty and blasphemous words'. HE reveals to them, the SECRET PLANS of a Launching or Refueling Point for Israel's Bombers in the Country just North of Iran.
Hamas believes the HE is their "Deliverer". That HE was sent by their God of Murder to Destroy the Jews, and return Jerusalem to the Muslims. They have even given him the name: ABU HUSSAIN.
Son of the Father.
His Cheif Benefactor is a Man who, as a Jewish Boy, helped the Nazis, in their efforts to Exterminate his fellow Jews. When confronted with this, during an interview, when he was asked if he had any REGRETS about what he had done? He Calmly, and Smilingly answered that it was the "Best time of my life".
Why am I writing these things, AGAIN?
I guess because, with each passing day, he lets down his Pretenses a little bit more. His Lies, though just as many, are not as clever as they used to be. He's more Blatent, and he grows more Reckless as he contemplates the chance, that he may not get to FINISH THE JOB.
Ask the Midwestern Farmers, who are having their Livestock SLAUGHTERED by the THOUSANDS, for no reason, by 'The Ones' Armed Agents. Ask the people who's Private Property his EPA Nazis, are confiscating. Ask Ted Nugent. Ask all of the Coal Miners, who've been thrown out of work by HIS Minions. Listen to that Nazi looking little Lying POS - Carney - spout his Lies to every Goddamn question, every GODDAMN DAY, and then tell me that none of what I'm writing, makes any sense.
Name one thing that this THING has done for this country.
And, don't say Bin Laden, cause he did that for himself. With him gone, HE is the King of Islam.
HE is the Deliverer.
THE MESSIAH.
How many things, this shy of actually Bombing Tel Aviv, does he have to do, before you people get it?
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 7:29AM
Aaaaaand ,
He Ate TLP's Dog.
Ret. Marine| 4.27.12 @ 8:35AM
TLP, I am sure you and I both understand, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. It is likewise to suggest, their are truth to every passage in the good book, likewise it is clear to think not everyone is going to either believe in these words, or live by them. Good post nonetheless, and spot on. Thanks for the reminder. Semper Fi.
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 10:05AM
Ret. Marine,
You might not be able to make them drink but you can damn well hold their head under until they fight to come up for air. TLP just keeps pushing their head under, sooner or later, they will swallow some of this truth.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 12:05PM
Uh Oh !
Candy Ass RINO-CINO , Barroom Drunk Shuck & Jive Trash Talk.
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 12:32PM
Oh look, some village has lost their idiot.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 1:17PM
DS: the Quad Cities lost their idiot. He's bigger than a village. Have a great weekend.
My daughter, as you know, is crazy for horses. This is her 9th B-day party this weekend and we have an awesome horse cake awaiting her!
Al Adab| 4.27.12 @ 1:23PM
My best Birthday wishes to the young lady. Any girl fond of horses is OK in my book.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 2:27PM
Ditto!!!!
skip| 4.27.12 @ 1:33PM
Shoot. Wish you'd mentioned this earlier. Horse is reeeally chewy. You'd of been better off sticking with dog cake. Or haggis cake.
Shows you don't want to get your info from PETA. People eating tasty animals my eye.
Enjoy the festivities. She'll be driving and dating in less than a year and a half. Or maybe it'll just seem that way.
skip| 4.27.12 @ 2:13PM
On the topic of good wishes, have I missed word of Mimi?
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 2:39PM
Yes, she is home and recovering.
skip| 4.27.12 @ 3:47PM
Thanks, just read a post by Mimi in the 'Obama Cranium Has Algae, Brains Withheld' thread.
Tim the Enchanter| 4.27.12 @ 3:27PM
Haggis? That's inhuman!
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 2:03PM
Point well taken. Best birthday wishes for her. Being the son of a thoroughbred jockey I would have to say she has good taste in cake.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 2:11PM
We Aren't Surprised That Tool Job's Daughter Is Crazy For Horses.
Her Old Man Is A Crazy Horse's Ass.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 2:29PM
Better to be one figuratively and LITERALLY!!!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 4:25PM
So You're Both Fart Face.
Don't Brag On It, Israel Firster RINO-CINO.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:07PM
So says the village excrement unable to realize the lac of need to capitalize every word in a sentence. Public School English Grammar 101, no doubt!!!!
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 6:57PM
I'm renaming you Clutz from Clint. You are a Schmuck, a classless Putz, a lowlife Nebbish.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 2:08PM
Hang On !
The Villagers Are Lookin' For Ya, Drunken Idiot.
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 2:40PM
Are you so mentally handicapped that you have to try and use the same insult I directed toward you? That's sad, even for you.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 4:26PM
What Goes Around, Comes Around, Drunk.
Jack in Wi.| 4.27.12 @ 10:45AM
The head of the Israeli military Lt General Benny Glanz has just said tha Iran is a rational player and is not building a bomb. he wants to settle with Iran peacefully. The present head of the Mossad and 2 former heads have said the same thing. So has the former head of the Shin Bet and other leading Israeli Security people.Iran has attacked no one in over 300 years. They are fine people who don't need to be destroyed because the Zionists can't learn to live in peace in the neighborhood. Shalom.
The Truth| 4.27.12 @ 12:16PM
Here also what Gantz said that got left out:
"Either Iran takes its nuclear program to a civilian footing only, or the world, perhaps us too, will have to do something. We're closer to the end of the discussions than the middle,"
""I think the Iranian leadership is comprised of very rational people. But I agree that such a capability in the hands of Islamic fundamentalists, who at some moments may make different calculations, is a dangerous thing."
"Iran IS moving step-by-step towards a point where it will be able to decide if it wants to make a nuclear bomb. It has not decided yet whether to go the extra mile,"
Jack in Wi.| 4.27.12 @ 4:03PM
The heads of the Israeli military and the intelligence are in open revolt against the luanatic Netanyahu, and his cohorts Lieberman, and Barak. They know that attacking a peaceful Iran would be a disaster for Israel from which it might never recover.
The same is true of the military and intelligence agencies in this country who have said Iran is not developing nuclear weapons. They know a preventive war on Iran would be a horrible war crime which they, under their oaths, and international law are duty bound to resist. The lunatics here calling for endless war and genocide aree a disgrace to all conservatives.
The active military has contributed $ 350,000 to the Ron Paul campaign. It has contributes $ 172,000 to Barak Obama. It has contributed
$ 13,000 to the campaign of Willard Romney.
All you warmongers here are against our active military. Bring the troops home to their families. The vast majority of people have had it with these wars and these warmongers.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 12:50PM
No, no he didn't. He said the IDF was ready to rumble.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 1:47PM
" Ex-Mossad chief: Iran rational; don't attack now
(CBS News) The former head of Israel's intelligence service believes the Iranian regime is a rational one and even its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - who has called for Israel to be annihilated - acts in a somewhat rational way when it comes to Iran's nuclear ambitions. While the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran becomes an election year issue, ex-Mossad Chief Meir Dagan sits down with Lesley Stahl to discuss the Iranian nuclear program and stress that now is not the time to attack it. "
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 2:34PM
Yeah, our own military chief said the same thing [at the direction of his boss @1600]....Iran has many allies no doubt.....they all need to CALL BIBI!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 4:43PM
" Israel Is Not About to Attack Iran and Neither is the United States: Get Used To It
By Barry Rubin
So why are Israelis talking about a potential attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities? Because that’s a good way –indeed, the only way Israel has--to pressure Western countries to work harder on the issue, to increase sanction and diplomatic efforts. If one believes that somehow pushing Tehran into slowing down or stopping its nuclear weapons’ drive is the only alternative to war, that greatly concentrates policymakers’ minds. Personally, I don't participate--consciously or as an instrument--in disinformation campaigns, even if they are for a good cause.
Regarding Ronen Bergman's article in the New York Times, I think the answer is simple: Israeli leaders are not announcing that they are about to attack Iran. They are sending a message that the United States and Europe should act more decisively so that Israel does not feel the need to attack Iran in future. That is a debate that can be held but it does not deal with a different issue: Is Israel about to attack Iran. The answer is "no."
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:12PM
Under YA BOY, the only attacking will be against a senile old Muslim terrorist that is residing right under our good friend/ally Pakistan's nose who YA BOY is in process of paying $1mil to for HELP FIGHTING TERRORISTS [talk about DUMBARS?]! Straight out of Media Matters/C&P's manuel of RULES FOR RADICALS!!!!!!!!!
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 3:09PM
Hey, Clint!
What happened to www.teapartygroundzero.com??
Did your Mom stop paying the hosting fees?
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 4:46PM
We Heard They Were Pimpin' Out Yo Mama To Muslims,Who Wanted To Lay Dead Broads, But She Started To Rot.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:15PM
I thought you RJ-Media Matters Whores were sympathetic to Muslims and their causes? Is the old senile windbag in LJ so??????
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 6:58PM
I'm renaming you Clutz from Clint. You are a Schmuck, a classless Putz, a lowlife Nebbish.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 1:22PM
Iran attacked India in 1738, for example. Don't know much, do you, Jack?
Christopher C| 4.27.12 @ 5:07PM
"Iran has attacked no one in over 300 years"? Well, among many, many other people, the families of the Marines killed in Lebanon in Reagan's time will be surprised by that claim. The families of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan by IEDs featuring explosively-formed penetrators may also be surprised by your claim. Jack, mate, accept the fact that you can't cut Islamic true bastards any slack whatsoever. They're malevolent, they do not believe in minding their own business, they do not think peaceful or even quasi-peaceful co-existence is desirable, and leave others no option other than violent opposition to resist their utterly poisonous influence. If that sounds extreme, sorry, but Iran is a truth that is ugly.
calvin | 4.28.12 @ 5:06PM
TuLiP;
I get your point and the Revelation of St. Lohn is chock-a-block full of allusions to our leader and present decadent times; but John would be displeased at your liberal use of our true Redeemers name in vain. Kind of defeats your intentions.
You have His attention now, having invoked His name.
Jack in Wi.| 4.27.12 @ 6:21AM
It's called buying the election and the youth vote. Tens of millions are strangling on student loans, for worthless educations, which haven't gotten them any or much better jobs. With the employment situation today there is no sane reason for a young person to vote for Oobama. The problem is that their is no sane reason for them to vote for Romney. So Obama and Romney are doing an auction to see who can give them the most relief on unpayable student loans. The best way to get rid of this problem is to just let these people with unpayable loans go bankrupt. The loans won't be paid anyhow and by that time the youth will have no future. We are putting our kids into permanent peonage while the super rich and the banksters were bailed out by the TARP program.
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 8:14AM
Poll-Time, Folks!
Simple question: Who's more rational, me, or Jack?
Mike Hawk| 4.27.12 @ 8:25AM
Why do you put Jack and rational in the same sentence??
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 8:58AM
It's carry-over from yesterday. Jack the Nazi claims I'm not relational, so I want to put it to the test.
Vote, Mike!
Mike Hawk| 4.27.12 @ 10:39AM
You are rational, Jackov is not.
W| 4.27.12 @ 10:59AM
I voted last night for you Doc. I suggest you ask for some ID in this vote.
Dmac | 4.27.12 @ 11:36AM
I normally don't agree with Jack on anything. I'm as conservative as they get, but his comment above is as I see it, truthful and honest. It could be the case of a closk being right at least twice a day.
However I have a question for all of you who seem to think all these kids feel entitled. Does it seem right to you that the federal reserve loan our money to banks at the rate of 0.01 to 1% to banks everyday, but we charge our children 3.6%? Most of these kids are only doing what they've been told by us, by our leaders and by their teachers to do since they entered kindergarten, go to college.
For those of you who went to college, 20, 30, 40, or 50 years ago, college was cheap and you could get a dregree in four years. Todays colleges have turned into beauracracies that have figured out how to screw these kids for big money. The avergae paerson can no longer afford to send their kids to college, so the kids get loans. They do this because it's all they've heard their entire live, get a college degree. They do what they've been told and advised by all of us to do, they get out of college only to find most American corporations are only hiring in other countries, yet so many of you here just want to blame the kids.
Here's another little tid bit, most of these colleges make it so damn hard to get a degree because they've added so mush BS coursework for a particular degree you now have to go five years to get the degree.
Here's an example of how a college beauracracy works:
A child goes to college, gets a dorm room that has nothing in it but a two beds and two desk, a bathrorrm shared by to other kids in the room on the other side of the bathroom. The dorm is fifty years old and has been paid for for forty years. The college charges each student $800.00 a month for the bed, desk, shared room and shared bathroom. How does the college get away with this? Because they know the federal government will back the loan the child has to get to go to college. It's all a game about the loan agency washing the hands of the college. The colleges charge more so they can waste more or pay their liberal professors more and the loan agency is guaranteed business becuase the college over charges for everything and gets away with it.
Yet most readers and commentors here want to blame the kids for a nasty greddy game set up by their parents generation. I know first hand of this crap because I have three kids in college and thank God two of them have academic scholarships.
The problem is not the kids, it's the adults for allowing public universites to become the beauracracies and money pits they are today. the kids have done nothing more than what all of us have asked them to do since they were old enough to walk. Get a good education so you don't have to struggle the way your mom and I have.
Now shouldn't we be focusing on our govenors and who they appoint to run the colleges and universities? Shouldn't we as stock holders with our 401k's start demanding that those that run our 401k's (Fidelity, Principal Group and others) start demanding that American corporations start investing in jobs for our kids, the kids of their stock holders. We are all being played for fools, and I don't think we are fools.
I'm not saying bail these kids out. They took the loans and they should oay them back. But to bail out corporations and banks, to give solar comapnies guaranteed loans then watch them go bankrupt weeks later and at the same time call these kids entitlist and every other name under the sun showa what hypocrites some of us are. How about lets don't bail anyone out including banks and businesses and lets get the cost of a college education down where it should be. Let's make the colleges drop all the unecassary courses that have nothing to do with the degree a kid is trying to get. Why should a child getting a degree in chemistry be required to take a course on shakespeare? Why should a person getting a degree in any liberal arts class be required to take algebra or calculus? Why should a college be charging outragous fees for a dorm that's been paid for by public money?
Private universities can do what they want, but the public universities need to be cleaned out and straightened up.
Louis Jenkins| 4.27.12 @ 12:09PM
DMAC:
You're correct. When I was in college, many eons ago, renting an apartment was the better choice for my dollars. Plus, there were no restrictions compared to the dorm room. The schools and the loan agencies are working hand in hand. Once the loan is approved it's all easy money.
Todd S| 4.27.12 @ 12:54PM
Some advice if you want people to read what you wrote, use line breaks and make it a bit shorter. I can see you have good points but it is hard to read like that.
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 2:53PM
A simple "yes" or "no" would have sufficed...
Crassus| 4.27.12 @ 11:58AM
You got my vote, Doc. Not that you really want it.
TLP| 4.27.12 @ 8:31AM
If, by 'Rational', you mean Stupid Bast@rd, Dumbfck Dumb@ass that nobody likes, and couldn't possibly have ever been with a women that he didn't have to give a 20 to, before she'd get in the car?
Hmmmmmmm.
This could take while.
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 8:57AM
In that case, let me make it easy for you:
This poll isn't about you.
TLP| 4.27.12 @ 9:44AM
I know.
That's why it's gonna take a while.
Dumb@ss.
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 9:55AM
Here's a lesson, Timmy:
When you say "Stupid Bast@rd, Dumbfck Dumb@ass that nobody likes, and couldn't possibly have ever been with a women that he didn't have to give a 20 to," most people will assume you're talking about yourself.
TLP| 4.27.12 @ 10:17AM
Isn't he great? So full of valuable knowledge. So full of Original thoughts like "Oh yeah?" and "You are!" and of course the aforementioned "I'm rubber, your glue. Whatever you say bounces offa me, and sticks to you."
Problem is that, even with all that going for you?
I can't decide between the two of ya.
I vote -TIE,
Jack in Wi.| 4.27.12 @ 10:39AM
Timmy was talking about you Dr.Demented. You never been with a women period.
Mike Hawk| 4.27.12 @ 10:40AM
Hey, Clint , stop pretending to be Jack.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 12:10PM
Uh Oh !
Little Micky Paranoid RINO-CINO Thinks I'm Posting As Jack Now.
Wrong , Little Old RINO-CINO Paranoid Buffoon.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 2:38PM
CINO paranoid baffoon? Like those excrement heads @ND [re:Jenky]?????????????????
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:39PM
The Nurse Said To Tell Ya She'll Will Be In To Change Your Adult Pampers, Oldefarte.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:17PM
Ya parish priest is coming to change yours....say ahhhhhhh!!!!!!
One if by land...| 4.27.12 @ 5:26PM
And you Jack, Clint, vtwin and all the other one, usually error filled, sentence typing morons. You all simply spout opinion and ignore facts. Why do you even read a or visit a conservative web site? You obviously do not read the articles because you only troll the comments section. Jack, I also haven't forgot about finding and destroying you.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 6:04PM
You Seem Very Upset & Cranky This Fine Evening, One Hand Job.
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 6:54PM
I'm renaming you Clutz from Clint. You are a Schmuck, a classless Putz, a lowlife Nebbish.
The truth| 4.27.12 @ 10:01AM
Heres some jewels from yesterday, one of our nazi from wisconsin's finest performances:
Jack in Wi. 4-26-12
"And they think we should be cry forever about the so called holocaust"
"At least Obama hates Netanyahu"
"It's alright to hate evil and the devil. Netanyahu is the devil incarnate. He is Hitler on steroids"
"Hitler didn't own most of the American political class, like Netanyahu does. That makes him as bad as Hitler probably worse anyday"
"Hitler never called out so blatanly for the mass murder of millions like is done everyday on this site. He had at least the DECENCY to not do that"
"We need a second war of independence"
closely followed by:
"Blessed are the PEACE makers for they shall be called children of God."
"I don't demonize any race" LOL!
"Hitler didn't own most of the American political class, like Netanyahu does. That makes him as bad as Hitler probably worse anyday. "
"Only here could someone who preaches peace, univeral brotherhood, and the Golden Rule be called an antisemite.
lets not forget:
"We need a second WAR of independence'
"Hitler didn't have 500 atomic weapons and plans to use them"
If Hitler HAD 500 nukes he WOULD have used them.
And the hits just keep on coming.
TLP| 4.27.12 @ 10:18AM
I still think it's a tie.
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 2:54PM
...But you also think that your posts are interesting and insightful, so you're not a good judge.
Jack in Wi.| 4.27.12 @ 10:24AM
Hitler had the best poison nerve gas in the world, in large supplies, and didn't use it, even when he was going down. Hitler never called for the mass exermination of people in public like what is done everyday on this site by the Demented Dr. Wrong, or the Psycotic Psychiatrst Dr. Occam. Hitler did most of his crimes in the fog of war. He at least pretended to be for peace most of the time before the war. with Israel it is perpetual attacks on others and perpetual nuclear blackmail.
Mike Hawk| 4.27.12 @ 10:37AM
Hey Adolf Jack, your bilious Anti-Semetism is showing again.
Jack in Wi.| 4.27.12 @ 10:51AM
Mike there is nothing antisemitic in anything I have written. It is simply called the truth. How is the weather at hasbara headquarters in Haifa? You boys are really upset today. The subject of the essay above was about Obama and the student loan disaster. I stuck to the subject until provoked by the usual 3 stooges.
Todd S| 4.27.12 @ 12:57PM
Which one is the bigger lie, I did not have sex with that women or there is nothing antisemitic in anything I have written?
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 2:59PM
"Mike there is nothing antisemitic in anything I have written."
The funny thing is, I think you actually believe that.
I'll bet you still can't figure out why your wife left you, either...
Seek help, Jack. Seriously. You're deluded.
W| 4.27.12 @ 11:01AM
Jack,
Are you nominating uncle Adolph for the Nobel peace prize?
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 12:06PM
You are a truly sick individual.
Anthony| 4.27.12 @ 1:10PM
Hey Jack, I have studiously avoided the posts by both you and Clint, for many reasons, the biggest being, I don't want to engage either one of you. This will be my first and last post to either of you, as you both make me sick to my stomach.
However, let me respond to your dispicable comment about Hitler's crimes being commited in the "fog of war".
It takes a mighty big fog to hide the extermination of 6 million people, and to equate what happens on the battlefield in the heat of battle to the systematic extermination of people is sickening.
Please don't respond, I'm not in the position to take an immediate shower.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 1:14PM
Tony: I'm happy to engage Jack. It's kind of like a plumber with a leaky pipe. And, as he's not my patient, I can be cruel and demeaning to him. Relieves stress.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 1:52PM
Uh Oh !
Tool Job Wants To Get Engaged To Jack & Tool Job's Got A Leaky Pipe.
Barney Frank Was Tool Job's Personal Plumber.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 2:40PM
And you are Barn's pipe joint!!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 4:52PM
Fart Man, Is The Barn's Sheep Wrangler & Chicken Geek.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:20PM
And you are your priest's FEMALE DOG!!!!!!
Anthony| 4.27.12 @ 2:10PM
I know O.T,. both you and D.R do an admirable job of it.
I believe the more apropos analogy however, is a plumber with a clogged septic tank.
How you guys manage it is beyond me. I would defend both you and D.R. free of charge if indeed these guys were your patients and you both decided to sanction a Dr. Kervorkian on them both.
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 3:24PM
O.T.,
If a psychiatrist was inclined, he/she could really mess with a patient's head, couldn't they??
...Maybe there's a screenplay in there; I need to call my agent.
Jack in Wi.| 4.27.12 @ 5:01PM
The crimes of Hitler were commited in the fog of war. It was no big issue in the allied countries, during the war. Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin did little or nothing to stop them. He hid his crimes in the fog of war. Genocide is called for everyday one this site by demented people like Occam, Dr. Wrong, and Mike Hawk. I don't think you comment here because you don't know what the hell you are talking about. I try to be very factual and truthfull here. That is very hard with all the liars around here. Stalin committed many more crimes then Hitler and did them far sooner. Yet that didn't stop him from being the best friend of Churchill and FDR. They gave Stalin, Hitler's partner, in starting the war half of Europe. The let him murder millions of eastern Europeans. I follow the Prince of Peace Who said. The truth will set you free. " I wrote the truth. Go find out for yourself where I am wrong.
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 7:16PM
Churchill detested Satin.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 1:13PM
The Holocaust was "fog of war." Wannsee conference, dumbass.
"Pretended to be for peace."
Jack, you really are crazier than a shithouse rat. Defending Hitler on the web.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 1:55PM
Uh Oh !
The Zany Crazed Screwball Israel Firster BibiBot Big Yellow Tool Job Bus Calls Jack Yellow.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 2:44PM
'Israel Firsters' don't misinterpret YELLOW for STUPID!!!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 4:56PM
The Nurse Is Gonna Change Oldefarte, Because He Got Yellow & Brown Racing Stripes On His Adult Pampers.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:21PM
Call ya priest and say AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 6:55PM
I'm renaming you Clutz from Clint. You are a Schmuck, a classless Putz, a lowlife Nebbish.
Jack in Wi.| 4.27.12 @ 5:05PM
The Wansee conference was in the fog of war, in early 1942, dimmwit. It never was found out about until after the war. Hitler didn't advertise his genocide, like you people want to do here everyday.
Jack in Wi.| 4.27.12 @ 10:32AM
So far you have 3 of the usual suspects Dr. Demented. These 3, including yourself, are all one kid with several computers working inside the Hasbara headquarters in Haifa. I am glad you boys put all your attention on Clint and myself. We must be doing something right. Would a real Dr. hang around a website waiting all day to police it for political correctness? The comments I made above were perfectly rational. The trouble for trolls like you is that they hit too close to home.
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 12:08PM
It's funny how you claim you're not anti-Semitic, but ALL of your dopey insults are peppered with references to Israel.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 1:11PM
Yeah, we would when we have a break. It's entertaining pissing you off.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 2:47PM
'Clint and myself'? What hppened to Moe?????
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:03PM
He Just Gave Ya The Two Finger Eye Poke, Because You're Up To The " r" in Alzheimer's And Forgot To Do The Curly Block, Fart Man.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:22PM
When Father Ron's finished say WOPWOPWOPWOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 6:09PM
Jack,
These RINO-CINO Mittens' Kittens Are All Atwitter & PMS'y Cranky Because Their Mancrush, Mittens Just Proved Newt Gingrich & Ricky Snatorum And Others Were Correct To Call Out Mittens' On His Etch A Sketch Campaign.
Jack in Wi.| 4.27.12 @ 10:36AM
You have never been rational ever, Dr. Demenented. You and your friend, the genocide loving friend the Psychotic Psychiatrist Dr. Occam are both inmates in a state mental institution somewhere. Shalom.
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 12:09PM
Jack:
What caused the Holocaust?
And how many people were killed?
And did they "have it coming"?
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 1:10PM
No, Jack---I have the Keys. Do sve danya.
And you're the one who wants to kill 6 million Jews.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 2:49PM
Just saw the movie THE DEBT......Massad's looking for you!!!!!!!
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 12:53PM
Doctor Right:
Does the coyote ever get the road runner? You would answer, "no."
Jack, on the other hand, would lecture me about the Coyote's peaceful intentions towards the Road Runner, and how Jews do best when they STFU and don't upset anyone lest they be killed shalom.
I just wanted to give the background for my answer. You, sir, are not only rational but have a steak awaiting you in Fargo should you get there and contact me.
Jack, on the other hand, is crazier than a rat in Jimmy Carter's shithouse.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 1:58PM
WTF ?
The Zany Crazed Screwball Israel Firster BibiBot Big Yellow Tool Job Bus Calls Jack Yellow Again.
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 2:08PM
Interesting Clint, every since it has bee obvious to even you that Ron Paul has no chance in hell, your man crush has seemed to morph to Jack. Have you guys Anthony Weinered each other yet or what?
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 2:18PM
Apparently, It's You Drunken Swabbies,Who Like To Bugger Each Other.
Aaaand,
I'll Defend Jack, As Long As He Doesn't Make Blanket Criticisms Of All Jews Or Criticize Their Right To Practice Their Religion.
Ya Might Wanna Sober Up, Drunken Swabbie.
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 2:42PM
And you might want to pay more attention to your boyfriends post.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:07PM
I Don't Follow Other Men Around Like You Drunk Swabbies Do, Drunk Swabbie.
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 7:19PM
I'm renaming you Clutz from Clint. You are a Schmuck, a classless Putz, a lowlife Nebbish.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 2:51PM
Wrong again.....the word you're looking for is STUPID!!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:11PM
It's Tatooed On Your Forehead , Stupid Oldefarte.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:25PM
Tattoo has two T's.....didn't they LEARN YA THAT IN PS101 ENGLISH CLASS???????
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 3:06PM
Is there a word for Clint's personality disorder?
The immaturity is off the scale. I'm thinking definitely arrested development...somewhere around age 13.
Add to that a really bad dose of low self-esteem.
But that's not enough, is it?
What else is in that pathology?
Clint, were you a bed-wetter into your adolescence?
Did you ever torture small animals?
Have you ever been arrested for indecent exposure? Masturbating in public?
What meds do you take? (they ain't workin'...)
Are you in a 12-step program? More than one?
Fascinating...
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 3:53PM
Dr.
I think you need to add his confliction over his repressed homosexuality urges, his pathetic attempt to boost his self esteem and negate his feelings of inadequacies by relating everything to success is sports that are related to being macho and his desperation of replacing a father figure with old men like Ron Paul/Jack
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 4:03PM
All good points.
I'm disappointed that I didn't see the father-figure angle. I think you're onto something.
There's definitely a desire to be led and the deep-seeded need to belong to a larger whole that gives his life meaning.
And, I think, some serious anger at women.
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 4:15PM
Still working through his Oedipus complex? He would make a very good case study for arrested development.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:34PM
Dr. Reich Belongs To A Larger Hole, Adolph's.
They Have Their Special Place In Argentina.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:30PM
Drunk Swabbie Was Arrested At Annapolis For His Unrepressed Flaming Affair With The Navy Goat, Billy.
Apparently, Drunk Swabbie Takes The Sayin' " Well, Blow Me Down, Matey " !, Seriously.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 4:46PM
Nah, DR, he's just STUPID!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 4:48PM
Either THAT or he's got the BARNEY FRANK SYNDROME!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:18PM
Oldefarte Was Arrested In Israel For Doin' Unspeakable Things To Bibi's Goat, Billy.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:27PM
Yeah, Bibi's goat is named Arafat, but they call him Father Ron, since all he says is BAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 6:44PM
Hey Clint , I heard you got arrested while looking for a Ron Paul rally when you rolled down tha car window to ask a cop for Directions. He arrested you for mooning.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:16PM
Uh Oh !
Dr.Reich Snuck Into The Nurses Station At The New Jersey Institute For The Criminally Insane And Found His Chart.
Teaghan| 4.27.12 @ 12:21PM
This thought that EVERYONE has to go to college needs to change. A 4 year degree gets you a job as an assistant manager at Micky D's and a boat load of debt. But boy did you have a good time partying, gettin' laid and of course, that free birth control!!
Appleby| 4.27.12 @ 6:49AM
Baretta put it best: "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time."
That is, for the tweethead, four-letter-word crowd, don't borrow money you can't pay back.
Before going to barber college or hairdressing school, talk to people stil working in those fields and find out how very little money they make -- less than the average waitress, usually, and you will never go to Hollywood to work on Stars. Instead, get any job you can and live frugally, and work for better days to come, just like the rest of us do.
Above all, remember that THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU INDIVIDUALLY. They see you as a Vote, and that only every two years. I suggest that instead of listening to them, follow the World Cup, which comes around just as often and won't cost you a thing.
Dr. X| 4.27.12 @ 7:33AM
What is of great concern here is the way the Obama administration reflexively and naturally resorts to lowbrow propaganda that is transparently false. But it works time and again on the idiotic American public. (Obama rapping on a late-night talk show about Stafford Loans was the most declasse thing I've seen from an American president since the Monica episode. This guy's got a Harvard Law degree???)
Clearly this is another ginned-up, manufactured "controversy" designed to use the slush fund of taxpayer dollars to get re-elected.
Where will this all stop? It won't, until this country is literally run off a cliff.
Von Mises Jr| 4.27.12 @ 7:38AM
Ross, this was a terrific article. You hit all the points.
This is the Stockholm Syndrome where the government created the bubble that caused enslavement by college debt, and now the students worship them for beating them less http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome
The other point you make that deserves note is that the high paying jobs being created are TEACHER, PROFESSOR AND ACCOUNTANT. None of these people create GDP growth. I say this coming from a family of accountants and myself with an MBA in Accounting. No offense to accountants, but the job is to record and audit activity, not to produce a product. Teachers and Professors produce nothing, except in this day and age, they produce poor students.
Look at all the ignorant trolls on this site that can't think and fall into every trap I lay. It is like shooting fish in a barrel. The teachers today are the worst performers in school who teach the youth to feel good about being stupid.
If we produced more engineers, computer science majors, doctors and simply more people that could perform math and had discipline, we would enhance GDP and prosperity.
But realize that we are governed by a cabal of lawyers that create stupid laws and law suits!
Todd S| 4.27.12 @ 10:41AM
Ross for my money is the best on this site of breaking down the issues and explaining them in a logical manner. Peter Ferrara is excellent as well. What should be clear by now is that the more the government gets involved, the more expensive and inefficient the product becomes and create massive bubbles. Housing, health care and students loans all show this very clearly yet the Democrats will tell you the only answer is for the government to get more involved. It is about power and control of course, they could care less the destruction and misery caused by their policies.
Lets not put accountants in the same category as teachers, a good accountant or accounting department is vital to any successful business. What is a CFO after all? Managing cash flows to their optimal levels is key, especially when times get tough. This certainly adds to GDP growth, lawyers on the other hand just suck up resources as necessary as they may be at times.
Von Mises Jr| 4.27.12 @ 10:47AM
As mentioned, I am trained in accounting, and my family is about half professional accountants. I am not denigrating business but simply stating that government creats a plethora of laws and rules that make busy work for accountants.
You can't eat an excel spreadsheet, not drive onerous reporting. You need products in a productive society, not reports.
Todd S| 4.27.12 @ 11:14AM
Yes you certainly have a point about that. Just saying accountants have a real business use outside of the government baloney with managing cash flows and other things. Even auditing serves a vital function in the proper function of financial markets when due diligence is done. You can say the same about lawyers in being able to resolve business disputes in a reasonable way but obviously we have way too many of them doing the slip and fall bullcrap.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 12:56PM
Actually, you would be surprised how little accountants have to do with ordinary folks in a rational tax structure like New Zealand. I'm not saying NZ's taxes aren't too high---they are. But the way they are collected is very straightforward and understandable.
Todd S| 4.27.12 @ 12:59PM
Well there is little doubt that the CPA firms have very little interest in having real reform to simplify the tax code, that would be a big hit to them.
Al Adab| 4.27.12 @ 11:17AM
Let me add just a couple points for consideration if I may.
First, college students are not "children" and should not be treated or thought of as such.
Second, students loans are not mandatory, they are a matter of choice. The student who elects to finance an education by incurring debt ostensibly has done a cost/benefit analysis of that decision.
There are many ways to finance college educations and doing so with government loans is only one choice.
buckeyeman| 4.27.12 @ 11:43AM
"There are many ways to finance college educations and doing so with government loans is only one choice."
I hope you weren't referring to "work". That would be unconstitutional.
Von Mises Jr| 4.27.12 @ 4:50PM
I took five years to get my BA since I worked about 30 hours a week taking about four couses average per semester. I got my MBA at night while working a full-time job.
Dmac | 4.27.12 @ 11:48AM
okay Al,
List them please? Name a bank that will give a kid a loan for college when the kid has no job, only the hope of getting a job when he or she gets out of school.
College isn't cheap like it was back in the fifties, sixties and seventies, espeically if the college isn't in your home town and you have to rent a drom or aprtment, and Jack in the Box doesn't pay enough to the kid to pay for his college.
And sorry to inform you Al, but yes, they are kids. Every generation of Americans has been less mature than the one before it. Todays 18 year olds are not nearly as mature as the 18 year olds from 1918 or 1941.
Some are finally starting to recognize all of this for what it really is, beuaracracy and corruption. Even worse it's enslavement of a whole generation of our best and brightest who are only doing what everyone of us want them to do, get a college education so they can compete in a world economy.
Al Adab| 4.27.12 @ 12:40PM
All those imply choices Dmac:
No student is forced by anything other than their own decisions and/or desires to select any college over any other. Like I said, financing with debt is a choice. Many other ways, such as paying for the commodity (an education) you want are available. Not everyone finances their 50K auto either. Like I said can we not believe that the student has done a cost/benefit analysis before selecting and financing their college education?
As to their definition a something other than responsible adults, for some reason, and you are half-right in this, the society seems to encourage the continuance of adolescence well into the mid or even upper twenties. Why we choose to do so is a mystery since anyone over about 16 can be a productive working member of society and responsible say for their own car, gasoline, auto insurance, tuition. books, etc. Many parents may choose to help finance a college education, but are we really talking about the government guranteeing same to everyone? Its only enslavement if they choose to finance through debt.
Dmac | 4.27.12 @ 1:00PM
Al,
You still did not answer the question. You did imply that any teenager who get a college loan must be stupid or lazy. You made an ignorant remark about how not everyone finances their fifty thousand doller automobile.
I'm not speaking of the wealthy Al, as you must be independentaly wealthy from an inheritance. I'm speaking of the children of middle and lower middle class families.
You also make the following idiotic statement, "since anyone over about 16 can be a productive working member of society and responsible say for their own car, gasoline, auto insurance, tuition. books, etc. "
Sir, you are evidently ignorant to todays world and the current cost of living. Have you bothered to look at the cost of college books latrely? And forget about used ones, the universites have nice little deals with the book publishers too as they require a new book every year for every course. I guess there is some new math that has come about that requires colleges and universites to require a new edition.
Al, have you ever wondered why our kids don't carry a laptop and a disc loaded with all their books? Because it would cost a tenth of what the binded books cost and no one would get a kick back from the publisher. Wake up Al, it's not 1936 anymore. It's a different world where it's okay to screw children over.
Al Adab| 4.27.12 @ 1:32PM
Dmac:
Why do you assume that the only method of financing a college education is through borrowing? Do you assume that every education must be at a Ivy school? Does not every country in this country have Jr. College nearby? Do not the state universities tuition run about 1500 per sem hour? Yes, books are expensive and a scam. But why must they be bought on credit?
What pray tell is ignorant about knowing that not all buyers finance their autos? Not all students and/or their parents borrow to finance an education. In fact, many families split costs between parents and students. Many parents even plan and save to help finance the education. Many students gain scholarships for academics, sports, music or other accomplishments.
Again, you leave me confused when you assume the only method of payment is through borrowing. Apparently you could get a job with the Obama Administration financial division.
In any event, have a great weekend.
Dmac | 4.27.12 @ 2:21PM
The average cost of a four year degree at the University of Texas is $84,900.00. Al, maybe you have that in your pocket, maybe your kids have it in theirs, but the avergae American family can't afford it. If they can't afford it for one child, what if you have two, or even three children.
Still you have not answered the question to your utterly ignorant comments.
Name those places that will loan $84,900.00 to the average Texas college student? Name an employer that pays a part time employee working 16-20 hours a week $21,000.00 a year.
You obviously are either an elitist or a liberal as you have no answer when presented with a question or facts to back up your statement.
I'm not talking about community college or even Jr college, I'm talking about attending a public state supported and funded university. I'm talking about about a room to sleep in, food to eat, transportation cost, auto insurance and medical coverage. Now tell me how you pay for all that if your family's yearly income is $24-48K a year?
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 2:47PM
So why not send them to a community college or junior college to get their basic requirements at a cheaper cost? Or you could do like many people do, work your way through. Sure it will take you longer as you most likely will only be a part time student but it is feasible.
Then again, they could join the Armed forces, Reserves or National Guard and pay for a large chunk of it. Plus many colleges give educational credits for the much of the military training to boot. Worked for me, went from zero college to a bachelors of Science in 3 years using that method.
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 2:48PM
And that was while working a full time job as well.
And many employers will re-imburse your college tuition.
Von Mises Jr| 4.27.12 @ 4:55PM
And who runs colleges, Dmac? Liberal Professors and government.
We didn't have a government caused BUBBLE when Al and I went to college. That is what socialism does. Now that you got socialism and it sucks, it isn't my problem.
I did something else for my son. I paid CASH. He was mandated to get "A's" and "B's" and I would pay the tuition. He graduated summa cum laude. It is called personal responsibility.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 3:14PM
F*ck these little OWS morons. The costs of college is what known as RELATIVE to yesterday. Everything is more expensive today....it's called the cost of living [or inflation]. Why should anyone take out a loan for college? Don't the little bastards have what's known as PARENTS [who should take out the loan if necessary instead of their children]? Where's the parental responsibility to fund the college education if their child is intelligent enough to qualify academically for college from test scores and HS grades? Why? Because the so-called non-parents are too busy getting drunk, screwing the neighbor's wife etc and doesn't GAS about their child, that's why. Plenty of parents/relatives sacrificed financially to fund their children's college education in previous times, because.....THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE PARENTS, not the worthless fornicators-disguised-as parents of today's culture. Also if the child has exceptional grades and test scores, they can obtain numerous things called GRANTS and SCHOLARSHIPS [instead of loans]....duh! If not, then military service or trade school should be the preferred and recommended alternative. Most of these little worthless snot-nosed idiot in college today do not deserve to be there, since all they so is SPRING BREAK and OWS protest what their liberal college professors instruct them to. If the little idiots are dumb enough to be brainwashed by Obama/Democrats, then obviously they are stupid and should not even be in college. Oh as to whether they are kids or adults, there are comparable 18 year old in the middle east now that are dying and severly injured, so I'd say that there are 18 year old ADULTS [military] and CHILDREN [college]!!!!
Dmac | 4.27.12 @ 4:45PM
Oldefarte,
You bring up some good points. The one I saw as most notable was the one where you bring up trade school. May I ask what trade would any of our young people do that illegal aliens are not doing?
I agree with what you say, and you say what you say becasue you see that our society is broken. Broken just like half the homes that kids grow up in. Also broken that real wages have remained stagnant in this country for the last 30 years. If you have a job and you are not the manager or the owner then you know that you are lucky to see a 3% raise every 1 to 2 years. Whoopi-do when the inflation rate is twice that.
The real problem is the cost of a college education. It is outragous what is being charged for it. Get the cost where it should be and then maybe more families could afford to send their kids to school, or even take a loan out to finance their kids education. But if your near fifty, have little in retirement it's pretty scary to go get a loan to cover the cost of a college education that is so overly expensive.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:41PM
A certificate from a trade school is deserving of FIRST IN LINE STATUS for construction requiring highly skilled labor, ie welders, pipe-fitters, carpenters, airline/deisel engine mechanics, etc. You cannot start saving for retirement at 50 [too late]; the time to do so is in your 20's. There have been insurance vehicles etc that could have been used to save for childrens' education. Children need to do their part by studying hard, making good grades etc in elementary/secondary school so that partial/total schlorships/grants are available based upon those earned good grandes, test scores etc. If kid screw around in school, party etc; and do not apply themselves and work hard by studying they cannot expect to earn these awards toward their college education. Parents have to save/invest [and their children have to learn in school] for college to become an option. College is not for everyone, and the alternative is trade school, the military etc. Also may colleges have job opportunities for students needing same which helps pay partially for education expenses like books etc. The problem with today's kids is they screw up in HS and expect to go to college.....it don't work that way. Probably half or more of the freshmen fellow college students I started out with in the 1960's flunked or dropped out of college because they had failing grades and could not cut it acedemically. It's like everything else in life, if you don't work for it, you won't succeed!!!!!
Indy| 4.27.12 @ 7:57AM
Walk around a college campus with a camera, be amazed at the fancy buildings, don't just take pics of the outside, visit lobbies of buildings, student union facilities and you'll see where the money is being spent. What is the ratio of administrative positions to students? How much is spent on diversity programs? Look at the course offerings? What are students studying? Recall universities adding OWS courses, really?
As Von Mises Jr. states, more engineers, science majors are needed, fewer _____ Studies (fill in the blank).
The liberal professors who support the Left agenda are well paid, will any of them take a pay cut?
Students must choose wisely, what to study, where to study and if college is the right path for them. Consider a community college for 2 years and then transfer to an in state school and the debt burden will be much less.
The Obama college tour never mentions that the students currently in college will not be impacted by an increase in interest rates, it would only be incoming freshman. The sad thing is the youth lives in the 30 second sound bite world, all that time in college but little interest in seeking the truth? They clap like seals and hang on every word the President says and respond when prompted..."Can I get an Amen?" how Presidential (remember official business, not a campaign stop).
What is rarely discussed, if students make payments for 10 years (I think that's right) and take a government job, the debt will be forgiven, that program needs to end.
Von Mises Jr| 4.27.12 @ 8:39AM
Obama will give them perhaps $25/mo savings ($7K average Stafford Loan x 3.5% interest) for 10 years in interest payments with this ploy, while every person in the country owes $50K plus interest to pay for the national debt.
Can I get an "Amen," my friend Indy?
Indy| 4.27.12 @ 9:04AM
Amen, my friend...
I'll check in a bit later, need to pay the bills so work calls, happy Friday!
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 10:11AM
Sadly true, but then again it will work with a lot of them. Afterall, look how many people look favorable on his "Tax break" (Payroll tax cut) that put a extra $50 or so a month in our paychecks.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 1:00PM
I had a friend of mine at TCU who transferred there from a junior college and was then accepted to UT Southwestern, the most prestigious medical school in Texas.
It is possible to get your education in many ways. But education is a form of defense for the country, properly done. For example, US government backed loans for science and language majors makes sense. Pre-law doesn't, Islamic studies (properly done to recognize that Islam is an enemy) does.
Al Adab| 4.27.12 @ 1:34PM
O/T:
Goodness imagine Jr. College. Imagine being financially wise and making choices about how best to finance an education. See my above and the diatribes from Dmac in reply.
Al Adab| 4.27.12 @ 1:35PM
Sorry, I forgot, Go Horned Frogs.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 4:40PM
Nope.......ROOOLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!
gearjammer| 4.27.12 @ 7:58AM
When did being a college student become such a special status ? Some crummy kids out there going to college.
JP| 4.27.12 @ 8:31AM
They're voters. This is a classic Dem wedge issue designed to "get out the vote".
AVCurmudgeon| 4.28.12 @ 7:06PM
The "college" thing is part of a self-perpetuating social structure: the universities turn out, at the top, people who are prepared to step onto the same escalator their parents and grandparents did. It is not so much the education as the connections; just ask anyone who has attended the University of Southern California.
JP| 4.27.12 @ 8:30AM
When this interest rate reduction was enacted in 2007, Congress was run by Pelosi and Reid. They're the ones who set up the expiration date, not the GOP. BTW, Obama in 2007 was a Senator. Yet, he failed to show up for the vote.
Why isn't Boehnner and Mitt pointing this out?Mitt should also be stressing that the interest rate issue is a moot point if you do not have a job. This entire thing could be put to bed with a little agressive campaigning by Mitt, and a talking points blitzkreig by GOP talking heads.
Ret. Marine| 4.27.12 @ 8:41AM
I know you are not suggesting the wimp-in-the peoples house is actually going to d a thing about a lively debate with a known liar, are you. I didn't need to respond to the article, just ask yourself a question, when was the last time you reviewed a segment of the "guy on the street" and was less than impressed with the answers of these same idiots who couldn't even answer who was the vice-prez, or the speaker of the house and of course, GOP stands for, great,other peoples money. Yeah a sad state of affairs when the so-called lead man is the liar from the bowels of hell itself, and these idiots take his words as being truthful. Yeah I'm impressed-NOT.
Alan Collinge | 4.27.12 @ 8:34AM
There's an important point in this article that is wrong. The author claims that the government loses money on defaulted loans. it doesn't. For FFELP Loans (the majority of all outstanding student loans) the government gets back, ultimately, $1.22 for every dollar paid out in default claims. Even assuming very generous collection costs, and assuming the government's "Cost of money" is close to US Treasury yields, the government is making money on defaulted loans.
When a lender makes more money on defaulted loans than loans which remain in good stead, it is a defining hallmark of a predatory lending system. This is intolerable.
What if the Department of Agriculture was making more money when farmers defaulted on their loans?
Think about that, and you may start to understand why people are taking up residence in public spaces across the country.
http://www.studentloanjustice......money.html
Mark| 4.27.12 @ 8:46AM
Love how Obama ignores the REAL issue of the his lousy economy, to get a photo-op with one very improtant potential voting block: ignorant college kids. Romney needs to hammer that home: that student loans are NOT what's on the minds of real grownups these days. But, a cheering crowd of blithering idiots behind you is hard to ignore. Obama has few else willing to cheer & smile next to him these days.
Nancy in NC| 4.27.12 @ 11:26AM
Who were the idiots that gave 18 year olds the right to vote?
You can't drink alcohol until you're 21 for pete's sake ( legally). What the heck do these lame brains know about much of anything? Many are barely out of diapers.
And while we're at it, I don't think they should have to die for their country at 18 either...unless we are at an all out DECLARED war with the draft in affect.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 8:53AM
Uh Oh !
" Eric Fehrnstrom, Romney's senior campaign adviser, was asked in a CNN interview whether the former Massachusetts governor had been forced to adopt conservative positions in the rugged race that could hurt his standing with moderates in November's general election.
"I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes," Fehrnstrom responded. "It's almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up, and we start all over again."
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 9:04AM
Old news, dim-wit...
Mike Hawk| 4.27.12 @ 10:24AM
If Ron Paul had said that, he's have posted it 300 times already.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 11:59AM
It probably came from one of Paul's newsletters, and that is why/where Clint obtained same [notice his usual lack of DATE/TIME of his supposedly quoted material!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 12:28PM
Tell It To Newt Gingrich, Israel Firster Smear Bund, Fart Pants.
" Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich charged in an exclusive interview with Newsmax today that Mitt Romney’s “Etch-A-Sketch” campaign strategy will only alienate the conservative base he needs to defeat President Barack Obama in November should he go on to capture the GOP nomination."
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:47PM
Well WHITE SUPREMACIST FIRSTER, if conservatives are turned off by Romney and stay home because of DUMBARSSEDNESS, then they deserve what they'll get in 2013 [a complete destruction of their country from the administration of El Chosen One]. Then all they will have left are their Fr. Ron's newsletters to wipe their backsides with after relieving themselves in Ronnie's PORT-A-POTTIE in LJ!!!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 12:25PM
Tell It To Ricky Santorum, Little Old Micky Hawklette RINO-CINO.
" Presidential candidate Rick Santorum on Thursday said Republicans should give President Barack Obama another term if Santorum isn't the GOP nominee and for a second day compared rival Mitt Romney to an Etch A Sketch toy.
Santorum reiterated an argument he has made before: The former Massachusetts governor is not conservative enough to offer voters a clear choice in the fall election and that only he can provide that contrast."
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 4:34PM
Wait, you previously said to 'GO TELL BIBI'. Are you now saying Bibi [Jewish] is Santorum [Catholic]? Make up your mind....oh wait, you don't have one of those, do you?????
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 4:38PM
Oh excrement, you also said above "...Clint| 4.27.12 @ 12:28PMTell It To Newt Gingrich, Israel Firster Smear Bund, Fart Pants..." You really are confused aren't you? Nah.....just STUPID as usual!!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 12:20PM
The Old News & Newt Gingrich & Ricky Santorum Were All Was Right On About Dr.Reich's Etch A Sketch Flip Floppin' Ruling Elites' RINO-CINO Fop Frontman, Mittens Romney.
We Are Being Set Up By The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges For The Ruling Elites' Frontman Mittens Romney.
These Are The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges Who Gave Us The Serial Traitor To Conservatism, John McCain Of McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy,McCain-Lieberman,Gang Of 14, Opposing Bush Tax Cuts Of 2001 & 2003,TARP.
Now They Are Trying To Give Us RomneyCare,TARP, Cynical Flip-Flops On Abortion, Gays, Refuses to Sign Pro-Life Pledge, Illegal Immigrants, "Little Chain Saw Al" At Bain, Crony Capitalism Campaign Money Trail.....
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 4:05PM
That's old news, dim-wit...
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 3:19PM
Father Ron's newsletters aren't exactly current state-of-the-art wise, no doubt!!!!
Indy| 4.27.12 @ 9:14AM
On this same topic, another good read
http://blog.heritage.org/2012/.....ent-loans/
BlitheBunny| 4.27.12 @ 10:19AM
I went to college to pursue a degree in Sculpture 3D Studies and never graduated. I have $30,000 in loans that I am painstakenly repaying with no help from anyone. I was forced to move in with my parents to pay everything off after six years of barely getting by on my own. Currently I have a really good paying job which lets me put most of my paycheck into getting my debt down. This is the only debt I have.
What really grinds my gears are all these little kids going to college expecting handouts. Look, I went to college for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, talk about no job prospects at graduation. My advice to all these "generation cupcake" kids...major in something that has potential to get you a job when you graduate.
Something my mother said to me once, she got it from someone she heard on the radio, I can't remember who said it, but she told me someone asked a Jewish businessman why the Jewish people always had a lot of money and were always successful? The businessman replied, we aren't brought up with the thought that we will chose a career based on what we love to do. We are told to find a career that is lucrative and learn to love to do it.
I kinda wish I had that advice before I graduated High School.
Todd S| 4.27.12 @ 11:06AM
That is a tough lesson to learn but congratulations for overcoming it and learning from it instead of just complaining and blaming someone else. Too many people think going to College is for having a good time and don't want to take a major that actually demands alot of studying and work. Or you get the career students who think getting a bunch of degrees is going to pay off when they are just over-educated fools.
There is a guy I know that has over $160,000 in students loans after getting a bachelors he went and got a Masters in Public Administration and after that he went straight to Law School without working a real job in that time. His whole plan was to get a job in government where they would pay off his loans for him. That has not quite worked and he was lucky to get a low-level job at a bank. He is not a bad guy but rather confused about things. Politically he says he is a nuanced independent who thinks reading the Washington Post and the NYT's is useful so he can "understand" both sides. That explains his confusion to me.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 1:05PM
Bli: find yourself a nice Jewish boy on JDate.com. This is not one of those stupid spam comments, however.
I like Medicine and Psychiatry; but I love history, Military in particular. Being an MD, I can buy whatever books I want. Useful.
I must tell you, though, with your attitude you sound like a keeper. I'm lucky in that I already found mine, but you deserve a nice one. G-d Bless, Bunny.
Al Adab| 4.27.12 @ 2:29PM
There is a passage in Walter Williams recent biography about his early working days. He asked his employer, a Jewish businessmand, for a day off to take his girl to coney island. The employer asked why he would not work earning money to go and spend money. Williams worked that day.
Nice to discover another allied soul in Blibunny eh O/T?
Gary B| 4.27.12 @ 11:19AM
"...our hyper-political president took his transparent vote-buying argument to major colleges in three political swing states..."
How is flying Air Force One all over the place on the taxpayers' dime to buy votes not a campaign activity? This is just one more in-your-face jab at taxpayers.
Dmac | 4.27.12 @ 11:55AM
Does anyone even bother to address all the employers and humand resource people who demand that every applicant have a college degree, even for entry level jobs in sales?
Here's something to think about, do you know what the first thing a kid is taught when he goes into an MBA business course is? Answer, to only hire people with college degrees. Now thats beauracracy at its finest. To make a perpetual income for oneself as a college administrator. To generate guaranteed business becuse a college teaches a business course and to be honest, you can't learn business in college. The first time your customer says, "thats not how I want to do it" your degree just went out the window. The business degree is what has put this country in the damn mess it's in. The business degree is what has taught todays corporate officers they owe no allegiance to anyone or anyone country. They only owe themselves and maybe the stock holder.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 1:06PM
Dmac: high school is so easy even a nitwit like Clint can get through it---a College degree means you can at least sit on your ass and do something boring and get through it. It's a screening tool, that's all it is.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 1:14PM
Tool Job's The RINO-CINO Phoney,Who Said He Would Vote For The Ruling Elites' RINO-CINO Fop Frontman, Mittens Romney Way Back In June.
We Are Being Set Up By The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges For The Ruling Elites' Frontman Mittens Romney.
These Are The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges Who Gave Us The Serial Traitor To Conservatism, John McCain Of McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy,McCain-Lieberman,Gang Of 14, Opposing Bush Tax Cuts Of 2001 & 2003,TARP.
Now They Are Trying To Give Us RomneyCare,TARP, Cynical Flip-Flops On Abortion, Gays, Refuses to Sign Pro-Life Pledge, Illegal Immigrants, "Little Chain Saw Al" At Bain, Crony Capitalism Campaign Money Trail.....
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 3:22PM
...but are they dog-sitters?
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:47PM
Speakin' Of Dogs, We Heard Dr.Reich's Old Lady Got Eatin'.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:51PM
Did your sister DWS tell you that?????
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 6:25PM
I'm renaming you Clutz from Clint. You are a Schmuck, a classless Putz, a lowlife Nebbish.
Dmac | 4.27.12 @ 2:23PM
Occam,
Some degrees require much more than sitting on your ass, but yes, it is a screening tool.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 3:23PM
Wait, Clint got through high school???????
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 3:55PM
Well academically yes, but he just can't get past his "Glory Years" mentally.
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 4:10PM
His "glory years" mentality or his "glory holes" mentality?
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 4:17PM
Hmmm, with Clint could they be one and the same?
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 4:29PM
It's unkind to speak of his female relatives like that!!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 6:20PM
Fart Man & His Deliverance Banjo Pickin' River Sex Inbred Boyfriends Do More Than Speak To Their Male Relatives.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:52PM
Go call your sister DWS!!!!!!
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 6:16PM
Dr.Reich Explores Adolph's Hole Down In Their Special Place In Argentina.
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 6:22PM
I'm renaming you Clutz from Clint. You are a Schmuck, a classless Putz, a lowlife Nebbish.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 6:15PM
Unlike You, I'm Still Havin' Em, Drunken Swabbie.
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:51PM
We Even Wear Shoes Up Here, Deliverance Banjo Pickin' River Sex Inbred, Fart Man.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:54PM
Yeah, the mentally challanged do wear shoes sometimes.......BUT THEY'RE STILL STUPID!!!
AVCurmudgeon| 4.28.12 @ 7:00PM
Here's another ironic bit: the conventional wisdom today is that the worst thing to be if you are looking for work is unemployed.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 12:09PM
Ross, great thoughts as usual. This stupent loan issue is becoming another of Democrats' socialistic bullet points no doubt. Previously we've had the initiation of HOUSING WELFARE from the CRA of 1977 and then continuing through HUD demanding that banks/financials provide mortgages to financial indigents. Now we have this STUDENT COLLEGE LOAN WELFARE beginning as Ross describes. The TAXPAYERS of this country were/are the eventual funders/payors of both, after the defaults of the indigent mortgage-borrowers and the indigent-to-be-from-lack of jobs student loan borrowers. The winners of all of this? Simple, the Democrats of course since they provide welfare as governmental administrators and thereafter demand repayment from recipients in the form of required voting for Democrat candidates in elections. I get tired of repeating this but it is...........THE DEMOCRATS STUPIDS!!!!!!!!
gene| 4.27.12 @ 12:41PM
The scare tactics are not going to work domestically. Unfortunately, O-Mama-Bama may decide to emulate Bill Clinton to distract the voters. This means somewhere in the world, someone will soon get invaded, bombed, attacked, invaded, and demonized by the "Mainstream Media" that kneels at the feet of the President.
Anthony| 4.27.12 @ 12:54PM
Since Obozo and the Ds are great at creating the false image of Rs declaring "war" on some entity,we need to turn the tables on the Ds with an actual war on "Big College".
The scam of lower interest rates only perpetuates feeding the giant maw of higher education, which is the propaganda arm of the D machine.
It is insane that the average college education should run into the 30 thousand dollar range. However, as poster Indy has pointed out, walk onto any college/university campus and witness the growth of the massive infrastructure that now supports the propaganda machine.
There are never any "congressional" hearings on "Big Education", only big "Private Sector". This is a winning issue for any family with children in college or soon to enter college.
Romney and the Rs, WAKE THE HELL UP!!!
Dick Nome| 4.27.12 @ 1:02PM
Going to College is no longer what it once was. It used to be one attended and got higher education. Now it is higher indoctrination with partying as they crank out doofuses with useless junk degrees in feminist literature, Sociology, Psychology, Gender Studies (Sandra Fluke is one) , Ethnic Studies and other stuff you can’t even imagine. MBAs and Law degrees once meant something. Now they are like assholes, everybody has one. Kids have no idea why they are in school, just that somebody told them they have to. Once they are out, no jobs as they have no skills, yet they have been led to believe they will be entitled to slide into employment where they will be highly paid to do nothing in particular but ‘occupy’ space till they retire on full benefits with free healthcare. Meanwhile skilled trades are deficient. No matter, as the economy tanks, neither skills nor education will be needed since there will be no jobs.
AVCurmudgeon| 4.28.12 @ 6:59PM
I teach at a "for-profit" career college. Those colleges are under unceasing assault from the Obama administration, the latest being that prospective students who do not have at least a GED will be ineligible for federal loans. In other words, loans are to be denied to those who need them the most.
Are these colleges perfect? No, but they do what they say they will do: they produce graduates who are competent in their trades. And they do what the big-time universities do not: truly reflect diversity, however measured, in all fields offered.
But you are correct that all of this is of little use when there are no jobs to be had. The college at which I teach is having to close one of its medical programs because there simply are no employment prospects in that particular field in the area where our college is.
Occam's Tool| 4.27.12 @ 1:08PM
Dick: there's always a need for more MDs. And, if you are willing to live where no one else wants to, it can be quite lucrative.
I chose my profession very carefully, guided by Blithebunny's precepts. That being said, I hope she becomes a world famous artist. I like that girl.
Al Adab| 4.27.12 @ 1:36PM
O/T:
Male nurses.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 2:23PM
Next, the profession will be invaded by Barney Frank's relatives......woopie, bed pan duty anyone????????
Drunken Sailor| 4.27.12 @ 2:52PM
O.F.
I would like to thank you for your contribution to my weight loss. Your post made the mental image of Barney Frank and sponge bath leap into my mind. The resulting taste of bile convinced me to skip lunch today. Thanks again, now pass the brain bleach.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 3:27PM
Well, it would contribute to [possibly] a reduction in the costs of medical care [or at least the in-patient variety perhaps]!!!!!!!!
Bill| 4.27.12 @ 2:56PM
Obama's re-election tactics: lies, lies, and lies. he forgot his deceptive tactics failed in the 2010 mid-term election. Those liberals never learn from their mistakes.
Bob S| 4.27.12 @ 3:29PM
Not surprisingly, Obama was found blatantly misquoting congressional Republicans, accusing them of being out of touch with students. The craziest thing is that he, who plunged the country into new depths of indebtedness, thinks he has any authority to talk about student loan debt. Oh well, I guess he can relate to them since, like college students blindly spending on new iPads and Macs when they're neck deep in debt, he blindly spends on vacations everywhere around the world except in the US when the country is neck deep in debt.
Ken| 4.27.12 @ 3:36PM
Mr. Kaminsky, after being in the tank for Romney and finally getting your wish that this mushy moderate win the GOP nomination over far more conservative rivals, you're upset that he's gone wobbly on student tuition loan rates. Get used to it. Romney is going to disappoint us over and over again.
Doctor Right| 4.27.12 @ 4:08PM
I don't care if he disappoints me every day for the next 4 years, because a bad day with Romney in the White House is better than another second of Obama in the White House.
AVCurmudgeon| 4.28.12 @ 6:55PM
For most conservatives, this is what it comes down to, and it is pathetic that once again we are consigned to this position.
Ross Kaminsky | 4.29.12 @ 9:37AM
Ken,
I was certainly not "in the tank." I wrote two pieces for AmSpec preferring other candidates (Pawlenty and particularly Daniels) and have been critical of Romney's positions several times.
I grudgingly supported Romney when it seemed clear to me that he was the only candidate left who could beat Obama. That's hardly "in the tank."
And Romney may disappoint us repeatedly, but at least he won't destroy the country the way Obama is doing, and will do even faster in a second term.
Bill| 4.27.12 @ 4:33PM
Veep short list:
1. Bob McDonald: the South
2. Jeb Bush: Sunshine Guru
3. kelly Ayotte: Women votes
4. Mitch Daniel: Rush-Belt fiscal hawk
5. Chris Chritie: Straight talker, no apology
Rob Portman, Pat Toomey, macro Rubio do not want the VP job.
My pick: Kelly Ayotte
Why: GOP must win the women votes.
Pete| 4.27.12 @ 9:04PM
Who cares.
Oldefarte| 4.27.12 @ 4:55PM
To Clint and Jack......I called Bibi [along with Newt and Mitt and they told me to give the following to you]:
'..... Breitbart.com Credit Where It's Due: Tablet Calls Out Media Matters, Center for American Progress, J Street on Antisemitism
by Joel B. Pollak 85 days ago 0post a comment
Tablet magazine, the new online Jewish-themed publication that focuses on a broad range of current affairs topics, has taken Media Matters for America (MMfA) and the Center for American Progress (CAP) to task for using antisemitic language in criticizing Israel.
.....In two separate articles, Tablet takes on the organizations that are the core of the Democrats' media and policy strategy, joining a debate in which the defenders of MMfA and CAP have resorted to the worn-out fallacy that their critics are trying to silence debate on Israel.One article by Spencer Ackerman--whose blog was once hosted by CAP--addresses "fellow progressives" and insists that while criticism of Israel is sometimes appropriate, those who use anti-Jewish tropes--like specious charges of dual loyalty and "Israel first"--undermine the case they are trying to make. He singles out Media Matters, CAP, and the radical pro-Palestinian lobby J Street, among others, for their rhetorical record of bigotry: Some on the left have recently taken to using the term “Israel Firster” and similar rhetoric to suggest that some conservative American Jewish reporters, pundits, and policymakers are more concerned with the interests of the Jewish state than those of the United States.... “Israel Firster” has a nasty anti-Semitic pedigree, one that many Jews will intuitively understand without knowing its specific history. It turns out white supremacist Willis Carto was reportedly the first to use it, and David Duke popularized it through his propaganda network. And yet [Media Matters' M.J.] Rosenberg and others actually claim they’re using it to stimulate “debate,” rather than effectively mirroring the tactics of some of the people they criticize....The attempt to kosherize “Israel Firster” is an ugly rationalization. It shouldn’t matter that the American Jewish right proliferates the term “anti-Israel.” The easiest way to lose a winnable argument is to get baited into using their tactics. I don’t fetishize false civility; bullies ought to get it twice as bad as they give. People disagree, so they should argue. Shouting is healthier than shutting up.The other article, by Lee Smith,
addresses the effect that casual anti-Israel bigotry of the kind found at MMfA and CAP has had on allowing antisemitism to become legitimate in mainstream political discourse. Smith attacks the "gatekeepers" of the mainstream media, who routinely--and appropriately--filter out racism, but have been facilitating antisemitism:The editors of magazines and newspapers have a responsibility as gatekeepers of polite society. It turns out the gatekeepers haven’t been vigilant. We live in a culture where the social taboo against anti-black racism is so fierce that violating the taboo means certain expulsion from polite company. But the very reverse process is taking place when it comes to anti-Semitism: The taboo is being rapidly eroded, and those who ought to confront it are enabling it.Among the culprits: CAP, MMfA, and J Street. Smith notes that CAP attacked the Middle East Media Research Institute, which performs the invaluable service of translating Arab media into English--and which, as a result, has been maligned by CAP and the anti-Israel left:How do the Jews who run this translation organization promote Islamophobia, according to CAP? By translating the opinions of those who want to persecute and kill Jews. Try fitting this twisted reasoning into Gude’s zero-tolerance policy against any form of discrimination: Women’s rights groups stir up male hatred by collecting statistics of violence against women; the NAACP fans the flames of racism because it advocates on behalf of equal rights for African-Americans.Smith also notes the hypocrisy of those left-wing Jews--like Rosenberg and J Street's president, Jeremy Ben-Ami--who try to defend the use of antisemitic rhetoric by claiming that pro-Israel Americans are using false charges of bigotry to silence debate on Israel: What makes people insensitive to racism is when American political and intellectual elites refuse to confront racist language. The use of phrases like “Israel Firster” and “dual loyalist” that are based on anti-Semitic tropes is anti-Semitic. So is the belief that Jews fan the flames of hatred for discussing the opinions of those who hate them. What is even more vile than the anti-Semitic language impugning the political motives of pro-Israel American Jews is someone like Ben-Ami crying foul when those Jews object to being slandered as disloyal. In effect, the message is, don’t defend yourselves against the calumnies heaped upon you, Jews, because the more noise you make the more trouble there will be for you in the long run.Tablet's message--not just in these articles, but elsewhere--is aimed at a liberal-to-left readership. Therefore, the fact that the magazine has confronted antisemitism at MMfA, CAP, and other left-wing organizations so forthrightly is both remarkable and commendable.....'
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/.....a-Exposed/
Clint| 4.28.12 @ 1:06PM
Uh Oh ! The Fart Man Attempts To Play His Dog Eared Anti-Semite Card.
Apparently, We Pushed The Israel Firster Fart Man's Button.
Deal With It Israel Firster Smear Bund Crybaby, Fart Man.
http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/.....people.jpg
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:56PM
As the saying goes.....IF THE FU EXCREMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 6:18PM
I'm renaming you Clutz from Clint. You are a Schmuck, a classless Putz, a lowlife Nebbish.
Ross Kaminsky | 4.29.12 @ 9:38AM
He's also a pile of dreck and a schlemiel.
One if by land...| 4.27.12 @ 5:29PM
I'm going to be the first to comment on Monday. Just putting it out there. Wish I would be doing it from Jack or Clint or Dr. Stupid or vtwins house on their computer over the top of their lifeless body
Clint| 4.27.12 @ 5:55PM
We Heard You Have Sex With Your Old Lady's Lifeless Body.
Oldefarte| 4.28.12 @ 1:57PM
Better that than your sister....DSW!!!!!!
Dick Nome| 4.28.12 @ 6:16PM
I'm renaming you Clutz from Clint. You are a Schmuck, a classless Putz, a lowlife Nebbish.
Pete| 4.27.12 @ 9:03PM
Here is what I would do if I were the GOP. I would put a caviat in the bill. In order for its students to qualify for the discount, colleges must show that ALL professors spend at least 12 hours in the class room per week. Why should taxpayers be paying for teachers who work 3 hours a week?
POST American| 4.28.12 @ 12:13AM
--"BAR--Rockefeller' H. Obama?
or that other Goldman Sacks/CFR op
-----'SUB--Mitt ROME----knee'
WHO to choose?
"We hear Obama CAN SING!
---that he wants to be 'cool' again.
That's perfect ---PERFECT.
It's just what a PSYCHOPATH
would do."
-Jay Weidner
Jed Rense Radio
ALL this as we learn DHS is
purchasing hollow point rounds
by the hundreds of MILLIONS
for one month alone
(CHECK IT OUT!)
---and this just months after
Pelosi's call for full spectrum police
state surveillance during her visit to
RED China
---and Ginszburg's act of open TREASON
as she DISSED the US Constitution while
visiting the now to be 'RA'--dick---ALLLL-ized'
Egypt
AND don't let those latest reports
of RUSSIAN troops in joint exercises
with Americans in Colorado to 'take on
American terrorists' scare you
BECAUSE O'Reilly's on guard!
SO, thru it all,
remember -----------Oprah LOVES ya'!
"CAIN is using ISHMAEL to mark (ID)
--and takedown, once and for all forever,
---the Abel."
-POST American
The figure ---IS CLEAR.
----------------------DAMNING CLEAR
---------------HUAC/ Nuremberg 2012---------------
AVCurmudgeon| 4.28.12 @ 6:53PM
It's not surprising that Romney lines up as he does. Romney's campaign is not going to be based on Constitutionalism or even a clear conservative message; it is going to be based on the message that as a "fix-it" businessman he can get the "good stuff" done better than the "bumbler" currently in the Oval Office. The opportunity to go behind the programmatic myths and ring the bell for any kind of true conservative alternative has been lost.
Ross Kaminsky | 4.29.12 @ 9:40AM
Clint:
Start posting comments that are relevant to the topic, and not just your usual stupid claims of "Israel first", or you will find your comments disappearing from my articles.
Lately, your "contributions" are worse than worthless.