My point - from reading the rest of the post - is that we can see the problems and try to address them. In the Soviet Union everybody was kept in the dark and even the leadership was self-deluded.
We won't know until it is done. If you know what happened in Afghanistan many years ago we helped the locals there push out the Russians and then deserted them leaving a power vacuum that was filled up by the Taliban. Hopefully, after the rebels win in Libya NATO (and not just the US) will quickly recognize the new government (which right now only a couple of countries have) and provide as much aid as we can - including helping to draft a secular constitution.
It's great to see. I really hope that when they succeed they turn this creative energy into building a democratic, secular, and scientific society that can be a benchmark for the rest of North Egypt and the Middle East to emulate.
You are missing one very large factor in all this:
You actually can say this on a public forum. Soviet leadership made our politicians (now and then) look like honest Abe. While we get plenty of propaganda we also have plenty of sources telling us the truth (or as close as they can get). What's worse, is that their leadership even started believing the propaganda.
There is no USSR anymore and the article says the new enemies are possibly North Korea and China - not Russia. What an incredibly misleading summary (I know I shouldn't be surprised).
And this has been upheld by the Supreme Court and Federal circuit courts as violating the first amendment separation of Church and State (checks and balances working!).
Public schools in the US are administered by the Department of Education. The Education Department is a cabinet-level department (which means it's under the executive branch) but part of it's role is to enforce education laws which are created by (guess who!) Congress.
Even if you don't know how these things work you could Google before posting to find out.
I am not sure what you said that is contrary to what I said. Didn't I say that "mob" rule is wrong? Maybe it was in another thread but I think you misunderstand what I am trying to say.
And I highly doubt that my grade school teachers were very progressive in the 70s.
Pure democracy is not feasible on a national level. Traditionally you'll see it in towns and small cities. The key here is not the Republic part but the Representative part. In the US we still vote for other people who then vote to make laws.
The "original issuance of the Constitution" didn't specify voting rights - that was left up to the states. Pretty much universally, though, it was left to white landowners - making no specification of their intelligence. States started to drop the landholding requirement in under Andrew Jackson and it wasn't until the 14th amendment in 1868 that the Constitution started specifying what the states can and cannot do.
That lesson in history set aside (along with your awful double negatives) - if you feel you are better qualified to represent your state, then feel free to run for office.
I am not sure what you are referring to but I don't believe in majority rule. By definition, 50% of the population is below average intelligence. I don't necessarily trust politicians to do the right thing but I definitely don't trust my fellow Americans. I also have a good deal of faith in the checks and balances built into our three branches.
It's called the Constitution. You should read it sometime - specifically the first amendment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Sorry that you live under that illusion but the founding fathers had a very low impression of the average person and their ability to make intelligent decisions. That's why the original voting populace was so small.
Look at California - they vote on almost major even using propositions and the outcome changes depending on who does a better job on getting out the vote. Pure democracy only works if ever person is perfectly informed and actually votes.
That's actually why we are a representative democratic republic and not a pure democracy. The "mob" doesn't always know what's best for itself and tends to be just a wee bit reactionary at times.
I guess because I don't have kids and don't watch much TV it shouldn't be too surprising I've lost track of them. I need to catch up I suppose (or have some kids).
They're still around? Hadn't heard about them since High School (which would have been about 20 years ago). My favorite is still 'Istanbul Not Constantinople'.
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How about if you make it mandatory make it work with the majority of smartphones? Talk about behind the times.
My point - from reading the rest of the post - is that we can see the problems and try to address them. In the Soviet Union everybody was kept in the dark and even the leadership was self-deluded.
Selective reading skills? From my post:
"then deserted them leaving a power vacuum" - So yes I mean the power vacuum we helped create. That's why I said it.
"NATO (and not just the US) " - So by aid I meant NATO - again - that's why I said it.
"including helping to draft a secular constitution." - So not all aid is $$$.
We won't know until it is done. If you know what happened in Afghanistan many years ago we helped the locals there push out the Russians and then deserted them leaving a power vacuum that was filled up by the Taliban. Hopefully, after the rebels win in Libya NATO (and not just the US) will quickly recognize the new government (which right now only a couple of countries have) and provide as much aid as we can - including helping to draft a secular constitution.
It's great to see. I really hope that when they succeed they turn this creative energy into building a democratic, secular, and scientific society that can be a benchmark for the rest of North Egypt and the Middle East to emulate.
I know - I'm a dreamer.
Re-read the opening of the summary. It doesn't mention China, North Korea or communism anywhere. It said USA and USSR.
You are missing one very large factor in all this:
You actually can say this on a public forum. Soviet leadership made our politicians (now and then) look like honest Abe. While we get plenty of propaganda we also have plenty of sources telling us the truth (or as close as they can get). What's worse, is that their leadership even started believing the propaganda.
There is no USSR anymore and the article says the new enemies are possibly North Korea and China - not Russia. What an incredibly misleading summary (I know I shouldn't be surprised).
And this has been upheld by the Supreme Court and Federal circuit courts as violating the first amendment separation of Church and State (checks and balances working!).
Public schools in the US are administered by the Department of Education. The Education Department is a cabinet-level department (which means it's under the executive branch) but part of it's role is to enforce education laws which are created by (guess who!) Congress.
Even if you don't know how these things work you could Google before posting to find out.
My point is about the general theory of the "rule of the majority" - not specific to the vote in Italy.
That's not how evolution works. Read some Dawkins.
It would also help if you read your post before posting to make sure it actually makes sense.
I am not sure what you said that is contrary to what I said. Didn't I say that "mob" rule is wrong? Maybe it was in another thread but I think you misunderstand what I am trying to say.
And I highly doubt that my grade school teachers were very progressive in the 70s.
Pure democracy is not feasible on a national level. Traditionally you'll see it in towns and small cities. The key here is not the Republic part but the Representative part. In the US we still vote for other people who then vote to make laws.
You say it is a lie but 40% believe in strict creationism and another 38% believe in a god-driven evolution. That's the scary part.
Source: http://www.gallup.com/poll/145286/Four-Americans-Believe-Strict-Creationism.aspx
The "original issuance of the Constitution" didn't specify voting rights - that was left up to the states. Pretty much universally, though, it was left to white landowners - making no specification of their intelligence. States started to drop the landholding requirement in under Andrew Jackson and it wasn't until the 14th amendment in 1868 that the Constitution started specifying what the states can and cannot do.
That lesson in history set aside (along with your awful double negatives) - if you feel you are better qualified to represent your state, then feel free to run for office.
I am not sure what you are referring to but I don't believe in majority rule. By definition, 50% of the population is below average intelligence. I don't necessarily trust politicians to do the right thing but I definitely don't trust my fellow Americans. I also have a good deal of faith in the checks and balances built into our three branches.
It's called the Constitution. You should read it sometime - specifically the first amendment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Sorry that you live under that illusion but the founding fathers had a very low impression of the average person and their ability to make intelligent decisions. That's why the original voting populace was so small.
Look at California - they vote on almost major even using propositions and the outcome changes depending on who does a better job on getting out the vote. Pure democracy only works if ever person is perfectly informed and actually votes.
Sooo. If 51% of Americans voted to teach only creationism in schools and evolution should be illegal that should be ok by your rules?
That's actually why we are a representative democratic republic and not a pure democracy. The "mob" doesn't always know what's best for itself and tends to be just a wee bit reactionary at times.
I actually figured it wasn't something like that. I know they stripped down old NYC subway cars and used them to form a new reef.
I guess because I don't have kids and don't watch much TV it shouldn't be too surprising I've lost track of them. I need to catch up I suppose (or have some kids).
They're still around? Hadn't heard about them since High School (which would have been about 20 years ago). My favorite is still 'Istanbul Not Constantinople'.
Yeah. You've never driven in Manhattan. It IS a war zone - especially 57th-59th st.