(Note for blog-readers only: you probably already know what's at the links, but click anyway. Some, you might find amusing. Also, the Herald version is moving to Fridays, I'm told.)
1. Intentionally creating distrust in elections by repeatedly lying about non-existent fraud, then forcing laws to “restore trust,” is an unprecedented, existentially dangerous attack on democracy. From within. Discuss. (Link)
2. Define Critical Race Theory. Explain its origins. Indicate where it’s being taught and where it’s not. Write a paragraph to refute its central tenets. (Link)(Link)
3. What is the 1619 Project? Explain its origins. Indicate where it’s being taught and where it’s not. Write a paragraph to refute its central tenets. (Link)(Link)
4. Define communism. Give examples of where, in its pure form, it’s ever been implemented in a country. Have any countries referred to themselves as communist when, in fact, by strict definition, they weren’t? Do any official policies of the Democratic Party fit the definition? Which ones? Be specific. (Link)
5. Define pure socialism. Have any countries referred to themselves as socialist when, in fact, by strict definition, they weren’t? Do any policies of the Democratic Party fit the definition? Which ones? Be specific. (Link)
6. Define Democratic Socialism. (You may refer to it as Social Democracy.) Give examples of countries whose governance currently fits the definition. Is there a spectrum? If so, does the US belong somewhere along it? Compare happiness indexes and poverty levels. (Link)
7. In Social Democracies, government programs that provide education, health, and economic security for citizens, especially the workforce, enhance and strengthen capitalism. Refute. (Link)
8. True or false: In a fairly constituted democratic republic, the minority of voters should have a voice but the majority should prevail. Defend your answer. (Link)
9. Does gerrymandering, which allows a party to control state legislatures while receiving fewer votes than the opposition, lead to fair public policy? Is it consistent with the fundamentals of our democracy? Why or why not? (Link)
10. If an insurrection occurs in a democracy, successful or not, the intent of which is to overthrow a constitutionally certified, multiply-recounted and adjudicated election, and which results in deaths and destruction within the nation’s hallowed Capitol and which overtly threatens the lives of legislators of both parties, should the roots and carrying out of that insurrection be investigated? Why or why not? (Link)
11. If one party blocks a bipartisan investigatory commission, the composition of which included all the demands of that party and mirrors the framework of the 9/11 commission, is it fair to conclude they wish to hide self-incriminating facts from the American people? (Link)
12. If the Senate leader of that party demands his colleagues block it “as a personal favor,” what’s the “personal” part? What constituents does he fear? Do they reflect the opinion of most Americans regarding an investigation? Show your work. (Link)
13. Discuss: The filibuster leads to bipartisanship. Give examples from recent years. If sixty to seventy percent of Americans favor certain legislation, should forty percent of senators, representing forty million fewer voters than senators of the other party, be able to block it? Why or why not? Does our Constitution mention filibuster? Does it square with original intent? (Link)
14. What is original intent? Would the founders agree that the mass murders occurring almost daily in the country they created are simply “the price of freedom”? In writing the Second Amendment, should they have specified, unambiguously, what they meant by a “well-regulated militia,” and what they intended as its purpose? Was slavery involved in any way? Support your answer. (Link)(Link)
15. The First Amendment was written when news spread on horseback. Would the founders have anticipated media sources with instant and worldwide reach, using lies and dishonest editing as a business plan? If not, are there arguments for updating the amendment? (Link)
16. Trump hired “only the best people,” and none were corrupt. Defend. (Link)
17. Reports say Trump believes he’ll be reinstated as “president” by August. Explain: (Link)
18. Who’s tougher, rugby players like your columnist once was, or soccer players? Provide examples. (Link)
19. MAGA Republicans prefer selecting leaders by coup or overturning elections. Refute. (Link)
My compliments! Creativity upwells like a bubble in a tarpit. Number 5 is one I work to explain to people who accuse me of, and Number 15 I could elaborate on using the Book of Esther, though not here of course. You would be intrigued, as would anyone who thinks now and then.
ReplyDeleteBut, 5 stars for your offering (I haven't reviewed the links yet, but will have fun with them I'm sure).
My compliments! Creativity upwells like a bubble in a tarpit. Number 5 is one I work to explain to people who accuse me of, and Number 15 I could elaborate on using the Book of Esther, though not here of course. You would be intrigued, as would anyone who thinks now and then.
ReplyDeleteBut, 5 stars for your offering (I haven't reviewed the links yet, but will have fun with them I'm sure).
I've reviewed a number of your links by now. Wow! You did a nice job, there is some good instruction for those who define things with a single glance of few words (which are most people as you well know).
ReplyDeleteImagine what happens when those who accuse me of being a Socialist get told, by me, that I'm a Democratic Socialist who wants to end abortion through loving choice at the origin of the problem; i.e. as Bill (the one I like) said and wrote, "Legal, but rare". His 8 years were my Camelot, not the earlier misrepresentation by a nubie-mass media (refer to Number 15).
A fine effort, and I'm imagining you had great fun with it, probably laughing as you typed on your laptop watching the ferries.
I'll be back!
ReplyDeleteThis will take some work. I'm on 3...lolol
Here's Noam Chomsky who recently did Packman's show(which has improved immensely in the last two years or so). This covers many of the points in this article and by my count hits on them all and more.
ReplyDeleteI suggest using CC as Noam is soft spoken.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiZDQQI2Tq0
To help with #'s 2 and 3:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=392-410-115
These are links to get one started on actual requirements of WA state education requirements for students.
Only this morning am reading the hub-bub of "news" surrounding what teachers give our children in the form of instruction. There may be no better contrast for what is reported in the media, and what is actually done, than K-12 education in WA state schools.
Begin with the links above, and work through the links they provide. Be prepared for a big surprise as to what someone might expect from what they hear in the media.
Look for who pays the "Bill$". Oh, the thinks we would think if people actually thought now and then, and were willing to partake in the effort to learn.
As for the other #'s, better for others to comment, though I've explored them all at this point.
Again, fascinating column Sid!
To help with #'s 2 and 3:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=392-410-115
These are links to get one started on actual requirements of WA state education requirements for students.
Only this morning am reading the hub-bub of "news" surrounding what teachers give our children in the form of instruction. There may be no better contrast for what is reported in the media, and what is actually done, than K-12 education in WA state schools.
Begin with the links above, and work through the links they provide. Be prepared for a big surprise as to what someone might expect from what they hear in the media.
Look for who pays the "Bill$". Oh, the thinks we would think if people actually thought now and then, and were willing to partake in the effort to learn.
As for the other #'s, better for others to comment, though I've explored them all at this point.
Again, fascinating column Sid!
For those that think Facebook is changing it's stripes. You'd be wrong. Drumpf will be back just in time for the 2024 election cycle! Gotta get those page views!
ReplyDeleteFormer president Donald Trump's voice won't return to Facebook until 2023. Enjoy it while you can, writes Post columnist Eugene Robinson.
ReplyDeleteThe alty types have no shame in their hypocrisy.
ReplyDeleteThey canceled this guy and it was premeditated. A conspiracy out in the open and they were proud to announce the fact. Also proud to cover it up in a "we don't and won't say who the perp was." manner. Kinda like 1/6 and every other thing. Cosa Nostra before your very varied eyes in govt.
"Hypocrisy is the practice of engaging in the same behavior or activity for which one criticizes another or the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform. In moral psychology, it is the failure to follow one's own expressed moral rules and principles."
But yeah, they ain't racists and when asked they say that's other people not me or the devil made me do it or Drumpf ordered them and so on. But they themselves are not racist cuz they love everyone and has a black hair dresser she supports. Def not racist though. You are racist for thinking that! Right?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/06/03/ohio-barnard-kempter-mic-memorial-day/
What is the Drumpf cult's fascination about living under an authoritarian autocracy based on? Do they believe the people who live in countries ruled by "strong man tyrants' like Russia, North Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia, would not long for the freedoms and justice only provided by democracies?
ReplyDeleteWe experienced a dreadful four years of life under a extremely unqualified egomaniacal liar who ruled with impunity concerning justice and truth. To abandon democracy now is unthinkable. Citizens who do not trust the value of the ballot are not worthy of the sacrifices millions of true patriots have made to preserve it for 240+ years.
This smells like a bribe KOCH style
ReplyDeletehttps://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/poll-shows-manchin-wildly-out-of-step-with-west-virginia-voters-on-voting-rights-bill-114456133748?cid=eml_mra_20210608&user_email=fc66f1f7269b229e2460170946fa6f41e6153bc57ef9c5d002f9aa613fcb2eea
AOC speaks the truth
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN-oH3-fONo