tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post6084355983496524440..comments2023-12-29T15:25:46.925-05:00Comments on "THE VIEW FROM OUTSIDE MY TINY WINDOW": Post No. 167: Children of a Greater God, or Why Cary, NC is in the Bible BeltInspector Clouseauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09373932797333038561noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-54832210511297925842011-09-26T13:07:46.605-04:002011-09-26T13:07:46.605-04:00Xenophobia is on the rise over here as well Inspec...Xenophobia is on the rise over here as well Inspector. The people that are not xenophobic (still the majority), do know that legal or illegal aliens are not the problem and are not to blame. A lot of our problems over here have been created by current and past administrations. We're facing a shortage of trained engineers right now. We have not been able to attract students to engineering for years, so this shortage was to be expected.<br /><br />If one views the alien actors and singers as food for the tabloids & MSN then they almost look like job creators.:-)Wsteffienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-28899827644828074872011-09-26T08:33:37.146-04:002011-09-26T08:33:37.146-04:00Thanks for your contribution in response to an old...Thanks for your contribution in response to an older post. We particularly appreciate it because sometimes after the heat of the debate dissipates, we see or think of things which we did not consider previously. The passage of time also allows us to change our views on certain subjects. We find ourselves re-reading each of our posts and the comments responsive thereto, over and over, throughout the year.<br /><br />Here in the United States, we have difficulty putting our arms around the immigrant issue because we have a complex history of assimilating them, characterizing them, and using them.<br /><br />For example, although there are legal and illegal immigrants, quite often, people assess the incoming masses based on their appearance or country of origin, not their legal status. For many Americans, they could care less about the legal status.<br /><br />Another complexity has to do with the geographic location of the immigrants. They are needed and welcomed in some locations, and not others.<br /><br />Still another complexity has to do with the shortage or abundance of jobs in a particular geographic area, at a particular point in time, and the compensation paid relative to their native country and what is typically paid in the U.S.<br /><br />The reality is that we become more xenophobic during times of economic stress, and turn to seemingly more simplistic generalizations about those who we perceive as a threat, depending on our individual circumstances and where we are located, and what type of job we have.<br /><br />There is even another complexity. It is not always the low skill - low pay jobs that are at issue. There are some highly skilled jobs in this country, which pay a very good wage, and there are too few properly trained, qualified citizens capable of performing them.<br /><br />Here's a question for you. Why do we permit immigrants, whether legal or not, to enter this country to become actors and singers? Don't we have enough unemployed or underemployed artists already here?InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-56491158851531518412011-09-26T03:59:39.207-04:002011-09-26T03:59:39.207-04:00Sorry for the late reply Cuss, hope you still get ...Sorry for the late reply Cuss, hope you still get to read this. Yes, my War on Unemployment would look much like yours indeed!! I do have to say though that the illegals that I've met over here have all been hard-working and law- abiding. I can't get upset about someone that comes over here because he has to live in poverty and fear and wants to provide for his children. I do get upset with the people that employ and exploit them. They are the culprits and usually get away with some fines (likely figured already into their equations).Wsteffienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-17673390859356532102011-07-20T08:56:56.099-04:002011-07-20T08:56:56.099-04:00Steffie,
Might your War on Unemployment look a bi...Steffie,<br /><br />Might your War on Unemployment look a bit like my proposal to declare American jobs to be a precious national resource and make it illegal to export them, and to sufficiently secure our borders so that illegals who will work for lower wages can't take what jobs are left . . ?<br /><br />The Independent CussTheIndependentCussnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-87779395573381642752011-07-20T06:14:41.671-04:002011-07-20T06:14:41.671-04:00wSteffie: "War on Unemployment," what a...wSteffie: "War on Unemployment," what a concept.InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-21968357947928345992011-07-20T02:55:29.458-04:002011-07-20T02:55:29.458-04:00Since lot's of countries do have similar probl...Since lot's of countries do have similar problems right now I would not say that the problem is a specific governance model. Looks more like laissez-faire capitalism and greed are the problem. If politicians even cared about the working middle class they would cut military spending instead of education programs, Medicare and SS and they would have declared war on unemployment.Wsteffienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-88544252652502659012011-07-19T12:46:39.248-04:002011-07-19T12:46:39.248-04:00wsteffie:
You said a lot here, but we will focus ...wsteffie:<br /><br />You said a lot here, but we will focus on just one thing which we believe explains much in society, namely your statement to the effect that you do not think that our politicians view all citizens as resources.<br /><br />It is very important to recognize this pragmatic reality in examining the operation of our governance model. Not everyone matters, unfortunately, particularly to elected officials. For elected officials, the people who matter are the ones who vote, or the ones who facilitate what they hope to accomplish, the ones with the most power or money, and the ones who make the most noise.<br /><br />If someone is of no value to them, and arguably can not hurt them, why pay attention to them? We think that this philosophy was ever present in the government's response to Katrina.<br /><br />Under the governance model in operation in the U.S., not everyone matters. It's a fundamental principle in the operation of a competitive society. Slavery in America was a reflection of that attitude.InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-38818712569550781802011-07-19T10:14:37.049-04:002011-07-19T10:14:37.049-04:00I agree, socio-economic class is a big deal but s...I agree, socio-economic class is a big deal but seldom looked at, not just in the US. The demographic make up of private schools in Germany and other European countries are similar to that in the US. It would be ideal if we had policies in place that would ensure that all children get the same socio-economic start. Who want's to pay for that? Our politicians seem to be more concerned with other issues. Furthermore, I do not think that they view all citizens as resources. <br />There is more than one way to interpret demographic data. Looking at the Cary stats you provided would make it easy for some to believe in the "Bell Curve" and the myth that the people who are at the bottom of the social ladder are all there because they are lazy, irresponsible and less intelligent. So why bother to invest in them? <br />If I remember correctly it was President Obama who called on the Nation to "invent stuff" earlier this year. It made me smile and wonder if he ever bothered to look at who's inventing. Most inventors do not come from community colleges, they come from top schools. Not that surprising if you think that in order to implement an innovation it takes more than just a bright idea. Research, testing, building prototypes, patents... cost plenty of money and someone has to pay for it. <br />To me it looks unlikely that our current career politicians will realize or admit that it's important to promote and implement change.Wsteffienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-63256491263032380362011-07-14T18:13:38.139-04:002011-07-14T18:13:38.139-04:00Independent Cuss:
Although you are a long-time fo...Independent Cuss:<br /><br />Although you are a long-time follower of our blog, you may not have read one of our very first posts, <i><a href="http://theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-racism-although-problematic-serves.html" rel="nofollow">Racism, While Problematic, Serves a Pragmatic and Utilitarian Purpose</a></i>. <br /><br />What people feel in their hearts, what people reveal in private, and what people reveal when being observed, are very different things. <br /><br />Have we made any progress on the race relations front, either nation-wide or globally, over the past 100 years? Who knows.InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-57709639941099062902011-07-14T14:34:33.212-04:002011-07-14T14:34:33.212-04:00‘Spector,
If that is the case, then the intoleran...‘Spector,<br /><br />If that is the case, then the intolerance issue is worse than I had thought. It is bad enough that they feel that way, but to actually admit it in a national poll is definitely cringe-worthy.<br /><br />I have no answer to any aspect of this problem, then. I know that the answer is neither to effectively “nationalize” all education, nor is it to make all education resemble that which is dispensed at Cary Academy – your description of which gives me that whole “Stepford Kids” vibe – nor is it to do nothing.<br /><br />Perhaps a Petrie dish containing two (three?) childless men is not the most conducive medium in which to solve this sort of problem . . . <br /><br />The Independent CussTheIndependentCussnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-27237165564906806092011-07-14T14:20:27.410-04:002011-07-14T14:20:27.410-04:00No Douglas, we're not the least offended. We c...No Douglas, we're not the least offended. We can't imagine any group or person writing a public blog, and not moderating comments being offended by anything. Disagreement is the nature of the beast. We did not expect, nor did we did it warranted, an apology.<br /><br />We don't any stats, info, polls, or surveys which suggest what is normal to do at a track meet. We don't know. You apparently have some opinions in that regard, to which you are entitled.<br /><br />However, in our view of the view, all information is good information. Examining and considering every thing assists one in making decisions, of whatever variety.InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-86567893950562944002011-07-14T13:38:53.698-04:002011-07-14T13:38:53.698-04:00So, you think it is normal to count the numbers of...So, you think it is normal to count the numbers of each ethnic group at a track event that you went to instead of merely enjoying the moment, the event, and the friend?<br /><br />I have, I see, offended you. I suppose I should apologize for that. But I choose not to.<br /><br />I will, therefore, go on hiatus until such time of my choosing.Douglas4517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-49222942306036832672011-07-14T12:54:35.776-04:002011-07-14T12:54:35.776-04:00Douglas :
1. Please locate a post wherein we stat...Douglas :<br /><br />1. Please locate a post wherein we stated that the Fellows connected with the Institute, our personal friends, or our colleagues are not prejudiced and bigoted in some form or fashion. We'll be glad to address it, and if we said that, we'll retract it.<br /><br />2. This is a comment which you have made on numerous occasions since you have been following this blog. We realize that you consider yourself a modern day Diogenes of Sinope, and you're entitled to pursue that philosophical approach to life. <br /><br />3. You may or may not recall that we wrote a very extensive post entitled, "Racism, While Problematic, Has a Pragmatic and Utilitarian Function." We think that prejudice and racism are genetically encoded.<br /><br />4. We hope that more people than not, would, as Lincoln once said, "be guided by the angels of our better nature."<br /><br />5. That being said, what we find a bit disconcerting is your seeming cynicism about any effort on the part of humans to try to be objective and fair. You seem to suggest that it is a waste of time. We feel differently. We feel that everyday, we're capable of re-evaluating ourselves and the systems within which we function, to see if they are fair and objective. That's how we, and many we know, like to spend our time. That some think that is a waste of time is fine. Everyone is entitled to pursue what they value in life.InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-65053674826477040172011-07-14T12:27:43.135-04:002011-07-14T12:27:43.135-04:00Nope, the sentiment was a national sentiment, not ...Nope, the sentiment was a national sentiment, not the sentiment of residents of Cary. The stories were not related in any way, at least not by us. We were responding to Douglas' contention that he did not see the need for the insertion of demographic data in our post. We responded that lots of people make decisions based on demographic data, including parents.InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-90810141794246079052011-07-13T13:25:00.632-04:002011-07-13T13:25:00.632-04:00Absolutely. I have not ever said that people don&#...Absolutely. I have not ever said that people don't conform to social patterns of behavior nor that businesses (and government and politicians) cannot take advantage of the knowledge and use it to manipulate the public for fun and profit. Not to change that behavior, you see, but to use it to their own advantage. But we weren't talking about that. We were talking about why you want reassurance that this (this prejudice) is so.<br /><br />If you tell me that people are prejudiced and bigoted, I will agree completely. But, if you then tell me, "But not me.. or my personal friends and colleagues" then I will vehemently disagree. I might even laugh out loud. And when people assume that others are (because those surveys say so) then I wonder why they need to run ad hoc, unscientific, surveys to prove what they already believe (or to illustrate it t others), I have to wonder why they engage in such exercises.Douglas4517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-55855897032176739422011-07-13T10:00:39.775-04:002011-07-13T10:00:39.775-04:00(sigh)
That being the case, "your children&q...(sigh)<br /><br />That being the case, "your children" exist solely within the hypothetical realm as do my own.<br /><br />As to my meaning: no, I am suggesting that perhaps American parents might not go out of their way to subject their offspring to a living/learning environment wherein 43% of the population would prefer not to live near African Americans – all in the name of obtaining a “good education” for said offspring. Unless I misunderstood, it would seem that you attribute such a sentiment to the inhabitants of Cary, North Carolina.<br /><br />You must admit that such an attitude might call into question the definition of "good education" . . . <br /><br />The Independent CussTheIndependentCussnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-54484839326079690782011-07-13T00:45:19.077-04:002011-07-13T00:45:19.077-04:00Independent Cuss:
None of the Fellows here at the...Independent Cuss:<br /><br />None of the Fellows here at the Institute have any kids; however, are you suggesting that American parents should not want their kids educated in American schools?InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-72689161030256719822011-07-12T23:53:50.536-04:002011-07-12T23:53:50.536-04:00"This may not be entirely accurate, but accor..."This may not be entirely accurate, but according to a recent poll, something like 43% of certain residents said that they would not like to live in the same neighborhood, participate in activities, or have some involvement with African-Americans."<br /><br />'Spector,<br /><br />And these are the people amongst whom you would have your children live so that they could get a "good education" . . ?<br /><br />I have a certain amount of first-hand experience with elitism. In "occupied" Fairfax County, Virginia the wealthy newcomers who call the shots despise the lower-income natives; guess into which group I fit. In the mid-1980s, the Chairman of County Supervisors actually made the following statement to the local newspaper: "I would prefer that no one who earns under $50,000 per year would live in Fairfax County." And no, that statement is not in the least embellished or taken out of context; it meant exactly what you think it did.<br /><br />I don't care how good the education system is or how bright the student might be . . . private school or public, it is impossible to obtain a good education in such a living/learning environment. <br /><br />The Independent CussTheIndependentCussnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-34610967470999494612011-07-12T23:27:25.671-04:002011-07-12T23:27:25.671-04:00'Spector,
1) Please re-read my comments (whi...'Spector,<br /><br />1) Please re-read my comments (which were unfortunately improperly paragraphed – technical glitch). I never suggested privatizing all education; I simply suggested that we cease throwing more money into this bottomless pit until we see it produce some results with the money which it is already allocated. And we certainly shouldn’t give it more power.<br /><br />2) I can't imagine why a private school would care one way or the other about the presence/absence of low performers; just as in the case of a private college, either way they get paid their tuition fee. <br /> <br />3) The matter is academic (pun intended) since public schools do exist to accommodate the laggards, and I would not have it otherwise. Incidentally, I am one of those publicly-educated laggards. But just because the public schools tried to fill my head with crap doesn't mean that I fell for it . . . <br /><br />4) I have rarely been running when the sun came up, yet here I remain – unstarved and uneaten. I would like to think that our western society has evolved just a bit past the brutality of the wild animals of the African savannah . . . <br /><br />5) Certainly, the children of a clever socialist regime are seemingly well-educated. So tell me: would you want YOUR children educated in Chinese schools? For the privilege of a “good education”, would you consign them to suffer the privation of unspeakable human rights offences, slave wages, deplorably unsafe workplaces and unhealthy environmental conditions? Obviously, the Chinese government considers its citizens to be expendable – but hey, the kids get a great education on the way to their mandatory adult role as Disposable Tool of the Party! I would love to get a glimpse at the sort of “motivation” the Chinese public schools use to attain such outstanding academic results . . . or perhaps not.<br /><br />The Independent CussTheIndependentCussnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-20928447272026958482011-07-12T21:52:13.201-04:002011-07-12T21:52:13.201-04:00Douglas:
A couple of years ago, two of the Fellow...Douglas:<br /><br />A couple of years ago, two of the Fellows associated with the Institute conducted small business management seminars, and generated manuals to be used during the seminars. We are in the process of editing the manuals to be published and sold on the Internet. Just today, we read the section on market research, and reflected on how much demographic data can assist management in effectively and efficiently operating their business.InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-74110245085724951282011-07-12T21:01:01.254-04:002011-07-12T21:01:01.254-04:00You don't have to convince me of that, I have ...You don't have to convince me of that, I have seen it all my life. Probably why I try not to engage in it. I understand it (at least, I believe I do) and where it comes from. I even wrote a bit about my beliefs in that area in a guest column somewhere. Perhaps you'll recall it. Tell me, have they ever polled African-Americans on a similar vein?Douglas4517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-50643173592077753832011-07-12T17:35:44.842-04:002011-07-12T17:35:44.842-04:00No, we did not attend our friend's son's t...No, we did not attend our friend's son's track meet in an official capacity as a member of the press. We were just struck by how different the environment and crowd were, and jotted down some notes reflecting what we observed.<br /><br />We suspect that you are in the minority in terms of lack of interest in demographic data. Major corporations analyze such data each time they consider moving to an area. It is a staple of the diets of advertising and public relations firms. Trial lawyers pore over such data in choosing juries. Community colleges use demographic data in assessing their student populations and formulating programs. Many parents examine such data in determining where to move and live.<br /><br />We tried to locate the article which we saw last week, but we were unable to do so. This may not be entirely accurate, but according to a recent poll, something like 43% of certain residents said that they would not like to live in the same neighborhood, participate in activities, or have some involvement with African-Americans. If we are able to locate it, we will provide you a link.InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-60401390103125725282011-07-12T15:58:25.947-04:002011-07-12T15:58:25.947-04:00I met with a friend today, a Canadian living here ...I met with a friend today, a Canadian living here year round. You know what he found refreshing and different about the U.S.? Opportunity and entrepreneurship. He said that didn't happen in Canada, parents did not encourage their children to take risks.<br />I said, "and there are some people who want to make this country like that." By which I meant that they wanted to reduce that risk by suppressing that risk taking. They want something called "fairness."Douglas4517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-26211011585397144552011-07-12T15:53:42.157-04:002011-07-12T15:53:42.157-04:00In your surveying of these people in Cary, did you...In your surveying of these people in Cary, did you ask each of them (or even a statistically valid percentage) why they live there? What brought them there if they were not born there? And, if they <i>were</i> born there, why they have chosen to stay?<br /><br />I am just curious. You see, that would have been important to me in making a judgment about the town. I have said many times that I did not understand why some of my shipmates returned to the environments (their "home towns") after leaving the service. I still do not understand why so many chose to return to ghettos and barrios and places they thought of as miserable when they had left them. Every time I moved (and I moved many times in my life), it was to a better neighborhood, a town that afforded me more opportunity, or somewhere (subjectively, at least) better than where I was coming from.<br /><br />Cary would seem a nice place to me. Not because of its demographics but because its people seemed to care about the community, because the people seemed friendly (neighborly, if you will), because it seems better than where I am right now.<br /><br />I wouldn't worry about its demographics because that is not my concern. I don't see people as representative of a group but as individuals.Douglas4517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2439647783347819362.post-76799663729750684672011-07-12T12:51:54.190-04:002011-07-12T12:51:54.190-04:00You mentioned numerous things here Independent Cus...You mentioned numerous things here Independent Cuss, only one which we will address. While we are big fans of private enterprise, and feel that private entities are far more motivated to excel, the privatization of our educational system would have both positive and negative consequences. We aren't sure whether the good would outweigh the bad, although it might be interesting to try out the privatization of a small to mid-sized school district as a pilot study.<br /><br />To ensure accuracy, we are checking on the annual tuition ranges for private schools comparable to Cary Academy. However, it is our understanding that similar schools have tuition in the range of $5,000 - $10,000.<br /><br />You should be aware that many private schools weed out mid-grade and low grade performers. Only the very top performers are allowed to stay. By doing so, the average G.P.A.s, the percentage of kids admitted to top colleges, SAT scores, etc., are exceptional. Interestingly, kids from the same family frequently can not attend the same school. If we privatized school systems, what would you suggest that we do with the low performers? What private school would want to have low performers?<br /><br />There are lots of other potential reasons our educational system has declined over the past 50 years. They are far to numerous to outline here. However, we are suffering from what many once-prosperous societies before us have suffered from. We became too comfortable, too soft, less motivated, and less hungry. <br /><br />A man working 65-80 hours a week will always beat out a man willing to work 35. A man willing to work until the day he dies will always beat out a man trying to retire at 62. A man willing to forego vacation will always beat out a man asking for more vacation time. It is difficult to compete against those who are more motivated and hungrier. For us to think that we had the optimal standard of living could carry along for only so long.<br /><br />Every empire ultimately falls, and every dog has its day. There is an African proverb which we like:<br /><br />Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up.<br /> <br />It knows that it must run faster than the fastest lion, or it will be killed.<br /> <br />Every morning a lion wakes up.<br /> <br />It knows that it must outrun the slowest gazelle, or it will starve to death.<br /> <br />It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle.<br /> <br />When the sun comes up, you better start running.<br /><br />We, as a country, have stopped running. We spend far too much time bitching about what others have done to us, and the glorious past. In the mean time, Chinese kids attending public schools are kicking our asses.InspectorClouseauhttp://www.theviewfromoutsidemytinywindow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com