[Rhodes22-list] Free Education

[Bill Berner]

I am getting tired of being one of the few "liberal" voices around here,
but has everyone forgotten the education has other functions besides
preparing people to make a living.

As I understandstand it, gaining  an appreciation for and understanding
of literature, painting, music, theater, and (gasp) philosophy, is
supposed to be an important part of higher education.

Much better to spend the time and money on the NCAA.

Bill Berner
191 South Broadway
Hastings on Hudson, NY  10706
 
v 914 478 2896
f 914 478 3856
e BBerner@optonline.net
 

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces@rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces@rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Steve Alm
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 4:56 PM
To: Rhodes
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Free Education

Good point, Paul.  However, I doubt that anyone's getting smarter
listening
to me.  (sigh)
Slim

On 1/24/03 10:48 AM, "Paul Grandholm" <paul@mi.chtechnology.com> wrote:

> Slim,
> 
>    I think what you are referring to here is free FORMAL education.
In
> my opinion, education is everywhere if you look for it.  That's why I
> like what we've got going here.  I may not agree with everything
everyone
> says, but if I respect their opinion and listen to what they're
saying, I
> can learn a little from each of them, and it's all FREE!  The other
> component that sets us apart from Cuba is our freedom.  We can say all
> these things without fear of government intervention.  If you're in
> conversation, an are willing to listen as well as speak, everyone
comes
> away from the conversation a little richer and probably smarter.
> 
> Paul
>> 
>> As our illustrious former Gov. Jesse Ventura said after cutting
millions
>> from the Univ. of MN spurring an immediate tuition hike, "If you're
smart
>> enough to get into college, you should be able to figure out how to
pay for
>> it."
>> 
>> Although it was yet another example of his shoot-from-the-hip
comments, I
>> think there's a little wisdom there.  Maybe just a little.  But if a
college
>> education was a free and easy thing, wouldn't that make any advanced
degree
>> more common and less distinguishing?  Further, in order to make their
>> programs look like they're working, there would be a big push to get
>> everybody graduated--so they'd have to dumb down the programs to
achieve
>> this.  Instead of "No child left behind" it would be "No
dorm-squatting,
>> reefer-blowing coed left behind."  [grin]
>> 
>> Show me the money!  We have enough trouble funding K-12.  But I'm in
favor
>> of finding ways to make college more available to more people.  Bush
is now
>> at loggerheads within his own cabinet on Affirmative Action.
>> Quotas...whatever!  Let them in.  Let everybody in.  Even ere on the
side of
>> letting anybody in.  But Don't lower the bar to get out!!!!  Not even
the
>> first class.  Calculus 101 isn't supposed to be easy.
>> 
>> But for the good students, we need to find more creative ways of
helping
>> them get through.  For you parents out there who are putting your
kids
>> through college, OWCH!  I feel your pain.  Tuition is outrageous.
Bring
>> back the GI Bill.  What do you say we make a new tax (gasp!) on
companies
>> that require a college degree for employment?  That money goes to the
>> colleges and universities (but not Bob Jones University) and offsets
the
>> tuition. We could call it the dorm-squatting, reefer-blowing tax.
>> 
>> Last thought: Cuba has one of, if not the highest literacy rate in
the
>> world.  And almost everybody goes to college.  Has that helped Cubans
or
>> Cuba herself?  I'd like hearing from any of you who know more about
higher
>> ed in Cuba.
>> 
>> Slim
>> 
>> _________________________________________________
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> 
> 
> 
> ========================
> Paul Grandholm
> C&H Technology
> GrandPower Components Div.
> ========================
> _________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list

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