[TELEGRAPH.CO.UK] Malala doesn't just shame Taliban fundamentalists and men who can't believe daughters are the equal of sons. She shames this country, where the craven creed of multiculturalism allows girls to disappear into forced marriages at the age of 14, and a free Mohammedan school in Derby is just one of many that should face closure over "practices which discriminate against girls and women". Above all, Malala shames the "Am I bovvered?" young and their parents who take education for granted. "I want to tell students [in the UK] to think that it's very precious, it's very prestigious," Malala told interviewer Mishal Husain. "Go to school. Reading a book, having a pen in our hands, studying sitting together, in a classroom, is very special to us."
How relevant her words seem, in the week when a major international study revealed that England and Northern Ireland have among the worst levels of numeracy and literacy in the developed world. Not only do our 16- to 24-year-olds rank 22nd for literacy and 21st for numeracy, they are likely to be less skilled than their grandparents. Instead of having a highly educated upcoming generation, we are relying on the over-fifties to keep the show on the road. Those of us who dared to challenge pious New Labour education ministers when they reeled off inexorably improving exam results were told to stop knocking the achievement of hard-working teachers and pupils. It is now clear that those exam results were a cruel mirage. Dumbing down is a real and present danger to this country's prosperity.
How would you explain British educational decline to Malala? In her homeland, pupils may be so poor they use chalk and slates, but education is considered prestigious and special, which means many of the brightest students are attracted into teaching. Because teachers have high status, pupils are respectful and they work hard, because education is the difference between a decent life and dire poverty. While Pak girls like Malala are dying for the right to go to school, truants in Britannia miss 3.7 million school days in a single term.
In Britannia, the rights of the child have eclipsed the rights of the teacher to teach and to discipline. (Malala was astonished that the staff at her new Birmingham school didn't use a cane on unruly pupils, as they do back home.) Children's growing sense of untouchability has led to a situation where a fifth of teachers say they have been physically assaulted by pupils. So, in Pakistain, the teachers hit the kids and here the kids hit the teachers. And we call this progress.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/10/2013 00:00 ||
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Malala was astonished that the staff at her new Birmingham school didn't use a cane on unruly pupils, as they do back home.
They had the Board of Education where I went to school. Unruly boys who had meetings with the Board came back to class much quieter than they were before they left. But I guess that's all politically incorrect these days.
[BLOOMBERG] How do you know whether a regime that frees women to wear Islamic headscarves at work is liberal and furthering democracy, or Islamist and restricting it?
The question concerns Turkey's government, which in the space of a few days has ended a headscarf ban for civil servants (except in the judiciary and security services), but also caused a female TV music-show presenter to be fired for showing too much cleavage.
The headscarf ban was a piece of unabashed social engineering introduced in the 1920s to make Turkey, the rump of the former Ottoman Empire and Islamic Caliphate, secular. If you are liberal and not Islamophobic, ending the ban is a good thing: Women should not be excluded from the workplace just because they are devout and believe this requires covering their hair, period.
But what if the change -- which Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan introduced as part of a broad "democratization" package -- is part of a wider plan of social re-engineering, this time designed to impinge on the liberties of non-religious conservatives? If so, the numerous cases in which women were discriminated against, fired or passed over for promotion for wearing a headscarf even outside of work would now be repeated in reverse: Women who don't wear headscarves to work, and men whose wives don't cover their hair, will be discriminated against, fired and passed over for promotion.
Turkey's secularists say this is already happening to men whose wives show their locks. That's hard to prove, but the real issue is trust -- secularists believe the worst of Erdogan's intentions. Are they right?
The firing of a TV presenter, Gozde Kansu, this week is indicative. Huseyin Celik, front man for the ruling Justice and Development Party attacked Kansu (without actually naming her) for wearing a dress with a plunging neckline while on the air. A few days later, she was fired. There are a few points to make.
First, Celik should watch more Italian TV -- he would then understand that Kansu is a model of shy decorum. Second, Celik's words were as follows: "We don't intervene against anyone, but this is too much. It is unacceptable," according to Hurriyet Daily News. He later complained that it wasn't his fault that she was fired, and he had a right to express his opinions.
None of this is credible. Celik knows what "unacceptable" means; he knew that Kansu was on ATV television, which belongs to a company called Calik Holding; and he knew that Calik's chief executive officer is Erdogan's son-in-law, Berat Albayrak. There is no coincidence or unintended consequence here. Celik wants to re-engineer Turkish TV.
There are plenty of other pointers about the depth of the government's commitment to "democratization," such as the repeated tightening of restrictions on the sale of alcohol, frowned upon by devout Mohammedans; the routine prosecuting and jailing of journalists; and the crushing of dissent in the Gezi Park protests earlier this year.
One last piece of evidence: A Turkish appeals court today upheld the convictions 237 Turkish military officers convicted of plotting a coup against the government in 2003. The case, called Sledgehammer, has been thoroughly discredited. Forensic examination showed that the evidence on which the conviction rested was forged: The documents involved were on a CD-ROM date-stamped 2003, yet were written using a 2007 Microsoft ...producers of Windows, Office, and the late Microsoft Bob, contributed $852,167 to the 2008 Obama campaign... program.
Again, a case first hailed abroad as good for democracy -- an effort to hold the country's generals accountable after decades of impunity -- turns out to be something else. The Sledgehammer case shows only continuity in Turkish governments' use of politicized courts against their enemies: In the old days the military and secularists abused the law to suppress Islamists; now the Islamists are returning the favor.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/10/2013 00:00 ||
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Problem is the shutdown is only really salaries and those will be paid when things start up again. Someone needs to truly cut headcount the way they do in the private sector. Cut deep, cut brutal, cut entire departments and then cut 10% off of whatever is left. Then cut salaries of all employees by 50% and forbid anyone working in government from working for a lobbyist firm for a decade aftwards and hope that cuts down on the grifters in government.
#3
For those without history and only memory, the Army was 1 million in the early 70s. Somehow Congress has been able to reduce it once again to half that while expanding commitments. Seems other Departments near the flag pole could use some equally deep trims. It's call prioritization. Some stuff doesn't get done.
[Dawn] IT is a year today since Malala Yousafzai was shot, and it is the country's good fortune that she not just survived but is doubly determined to continue to campaign for education. Given all that she has been through, it would not have been surprising perhaps had she displayed revanchist sentiments against the TTP which launched grievous harm on her person and under whose thrall she earlier spent time in Swat. But Ms Yousafzai is being quoted across the world's media for the best of reasons, saying that she wants to change Pakistain's future through political activity and compulsory education. And while some consider unexpected her remarks on Monday about talking to the Taliban, is that really the case? "The best way to solve problems and to fight against war is through dialogue and ... through peaceful ways," she commented. Even in the context of people who almost killed her, there is recognition that hatred can produce no future.
All of this throws into even starker relief the ugliness of those who consider her a target. Even as Ms Yousafzai spoke of peace, the TTP front man Shahidullah Shahid denounced her courageousness and said that his group would try to kill her again. The young girl's steadfastness of purpose and the ambassadorial role that has settled upon her has no doubt irked the TTP, but nothing can be more shameful than the contrast between the victim that wants peace and the perpetrators of violence that desire to peddle death. At the other end of this opprobrious spectrum, Maulana Samiul Haq ...the Godfather of the Taliban, leader of his own faction of the JUI. Known as Mullah Sandwich for his habit of having two young boys at a time... , chairman of his own faction of the Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam ...Assembly of Islamic Clergy, or JUI, is a Pak Deobandi (Hanafi) political party. There are two main branches, one led by Maulana Fazlur Rahman, and one led by Maulana Samiul Haq. Fazl is active in Pak politix and Sami spends more time running his madrassah. Both branches sponsor branches of the Taliban, though with plausible deniability... , accused Ms Yousafzai of having been "hijacked" by Western and anti-Islam powers, even though the logic -- given that the West wants the TTP eliminated -- is tenuous at best.
This is far from the first time the TTP has taken a position that bodes ill for long-term success in the dialogue option. On Oct 5, its spokesperson shocked the nation by saying the TTP approved of the bombing of Beautiful Downtown Peshawar ...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province), administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistan's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire. 's All Saints Church since it was in keeping with the Sharia. The Sept 10 resolution of the all parties' conference that offered talks to the TTP could have paved the way for the group to renounce violence, pledge loyalty to the Constitution and begin to integrate itself in the mainstream by joining the political process. But Shahidullah Shahid's statement appears to be a reaffirmation of the TTP leadership's hubris, and peace could be a long time coming.
Posted by: Fred ||
10/10/2013 00:00 ||
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For those of us who have actually looked at history, we know the Democratic party in this nation has been and in my opinion, still is the party of slavery. Yes, after the Civil War, the black population briefly escaped from the Plantation but the were soon brought back to heel. Their attempted escape again during the Civil Rights movement was easily destroyed by LBJ's Great Society and they've remained firmly in chains ever since.
The Slave Masters:
This is the Democrat Party elite, they gleefully ignore laws as they know that the media will never call them on it and their minions will never allow them to be charged for their crimes. They are in effect, untouchable in legal terms in this country, since laws are for the slaves and to oppress the ferals (Non-democrats) running around.
You simply have to look at how many times they have skated away from treason, murder, rape and a host of other crimes that would have any normal person sitting on death row or in prison for life. Scandal after scandal turns up exactly nothing on the people in charge, who merely sacrifice a few underlings to the altar of expediency and PR. It happens over and over again. If the laws don't apply to them, can we really say that they are anything but ruling class?
The Slave Overseers:
The Mainstream Media! Naturally. Has there ever been so effective a cheerleading/discipline squad as this. They bring forth the stories that steer the slaves in the direction their master's want them to go, just look at Global Warming. They destroy anyone not fitting their mold, simply see how they portray gun owners. They direct and steer the slaves to ensure that leaving the plantation is a form of suicide. Anyone not fitting neatly into their collar is demonized, made fun of and made the boogeyman in an never ending stream of reports that declare them to be enemies of all humanity.
While their pretensions make them think they are part of the Ruling class, you can tell they truly aren't from the way they fawn over and lick the feet of their Masters. The gushy way they talk to Democrat party senators and reps makes it clear who is in charge. They never dare to threaten their masters either, burying stories or attempting to destroy any that might cause tension among the slaves. They also try to destroy any media people who stray from the pack as well, to ensure that only the wishes of their masters can be delivered to the slaves.
The Slaves:
While the Democrats hope this includes everyone, their goals are not yet met. Ferals still resist coming onto the plantation, which is one reason why they push so hard for the illegals. Once the break the back of the Americans who still have jobs, they can force them onto the plantation by providing that 'kindly' government assistance that means a collar around your neck for life. Welfare, food stamps, AIDC, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and student loans, these are all designed with one thing in mind: To ensure that you cannot survive without the government, ie the Ruling Class. Once their hooks are in, it's nearly impossible to break free from the collar.
To help with this, they have taken over the schools, to ensure that you learn the corrected form of history and how great government is. Kids are indoctrinated that their parents MUST bow to their whims and wants, or it's child abuse. That it's okay to not learn since the government will be there to take care of you. And if you're rowdy, well, take this nice pill and you'll be happy while sitting in class and the propaganda will just seep right in. They make students terrified of guns, to ensure that the police can cow them if needed and of course, the scary government men with guns will keep them safe, because safety only exists in government.
It amazes me talking to kids sometimes today just how ignorant they are, about EVERYTHING. Even worse, they all have smartphones, computers and internet, yet none have mowed a yard, know how to change the oil in their car or heaven forbid, every played with a slingshot or bb gun. To make it even more depressing, they can barely read and can't really write with pen or pencil. These kids are our future? Don't make me puke.
Sometimes I look at the country today and don't see any way out of it. How do you turn this around? Is there a way without another blood bath like the Civil War? Our elections are not safe, vote fraud is systematic now. And as illegals get more and more rights over actual citizens, how long before voting even matters at all? Perhaps this is why I have a horrid fascination with zombie books now, it's not the zombies, but civilization destroyed enabling a second chance to build a better one. Well, that and perhaps laughing as the liberal sheeple get wiped out. I know, I'm broken. I have no mercy anymore toward the people destroying our nation and certainly my compassion has taken a terrible beating. Perhaps I can refuse to become one of their slaves, but how much of my humanity do I have to sign away to resist?
Silentbrick
In my steel box on the rig
Middle of nowhere
Gulf of Mexico
#1
It amazes me talking to kids sometimes today just how ignorant they are, about EVERYTHING. Even worse, they all have smartphones, computers and internet, yet none have mowed a yard, know how to change the oil in their car or heaven forbid, every played with a slingshot or bb gun.
The Internet represents the greatest repository of knowledge and information in the history of mankind, at nearly everyone's fingertips, yet it is squandered. Sometimes I look at the country today and don't see any way out of it. How do you turn this around? Is there a way without another blood bath like the Civil War?
I scoffed at this notion five years ago. No longer...
#4
It amazes me talking to kids sometimes today just how ignorant they are, about EVERYTHING.
Once you abolished corporal punishment, replaced achievement with "self esteem",and turned teachers' colleges into tools of "female emancipation", what the f*ck did you expect?
#5
Yes, all these things are true of the youth but there is much more to be seen. They are not engaged perhaps. Many just want to go about life everyday free of the conflicts and troubles of this life. I know many who don't read the current news or watch the TV news. Viewer-ship is in decline. Those expensive magazines at the checkout lines don't sell well at all now. USA today is 2.00 dollars and if you travel you may still get your free copy but its smaller. The Sun has also made their paper smaller. The youth and public are turning away from various things. Even from politicians. Yes the schools are a failure but those who wish to achieve are still with us. What I enjoy about being male is we many times go our own way. Not so easy to program us. I think we all have a little Max Max in us. The Dem's are failing miserably. They have failed their own people also. It's like the old Redskins joke. Only senior citizens are Redskin fans.Why because it has been so long since they have won.They are still loyal anyway. Loyal to an old ideas their party has forgotten.
#6
"For those of us who have actually looked at history, we know the Democratic party in this nation has been and in my opinion, still is the party of slavery."
Very true. The only thing that's changed is that they've substituted political slavery for the slavery of picking cotton at gunpoint. And instead of whipping those who try to escape, they now punish them with ostracism.
"Sometimes I look at the country today and don't see any way out of it."
I don't either. I think we're royally screwed. Back in 2008 I thought we'd reached rock-bottom in electing Obama as president, but I was wrong: we bottomed out in 2012 when we re-elected him. At that point, it became clear that America's progressivism sickness will be fatal.
"How do you turn this around? Is there a way without another blood bath like the Civil War?"
No.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
10/10/2013 6:56 Comments ||
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Is there a way without another blood bath like the Civil War?
No, and not even that way. Better analog would be the Revolutionary War though, without French help or an ocean to cross with sailboats.
#9
I don't think we get civil war. I think we get a great depression that keeps going and sets us back economically to a state of pre-ww2. With the economy shrunk so far the government can't fulfill the promises they've made and kids are forced to work to help their families survive. At that point things basically start over to some extent.
We had a good run after WW2 but we squandered it. These things run in cycles and the inbetween cycle is probably pretty nasty when you've witnessed the top of the cycle, but its not the end.
#10
Civil War? No, kinda silly actually.
Outside chance of a Coupe de la Peeps tho. A week or 2 or friction? Maybe? I hate to use the words.... but we have the Optics.
#11
It amazes me talking to kids sometimes today just how ignorant they are, about EVERYTHING. Even worse, they all have smartphones, computers and internet, yet none have mowed a yard, know how to change the oil in their car or heaven forbid, every played with a slingshot or bb gun.
Just today I opened a package from my little sister; she was cleaning house and found my Erector Set!
the one with steel, not plastic bits.
will be passing that on to attorney son (after I build some really cool stuff)
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[TELEGRAPH.CO.UK] Malala doesn't just shame Taliban fundamentalists and men who can't believe daughters are the equal of sons. She shames this country, where the craven creed of multiculturalism allows girls to disappear into forced marriages at the age of 14, and a free 
by Silentbrick
