History can be more easily self taught, enginerring -- not so much!  I think engineering can be self taught as well as can all subject matters as being self taught comes largely from great self motivation.  Whatever challenges are encountered while teaching yourself can be overcome in some manner. 

What I think is also important in some manner is the development the brain goes through while young when it is challenged in different ways.  The more attention that is payed to these kids, the better off these kids will be.  Certainly they'll have a better shot at earning a decent living as an adult, but for these kids the thought shouldn't be preparing them to survive in the real world, but to help them reach their potential which for some individuals might be very high.

Posted at December 27, 2005 9:34 AM in response to Gifted Children Left Behind?

I agree with the above comment that says there are many negative signs that wipe out the positive.  What I see is a regime that feels safe enough in power BECAUSE of our presence that they can engage in risky practices like torture, which is decidedly negative.

Posted at November 17, 2005 12:39 PM in response to Murtha's Bombshell

Undoubtedly the hands of the Republican legislators have been greased by Oil.   This makes it just the more bizarre that such questions are being asked now like, "Do you think you are taking unfair advantage?", etc.  Unfair Advantage?  This question sounds like a question from the 2 dimensional antagonists in an Ayn Rand novel.  The oil companies are required by law as corporations to bring home just as much as they possibly can.  Can we blame them if they make huge profits?  No.  It is the legislators themselves that are to blame for the system in which these huge profits were achieved.  If the government didn't pay for environmental externalities and if the government tried to curb the usage of fossil fuels, profits wouldn't be so large. 

Posted at November 9, 2005 10:40 AM in response to Protection Money, Pure and Simple

Improving the quality of k-12 education would certainly have an impact on what college is.  For instance, if remedial math/english were taught well enough before college, far less students would have to waste time/credits/money on these subjects.  This would free them up to take interesting classes, freeing teachers up to teach interesting things, etc.  

Posted at October 6, 2005 1:17 PM in response to College for All?

This sounds to me like.... 'Our shampoo is better than yours'.  Can the Dems say, 'Vote for us if you want less corruption'?  The public is largely aware that politics = corruption.  Any 'party' message that says, 'We aren't corrupt' will ring hollow.  Individual politicians who have a reputation for incorrupatability might be able to pull that message off, but how many are there.  Those politicians that do display incorruptability need to be promoted, but I don't think any Senator has that image (except McCain, but thats a different story) and there are many would-be-President Senators that have a vested interest in keeping any worthwhile competition out of the picture.  They run the party!  Only outsiders will ever be able to win the presidency, but outsiders aren't welcome, it seems.

Posted at September 29, 2005 6:13 PM in response to Breach of Contract?