Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacko
“Conservative people tend to see the world in black and white terms, good and evil. Liberals see grays. In any talk format, you have to pound home a strong point of view. If you're not providing controversy and excitement, people won't listen, or watch.”
Bill O'Reilly
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Wow. Impressive quote. Is that from that interesting looking book that is a collection of O'Reilly quotes that give a (to my mind) decidedly negative overall impression of him?
Well it's not surprising, but I'm boggled that you think Obama side-stepped the question, Mark (and even more boggled that you say only Edwards answered it, in light of the K-man coming straight out and saying "yes"!). I realize roni also said that, but I tend to agree with Jacko and Melliedee that he answered it and did so rather well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by melliedee
Far from a politician's response, I thought his reply at the debates last night showed that this is not a question with a one word answer. Righting the inequalities in the public school system is a natural first step, imo.
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It's hard to disagree with that answer. I mean, it doesn't just throw money at a problem, as conservatives often accuse liberals of doing. As he says in that other quote, it wouldn't be just signing over checks. Nor would it be proceeding just on the basis of race, an approach often also railed against, but rather putting the money where it needed to be, helping underfunded schools and the white or Latino or Asian or other students that attend them, as well. It is completely consistent with the myth of independent responsibility, so highly regarded and touted by conservatives, as it provides an opportunity for all to get ahead depending on their own skills and intelligence and hard work. It helps our kids learn better, all of our kids. And all this is much clearer than the others' answer to the question in providing an explicit direction to funnel the monies in question.
I'm not going to lose sleep over it, but I'm at a real loss as to how he supposedly responded in typical politician fashion and sidestepped or ducked the question. But you go ahead on, as they say, if that's your view!
Steve