Nebraska Kids to Learn America Is Awesome, Climate Change Is Just a Theory

Can creationism be far behind?
Wingnuts • Views: 29,553

The right wing tactic of “teaching the controversy” is popping up again in Nebraska; this time Republicans are using it to confuse children about climate change, but I’d be willing to bet they also have their sights set on Charles Darwin. Kate Sheppard has details: Nebraska Kids to Learn America Is Awesome, Climate Change Is Just a Theory.

Students in Nebraska are getting new standards for social studies curriculum, after weeks of intense debate. The state Board of Education reached agreement on two items of controversy this week: whether to include “American exceptionalism” and how to teach about climate change, the Lincoln Journal Star reports.

The fight had been over whether to explicitly teach the idea of American exceptionalism, as one board member proposed, and whether to include information about climate change, which the current standards do not mention. The board approved the standards after making some changes:

The words “American exceptionalism” do not appear in the final draft, but the concept does. In the sixth- through eighth-grade U.S. history standards, one of the “indicators” — examples of what to teach — is the “unique nature of the creation and organization of the American Government, the United States as an exceptional nation based upon personal freedom, the inherent nature of citizens’ rights and democratic ideals.”

Likewise, climate change appears in the sixth- through eighth-grade geography standards, but is presented as a theory, not as fact, asking students to evaluate “recent global climate change theories, and evidence that supports and refutes such theories.”

“American exceptionalism,” gotta love it. An amorphous concept, but wingnuts never get tired of it. It’s very important to believe in the special nature of their own specialness.

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109 comments
1 Bubblehead II  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 5:41:28pm

Well, so is evolution.

//////

2 Four More Tears  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 5:44:17pm

Gravity. Just a theory.

3 Charles Johnson  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 5:50:42pm

"American exceptionalism."

Wingnuts never get tired of this one. It's very important to believe in the special nature of their own specialness.

4 freetoken  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 5:53:29pm

re: #3 Charles Johnson

It's a special case of their more general anthropocentric view of the universe, where everything in the universe was created just so their particular beliefs could be absolutely true.

5 Obdicut  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 5:54:18pm

We're as exceptional as we make ourselves be.

For example, in denying science, we're exceptionally stupid.

6 A Man for all Seasons  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 5:54:22pm

re: #3 Charles Johnson

"American exceptionalism."

Wingnuts never get tired of this one. It's very important to believe in the special nature of their own specialness.

All men are created equal.
I see no exceptionism involved. We are all equal

7 EPR-radar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 5:54:27pm

re: #3 Charles Johnson

"American exceptionalism."

Wingnuts never get tired of this one. It's very important to believe in the special nature of their own specialness.

American exceptionalism: An infestation of the stupidest and most malignant voters and political entities in the developed world?

Defined that way, I certainly believe in it.

8 Shiplord Kirel  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 5:55:35pm

This is beyond disgusting. These cargo cultists are dismantling this country one school district at a time. It wasn't superstition that put us on the Moon, or cleaned up the mosquito swamps so we could build the Panama Canal. Nicola Tesla didn't come here for the great religious opportunities, real and important as those are.
In 50 years the American dream will be enough labor credits to pay your Bible waving aristocrat landlord, or maybe to win the lottery so you can move to the middle class neighborhoods where all the Chinese and Indian immigrants have settled by virtue of their mysterious mind powers.

9 Dancing along the light of day  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 5:58:52pm

Frank says

You can't write a chord ugly enough to say what you want sometimes, so you have to rely on a giraffe filled with whipped cream.

LOL!

10 Charles Johnson  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:00:37pm

Speaking of American exceptionalism, I'm turning off the Facebook like buttons on our posts, because Facebook increasingly sucks and I don't want to give them any more of our visitor information to exploit.

If you hover over the 'Share' button you can still post to Facebook if you so desire, but when their buttons are on our front page we're sending an unacceptable amount of information about our visitors to them, and I simply don't trust them to act responsibly with that information.

11 Bubblehead II  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:05:55pm

Frank says:

If there's ever an obscene noise to be made on an instrument, it's gonna come out of a guitar! On a sax you can play sleaze, on a bass you can play balls. But on a guitar you can be truly obscene! Lets be realistic about this, the guitar can be the single most blasphemous device on earth! The guitar makes a stink noise. That's why I like it!!

Frank has obviously never listened to a Bryan Fischer clip. And the Instrument is his mouth.

12 Shiplord Kirel  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:06:50pm

Future conversation with the boss:

Prole-American: Say, Mr. Rajiv, if it ain't too intrusive or somethin', just how is it you Indians know so danged much?

Rajiv: Well, it is really quite simple. First, a lot of us have studied real science like you used to have here..........

Prole: OH NO! EVOLUTION! I KNEW IT, YOU'RE IN LEAGUE WITH SATAN! NO WONDER YOU HAVE DARK SKIN! I QUIT! TO HELL WITH THE TRAILER PAYMENT, IT AIN'T THAT GOOD ANYWAY!

13 freetoken  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:08:53pm

I posted this video downstairs, but I think it is important and it is on topic.

At this week's AGU meeting, atmospheric scientist Ray Pierrehumbert reviews the development of models of the atmosphere and climate change, what proved true and what didn't. It's a good review of the science and of scientific progress, and tackles many of the favorite "sciency" claims of the deniers:

The lecture body starts around 3:30 in. Spend the 45 minutes to watch it.

14 A Man for all Seasons  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:12:04pm

re: #11 Bubblehead II

Frank says:

If there's ever an obscene noise to be made on an instrument, it's gonna come out of a guitar! On a sax you can play sleaze, on a bass you can play balls. But on a guitar you can be truly obscene! Lets be realistic about this, the guitar can be the single most blasphemous device on earth! The guitar makes a stink noise. That's why I like it!!

Frank has obviously never listened to a Bryan Fischer clip. And the Instrument is his mouth.

Truth be told.. I always considered Zappa as a brilliant screwball kind of guy.
He was kind of just crazy but respectable. Fired my favorite guitarist in the world cause he caught him puffing on a joint.
Something is seldom talked about Frank. He was one the best lead guitarist of all time. He was mind blowing in person.

15 Kragar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:12:32pm

It's easy to think you're awesome at everything when you ignore all evidence to the contrary.

Nice going GOP.

16 wrenchwench  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:12:54pm
The words “American exceptionalism” do not appear in the final draft, but the concept does. In the sixth- through eighth-grade U.S. history standards, one of the “indicators” — examples of what to teach — is the “unique nature of the creation and organization of the American Government, the United States as an exceptional nation based upon personal freedom, the inherent nature of citizens’ rights and democratic ideals.”

We have to counter the idea that just because women and indians and slaves weren't treated as equals when this great country was born that somehow our great society [wait can't use that LBJ term] exceptional nation is flawed.

17 EPR-radar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:13:38pm

Without science and the enlightenment, we would most likely have various forms of feudalism and monarchy across the world. Everyone except royalty, aristocrats and useful hangers-on would be reduced to the status and capabilities of a grossly ignorant peasant, tied to the land and/or in other forms of bondage.

This would appear to be the tea bagger utopia.

18 wrenchwench  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:16:49pm
Frank says:

There will never be a nuclear war; there's too much real estate involved. -- Zappa on the Tonight Show, C.A. 1988

20 funky chicken  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:18:31pm
the United States as an exceptional nation based upon personal freedom, the inherent nature of citizens’ rights and democratic ideals

Hey, works for me. I'd guess these folks would disagree with me on what that statement means since I'm pro-choice and not opposed to homosexual rights.

21 Kragar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:19:36pm

re: #19 Political Atheist

After extensive mathematical modeling, scientist declares “Earth is F**ked”

Did they factor the protective hand of Jesus into their equations?

22 engineer cat  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:24:35pm

"American exceptionalism"

my interpretation of this is that it means that we are one of those animals that are more equal than others, and that we have "exceptional" rights of international action that other, not-so-exceptional nations don't have

besides the other implication that all wingnut "theories" have of fuck you, hippie

23 funky chicken  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:25:23pm

re: #17 EPR-radar

Most of them are just stupid. Some of them are old, confused and scared like my father. It's really sad, because guys like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin would detest the fools. John Adams might agree with their religiosity, but would be disgusted by the neo-confederates, etc. They really don't get the Founders at all.

Which is why it could be kinda fun to teach social studies in NE ... stay totally within the requirements but teach the kids about the importance of enlightenment and scientific discovery in the 1700s and how it lead to the revolution.

24 Political Atheist  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:26:30pm

re: #21 Kragar

Did they factor the protective hand of Jesus into their equations?

We are blowing by critical points and tipping points like a drunken sailor and cash.

25 A Man for all Seasons  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:29:25pm

Oh..Calling Charles..Charles! Lakers play Thunder in a few minutes..Remember all those times years ago that I said congrads with Vinegar on my lips?
You know I've 'hated' the Lakers all my life.. You guys will lose tonight! High five!
But.. The thing about the Lakers is they are a new team stock full of superstars.. Who the hell is going to beat Kobe, Superman, Nash, Gasol etc?
Like the Heat.. They won't win this year but who will stop Kobe and Superman next year? Effen Kobe!
Kind Regards Charles

26 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:30:37pm

Interesting juxtaposition. Today, December 7th, marks an anniversary when America was not exceptional, but vulnerable.

As it always is. We are not all that, and the danger is thinking so.

27 EPR-radar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:33:26pm

re: #23 funky chicken

Most of them are just stupid. Some of them are old, confused and scared like my father. It's really sad, because guys like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin would detest the fools. John Adams might agree with their religiosity, but would be disgusted by the neo-confederates, etc. They really don't get the Founders at all.

Which is why it could be kinda fun to teach social studies in NE ... stay totally within the requirements but teach the kids about the importance of enlightenment and scientific discovery in the 1700s and how it lead to the revolution.

That could work well --- e.g.,compare and contrast French Revolution and American Revolution --- which was really a revolution and why?

For extra credit, the students can look into the birth of conservatism as a political philosophy as a reaction to the French Revolution (e.g., Edmund Burke).

28 funky chicken  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:35:17pm

re: #26 Stanghazi

Interesting juxtaposition. Today, December 7th, marks an anniversary when America was not exceptional, but vulnerable.

As it always is. We are not all that, and the danger is thinking so.

just spun by abcnews.com, and not a single mention of Pearl Harbor. big headline about a dead whale making it smell bad in Malibu though.

29 freetoken  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:38:14pm

re: #19 Political Atheist

After extensive mathematical modeling, scientist declares “Earth is F**ked”

I put a link to the video in the Page comments.

30 Political Atheist  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:38:51pm

re: #29 freetoken

Cool, thanks.

31 Bubblehead II  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:39:03pm

re: #26 Stanghazi

Interesting juxtaposition. Today, December 7th, marks an anniversary when America was not exceptional, but vulnerable.

As it always is. We are not all that, and the danger is thinking so.

Sadly, these idiots don't learn from history. Hence 9/11 and the wars that followed.

32 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:41:41pm

re: #28 funky chicken

Pitiful. I made a point, as I do every Dec 7, to read, look, watch everything about that day. The images, the stories. Today I stumbled on a "civilians killed" page. Had not understood that point till today.

The survivors are mostly in their 90's.

Anyone read the HI newswoman's not published story? Please do

33 engineer cat  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:43:18pm

trick question: what promising young poet wrote this poem at the end of the 19th century?

Move tirelessly
Do not hang your head
Scatter the mist of the clouds
The Lord's Providence is great.

Gently smile at the earth
Stretched out beneath you;
Sing a lullaby to the glacier
Strung down from the heavens.

Know for certain that once
Struck down to the ground, an oppressed man
Strives again to reach the pure mountain,
When exalted by hope.

So, lovely moon, as before
Glimmer through the clouds;
Pleasantly in the azure vault
Make your beams play.

But I shall undo my vest
And thrust out my chest to the moon,
With outstretched arms, I shall revere
The spreader of light upon the earth!

34 Killgore Trout  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:47:10pm

Stewart Lee - Anti-Islamic Stand Up

35 EPR-radar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:50:05pm

re: #32 Stanghazi

Excellent news story, not published at the time by the paper.

Unbelievably, the very first comment on it is: "If the Star-Bulletin was so unreliable that it would not publish this account, then its reliabiity in publishing he birth notice for Barack Obama also must be doubted."

Donations to the society for preventing obsessive behavior in deranged wingnuts, anyone?

36 A Man for all Seasons  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:55:32pm

re: #32 Stanghazi

Pitiful. I made a point, as I do every Dec 7, to read, look, watch everything about that day. The images, the stories. Today I stumbled on a "civilians killed" page. Had not understood that point till today.

The survivors are mostly in their 90's.

Anyone read the HI newswoman's not published story? Please do

[Embedded content]

I worked at Pearl for the Navy for 3 years and was there for several Dec.7th anniversaries. There are so many amazing stories and heroes.
What a privilege to stand top side at sunrise and view that mountain range imagining fighters flying right at you at dawn.
Sacred ground like 911 ground zero.

37 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:55:37pm

re: #10 Charles Johnson

Speaking of American exceptionalism, I'm turning off the Facebook like buttons on our posts, because Facebook increasingly sucks and I don't want to give them any more of our visitor information to exploit.

If you hover over the 'Share' button you can still post to Facebook if you so desire, but when their buttons are on our front page we're sending an unacceptable amount of information about our visitors to them, and I simply don't trust them to act responsibly with that information.

Thank you for that. You're a good host and your efforts are greatly appreciated.

38 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:57:58pm

re: #31 Bubblehead II

Sadly, these idiots don't learn from history. Hence 9/11 and the wars that followed.

If by 'these idiots' you mean Al Qaeda, then the analogy fits. Because like Japan, Al Qaeda has been pummeled for its unprovoked aggression.

39 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 6:58:49pm

re: #27 EPR-radar

That could work well --- e.g.,compare and contrast French Revolution and American Revolution --- which was really a revolution and why?

For extra credit, the students can look into the birth of conservatism as a political philosophy as a reaction to the French Revolution (e.g., Edmund Burke).

Though you'd need to show how it grew out of, and is consistent with, English Liberal Political philosophy ala Locke and Smith.

40 EPR-radar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:00:49pm

re: #39 William Barnett-Lewis

Though you'd need to show how it grew out of, and is consistent with, English Liberal Political philosophy ala Locke and Smith.

Fair enough. Conservatism is not as awful as US wingnuts make it look.

There is more to it than restoring the monarchy of France pre-revolution

41 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:03:13pm

re: #40 EPR-radar

Fair enough. Conservatism is not as awful as US wingnuts make it look.

I regret that I cannot upding your post more than once.

42 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:03:30pm

re: #35 EPR-radar

Excellent news story, not published at the time by the paper.

Unbelievably, the very first comment on it is: "If the Star-Bulletin was so unreliable that it would not publish this account, then its reliabiity in publishing he birth notice for Barack Obama also must be doubted."

Donations to the society for preventing obsessive behavior in deranged wingnuts, anyone?

I had not read the comments. Unbelievable. These freaks are our neighbors. Have a very big sad. Will get over it.

43 EPR-radar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:07:11pm

re: #41 Dark_Falcon

I regret that I cannot upding your post more than once.

Thanks. My politics are basically center-left. If I leaned right, I would be even harder on the wing nuts than I am, because they would be in the process of flushing my entire political philosophy down the toilet.

44 Bubblehead II  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:14:26pm

re: #38 Dark_Falcon

If by 'these idiots' you mean Al Qaeda, then the analogy fits. Because like Japan, Al Qaeda has been pummeled for its unprovoked aggression.

No, I mean the idiots that think America is so exceptional and powerful that we can't be attacked. Dec. 7th and Sept. 11 has proven that idea to be wrong. But then, as now, these idiots (that you support) think that if some how we turn away from the course we are on and repent, that "God" will some how internecine and protect us from these types of attacks.

//// BTW, I am putting a tooth I lost the other day under my pillow tonight. I fully expect a quarter to be there in the morning.

45 engineer cat  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:16:31pm

our modern american "conservatives" can only claim to be heirs of burke by foisting marxism on progressives

46 EPR-radar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:18:01pm

re: #44 Bubblehead II

I don't mean to pick on you, but "God will some how internecine" is hilarious. It even fits, for wing nuts.

The word you want is intercede.

internecine refers to civil war

48 Bubblehead II  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:23:01pm

Night Lizards. America has never been and will never be, Exceptional.

Nor is there some Deity looking out for us.

Get over it.

49 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:23:11pm

re: #44 Bubblehead II

No, I mean the idiots that think America is so exceptional and powerful that we can't be attacked. Dec. 7th and Sept. 11 has proven that idea to be wrong. But then, as now, these idiots (that you support) think that if some how we turn away from the course we are on and repent, that "God" will some how internecine and protect us from these types of attacks.

//// BTW, I am putting a tooth I lost the other day under my pillow tonight. I fully expect a quarter to be there in the morning.

There's nobody I support who believes that. 9/11 wasn't caused by godlessness, it was caused by an enemy that saw its self as having a religious obligation to attack us. Want to blame bad religion? Please blame the Salafists, not the US.

50 Bubblehead II  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:24:20pm

re: #46 EPR-radar

I don't mean to pick on you, but "God will some how internecine" is hilarious. It even fits, for wing nuts.

The word you want is intercede.

internecine refers to civil war

Thanks for the correction. Night.

51 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:26:27pm

re: #50 Bubblehead II

BH, one of the best old timers. Cheers.

52 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:37:51pm

If I had 1500 to waste on an antique! Early 1900's Party ready

A set of 6 gilt porcelain cups by Piero Fornasetti in their original packaging, 20th century ($1,500).

53 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:42:08pm

I'm I blind? Where is Master Spy these days?

54 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:42:47pm

found it

55 Interesting Times  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:43:05pm

re: #53 Stanghazi

I'm I blind? Where is Master Spy these days?

Under Tools/Info in the left column menu

56 dragonath  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:43:39pm

re: #52 Stanghazi

SAVSAGES

Oh my, classy.

It's like tea time at Edward Gorey's.

57 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:43:47pm

re: #55 Interesting Times

gracias.

58 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:44:12pm

re: #56 dragonath

SAVSAGES

Oh my, classy.

It's like tea time at Edward Gorey's.

THAT is the fun part!!!!

59 Gus  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:44:52pm

re: #34 Killgore Trout

Interesting. He's a very unique comedian. Not what people would expect. Watching some other videos of his.

60 dragonath  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:53:29pm

re: #58 Stanghazi

THAT is the fun part!!!!

Merry Christmas!!

61 A Man for all Seasons  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:53:39pm

Halftime: Thunder up over the Lakers by 14.
Winston used to think his name was Kobe. I'd jump up screaming fuck you Kobe! and Winston would run out of the room like he just robbed a bank.

62 BongCrodny  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:54:03pm

So when they say "American exceptionalism," they're talking about what, 53% American exceptionalism?

63 Kronocide  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:55:06pm

re: #62 BongCrodny

So when they say "American exceptionalism," they're talking about what, 53% American exceptionalism?

Yes. The other 47% mooch and mafterbate.

64 engineer cat  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:55:31pm

re: #52 Stanghazi

If I had 1500 to waste on an antique! Early 1900's Party ready

A set of 6 gilt porcelain cups by Piero Fornasetti in their original packaging, 20th century ($1,500).

an old friend of mine is returning me a 1985 compaq "luggable" pc that i lent him o i guess 25 years ago

i may soon be looking for an rare antique item on the ebay: a DOS boot floppy

65 bratwurst  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:55:51pm
66 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:56:27pm

re: #60 dragonath

Merry Christmas!!

lol Slurping from the bowl - we hear it!!!!!

67 engineer cat  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:57:03pm

re: #62 BongCrodny

So when they say "American exceptionalism," they're talking about what, 53% American exceptionalism?

rill amuricans who know that thomas jefferson was an evangelical christian and an tax increase on millionaires is the same as communists abolishing property

68 Mich-again  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:58:54pm

American exceptionalism..

The right wing freaks out over illegal immigrants who come here to do menial labor, yet these same people promote importing more foreign scientists and engineers. The GOP does all they can to undermine all levels of the American education system and then fret over the lack of people with technical degrees here.

Wouldn't it make more sense for Americans to promote more opportunities for higher education for our own children so that they can become the engineers and scientists we need.

Apparently what conservatives are trying to accomplish is to have American kids do the menial labor and have foreigners come in and take the high paying jobs that require advanced degrees.

69 BongCrodny  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 7:59:58pm

re: #47 Stanghazi

Cory Booker's 4th day on foodstamps - the hardest yet

2012 Farleigh-Dickinson poll on Corey Booker:

Favorable opinion: 47%
Unfavorable opinion: 6%

Those are some awesome numbers.

70 BongCrodny  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:01:15pm

re: #63 Henchman Ghazi-808

Yes. The other 47% mooch and mafterbate.

I am so going to steal "mafterbate."

71 EPR-radar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:01:50pm

re: #68 Mich-again

American exceptionalism..

The right wing freaks out over illegal immigrants who come here to do menial labor, yet these same people promote importing more foreign scientists and engineers. The GOP does all they can to undermine all levels of the American education system and then fret over the lack of people with technical degrees here.

Wouldn't it make more sense for Americans to promote more opportunities for higher education for our own children so that they can become the engineers and scientists we need.

Apparently what conservatives are trying to accomplish is to have American kids do the menial labor and have foreigners come in and take the high paying jobs that require advanced degrees.

Actually, the "shortage of scientists and engineers" is somewhat mythical --- the powers that be are simply interested in lowering the prevailing wages in these professions.

72 Stanghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:02:26pm

re: #69 BongCrodny

2012 Farleigh-Dickinson poll on Corey Booker:

Favorable opinion: 47%
Unfavorable opinion: 6%

Those are some awesome numbers.

The video of his 4th day was awesome. He is real. We need real.

73 Mich-again  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:03:58pm

re: #71 EPR-radar

Actually, the "shortage of scientists and engineers" is somewhat mythical --- the powers that be are simply interested in lowering the prevailing wages in these professions.

ding ding ding!

74 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:08:28pm

re: #64 engineer cat

an old friend of mine is returning me a 1985 compaq "luggable" pc that i lent him o i guess 25 years ago

i may soon be looking for an rare antique item on the ebay: a DOS boot floppy

Cool toy!

1985... 286? Or had the 386 version come out then?

75 The Mountain That Blogs  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:08:41pm

re: #71 EPR-radar

Actually, the "shortage of scientists and engineers" is somewhat mythical --- the powers that be are simply interested in lowering the prevailing wages in these professions.

You would think they would want scientists to get paid more so they wouldn't have to fabricate all of climate science in a vast conspiracy to get more grant money.

76 Kronocide  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:09:42pm

re: #71 EPR-radar

Actually, the "shortage of scientists and engineers" is somewhat mythical --- the powers that be are simply interested in lowering the prevailing wages in these professions.

Oh wait, I though scientists make huge $ getting government grants to (cough cough) study pinko commie theories like climate science?

That's what an oil industry PR hack told me.

77 Mich-again  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:11:32pm

re: #71 EPR-radar

Republicans Push for More Green Cards for Scientists, Engineers

Republican Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas who sponsored the bill, said the U.S. can spur economic growth by allowing employers to more easily hire foreign graduates of the nation’s universities.

“These students have the ability to start a company that creates jobs or come up with an invention that could jump-start a whole new industry,” said Smith.

Lamar Smith, Global Warming Skeptic, Set To Chair House Science Committee

The [ABC, NBC and CBS television] networks have shown a steady pattern of bias on climate change," Smith said in a statement at the time. "During a six-month period, four out of five network news reports failed to acknowledge any dissenting opinions about global warming, according to a Business and Media Institute study. The networks should tell Americans the truth, rather than hide the facts."

He also referred to environmentalists and others who warn about the seriousness of the issue as "global warming alarmists."

78 bratwurst  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:15:37pm

re: #71 EPR-radar

Actually, the "shortage of scientists and engineers" is somewhat mythical --- the powers that be are simply interested in lowering the prevailing wages in these professions.

Agreed.

On a similar note, there was a recent 60 Minutes piece about the "skills shortage crisis" in manufacturing. Executives and HR people were shown to be in a tizzy about it, co-operating with community colleges in an effort to make sure there are programs created to train be on their very specific equipment, etc. Well, at the end of the story the candidates who made it through these programs were rewarded with $12 per hour jobs!

79 Dancing along the light of day  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:17:13pm

re: #61 A Man for all Seasons

You're cracking me up! *waves*

80 Kronocide  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:22:39pm

re: #77 Mich-again

Lamar Smith, Global Warming Skeptic, Set To Chair House Science Committee

Hey... Trump should head Department of Education! That would make as much sense.

81 engineer cat  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:24:39pm

re: #74 William Barnett-Lewis

Cool toy!

1985... 286? Or had the 386 version come out then?

good question - prolly was a 386...

i believe i will find a command line c compiler as well as an implementation of prolog on the hard drive

82 Mich-again  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:25:05pm

On a semi-related note, our 21 year old son will graduate from Wayne State University tomorrow with his Electrical Engineering degree, and he won't have a dime in student loans hanging over his head. He's already had some really nice job offers in the Metro Detroit area and is weighing his options. 1 down, 2 to go. He's got my brains and mom's good looks and its a good thing for him its not the other way around. HA..

83 Mich-again  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:26:12pm

re: #80 Henchman Ghazi-808

Lamar Smith, Global Warming Skeptic, Set To Chair House Science Committee

Hey... Trump should head Department of Education! That would make as much sense.

Well he once sat through a physics lecture in college before he switched majors so he was the closest thing the GOP had to a science expert.

84 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:28:24pm

re: #78 bratwurst

Agreed.

On a similar note, there was a recent 60 Minutes piece about the "skills shortage crisis" in manufacturing. Executives and HR people were shown to be in a tizzy about it, co-operating with community colleges in an effort to make sure there are programs created to train be on their very specific equipment, etc. Well, at the end of the story the candidates who made it through these programs were rewarded with $12 per hour jobs!

Some of that is two tiering: New hires aren't making much because of the high wages paid to long time employees. It's something some companies agreed to with unions (Ford chief among them) to avoid major pay cuts for established employees while still controlling labor costs.

85 Gus  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:29:50pm

Stewart Lee - Belligerent Footballers

NSFW - Uses the n-word too. Listen carefully.

86 dell*nix  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:29:54pm

re: #64 engineer cat

I just got rid of that at the end of October when I went thru storage. Boot, setup and repair plus a lot of 3.5 and 5.25 floppies. Also two machines that would not boot due to dead batteries. Gave them to Goodwill for salvage.

87 Shiplord Kirel  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:31:57pm

re: #64 engineer cat

an old friend of mine is returning me a 1985 compaq "luggable" pc that i lent him o i guess 25 years ago

i may soon be looking for an rare antique item on the ebay: a DOS boot floppy

My 1993 Packard-Bell 486DX2 still works perfectly, including the original monitor. It has 32MB RAM instead of the original 8, and a 56K dial-up modem instead of 14.4. It originally had Windows 3.11 but I upgraded to 95 as soon as it came out and it has been like that ever since.

88 engineer cat  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:33:14pm

re: #71 EPR-radar

Actually, the "shortage of scientists and engineers" is somewhat mythical --- the powers that be are simply interested in lowering the prevailing wages in these professions.

it's hard to tell if there isn't really a shortage of american software engineers. it certainly seems like it in the software shops that i've worked in. most of the american engineers i've worked with are of either jewish-american or chinese-american extraction

this has been blamed on the overwhelmingly nerdy public image of software engineers. i can't tell you how many times i've been told "you're a programmer? but you're so normal!" or "oh, no, don't put 'software engineer' on your dating profile - that makes you sound really boring!"

if corporations have been trying to drive down the salaries of engineers by necessitating the importation of H1s from india, they've started way back by promoting an undesirable image in the media

89 Gus  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:33:46pm
90 Mich-again  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:37:27pm

re: #88 engineer cat

this has been blamed on the overwhelmingly nerdy public image of software engineers.

What makes you think that the public doesn't respect code monkeys? //

91 Varek Raith  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:42:43pm

re: #90 Mich-again

What makes you think that the public doesn't respect code monkeys? //

FORTH or GTFO.

92 dragonath  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:43:17pm

For all the Hobbit fans out there, a Middle-Earth map from Pauline Baynes

Image: middle-earth.jpg

93 Gus  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:43:29pm

re: #90 Mich-again

What makes you think that the public doesn't respect code monkeys? //

That does not compute.

94 Ming  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:43:55pm

re: #2 Four More Tears

Gravity. Just a theory.

Einstein never won the Nobel Prize for his theory of relativity, either the special (1905) or the general (1916) theory. It was politically controversial at the time. (He received the Nobel Prize for his research on the photoelectric effect.)

95 Gus  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:45:58pm
96 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:47:03pm

re: #91 Varek Raith

FORTH or GTFO.

I LISP in your general direction.

97 Dark_Falcon  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:47:24pm

re: #92 dragonath

For all the Hobbit fans out there, a Middle-Earth map from Pauline Baynes

Image: middle-earth.jpg

Open the map in a new tab (Firefox) in order to see it full size. It's detail is superb. JRR Tolkien would have loved it.

98 Hercules Grytpype-Thynneghazi  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:49:10pm

re: #81 engineer cat

good question - prolly was a 386...

i believe i will find a command line c compiler as well as an implementation of prolog on the hard drive

Turbo Pascal.

99 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:53:57pm

re: #92 dragonath

For all the Hobbit fans out there, a Middle-Earth map from Pauline Baynes

Image: middle-earth.jpg

Nice map. I'd wish I still had an ink-jet printer instead of a B&W laser but the price for a page like that one is just too much.

100 dragonath  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:55:12pm

re: #97 Dark_Falcon

The real map has some cool drawings on the top and bottom, but it's hard to find a big version of that.

Tolkien liked her too. She did the drawings for Farmer Giles of Ham and the Adventures of Tom Bombadil.

101 engineer cat  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 8:56:45pm

re: #98 Hercules Grytpype-Thynne

Turbo Pascal.

yes! it would be a copy of turbo - c!

a great software company gone down the toobs... :-(

102 William Barnett-Lewis  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 9:02:16pm

re: #101 engineer cat

yes! it would be a copy of turbo - c!

a great software company gone down the toobs... :-(

They released a bunch of the Turbo compilers in to the freeware realm. For me they were curiosities as I was fighting with a pirated copy of either Aztek or Lattice C under Amiga OS at that time... getting it to talk to the BCPL libs was interesting at times.

103 Mich-again  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 9:21:38pm

The GOP can obfuscate all they like, but I think climate denial is going to keep on losing credibility in Nebraska where the farmers can see it happening with their own eyes..
NEBRASKA FARMERS UNION: Ongoing drought raises big for agricultural future

Heineman spoke to members of the Nebraska Farmers Union at their annual state convention in Grand Island. He made a number of remarks in his address about the severity of the drought. Climate was also a topic of discussion as the convention featured several speakers who addressed climate change and the long-term impact it will have on Nebraska and its agricultural industry.

104 EPR-radar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 9:30:24pm

re: #88 engineer cat

it's hard to tell if there isn't really a shortage of american software engineers. it certainly seems like it in the software shops that i've worked in. most of the american engineers i've worked with are of either jewish-american or chinese-american extraction

this has been blamed on the overwhelmingly nerdy public image of software engineers. i can't tell you how many times i've been told "you're a programmer? but you're so normal!" or "oh, no, don't put 'software engineer' on your dating profile - that makes you sound really boring!"

if corporations have been trying to drive down the salaries of engineers by necessitating the importation of H1s from india, they've started way back by promoting an undesirable image in the media

The bad media image is just icing on the cake. They didn't plan it, but it is useful.

Another factor to consider is brain drain from science and engineering to finance (i.e., quants). Scientists and engineers tend to have to work for a living. Lucky finance types, not so much. In grad school, we called it going over to the dark side.

105 EPR-radar  Fri, Dec 7, 2012 9:35:26pm

re: #94 Ming

Einstein never won the Nobel Prize for his theory of relativity, either the special (1905) or the general (1916) theory. It was politically controversial at the time. (He received the Nobel Prize for his research on the photoelectric effect.)

Strange. Relativity was scientifically controversial at that time, and Einstein's Nobel Prize was for the photoelectric effect and other non-relativistic physics. However, I can't imagine a political controversy on that subject at that time (early 20s). Source?

Of course, these days we have Conservapedia barking about relativity in physics as being somehow related to moral relativism...

106 theye1  Sat, Dec 8, 2012 4:28:49am

America maybe exceptional, but at least I get affordable healthcare when I get sick.

edit: Not American.

107 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Dec 8, 2012 5:47:50am

The irony is that wingnuts really hate many of the things that truly are exceptional about this country. For example, as wikipedia notes in its article on the United States:

It is one of the world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries.

Wingnuts, of course, abominate, loathe and despise diversity. The Lubbock County Republican platform perfectly summarized this attitude with its notorious declaration of "One nation, one flag, one language, one loyalty."
Until very recently, a spirit of adventure and innovation in science and technology was an integral part of the American self-image. From Thomas Jefferson's experiments in horticulture to the Moon landings, Americans saw themselves as a people pushing back the darkness and extending the boundaries of human knowledge. To wingnuts, though, science itself is suspect, somehow fueling the collapse of values they see as having been stronger in the past.

108 [deleted]  Mon, Dec 10, 2012 6:05:06am
109 Charles Johnson  Mon, Dec 10, 2012 11:45:49am

Spammer.


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