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Letters, 9/5: College rankings are rank

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Friday, Sep 05, 2008 - 01:04:43 am CDT

Every fall, some magazines try to rank universities and colleges. Every fall, people who know their own universities and colleges hold their noses, because there’s an unpleasant smell in the air when these issues appear.

What’s the stink about? Timid professors? Presidents who don’t like being compared? Alumni doubting their own worth? That’s what magazine editors want you to think.

In fact, choosing a college wisely involves a different kind of science from the one these journalists practice. And it involves an art that escapes them altogether.

The science that matters is based on outcomes. The pseudo-science that rank-happy journalists practice wallows in inputs.

The college rankings editor of U.S. News & World Report (LJS, “UNL improves in top college rankings,” Aug. 23) gets his results from a mysterious calculation involving how much money a university spends, what freshman test scores look like and more of the same. Those are input measures. He doesn’t know and doesn’t care about outcomes: that Nebraska Wesleyan graduates win national awards in incredible numbers, that they claim a lot of places at UNMC, pay off college debts more reliably, and in so many ways do well and make us proud. That’s why ours is one of Nebraska’s nationally recognized (and ranked) institutions.

The art that matters in choosing a college is about finding a place that resonates with your own soul, a place where you’ll be happy while finding suitable challenges and the right kind of nurture. A great artist — whether Pablo Picasso or Willa Cather, Linda Ronstadt or Bill Kloefkorn — doesn’t paint (or write or sing) by numbers. High school seniors don’t make great college choices mostly by the numbers, either.

When you read those “rank” reports this fall, think hard about what they really represent. And when you look at an actual college, get face to face with it. Your own ranking will be the only one that really counts.

Fred Ohles, president, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Not informed voters

The article, “Fahey: Obama can win in Omaha’s 2nd District,” (LJS, Aug. 29) unintentionally outlines several issues associated with courting an apathetic or unqualified electorate. Mike Fahey’s statement that “an all-out grass-roots effort to get people registered already is under way” indicates that the targeted people are either too inept or uninformed to register themselves to vote.

In this country, registering to vote is not a task that any cognizant person will have trouble completing on their own. Fahey then says the real challenge is getting these new voters to the polls. He describes with apparent enthusiasm a plan that “involves no less than seven touches” to entice these new registrants to vote.

From my perspective, if a person requires seven contacts from a political organization just to get them to the polls, they probably are not an informed or impassioned voter.

Fahey should be embarrassed, rather than excited to be involved in this wreck. Any individual that requires this much outside help to register and exercise their right to vote should probably leave the electoral process to more informed and personally motivated people. Any politician with a shred of integrity that gathers support from this “army of new voters” that has been shepherded their way, should feel no pride in receiving it.

Christopher Farabee, Hickman

Liberalism is big problem

The decade of 2000 has been tough. Let’s examine why.

The Clinton recession took place in 2000 and 2001. Then we had Sept. 11. Then the Iraq war. Then we had Katrina. Then mortgage problems. Also, the oil prices and the continuing inner-city school dropout problem. To top it off, President Bush never saw a spending bill he didn’t love, which made him look like a drunken liberal.

The mortgage problem was caused by Bill Clinton in 1995 wanting every person to own a home whether he had a job or could afford the home. This was going to insure that poor people would vote Democratic for life.

High oil prices were caused by the Greenies and the Democrats agreeing not to drill for oil. When you get as much money from the environmental movement as the Democrats have, you have to vote against drilling.

The 60 percent dropout rate in many of our large city schools is another deal between the Democrats and the Teachers Union. This last problem will probably destroy America before the others.

The bottom line is that liberalism remains America’s biggest problem, not terrorism.

Wes Hager, Lincoln


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Voters wrote on September 5, 2008 5:09 am:
" Unfortunately, "informed voters" and "motivated voters" are not necessarily the same thing. It is quite possible to be motivated and hopelessly uninformed. How do you think Bush got re-elected?

New voters of any stripe should be welcomed into the electorate. In terms of the quality of our elected officials, there's no where to go but up. "

 Problems wrote on September 5, 2008 5:26 am:
" Our country's problems are complicated. Greenspan's relentless lowering of interest rates after the last recession were a big factor in the mortgage meltdown, as was financial deregulation, which led to unchecked risk-taking by financial institutions and too-easy credit for consumers. High oil prices are caused by demand outpacing supply. Whether or not we drill for oil has little impact on supply, since the US has only about 3% of proven oil reserves worldwide. Finally, the contention that the teacher's union and democrats are responsible for high dropout rates is just plain insulting. Please.

It is comforting to blame Liberals for all our problems, but such thinking is not only misguided, it is unproductive. Rather than focusing blame on either party, we should learn the facts and seek workable solutions, together. The stakes are too high. "

 Old Guy wrote on September 5, 2008 6:36 am:
" Wes

Your a typical republican. You in someway manage to blame everything you can on "liberals" no matter how ludicrous your ideas are. It's time you face the facts and accept your party's responsibility for what it has done in recent years. It's is really sad that anything like that letter ever gets published in the paper. "

 NWU wrote on September 5, 2008 6:55 am:
" NWU was the only way i graduated it's the best school around end of story. "

 Wes.... wrote on September 5, 2008 7:20 am:
" ....can I get some of what you are smoking? Pretty soon you will be blsme liberalism for night, winter, and what ever else you like. The housing crisis was caused by people buying houses they could not afford and predatory loan companies. The biggest complaint about schools is the current no student left behind program, which happens to be a Bush program. Also when Bush took office, oil was around $25 a barrel and he said at the time that was way too high and he was going to use his influence to get the price down. Well this year oil hit an all time high per barrel. You are wrong about America's biggest problem being liberalism, its ignorance like you are displaying. "

 Greg wrote on September 5, 2008 7:42 am:
" Wes Hager's letter reads like a satire of far-right thinking. Liberals are responsible for every evil that has descended on the country, including hurricane Katrina, the school dropout rate (incidentally, Sarah Palin's Alaska has the highest in the nation), loose home loan lending practices by greedy banks (somehow Clinton's fault) and, apparently, the Iraq war. Even President Bush has somehow been infected with the liberal bug which has made him "look like a drunken liberal." Unfortunately, Hager's letter isn't satirical. Like a lot of Americans, he's not happy with the way things have gone and are headed in the country. Unlike most Americans, he blames it all on a bogey man, liberalism, rather than wanting to confront the real root causes, which are complex. And there's always the possibility that if he allows himself to study the issues, he might have to admit that some of his most cherished preconceptions are deeply flawed. "

 Too much AM for Wes wrote on September 5, 2008 8:20 am:
" Wes, where to begin. Lets start at the obvious. The Iraq War was started by Bush. It was not started by Clinton. 9/11 is somehow Clintons fault. Except George "I'm on Vacation" Bush ignored the reports issued by Clintons antiterrorism people. But let blame Clinton for Bush not doing his job.

I know what caused Katrina. Clinton's secret weather control machine. It makes it easy to blame Clinton that way. The mortgage crisis was fueled by the Republicans weakening lending rules and deregulating banks. But lets blame Clinton.

Oil prices were not at all influenced by the U.S. invading a middle eastern country. And Chinas rapid growth in no way impacted global prices of oil. Bush being an oil man with an oil man as head of his energy department holding secret meetings with big oil execs didn't have anything to do with a spike in oil prices. It was Clinton. he has been buying all the oil and keeping it in a secret underground bunker. Along with his weather conrol device.

Wes, seriously, turn off the billorushohannity. Actually with ideas as off the wall as you are spouting i bet you are an avid member of the savage nation. Learn to think for yourself. "

 Darwin wrote on September 5, 2008 8:23 am:
" In this time of electoral fervor, it would be wise to review just how the president of the USA is elected. He is not. He is appointed. Everyone learns this in third grade, but then conveniently forgets it after the test.

The government spends millions and millions of your tax dollars to convince you to vote for president, collect those votes, count those votes, then flush those votes down the toilet. They mean nothing.

And I quote: "The Constitution, in Article 2, Section 1, provides: “Each State shall APPOINT, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress.”

The Electoral College is not a group of elected officials, they are appointed to their position. They vote, and they are responsible for appointing the next president. They do not have to vote according to how their respective state votes. They can vote any way they want. In the last two elections, Bush lost the "popular vote", but still became president because the popular vote means nothing. It was designed this way on purpose by our Founding Fathers.

What matters is who you elect to the smaller government offices. The ones most people overlook in their drive to choose the next president. Your votes for Council members, Commissioners, Mayors, Representitives, and Senators is counted, and do matter. It is these people who, in the end, have some say in who will be appointed to the electoral college, and thus who will become president.

Stop wasting money on the placebo of the "popular presidential vote". It doesnt exist. "

 Fair Balanced wrote on September 5, 2008 8:37 am:
" With all of the similar far left letters being published lately, the LJS has to provide the other side of the spectrum. "

 WHAT wrote on September 5, 2008 9:02 am:
" Really now Wes!
First of all, what Clinton recession? The country was doing well economically in 2000 and 2001. September 11th happened because Bush didn't heed the warnings given to hom. Katrina also was ineptly handled by a conservative government.
The mortgage problem was caused by greedy, uncaring lenders. Perhaps Congress should have stepped in sooner to stop or slow some of their predatory lending practices, but it was not directly Clinton's fault. If it was, then it is also directly Bush's fault as he has been president for the last almost eight years.
High oil prices are because the Republicans refused to fund non-oil based alternative energy investigations and technologies.
And how is the dropout rate the fault of Democrats. You failed to explain that one.
The bottom line is that conservativeness remains America's biggest problem. "

 Dave wrote on September 5, 2008 9:28 am:
" Talk about uninformed voters. All you have to do is read some of the letters sent in and the comments posted. I about fell out of my chair laughing at the letter sent in by Wes.

If this forum is any indicator, I would say that 98% of the US population is an uninformed voter. It couldn't possibly cause any more harm to register additional voters.

Someone who thinks they are informed because they (only) read all the propoganda from their respected religi....err party is the worst kind of voter. Stop being sheep! Use your brains and think for yourself and educate yourself on the issues. This country if falling apart because people are too selfish and lazy. Do not trust that your party has your best interests at heart no matter what they say. As the the old joke goes, "How do you know when a politician is lying? His/her lips are moving." "

 The Bigger Problem wrote on September 5, 2008 9:45 am:
" An even bigger problem is the environmental extremist movement of the man made global warming cult.

As Vaclav Klaus, president, Czech Republic, states:

"I spent most of my life under the communist regime which ignored and brutally violated human freedom, and I remember quite well, wanted to command, not only the people, but also the nature, to command wind and rain is one of the famous slogans I remember since my childhood. In the past, it was in the name of the Marxist or the proletariat, this time in the name of the planet. Structurally, it is very similar. The current danger as I see it is environmentalism and especially its strongest version, climate alarmism."

CO2 - It's Plant Food! "

 Alan wrote on September 5, 2008 9:54 am:
" Perhaps the only thing more danergous to our republic than the uninformed voter is the person who votes only their narrow self interest. Neither McCain or Obama has earned or deserve my vote. Both will increase spending and the size of government beyond its current bloat. Both will leave the country poorer and deeper in debt than they found it. "

 Spin machine wrote on September 5, 2008 10:34 am:
" Wes should audition as the newest talking head on FOX.

The mortgage crisis was caused in part by the repeal in 1999 of the Glass-Steagall Act that separated investment banking from commercial banking. The repeal was the act of a Republican Congress that worships free markets. The crisis is the result of capitalistic greed run amok in an unregulated market.

There is no credible source that believes US drilling in the outer continental shelf or in ANWR will have a significant impact on oil or gasoline prices. Quit relying on McCain campaign rhetoric and read a knowledgeable analysis (try the report by the Energy Information Administration).

What, exactly, is the collusion between the Democratic Party and the Teachers' Union? Perhaps some market manipulation to maintain their exorbitant salaries?

Wes is a good example that the concern expressed by Christopher Farabee is not limited to members of the "army of new voters." "

 BicycleMike wrote on September 5, 2008 10:38 am:
" Wes, do you honestly feel that liberals are the sole reason for high gas prices, you truly believe that? You don't think for a moment that geo-politics plays any role in the prices what so ever? I'd argue that an unstable Iran, war in the Middle East, sky rocketing world demand for oil, emerging powers, not so friendly relations with Venezuela, and a troubled African continent may play strong roles in high oil prices. Wes did you happen to notice that I did not place blame on any one group of people? I spacificaly didn't because it's a much larger problem than tagging it to "greenies" as you say. I think I'm going to go run errands now... on my bike. "

 RussianMike wrote on September 5, 2008 10:45 am:
" Wes: I read your letter a few times over. I'm still not entirely sure your letter isn't an outrageous, biting mockery of right-wing lunacy.

Liberals are to blame for 9/11? The war in Iraq? For Katrina?! I like liberals, but not even I think they're gods.

You cannot be serious. This must be a joke. Right...? "

 Ha Ha wrote on September 5, 2008 10:49 am:
" I feel like I have just read the funny pages! "

 Sean wrote on September 5, 2008 10:54 am:
" Tell ya what Fred. The majority of articles I've seen on college rankings concerns which are the best "party" schools to attend. Not sure if anyone goes to college to do anything other than binge drink and play football these days. It's sure not to learn something. "

 Zoomie wrote on September 5, 2008 11:22 am:
" Oh, Wes!! What a hoot!!!

First, an group called the NEBR officially set dates of recessions. The official recession was March 2001 (Bush) until November 2001. It was one of the shortest, mildest recessions on record! But a graph of economic performance since WW2 shows that the economy grows, then shrinks in recession, then grows, then shrinks...until Bush! Every recession since WW2 was followed by growth that few the economy to higher levels than ever before. Until 2001. Since the 2001 recession, the economy has been flat!!! And is now entering another recession (and I supposed you'll somehow try to claim that's Clinton's fault, too).
Housing crisis was caused by the industry selling homes to millions of people who were unqualified and unable to pay for them, followed by idiots like Greenspan telling people (as he did less than 2yrs ago) to switch from their low fixed rate mortgages to ARM variable mortgages...just as the rates skyrocketed! And the industry habit of rolling them all into CDO's, where they claimed every item in the CDO was a AAA valued loan, when in fact they were mostly B or C class loans, has now led to not just a housing collapse but also a financial crisis! And THAT was caused by the GOP steadily deregulating the banking industry (you'd think they would have learned after they deregulated the S&L's!), let by McSame's economic advisor, Phil Gramm (who, remember, thinks the American people are all just whiners anyway). Oil is rising because of simple economics - supply and demand! Too much demand, with an industrializing China, not enough supply (and we can't fill up the void with a bare 3% of the worlds oil). Forcing schools to spend every free minute teaching the test, the only measure under BUSH's No Child Left Behind bill, is destroying our educational system (so much so at least a dozen states - including Texas!! - are opting out and giving up Federal education dollars rather than harm their kids any worse than they have).
And Wes, did you know there is now a whole psychological school of study that examines how conservatives consistently blame all things wrong on their political enemies, while being able to convince themselves they NEVER are to blame for anything they do themselves! It's a fascinating field, a study of the use of denial to make oneself feel better rather than admit one's own culpability! "

 Here we go again wrote on September 5, 2008 11:48 am:
" How is it that if Wes's letter blamed all of today's problems on G Bush or conservatives or republicans, the agreement letters would be overwhelming. But to blame the "Liberal" Democrats for anything is "ignorance". Read the comment section everyday and you will find some for of "ignorance" blaming Bush and or Republicans and it is considered well informed writing. Consider this quote by "What" obviously a well informed Liberal Democrat: "The bottom line is that conservativeness remains America's biggest problem." So proves that point. "I must of missed those classes in school. But in school I did learn that the Electoral Collage was instituted by the founders to prevent the "tyranny" of the majority. You can research that if you desire. As for Katrina and New Orleans, the Mayor and Govoner were the first in line in that progression of errors. And designing and building a city in a swamp 12 feet below sea level in a hurrican route goes back to the French city fathers of New Orleans. The history of New Orleans is filled with floodings and such catastrophies based on that small fact. As for the state of education in America as a non-traditional student at SCC who graduated High School in 1968, I find it interesting that my fellow students recently graduates of our fine public school system cannot in an College level American Government Class readily identify or define how our government actually works, but can recite the Democrat anti-Bush "talking points" with great clarity. And heaven forbid you ask them to write a paper of any length, or expect them to participate in any sort of public speaking within thier classes. Those skills too seem to be lacking. The problem is our entrenched government both Liberal and Conservative locked in this constant battle for ultimate power, a War of Ideas" that will be constant till we remove them and replace them with new faces and ideas, from the electorate, not the profesional polititian aristocracy that many here bow too. The power of the Liberals Conservatives, Teachers Unions, the list goes on, are the root of America's social problems, to believe otherwise is truely "ignorance". "

 Whoa wrote on September 5, 2008 11:52 am:
" Blaming everything on liberalism, will get you a lot of comments in this blog, but its not realistic. Liberalism, is not responsible for every ill, that has ever hit America. Granted some of the liberal ideas did not work out well, just as a lot of conservative ideas have not worked.

Balance is the key here, we must look to moderation in our leaders, they should have a moderate ideas. Not too conservative, not too liberal. Imagine what that would be like. We might actually get something done! "

 Ned wrote on September 5, 2008 11:53 am:
" Wes like to think things are black and white in his favor. Its not so simple to blame all ills on a symbol. Just to clear the air, Wes, it has not been the "Liberals" deconstruction the US and the world for the past 8 years, it has been the "conservatives" gone wild. "

 If wrote on September 5, 2008 12:01 pm:
" If Wes believed in global warming, he'd somehow blame that on liberals too. And here I thought all those problems Wes mentioned were the fault of them gays. During the RNC hate-filled attack speeches were any new ideas given to address the economy? Naw, don't own up to it or even admit it being a problem. Isn't it ironic McCain is going to bring us together after days of RNC hate filled attack speeches? "

 stignob wrote on September 5, 2008 12:42 pm:
" It's not true "liberalism". Reality is the democrats are morphing into socialists. So they use the term "liberalism" and twist it up to make you think it's what our nations founding fathers were, "classic liberals". Or in today's political term Libertarians. "

 Mike the Realist wrote on September 5, 2008 1:01 pm:
" The problem is not the fault of the left-wing whack jobbed Dems NOR the right-wing nuts in the GOP. It is the fault of BOTH parties, which is why the time has come for us to kick both parties to the curb and vote for third-party and independent candidates. You're wasting your vote if you select a single Dem or GOP this November. "

 Jeff wrote on September 5, 2008 1:09 pm:
" You can always find ways to blame others, but it never seems that anyone takes any accountability. There is no one willing to take accountability for the debacle of the last 8 years of the Bush Administration. And did we elect him twice because of informed voters? motivated maybe - but I don't know how you can call them informed. Idealouges I guess. One issue voters. Like Ann Coulter said yesterday: "pro-guns, pro-life - I lover her." Such myopic thinking. Somehow I don't think bringing new voters into the process can hurt us anymore than the voters have done to themselves up to now. "

 Sagacious Hillbilly wrote on September 5, 2008 1:54 pm:
" Off shore drilling currently accounts for 25% of domestic oil production. Oil companies hold leases to vast reserves of oil in both off shore areas and land based areas. They have chosen NOT to drill in these areas so that they can hold on to that oil speculating that the price will continue to rise and they will reap better profits in the future. Meanwhile, they pump where they're at at maximum capacity and make record profits selling every drop of oil they can get. So why are politicians tying o "open up" off shore drilling? So that oil companies can obtain more leases in areas they have been restricted from getting leases. Understand, they won't be drilling there anytime soon, they just want the option to do so, so that when oil hits $200/brl they might want to increase production. "

 osisbs wrote on September 5, 2008 2:05 pm:
" Wes, go ahead and vote for McCain. I dare ya. "

 Bait taken wrote on September 5, 2008 2:16 pm:
" Thank you Wes, your "bait" drew out our usual suspects ready to blame Republicans and or Conservatives for all the ills of the nation, but how dare you even consider the Liberal Democrats have any responsibility for this total fiasco we call a government. It is humorous how the letters readily shift blame to the right, defending blindly, based on thier perceptions. No matter which Kool-Aid, Grape or Cherry that is drunk, the battle will continue, each side blindly following thier fixation on their version of "truth", easily rebutted by the opposition. No one can even remmember the dreams of FDR, or LBJ and how those dreams have become a nightmare of "the power of dependance" now the center of the battle in DC and in our communities. "

 JB wrote on September 5, 2008 2:19 pm:
" First the college rankings should only be used as a guide. Comparing student-teacher ratio is very important.
Second is almost to easy to register to vote. It is more that people are to lazy.
Third I get tired of everybody other then the reactionary right being called "Liberal" like it is a bad word. Most are actually moderates. Being conservative only means you aren't smart enough to decided on any changes. "

 Old Guy Too wrote on September 5, 2008 2:21 pm:
" And the majority of the response letters here are from the "Typical Liberal Democrat" shifting blame on Republicans and Conservatives no matter how ludicrous the alligations or conspiricies are. When will Liberal Democrats accept your party's responsibility for what has been done to our nation. "

 Jack wrote on September 5, 2008 2:26 pm:
" Wow, I'm really glad I tuned in to this blog, I now have all the answers to all of our problems from the Reps and the Dems!! What a great day!! "

 ReaaaaaWes wrote on September 5, 2008 2:31 pm:
" You probably really should find a job. I'm sure Rush or someone would put you on the payroll. I guess the dems are responsible for the war, 9-11, national debt (which was in the black when bush took over and now is in the red 9 trillion dollars), unemployment was down, interest was average, stock market was coming back, our troops were deployed to peaceful countries, congress and the senate still worked together, people could afford to spend money as their investments were secure. NOw tell me again how much damage clinton did to the country. Oh yeah he had oral sex in the white house. How about your friendly senator who had the same in st paul minn airport. How about your partys wantabee president who left a damaged wife to marry cindy with money. Tell me more of just how good cheney and bush are. "

 Here we go again - wrote on September 5, 2008 2:52 pm:
" I think the reason you are seeing so many folks kicking and screaming about the "ignorance" displayed in this particular liberal-bashing letter has less to do with the fact that it's liberals Wes is railing against, and more to do with an utter lack of logic displayed on his part.

Liberals have had bad ideas, conservatives have had bad ideas, and everything in between. But to attribute complete responsibility for the good, or the bad, to a single group of individuals on issues as big as a war or high school drop-out rates IS a classic case of ignorance.

It doesn't help his case that he assigns blame to liberals for a war declared by George Bush. Or for the weather. Or for flying planes into the Twin Towers. It would require an unfathomable stretch of the imagination for me to understand how liberals could be largely responsible for these events. "

 MarkyMark wrote on September 5, 2008 4:07 pm:
" Wes. Do you ever think about what you say? Home ownership is the greatest thing we can do here in America, to make people feel like they have some worth. It's good for their well being.

If a person without a job or couldn't afford a home back in 1995, he would have lost his home back in 1995 not in 2007 or 2008. Say no to crack! Please.

Sept 11 was poor protection to the people, and should have been intercepted, but our president was "sick and tired of terrorist briefings from those wacky Liberals. The expense for the war is Mr Bushes choosing. And all the blood is upon his hands.

All throughout recent history, in the volatile Middle East, if you much as sneezed the price of oil would wildly fluctuate, Now, if you are reckless and stir up a hornets nest it would rise even more. The only thing worse, is if a Country would actually invade a Middle Eastern country, the price of oil was guaranteed to go through the roof. I contend to you, that was the plan, along with wanting to be a tough guy, and not being confused with one of those "sissy liberals". The price of oil is directly affected from Mr Bush's war. You can thank him. You can pump the ocean floor dry and not lower gas at the pumps over about a dime.

It strikes me, Wes, If you don't like what's going on, this is America, love it or leave it. Seriously. The blame belongs with 6 years of total power for the Un Liberal bunch. They could have changed every single law on the books had they chosen to. Since they didn't blame your NeoCon president and Congress from the first half of the decade.

I can understand your pain since the Republicans have completely abandoned Conservatives. Stop whining, wake up, and be an American. "

 Uninitiated wrote on September 5, 2008 4:20 pm:
" For the uninitiated, please explain the difference between "The Daily Show", Kieth Obermann(sp), Ed Shultze, and the Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Andrew Wilkow media? Each is info-tainment aimed at a "target" audience, and each audience blindly accepts the messages.
Each are giving out thier flavor of Kool-aid truth. Too many here a ready to "blame" the right wing media, yet totally engulf the message of the "left wing" media. And the results of this are readily seen in these political comments here everyday. Yes, as stated here in a comment the Social Programs of FDR, as well as LBJ can be traced as the roots of this power struggle in DC over the dependence of the American people on Government. So how far back do we want to play the blame game. "

 Older Guy wrote on September 5, 2008 4:36 pm:
" In this infomation/entertainment form of media many are distracted or misunderstand what the "news" actually is. The background of terrorism prior to 9/11 could take our previous posture and position on terrorism as weakness, hense the attack timing, based on that assumption. We will never know but the possibility can be addressed and not questioned. So Wes is possibly a product of this totally biased infomation/entertainment media that is "dumbing down" America for what purpose other than dependence. We know the latest gossip on who gave birth or is sleeping with who, but no idea on UNRES 1441 and its impact on the current "illegal" Iraq War. Even the Electoral College comment here was only answered by one, its purpose is to prevent the "tyranny of the majority", even the founders understood what would eventually happen to our electoral process and put in a safeguard. These grape/cherry comments are pointless based on the information/perception they are based on. "

 Nameless wrote on September 5, 2008 5:00 pm:
" Uninformed voters, sit in any class at UNL or SCC and you will see plenty of "uninformed" voters polarized by thier enviornment. My expieriences on campus so far scare me, blind indoctronation, agree to grade politics. And please don't ask me which side is "winning" based on these informed students and faculity, we all know the leanings. "

 Rxwoman wrote on September 8, 2008 7:48 pm:
" Here We Go Again and Bait Taken: The reason folks blame George W. Bush, and his conservative administration for most of the country's current problems, might be because they have been in power for 6 of the last 71/2 years. Duh.
To Uninitiated: The difference between The Daily Show ( Hint: it's on Comedy Central) is that it says it's a comedy show of satire, where as Rush, Hannity, O'Reilly, etc. are on FOX News ( unfortunately being a joke is NOT the same as being comedy) channel, and claim to be serious news.
People listen to biased bologney on FAUX News, and believe the nonsense that pretends to be actual "news". Many listen to right-wing blow hards, not to become informed, but to have their biases reinforced. "

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