All Activity

Critical thinking skills are a hallmark of a true technical education. Critical thinking skills are also learned through living. You must have a way to sustain yourself while you’re learning, and you will learn critical thinking by living better than from any book. Any form of education is only the beginning. It’s up to the individual to continue learning. I was the training coordinator at the petrochemical company I worked for during my last few years. Before I signed off on completion to satisfy company and OSHA rules, I had my own rule. The student had to tell me ‘why’ when I asked them a question instead of just telling me the procedure from the manual. Then, I knew they could critically think in a hazardous environment. If they could do so at the plant, they began to do so in other parts of their life. How do I know? Coffee break discussions.

You love you some polls.

I got a story about that. In 1984 I was named to represent Hardin County on the Southeast Texas Workforce Development Board. It is responsible for distributing federal workforce training dollars in the three county region here. Reagan’s retooling of the old CETA program. I served until 2019. As time went on, corporate America became more and more involved indirectly with public education curriculum. Basic skills, they said. Since then, education has gotten more and more “basic”. More science and math, less English, history, and social studies. Also escalating over that time was the complaint that public education wasn’t cranking out kids who could do much of anything and as always blamed parents, drugs, video games, music, etc. to keep our eye off reality. A “liberal” education in the technical sense creates a well rounded individual with effective critical thinking skills. We quit doing that. People with poor critical thinking skills are more malleable and less capable of focus outside the basic skills they were taught. Training went from Apprenticeship programs to ITC and other training facilities funded by employers. Again, criticism about the “unpreparedness” and indifference of the workforce continued. It hasn’t worked. If anything it has made people more inclined to be told what to think rather than possess the curiosity and critical thinking skills to evaluate current events for themselves. It just ain’t that simple. “Train them and they will come” is not all it’s cracked up to be. Educate them and they will be sought.

Fox news poll! [Hidden Content] 🌊🌊🌊

I only skimmed the article. I’ll have to read it fully later tomorrow. Generally, Fortune has some good articles. So, I’m interested. As far as your initial sentence, I disagree with your premise. Instead of regulating high performers, I suggest re-emphasizing technical skills over liberal degree programs that provide for more indoctrination than education. If you truly believe in equality (not equity) as I do, you are forced to believe that everyone is capable of learning a technical skill. I’m a big proponent of technical skill programs. Whether these skills are learned through military service, or other training programs that provide real world skills is irrelevant to me. (Although, I wouldn’t be against a minimum 2 year service requirement for all after high school graduation that would provide income, service to the whole, and training for needed skills. A little patriotism wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing either.) From the initial scan of the article, the data suggests a timeframe that correlates to when technical skills were the mainstay of the middle class, and provided a livable wage. This compensation for skill still remains, and is actually higher today because of a severe shortage. The key isn’t regulation. It’s the correct education. That isn’t impacted by CEO compensation. I don’t believe a law is needed to limit someone’s individual earning power they have gained through their efforts. That stymies. Instead of trying to hold someone back, find the way to bring the others up. Retool our educational priorities. Personally, I grew up poor on a farm where my family went bankrupt before farmers were paid NOT to grow stuff. My dad worked his tail off and paid back every dime. He was that sort of man. I served in the military, served the government in some other related functions off book, ended that affiliation, and went to work in Operations at a petrochemical facility. During that time, I completed a Design Degree, and then Engineering. I did this later in life while married with a son. It can be done. I’ve been retired and able to live off of investments and savings for ten years. I firmly believe it really is all in how you apply yourself, and what’s important to you. No corporate greed affected my status.

Wow! It's quite.

Still don’t hear nothing but crickets on the challenge. Show me documented evidence that illegals voting has impacted any race anywhere any time. You can’t. Because it doesn’t exist. One of the great red herrings of all time.

Capitalism can’t exist without creating a segment of the population that is unemployable. The greater the inequity in wealth, the larger that segment becomes. If a family with two adults working still can’t afford basic housing, transportation, food and clothing costs, you see no obligation of the group as a whole to assist? I agree that the system is out of control at this time, but that does not negate the principle. When the average difference between line worker and CEO wages was 20/1 in favor of the executive, the middle class was doing a heck of a lot better. I like this article in Forbes which lays responsibility on the corporation to fix this inadequacy rather than the state. Regulation exists primarily because of greed. Show me how to reduce the debilitating effect of corporate greed on the middle class without laws, and I’m all in. [Hidden Content]

Our military is not keen on being used on the homeland. I can also tell you that from experience. I am not keen on them being used. They are serving for a different purpose. Correct again. We will never agree on the welfare state. To me, the welfare state is a mechanism to take away liberty, and provide for subservience. Not to provide liberty.

I think you are putting your own personal agenda above what is likely the best for that team. There is always plenty to improve on, but questioning chemistry and team dynamics 30ish games into a season is not productive. You are what you are at this point and it’s time to be the best version of that possible. You know who makes deep runs? Talented teams with guys that make plays. And the freshmen for Bridge City is one of those guys. Let the professionals worry about how to manage their squad. I promise they aren’t just sitting around twiddling their thumbs.

We’re not too far apart, but the difference is a big one - concerning the welfare state and inequitable distribution of wealth. Does your inclination towards paramilitary operations include use on American soil? If so, how do you square that with abhorrence of the Patriot Act?

Enjoying success and discussing areas to improve aren’t opposites. The seniors have built strong chemistry over years, that’s a real strength. Playoffs tend to expose rushed decisions and defensive lapses no matter how talented a player is. Talking about tightening things up isn’t negativity… it’s wanting the team to make a deep run.

@UT alum The link is a fairly adequate description of my thoughts. As with anyone, some of my beliefs vary slightly. I’m not a fan of the tariffs, and I think Rep’s are spending like drunken sailors as bad as the Dem’s. Just on different things. Due to personal experience, I’m slightly more inclined to involve pseudo military/military interventions on special occasions and for special circumstances. I also believe in border control and strictly legal immigration until we do away with the welfare state. (Which will probably never happen.) Same token, I abhor the Patriot Act with a passion. So, it’s a mixed bag on certain national security issues. [Hidden Content]

They are desperate. [Hidden Content] Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, slammed the legislation, saying in a post on X it was "a brazen abuse of power [and] an insult to democracy." Pot calling the kettle black.

[Hidden Content]

Did Trump truly win the 2024 election, and is there evidence of tampering? If the election was fair, why does he continue to cast doubt?

Yes. I can see how you would think it was strictly opinion. I’m not Libertarian as in the Party. Although, I do hold many of the beliefs. You’re also correct I don’t get as passionate. I like to tell people I look at policy instead of politics. Most times I can do that. Although, sometimes I get into the politics also. I won’t lie. I try to catch myself. Personally, I think we could use a few more fiscally conservative libertarians nowadays.

Not at all. I keep forgetting you are Libertarian. The most dispassionate of the political affiliations, and that’s no slam. You must admit that posting without the data looked prejudiced.

Don’t use that mask to hide behind the fact that right wingers provide no proof to back up any of their outlandish claims.

A liberal asking for proof. Russia Gate. Does the Mueller Report ring a bell? Lmao.

You are correct. I actually said ‘white females’. The teaching profession needs more diversification according to multiple studies. [Hidden Content] [Hidden Content] Just a couple. There are multiple more citing similar stats & conclusions. Some speak more about gender and sex. I’m a data-driven person. It’s not me being…what did you call me “prejudiced”? Your best bet is to probably argue/debate with someone more emotionally inclined like yourself. Not a slam. Just pointing out an argument type. My style will probably come across as crass and uncaring to you. Not sure why I missed posting data the first time. I always try to post it. Just must have missed linking it.

[Hidden Content] [Hidden Content] C’mon. Give me some proof. Evidence. Something other than rhetorical claims backed by nothing

Queue up the Nick Saban “rat poison” speech. Bridge City is playing just fine and the staff has it under control. God forbid we enjoy a little success.

[Hidden Content] i know you won’t believe it because it doesn’t fit your narrative. That’s the good thing about the truth: its existence doesn’t require your belief.