'Obamaphobia'?

[Shadow girl]

Wow, so it wasn't only my school district that said Hitler and the nazis were communists. That's quite unfortunate.

Then again I'm not surprised. Textbooks can be vague. Thats why I learned more in the library then I did from the textbook.

[Næt.]

I weep for the next generation of US children if that represents a general level of education.

[Shadow girl]

I'm looking at things right now that there doesn't seem to be a determinable answer between socialism and communism.

Guess it doesn't make too much of a difference.

[Eddie7]

Libertarians aren't neo-Nazis.

I know that, but some neo-nazis call themselves that.

We seem to be the bad guys at the moment somehow. Not entirely sure how that happened. I blame the Republicans regardless.

By we I mean libertarians of course, not neo-nazis.

[Næt.]

Why is there the need for a republican party in a republic?

[Eddie7]

If they weren't there those filthy Democrats would turn the country into, shudder, a democracy!

[Ace Amoeba]

I'm looking at things right now that there doesn't seem to be a determinable answer between socialism and communism.

Guess it doesn't make too much of a difference.

It's a big problem how difficult it is to come up with an accurate meaning for these things. We often equate communism, not as a practice of a government, but of the Soviets and the Cold War. Obviously corruption can make any set of ideals look bad including capitalism, socialism, monarchies, ect.

[Ace Amoeba]

I'm looking at things right now that there doesn't seem to be a determinable answer between socialism and communism.

Guess it doesn't make too much of a difference.

It's a big problem how difficult it is to come up with an accurate meaning for these things. We often equate communism, not as a practice of a government, but of the Soviets and the Cold War. Obviously corruption can make any set of ideals look bad including capitalism, socialism, monarchies, ect.

So wasn't Hitler and the Nazis at war with Russia, another communist regime at the time. The Nazis may have been socialists/communists, but they were also fascist as well.

[Sally]

I weep for the next generation of US children if that represents a general level of education.

I'm glad I won't see it. The current generation is ignorant enough.

Shadowgirl, think of it this way. (With the key word being "think.") The Nazis were nationalists -- Hitler and the others developed a sort of religion built around being pure German. Anything and anyone not German and "perfect" was subhuman, including Jews, Poles, Gypsies, handicapped people, communists, and homosexuals. Nazism was an ideology. Germany became a ideological dictatorship under Hitler. They deliberately killed the above groups of people, including 6 million Jews.

Russian communists developed a political system. They wanted the state (except they used the phrase "the people) to control all industry. Russia became a political dictatorship under Stalin. The Russian communists sent a lot of people to work camps for political reasons, but they didn't try to literally exterminate specific types of people.

I know that's complicated, but if you just think about it, you'll see that communism and the Nazis were very different. If you don't understand yet, then just don't talk about it. Some of us are old enough to know people who were killed by the Nazis and we don't want it compared to communism.

[Olivier]

Some of us are old enough to know people who were killed by the Nazis and we don't want it compared to communism.

And some of us are old enough to be related to people killed by Soviet communism, and we echo Sally's views that Soviet communism's cruelty was terrifyingly indiscriminate, and the complete opposite of the targeted atrocities of Nazism.

[Shadow girl]

Some of us are old enough to know people who were killed by the Nazis and we don't want it compared to communism.

And some of us are old enough to be related to people killed by Soviet communism, and we echo Sally's views that Soviet communism's cruelty was terrifyingly indiscriminate, and the complete opposite of the targeted atrocities of Nazism.

I've meet a lady who survived the Nazis as a child just barely. I say by what they did it was a mix of communism and socialism. They wanted to wipe out everyone that didn't look right or believed in something differently. So really it was Genocide.

[Næt.]

Shadow Girl, what is Communism?

[Shadow girl]

Created by Karl Marx a drinker who couldn't hold a job well the communist party is the idea of everything being owned by the entire community and there being no social classes. However, this really doesn't work since no one has anything to work for, everyone has assigned jobs, and a feeling of hopelessness.

[Sally]

After that exchange, I can relate to the feeling of hopelessness. *leaves thread, sighing*

[BunnyK.]

Some of us are old enough to know people who were killed by the Nazis and we don't want it compared to communism.

And some of us are old enough to be related to people killed by Soviet communism, and we echo Sally's views that Soviet communism's cruelty was terrifyingly indiscriminate, and the complete opposite of the targeted atrocities of Nazism.

I've meet a lady who survived the Nazis as a child just barely. I say by what they did it was a mix of communism and socialism. They wanted to wipe out everyone that didn't look right or believed in something differently. So really it was Genocide.

Shadowgirl, you can't just say "well, they killed some people and communists killed people therefore they must be communists". That's basically the equivalent of saying "that bat is flying and birds fly so it must be a bird". It's not logical for one, and really, it's just plain incorrect.

I think part of the problem is that you don't appear to know anything about the actual theory of communism or fascism - you only know that the Soviet Union was communist and that Germany had Nazis. Therefore, the fact that both lead to the slaughter of lots of people seems to make them equivalent in your mind. Unfortunately, that's not the way the world works. People are endlessly inventive at finding ways to get themselves in power and then keep themselves there - even when the method they use is totally different.

Humor me: were you homeschooled?

[Shadow girl]

Some of us are old enough to know people who were killed by the Nazis and we don't want it compared to communism.

And some of us are old enough to be related to people killed by Soviet communism, and we echo Sally's views that Soviet communism's cruelty was terrifyingly indiscriminate, and the complete opposite of the targeted atrocities of Nazism.

I've meet a lady who survived the Nazis as a child just barely. I say by what they did it was a mix of communism and socialism. They wanted to wipe out everyone that didn't look right or believed in something differently. So really it was Genocide.

Shadowgirl, you can't just say "well, they killed some people and communists killed people therefore they must be communists". That's basically the equivalent of saying "that bat is flying and birds fly so it must be a bird". It's not logical for one, and really, it's just plain incorrect.

I think part of the problem is that you don't appear to know anything about the actual theory of communism or fascism - you only know that the Soviet Union was communist and that Germany had Nazis. Therefore, the fact that both lead to the slaughter of lots of people seems to make them equivalent in your mind. Unfortunately, that's not the way the world works. People are endlessly inventive at finding ways to get themselves in power and then keep themselves there - even when the method they use is totally different.

Humor me: were you homeschooled?

No I went to public school in South Carolina.(Yeah I know the worst in the country)

[Tanwen]

The 'ideal' of communism is 'From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs', which relates to Christ's instruction of 'Holding all things in common' and 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'. Unfortunately man's interpretation corrupts the message., for both ideals.

[Anti-stud]

After reading this thread my gast is very, very flabbered. The hypocrisy, the ignorance, the propaganda...I knew it was bad, but I never realised it was that bad.

America needs some proper textbooks ASAP. Good thing they're replacing those pesky Biology books with the Bible...oh wait :(

[Næt.]

Incidentally, Alberta (Canada) has just proposed a statute or a mandate or a law, or something, meaning that teaching reality is optional:

Evolution classes optional under proposed Alberta law

A controversial Alberta bill will enshrine into law the rights of parents to pull their children out of classes discussing the topics of evolution and homosexuality.

The new rules, which would require schools to notify parents in advance of "subject-matter that deals explicitly with religion, sexuality or sexual orientation," is buried in a bill that extends human rights to homosexuals. Parents can ask for their child to be excluded from the discussion.

"This government supports a very, very fundamental right and that is parental rights with respect to education," said Premier Ed Stelmach.

Although Stelmach has confirmed the bill will give parents the authority to exclude their kids from classes if the topic of evolution comes up, Education Minister Dave Hancock said it won't change anything.

"With respect to values, religion and sex education have always been areas of concern for parents, and they've always been areas parents have had the right to be notified about and to exempt their students from," Hancock said.

Debate over Alberta's international image

Frank Bruseker, the head of the Alberta Teachers' Association, is meeting with Hancock on Monday to raise his concerns.

"If parents don't want that kind of education for their children they have a couple of options," Bruseker said. "One would be home schooling or private school. So for a public school to start excluding based on religious preference, I think is a mistake."

'All they've done is make Alberta look like Northumberland and sound like Arkansas.'

—

Brian Mason, Alberta NDP leader

Bruseker said it would be difficult for teachers to avoid the topic of evolution in science or geography classes.

The proposed legislation has touched off a debate about just what kind of image Alberta's government is trying to create around the world.

NDP Leader Brian Mason likened the bill to Alberta recently using a photo of a British beach in an ad to promote the province.

"This government just spent $25 million of taxpayers money to give Alberta a new image. All they've done is make Alberta look like Northumberland and sound like Arkansas," Mason said.

The new legislation could be passed within a few weeks.

But wait, there's more:

Faith schools free to preach against homosexuality

• Government plans include sex education for all pupils
  
• Catholic schools welcome clause on teaching 'values'
  

Sex education is to be made compulsory in all state schools in England but faith schools will also be free to preach against sex outside marriage and homosexuality, under government proposals.

The plans to make personal, social and health education (PSHE) compulsory from the age of five, published yesterday, include a clause allowing schools to apply their "values" to the lessons and another allowing parents to opt their children out on religious grounds.

It means that all state secondaries in England - including faith schools - will for the first time have to teach a core curriculum about sex and contraception in the context of teenagers' relationships, but teachers in religious schools will also be free to tell them that sex outside marriage, homosexuality or using contraception are wrong. Sexual health campaigners warned that such an approach could confuse teenagers, but Catholic schools welcomed the move.

The government-commissioned review by Sir Alasdair Macdonald, headteacher of Morpeth school in east London, on how to make PSHE compulsory, concludes that schools will be legally obliged to teach pupils about health and nutrition, safety, drugs and alcohol and sex education.

For the first time pupils will be taught how to stay safe - from tackling cyber-bullying to resisting pressure to join gangs - and how to manage their bank accounts.

But the most controversial element is making sex education compulsory. The plans have divided faith groups and safer sex campaigners who highlight the fact that Britain has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe.

An optional curriculum in secondaries covering sex, both homosexual and heterosexual relationships, and contraception will be made compulsory - previously schools had to teach only the fundamentals of reproduction, contraception and puberty in science lessons. A new curriculum for primary schools will include teaching five-year-olds about different kinds of relationships, managing their emotions and about physical changes to their bodies in childhood.

Faith schools will be allowed to deliver the lessons in line with the "context, values and ethos" of their religion, the report says. Parents will also retain the right to withdraw their child from sex education lessons, meaning some children will continue to miss out altogether.

Macdonald said: "What we're trying to do, and I accept it's difficult, is find a balance between young people having an entitlement to knowledge, facts, information but where schools, particularly schools with a particular faith interest or other disposition, also have a right to put that in context of their particular institution. "

A Marie Stopes spokesman, Tony Kerridge, said: "We are very pleased that it has become part of the core curriculum. It is absolutely important that we grasp this nettle. The vast majority of children go to mainstream schools but for those who attend faith schools, this is a lost opportunity to have that caveat."

Macdonald's report also backs the current system of allowing parents to opt their children out of sex education. Currently 0.04% of pupils are withdrawn from lessons, usually on religious grounds. The move was opposed by children's rights campaigners. Adam Lonsdale, a 16-year-old member of the Youth Parliament, said: "No parent or school should be able to prevent a young person receiving good, high-quality sex and relationship education."

Oona Stannard, director of the Catholic Education Service for England and Wales, said: "PSHE is a very important part of a child's education and it should be in the curriculum, but the approach to what is taught ought to be in line with the wishes of parents and should uphold the ethos of the particular school."

The schools secretary, Ed Balls, accepted the proposals and said they will now be subject to consultation.

[Anti-stud]

Fish, I weep for this world. The lunatics really have taken over the asylum.

I never thought I'd say this but I'm with Shadow Girl. This Revelation thing or Global Warming or Asteroid or whatever better hurry up and put us out of our misery. This shit has gone on for long enough.

[Ace Amoeba]

Thanks for posting those articles, Fish!

The part about teaching kids how to do things like balancing their checkbook and other real-world scenarios, to that I say "finally".

[Sally]

South Carolina (where ShadowGirl goes/went to school) does, as she said, have quite a number of the worst schools. Out of 100 worst schools on the below site, 37 of them were in South Carolina. There are 50 states in the US so any one state having 37% of the worst is really an accomplishment.

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborh...tings/worst100/

Re Alberta, I don't know what Northumberland looks like but anything sounding like Arkansas has got to be bad.

[Shadow girl]

Fish, I weep for this world. The lunatics really have taken over the asylum.

I never thought I'd say this but I'm with Shadow Girl. This Revelation thing or Global Warming or Asteroid or whatever better hurry up and put us out of our misery. This shit has gone on for long enough.

But when the Revelation comes will you be "Ready"?

When the rapture happens only true believers will be taken. The rest will be left with one more chance before its too late.

Ever read the Left Behind Series? Its a good read and very interesting and let me tell you its a plot you get into. Its fiction about non-fiction.

[Shadow girl]

After that exchange, I can relate to the feeling of hopelessness. *leaves thread, sighing*

You don't have to feel that way.

God knows and can help you.

[Guest Puck]

Fish, I weep for this world. The lunatics really have taken over the asylum.

I never thought I'd say this but I'm with Shadow Girl. This Revelation thing or Global Warming or Asteroid or whatever better hurry up and put us out of our misery. This shit has gone on for long enough.

But when the Revelation comes will you be "Ready"?

When the rapture happens only true believers will be taken. The rest will be left with one more chance before its too late.

Ever read the Left Behind Series? Its a good read and very interesting and let me tell you its a plot you get into. Its fiction about non-fiction.

...The left behind series is fiction based loosely(Read: very loosely) on the bible and shouldn't be taken as prophecy.

FTR: That website you linked to is hilarious, it's like Colbert only serious which makes it even more laughable xP

Alberta is my least favorite province, it's like a colder version of Alabama.

[Shadow girl]

Fish, I weep for this world. The lunatics really have taken over the asylum.

I never thought I'd say this but I'm with Shadow Girl. This Revelation thing or Global Warming or Asteroid or whatever better hurry up and put us out of our misery. This shit has gone on for long enough.

But when the Revelation comes will you be "Ready"?

When the rapture happens only true believers will be taken. The rest will be left with one more chance before its too late.

Ever read the Left Behind Series? Its a good read and very interesting and let me tell you its a plot you get into. Its fiction about non-fiction.

...The left behind series is fiction based loosely(Read: very loosely) on the bible and shouldn't be taken as prophecy.

FTR: That website you linked to is hilarious, it's like Colbert only serious which makes it even more laughable xP

Alberta is my least favorite province, it's like a colder version of Alabama.

Well duh! That is what I said.

Thats not a joke at all and what does the location have to do with it?

[Sally]

Shadow Girl, you are funny without attempting to be funny. That is a rare skill. It should serve you all your life.

[Olivier]

But when the Revelation comes will you be "Ready"?

If I ever break a leg and get laid up in bed for weeks, I'm going to get something published on Rapture Ready - that would be a hoot.

[Eddie7]

Is AIDS a judgment from God?

Since the first time sin entered the heart of man, sickness, disease, pain and death have been a part of every person’s life. AIDS is another part of the judgment of sin that Satan uses to destroy lives.

AIDS is in a different category because it had its start by immoral behavior. Sexual relations outside of marriage, homosexual activity and drug use are the causes of the majority of AIDS cases. There is the minority, however, who have contracted HIV through no fault of their own. Since that can be the case, it cannot be assumed that every AIDS patient is suffering under a judgment from God.

What utter tossers.

[Næt.]

There's an article in this month's BBC History magazine (it was a Saxon special; s'why I picked it up), which suggests that Victorian-Christian sensibilities were a factor in the preventing of the spreading of the cure for syphilis. The Victorians wanted to emphasise the whole 'oooh, immoral lifestyle' thing.