consider the man who is obsessed with issues of race, and evinces a hatred for members of a particular race. All of his posts are designed to demonstrate how they are the source of societal ills. The rest of us see the point of exchanging friendly greetings in the Kroger or the BP, and just getting on with the business of being neighbors and friends.

That has been, in essence, my response to beaver, over and over again. I simply got tired of trying to explain to him/her that sitting behind the front door of your home and grumbling about people you don't know isn't productive. Rather than deciding that "those" people are the source of every problem in this county, I think we serve each other -- and this county -- better by simply treating each other with respect and approaching each other (when there is a problem) as reasonable human beings. Sometimes, it's worth saying, "hey, if you don't mind, could you turn down your music? I've got a sleeping baby in the car." Why not give people a chance to do right or be better than you expect?

Clearly, muddle, you "get" it.

-------------------------------
If you and I are always in agreement, one of us is likely armed and dangerous.

You are so right Tony! Our children in the United States are so far behind their counterparts in Europe and Asia. If our education system does not improve - our 'white' children will be equated with third world students. When Russia developed 'Sputnik' - the American education system received a shot in the arm - and we demanded more from our students - in order to compete with the Russians. We succeeded. This is possible to achieve in this decade. Education should be at the forefront of our concerns for the future of this country. Teachers should be rigorously trained to meet the needs of today's student who comes to school computer-wise. Teaching methods need to be updated to meet the demand of the 'information highway'. (web) However, one must not assume that all 'black' prep schools are below standard. My grandchildren were accepted in a top rated private academy (majority of students white). They excelled - and their previous educational experience had been a Christian academy (majority black).
At the end of the first year - they were BEHIND ‘the students at the 'black' academy - and returned to the 'black' school. Both grandchildren score in the 90th percentile and read far above grade level. The difference was not in the 'color' of the students or teachers - but one school had a classroom size or 11-12; the other school (16-20). One school was following state curriculum standards; the other school had a teacher/administrator-developed curriculum that introduced algebra/geometry in primary grades; and conversational spanish/frence in Kindergarten. The enriched curriculum of the 'black' school plus the lower class size made a definitive difference in the educational progress of my grandchildren. We are most fortunate in Fayette County to have teachers; parents and administrators who demand the best from the students. Not all public schools are as fortunate. If the public had the will to demand that public schools have smaller class sizes; aligned curriculum with state and federal tests; well educated and gifted teachers; - when a child entered college he would have the academic skills and citizenship values to succeed at the college level. (The value-system of a child IS THE PARENTS' RESPONSIBILITY - which the school builds upon.) Beaver, I wonder at your need to continually try to denigrate all African Americans. The country is moving beyond the ignorance of 'racism'. Get on board!!

Walter Williams used the fact that Traditional Black Colleges and Universities (TBCUs) have a graduation rate of less than 50% to question whether or not TBCUs should exist. Soooo, I looked up the grad rate for freshmen at the University of Georgia. Ha! From 1998 to 2002, the 4 year graduation rate at UGA rose from 40.9% to 51.1% This is according to the UGA Office of Institutional Research in a study written by Associate Director Denise Gardner. So why did Mr. Williams not question the viability of UGA? My guess is they don't suit the motives of his political, self loathing argument. It is interesting to note the facts and statistics one must ignore to make the race-based arguments against TBCUs. Cheers, and enjoy ripping into these paper thin arguments . I think Mr. Williams doesn't have much else to write about these days. I rememer an article he wrote saying how strong and vibrant the economy was no matter what John Edwards and the liberals tell you. Hmmmmmm.... Interesting how reality tends to step in and fly in the face of idiologically based arguments.

Cheers to you!

Kevin "Hack" King

The statistics quoted by Hack only reference the 4 year rate. The 5 and 6 year rates go much higher. See attached FACTS:

A Comparison of Graduation and Retention Rates for the University of Georgia and Peer Institutions

Just goes to show how facts can be twisted if someone wishes to misinform. Mr. Williams has a very good reputation, and I am sure that he did his homework. It is interesting how Hack describes Mr. Williams writings as a result of "self-loathing". I highly doubt that most white people would consider white writers that report about the degredation of white society as being "self-loathing".

Here are some more FACTS about the comparison in college graduation rates nationwide from the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.
I couldn't find a Journal of Whites in Higher Education.

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Oh please. Give it a rest. Take a deep breath and enjoy life. Americans in Higher Education - how about that? I hope everyone read the complete article - it is really very interesting. FACTS: 95% of 'blacks' attending Yale, Harvard, and their peer institutions graduate. Hmmmmmmmm.

Are you saying that it is ridiculous to have segregated organizations of higher education, or is it only just o.k. for blacks?

“...the term “democrat” originated as an epithet and referred to ‘one who panders to the crude and mindless whims of the masses.’”

How is posting an article by Walter Williams denigrating to all AA's?

-----------------------------------------------------------------
“...the term “democrat” originated as an epithet and referred to ‘one who panders to the crude and mindless whims of the masses.’”

When one uses it as an article to compare all blacks negatively to all whites. You never answered my question about Amazing Grace.