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These Articles Are REALLY Pissing Me Off!

Posted: 0000-00-00

The following is a snippet article that was posted on the KINY Juneau Daily News Latest Edition:

Alaska scores low in number of students headed to college
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A new state study shows that one out of every 20 children entering ninth grade in Alaska will go on to graduate from college.

That gives Alaska one of the worst post-secondary education rates in the nation.

The study shows Alaska's efforts to improve the dropout rate have also failed.

These articles are aggravating for several reasons, first of which is that these articles ASSUME that the end-all-be-all of life is a college education. And yet, here in Juneau, and in Alaska in general, the overwhelming preponderance of jobs do not require a college education. In fact, our state and local governments are constantly pushing the industries that do not require this type of education (mining, timber, fishing, natural resource extraction, tourism). With these jobs as the only real jobs awaiting high school graduates, why in the HELL would they need to go to college? Many of these jobs are very high paying jobs, a lot of which pay even higher than many jobs requiring college degrees.

Next, if the high school dropout rate (and the low college enrollment percentages) are really that worrisome to the state (and the city), why aren't they trying to develop industries that would supply the types of jobs that a person with a college degree would pursue? Why aren't we (as a community and a state) trying to develop non-blue collar industries? We have the technology to support software development, financial services, and all other sorts of businesses. The idea has even been floated that we should become involved in offshore-type banking (much like Switzerland and most of the Caribbean). There are a wide variety of choices we could (and should) be entertaining.

But no, instead, we sit here promoting jobs that require little to no education and then wonder why our kids aren't interested in graduating from High School or going on to college.

Wake up, folks. You can't teach someone to crave carrots by feeding them rocks.

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Everyone Realizes It But Her

Posted: 2008-05-07

This is getting rather pathetic. Even the people who really wanted her to win (the Republicans who knew she stood less of chance of beating McCain) are now admitting that she doesn't stand a chance. Now if Sen. Clinton could just accept that conclusion we could be done with this and move on to the general election. Hopefully she won't make us watch her long-drawn-out-political-death much longer...

Read More Here >>>Article

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Got a Call Last Night...

Posted: 2008-05-07

...from the Democratic National Convention. Was rather humorous. The woman (very polite) asked my name. Once I told her she started into her spiel about "they" were predicting the "race in Alaska" would be close this year... That's when I cut in.

What race?

Why, the Presidential Election.

Is going to be close in Alaska?

Yes, that is what my paper here says...

Do you have any idea of this state's political demographic?

Uhhhhh... no.

Well, we're about 85% Republican. I don't think it is going to be close here in Alaska. I'm pretty sure McCain will walk away with it here.

Oh... well... you're a democrat right?

No, I am an independent.

But you voted democrat?

I have on occasion.

Would you be willing to support the Democratic Party by making a donation.

I will decide once the primary has ended and a nominee has been decided.

Oh, but we aren't supporting any particular candidate. Your money will go to the Alaska Democratic Convention to use as they see fit.

Right, and if Hillary wins the candidacy, they will use that money to support here campaign. I am not going to support her in any way, shape or form.

Even if she is the Democratic nominee?

Well, then I would have to choose between the lesser of two Republican evils and, thus far, McCain has a better track record for honesty. I'd probably vote for him instead.

Oh... I see... Well, thank you for your time.

Thank you.